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Hi All
On Sunday a mate and I went to LCMP for the first time in about 5 years (Last time was Rnd 2 2005 Tough Tracks). It was also my first trip without the Mav' (sold in 01/2007). This time I drove my GU which is essentially standard except for a 2" spring lift and a set of 305/70-16 Bighorns.
Obviously, I was cautious about the tracks that I traversed as the last time I was driving a double locked, geared, big lifted GQ with 35's!!
I'm posting this as I've seen a few threads on Outers and other forums asking about which tracks to try at LCMP. Having not been there for a few years, and with a different (tamer) vehicle, I would like to pass on my experience on that day.
When we got there (just after 0900hrs) I lowered the tures pressures to 16psi with my trusty Stauns. My mate who accompanied me with his GQ (3" lift, 33" Bighorns, front air locker) also lowered his tyres to 16psi. We started with our old faithful 'Telecom Hill' which is marked as orange (rough track) and very steep.
I must admit, I was a bit nervous not having even engaged low range in a few years!! And having 5 kids (aged 6-17) didn't help! But we hit it and the cars made it easily with no problem whatsoever! Not even any tyre slip!
With courage returned, we headed to Claw Gorge (dead set easy) and did most of the orange (rough track and very steep hills) tracks in the western side of the park and had no troubles at all.
When we headed south down Frying Pan Rd (again, easy!) and turned northeast to head back toward the office on King's Rd. We came across a sign that indicated right to the office and left to King's Rd. We elected to go left as we didn't want to go back quite yet.
Then it got interesting. We followed what we thought was King's Rd (marked green-easy driving on the map legend!) and it descended into a ravine with a right turn at the bottom and an evil upward ascent. We deduced that we had turned down the (UNMARKED!!) Cooper Corner which is orange (rough) track with a very steep extreme down and uphill section(!!) We went for a bit of a a walk and the uphill looked bad, but both cars made it out with NO PROBLEM at all! Not even any excessive wheelspin and the GQ didn't use the locker!
I must admit I was very impressed about how well my pretty well standard ZD30 GU went on the day considering I'd done no offroad in it at all and since I'd taken the Mav' up the Ho CHi Minh trail in Glasshouse in March 2006!
SO, if you have a GQ/GU with a small lift and 33" muds and SOME skill, another vehicle, recovery equipment, some intelligence and sprinkle of balls, you can do the vast majority of the tracks at LCMP!
So, go ahead, give it a go! You'll LOVE IT!!
On Sunday a mate and I went to LCMP for the first time in about 5 years (Last time was Rnd 2 2005 Tough Tracks). It was also my first trip without the Mav' (sold in 01/2007). This time I drove my GU which is essentially standard except for a 2" spring lift and a set of 305/70-16 Bighorns.
Obviously, I was cautious about the tracks that I traversed as the last time I was driving a double locked, geared, big lifted GQ with 35's!!
I'm posting this as I've seen a few threads on Outers and other forums asking about which tracks to try at LCMP. Having not been there for a few years, and with a different (tamer) vehicle, I would like to pass on my experience on that day.
When we got there (just after 0900hrs) I lowered the tures pressures to 16psi with my trusty Stauns. My mate who accompanied me with his GQ (3" lift, 33" Bighorns, front air locker) also lowered his tyres to 16psi. We started with our old faithful 'Telecom Hill' which is marked as orange (rough track) and very steep.
I must admit, I was a bit nervous not having even engaged low range in a few years!! And having 5 kids (aged 6-17) didn't help! But we hit it and the cars made it easily with no problem whatsoever! Not even any tyre slip!
With courage returned, we headed to Claw Gorge (dead set easy) and did most of the orange (rough track and very steep hills) tracks in the western side of the park and had no troubles at all.
When we headed south down Frying Pan Rd (again, easy!) and turned northeast to head back toward the office on King's Rd. We came across a sign that indicated right to the office and left to King's Rd. We elected to go left as we didn't want to go back quite yet.
Then it got interesting. We followed what we thought was King's Rd (marked green-easy driving on the map legend!) and it descended into a ravine with a right turn at the bottom and an evil upward ascent. We deduced that we had turned down the (UNMARKED!!) Cooper Corner which is orange (rough) track with a very steep extreme down and uphill section(!!) We went for a bit of a a walk and the uphill looked bad, but both cars made it out with NO PROBLEM at all! Not even any excessive wheelspin and the GQ didn't use the locker!
I must admit I was very impressed about how well my pretty well standard ZD30 GU went on the day considering I'd done no offroad in it at all and since I'd taken the Mav' up the Ho CHi Minh trail in Glasshouse in March 2006!
SO, if you have a GQ/GU with a small lift and 33" muds and SOME skill, another vehicle, recovery equipment, some intelligence and sprinkle of balls, you can do the vast majority of the tracks at LCMP!
So, go ahead, give it a go! You'll LOVE IT!!
