By the end of the day though, my friend & I were sensitized and at ease. Not because we thought we had become experts – but because the damn Jimny made it all look so so easy!
BHPian shyamg28 recently shared this with other enthusiasts:
A 4×4 Sunday With The Jimny
Finally met Mr. RedLiner (Kat)! He invited me to join in on a trail-hunting session.
My only experience on a 4*4 was a classic Mahindra CL500 taking us from road to Kudremukha base, through knee deep slush. I remember being awe-struck – not only because I survived the ordeal, but mainly because it was astounding what it was able to do with 7 people aboard, climbing like it’s nobody’s business.
So when Kat invited me, I was apprehensive and I let him know that I knew as much about 4*4 as I did about rocket science. I was kidding of course – I know more about rocket science.
Message from Kat the previous day – “Bring: water, tough shoes, cap, recovery gear, walkie talkie, sense of humour”.
I mention I don’t have walkie talkie – he sorts me out through a contact.
I mention I have no recovery gear – he reassures me that no one else has too.
Aces – we were set!
It didn’t take more than a “4*4 tomorrow, coming?”, for my friend to join me in the Jimny. He too knows more about rocket science.
Kat and a friend in his OG Thar (latest iteration of the 1st gen as I understand it now), another couple of his friends in the 3 door 2nd gen Thar, and my friend and I, in the 2 month old Jim.
Quick introductions at breakfast, with many-a-strory about Kat, had us both (my friend & I) convinced it would be considered hazardous to health keeping his company, but better sense prevailed and we decided to proceed further into deeper trail-tory.
Until this time, in my head, I thought this trail was going to be at max a 4/10. We reached the trail strart point, a walkie-talkie message announcing that we had to engage 4-Low, and then it arrived – the 1st U turn. Kat had lied – this was no trail – this was a Boulder Run
At least there was no rain, and the trail was all dry!
By the end of the day though, my friend & I were sensitized and at ease. Not because we thought we had become experts – but because the damn Jimny made it all look so so easy!
It’s one thing to have read what the Thar and Jimny’s of the world can do – it’s totally another to watch them go through absolutely ridiculous boulders and ruts and come out as though we were on a freshly tarred highway! The friend & I were truly mind-blown! Last I heard, Kat has begun hooking the friend up with Jimny deals lol.
Overall, it was a great day of learning, and a top experience for me personally, to be behind the wheels of a vehicle taking on a trail, that I would’ve thought twice before even trekking up. All thanks to Kat!
The Baofeng low-range walkie talkies.
The crazy incline.
View from the Jimny.
Half-way up, we found a wide open space. The weather was perfect and we decided to have some packed food on the way back down here.
Kat showing us how to park a jeep the right way.
Jimny climbing up effortlessly.
We had amazing weather the whole day.
At a dam nearby.
And THAR.
Kat showing us tricks of the trade. With some rolling momentum, the Thar needs no input – it’ll just roll on up.
Beautiful shot of the Jim through the Thar’s rear window
That’s me – Happy!
And that’s a wrap…All happy faces!
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