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IndianWalk Trail Report
by Barrie Landreth-Smith
Indian Walk trail of 14/08/05 began at the Claxton Bay fly over in brilliant weather. Vehicles were scrutineered and we were off in a timely fashion after the events manager rendered his instructions. (No one stopped at that point to wonder who scrutineers the scrutineer ;-)
The trail began with a minor trench which left its marks on all the vehicles with any significant rear overhang, submitting a minor omen for the astute that she intended to bite. Warning delivered, warning ignored. Perhaps the only vehicle to accurately interpret the warning was David L-S's Mitsubishi turbo which was reluctant to climb the first hill immediately following. Since her warning was ignored, the trail decided to entrap us by lulling us with a fantastic panoramic view of the rolling central plains, whilst she solicited assistance in punishing these upstarts who dared trespass, yet again, despite previous chastisement.
So off we capered with alacrity, gamboling through her hills and dales in good humour with easy hill climbs and descents, and hilltop views of her meandering maze-like nature. She allowed us pleasant breezes as we negotiated the obstacles thrown up, to keep our focus on the ground. Her veiled ire revealed itself with insufferable heat only when her control of the facade slipped at times. Only the long-wheeled base vehicles were aware of something amiss, as these mounts became skittish and reluctant to proceed and threatened to leave the trail entirely or to not proceed.
Being obedient however, they followed their masters urgings until the trail mistress struck her first real blow at the mighty Hercules, after allowing nimble Shane to pass unchallenged, through a slippery off-camber followed by a sticky incline. The rest of the cohort attempted the impediment with varying degrees of success and effort, some requiring a tow and Paul ambling up casually and unconcerned.
She did her best to lay low Thor in Blue Thunder, but either relented our was overcome, no one is sure, as he was able to extract himself after some effort. The sensitive long vehicles had the warmest time of all, balking at the prospect repeatedly, of conquering that which stymied Hercules. The long uphill thereafter continued to thwart the long boys, but we all made it one way or another to a gentler area with two easy exits made plain by the witch of the trail.
Needless to say we disregarded this reprieve and having left, re-entered at another point. This was too much, so she soon started by pitching Gauf off the trail: but then we stopped for lunch, which proved to be very convivial and relaxing. Her seduction never ceased though, as from the luncheon laager area she coyly provided glimpses of rutted muddy trenches in an adjacent valley. After lunch we set off wandering around heedlessly up to a cultivated area with spectacular views, cool breezes and a dead end.
Undaunted ,we fell at last to the final seduction, and proceeded to valley of the foolhardy with Sir Paul The Intrepid in the lead. Again the wicked witch provided ground distractions as we entered the valley, which showed trail sign of torrential run off, and we looked not skyward. That is, until Paul was thrown by a log into a floor pan sucking bog. As Paul self recovered by a protesting winch, the evil mistress dropped her veil as she and her co-conspirators let loose a precipitous deluge to reveal the trap which was if fact a waterway.
Hercules, son of Zeus knew that it was not his father's doing at first inkling, and rapidly took his exit. Thor knew that it certainly was not of his doing and so was of like mind, but was effectively boxed in. The resultant quagmire was even able to sully Sunita's radiant white shorts. Retreat was the only option, and humbled, so we did.
Even so one vehicle managed to leave the trail just trying to turn around. Paul the Intrepid was truly stuck, and extraction took some time with a good group effort, Frankie and Raffick being particularly active, Frankie in particular demonstrating good sense and thoughtfulness at problem solving throughout the day.
Escape was not certain, but Shane and Gauf proved to be excellent scouts, and via use of the CB's which were indispensable daylong, we rapidly escaped. By then the weather sprites had grown bored of their little game, and we saw the witch smile insidiously as we departed. I suspect that although she overtly demonstrates that our attention is most unwelcome, we will always flirt with her. Who knows, one day we may become bosom buddies. ?