Saturday June 17, 2023
Participants:
- Matt Bolton
- Ralph Radovan
- John Worthington
- Matthew Jones
- Dolph Page
- Andrew and Linden Chalmers
- Michael Thomson
- Tom de Jongh
- Mackenzie Toten
- Ian and Nicole Toten
Saturday morning is a time to sleep in, but today we had to be at Kowen Forest gate at 0900. Guess who was last to arrive!
Tom had gone through the application process with ACT Govt, had been issued with the secret gate code and was awaiting us when we assembled.
As in many other LRC trips, we discussed convoy procedure, checked our radio communication, and proceeded to drive into the normally closed Kowen Forest.
Tom led us off, and first retrace came after we came upon a fallen tree…
So 5 point turns were easily executed, and he led us off in a different direction, looking for a good spot for Ian to demonstrate Jeep jacking skills, and the impact of reducing tyre pressure to increase tyre road contact. Basically the 35lb tyre print was measured and vehicle jacked to see impression. Tyre pressure lowered, wheel dropped to road, and process repeated. Surprisingly, as the tyre pressure dropped, the road contact area increased.
We were not in an environment that really required reduced tyre pressures, but the example was clear for us all.
The LRC has a couple of Tirfor hand winches, available for member loan, and to promote their usefulness, a demonstration was organised while we enjoyed our morning tea. Participants had the chance to test their physical strength winching on single line, and comparing again when we introduced a snatch block (pully) into the example. All those present agreed that the snatch block made a big difference. Not sure the club Tirfors will now be in high demand though, but a few more members know how to use them (and where to attach them when recovering Jeeps!).
Tom headed off again and we all followed along the perimeter track, basically keeping the boundary fence on our left. He found us a suitable spot to try out electric winches. Lunch first, then those with vehicle mounted winches got to try them out. Some for the first time.
After lunch and electric winching practice we again headed off for a forest drive, to find the Coppins Homestead. In this process we experienced a modest soft ground area and water crossing, that looked much more difficult than it was. A gentle reminder to walk possible hazards, just in case.
As you can see from the route map we seemed to be driving around in circles. What the map does not show is the steep terrain we encountered. We learned safe ways to travel in convoy up and down steep hills with erosion mounds, giving the vehicle in front of you space, in case hill starts etc were required.
We hit the exit gate at about the due time, after a most enjoyable day driving about in Kowen Forest. Very useful skills learned and practised.
Author: Michael Thomson (Last one to arrive!)
Special thanks to participant contributed photos, to see more click All Photos.