Novice day Tallarook 14th December family friendly

[cgm]

The title of the trip was "novice trip", sorry but you guys should not have been anywhere near that track. It's full on and not for novices

Part of the turn around issue Winnie was that the first few said it wasn't suitable for the rest of us to come up. That's why I never saw it. I think everyone has learnt a bit out of the situation for the future and why discussing it is good value. The whole day had quite a few surprises, not the least of which being the bad news for BA riding on everyone's mind. Then having to "wing" it for where we were going.

I don't think it is fair to judge from a distance with such a strong statement (no one planned to do a difficult hill). But I think everyone would agree it's something to learn from and do differently next time.

Paule was the least experienced and took to it naturally doing an excellent job, but I would have preferred we also did a bit more of a walk through on the basics. There is a good reason why most of the clubs insist on doing the course before taking members on any significant trip.

In reality it appeared everyone else had at least some experience and probably didn't fit the "novice" category.

[Drewboyaus]

I would have preferred we also did a bit more of a walk through on the basics..

Ordinarily BA or I or another experienced member would have gone through the basics and the "rules for the day" as everyone aired down at the start but as we know, unfortunately circumstances intervened.
Like I said before, I don't want to be critical of any individuals because the trip leader/organiser wasn't able to get there due to mechanical failure and others made it happen and all-in-all sounded like a good day out.
Perhaps too, there is something to be learned by way of making sure that there is a trip plan or track list that can be shared amongst a couple of other members in case a similar circumstance occurs in the future. Also making sure everyone who goes has the correct paper map of the area. That way, you guys would have never wound up on that hill.
Live and learn.......

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[cgm]

... and all-in-all sounded like a good day out.
... Live and learn.......

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It was still a great day out, fair to say enjoyed by all. (Even mudski, he's just peen paying a heavy price for our entertainment since - ha ha)

I think the learn bit is still important and think everyone has and can always continue to do so. Thanks for pushing us to all learn something more out of it.

Would be great if you are up to joining us next time Drew. Really hope to meet you on a trip one day. Hope things are still on the up for you leading into Christmas. Was really great to hear they let you home early.

[Paule]

I think I was the only newbie on this trip, I learnt heaps, got to see some different types of recoveries, and everyone was great in offering all kinds of advice. We did do 1 at a time on the hill climbs and walked through em before having a crack. Except for the one where some people had to turn around (i think). I didn't have a crack at the hill that some people turned around on, because of the one at a time rule and also because of what the leaders were saying on the UHF. I did see the footage of the well setup gq roll over before I did this trip, and was amazed at how easy and quickly things can go wrong. I certainly didn't want this happening to me and my kids, so I was quite cautious and wasn't about to do anything I wasn't comfortable doing. I have learnt heaps from everyone on this forum and just learnt some more. Re : turning around on hill climbs. I think common sense, (not so common anymore) and err on the side of caution should prevail. Which is what I think happened on this trip. I didn't see anyone turn around on the hill climb as I was still at the bottom, so I can only assume. Just glad it all worked out ok. Thanks for the heads up Drew

[MudRunnerTD]

Thanks for your posts Drew, i have not watched the videos but am very concerned that guys turned around mid hill. I also note the level of recoveries taking place on a Novice day. At a Club level a Novice day presents a Easy trip that a Novice can attend to get a taste for going offroad. The chance of Vehicle Damage on a Novice day should be nearly non-existant. Infact the chances of requiring a Snatch Strap at worst is low.

I also offer a No Disrespect intended opinion here guys as i was not there either. I have driven in Tallarook before though and done a couple of hills that IMO we simply had No Business being on on an Easy Medium day. There is No Point taking a group of inexperienced drivers without a formal Education up a Hill that will likely require a Winch stage. Ever. Luck should not play a part in your day. It did here though.

I Understand that BA was not there and the group had to wing it and this may have contributed to the tracks driven. The group of 12 is getting big and it is recommended by 4WD Vic that a group should not be bigger than 10 to manage it better, but 12 is not like 22 and was not the main problem here. At the end of the day only half the group went up the hill anyway and had to turn around mid hill. It was a Dead End anyway and therefore should not have been attempted. Regardless, 6 cars or 12 cars, at least half the group should not have driven up that hill.

We as a group need to be very mindful if we are going to lead a trip that we understand who is with us, how much they know, what they are expecting and where the track goes. I get away with a "Come what May" attitude but am very well experienced, and fully Self Recoverable and understand how to use my gear and the capabilities of my cars and what to do when it goes pear shaped.

Just be very careful guys, we are here for a good time, most people dont want to wreck their cars. I love to see Trips arising from this forum to be Well managed, Well attended, Memorable and highly anticipated for fun not damage. Be Safe. Plan an Easy trip to be an Introduction to 4wdriving. Nearly not even Low Range. There is Plenty at Tallarook that fits this bill.

If your leading a trip You need to Manage the weakest link. They determine everything, you cant just drag them up the hill. What if they panic because they are way way over their head? It can go to Sh1t very very quickly.

This is offered in Friendship and i dont mean to offend anyone that was on the trip. I was a Driving Instructor and Recovery instructor at a Club level for a long time, i have seen a Bad Day. I know how inexperienced people think and have seen many bad decisions. I will pull you up immediately if you are with me, rest assured.


Oh.... I Hate Mud.....imagine parking your car in Liquid Grinding Paste, you will pay in the coming weeks not that day.......

[Winnie]

Do you remember the hill in question Darren? The one me, you and Rossco drove while everybody else winched. It was not a dead end but we went back down it to find your mud flap.

[Bloodyaussie]

Rossco winched also...

[MudRunnerTD]

Do you remember the hill in question Darren? The one me, you and Rossco drove while everybody else winched. It was not a dead end but we went back down it to find your mud flap.

Yeah Bugger! is that the hill where guys turned around? Healy got stuck half way up. Irish turned around at the bottom and did not even attempt it having done it weeks earlier. Good Call that day too. Yeah bugger. That is a Big Hill with a significant obstacle mid hill being the railway ballast a metre deep, once through the Ballast it goes off camber to the right. Oh well its done. Just be safe guys is all i ask.

[Winnie]

Rossco winched also...

He is a crap driver though. He got lockers now so he can keep up

[threedogs]

What I take on all this is that I hope you dont develop bad habits, no saying anyone has as, I havent been wheeling with anyone here.
For you own sake join a club and do their driver awareness course, most are free as part of your membership.
You will then have training to the same standard as someone from any other club by an accredited trainer.
Then you can go out with your new found knowledge with some others mates and test your skills.
4x4ing is about fun not breaking or damaging 4x4s.