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Exploring with information
Exploring with information
The Top End 4WD Club has been working with the Four Wheel Drive NT to put together a record of know regions everyone can access and a grading system which can be used to describe the severity of obstacles which is expected on those tracks.
Tracks are described with at least one of the below categories. The severity of a single obstacle can be the reason for a more difficult track rating.
Easy
This category is suitable to all 4WD's and inexperienced drivers. Obstacles are straight forward and unlikely to require vehicle recovery.
Intermediate
This category is suitable to all 4WD's with drivers who are experienced or under guide of experienced drivers. Obstacles may require some preplanning before tackling. Modifications of a vehicle will make these tracks easier to complete. There is potential of vehicle recovery
Hard
This category is only suitable to modified 4WD's with drivers who are experienced. Obstacles are expected to be challenging to overcome. Modifications of a vehicle will make the track easier and safer.
There is a high likely hood of needing vehicle recovery, and potential for damaging your vehicle.
Extreme
This category requires modified 4WD's with drivers who are experienced and understand recovery techniques. Modifications on a vehicle are necessary to safely complete the track. Obstacles are expected to prevent progress and may require recovery to complete. There is potential of damaging your vehicle and 4WD components.
High Ground Clearance.
- Standard 4WD vehicles are capable of clearing.
- Small ruts, Rocks/ stones and bumps. Can all be expected
- Standard 4WD vehicles are capable of clearing terrain but care must be taken.
- Lifted vehicles advised.
- Low range advised.
- Ruts, Rocks, small steps, and Lumpy terrain can be expected.
- Lifted vehicles advised; car underbody protection advised; care needs to be taken to traverse terrain.
- Low range required.
- Deep ruts, Large rocks, Cross axle holes, Moderate steps; can be expected.
- Lifted vehicles required, advised to have heavy duty under vehicle skid/ bash plates.
- Winches advised.
- Low range required, locking differentials advised.
- Terrain difficulty above that of the black category, proceed with care.
Boggy Conditions
- Shallow sandy conditions
- Unlikely to bog a vehicle, however, it could still stop one.
- Normal track tyre pressures and standard tyres are sufficient.
- Sandy or shallow muddy conditions
- Vehicle could potentially be stopped needing assistance or recovery.
- Low to normal track pressures sufficient; off road tyres advised.
- Deep sandy conditions; moderate mud conditions; Snowy conditions.
- Getting stuck is likely.
- Low tyre pressures advised
- All terrain tyres required, Mud terrain tyres advised.
- Winches advised.
- Travel with multiple vehicles advised.
- Deep soft sand, deep muddy and deep snow conditions expected.
- Getting stuck is likely.
- Low tyre pressures advised
- Mud terrain tyres advised.
- Winches required.
- Travel with multiple vehicles advised.
Steep Terrain
>20 degrees, no obstacles.
>15 degrees, small obstacles
>30 degrees, no obstacles.
>20 degrees, moderate obstacles
>50 degrees, no obstacles.
>30 degrees, moderate obstacles
Any angle beyond the ‘Hard’ rating, with moderate to difficult obstacles.
Cross Angle
Up to 10 degrees
Up to 15 degrees
Up to 20 degrees
Up to 30 degrees
Water Crossings
>300mm depth with low or no flow.
>400mm depth with low or no flow.
>200mm with moderate flow.
- Snorkel advised.
>700mm depth with low or no flow.
>500mm with moderate flow.
>300mm with high flow.
- Snorkel required
- Water crossing in excess of the ‘Hard’ rating.
- Snorkel required
- Driver accepts all possible risks.
Other Icons you may see in mapping material
Icons that describe other points of interest and provide additional information about what to expect in an area.
Unmaintained Track
Conditions seasonally change, and track maintenance is completed only by users. Be prepared with shovels, saws, and expectations.
Dusty Conditions
Take caution driving, turn lights on and communicate with your group as visual impacts. Leave gaps between cars.
Historical Relics
Historical equipment relating to mines, world war and other old vehicles that have been left to the bush. Leave artifacts to be enjoyed by all.
Ruins
Buildings that have long since been abandoned.
Leave artifacts to be enjoyed by all.
Tent and Off Vehicle Camping Only
No Trailers Advised
Trailers Permitted
Experienced Drivers Only.
Use caution, track still may not be passible for every trailer.
Max: 2500kg & 2.1m Wide
Caravans Permitted
Experienced Drivers Advised. Track width allows for wider and heavier trailers / vans but maybe still challenging.
Walking track
To get to point of interest a short moderate walk will be required.
Difficult walk / hike
To get to point of interest a technical walk or hike maybe required.
Lookout
Scenic view of a point of interest.
Swimming
Water body that can be checked and deemed safe to swim.
Swimming is at your own Risk.
Full Signal. Phone service is reliable for contacting help.
Some areas phone signal is not available. Phone service is sufficient to rely upon for contacting help.
Selected areas phone signal can still be received. On top of hills. Should not be relied upon.
No phone signal. An alternative way for calling emergency / help is advised.
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