Brindabellas for Beginners
Trip date: Sun, 18 Feb 2018
Participants gathered at the Cotter Bend Reserve car park from 8.30am. Due to the large number of participants, three groups were created with a dedicated leader and tail end for each group.
Participants
| Convoy A | ||
| Name | Passenger | Vehicle |
| Roger Quarterman (Leader) | Discovery | |
| Andrew Holt | Jodie Cooke | |
| Bill Webb | Joanna (Annette) | Holden Jackaroo |
| Mark O’Flaherty | Lynelle | Discovery |
| Mark Sweet | Maria & Ellie | Defender |
| Kaylene Koppe (Tail End) | Paul | Discovery |
| Convoy B | ||
| Name | Passenger | Vehicle |
| Tom De Jongh (Leader) | Tom Robinson | Mitsubishi Triton |
| David Lewis | Discovery | |
| Mark Durrant | Jodie | Discovery |
| Bob Phillipson (Tail End) | Roz | Discovery |
| Convoy C | ||
| Name | Passenger | Vehicle |
| Margaret Anderson (Leader) | Rachel Gilks | Toyota Prado |
| Paul Meeson | Nimi, Kish & Eric | Discovery |
| Kenneth Rodrigues | ||
| Justin Coates | Hilux | |
| Ron Clayton (Tail End) | Jo | Prado |
Trip Report
This was a fairly gentle trip with a few challenges along the way, to enable participants to test their ability and learn about the vehicle (with a few demonstrations by Kaylene on what not to do and how to get out of trouble).
This was a great trip for beginners at four-wheel driving, those are new to the area, and those testing new or upgraded vehicles.
A great Sunday drive in the country with some moderate 4WD elements.
For some of the route the convoys travelled in close company. Other sections the groups tackled separately due to lack of space and other users beside LRC. All groups covered the same ground.
The groups departed Cotter Reserve with the convoys in close company to travel to a section where we were provided the opportunity to practice traversing steep rough ground. At this feature the convoy into separate groups until reconvening at Blue Range Hut for morning tea and a welcome rest stop.
After morning tea the convoys departed at about 10 minute intervals to travel via Curries Road and Two Sticks Road to Coree Camp where Convoys A & B stopped for lunch while Convoy C continued on to the Summit. Convoys A & B left at intervals for the Summit crossing over with Convoy C and other groups making their way back down. Space as limited on the Summit but, with some expert guidance, everyone was able to take in the beautiful vistas on offer on what was a beautiful sunny day.
After visiting the summit, the three convoys joined up again to depart from Coree Camp and proceed North along Two Sticks Road to Blue Range Road and then via Genges Trail back onto Two Sticks Road. Genges trail was great for hill decent practice for with some fairly steep sections on offer. From Two Sticks Road we then navigated an un-named track that lead us back to Blue Range Hut for afternoon tea.
The whole party was due to leave Blue Range Hut at the same time but a small group pealed off before arriving at Blue Range Hut to head back to Canberra. The remaining participants enjoyed afternoon tea at the Hut before travelling back to the blacktop heading their separate ways.
What a great day. Thank you to Roger for all your organising and sharing of your vast knowledge. Also thank you to Tom and Margaret for stepping in as leaders.
