My birthday huts run, May the 4th be with you.

Simon and Diane GWM Cannon (TL)

Sandy and Dad - Pajero

Kelvin - Pajero

Ivo - Land Cruiser

Dave - Prado (TEC)

Wayne - Patrol

Shane - Triton

Lin - FJ Cruiser

Penny and Spence - Land Cruiser

We all gathered at the beginning of the track on Old Yanchep Road, where we planned to head off towards Ridges hut. For this trip, I was going to try and avoid any tracks that I had already been on.

This is the 2^nd year I have run this overnight trip for my birthday. Hmm this may become a yearly event.  

We started off with a section that had been graded a while back, so it didn’t offer up much of a challenge. On arrival at Ridges, we found a foreign tourist who had camped there for the night.

We had a scout around for rubbish and only found a dozen or so cans and bottles as well as the usual poo tickets. It amazes me that we find these as there is a toilet 50 meters up the track behind the hut.

Back on the track we headed out of the hut and turned left and headed off on an adventure.

As I said I wanted to find as many new tracks as I could and as far as I could tell we spent at least 80% of our time exploring new places. Along the way we passed through a large area of pine plantation where they had felled the area. It looked quite eerie. Let’s hope they are going to let the native trees and plants take over.

I saw off to the left a track which went up a fairly nice hill. Me being me, I had to give it a go. As we crested the top the ground seemed to fall away. A quick U turn and I headed back down. Ivo and Wayne gave it a shot whilst the rest sat and waited for us to finish playing.

It was now getting close to lunch time, so we loaded up the oven with pies and continued on the trails. 

We arrived at high hill where we had a break and then boys being boys we had to have a play. The sand was extremely soft which added to the fun.

When finished we headed off south and then east near the power station. Again, following new tracks for me at least. The views from the top of the hills were amazing.

The track changes from easy sand to soft grey dust on some of the corners making things a bit harder.

Eventually we arrived at S bend hill and Ivo gave it a crack but barely got 50 metres up the hill. 

Ivo reversed back down and decided to head for the “Chicken track” at the top of the hill which itself has become a bit of a challenge. Sandy, Wayne, Kelvin and I followed Ivo and the soft sand claimed it’s first victim no names mentioned hey Kelvin.

Wayne helped Kelvin out of his “Parking spot” and joined us at the top for a bit of a look around.

We headed down the S bend track and as I thought it was extremely soft. We joined the rest of the group and set off towards Moitch Hut where some of us were going to camp for the night. 

There were a few soft spots on the way especially on the corners. 

On arrival we found Shane had already set up camp and had a fire well alight.

Dave, Kelvin, Di and I set up our camp sites and enjoyed the serenity of sitting around a campfire.

Dave made another of his famous cakes for my birthday which was devoured with a topping of Baileys liqueur.

After burning the equivalent of a hectare of wood we all settled down for a good night sleep.

In the morning, we all set off early as some of us had other pressing engagements to be at.

Thanks guys and gals for making my birthday weekend a fun one.

Cheers until next time All Trackers, Simon