NSW: Wednesday April 25th: Ourimbah State Forest

[glen_ep Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close glen_ep]

Well I reckon that was a great day out for all. We ended up with a fourth vehicle from 4X4EARTH; Craig with a 100 series cruiser (small lift and lockers). After bending both of his side steps today, I have a feeling he got a little more than he bargained for... sorry Craig!! But, I'm pretty sure everyone drove home with great satisifaction, knowing they'd tackled some good challenges today :-)

Anyway, on to the photos...

The usual mud/water hole:





The usual ruts:

[glen_ep Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close glen_ep]

A newly explored track, with very deep ruts, which were a little slippery due to recent weather:



Notice Craig's cruiser in the background getting some serious angle!!



Craig christening his first side step:



Declan showing some articulation:

[glen_ep Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close glen_ep]

The rocky climb I was super keen for:

[glen_ep Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close glen_ep]

Same climb, near the top; A huge step, bad camber and massive boulder on the right, just waiting for a mistake!



Can't go forward, can't go back... argh...



80 series air time!!

[glen_ep Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close glen_ep]

Those that didn't tackle the rocky climb had to back track along the massive ruts. Given the slippery conditions this did take some effort, and one recovery (sorry no photos)...



Afterwards, lunch at the top of the rocky climb. There's also a cave nearby (sorry no photos) and a rock garden:



The rock garden... maybe next time (seriously... maybe!)

[glen_ep Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close glen_ep]

Then over to the far north/east region of the forest, we climbed a rocky track to the top of a powerline, and were rewarded with this view:

[glen_ep Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close glen_ep]

We spent some time exploring this region and found quite a few good climbs:





And some crazy ones:



^ We're not even sure how Lyfe's 6" Patrol would tackle that (huge steps and really bad camber).

That's it.. plus 2 videos which will be uploaded for tomorrow.

[blkd4d Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close blkd4d]

Great photos glen

[Evo's 90 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Evo's 90]

wish I was able to go. looks like a good day

[glen_ep Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close glen_ep]

Thanks blkd4d

Video #1/2: Declan and myself on the hard rock climb:

[glen_ep Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close glen_ep]

Video #2/2: The usual mud and ruts, plus some hill climbs from the north/east region:

[Steve M Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Steve M]

Great going guys, not some where I would take mine wife would kill me if I come home with panel damage on HER 120 prado. Some of those slippery bits especially where the 100 series was on quit a steep angle in the video bet had him leaning towards the drivers side more to try and make it feel like he was stopping it from going on its side lol !! Even I was thinking shit, watching it and I wasnt sitting in it. Loved the video and some great wheel placement Glen. Was going to mention a while ago with one of your other video's very impressed Glen with your wheel placement in your 90, considering where you take your prado the panels are still nice and straight lol. If I can say one thing (not picking, as Im far from been an experianced 4wd driver) but one thing I did learn when 4wdriving is to keep thumbs outside of steering wheel incase of kick back. I did notice Declan in the video where just you two did a real rocky climb at 3mins 17/18 seconds on the video Declan was using one hand (left hand) and just as he was turning the wheel back he was using his left hand and had his thumb inside of the wheel......Not picking but this was some thing that was pointed out to me (as I use to do it) and was told I could snap my wrist or fingers by doing this.....Great pics and vidoes and compliments to the person useing the video, well done, I m hopeless with that , Im always shooting the ground or the sky.lol......Cheers Steve

[williade Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close williade]

I did notice Declan in the video where just you two did a real rocky climb at 3mins 17/18 seconds on the video Declan was using one hand (left hand) and just as he was turning the wheel back he was using his left hand and had his thumb inside of the wheel......

Well spotted! Yeah I was conscious of having done that as Mick had the camera pointed at me

I guess the distinct lack of feedback from power assisted recirculated ball steering has made me a bit complacent, but its still not a good practice

[Steve M Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Steve M]

Yeah mate not picking but dont want to see you with a broken wrist or thumb. I reckon your right in regards to the steering. Probably in the days of no power steering would have transferred alot more through the steering wheel then today. Your only a spring chicken so you probably havnt driven a car/4wd without power steer. Give you an old falcon, holden or valiant without power steer then you will always appreciate your power steer lol.Those were the days you needed to put your hands inside the steering wheel to pull the bloody thing around especially in a tight parking spot, Now Im showing my age lol ............Cheers Steve

[glen_ep Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close glen_ep]

Thanks Steve. Having broken 2 CV joints in the past I now avoid the lockers (esp the front) and pay more attention to the lines, but there's always room to improve. I was a bit dissapointed with my position on that last big step, next to the massive boulder. The climb up the rock was good but I obviously turned too late and the cross-camber angle became dangerous.

That 100 series was obviously fighting to stay out of the rut and this made the angles worse. Luckily a bystander helped out and directed him left-hand-down, to straddle the rut.

And yes thanks to Michael (02 prado/ td) for filming the rocky climb. The lighting conditions were pretty terrible (dark/bright spots) but his camera operation was great