Abercrombie Trip Feb 2012

[mr turbo]

Last w-end I had the chance to visit Abercrombie N.P with the NSW Subi Rec Club & had a ball.

We met up at Black Springs, early on Saturday morning & after replacing a blown fuse for my power outlets (GPS & phone) together with the usual meet 'n' greets, we were on our way.

About 20km's were traveled on the black stuff, until we found the 2nd entrance to the N.P It was here that we aired down to start out on our adventure
And it wasn't long before we found our 1st challenge. It was a steep down hill, followed directly by a very long, very steep & rocky up hill climb

Last time I was here, I missed making it by just a couple of metres. But I wasn't going to let it beat me this time. No way in the world, as we had a score to settle.
So with the loud foot planted, along with some spirited driving & plenty of dust, I nailed it all the way to the top....un-assisted

There was one recovery on this hill however, with one of the other Forry's.

It made it about 80% of the way up, but pinched a tyre & got a flat in the process

Once being recovered & pulled to the top, the tyre was changed, as it was now a little worse for where

Not long after this, we had a wicked, long down hill. It wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be though.
In saying that, it was still a good challenge, due to the loose rocks, which made it feel like you were driving on marbles most of the way down

To be continued....

Regards
Mr Turbo

 

[mr turbo]

The rest of the day was fairly un-eventfull
Yes, there were plenty of hills to go up & down, with some being quite steep, but nothing our cars couldn't handle :iconwink:
We also had a few creek crossings thrown in for good measure. Although they weren't very deep, some were interesting, mind you, with their entry & exits

As time was now starting to beat us, we headed back to Silent Creek, which we shared with some local Kangaroo's & Wallaby's, where we camped for the night

However, we did stop for some pics along the way as the views & scenery was awesome

Just as we were about to call it a night, one of the guys realized he'd locked his keys in the car
It took a while, but we managed to break into the car (no it wasn't a Subi) without damaging anything to recover the keys.
Then with that done, it was light out (so to speak) for a few hours of well earned sleep.

Here are a couple of pics of Silent Creek, which actually had water flowing in it, so it wasn't so silent after all

Regards
Mr Turbo

 

[mr turbo]

It was an early start on Sunday morning, so after leaving the camp site early, it was time for some more fun & driving :ebiggrin:

There was plenty of good driving, with plenty more ups & downs along the way to contend with

At times, you could even see the tracks we had done & about to do in the distance

Some of the places we took in on the Sunday were "The Beach", "The Sink", "Licking Hole" & "Ledinghams Hut"
The entrance to the Hut is always interesting, especially with this dip that you have to contend with
But trust me, it is well worth the effort

All in all, it was a great trip, with great company & friends, together with some perfect weather aswell



Regards
Mr Turbo

 

[carljwnc]

Glad you didn't let that hill get the better of you this time.

Looks like it was a wekend well spent. Love the jumping roo shot.:biggrin:

 

[taza]

Wow, nice pics Mr T!!!

Glad you made it up that hill Just imagine if it was two to nill!

Great roo shots, I am finding it hard to believe how green the the scenery is compared to this dry side of the country :iconwink:

Taza

 

[Kevin]

I am finding it hard to believe how green the the scenery is compared to this dry side of the country :iconwink:Taza

We too found it unusual as it is a huge contrast to drought periods out there and even when there is rain about Abercrombie seems to miss out. It's the first time I've seen Silent Creek with running water on top (it usually just runs underground with a couple of puddles on top).

PS - I had my Triton on this trip

 

[apsilon]

Great pics as always. I really want to get back as I haven't been back since the trip with Eden. Also have a camper trailer now which would be really interestingn some of those climbs.

Good work making it up that hill as well

 

[NachaLuva]

Did you do this track? Love looking at tracks in the distance you're about to do :biggrin:

Very pretty wallaby...not sure which type though.

Some great pics with some great stories to go with them.
You must feel very satisfied you conquered your nemesis hill climb :biggrin:

 

[mr turbo]

Looks like it was a weekend well spent. Love the jumping roo shot.:biggrin:

He was a big ol' boy that one. He was even nice enough to stop jumping for a few seconds, so as I could take couple of pics of him standing still for me too

Glad you didn't let that hill get the better of you this time.

You got that right. Me too :ebiggrin:

Glad you made it up that hill Just imagine if it was two to nill!

There was no way I was going to let it beat me this time, no way in the world
Beg, borrow or steal, I was going to make it to the top in one go, no matter what it took :lol:

And by the way, the count for that hill is now 3 to 2 in my favour

Did you do this track? Love looking at tracks in the distance you're about to do :biggrin:....
....You must feel very satisfied you conquered your nemesis hill climb :biggrin:

Yes mate I'm fairly sure we did. If my memory is correct, we drove up that hill about 10-15 mins after taking that pic

Yes it felt great alright, thats for sure

Regards
Mr Turbo

 

[plazaxt]

Sweet pics looks like a fun spot

 

[thunder039]

great pics!

 

[dirtyRU]

Glad to you got to go out & conquer that hill! Looks like it was an awesome trip to say the least! :ebiggrin:

This one is my favorite, lookin like a beast shreddin it up

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A future banner perhaps?

 

[mr turbo]

This one is my favorite, lookin like a beast shreddin it up

Yes I really like that one too
But I have to & must give the credit to Kevin for taking that one
Great capture Kevin, that is one magnificent & a brilliant action shot

A future banner perhaps?

I think you might be right & onto something there I think :iconwink:

Regards
Mr Turbo

 

[drw]

That photo of Mr T looks great - I should try to post the video of the same hill.

The photos look good but as always they do not do the hill justice or show exactly how steep it is and the rocks & ruts.

As usual I was leading the group and therefore was first to tackle it.
I walked it to assess best line, so steep very hard to walk up and down.

So here is how it is done.

You come down a steep decline & at the bottom is space for about 2 cars to park - to get up speed you need to start about 20 yards before the bottom. You start in the middle of the track, but here is the trick - just after you start to go up is a hump so you can not go over that at full speed without damage. The aim is not too fast over it & not too slow or without low range you run out of stream on the incline. As soon as you go over the hump you need to put your foot down to the floor and be on the extreme right of the track to avoid large rocks & ruts, then right where Mr T is you need to cross over to the extreme left of the track for a short time before you go back to the right and then up to the final section where you finish in the middle of the track.

It really is a big challenge in a Forester or other small 4WD.

My score on this hill is 3 to 2 as well, but that is 5 successful attempts first go.

3 successes in my 2007 Blue Forester XL Auto & 2 successes in my 1999 White Forester Limited Auto.

In the 99 Forester with only the 2lt motor I believe that when I am on the right side of the track just before I turn across to the left I am on the last quarter turn of my wheels, so if I continued straight up would not go very far, but in turning across the track to the left I regain about 200 revs which gives me enough power to get up without stopping - really is taking this car to its limit.

Would not change my Foresters for a large 4WD with low range for anything.

Cheers

 

[Kevin]

Yes I really like that one too
But I have to & must give the credit to Kevin for taking that one
Great capture Kevin, that is one magnificent & a brilliant action shot

Thanks; I was just pointing and shooting - you provided all the action! :lol:

 

[JohnA]

This is obviously Bald Hill, right?

It looks a real monster. I was in the park over the wet weekend just gone. Went down to the first river crossing on the Arkstone side of the Beach. Parked up top and walked down the slope to the creek. The water was way up and very angry and to my surprise there was a chap camping on the flats to the left of the track with what looked like a stock Defender. He must've had balls of brass in all that rain.

Also ducked into the Sink for a squizz. I'd recommend the Sink for first timers or those wanting a family BBQ with the feel of bush without too many challenges. Close to the entrance with a loo and fire pit. No water to cross. It's a lovely spot and very doable. Without the rain it would be sweet for a lilo or tube on a hot day. I used a little low range climbing out but only as I'm cautious over the lips on ascent and descent.

The Beach is a much more difficult proposition to the Sink. I went in with a jacked up and fully optioned Wrangler Rubicon as tugboat and hung back. None of the creeks were crossable last weekend but I had no problems in the limited areas I was prepared to go. I'd hate to be deep in the park when the rain started but I'd certainly do the Sink after a shower without worry.

The Wrangler was oblivious to all challenges. Shocking car on the road but off-road it's unstoppable. I think it found the whole thing a bit boring, to be honest. I enjoyed myself, even so...

 

[mr turbo]

I was in the park over the wet weekend just gone. Went down to the first river crossing on the Arkstone side of the Beach. Parked up top and walked down the slope to the creek. The water was way up and very angry and to my surprise there was a chap camping on the flats to the left of the track with what looked like a stock Defender. He must've had balls of brass in all that rain.

You're not wrong about that
I think he must have been hanging around "Brass Walls" fire track for too long I think :lol:

Regards
Mr Turbo

 

[Ratbag]

Gidday Mr T

Some of that looks a little disturbing ... .

Funny how much more benign things look when one is NOT sitting in the driver's seat.

Glad you all had a terrific time. Scenery looks lovely.

 

[NachaLuva]

Great description foresterman. Photos never do climbs justice from head on. Only way to show gradient is from side on, just make sure you keep the trees vertical.

Would not change my Foresters for a large 4WD with low range for anything.

Hell no!

Some of that looks a little disturbing... .

Funny how much more benign things look when one is NOT sitting in the driver's seat.

Substitute "disturbing" for "challenging" & "woohoo" :rotfl:

 

[mr turbo]

Great description foresterman.

It sure was.
Another way to describe it is, once you reach to the bottom & look up, all you see is a hill that looks like a rock wall

Photos never do climbs justice from head on. Only way to show gradient is from side on, just make sure you keep the trees vertical.

Thats so very true, sometimes pics just never give the pic true justice

I found a vid of what it looks like from a drivers point of view.
It was made & taken when we were there 2 years ago (in 2010)
Some of you may have seen it before, but it's always great to see it again

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=La3Zfo0sNCg"]Bald Hill at Abercrombie 2010.wmv - YouTube[/ame]

Hopefully it gives you a better idea of how challenging this hill climb, of Bald Hill really is :ebiggrin:

Regards
Mr Turbo