Day 4 on the mountains Gran Bosco to Rochemolles

Day 4 we started out clean from the well appreciated showers the night before and took the tarmac up the valley to the old village of Rochemolles. We made our way up the valley on tarmac/tight bends so 3rd gear low / no difflock was the order of the day.

There we had a nice stroll and took some pictures in the church and around the village before heading off for the highpoint of our trip.

Stopping off at Scarfiotti Refuge to take lunch up in the Colle del Sommeiller where excellent ice creams are served and off again to the high pass.

Up the road from the refuge It was turn, after turn, after turn and the clouds closed in. At the refuge there had been a geological display and there was a geological itinerary we could have walked if we’d had time. We may come back again.

Going up there were sequences of marbles, slates verging on schist's and large iron stained sections that looked like dolomites from a distance.(see this picture take on the way down)

We topped out at 9329 ft (2843m) according to the Sat Nav and were unable to go further because the road was blocked, so not quite the 10000 ft, but still one major achievement for a 25 year old vehicle and a not very expert 50 year old driver.

Mike presented us with Alpine Rovers stickers to celebrate the achievement.

Unfortunately the heavens opened when we were there and we had to head back which was no mean feat as the visibility was awful by then. I had to ask Rhian to get out in the rain and watch me back around a boulder because I was struggling to see where the road was. Being the star she is she helped Chris make the same manoeuvre before we set off.

Back down was almost as hard work as going up and I was glad to make the bottom where we headed straight for camp whilst there was a break in the clouds.

Just in time as as the heavens soon opened and I settled down for a serious nap before making tea which was some excellent sausage spirals, onions and followed by the Berry Bosco.

Early night tonight given the weather, which was spectacular thunder and lightning with heavy rain lashing down. Some of the lighting/thunder was really close as there was very little time between so probably hitting the hills around. I would not have liked to be camping much higher tonight

What more have we learned

1. We really do need a rear facing camera. Mike told us we were leaving a lot of space on corners when we reversed making then 5 point instead of 3 point turns and increasing the work on me.
2. It’s nice having a camper in bad weather 
3. Rhian suggested more catches on the cupboard doors which is a good idea as they were taking a hammering 
4. Dust gets in the gas safety vent holes in the bottom which is probably why they were blocked up when we got Katy. I need to think of a safe way of dust proofing them 
5. We talked about the things we could have brought from home that should be on the going away list because I’ve forgotten them in the past e.g. Tea, UHT Milk, Dried Milk, etc. 

Damage / Problems so far

1. None

Day 3 on the mountains Argentiera to Gran Bosco

A leisurely day (not)

We stated with a trip to the top of the valley to see the sights which included our first three wheel moment as Katy’s suspension articulation proved a little wanting (not surprising given the strenth of the springs and anti-roll bar I've fitted. Rhian said it was her scariest moment so far, but I knew she could do it and with a little more shuffling were back on an even keel to appropriate comments of “I’ve got three wheels on my wagon – on the ground at least” from me and “at least you’re still rolling along” from Mandy

It was worth it though because the views at the top of the valley were well worth standing and admiring for a while

Soon we were on our way down again. As the runners came past us there were strange approving noises coming from Mandy's car. I really do think this chap could have covered himself up so as not to embarrass old & overweight people like me

Back down the hairpins and no trouble this time, just watch the line that Chris takes and take one a little wider if we can without needing to do a 3 point turn. I think in this case even he had to have another go to round the corner

And it wasn't long before we were looking down over last nights campsite

Through the trees and along the tracks it was. Mike and Mandy's Tombraider was really starting to look limestone coloured by now

Back down again to the main roads passing a really nice Series III in real Limestone colour and with a safari roof (my perfect car for retirement) we got a good smile as they went past us. Clearly people who can admire class.

We headed up to the ski resort of Torino and off for a long track which snaked across the ridge from Siestre to Usseaux.

Back on day 1 we’d seen a super Unimog and guess what was coming towards us on one of the narrowest sections. It was the same one . Mike and then Chris passed with care and then it was my turn. I was very unsure so asked Rhian to step out just as Mike Stringer came forward and stated directing me so we inched closer and closer and almost made it before it was decided that we were not going to make it. We reversed and then the Unimog reversed to a slightly wider section and then we had another go.

This time Rhian was videoing it and as you can see we were through and mike said to pull forwards and just at that point the rear wheel dropped into a hole.. My scariest moment so far!

Passing a Unimog from Andy Kendall on Vimeo.

Bit it was not long before we had more enjoyment on the roads

We continued on the lane for ages getting wonderful views and Rhian recording loads of it for the video we will produce

We then planned to visit the Alpini memorial, but it was so foggy by that time there was nothing to see and then dropped down to the Alpe Pintas Restaurant in Pian Dell'Alpe where we stopped for an excellent meal of cheese and salami followed by super cake.

We were warned off asking for the Apple cake before the Mikes got there, and indeed they were so concerned that they ordered their first pudding before their main course just to be sure.

Of course pudding had to follow main so they sampled another cake later just to be sure it tasted right after a meal

In the car park we noted a panda setting off with one tyre flat. Waved the driver down who said I know the tyres are bad I haven’t had time to get them changed.

Bad ! the 2 front tyres were through to the metal and she was lucky that it had gone in a car park and not on one of the lethal bends. We watched the floundering for a few moments and then our team swung into action to do it for her.

The space saver tyre was flat so Chris used his air compressor to pump it up, and we were off again. We’ve seen it used for many cleaning jobs and now for real. Gillian told us they had a lower power one before and it was not up to the job, Chris showed me the compressor and talked about how the air tank can be fitted underneath

A quick trip back up to the top from there and then a long winding road back down to the valley below. 3rd/2nd all the way and no difflock as soon as were on tarmac. We had a couple of cars fly past us, but I would not have wanted to rely on their brakes at the bottom. Back to Gran Bosco for showers and a late supper after a long day with some fabulous views.

On route we spotted the headlight was working again. German mikes comment was “it’s probably just a loose connection... just a "Land Rover thing”

This day had been a massive amount of non tarmac roads with 71km (44 Miles) in total which had included many wonderful sights and some excellent adventures

What more have we learned

1. A compressor is a must I have seen one used for cleaning and repairs so many ways. 
2. Get to the puddings 1st if you want one when the Mikes are around
3. Don't trust Land Rover guides when it comes to getting past Unimogs and they tell you it's OK now 

Damage / Problems so far

1. The headlight is working again so I’ll not mess with it just now

Day 2 on the mountains Mt Jafferau to Argentera

A wonderful sunny dawn at the fort and a leisurely start of the day with hot water for our tea from Mike's Kelley Kettle (I've fancied one, but they are quite bulky), and we made our way back down Mt Jafferau being treated to excellent views all the way.

We've got the packing up down to about 20 minutes even including the awning so we're good to go when our leaders are ready, something I think they were concerned about when they saw it.

We went back the way we came up and Katy behaved as well downhill as she had going up, for control a mix of 3^rd, 2^nd and 1^st gears were used with very little use of the brakes other than stopping for the obligatory three point turns. Mike asked us to stop at one location to check the CB aerial which was coming loose having been battered by the trees. A good lesson for when we get our own in thinking carefully about where we fit it, and we collected some more wood whilst we could (that Tombraider is starting to look like a real working Land Rover). 

As we came down we were treated to some superb views though

We then made our way across to Claviere via the highways which involved a steep uphill section and a lesson on different gearing as we were going at a speed that had me changing between 2nd and 3rd all the way and we had to take a quick stop for Katy to cool down before turning off and taking to a set of really nice woodland tracks with a lakeside stop for lunch. In the tunnels it was noted one of our headlights was dim so we need to check on that later. 

Even though the track became a little dusty at times we could still see Chris and Gillian's Land Cruiser following German Mike's Series III

But finally a stop for lunch

From Claviere we made our way to the Argentiera valley which is a long gentle run up in the main as can be determined by the number of road cars making it a good distance, eventually it thinned out and we past the last few cars (the final being the obligatory fiat panda 4x4 which get everywhere)

finally we headed up into open space and our wonderful camp-site at the head of the valley near a wonderful waterfall, looking back from the end of the trip this was my favourite campsite of the ones we used.

As we arrived early we spent ½ an hour sorting and cleaning to remove as much dust as possible and also put things in better places for storage before Rhian cooked us a wonderful pasta bolognaise supper.

Here you can see Mike and Mandy's Oz tent. I was quite interested to see how they work and how fast they are to put up. I can see that the basic tent is quick nut the awning takes time and even when packed they are very bulky so it does depend on what you want as to whether they are good for you

Here's the view from our front door from that campsite

Whilst out strolling Rhian spotted this wonderful Apollo Butterfly 

And it really didn't matter which Land Rover you put into your pictures they seemed somehow to look in place and picturesque

Another 49k (30 Miles) of non tarmac roads and some more experience in overland driving. I now feel comfortable in most up and downhill situations as long as there is room to manoeuvre. 

What more have we learned

1. We should have closed the vents to keep (some of) the  dust out
2. We need to think about dust proofing the bedding storage
3. We attract a lot of waves and smiles – that’s always good J
4. We need to fit spot lights and fog lights. It will give us more options if we have a lighting failure
5. Chris explained how his second fan was fitted on the outside of his radiator / intercooler and controlled by a manual switch and with a gauge inside so he could decide when to put it on and control it as needed – sounds a good idea
6. We nearly lost the top of the CB because of the trees so need to think of better fitting when we buy one

Damage / Problems so far

1. Katy’s right headlamp and sidelight are dim. Probably an electrical poor connection  I need to sort out before we head home

Day 1 on the mountains Salbertrand to Mt Jafferau

I made a check of all the fluids before we set off and all were fine. German Mike lent us a spare plug in CB so we could be in contact and we fitted the aerial on the roof.

A trip to the supermarket and we were off. The convoy was formed as follows

1. German Mike in his Series III soft top which was also his accommodation
2. Chris and Gillian in their excellently specced out Land Cruiser
3. Us in Katy
4. Mike and Mandy in their Tomb Raider 90  and their Oz tent

I was very nervous as to how Katy would cope with the steep tracks to come. Mike advised 2^nd gear, Low Ratio and difflock for the loose stuff, avoid having to change gear when on anything steep. All of that was good advice so we took it.

Up the steep hills and into the trees where we made our 1^st stop for wood for the camp fire, which was duly loaded on top of the Tombraider 90

On to our next stop for mountain spring water where we filled up the new carrier we had from GO Outdoors. I stowed it carefully in the back, but about  2 minutes later there was a call on the CB, "Andy you are leaking water" and the carrier had split. We eptied what was left so as not to get our gear soaking and checked what we had on board. It was about 10 litres anyway so we continued.

By this time we had done a lot of climbing and the tracks were levelling out and we were making it into 3^rd gear (low) on the flatter sections.

Through some more woodlands we found our first problem with Katy that she was larger than most of the vehicles that come up here and therefore was collecting branches from trees as we went which did the awning rail no good at all and I had to bend it back into shape to user it this evening.

The tracks levelled off in places and we got into 3^rd gear before arriving at the first fort of the day. Spectacular cliffs and a superb place for lunch.

On the top of the Rochers de l'Aigle it became more lunar in nature and we made our way carefully up to the ridge

We then headed up to the summit of Mount Jafferau which was about 9200 ft (about 3000m) and took a look at some more forts at the summit where I saw Mike put rocks under each wheel despite us being parked on the level. His reason seemed sensible “I don’t trust Land Rovers”

The views from there were superb and we spent quite a few minutes looking around and down on the tracks we had already followed

Before retuning to our small convoy of vehicles which were just as we'd left them with the rocks still in place

From there it was a simple descent to get a chance of the wonderful Edelweiss flowers which are now quite rare in the mountains

Below the summit there was another large fort with many windows with excellent views and there was a superb silver Unimog/caravan combo parked up which we duly admired. 

Finally we headed back down to our final fort of the day for tea and camp fire chat. I was quite surprised when we got a map and were able to check out the distance we had covered this first day.

All in all a really good day I was shattered, but exhilarated , about 50km (30 Miles) off tarmac roads in total according to my measurements.

What have we learned so far.

1. Katy is very capable off road
2. She does roll a bit and is not as good as shorter vehicles at going around corners (as expected)
3. The Anti Roll Bar and suspension upgrade was worth every penny
4. You use a lot less fuel than I had thought the gauge is showing full at the end of the full days driving 
5. Even more needs to be tied down than we thought. The jar of honey made a bid for freedom and we nearly had a very messy bed
6. Looking at Chris’s Land Cruiser with 2 spare wheels makes me think I really should have brought both of ours. It’s no use to us at home if we’d had a problem. We'd been warned about weight, but weight on important things is not wasted 
7. Learn from Mike and don't trust Land Rover brakes

Damage / Problems so far

1. We bent the awning rail coming through the woods- it needs to be put on properly some time
2. Nesting USB and other devices in a single charger socket didn’t work as we had devices that needed more power. We need more proper connections
3. Don’t buy cheap water carriers in GO Outdoors they split and you lose all the water you have carefully collected