There were two variations of this trip.
One group meet at Hanmner Springs on Saturday 27 Aug for a local day trip, followed on Sunday with the trip from Hanmer to St Arnaud via the Rainbow Road. The other group left Sunday morning from the St Arnaud end of the Rainbow Rd and meet up with the group coming from Hanmer.
The following trip report from Hilary was for the Sunday group from St Arnard.
Further down the page is an "unofficial" trip report from Lex. Thanks heaps
On a beautiful Sunday morning fit for a good skiing day, Gail & I were heading towards Tophouse a bit early, when we came up behind an old brown Safari, leaving clouds of black smoke behind. I was able to enlighten her that this was our trip leader for the day, so at least we must be in the right place, even if we did have to hang back a bit to see the road. We duly headed for the skifield turnoff carpark, being 20km up the Rainbow road, unaware that this was the wrong turnoff carpark. So 40 minutes later the troops turn up at 6-mile Creek, just when I was considering having a day's skiing instead, and I got the pleasure of the trip report for the day, being the last person, and the 13th, to join the trip!
We headed off up through the Rainbow station, past more cattle and familiar huts, gates, and scenery. I had some trepidation about the big scree that I saw some members of the club climbing on a trip I joined 5 years ago, but on the trip up we missed it. Having taken on 2 kids from Hillbilly's vehicle at a gate, we followed a couple of trucks into the river, and the kids decided this was more fun than being on the road at last. But once back on the road we stayed there for the climb up to the main hut for morning tea. Stunning weather, more like summer than winter, and very little visible snow for a snow trip. Gail was happy to meet up with an old friend by surprise from another truck, Fiona, but their discussion had nothing to do with 4WD's at all!
A little later we continued on up to the top, passed the slip that caused the group trouble last year, and met Scotty coming the other way. There were quite a few kids on the trip, all excited about snow, but it was a bit minimal. Some of the fitter among us raced up to the top of the nearest hill in search of higher views and some snow, while others drifted down to Lake Tennyson, for lunch, passing the other group from Hanmer on their way up the pass. After a scenic and peaceful lunch, we both found some excitement by swapping seats, and Gail drove back over the hill to the hut, being her first experience of a manual for 10 years, let alone a V8 or a 4WD!
The much larger group now snaked back down the valley, past the dreaded scree without a 2nd thought, and collected at the boundary of the private land. By now we were 30 vehicles, and there was discussion about how we were strongly bound to remain on the road at all times. An edge of frustration was heard here and there, since this has been a happy playground for many in the past. We did venture back into the river, as before, for a brief rebellion with another few. The high point was watching Don almost turn his truck on it's side in front of us in a deep bit. Only almost! The return to base was very dusty and well behaved, but the banter on the radio kept the smiles going all the way home! A beautiful day out, and if it wasn't for the dust, it would be called a shiney trip. My suggestion for next time is that our $20 each might just permit us to be off-road here and there, via negotiation of course. After all $600 is a fair wack for passing through on the road alone.....
Thanks Tracey, and thanks Peter, a great day in the mountains.
Hilary - V8 Safari.
Peters comment:- Hilary mentions the $20 and off-road.
Rainbow Station permit us to drive the road, which is not open to the public this time of year. Will open 1 Dec to late March 2006. The Rainbow Station management are very clear about what we can and not do, and going off road is not permitted. We pay the $20 for access - not to go off the road.
Cheers Peter
An un-official trip report. - from Lex
Sunday snow trip group. 28/8/05
Thursday night:
“Hello.” Voice of small person answers phone call.
“Is Hillbilly there please?”
“Yep. Daaaaad. It’s for you.”
A voice that sounds like gravel rattling in a kerosene tin booms down the phone.“Yeah!”
“That you Hillbilly?”
“The one and only at your service!”
“Giday mate. Lex here.”
“So you’re comin’ on Sunday!” (A statement not a question.)
“Yeah I hope to.”
“Rainbow turnoff. 9:30am. Will wait until 9.45am, so don’t panic if you’re a bit late.” That sounded like an order.
“Do you want me to let you know if I can’t make it?”
“No.”
“Sweet. Well maybe I’ll see ya there then.”
“Yeah. Bye.”
Sunday:
Picked up three mates from Stoke and head for the last fuel stop at Wakefield. Cringe at the rising fuel prices. Cell phone rings. “Hello.”
“Hi Bro. Harald here. Just rang to wish you good luck. You’re on your own you know. Don’t bugger up.”
Mmmm… At least it looks like I might make it this time. On the lamb Valley trip I left the green monster parked half way up Spooners Range with a blown rear UJ. Not a good look for the Jeep Brigade. Considering it was my first outing since my Denniston episode I was a bit disappointed. I spent that day with Peter Lowish and an excellent day it was I must say. I think Peter & I found answers for all the worlds problems. Once while I was out taking a video Peter had to toot the horn & order me back into the truck. I was holding everyone up. “Hey. If I wanted you to growl at me I would have married you.” Peter just grinned & off we went. However that was another trip.
Back to Hillbilly’s day out. Off up 88 Valley to Rainbow we went.
“ Hello Nelson 4x4.Where are you Hillbilly?” My best radio operator’s voice.
“Standing beside my truck.” Was the quick reply, “Where are you?”
“ Ski-field turnoff.”
“Go up the road and you’ll see someone who’ll give you instructions.”
“Cool. Ta for that.”
We were directed to a house where we signed a paper that I never read. I hope I didn’t sign my truck over to a new owner. Off we go, 13 trucks, all $20 lighter in the wallet. “ Who’s at the rear?” rattled Hillbilly’s voice on the PRS.
“Me hillbilly.” I obediently answered. “But there’s four car loads of skiers between me & you.”
“Don’t worry. We’ll shake them off soon.” We passed a group of male type cows. “They must be looking for sheep shaggers.” calls Hillbilly over the air. Further down the track, “Can the last truck pick up my mate? I left him with the key at the gate. “Will do.” I replied.
‘LJ’ gets in. He’s about six foot forever inches tall but we squeeze him in behind me and there is a distinct shortage of legroom.
“Can someone pick up my two kids I left at the next gate please?”
“Jeez Hillbilly. If you keep dropping passengers at this rate, soon you’ll have to send the truck off on it’s own while you wait at a gate.”
“ Nope. I’ve still got some in reserve.”
We stop a Sledgemere for a bite & drink. ‘LJ’ gets out complaining about his bum having gone numb.
“See,” says Hillbilly, “by leaving kids at the gates I get first dip into the tucker box.” GOOD THINKING HILLBILLY.
We head off again with Hillbilly bolting off out front. I’m now fifth in line and as we start to climb up to Saddle Pass we see what we think is a big black cloud. “ Looks like snow coming.” Says one of my mates. The trucks ahead disappear into the darkening horizon. Someone comes over the PRS. “ Choke, Cough, gag, gasp. Shit Hillbilly. Are you running that thing on coal?” The poor old Nissan was hissin’. The tyres were squelching & the exhaust was belching. Someone made a comment about switching off their fuel pump and running on Hillbilly’s exhaust. The Nissan looked impressive, nose up, heading for the pass. Much like a space shuttle launching.
We top the pass to find Scotty & Kooz, part of the Hanmer group, sunbathing in the perfect conditions. (I thought this was meant to be a snow trip.) Kids ooze from the trucks and charge up the hill towards a few patches of snow. A sled appears and I witnessed one kid shoot down the hill at the speed of sound and exit onto a grassy patch where he suddenly accelerated to the speed of light. I clearly saw daylight under it several times. There’s kids screaming & laughing & back up the hill for another turn. No fear in these tough little devils.
We mount our trusty stead and head off over the pass to Lake Tennyson. “It looks like Hillbilly is here.” I said but then discovered it wasn’t black smoke but a cloud of sandflys, all flying in formation, heading for my energy-enriched blood. We beat the feet out of there. I hate the little critters.
Seventeen trucks from Hanmer & our thirteen from Nelson head off back the way we came from. Somewhere along the way the trip leaders became the led. I last saw Peter Lowish, Hanmer group’s leader, shepherding a group of us back on track after we took a detour to look at a small lake. The rest were scattering off way ahead of him. Hillbilly was heard somewhere at the back sending runners forward with the gate keys.
Hillbilly ate well. His kids starved but got fit. I was dive bombed by sandflys. The weather and scenery was picture perfect. There was a lack of snow. Who cares? It was a good day. Glad I went. Thanks Hillbilly. I love your sense of humour mate.
Lex Bloomfield.
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Past club trips 
