Advanced Driver Training Course - Trip Report
24-25th September 2005

Written by George Edwards.      Photos by Fred Mayer.

A bright Saturday morning saw three Defenders assemble at Raglan: Fred (immediate past Training Officer) and Ros, Andy (newly appointed Training Officer) and Leila, George (unsuspecting trainee) and Megan. After waiting for stragglers to turn up (none arrived), we headed off for the training grounds 26kms out of town.

The property is in a beautiful area. Rolling hills with distant views, tranquil river flats and peaceful dams plus of course the usual steep rocky slopes, muddy bottomless bog holes, tortuous dry creek beds and erosion gullies.

After checking out some of the local wildlife (plentiful Shingleback lizards) we proceeded through a muddy hole in the creek bed to our campsite by a dam. Tents were erected then off to work! To make George feel better about being the only trainee, Leila and Ros pretended to be trainees and drove the other two Defenders while Fred and Andy managed the training.

The route to the first challenge was along a dry creek bed which was just nicely Defender width and depth, with one large tree overhanging a bend in wait for unsuspecting roof-racks.

Our first training scenario involved recovering Ros’s Defender theoretically stuck in a creek without a tree in sight. Shovels came out and the recent rain made it easy for the girls to bury a handy 1.2m log as a winch anchor. With Ros steering and operating the winch, and George watching the anchor, the rest was easy.

Fred and Andy were quick to find the next obstacle and directed George down into a creek until the bull bar was against a 1m high bank. “Can’t go forwards or backwards, only sideways”. After discussing a few options, out came the hi-lift jack, Fred’s “jack adaptor” and with minimal effort we soon had the Defender on its way to a 90 degree on-the-spot turn.

Our relief was however short lived, as while ever LROC Training Officers are around, obstacles seem to appear from everywhere!

Leila was heading up a long stony hill, only to be called to a halt just before the top. “How are we going to get this disabled vehicle to the top?” More brainstorming. Then out came the snatch block and wire rope. A successful sling shot, despite stretching an unstretchable winch extension strap.

Then just as we thought it was safe to go back down the hill, the hill theoretically became much steeper and two Defenders magically disappeared from the scene. More brainstorming soon had George’s Defender safely down.

Time for firewood training, Fred hooked up a nice fallen tree and decided to demonstrate “Salisbury Diff. ploughing” as he negotiated the creek. Both rear wheels in the air and the tree in tow provided a real opportunity to practice vehicle recovery!

The fire was soon roaring. Nibblies, dinner and good company in an idyllic environment.

Sunday after breakfast we were off up the creek past “roof rack tree” and everything was going nicely until we arrived at a dam about 15m across. “How deep is it?” Who better than the trainee to find out? George waded into the water in standard dam depth outfit (jocks and gum boots) while Ros administered first aid to those who fainted at the sight!

Fortunately, Ros and Defender miraculously appeared on the far side of the dam to help pull George’s Defender through the waist deep water.

That was fun! Now it was George’s turn to pull Ros’s Defender through. George stalling while Ros was still swimming had trainers screaming “George keep going!” over the radio …. nothing like experience.

No sooner had the water drained from the holes in the door seals, than the dreaded “flat tyre on a steep slope” scenario popped up! More brainstorming, a hand winch and a lucky tree had the Defender safely ready for a replacement wheel.
Our relief was, however, short lived.

Ros’s Defender was theoretically teetering on the brink of rollover. What to do? After a few false starts (rumours that we were thinking of shackling a winch extension strap to the doorhandles are totally unfounded), we managed to avoid a nasty situation.

Training scenarios behind us, we headed up “Pajero Hill”: a long, winding, stony slope. Somehow Fred’s experience meant that he was already standing in the one place George got stuck. Back off, and away he went on the second try.

Leila added some interest when a small tree jumped out from the side of the track and tangled itself between the windscreen, snorkel and radio aerials, trapping Leila inside. Fred’s trusty bow saw soon had her freed and we were on our way again.

After watching the “trainees” all weekend, Fred and Andy couldn’t resist the dam at the campsite. Both managed to successfully negotiate a deep erosion gully and the dam without assistance.
So that’s how it’s done?

A leisurely lunch saw us packing up and heading for home.

A great weekend, outstanding trainers, lots learned, and an experience definitely recommended!