The OTL Track – Day 4 Canal Creek to Canal Creek (Part 1!)

The butterflies returned again the next morning, in spades.  We had been warned about the two hardest crossings, those being, Palm Creek (the first), and Nolan’s Brook (the last).  This day was to see us at Nolans!!

We blew apart all expectations on this morning, being fed, packed up, and ready to drive out of camp at 7.15!!!!.  WOW.  That shocked (and impressed) not only our neighbours, but more so, ourselves!!!.  We did also manage to down one of Paul’s espresso’s as well, which definitely got the heart started!

We quietly wandered out of camp, and Glenn jumped in to drive Canal Creek.  It was funny that, given we were camped there, swam there, and watched over a dozen cars go through there, it was the most analysed crossing of the trip.  It was a little tricky in that there were a few deep water holes to avoid, and most of all, it had a nasty little jump up out of the creek to negotiate, of which quite a few got stuck.  Nothing like driving out of camp at 7.15am to go straight into a doozey of a crossing. 

Thankfully, and with some relief, we managed to get up without a problem.  Amy took the wheel yet again, and we trundled off down the track as one of the first couple of cars.  We fell in behind the OKA, a big, serious 4WD truck that one of the MySwag members had on the trip. 

We crossed a few very easy, low creek crossings, and then come across Cannibal Creek. 

Entry to Cannibal Creek

A couple of the recovery team members were in place and ready to guide us through, which after seeing the track, we saw why.  Our first hint of what it was like was when we were watching the OKA inch down the drop.  It was quite steep, and the OKA had an interesting angle to it.  Our hearts almost jumped out of our mouths when all of a sudden we saw the OKA’s front left wheel drop down, and then the whole rig started to tip.......   big truck, big angle, tipping!!!!!... eeerrrrg, is that suppose to be happening????  Thankfully, it all corrected and dropped back down.

As one of the recovery team guys said afterwards, all it would have taken was for a fly to land on the wrong spot, and it would have been over.  Chris (who had the OKA) did admit that a little bit of poo came out when it was happening.

Having seen that, we were of course thrilled to be the next ones down.  JK from the recovery team walked up to us and said, “don’t do what Chris just did”.... errr... RIGHT!!!. 

Amy was at the wheel, and was an absolute champion.  Slow and steady, following the specific and overt instructions from JK saw us get down without any incident what-so-ever.  Thank god!  Good one Amy!

By this stage, Amy’s reputation, and endeavours had earned her more than a healthy respect amongst the group.  Clearly being unusual having the female doing all the driving, everyone was seriously impressed with how Amy not only had towed the camper on the Bloomfield Track , but also had managed most of the driving through the OTL.  She had not only kept up with the group more than adequately, she had also tackled some very serious, and impressive 4WD crossings.  The guys kept saying how impressed they were, and the girls were in awe, with Amy doing things they would not consider having a go at!!!  Amy earned a ‘Give it a go’ award by the end, and we coined the name “OTL-Amy”.  You’re a legend sweetie, very proud!!!!