Chucking a u-turn back on the main drag, we were noticing that nothing was well sign posted on the cape. The trail for our days goal was a small off shute that could be easily overlooked. Our faithful WikiCamps saved the day once again and helped pinpoint this location. A small brief from Stu beforehand had comments mentioning this 50km stretch of track could possibly take up to 5 hours (we thought 3 would be generous!) Straight into it, we took the route and were met with a sandy corrugated path. Thin beach like trees took place of the standard redgums that sheltered us at camp the previous night.
Starting to reach some obstacles of rather large ruts we slowed down our pace. The track ahead was starting to become a minor challenge with some slow descents and carefully maneuvered angles. As Buzz and Woody navigated through the obstacles with ease, their surroundings were ever changing. Opening up to a desolate landscape lead to magnificant views. Some areas would have been great campgrounds if there had been shade! As the bush engulfed our path once again, the first major river crossing was upon us.
Making it to the Pascoe River was a thrill. Having just watched the path a convoy with 5 vehicles had just taken, our excitement levels increased knowing we were next. A steep rocky entry that the previous cars had made slippery was the first challenge. After both vehicles successfully crawled down they plunged into the Pascoe. Having to snake through the water as it was just shy of our bonnets, we dodged some serious holes and a boulder. Taking turns through the crossing, both beasts emerged from the other side!
The equally steep climb out was just as fun as the entry. The occasional rock slipping under the tyres and cars bouncing in the ruts had us jeering and grinning all the way up until we had found flat ground. Pascoe River was conquered. As Nay was the perfect camerawoman, she nailed all moments which provided a good laugh over a beer that evening at movie night.
Burning along with the windows down and plenty of jokes over the CB, everyone was loving being in the bush on this adventure. The next crossing was approximately 50m long with some deep pockets. The alternative track to the side only meant crossing 10m of water. After examining the crossing, the shorter route was the one to take. Buzz shot in first, slipping into the boggy ruts with his wheels spinning on the exit. Not being able to go forward of back, Buzz was stuck.
A quick recovery brief by Stu and we shot into action (after Mark got over the car being bogged). Attempting to gain traction with MaxTrax was unsuccessful as the mud was too intense. Without having used the winch properly before, there was a team effort to set it up on Buzz and hope for the best. With everything in place the winch hauled Buzz forward to solid ground so we could continue.
With Woody next in line and knowing the difficulty, he punched it! With the MaxTrax still in place and the extra momentum had him making it look easy. It wasn’t until the very end that the wheels started to spin, flicking dirt up all over the car. With great force, the mud flew over his car, dropped between the frailer (front trailer) and the roof, hitting the windscreen with enough force to crack it! Gaining traction again, Woody was out. Later we discovered a Prado had been stuck the previous day for 6 hours in this same spot and unfortunately flooded the interior of his car!
The last river crossing said to be the nastiest and most challenging, was simply a little puppy. As it was so dry the water levels here were very low. Smashing through with ease we had a late lunch and ended up swimming in the shallows which was very refreshing after a big morning! Directly after this river was a steep dusty incline to get us back in it. Not long down the track of corrugations and Woody’s horn was going off every time he turned! Annoying the hell out of Stu, a bit of bush mechanics and electrical tape temporarily solved this problem.
Another shallow but long water crossing between the final low range obstacles kepted us on edge. As the adrenaline was pumping from a serious sandy path that put both vehicles on serious angles (probably at their limit) we knew the end was near. Popping out at the Developmental Road 5 hrs later from when we started, we all had victorious grins with the self accomplishment of making it through The Frenchman’s Track!
Hitting 100km/hr again, Mark was devastated to see a surfboard fly off the roof of his car, only to realise the other had already gone missing with the recovery tracks. Both boards were repairable right-offs, they hadn’t even seen a beach this trip! The strap had snapped along the last leg of the corrugations on the Frenchman’s Track as we found our missing belongings 20mins back the way we came.
As this disaster had us behind schedule, we shot up late in the arvo past Bramwell Junction. Making it to Palm Creek, the first crossing of the Old Telegraph Track (OTT) we found ourselves in a dustbowl with no fire as it was stinking hot! Totally spent from the days events lead us to lounging back, watching the movies our famous camerawoman had taken. Anticipation followed, knowing there was more of this action to come in later days as we braved the OTT…
25/08/2016