BEING TOO OVER CONFIDENT 4WDING THE VICTORIAN HIGH COUNTRY 

This is so much better than anything youve put out lately. Awesome new location. Next level film quality. Stripped back , raw and natural. Great work. Cant wait for episode 2!!

Very interesting. We did that entire area solo over 6 weeks in 2016 in a 2014 Hilux. Lovells GVM upgrade, ARB diff lockers front & rear, Cooper S/T Maxx LT on factory 16” rims. Mum, dad, two boys, all the camping gear. No problems. What we found in the Vic High Country was over weekends, groups of drivers in guided convoys were cruising around and it could actually get quite busy. Some were getting themselves into big difficulties on those very steep climbs... Really looking forward to the Billy Goat Bluff episode because on that track we watched three Ford drivers come to grief by driving far too close to one another. When we arrived at the start of the track there was a large group getting ready to head up. The guide (who I will never forget) made a big show of loudly telling us in front of his group we were irresponsible for taking on these tracks in the Hilux solo… especially with kids… that the Hilux was not up to it and blah blah blah blah blah. There were some snotty comments from some of his customers as well. Truth is there’s a lot of townies out there that haven’t got a freakin’ clue how to approach those gradients with coarse loose shingle and bare hard rock ledges. The last three vehicles in the group were utes with huge tyres. The first guy hit the middle steep section with far too much speed and start bouncing around with crazy axle tramp before losing traction altogether and sliding backwards into the vehicle behind, which was far too close. The one behind them couldn’t stop where he was so he ended up crawling up really close to them and trying to pull over on the side of the track. It was pretty bloody scary to be honest. The three vehicles ended up snarled up right on the edge of the track with one at about 30° sideways and looking perilously close to a rollover. The rest of the group were out of sight by this time and none of the guys in trouble had UHF so the guide was completely unaware of what had happened. There was enough room for us to pass safely so we went up the track and told the guys in difficulties that we would relay a message when we got to the top. I had been calling the guide on the radio but because they had decided to use their own group channel rather than the standard channels, and his radio was not on scan, he couldn’t hear me. When we cruised slowly past the guide at the top of that track in low range first with both axles locked, tyres at 20psi, the wife leaned out the window and told him he might need to walk back down to help his customers. We carried on past the group until we found a safe place to stop and then went back for a chat. Regarding the radio comms protocols. A couple of times in the Victorian high country we had near misses with people coming towards us on blind sections of track that were completely unaware of us coming the other way. This despite us calling ahead constantly as we went. Not having UHF is dumb, not having one on scan is dumber.

Hooray you have finally gone to REAL 4wdriving country.!!

Awesome episode Ronny! Overconfidence is a real danger when travelling solo, especially for those with lots of experience and very capable cars. Been there myself more than once. Over the years I came up with some personal “rules” when being remote by myself like “never do a single line pull”, “always have a coffee before leaving camp”, “never drive in the dark”, etc. All things that aren’t an issue when in a convoy, but can make all the difference when solo.

I’ve been around Australia twice and the Victorian high country and the blue mountains are simply the best .

Being in sketchy situations solo really is a unique feeling/experience. Also, as an American, I'm blown away at how diverse Australia's terrain really is! Beautiful country you guys have!

I usually struggle to watch solo vehicle 4x4 content but something about this episode kept me engaged to the end.

So grateful to have the high country on my doorstep. You could explore it for a lifetime and not see everything. Cool episode.

Incredible effort, driving, recovery, techniques and video. I'd save this under my 4x4 playlist. More of this solo adventure please! It could be a small series or a semi annual thing you could do for your channel. The predicaments you find yourself in and the problem solving you, while filming it! Hats off sir!

Nice drive Ronny. That's one that would interest me. Here in the Yukon, we have lot's of experience with muskeg, bottomless wet goo. Now that's a challenge. I love going along your journeys, seeing Australia the way it should be. Thanks a bunch!

Welcome to a normal drive in Vic High Country!

I love this new series. I have a 76 series set up for good road use and camping on 33s and it's great watching what a similar troopy can do 4wdriving and seeing how far it the roll over angle actually is.

Love it. Like Tyler Thompson used to be. And great to see you in one of the nicest corners of Australia.

Really enjoyed this episode! Watching the great photography of the troopy, the recovery and beautiful scenery was really enjoyable. Nice work Ronny. 👌

Loved every second of it, Ronny! This will hold me over until I can get there myself. Looking forward to more.

Brillient video Ronny. Thanks for doing all the hard yards to highlight "The Right Way" against the "Wrong Way".

Nearly at half a million subs! insane! Thanks Ronny for all your content over the years :)

Great cinematography. A real treat the way you shoot things. I know it’s a lot of work, especially when you’re stuck in the mud, to try and get those shots and do what you have to do. The work is paying off!

Certainly a BEAUTIFUL Area from this side of the screen!! With the exception of the water crossings it reminds me of both the Colorado Rockies and the Terrain in Tennessee! Now I want to head down that way to check it out!!

About time you made it to the VHC. I love it when the content creators from North and West venture down here. Cape, Coffs and Glasshouse have been done to death. Only the local channels have VHC content so it's great to see someone from outside Vic experience this and take us along for the ride also. Enjoyed every minute of it.

The lizards you saw were Eastern water dragons, or sometimes colloquially referred to as Gippsland water dragons. Greetings from Melbourne, Victoria.

Best video I've watched in months! Epic, thanks for taking us along. 😎

Great content! Looking forward to the next one, the trip looks epic and the troopy is smashing it

The high country is my stomping ground. That first river crossing is obviously one that no one uses. As evident by the tree across the river and the lack of wheel tracks going through. I would have turned around there and taken an alternative route. After seeing the waterfall ,which is called Harrison’s cut, I’m thinking it’s one of the crossings on the end Stockroute spur track before the Dargo river, as it’s only a short drive from Harrison’s Cut, but it’s on the section of track that are only on some of my maps. If I’m correct you would have seen an intersection on the way down and you went straight instead of turning left. 99% of river crossings in the high country are a hard gravelly base. I’ve never seen one with so much silt build up except after a lot of rain. You got unlucky on your first one. Welcome to the High Country.

Awesome to see you put here on vhc track, mate! Loving it!

Great content Ronny. Excellent to see you make a couple of misjudgement and them not end up on the cutting room floor. Good honest edit.

Haven't watch your channel for a while now but enjoyed this. Lots of effort in getting all those shots. VHC looks amazing 👍

Ronny welcome to the High Country, glad you made it, yes a chainsaw is a necessity as often there are trees or branches across tracks. My previous 4x4 was written off after being T-boned and I haven't had the cash to rebuild another one. So I miss being in the high country.

This was great Ronny! Really enjoyed this one Good to see you out and about again

Love it Ronny! Ive travelled those tracks in a group of three and it was an awesome adventure. Can’t wait to see the rest of your VIC High Country tour. My mate threw a serpentine belt on Bluerag… hope you fair better😉

Nice video. I think a lot of us have been in similar situations getting stuck, but it’s definitely no fun on your own. Vic High Country is a magic place.

Amazing video! Best you have done in a long time! As someone who is from Vic and loves the VHC this was an amazing watch! Thank you and keep up the great work!

Good one Ronnie, thanks for sharing. Just goes to show even solo, you can go anywhere if setup and prepared. Prepare for the worst and hope for the best 👍 and yeah those lizards are Eastern Water Dragons, got HEAPS of them here in NSW, love them, they’re bloody awesome !!!

Great episode mate - love to see the Troopy which has inspired my own build in my backyard! Welcome to the High Country!

Wow that was awesome,driving that alone is one story but filming through all of that is another ,thanks for taking the time to share that with us.. South Africa

Great episode RD. Nice to see you back on the tracks OG style!

Well done, Ronny. Very well done! - While watching it I could see myself doing the same where I live.

Very nice video mate, welcome to VIC… yep, that’s exactly how it is driving in the area… it is a must that you come again, however, next time come just before they close the tracks for winter… late may and exactly what you just did but in the snow… best fun ever!!!

this was probably a lot of work being a slo vehicle but this was amazing, the shots the driving the drama, hope to see more of it.

Fantastic episode, that 1st exit looked a lot like goop, hope it didn't stink. Looking forward to the next episode. Thanks for the early Christmas present

Ahhhh awesome to see ya finally in my back yard 💪🏻. Wish you told us the tracks you were on and what part of the Dargo river crossing you were at.. great vid mate …

Ronnie, I love you big guy but @ 09:00 🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️ please don’t hang your head over a stressed winch cable 😬. I did a job once where a winch cable took a man’s head clear off, his cranium ended up on the ground between his ankles. In difficult situations where access is tight, you can use something to shield yourself……it may end up you just loose a finger instead of your head 👍 Nice recovery btw……I did almost half a million km in my 3rd Troopy solo, it adds another dimension to things…… that second set of eyes when ur driving and having a spotter really lightens the load.

I'm out in the High Country a lot solo. Low 4 1st gear and diff lock is always first choice for something like that. Better o be safe than stuck.

Mate it is so awesome to see you in my neck of the woods. The spot where you took photos of the waterfall, the cutting ,I actually camped at 1 year ago today on new years. Please tell me you stopped in at blue pool just up the track, such a location. Can't wait to see your reaction to Billy goats. Crooked River is decent too. You have to get across the range and check out deep creek 1 and 4, Burgoyne's, Lloyd's hut and Fulton Creek

VHC with no chainsaw, not a good idea

Epic solo+cameraman trip :)

Good effort, such a bonus that all of your sticky situations provide very entertaining content. Love a win win. Just don’t break anything you can’t fix! That’s always my biggest fear.

Loved the video, beautiful camera work and a great sense of the place. Nice recovery too, double line pulls are a game changer when your that deep in the slop. I will pick on your title though. You're either too confident or you're overconfident, there no such thing as too overconfident. Yes, I'm a pedant 😉

Very refreshing new content and mini series Ronnie. Thanks for sharing and good on ya mate.

Thank you for your video even under the trying circumstances. Now I understand why my father loved this vehicle. Great work

The troopy on that angle before the river crossing will never not give me anxiety

Love this! Congrats Ronny, great job!

I wheel in the Brindabellas - same steep shaley tracks with great views and steep drop offs. Great fun!

I appreciate your promoting caution to curtail over confidence while working/traveling backcountry solo. Self imposed time and destination restrictions kills people everywhere. That being said, it doesn’t appear that you were actually guilty of cutting any corners or being reckless at all. Well done. Cheers!

Wonderful video Ronny... looking forward to the next part

You finally made it to Victoria! Have been waiting 10 years ;). Thanks for the content.

By far my favourite video you've made. Helps its in my home state, but just loved seeing you work as a solo traveller. Hooroo lad enjoy the high country ✌️

Great to have you in Vic Ronny! Yes Billy Goat Bluff track is a doozy :)

Really nice seeing you do some mountain and river 4wding again mate. Nice change from the desert n beaches. Time you moved to the east side for new content 👍

These are the best videos Ronny!!! ❤

Yeah- those soupy areas are rough! I'll line them long-ways with the thickest trees possible, including the branches, beyond where I think I need them.

Welcome to real 4wding country - enjoy it!

Awesome Ronny, agree with others, much more enjoyable vid. Curious when this was? We wander through Vic high country in the last week of Nov just before (hrs!) the weather hit… solo, towing a tvan. Couple of the views look familiar, but man add some weather and it’s hectic!

on the hill just after you got out i've been up there a fue times over the years, it's great fun in the wet but i found it easy in the dry in my 79 ripper little track many more near by that are great fun, really fun in the wet but when there is alot of snow melt the rivvers get a bit high for some people in places

Looking forward to getting out there one day. Love my Canada and US trails but Aus definitely my bucket list destination.

Awesome Ronny, feels like that was a bit like back to your roots ol mate. Fantastic

Even the very best like Ronny aren’t immune to sticky situations. I went solo wheeling and grossly unprepared on what I thought was a chill fsr, ended up In a sketchy situation that warranted a turnaround on a tight and narrow uphill track with steep drops on either side, which lead to a tire killing boulder field 2 hrs away from a cell signal. Took me over an hr and a sweaty 70 point turn but I made it. Swore never to wheel alone ever again. Happy I made it out with lessons learned rather than being choppered out in a body bag or alive with a totalled truck.

That Army issued shovel works a treat. I’m never going away without one after my last solo drive gone bogged😅

Great content as always Ronnie, loving this episode!

You’re a mad man mate, you and Jonno 😂 my anxiety was up just from here on the couch! Stunning country though. Worth the 4 hours in the mud!

Freaking amazing video! Well done. No wonder you are the best Australian 4wd youtuber!

Great video! Really enjoyed watching 😀

It's all a river here in Cairns mate, but if you got a cruiser nothing is impassable. Well ok maybe. This was a great video and the Troopy looks amazing.

The lizards are called water dragons

Great production. Feels like I’m watching an episode on Discovery channel.

The little fella looks like a Common Nobbi Dragon 😊 great footage, missed talking to you at the Adelaide show catch ya next time

This solo pared back production/adventure. Love it 👌

VHC…absolutely stunning. Driven around this area multiple times. Never gets boring. Driving at night though? Don’t understand why…there are spots to camp everywhere…

Awesome video. Keeping it basic & real. All 4 Adventure was my go to, but they have lost the plot with their ridiculous toys. Keep thus up & you will become one of the big boys.

I have a Powauto PTO winch on my landcruiser last 25 years. When a triple locked cruiser gets bogged, you need it big time. It’s 8,000 lbs all day, while the engine is running and you have five gears so you can pull in first slowly or put it in fifth for rapid pull. It works underwater too. Electric winches are for amateurs 😅

Awesome video. Seriously. Looking forward to your Darien Gap crossing video. Do it.

Can't wait for part 2!!

Welcome to my back yard Ronny you can easily get caught out there but stunning views .

Great production. I loved this!

Love this episode mate - your other ones are good too but more of this!! 🙏 🙏

Loved this river crossing adventure- courageous traveller. YES travelling SOLO you must think differently from all other travel - protect self and vehicle- use dif and low gears they are there for a reason. Would have liked you to knock on the dear hunter cottage for a chat. Did 6 months Solo in a defender loved every minute- did QLD.top end and NT and Deserts - loved it, changed my world thinking. Great video- well done you. 👍👍😅

i do enjoy watching you in the troopy i too have troopy Led gin Troopcarriers of Australia WA chapter thanks Ronni troopy is a more capable 4wd than most people think.

Looked a it like the bottom of the Stockroute Spur Track ? Nothing like dragging a troopy through a bog hole. 🤣👍🏼 Pretty awesome spot Harrison’s Cut, plenty of them diversions around the VHC.

I love those series. Keep it up Ronnie!

We tour on our own all the time so being rescued by others is far less likely. We don't even have a winch so I tend to be very conservative about what I will attempt. That river is something I would never even have thought about crossing LOL Good job getting across though. Great episode :)

The lizards you saw basking are Gipplsand Water Dragons. Not uncommon on that side of the Divide. Almost identical to the Eastern Water Dragons you find right up the east coast into QLD.

Hey Ronny, a question. I don't know how it is with the diesel models in Australia, but I was wondering whether it is an advantage to activate idle up when driving through water or when using the winch? The higher engine speed when stationary should be an advantage in water so that you don't stall the engine and the winch also prefers a little more power in the system or on the alternator?

Fantastic trip, looking forward to the next vid👍🏻

Hard tracks Ronny! Awesome job!

We spent 10 days from Tom Groggin to Dargo and everything in between in early November. Looks like you were there before us because Harrison’s Cut had a bit more water pumping through it. Billy Goats was really chopped up and Crooked river track wasn’t pretty either.

Walking the talk; excellent Vid RD! Thanks mate.

Back to basics, great vid!

Great vid, just too short. Guess I'll have to wait for next episode 👍

Great video. Keep these episodes coming.

Very enjoyable to watch. 👍👍👍