For those in the South East how about a meet within the M25 at say Epsom downs , Box Hill or Richmond Park (sorrry about South of the Thames bias) or any other ideas ?

Maybe a Sunday or bank hoilday monday ?

Edited 2 May, 201016 yr by Barsteward

There are a couple of green lanes in that area that might be suitable.

There are a number of easy lanes around Abinger, Shere and Ranmore. You'll need four wheel drive but no AT tyres or anything. Some of them are much worse than others in places. If in doubt get out and check it out on foot before you Czech it out in the Yeti..... ahem...

There are a number of easy lanes around Abinger, Shere and Ranmore. You'll need four wheel drive but no AT tyres or anything. Some of them are much worse than others in places. If in doubt get out and check it out on foot before you Czech it out in the Yeti..... ahem...

Cheers James, though it does seem that the South East Yeti owners are a fairly apathetic bunch judging by the responce.

Only just spotted this, but if you can cope with an oldie (car, rather than driver!) turning up then I'd be interested!

T

I went down some of the lanes last night and yesterday and they have become very overgrown and some of them will make a mess of your paint. The byway in Shere just past the high street isn't muddy at all at the moment just very hilly which might suit a Yeti. The other ones in Shere that start in Winterfold are not muddy at all and aren't that bumpy but are at a sideways angle so it feels like it's going to tip, but they never do.

I went down to Salisbury plains on Wednesday, that would be a good place to go on a Yeti adventure but only on weekends as the military are there a lot in the week. Most of it is just gravel tracks but if it's been raining a lot they tend to flood so you can have some nice splashes to get your car really dirty!

I also went down the ones in Hindhead which might be okay for a Yeti, but until I see one in action down there it's always difficult to say.

I'll be up for this!!! But with the same proviso as last time: I'll need to be a passenger in someone's Yeti as my A2 certainly won't make it down any of these!!!

I've got some video from the other day of some of the tracks. If enough people want to try them I am happy to arrange some kind of meet and guide you chaps through some lanes and perhaps a spot of lunch at a nice pub and then onto some more lanes.

For some of the lanes four wheel drive isn't required as traction isn't an issue just the angle of the track. If it hasn't been raining you won't need four wheel drive as the tracks tend to be hard earth/chalky stuff and not really muddy. Couple of little water splashes which are nice and a couple of steep descents to test out your hill control.

I'll upload the videos I took to youtube or facebook and link them to here for you guys to look through. If you do get stuck I'll be in a Landcruiser and will have tow ropes to help you free, there will also be another guy with a Discovery or Grand Cherokee who can also help out.

But I think you'll find that the Yeti is a lot more capable than you realise!

I'd probably start the route from RH5 6BD. You can check and see how far away that is from you. The lanes would probably last a few hours and then some time having lunch so it'll be the best part of a day inc traveling and will need to be a Sunday when I'm not working.

Edited 4 June, 201016 yr by Allams Skoda

RH5 6BD is easy peasy from London!!! Just book a date now as my diary is pretty full at present... And my Yeti only coming in September (I suspect).

Go James!!!

Sad you can't come with us tomorrow :'( but GREAT that you will organise /lead a South East Adventure

May be TP will do a Northern one after he has been on The Welsh Adventure :yes:

and who is going to do a Scottish one? I mean they are loads of Yetis up there

Looking forward to hearing more about it in due course!

best wishes

Lady Penelope :sun:

I'lll need to check the diary here to find out when I'm off. I can't do any of August because I'm away for 16 days taking the Landcruiser down to Morocco and into the Sahara, and assuming I make it back I will be working 24/7 in the lead up to September the 1st about a million cars planned to go out then!

I reckon maybe a Sunday in July either 11th or 18th I think? Or could do 27th June but I think I'm going on a 4x4 training day then, or it might be the previous weekend. Best to check first.

In the mean time, how many Snow Monsters would like to join?

Drivers:-

James Rothwell - Non-SM

Passengers-

900000

July 18th perfect for me. The 11th I'm in Barcelona.

This is a photo of possibly the worst section of the worst lane.

Somebody needs to measure how much ground clearance the Yeti has from the ground to it's lowest point.

The angle shouldn't worry it but there might be a risk of grounding out if you're not careful.

Drivers:-

James Rothwell - Non-SM

TKW - Non-SM (depending on date)

Passengers-

900000

Edited 5 June, 201016 yr by TKW

Hi James!

18th July sounds good to me: I'd love to join you.

I'm not that far away but I've only hade the SM for a few weeks, and am paranoid about scratching it.

But, the lanes you have in mind don't look that bad?

James -

I forgot to mention.......

The Yeti has 180mm ground clearance (according to the book). And, if you have the Rough Road pack (which I don't), its still the same.

I did a run of the route I've got in mind and I think the main problem might be bushes, they seem to have grown a lot this year.

Hopefully we'll have a bit of rain by then as the lanes we go down seem to collect water nicely but have a solid/stoney track so they don't get muddy just wet.

I think 180mm should be fine. I'm off on Wednesday so I'll do the entire route and photograph the toughest parts and you can decide if you want to make it. Going up Leith Hill might be tricky as it's steep and got lots of gravel, but if you've got four wheel drive and be gentle with the throttle it should just power up!

Personnal diary is clear for both dates will check work one.......

Would only be able to make morning and poss lunch in any case.

Where are we now standing with this? Still on for the 18th?

We need to test out the routes around me with a Yeti. Anyone local to me want to come and try them out, I haven't got a Yeti to use at the moment?

Some of them will be no problem at all, some of them are at a bit of an angle but the Yetis independant suspension should cope fine, and there is a water crossing which isn't very deep but I'd want to make sure a Yeti can pull itself out the otherside as there is a bit of a bank to climb up no steep but by that part of the byway your tyres will be clogged with mud/gravel and won't have much grip, if you carry enough speed into the water you'll get out no problem but it's a fine line.

Anyone local want to come out one day and have a trial run? I'll bring a tow rope just in case although it's been very dry around here lately.

Hi James,

I'm about 30 miles away from RH5 6BD - happy to join you for a couple of test runs.

Its just a question of date and times being suitable for all.......

...I'll email you.

And, What, No Yeti? Poo!

Remembered to check business diary, Both dates clear............

(mind I havent broached the subject with she-who-is-to-be-obeyed)

I had had this in my diary for Sunday but as this thread has seemed to have died a slow death I guess nothing is happening?

The thread may have died for this Sunday - but please keep it alive for another day!

Still highly interested; glad to see there's still support!

The thread may have died for this Sunday - but please keep it alive for another day!

Still highly interested; glad to see there's still support!

some overly proud parent has now booked a christening party for sunday 18 th so I would have to duck out, however remain up for another get-together, guess it looks like September ? although August might be possible as I'm not tied to the school holidays for my own vacations

Edited 15 July, 201015 yr by Barsteward