A total of ten vehicles gathered at the Usine Ste. Madeline Factory at the beginning of the M1 Road where the vehicles were scrutinized as per requirements by Roy.

Drivers /Passengers
Frankie/ Shawnie
Sheldon
Roland /Leon
Anil/ Richard
Trevor /Kelly
Narvin
Calvin /Andy
Roy /Roger
Ryan /Shamir
Shiva /Ted
Gowtaram
Roll /Wayne

We all then drove down to Tableland where Ryan and Roll met us before coming off the main road to enter the village where the trail would commence.
 

Shivanand remained at Calvin’s uncle's (Carl Balgobin) home where he prepared a great meal for all on their return from the trail. The safety meeting was held where final checks were made on the vans, ropes installed and tires aired down and twelve vehicles started down the trail.

This trail was intended to be a grade 3/4 as it was done a couple weeks ago by some members. Due to the lack of rain in the last week or so, we anticipated it to be a grade 2/3 especially after we had the first river crossing where we all drove across. We were all in for a surprise as we met the very first hill. Calvin being the trail leader went first but after failing, Frankie took a shot at it and made it over after which we were all pulled over after reaching between two thirds to three quarter with the exception of Ryan (had to prove that the tractor tires was worth having) who made it over.

We then moved on only to find another hill which was more of a challenge than the first. We all looked at it and realized that there is no way we were going to do this on our own. So again Calvin being the trail leader/guinea pig had to go first and then we all followed. We all tried our best to get as far up as possible before being pulled up. In some/most cases two vans had to help bring the vehicles that followed due to the slippery terrain.

After helping everyone up, we proceeded along the trail to where we met the second river crossing which was initially a little challenge where Calvin lost his rear driveshaft leaving him to complete the trail in his modified front wheel drive zuk. Moving along the trail we encountered a straight area which was basically slush but being soft we all had some fun going through same. Uncle Trev almost had a run in with the tree as he turned quickly but was pulled back by Roy where he then came through with no problems. Everyone made it through this area even Pooh who was pulled along by Toro who took the opportunity to spray mud all over him after which we all came out of the trail after driving a couple hundred feet where the trail was officially ended as we all were on paved road.

We then proceeded to Calvin’s uncle's home where a delicious meal was prepared. The taping of the trail done by our amateur camera man (Shawnie) was then viewed on the television which was enjoyed by all. Everyone then aired up in preparation to depart where we all drove in convoy through Princes Town on our way home.

Some members suggested that this should be one of our yearly trails in the future.

We would like to sincerely thank Mr. Balgobin for accommodating us and making us feel at home when we got there. Thanks to Shivanand for contributing the roti and Roll for his delicious pork dish.

Narvin Maharaj

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