Black Duck Creek

23 July 2000

It was an early start with us all meeting at the BP Blacksoil at 8am. The crew for the day were first time trip leaders Greg and Kathy Bryant in the Bravo with young Alex and Rik Close as passengers, their friends Ian and Gail McNabb in a Pajero, Big John McKenna in the Rodeo (Pie Van), Arnold and Pat Schoemaker in the big Dyna, Camo Neilsen in the MY wagon with Brian and Malcolm on board, Graeme and Julie Laws in the Brumby, John Shera and his boys in the well set up Forester, Andrew Gantimuroff in the new Outback, and myself in the Brumby.

From Blacksoil it was an easy run on the highway to Black Duck Creek where we stopped at the house to sign on, pay up and get maps. First stop was for morning tea at the big new shelter shed hand built from local logs. The plan was to climb up to the highest point to do the camel humps along the top, then drop down and do the western loop, eventually finishing back at the shelter shed for lunch.

Greg and Kathy led the way with Rik navigating, and Arnold and Pat were Tail End Charlie. From the shelter shed I tried a harder climb out of the gully, in the process breaking a rear diff spline - the first one that I have done. With only 3WD, I decided to park the Brumby for the day and ride with Cameron, who later in the day climbed the same hill after a few attempts. It was surprising how well Andrew in the Outback was going in the steep and rocky climbs, considering the higher ratio low range and ground clearance, it wasn’t a problem. We all eventually reached the camel humps along the skyline, with a steep blind drop off only the keener drivers went over with guidance. Forester John was the most spectacular with the most wheel lifting. We then continued on down steep and rocky descents. On the climb out of this section on a tight off camber turn a few cars needed a couple of attempts to get around. Towards the end of this track we turned onto a new track that climbed up to a high point with great views. It also looped back onto the area we had just come from. As it was nearly lunch time we all headed back to the shelter shed, with Arnold’s Dyna breaking yet another CV on a short but steep climb.

After lunch we set out again, this time for the gully track which is very rocky and slow going. We had to do some road work in places to get through. It is a great training track for wheel placement and judging your vehicle’s clearance. At the finish of this track and as time was getting on, a few cars set off for home while the others continued on more tracks, eventually finishing up on the creek run at the bottom of the property. Big John provided the next bit of excitement, taking his load of nieces and nephews for a spin on the mud run area. On a side slope the pie van got a little too close to the water and had to be snatched out. Greg took great delight in pulling Big John out with the Bravo.

With that job completed we all said our good byes and thank yous and set off for the home run. Thanks to Greg and Kathy for an enjoyable day and for being trip leaders for the first time. Also, Kathy did a great job handling the Bravo as she drove for most of the day.

David Martin SC180