Friday, Sep 16, 2005 at 17:25
Hi Cuffs,
I own the vehicle in my rig pic and a Subaru Forester, having both I certainly wouldn't take the Subaru where I go in NE vic. Several people I know own Xtrails and I have had this discussion with them.
Short of base
camping at a few
places like Sheepyard Flat, Cobbler Lake, Howitt Plains and Crooked River at
Talbotville I would not be getting too adventurous in the Xtrail, especially towing anything. I assume it still has factory tyres on it?? You might get it into
Limestone but I think that track even has a few climbs that it will struggle on towing without a low range.
There are many
places you can get to on logging ROADs (different to tracks) but the nature of many of the tracks and the
routes they take when they put them in means many have large erosion wash prevention jumpups and can be very steep.
With the lack of ground clearance and lack of low range attempting to get up many of these tracks without trailer let alone towing up anything like this could be fatal, or lead to lengthy, expensive and dangerous rescue missions by NRE, Police SES and
Ambulance staff. Lack of clearance will be damaging to that particular vehicle on many tracks. A trip from Sheepyard to
Talbotville via the Wonnangatta last year saw a Jeep Cherokee (which is more capable than the Xtrail and higher) damage side steps and bend the cross member.
Zeka Spur Tk or Hernes Spur Tk being the likely culprits.
The fact that you are asking would tend to indicate that you have little experience in the high country, and that is not a bad thing - we were all like that once - but that combined with encouraging responses can see you attempt that which might not be wise.
As Truckster stated it is also very weather dependent. A track in the high country that is easy in a reasonable vehicle without 4wd engaged can be impassable or extremely dangerous after a summer storm.
Water crossings that were barely wetting the rims can also rise to levels above your fording depth with a bit of rain.
VAFWDC is working on a rating system along the lines of ski
trails - easy, intermediate & hard. If you are a member - and maybe even if you aren't - they might be able to provide you with some information from the work that has been done already. It is being done in conjunction with Parks Vic I think, so even they maybe able to help.
Ringing Parks Vic's central number you can get put through to area offices such as
Mansfield,
Omeo, Heyfield etc and rangers at those offices should be more than willing to part with such info and make recommendations.
Have a back up communications plan too if you are travelling on your own, take good maps and even a GPS if you know how to use one and have access to it. There is bugger all GSM (digital) coverage up there. There is some CDMA access around the higher peaks which isn't much good if you can't get to it. Consider hiring or borrowing a Satphone. UHF cb is for short range use in this country, repeaters aren't often accessible. Carry a good
first aid kit and know how to use it - good
first aid in areas like this can save lives by buying valuable time to allow communication to get helicopter access - sometimes this can involve someone else driving out to get help if you don't take comms seriously.
Happy to help further if I can - especially if it leads to a safe and enjoyable trip in the mountains for you.
All of that said you would increase your options somewhat by leaving the trailer at home.
So all things considered it depends where you want to go.
Dave
AnswerID:
130439