Licola- Talbotville
22-25/01/02
Mick Inglis - Bugger
Dave,Karen,Tess,Talissa Ryrie - GQ
Pauline + Rowan - Maverick
It rained all they way from Moe through Walhalla and up to the Burgoynes
track. This made the track into the Macalister River quite slippery and the
going was slow. The river at Burgoynes Gap had not risen at all due to the
rain and made for a uneventful trip across to the Licola road.
With the weather still not improving it was decided to head for Kelly's hut
for the night. When we got there the weather cleared up enough for us to
consider camping out. But alas down it came again . So Kelly's it was for
the night.
After a very pleasant night the group headed off to East Pinnacle for the
fabulous views. Fabulous is not the word , Solid Grey cloud would be a
better one.
Billy goat track was good fun the view was still of cloud. But as we got
further away from the top the sunnier it got until lunch at Kingswill bridge
was in brilliant sunshine.
We passed the Opposite Lock tour group on our way up the crooked river to
Talbotville. Talbotville is where we left Mick so he could fix his radiator
fan. The viscous coupling had failed and it was now slipping continuously.
While Mick did this we headed up to Hogtown and Bulltown via the 20 odd
river crossings and then up to the Good Hope mine. By the time we got back
to camp Mick had managed to jam 3 screws in the Viscous coupling and now he
had the fan working. But now the fanbelt slipped everytime he rev'd over 3
grand.
Talbotville was a beautiful place to camp. A large area with only 3 groups
in there. Would have been even better if it wasn't school holidays.
Thursday we planned to get to Mt Blue Rag but we were worried the clouds
would again cover the top . But luckily enough they dispersed by the time we
got to the top. Magnificent Views!!!.
Lunch was at Bright Pub as Mick tried to get a new fan at Bright or
Myrtleford. No Luck. And as we travelled along the Buffalo river heading for
Wonnangatta, a 5 litre container of oil in Micks car decided to empty itself
across all his bedding and clothes. A radio message from a grumpy Mick
signalled the end of his trip . He turned back for Myrtleford and then
headed home.
The two of us now headed into Wonnangatta where we camped along the
Conglomerate creek, away from the couple of other groups in the valley .
Friday was a quick run up Zeka track which was a little more eroded than
when I was last on it . but still quite good. And then we headed for home .
At Tabboritha saddle we met up with Daryl and his group heading in for the
weekend.
From Licola we passed lots of bikes heading in for the "Confusion Rally " at
Licola over the weekend. And there where plenty of 4x4's also heading in for
the long weekend.
Glad to be leaving before they arrived.
Until the last day we passed only 3 cars in total , 1 each day and basically
had the place to ourselves.
1000 kilometres Melb to Melb
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