Rawson - Walhalla - Deep Creek 1 Trip report - Videos

[berniebgf Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close berniebgf]

Hi all,

Had a quick run with a Mate today up to Walhalla to test out his new 76 series Cruiser (1 week old), did not post invitations as he did not want an audience for his first outing.

So what better way to spend the day with a new $60K+ Vehicle than to send it down Deep Creek No 1. Took us 2.5 hours to get through it, we were heading towards Deep Creek No 5 so we had the harder exit.

- Trip Report -

Location - Rawson / Walhalla.
Track - Deep Creek 1 - Heading towards deep creek 5.
Weather - Good
Difficulty - High
Vehicles -
2011 Prado 150 GXL, 2" Lift, TC, Cooper ST Max
2013 76 Series (1 week old), NO LIFT, Front / Rear Locker, BFG AT's,
Damage Done - Dinted panel and bent side step for 76 series, big arse scratch all the way down the side for Prado....might buff out!!


Details
Entered via Maiden town Track and hit Deep Creek 1, decent down was tricky in some sections. 4wd low, centre locked, 1st gear with the use of DAC on some occasions. Prado 150 (2" lift + 70 profile tyres) bottoming out at front on the way down. 76 Series did not use any lockers and 1st low was low enough, no bottoming out. Tyre Pressures - Prado ~22.35 PSI, 76 Series ~25.76 PSI :wink:

Along bottom of track through stream, no real issues, track overgrown.........

Towards the exit we have a big rock ledge.
We positioned some rocks and both vehicles made it through with no bottoming out (surprisingly), 76 series had the rear locker on and did it well..... I had the traction control going off its head and did not have good front grip, exited to far left..
Funny watching the video now I see myself on and off the throttle, yet I know this does not help the traction control much. Previously when I have seen other videos with the same action I wonder what the hell they are doing....Now that I found myself in this position I can understand / appreciate why..

1. Due to the position the car is in, I am riding the break and the throttle.
2. If the car in not going in the direction you want you can't keep the power on.


Video of Prado 150 Exit.
Part 1.
Part 2. Merged
http://youtu.be/GPN48rRCuWo

Video of 76 Series Rear Locker on - Exit.
http://youtu.be/7yZQkcXGoIE

Further up the exit we came across a bit ledge, after a walk up and discussion we both decided that straddling was the safest option.

Prado 150 TC on - Straddle
http://youtu.be/0reDgKUVY6M

76 Series - Rear and Front Locker on - Straddle
http://youtu.be/55mr9-yuGyg


Further up the track we had a serious "Poo your pants" moment when the 76 series was still climbing on a difficult section, on a very steep climb the rear end fell into a rut while the front hit a ledge sending the front of the vehicle sky high and leaning off to the side. The drivers window was open and I could hear a huge scream (like a girl) as the driver prepared for the roll over that did not happen. After a change of pants and me choosing a better line we both made it out.
We were both shaking and out hearts were pumping at this stage sweat dripping from places that it should not drip from........ Time for a Chicken Walhalla and a few beers.

After that and a brief visit to Coopers Creek we called it a day.

Bernie

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

Nice vids Bernie. Looks like a fun day out that you'll both remember for a while (unless the skid marks wash out....)

[berniebgf Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close berniebgf]

Thanks Craig,

Yeah, only got a couple of video's....pity we did not have it on when the 76 series went Skyward....

Hearts pumping during this trip!.. Lots of stories that will get better over time...

Bernie

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

Great shots. Those cruisers make it look so easy. Bit of a side angle in that first clip, bet it felt like the prado was going to go over on its side...Cheers Steve

[Anth120playdo Banned Find all posts View Profile Close Anth120playdo]

Nice shot n vid bernie.
Thankx for sharing.

[berniebgf Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close berniebgf]

Thanks Steve, ####.

Couple more photo's (Same as in my Build)

[CaLLaN 52 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close CaLLaN 52]

Hi Bernie,

Long time no see... nice trip you had there, a notorious track to test your skills eh, maybe catch up with you
on the next pp vic trip.

Cheers,

Steve J

[berniebgf Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close berniebgf]

Hi Steve,

Yes, wild track, Prado all cleaned up now with no lasting marks.....pheww.

I mentioned an open invitation to my friend but he wanted a quiet one to test his new toy, would have been interesting with more cars possibly stuck down there!

Certainly will be more to come, we both agreed we will give Deep Creek 1 a miss for a while and look at some other tracks further above Walhalla (towards woods point).
I have done a few "Rawson to Woods Point" trips on dirt bikes and one in the car as a support Vehicle, lots of good tracks, views, locations up further.

We are heading back up soon for a camping trip, have also scoped Eric caravan park. Looks nice a quiet and good for the family with park next to it.

all the best.

Bernie.

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

Bernie,
Great videos as a comparison. Those 76 series seem very capable with front and rear diff locks as standard and such low gearing. But they need a 6th gear badly I hear. Seem a bit lacking on the comfort from the ones I have seen though but very capable.
Cheers
Robert

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

I was up there last month and we could not get in. Parks Vic have closed the whole area off due to the fires.