Imbil Weekend

 

Peter B, Doug & Shan - L wagon

Graham H & family - L wagon

Rex H & family - L wagon

Rik C - MY wagon

John P & family - Forester

Arnold and Pat - Forester

Auto John & Mrs A - MY Wagon

Peter Mc D & kids - MY Wagon

Big John - Rodeo

Saturday

Set up camp at Imbil township at about 10am and after a quick hello to everybody and a check over new various modifications we left town, headed for bush. Total convoy consisted of nine vehicles. We ventured through private property, and then into the forestry. This was the start of our problems as the car began to overheat. With a quick radiator top up we were on the road again, unsure of the problem as it was full when Peter left Brisbane ? Meanwhile we worked our way up a range of tracks that had been graded not long ago. Smooth tracks, but steep contours. Overheating problems again, but an intermittent relay was at fault, and quickly rectified.

After a couple of U turns we found the road up to Mount Imbil, and proceeded up. On this road there was the option of the hard or easy tracks. Rik was on his way up and red lined his way to within five meters from the top and got a quick snatch up. Our go next with the mighty locker and longer front struts. We hammered up to near the top with plenty of rpm but the clutch wouldn’t let us get there, after a few more goes we got out of the way and let John in the mighty Forester have a go and what do you know he made it! Graham was next and he went ok as well. Auto John (who came in the hard way) also followed us out to go up the easy route. A little further on and Peter Mac and Auto John got caught out on a climb. Peter using kid power to help him up, and John a quick snatch. We all met at the top and went on to the fire tower for lunch. I forgot to bring the bread for lunch, so we traded Peter Mac for a couple of tim tam’s. Thanks Pete. A quick ( but a little uneasy ) climb to the third platform of the tower provided excellent views for those who dared. Soon we said fairwell to Pat and Arnie at lunch and continued onward.

The afternoon adventures led up to the top of a really long steep downhill (drove down last club trip on skidpan all the way). After a quick preview from the top of the easier section and a mammoth effort from Graham who walked down a long way to survey the hardest section and back up again (we did cheer him on), the decision was to backtrack out. As we were passing near the base of this hill about an hour later, we ducked in off the main road for a quick look. This was great fun as we had a slight uphill of only 20m but it was under tree cover and very wet and slippery. John gave us a demonstration of how a Forester sounds on red-line and plenty of mud spray. Most others went through with rpm on board (except me, Peter had to do this one). We parked the cars a little further up and walked to the base of the hill. We all agreed the decision not to drive down was a good one. Even Subawallies have their limits! We made our way back to camp said good-bye to John P and meeting up with Graham for happy hour and dinner.

 

Sunday

A beautiful morning to wake up to, and the bacon and eggs followed. A lazy morning and we hit the dirt mid-morning not sure where to go. The H family led the way (having a little knowledge of the area). Once again they found us a nice slippery uphill which was another fun incline. After some track clearing we all got up. Auto John showing the lockers up by getting up first go. Me three goes, Graham L two goes. Big John showing us how the big boys do it - nice and easy. This was a great loop track with some excellent scenery on the way across the range and the downhill led us back to Saturday's track. We decided some new exploring was in order and tried an unknown route. This was good off-road terrain until near the end (another on foot assault by Graham and Rex), informed us the lantana had completely overgrown the last section of the track. A quick U turn and backtracking proved just as fun as the way in. Auto John hooked to Rex with two snatches to Big John proved the way up and out. A light lunch once back to the main road, followed by some good rough stuff and a drive down some of Saturday’s uphills. The recently graded tracks created a different perspective on 4wdriving. Some of the last tracks for the day dropped 40m steep and climbed 40m back up. Would have been interesting in a long wheel base 4wd (longer than John’s Rodeo), as most (if not all) of the Subies touched front and rear at the bottom.

We made our way back to the campsite and reviewed the adventure while packing up and departed happy campers, once again. Once again the club has held a weekend with the right balance of mud, dirt, socializing and camping. My thanks to all participating, see you on a trip soon..

Doug Tilley SC382

Reasons for writing this trip report -