|
Westport - 30 May to 1 Jun |
|
TRIP REPORT: WESTPORT
Date: 30/05 - 01/06/2009
Trip leader: Kooze
Trip report: another great "Squeak" production (edited by Tracy...)
Yippee!...another trip away in my Jeep, better go pack my bag and blanket and wait by the door so they don’t forget to take me! been a long day waiting though since 7am.........
Westport put on a fantastic weekend weather-wise and seven trucks turned up at the designated meeting place on Saturday morning for the briefing. The trip for Saturday was to head towards Denniston way and up what is known as the ‘Goat Track’ – a nice little rock climb trail up the hill and then onto some side tracks before tackling Mt. Fredrick. We’d only just got started on the Goat Track when Guy had a small oopsie and broke the rear drive shaft in the Toyota and had to head back to town for some replacement parts – Sav, being the good Jeep owner that he is, accompanied Guy back down to Westport and into Flag’s place (well- known Westport character and fellow four wheel driver) – who luckily was home and who had some spare parts. (Mum went off to the shops – while I guarded the Jeep).
After a bit of swapping stuff and fixing stuff was done – it was back up the hill to meet up with the others who had finished the Goat Track, had a bit of a play on the side tracks and onto conquering Mt. Freddie. It’s quite a nice little climb – although one saw quite a bit of sky at times (except Jill who had her eyes closed most of the way up...and probably down as well...) - there was fantastic traction on the ‘velcro’ rock and we all paid homage to the corner on the way down known as ‘Lex’s Mistake’.
Sunday saw us all meet up again to head off into the Big Totara area and the ‘Tailings’ track, one that has beaten a few groups over time – with a reputation of being a toughy with plenty of breakage – this reputation not being helped by the fact that we’d run into the guys from Mid Canterbury Club who had tackled it the previous day with fourteen trucks and only three winches – not getting out till after 7.30pm!
So we took off south of Westport towards Charleston and turned off at Big Totara bridge. The track was a doozy but lots of fun and the hard part called ‘the steps’ was in fact driveable this time whereas in the past vehicles have had to be winched down it – most passengers walked and all drivers got down with good traction all the way (Kooze had been quoted as saying "no bloody way I’m driving down there!...prior to the trip). Going up the other side one or two managed to drive up but most winched the last piece at the top. Can see why the Mid Cant guys took so long!! It was pretty rocky and bouncy but I made sure that I waved to everyone as Sav and I went past down the hill!!
We did a side track or two on the way back with a bit of bush bashing till we ended up back at the river for a wash. I, of course, stayed in the Jeep as I didn’t want to get my paws wet. Then it was onto Denniston for a look around the incline before heading home.
Monday we all met up with Flag who had kindly agreed to lead us down the beach from Cape Foulwind to Charleston – even though he was only going to lead us to the first river as he had a barbie to go to – he ended up doing the whole thing! (wife’s probably still not talking to him!!) The river crossings were no problem and the run down the coast was lovely – quite a few expensive-looking baches tucked up into the dunes on the way down. After the trip had finished we all headed back to town to fuel up, pack up and head home. Thanks to Kooze the trip leader and everyone who participated for a great weekend of four wheel driving and friendship.
I had to have a doggy bath when I got home – I was a bit dirty...Mum said I had to........
|
Past club trips 