Ford versus Subaru
We’re not talking here about a Ford versus Subaru in a vehicle comparison, but more about what happens when you try and drive through a ford or two in an old Subaru station wagon!
Thanks to our mechanic friend Jonesy we have the loan of a set of wheels to whizz around the Wakatipu – a good old Subaru that has clocked up more than 300,00kms! It runs perfectly well, but it has probably seen better days (the Subaru, not Jonesy).
But boy did we give it a run for it’s money today with a trip up the Matukituki Valley to the start of the Rob Roy Glacier track.
Driving up the Matukituki Valley
A 40-minute drive on a gravel road with several fords to cross was nearly too much for the Subaru. The first few fords were shallow and manageable, and we crossed them all easily. We hesitated at the second to last one and waited for another vehicle to pass through before we made the executive decision to carry on.
“Its only about 30cm deep” said another driver who was waiting to watch others cross. We can manage that we thought. Holding on tight, Dave picked his course and we went for it. Sloshing through the gravel we could feel the drag, and out we came the other side. Phew we’d made it. Or so we thought. Within seconds on dry land the old Subaru Leone conked out!
“Oh shit how are we going to tell Jonesy we’ve killed his car, and how the heck are we going to get it out of here” were our first thoughts, not to mention a few other choice words better left unsaid here.
Silence ensued before we did what anyone else would do in this situation which was get out of the car, open the bonnet and see what we could see. No sign of any damage, so we sat for a while in the sunshine to let things dry out before taking the air filter off and giving it a quick once over. Thankfully that did the trick and we got the engine going again and made the final 4kms to the trail car park.
Walking to the Rob Roy Glacier
The spectacular walk up to the foot of the Rob Roy Glacier was somewhat overshadowed by the nervous thoughts of the return trip via the fords. Nonetheless it was impossible not to enjoy the stunning alpine scenery and the impressive views. While we ate our lunch at the top of the track we had the added bonus of watching a bit of the glacier calve, Mother Nature at work.
With fingers and toes crossed, as well as having our hearts in our mouths, we had to make the return journey back down the valley. We faced the fords head on and we were relieved, to say the least, when the old Subaru crossed them all.
It was a tough battle, but on this lucky day it was the Subaru that came out on top!
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