Blue,black,green,red............
Submitted: Tuesday, Jan 06, 2004 at 21:28
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Willem
Well, the ANFWDC has come up with idea to mark tracks in their 4x4 track classification system according to various magazine publications recently. It would seem that this has ramifications with land management issues and insurance issues as
well as access issues. 4x4 clubs are going to take on some responsibility for track awareness and maintenance. I gather that there is a move to include all tracks within Australia into this scheme. According to ANFWDC this classification will will improve 4x4 touring safety and also reduce the demand for assistance by police and emergency rescue
services as novice drivers and international tourists will be able to avoid tracks not suited to their skill level or vehicle capability.
Is this a move to further the interests of 4x4 clubs and just another impost on an already overgoverned society or is there a geniune need for this ??
Are we becoming a nation of pussyfooters and dribblers trying to protect everyone from themselves?
Cheers,
Willem
Always going somewhere
Reply By: jemima puddle duck - Tuesday, Jan 06, 2004 at 22:14
Tuesday, Jan 06, 2004 at 22:14
gday willie.
will certainly help insurance when they say your allowed to go anywhere except red roads ect.
all the best mateyou reckon your cute
richard(eskimo)
but im a lot cuter
AnswerID:
41994
Follow Up By: Brian - Wednesday, Jan 07, 2004 at 09:25
Wednesday, Jan 07, 2004 at 09:25
Takes all the adventure out of it does it not ??????
I go on trips to get away from it all, not to be told where and where not I can go. If the 4x4 clubs want to classify tracks for there member
well in good I encourage them to do so. But to link this to insurance is just going to regulate yet another aspect of our allready over regulated lives!
My 2¢ worth
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Reply By: Member - Steve (ACT) - Tuesday, Jan 06, 2004 at 22:15
Tuesday, Jan 06, 2004 at 22:15
Looking at the upside, knowing that there are the sort of tracks you're interested in are in a particular area could be a good thing. Whether it be that you want to keep youself out of trouble, or perhaps a little trouble is what you're looking for!!!!
All my friends have Nissans
I'm the rose amongst the thorns
AnswerID:
41995
Follow Up By: Member - Des Lexik(SA) - Wednesday, Jan 07, 2004 at 10:30
Wednesday, Jan 07, 2004 at 10:30
Steve, just a little constructive criticism, looking at your
pic, your coming out of a creek with water going everywhere and when it washes back down the bank it will form gutters therefore making the exit a little more difficult and if everyone did this, the exit may be unuseable after a while. To overcome this, stop your vehicle when just out of the water and let the water drain from under the car before you climb up out of the bank. I'm not having a go and hopefully others may learn some thing also.
Safe travels.Dare to Lead not to Follow
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Reply By: Chris (W.A.) - Tuesday, Jan 06, 2004 at 22:25
Tuesday, Jan 06, 2004 at 22:25
HaHa,
Reminds me of the idiot guide for ski trails.
I can't imagine them covering too many tracks in australia, there's hundreds of thousands.
They'll list the CSR as difficult but what about the little day trips out of capital cities.
I can only see them covering for major
treks around oz where isolation from help is the main factor.
As far as I'm concerned look b4 you leap, your responsible for your own actions.
RegardsNice southerly coastal fishing trip someday.
Chris
AnswerID:
41996
Follow Up By: Member - Bernie. (Vic) - Wednesday, Jan 07, 2004 at 03:56
Wednesday, Jan 07, 2004 at 03:56
Hi Chri(WA)
!!!!!! Look before you leap.!!!!
Thats the whole idea of the colour codes.
It is about giving drivers an indication or degree of difficulty of the tracks.
1500 Klm offroad in 10 days at
Easter
3 High country trips - with some scarey stuff if you dont know the area.
What do I do walk up ever
hill to see whats on the other side ???
as Truckster said if it gets wet it can be worse.
any how thats my 2 cents
Prado TD Auto
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Follow Up By: GaryInOz (Vic) - Wednesday, Jan 07, 2004 at 17:16
Wednesday, Jan 07, 2004 at 17:16
How often are the tracks reviewed???
Who will accept responsibility if the track has degraded to "impassible" and a vehicle becomes stuck when the
sign at the start said it was an "easy" track. (Insurance Companies perfect "out")
Legal minefield. Will not happen...................
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Reply By: Truckster (Vic) - Tuesday, Jan 06, 2004 at 23:55
Tuesday, Jan 06, 2004 at 23:55
Our club has been working with parks, and association for ages, we actually 'look after' the tracks around the club property, and when tracks need
clearing, we attend workin bees with them.
It's not new with the clubs thing, but the color coordination thing could be a danger... You can see the insurance companies now saying you are allowed on blue green but NOT red, and
orange, pink, lime, and brown... And then does the color change with the weather?? I know some of the
Deep Creek tracks round
walhalla would change from easy to extreme with a 10 min rain shower...
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Follow Up By: landie - Wednesday, Jan 07, 2004 at 08:46
Wednesday, Jan 07, 2004 at 08:46
A very good point. It all comes down to individual assessment when you are on the track.
Landie
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Follow Up By: volvofh12 - Wednesday, Jan 07, 2004 at 09:05
Wednesday, Jan 07, 2004 at 09:05
There goes !*uckster going on with his conspiraracy theories again
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Follow Up By: Old Soldier - Wednesday, Jan 07, 2004 at 09:51
Wednesday, Jan 07, 2004 at 09:51
Volvofh12,
What IS your bloody problem mate????
This was an intelligent thread until you arrived with your normal brainless comment.
If you ever contribute 1% of what Truckster and blokes like him have contributed to this
forum you will be doing
well.
But I don't suppose you have the IQ to make an intelligent post
It must be sad to be a wanker and try posting on here. You just don't know where to put your hands next.
I should imagine it would be very confusing to your tiny little mind.
Whatever is bugging you - get over it
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Follow Up By: Member - Des Lexik(SA) - Wednesday, Jan 07, 2004 at 10:45
Wednesday, Jan 07, 2004 at 10:45
I don't always agree with truckster's opinions either but "oldsoldier" your right. Volvo get a life.Dare to Lead not to Follow
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Follow Up By: volvofh12 - Wednesday, Jan 07, 2004 at 12:50
Wednesday, Jan 07, 2004 at 12:50
Des Lexik(SA),Old Soldier (AKA Toy Soldier) you both stand to support a bigget and grouch, that is your choice good on ya.......The fact is what i did contribute is intelligent but because it doesnt fall into the old school but actually dares to take new steps i get criticised for it. I doubt seriously if either of you and including truckster have even been off road....you seem to spend all your time reflecting on the old days .....I have a life and so do you....its just about time the three of you upgrade and start living in this century. If you have a problem with comments contact me directly on volvofh12h@hotmail.com
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Follow Up By: Member - Des Lexik(SA) - Wednesday, Jan 07, 2004 at 14:10
Wednesday, Jan 07, 2004 at 14:10
Volvo, and come down into the sewer at your level. No thanksDare to Lead not to Follow
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Follow Up By: Old Soldier - Wednesday, Jan 07, 2004 at 15:04
Wednesday, Jan 07, 2004 at 15:04
Hey volvofh12,
At least us old bastards of the "old school" who have "never been off road" learned how to spell at school.
What is a "bigget" ?
Anything like a bigot??
Q: What were volvof12's hardest 5 years at school??
A: Grade One
:) :) :) :) :)
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Follow Up By: GaryInOz (Vic) - Wednesday, Jan 07, 2004 at 17:23
Wednesday, Jan 07, 2004 at 17:23
Having met Truckster on several occasions, I have indeed found him to be opinionated and very blunt. I have also found him to be one of the most genuine and helpful people around, you know exactly where you stand with him, and that is not a bad thing at all.
"Bloody Volvo Drivers........"
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Follow Up By: Truckster (Vic) - Wednesday, Jan 07, 2004 at 23:02
Wednesday, Jan 07, 2004 at 23:02
Save ya breath people, its school holidays again.. he will go back soon enough.
He has a problem with people having their own opinions.
Just ignore it, it will go away.
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Follow Up By: volvofh12 - Thursday, Jan 08, 2004 at 00:43
Thursday, Jan 08, 2004 at 00:43
$%uckster have no problem with people having their own opinions, just people like you who think yours is the only one that counts. Good to see you have got your toy solidier, wizard of oz and dislexix come rushing to your aid.
And no i wont go away...funny how you crumble when confronted with someone who will stand up to you.
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Follow Up By: volvofh12 - Thursday, Jan 08, 2004 at 00:49
Thursday, Jan 08, 2004 at 00:49
$%uckster have no problem with people having their own opinions, just people like you who think yours is the only one that counts. Good to see you have got your toy solidier, wizard of oz and dislexix come rushing to your aid.
And no i wont go away...funny how you crumble when confronted with someone who will stand up to you.
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Follow Up By: Truckster (Vic) - Thursday, Jan 08, 2004 at 01:10
Thursday, Jan 08, 2004 at 01:10
My opinion is the only one that counts to me... Yours isnt worth a pinch of bleep ... Your the one crying that I have blinkers on and not listening to your opinion.. Note not many others are listening to yours?
Rushing to my aid? Go back to school little one.
But Noting you dislike them having an opinion that is different to yours?? pist that nobody is in your pocket?
Notice nobody rushing to yours, get the hint?
Crumble?? LMAO! You have much to learn fool.
Anyway Im crumbling to pieces here.. Oh woe is me.
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Follow Up By: volvofh12 - Thursday, Jan 08, 2004 at 11:22
Thursday, Jan 08, 2004 at 11:22
Notice nobody rushing to yours, get the hint? Maybe you should read the post #41763.
No I dont really care that I dont have people in my pocket as I can stand alone not like you.
Your obvioulsy getting worked up or you wouldnt keep replying.
Good day.
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Reply By: Member - Bob - Wednesday, Jan 07, 2004 at 08:41
Wednesday, Jan 07, 2004 at 08:41
Yeah I'd have some major concerns as well. Firstly, insurers are likely to require higher premiums for those of us venturing off the 'safe' tracks. Secondly, some clown will want to upgrade tracks and eventually bitumenise the outback and ruin it for ever. (cf The Outback Highway). For my own selfish reasons I want remote
Australia to remain inaccessible and risky.Bob
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Follow Up By: Member - Rohan K - Wednesday, Jan 07, 2004 at 10:07
Wednesday, Jan 07, 2004 at 10:07
Unfortunately Bob, we're well on our way to that already. Just look at the "
Birdsville Highway". A once grand adventure is now just a day run along a dirt road. :)Smile, you're on ExplorOz
Rohan (
Sydney - on the QLD side of the Harbour Bridge)
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Follow Up By: Member - Des Lexik(SA) - Wednesday, Jan 07, 2004 at 11:06
Wednesday, Jan 07, 2004 at 11:06
Bob, I agree with you on the insurance angle, but as an alternative, consider the gradings given by EO on their treks referring to tracks suitability to solo travelling or in convoys (3-5 vehicles). It may illiminate the recent tradgedies of travelling in isolated areas.Dare to Lead not to Follow
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Reply By: Member - Peter (York) - Wednesday, Jan 07, 2004 at 10:09
Wednesday, Jan 07, 2004 at 10:09
would take a hell of a lot of paint to colour code all the tracks in
Australia ,I much prefer the red dirt colour I see on most tracks around here .LOL
On a serious note If the coding saved a life by giving overseas visiters and novices some constrants on where they can go in saftey it cant be all bad ,as long as it is keeped realistic and they NEVER decide to add some sort of fee based on the colourTelfer mines rd camp
Peter
York 4x4
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Reply By: Member - Mal (Brisbane) - Wednesday, Jan 07, 2004 at 10:31
Wednesday, Jan 07, 2004 at 10:31
How about when the same track has one difficult
creek crossing or hill climb and the rest of it is relatively easy. Will tracks be classified as their most difficult part or have different colours along their length?
Mal T.
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Follow Up By: Member - Bernie. (Vic) - Thursday, Jan 08, 2004 at 00:07
Thursday, Jan 08, 2004 at 00:07
You would assume the most difficult part unless u can avoid that section by an alternate route.
CheersPrado TD Auto
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Reply By: Member - Toonfish - Wednesday, Jan 07, 2004 at 13:41
Wednesday, Jan 07, 2004 at 13:41
just looking around mt stirling 2 weeks ago it looks like the track clasification is already going?
looked that
way
1999 NISSAN NAVARA DUALCAB
DIESEL 3.2 & SPRINGY CARLTON TOY
2 awestruck kids (dads driving!)
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Follow Up By: Member - Bernie. (Vic) - Wednesday, Jan 07, 2004 at 22:59
Wednesday, Jan 07, 2004 at 22:59
Hi Toonfish
I have just come back from Mt Stirling & the colour patches are for the cross country skiers, went down the "Howqua gap trail" was it open when you were there ?
CheersPrado TD Auto
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Follow Up By: Member - Toonfish - Thursday, Jan 08, 2004 at 01:28
Thursday, Jan 08, 2004 at 01:28
yes bernie the howqua gap was open and we got some great views there.
do you mean i was driving down a black ski run (ooops my bad !) just kiddiing i am a experienced skier and i know what those markers are mate.what i meant is that near the track heads there are signs advisind " do no continue past this sign if you have highway
tyres and lowe clearance high use of low gear is frequent" or something like that over the top of stirling?
did any one else see these signs? 1999 NISSAN NAVARA DUALCAB
DIESEL 3.2 & SPRINGY CARLTON TOY
2 awestruck kids (dads driving!)
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Follow Up By: Member - Bernie. (Vic) - Thursday, Jan 08, 2004 at 08:48
Thursday, Jan 08, 2004 at 08:48
Yes I saw that sign ( Hawqua Gap Track was still closed late November)
Mt Stirling is controled by a Managament Commitee not DSNE.
2 vehicles ahead of us started out & came back after seeing that sign & the gate was closed but not locked (may have been the wind it was also raining at the time)
There was 6 of us and the only hard part was passing 2 vehicles coming up.
I think the coloured code markers would just be a small disc or triangle
on the existing track name poles ( not half way up a tree)
CheersPrado TD Auto
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Reply By: Will - Wednesday, Jan 07, 2004 at 13:57
Wednesday, Jan 07, 2004 at 13:57
I personally think its at waste of time. Like some said many tracks level of difficulty can change dramatically throughout the year, particularly in areas subject to seasonal flooding.....which leads to another issue....what if life is lost because a track marked as easy or intermediate actually turns out to be impassable due to a recent
weather event etc? Also I dont think all the thousands of tracks can be adequately covered. I think that we have to accept responsibility ourselves, do the research and be well equipped when tackling any journey. The sad fact is that sometimes danger will be encountered, and life may occassionally be lost but I for one think that this is all part of life and a little risk is what makes it an adventure.
I agree with your closing comments Williem.
All the best for the new year everyone.
Will.
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Reply By: Moose - Wednesday, Jan 07, 2004 at 14:35
Wednesday, Jan 07, 2004 at 14:35
Unfortunately Willem your closing comment is spot on.
I reckon the ANFWDC would be leaving themselves wide open to litigation if they go ahead with this. There is no way they can accurately grade every track for the reasons already mentioned by others. Track grading is tied to driver ability - what someone from ANFWDC condisers say an easy track may well be difficult to some people. It's a mine field they are best to stay away from.
And let's all keep to the subject matter with constructive comments and give all the crap of criticism of others a miss. This is a great
forum that's often spoiled by that rubbish. Everyone is entitled to their own opinions and just because one doesn't agree one doesn't need to become abusive.
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Reply By: Member - Bernie. (Vic) - Thursday, Jan 08, 2004 at 00:43
Thursday, Jan 08, 2004 at 00:43
Hi Willem & Forumites
Have just gone back to the Victorian 4wd Assoc. site,
www.vafwdc.org.au/tracks%20ratings.htm (Sorry cant do links)
Worth reading as it may clear up some issue's raised here ( I dont read the
4wd magazines)
in part it says "to enable drivers to EVALUATE the difficulty of a track before driving it. This is designed more for the non club member."
4 catagories in brief
1 All wheel drive , road
tyres
2 High Range , road
tyres
3 Low range A/T
tyres
4 Low range M/T
tyres winch etc
At the end of the day as ' Landie' said
IT all comes down to INDIVIDUAL assessment when you are on the track.
Where did the INSURANCE issue come into this ???
Cheers & See you on a track one day (coded or not).
Prado TD Auto
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