Sandhill Sailors
16 October 2008
Ever wondered who would be the best out of the ship's company for four wheel drive recovery techniques? Well the Engineering Department, of course, and this was put to the test when the techos from HMAS Warramunga (CMDR Andrew Gordon) took advantage of time alongside to organise two expeditions (expeds).
To ensure that the ever important duty watch was maintained, two expeds were organised that gave a choice to the team. The choices where either a leisurely few days exploring the delights of the South West region of Western Australia or a full blown four wheel drive and fishing adventure through the D'Entrecasteaux National Park.
The eighteen personnel that chose the four wheel driving adventure began by travelling the 300 kilometres from HMAS Stirling to Lake Yeagerup located in the D'Entrecasteaux National Park near Pemberton. On arrival at Lake Yeagerup everyone was briefed on the 'Tread Lightly' Code of Conduct and the safety requirements of four wheel driving and recovery techniques. This was also the point at which the real four wheel driving began so it was time to air down tyres and check communications.
As with many four wheel drive adventures the first real challenge was not too far away as the business of getting to Warren beach began. The first hurdle, a 200 metre high sand hill. Most vehicles were up to the challenge however there were echoes of straining engines and gearboxes as vehicles mounted numerous attempts to reach the summit.
It was at this stage that many of the adventurers understood why the Yeagerup dunes are famous among the four wheel driving fraternity and why a particular dune in the area has earned the not so cheery name of the 'Widow Maker'. This sort of nonsense was not to slow down our adventurers though, who pushed on. After a slow journey through the tight tracks the camp site was in sight, and setting up home for the next few days began.
Day two began with beach driving to find the best fishing spot before the competition began. Whilst we do know how fishing stories can be spun, let it be said that the 'fish of the day' went to POMT Alex Wakfer with a 5lb Australian Salmon. The day also saw instruction in the various forms of recovery techniques which got put to good practise later in the day. A number of drivers trying to get a little too close to the fish found themselves stuck fast in the wet sand.
Day three was an early start as there was a difficult ascent of the dune from the Western side. The dune was very steep and very corrugated requiring a considerable amount of care to scale safely. The dune was finally conquered taking over an hour to ascend which included plenty of teeth rattling and red lining the revs needle. With the dune conquered it was time for a photo opportunity at the top to prove it was done and then back to the Lake Yeagerup car park. A short stop to reinflate tyres and then the adventurers found civilisation in Pemberton for hot breakfast.
Deputy Marine Engineering Officer LEUT Peter Clark aptly summed up the adventure saying, "this was a great exped as we all got to do something we enjoyed in a beautiful part of the world, and learnt some techniques of four wheel driving that we will all be able to use again some time."
