Trip report for Sand Run on 5th October 2024

Participants

Matt – Pajero (trip leader)

Tony – Toyota FJ Cruiser 

Wayne – Toyota Fortuna

Don & Jane – GU Nissan Patrol 

Alex – 300 series Landcruiser 

Jason & Dawn – Isuzu Mux (visitors)

Simon & Jacob – Canon (tail)

Our meeting point was on the side of Pinjar Rd, this was a convenient shady spot to meet and chat as we all dropped tyre pressures. The weather was perfect for a day in the bush.

By 0930 hours everybody had arrived so Matt led us off on our adventure and within a few hundred metres at the first turn it became evident that the tracks were going to be very soft despite the recent rain. 

Jason and Dawn are new to the 4wdrive culture, this was their first real outing with their new MUX. They avoided the rookies mistake of hesitating on the very soft corners and kept up. 

Tony was first to fall foul of the sand, just a little too slow around the corner.

A couple of strategically placed max tracks enabled him to drive out. We were able to drive through the chewed-up sand, but sadly, Jason and Dawn sank.

Out with the max tracks again. With a little help from the onlookers (see opening photo) they soon were on their way again. Jacob is now on “L” plates and driving like a pro so he had no problem with the now very churned up sand. Well done, Jacob. 

We stopped for a late morning tea (or was it early lunch?) at the cement slab and water towers. Last time we were here, Jane had fallen into a hole and done damage to her shin, which led to a drive to emergency care. This time there was a lot of good-natured ribbing and reminders about the past event.   

Now for the hills, long big hills. So hard to capture their size and softness with the camera. The Patrol reached to just metres from the summit and stalled. No amount of coaxing was going to make the Patrol crest the hill. Not even the magic button, the front lockers. We backed down, dropped tyre pressure to 14 psi and cruised easily over the hill. The difference from struggle to cruise was impressive. 

Now Jason and Dawn had to deal with the messed-up track. Like us the first attempt failed. On their second attempt, Wayne suggested they drive to left of our track onto the sand with a bit of vegetation. Success.

Everyone else came up easily. Someone was hungry again so we stopped for lunch (again) in a shady patch as the day had warmed up.

After lunch, we tackled the track up the back of “S” bend hill, enjoying the view and the flowers. Along the way we encountered a number of blue tongue lizards basking in the sun.

The final challenge for the day was a long section of shallow water. While most of us drove through slowly to avoid getting too muddy, Jason and Dawn deliberately went with a whoosh to decorate the bonnet. When we stopped to pump tyres, they said they were not in a hurry to wash the mud off. Thanks to everyone for making them welcome and guiding them throughput the day. They are keen to join another trip.

It was disappointing to see the amount of rubbish dumped in the bush along many of the tracks; the tyres must contribute a fire hazard. The well known “S” bend hill is strewn with cans, domestic rubbish and a burned-out BBQ.

Story by Don