SNOWY RIVER BACK TRACKS

roothy.com.au
Here's one of my all time favourite High Country trips. Yep, the Snowy River, with my mate Big Steve Robson debuting on his first ever off-road journey and another good mate Paul Fry. Both Steve and Paul have passed since then and the world's a much smaller place without them. RIP men.
Robbo was ecstatic because it was also a chance to try out the new lockers back and front. Having seen first hand the difference locked diffs can make Steve was hanging out to give them a try. I assured him that we’d have no problems finding some locker suitable hills because the Terrain Tamer driver was Paul Fry and the Fry family go back several generations in those Snowy Mountain hills.
With Steve driving the Lux down from Sydney, Paul coming up from Melbourne in the Shorty and me coming down the inland way from Queensland we organised to meet up at a farmhouse belonging to a friend of Paul’s family tucked up in the hills behind McKillops Bridge. Mud maps were drawn over the phone and after a couple of big days driving it was just turning dark when Milo and I wound down the big hill in to the little town of Buchan, last stop before the farmhouse according to Paul.
After the obligatory oil and water checks we left early next morning for McKillops Bridge over the Snowy River, starting point for our trip and a bit of a legend in it’s own right. The current bridge was completed in 1936, replacing an earlier effort that had washed away in the sort of freak floods that were common before the Snowy Scheme tamed some of the rivers. At 255 metres long and 4.5 metres wide it was considered an engineering marvel at the time because it featured welded steel trusses sitting on one piece reinforced concrete pillars. The arc welding technique used on the trusses was developed here in Australia and was far ahead of anything British or American engineers were using at the time, despite the fact that the world was still trying to pick itself up from the Great Depression.
Talking strong arms, Paul had his work cut out going first up the Armstrong almost as soon as we hit the hard bit. Normally a Shorty with big rubber and plenty of power (the TT truck is fitted with a 350 Chevy engine) will clamber up almost anything even without lockers but the dirt here was so loose that there was almost negligible traction. Eventually Paul scrabbled to the top but the track was so dug up it took the longer wheelbased Milo a few goes with both lockers on before we made it up behind him.
Having seen all this Steve realised he was in for a big ride. I suggested trying it without the trailer but Steve wanted to at least give it a go. It was a pretty amazing effort but even with the Hilux bringing all that extra power and lockers both ends to the battle, it just wasn’t going to do it. So we disconnected the trailer, Steve aimed it up the track and with both lockers in he hit it hard.
Steve really proved the point though. After skewing the Hilux side to side all the way up the slope he not only made it to the top, he made it with the trailer in tow. Anyone who’s ever doubted the value of locked diffs would do well to pay attention to that segment of the video.
The Snowies are the country of Australian legend. Steep, forbidding slopes, crystal clear rivers, dramatic scenery and plenty of danger if you don’t get it right, it’s no wonder this part of our wonderful Australia has such an incredible reputation. All I can add is that after many years of touring the High Country, I’m still finding new tracks and breaking new ground.
It’s just too good. You should get down there and have a go yourself. There’s a lifetime’s worth of incredible bush touring to be had here, it just needs you and your truck to complete the picture!
Let me know how you go eh?
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[@michaelcollins2988]

Loved seeing the early episode with milo ! But also seeing Steve in his prime! Such an awesome bloke ! 🌺

[@JOHNROOTHROOTHY]

Too right. Hard man, tough as and capable of almost anything.

[@peterdawes9735]

A bit left of center because I drive a well sorted '94 troopy these day's but, I rode from Sydney to Melbourne, via Mt Kosciuszko/the Barry way/Snowy river to where it empties into the bass straight, on a mountain bike with a single wheel trailer in late summer, 2001. Yes, you read right, riding a mountain bike with a Yak B.O.B trailer hooked onto the rear axle 1,200 k's for a touring holiday. The Suggan Buggan school house was being worked on by a couple of local bearded gentlemen when I went through there. One of the many interesting highlights along the Barry way is the "Shade's of Death" cave's. Spooky, sad and super interesting story behind the name. I loved every minute of that adventure and recommend touring the N.S.W/Vic high country to everyone.

[@JOHNROOTHROOTHY]

Haha - I rode a pushy across India in the 1980's - possibly a tad slower than my 40.... but just as comfortable.

[@frozenragu]

Roothy, milo and jack. The dream team. This is a great video, i miss these days

[@JOHNROOTHROOTHY]

To be honest, so do I!!!

[@timmothyblake8058]

I loved seeing this episode again it was this episode that actually made me take up 4wding i was probly 16 or 17 when i watched it on dvd that came with the magazine im now 28 and im still into 4wding and now have 2 kids of my own and they love the great outdoors as much as i do ive even got the ball and chain hooked on camping and 4wding we cant get enough of it cheers roothy for being a inspiration.

[@ShannonBeal80]

Loving the old series Roothy, thanks mate.

[@michaelmanese2228]

Happy Trails ‼️🍷✌️😎

[@OutbackTouring]

Roothy, your vids have a great feel to them, I hadn't seen this one before. keep em coming.

[@dangdang3970]

So cool seeing jack again, poor jack rest in peace

[@Hazardbone]

Another awesome old school video. Please keep em coming 👍

[@janeindoch]

As a massive fan of the new 4wd action I have to say, these old episodes are far superior. Love those classic rigs!

[@alexanderbath9274]

Thanks for putting this up mate. Blast from the past!!

[@elideveer674]

Yeah Milo what a beast! 😎

[@angusgrant2342]

what an awesome clip! only thing better than a new 4wd 24/7 video is an old 4wd action vid with roothy

[@VSupercarsdiecastreviewsandall]

I had this DVD but I lost it, great to see these surface the internet now. Thanks Roothy

[@JOHNROOTHROOTHY]

stay tuned - more coming!

[@VSupercarsdiecastreviewsandall]

@@JOHNROOTHROOTHY oooooo!!! Yay!!!😁

[@simonquilliam259]

Bloody awesome Roothy❗️👍🏻🇦🇺

[@william6815]

Ahhh yes the good old days best videos ever !!!

[@jamesmoylan8756]

I love all the vids! Keep it up mate 👍

[@tazyt3388]

Another classic mate what a trip aye magic man cheers

[@chrissteer3733]

Keep them coming mate. Some of the best

[@JOHNROOTHROOTHY]

Got footage from an old trip up the Cape coming up soon - stay tuned!

[@harro9447]

Good honest content I love it 😀

[@AndyL940]

This early stuff is best ..love it ! thx for putting it up mate !!

[@JOHNROOTHROOTHY]

I love it too - Enjoy!

[@Reaper4367]

Great stuff Roothy. But it was awesome seeing Jack again!

[@JOHNROOTHROOTHY]

I know! I miss him.

[@keithjohnson9505]

Ruthy you legend

[@Tom-lf8hx]

Yay!! More classic 4wd monthly 😍😍

[@warwick1765]

My favorite!

[@livingadamman7994]

Strewthy Roothy...haha Nice video mate...

[@airbats801]

Bloody amazing upload! I;ve been wanting to see some older 4wd monthly/action from you. Some amazing dvds you guys were putting out!

[@JOHNROOTHROOTHY]

Yep, these were the good old days - not much stopped us!

[@triggerdose]

Soooooooo good to see all these episodes be buying a stack of merch cheers Roothy!

[@alfy088]

Makes me home sick, grew up down there. Its a beautiful place

[@JOHNROOTHROOTHY]

You lucky bastard!!!

[@12cm32]

No lockers? No worries, drive with one foot on the brake pedal. Job done.

[@justme197511]

99 bottles of beer at camp, 99 bottles of 🍻 beer...

[@chrisb4504]

Please bring Castlemain xxxx back to the UK

[@heavydiesel48]

I just realised this is a re-upload of an old 4wd action vid cuz Steve and Jack have sadly passed, this was from my childhood

[@JOHNROOTHROOTHY]

Yep, mine too... life's changed but the spirit never does.

[@nicholasmcclellan5117]

Heavy Diesel what happened to those blokes??

[@heavydiesel48]

@@nicholasmcclellan5117 who 4wd action, they changed their name to 4wd 24/7 and its just them with main man john rooth

[@danieladdamo9132]

More high country, snow and VB please

[@JOHNROOTHROOTHY]

ME TOO!!!

[@zook4886]

Great adventure. Good photography. You didn’t show us the film crew 😎👍

[@JOHNROOTHROOTHY]

No, they always used to hide in the old days - must find a photo...

[@wadebenn4529]

Our cousins built that school house 2nd family there in the 1800,s

[@michaellepp9674]

Hi Roothy Great video. What was the name of the hut?

[@tacosombrero1233]

You would have installed that tt winch aye roothy?

[@p.o.vteevee]

Onya roothy old school is my school

[@aruss7343]

Cheers roothy been wanting to watch some old 4wd action dvds I have but don’t even own a DVD player anymore lol can you put up one of your old cape videos? Cheers

[@JOHNROOTHROOTHY]

Stay tuned mate the Cape is calling 🍺👍

[@henryhiggins2021]

have a scull every time you hear the word "Locker"

[@lastknownlocation8760]

Great stuff Definitely wouldn’t recommend/endorse disengaging/slipping the clutch during river/water crossings. This risks allowing water between the flywheel and clutch plate resulting in a loss of all friction and therefore drive. Best to select the right gear and then just let it walk. Stoive seems like he’s got the right idea. Auto is the way to go.

[@nomadnowhere1818]

If your getting water into your transmission Than you’ve definitely got big issues

[@lastknownlocation8760]

nomad nowhere the clutch and flywheel are not in the transmission. They are between the engine and transmission

[@JOHNROOTHROOTHY]

Sorry mate, I know what you're talking about but it's something I've never had an issue with. The only damage is if you don't use the clutch soon after - to dry it out - or somehow it's left sit long enough to rust. Any clutch in decent shape won't slip.

[@lastknownlocation8760]

JOHN ROOTH ha ha, no worries John. I got stuck in a creek in a Mazda 1300 in about 1981 and will never forget it. Just zero friction so zero drive. Newish clutch too.luckily a guy with a tractor came along

[@aarondavis673]

If the water's simply not deep enough (which it doesn't really look like it there at all) slipping the clutch to keep the truck progressing smoothly shouldn't be an issue. Anything deep or slow, you'd pick your gear and stick to it

[@mattluszczak8095]

Which tracks were these?

[@frozenragu]

How did you not roll at 7:30

[@rudvs]

When was this filmed ?

[@einfelder8262]

Probably 2011 based on the date in the visitor's book in the old school.

[@mangomcpoo475]

barking dogs and a glamping trailer... grrrrrr

[@frozenragu]

Epic drive first track for milo...sliding off the edge tho, sketchy. Until people have been to the high country, and particularly the snowy river area, the videos dont do justice to how steep and long these climbs are

[@JOHNROOTHROOTHY]

Too right - very hard to film how steep these hills can get - and slippery!

[@frozenragu]

@@JOHNROOTHROOTHY i would / have opted for the winch if I ended up on that angle...did your brakes have little to no effect

[@elideveer674]

Hiluxs always look like such a fight off-road. Milo is far older and still far more capable in my opinion

[@MrProject350]

Hi I would love to see this on a non Big Tech platform. Please.

[@herbgaming3477]

i have the dvd

[@garypriddin9949]

How old is this video?

[@aarondavis673]

Fairly sure this is 2011

[@JOHNROOTHROOTHY]

Timeless

[@jcdragon77]

@@JOHNROOTHROOTHY RIP Steve

[@JOHNROOTHROOTHY]

I'm guessing early 2000's - maybe 2004?

[@petermenzies1714]

Love the videos,scenery & vehicles & humour etc, however why would you really want to take a trailer unless paid for advertising it or subsidy etc. Next thing it will be a motor home route. I simply don’t get it or maybe I must zip up the back?

[@JOHNROOTHROOTHY]

Hahaha = no, sponsors kept us going back then just like they do today. The only good thing is we get to choose them.

[@loftiefleet8104]

bull shit done it in it in a vk wagon