Avon River Adventure
Nov 2011
	Trip Leaders:
	Laurie & Heidi Miles	Zebra	80 Series TD
	Convoy:
	Robert Karkut & Andrea Holden	Rob	100 Series Petrol
	Wayne Knight & Kellie Reynolds	Jedi	Prado 120 Grande TD
	Ken & Diana Ribbons	The Wanderra	100 Series Petrol
	Graeme Robertson & Frank Davin	Smurf	Prado Petrol/LPG
	Gunther & Almina Scheffel	Pioneer	Prado GX TD
	Tail End Charlie:
	Duncan & Rhonda Hopkins	Hoppy	100 Series TD Auto
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Heading for the Avon
After a sunny and hot day on Friday, a cool change began to roll in just as most people left Melbourne (or Sydney in the case of two participants) to head to Huggetts Crossing (on the Avon River) in central Gippsland. Rain settled in overnight on the 12 campers but all were in good spirits on Saturday morning when the final two trip participants arrived at 8am, dry and warm, but a bit bleary eyed, even after cake and coffee in Traralgon, and mumbling something about 4:30 am starts from Melbourne.
Co-trip leader Heidi was not the only one at Huggetts Crossing who knows that 2 wheels are a great way to get around, but she was definitely the only one who was prepared to demonstrate it on Saturday morning.
	Undeterred by the rain, muddy tracks or steep hills she lycra’ed up and headed off on her “Lefty” – a very nice mountain bike. She asked for 30 minutes start on the convoy, laid the challenge that we wouldn’t catch her before lunch, and headed off – directly up hill!   Following his instruction, ‘Ladies and gentlemen, let some air out,’ the peace of the riverside campsite was broken, however, proving that he can stick to the clock accurately Laurie had the convoy moving right on 9am and we started chasing mountain bike tracks!
We were immediately into 4WD in sporadic drizzle on wet tracks. There was good traction nonetheless, and the cloud base was high enough for us to enjoy great scenery from Huggetts Road as we rumbled along the ridge.   As we dropped into the valley & crossing the Avon River several times, the effects of the rain were more obvious with many muddy bog holes throwing down the occasional challenge, some of which were deep enough to send the trip leader into on foot to identify the best path (and to check for submersed mountain bikes).
The conditions were challenging and getting more so as the rain became constant. No recoveries were required this first day despite the regular mud holes and water crossings along the Lower Block Track. That’s not to say that there weren’t some exciting moments, with one vehicle providing some entertainment when using fair bit of throttle to keep momentum up while crossed up in a long muddy rut.   There was never a chance of going hungry on this trip with tea and meal breaks being as regular as mud holes and river crossings – but not always as long! These stops provided great opportunities for everyone to get to know each other and enjoy one another’s company, telling tall tales, but all absolutely true, of course.
	The normal inspection of vehicles went on with what I’m pretty sure was a look of reassurance on the faces of the 100 series drivers to know that there was an equal number of Prados there to help if required. As enjoyable as morning tea was, we still had a job to do; keep following the snaking knobby bike tyre trail and find Heidi before lunch, or risk feeling that we should all invest in mountain bikes rather than a new set of mud terrains... More rain, water, hills, great scenery and enjoyable radio banter continued until as lunch got closer we thought we would lose the chase.
The first sign that we were still in it was when trip leader Laurie got the first radio contact with Heidi as we drove up De Moulin Knob, we still had a chance! Upping the tempo a little it was good enough to get what I’d call a draw, although anyone not in a Toyota might definitely call for the camera confident of getting a different result! Arriving at a beautiful spot on the Ben Cruachan Creek all but one excitedly talked of what had been a great morning behind the wheel; the other looking exhilarated after a fantastic morning on the bike!
The driving afternoon was short but enjoyable, getting to our proposed overnight camp on the side of the Avon River quite early. Thinking that it was a bit tight to camp for all of us, we explored further along the river for a larger camping area. This turned out to be an exciting extension with great valley views and a deep and rapidly flowing Avon testing our skills. After a couple of crossings we concluded that to go further might not be wise with high flow, deep sections, a hard to see narrow submerged sandy bridge and a strong possibility of the river rising further with the forecast overnight rain.
Back at the original camp on the edge of the Avon River, we fitted in all the tents, put up a communal tarp, and lit a small fire for cooking and warmth. As it got cooler (and wetter) and main courses settled, thoughts turned to wine and chocolate. Kellie thoughtfully had brought some delicious dark chocolate to share but unfortunately this had melted on Friday and set into an unbreakable ingot by Saturday night.
	Unable to crack it, but not prepared to give up, some TLCV resourcefulness had tool boxes open and an ‘appropriate’ 18 inch screw driver and heavy pliers chiselling through it in no time! It was a great day in every respect with the wet weather having no impact on the shared enjoyment we had in each other’s company and the spectacular country side we travelled through.
Farewelling the Avon River After a fairly slow start to the day in damp to wet conditions we left our bush camp site at 9.30am. The track conditions were good as we recrossed the Avon River, which was shallow & stony.  After leaving the picturesque Avon River, we had an interesting uphill climb with a stony under foot and plenty of culverts at regular intervals. We encountered a number of trees across the tracks that were easy to pass until we arrived at McColl Creek for a gentle shallow crossing.
A mobile phone call was then received – to tell us that our progress was being followed by family & friends back at home who were following the “SPOT” tracking Website that was set up by our trip leader –   a wonderful “tool” for friends and family to keep in touch with our movements while away on a trip. During Morning Tea on the Ben Cruachan Creek, we were serenaded by the bush orchestra – a lovely setting. We soon continued along the tracks towards Ben Cruachen & Smoking Point to our planned Lunch Time Stop, once again on the Ben Cruachan Creek.
A quick diversion along a little side track on Dolodrook Track to our planned stop for lunch proved to be a bit a little adventurous. Our aim was to head down to Ben Cruachan Creek and then “Back Track”. With little room to turn around for the lead vehicles, our trip leaders decided to bring the last vehicles down in backwards.
	As our Trip Leaders crossed a very muddy creek on their return, we were faced with our 1st vehicle recovery for the trip for none other than our trip leader who needed a simple snatch out of a creek bank. It must be good to be a TLCV trip leader, for if the trip was a TLCC NSW trip (we are members of both clubs) the “Sargent at Arms” would have had a field day raising money for the Kids Christmas Party.
After our lunch break, we headed onto McMillans Lookout. Our trips leaders were a little concerned, given their local knowledge of the area given the previous 2 days of wet weather conditions. The track down from McMillians lookout (usually difficult in the wet) proved to be on the easy side with a lot of grip for all our vehicles.
It amazed us (from NSW) just how quickly the tracks in the Vic high Country “dry out” with the tracks simply drying out in about ½ the time. A huge thank-you to our trip leaders, Laurie & Heidi for giving of their time & knowledge to make this trip the success that it was. We really appreciate their commitment to make this club the success it is.
Trip Report written by Graeme Robertson #1985 & Ken & Diana Ribbons #2467