DEFENDING THE NAME

In last month’s issue you’ll remember that I had the fortune of borrowing a Defender 90 for a week, and I absolutely loved it. The problem was of course, where could I take it green-laning that would be both challenging, yet non-damaging?

The answer was easy, Bootle Fell up near Sellafield (SD1188-02 & SD1288-02 Trailwise 2 references).

Getting there was an adventure in itself, as they weave their way through the majestic Cumbrian hills, both the A5092 and A595 are fantastic driving roads.

Pretty much straight away SD118802 begins with an ascent, nothing too challenging in the dry, but in winter with a bit of frost on the ground it could be fun.

Engaging low box and raising the air suspension I dawdled my way up the first section of the lane enjoying the scenery whilst keeping an eye on the lane that can be a bit tight in places with soft overhanging bracken to negotiate, nothing too scratchy mind.

So far, so good, SD1188-02 has a solid base with very few ruts, in fact the first time I ventured up here I was beginning to wonder what all the fuss was about, however, next section is a very different kettle of fish.

If you check out Trailwise2, at some point the lane turns into SD1288-02, and it’s at this juncture where the lane has become badly eroded over time due to constant heavy rain, and I dare say vehicular traffic. My challenge would be to make it to the end of the lane without causing any more damage, which is what love about green laning - leave it like you found it.

Usually when confronted with an ‘offroad’ obstacle you can generally envisage a path forward, you think to yourself; if that wheel goes there, then the other wheel will climb that bit, and so on, but up here there’s none of that, there are literally no discernible paths forward as the deep channels snake in all directions.

After a quick scout I jumped back into the Defender I drove forward aiming at the easiest looking tricky bit wondering how it would cope articulating and climbing the deep rains channels.

As I edged to Defender into the first channel I needn’t have worried, the Defender simply crawled its way forward, up and over whatever I pointed it at. There were no moans and groans from the suspension or body, just scrapes from the undercarriage, despite being on its highest setting. One thing’s for sure, the new Defender feels properly screwed together.

The next section looked a little gnarlier. On the left there was a rut that measured around 3 feet deep with an almost vertical step at the end, I didn’t fancy that, and to the right another rut that I figured I could straddle. The problem was, just getting to it would mean crossing an horizontal hole that would surely involve a wheel lift, which it did.

At this point my plan was coming along nicely, then the banking gave way and I ended up grounding out!

No matter what I selected in Terrain Response, forward motion wasn’t happening as both the front and opposing rear wheels were barely touching the surface. I could have edged out backwards, but I didn’t fancy the wheel lift in reverse.

Thankfully, when green laning alone I always take along some recovery equipment, and today I’d brought a pair of ActionTrax from Roy at https:// www.4x4obsession.co.uk. Carefully placing one under the front nearside tyre and the other under the rear offside, with a steady throttle I managed to ease the Defender forward and back on top of the ruts - phew.

The next tricky bit was only a matter of yards away, and just like the last one, there wasn’t an easy way through, so I again opted for the line that would induce another wheel lift, just this time it was much higher.

It was a weird sensation as I dropped the offside wheel into the hole and gently drove through, and as the rear wheel followed the passenger side of the Defender began to rise, it was very unnerving I’ll tell you!

So with one wheel flailing in the air I did the obvious thing when ‘laning alone and that was to jump out to take photos, as you do.

With evidence duly taken, I jumped back in, engaged first gear and was totally gobsmacked as the Defender began to crawl forward, I would have placed money on there being a loss of traction, but no, the Defender is made of sterner stuff.

The routine of jumping out, surveying the lane ahead, scratching my head, and going for the least damaging line continued for the next ten minutes or so, and I thoroughly loved it. As I mentioned earlier, driving these types of lanes as slowly as possible creating as little damage to the ground as I can is what sets my pulse racing, I just wish others would find it as exciting as I do instead of buying a cheap 4x4 and trashing everything.

Once you get past the ruts the lane levels out and you're treated to some epic views, so I figured it was time to stop and dig out my Tyre Table from Ox Overland, my Jetboil and make a brew whilst soaking in the views and reflecting on the 90.

I’ve been fortunate enough to have driven both the 90 and 110 around the many varied tracks around Eastnor castle, and they’ve performed admirably, but there’s nothing better than a real-world test along a technical green lane to evaluate how it really performs. To say I was impressed would be an understatement. Apart from grounding, that couldn’t be helped, the 90 took everything in its stride, and what I learnt was that with its air springs on full extension, wheel lifts are inevitable, but traction was never in doubt.

Of course I wouldn’t dream of bringing a soft roader up here, I’d even have doubts of driving Deux Smurf due to her lack of locking diffs and electric aids. That said, driving the lane from east to west, downwards, wouldn’t be too bad, I guess. As you’re reading this I will have just driven the same route in a Jeep Wrangler Rubicon with locking front and diffs, supple coils springs and detachable sways bars, so it should make an interesting comparison.