Conical Peak (Matroosberg)

[SRXy]

Snow Patrol!!!

Awesome Pics!!!

Better than this Snow Patrol!



Awesome pics Russ!

[Russ Kellermann]

JG , i cant be sure of the temp, but in the afternoon it was well below zero, all i know is that when i took a pee it almost fell off it was so cold!

On the farm up north this last year it reached -15'c and in the mornings,going to work at 4:30am my Isuzu 280 DT 4x4 would not start. I used to use Quick Start spray on the cold mornings, but when its really bad i used to park at the top of the field in front of my house and just roll start it in second or third. Even then, when the diesel froze in the pipes and pump it would die or splutter, terrible.

I left my patrol for half the day in sub zero temperatures and it started first click. I was a little worried though,as i wasn't sure how it was going to end up. I read on ne of the Auzzie forums that the 4.2 did heat its fuel before it reaches the pump and/or injectors but i cant be sure of my particular model, all i can be sure of is that it probably wont ever be that cold again and it started with no worries, so i reckon the 4.2 can take it.

In the old day the guys used to light fires and shovel the coals under the engine bay in the mornings. dont try it with an open flame and a petrol motor though!!!

[Stefan]

How is easy is it to get to this spot Russ? I promised my boy I'll take him to build a snowman this year.

[Russ Kellermann]

Stefan, it depends on the condition of the track at that time. Usually when the snow is on its way, Corde ,the owner and rest of his crew build up the track with a small bob-cat digger, which makes it easy for the 1st 20 vehicles, but after that it can become horrendous. I never go up on a weekend as this is when everyone is there, however, i've done it plenty times on my own during the week, after hundreds of 4wd have raped the mountain,...huge ruts,loose boulders,very steep, not easy going.look, i've seen many a big rig turn around cause they couldn't make it up the steps,but it depends on alot of factors at that time i guess. If you got a diff lock it makes life a hellova lot easier let me tell you. The kak part is if you have old snow, which ends up with a thin layer of ice on top, terrible. Fresh snow is powdery and easy to drive. Its alot of fun with great views,well worth it mate. I was fortunate agin this year with heavy snow right down on farm level,again , in which case you dont even need to drive anywhere i you prefer not to spend 3 hours white knuckled....

My advice, watch the weather and weather systems and try time it right, and definately call them the afternoon before to see if there is existing snow, then you garranty your boy some snow!

Ps: take proper gloves or you gonna hate it so much you'll just wanna go straight back down.

Ps: that vehicle of yours should have no worries in the world if you drive sensibly, and drop pressures etc etc.

[Stefan]

Thanks for the advice Russ, (especially the gloves part )

Can you send me the contact details?