Right.... so here's a few pics from Sunday's mini-run, by Side B.
Going through the Caroni Canefields, after meeting up in Trincity and waiting for a few stragglers. Heading south now, to meet with the rest of the guys in the convoy.
Really nice trail found by Droppa, running over some pipelines in Caroni.
"Oh gorsh boy, this sun blazin hot!"
Waiting for two more, just before heading off to see the first Mud Volcano.
Climbing the first (dry) Mud Volcano. There were a few more around, but time was short on us now.
Rotted_V is the first to get stuck, right at the entrance to the trail, in a 4x2 Hilux.
(this didn't stop him from going all the way into the track with the rest of the 4x4's though!)
Second to get stuck was Brian, all because Droppa dared him to go through the mud.
This one was a bit more epic than the 4x2 Hilux, cuz now Brian was axle-deep in mud to the left side - which was actually not a rut, but an Irrigation Ditch full of slushy mud.
After a bit of struggling, we go him out. But not without a few dents, a bent sidebar (which was straightened by pulling it straight using the black Mazda B2500) and a bent stabilizer bar.
And he's out!
Droppa waiting on an inclined slope, for the other guys ahead to clear through a ditch.
Ah boy, what is it with Mitsubishis and getting themselves hung up on ruts?
He got out safely though, good to hear.
Jeremy and Brian traverse some deep ruts left behind by a large CAT TimberJack (logging vehicles). Fortunately the place was dry enough for them to crawl over the ruts, and the ruts sturdy enough to support each truck.
It was at this point that we all looked at the sky, and saw that rain clouds were forming. I also received reports from Rutless Tiida who was not onsite (he was back in Arima) that rain was falling in Arima and there was more than 50% chance of precipitation towards the South.
The guys decided they didn't want to chance another incident like in Santa Flora where only 10 mins of light rain fell but was enough to turn that clay-soil track into a nightmare of slipperyness. And seeing that our trail was a grade-4 trail in spite of being dry, we were anxious to get OUT!!
It took us 45 mins to get into the trail about half-way, but the exit took less than 15 mins, with everyone scrambling as quickly and safely as they could over the same undulating ruts we had just passed over.
Search And Rescue, directing Brian back out of the trail after he reversed.
Let's get out of here.
Rain coming in the distance!
Surrounded by two curtains of rain to either side of us.
Come on guys... move-move-MOVE!!! We have to Hustle!!
Me and Droppa made it out first, soon followed by the rest of the guys. Phew! That was a few tense minutes there. For a couple minutes I was sure the rain was gonna catch us while we scrambling out - but luckily it held up just a few more minutes. However.... as the last vehicle exited the trail, rain just started to fall on us at the Trail entrance.
At that point, the decision was made to just head down to Morne Diablo beach through the paved main road instead, as the rain was now dropping in fat drops on our heads.
Just 200 feet down the road, the rain had already started falling in cats & dogs. It was a passing cloud though, but the amount of rain that fell as we drove back to the main road from the trail looked like enough to properly wet down the track and would have caused us a sh1tload of trouble to get out, had we pressed ahead to the volcano.
So we went down to the beach, which was actually un-impressive, just a small shoreline and a fishing depot with a few parking spaces.
We had lunch and then we left to go home.
Up at Debe though, we decided to take a small detour and explore some tracks around the Golconda Road.
Then while exiting out from that trail onto the M2 Ring Road, we had to cross over a drain to get onto the main road.
Rene, the L200 made it out fine.
Droppa had a bit of trouble with his angle of approach....
Then Claries in the black Mazda B2500 made it out safely without much fuss. Jeremy made it out too with a big, dramatic moment when his rear-wheel went waayyy up in the air, but they made it out ok.
Then it was my turn; crossed that canal with minimal fuss. That Navara's long-wheelbase helped a lot, plus I was hungry and wanted to head home fast.
Bye trail, bye Morne Diablo. It was fun - too bad we had to turn around. But at least this time we actually made it to a beach! (even if it wasn't through the trail itself).
I'd like to tackle this trail again, but this time in dry weather i.e. in the height of the dry season, as well as a little earlier in the morning.
Thanks to everyone who made it out to the run, esp. to Rotted_v in his 4x2 Hilux. He really impressed us and showed that its' not just the vehicle, it's the driver too.
Also, thank goodness that no one was hurt, and no real incidents happened besides the two vehicles getting stuck and Brian sustaining minor damage to the GV (again! - he wife must be getting pissed with the growing repair bill.... eh brian??). Also good call by the guys again on making the right decision towards our safety and getting out before the rain came.
Good teamwork everyone, congrats on a good run (as impromptu as it was, short notice and all) and till next run, Keep On Truckin' !!
Lighthammer out, and off to work!
So guys.....
when is the next run?
That's when I knew we had no choice but to turn around..
