Member Since: 02 Jul 2012
Location: St Neots
Posts: 135
Advise please Strata Florida
I'm after a bit of advise. I'm trying to plan a trip for a few friends to Wales. I have been off roading for over 20 years and would say I'm very confident and capable. My friends however range from 45 year old novice to 20 year old with a couple of years experience of off roading in older discos.
My question is. in January or maybe early February is strata Florida still do-able in a bog standard Disco 3? We will have in total 2 Disco 3s, and 2 Defenders. The last time I did Strata was about 5 years ago in my TDI Defender and although a it was a great drive it was fairly easy if driven sensibly. The only thing I'm slightly worried about is the water crossings with the Disco's as they do not have snorkels.
I've seen the videos on you tube showing it in full flood and I'm well aware of the fatality on this track. That's why I thought I'd ask your views?
12th Dec 2013 11:45 pm
DG Site Moderator
Member Since: 12 Dec 2005
Location: The Gaff
Posts: 50978
It's pretty straightforward in a D3 with road tyres and without an RAI in "normal conditions" ...but you will need to consider the local variations at the time tbh 21 year LR veteran > D2 GS 2003 > D3 S 2006 > D3 HSE 2009 > D4 HSE 2013 > D4 HSE 2015 > D5 HSE 2018 > DS HSE R-Dynamic P300e 2021
12th Dec 2013 11:57 pm
Gareth Site Moderator
Member Since: 07 Dec 2004
Location: Bramhall
Posts: 26774
Agreed, its an easy lane, and one of the best. There are a few rocky sections that will need careful driving to avoid puncturing the D3 tyres, and generally, if its been raining in the previous 24 hours, beware of the river level.
13th Dec 2013 12:03 am
waterbuoy
Member Since: 26 Oct 2013
Location: Argyll
Posts: 2922
&list=PL2A79A8C73353BFD1&index=4
!!Currently 2009 Disco 3 SE, 2013 MY D4 HSE and 2016 D4 SE
Previously:
TD5 Defender 110 CSW (230k miles)
300TDi Disco 1 (289k)
4 RR Classics (300-350k each, 2 manual, 2 auto)
110 V8 CSW (220k)
S3 109 hi cap pickup (ex RN)
S2A 88 Safari SW with lpg conversion (bloody lethal)
13th Dec 2013 7:16 am
Land Rover Paul
Member Since: 02 Jul 2012
Location: St Neots
Posts: 135
Ok thanks guys. I just thought I'd check in case anything had changed.
13th Dec 2013 8:29 am
F355GTS
Member Since: 10 Nov 2008
Location: North Hampshire
Posts: 849
We lost a 6 week old Jeep Grand Cherokee in there once, The driver went about a foot too far to the right on one of the entry points, dipped in and tried to accelerate out but the intake was under water by then, We towed it the rest of the way behind a series IIa and then left it out there overnight until the AA could recover, it was written off by the insurance company who insisted on supplying him another of the sameMark
13th Dec 2013 11:04 am
Whistler
Member Since: 30 Oct 2013
Location: Hawarden North Wales
Posts: 47
Agreed, I did it in my d2 a few months back and the river crossing was quite deep, but the D2 had a Snorkel at the time.
The rest would be straight forward, as for the fatality, I was under the impression this was caused by the driver messing about its an odd crossing and climb/Drop depending on which way your doing the lane.
We were joined by a bog standard D4 and it had no issues at all.Current drive Disco 2 "Humphrey" Dynachiped and off road prepped
Looking for a 2006+ D3
13th Dec 2013 11:09 am
lespes
Member Since: 17 Sep 2009
Location: Sitting Down
Posts: 2232
Did it a few years back IN standard D2, road tyres and river high, needed to push a bow wave, but all ok.D4 Landmark MY16 Santorini Black THE LAST
D4 HSE MY12 Marmais Teal: Gone. Missed a lot!
Freelander 2 SD HSE MY11 Silver:Thankfully gone.
D4 HSE MY11 Silver: Gone missed !
Range Rover Sport MY06 HSE Buck Blue: Gone missed!
Discovery D2 TD5 Facelift MY Red Gone Missed!
Discovery D2 TD5 Cobalt Blue: Gone Missed!
Discovery D1 Auto Oxford Blue Not missed at all!
Discovery D1 Avalon Blue First LR! missed!
Now demoted to a VW
13th Dec 2013 9:29 pm
GSLRO
Member Since: 10 Sep 2008
Location: Sunderland
Posts: 1279
Did it at the beginning of November (2013) after a heavy rain the day and night before. However on the drive to the start (first crossing) we made the decision that we would turn back if it was fast flowing, as it is not always the depth of the water but the speed.
It is well signposted following the Trailwise markers to save any confusion.
Also did it on the Pot Noodle back in 2011, can anyone remember what the rain was like on the day before (Friday) Club N.E.R.D.s
16th Dec 2013 10:19 am
Downhiller
Member Since: 25 Aug 2012
Location: surrey
Posts: 261
Agree with all of the above. Watch the river crossing at the southern end if the river is in full spate. Wouldn't want to drive it on standard low profiles unless I was happy to shred them and had a spare. The Abbey at the beginning is an interesting view as well. Gives you some perspective of the area.
1st Jan 2014 5:59 pm
Nick Ground
Member Since: 14 Dec 2013
Location: West Moors
Posts: 40
Agree with all previous postings. Here is a pic taken on the way to Devils Staircase en route to Strata on Monday (30-12-2013). this is a bridge on a Tarmac road over a river. 14 hours earlier it was bone dry!
We went elsewhere.
Sorry for posting a Full Fat on the D3 forum but still looking for a D3 to take laning.
Nick
1st Jan 2014 7:16 pm
Downhiller
Member Since: 25 Aug 2012
Location: surrey
Posts: 261
that is incredible.
1st Jan 2014 7:19 pm
GSLRO
Member Since: 10 Sep 2008
Location: Sunderland
Posts: 1279
Nick Ground wrote:
Sorry for posting a Full Fat on the D3 forum but still looking for a D3 to take laning. Nick
Sooner the better the FFRR too nice to hurt, but fair play to you for taking it out!
Last year (Oct 2012) a RRS on low profiles did Happy Valley, unfortunately suffered tyre damage then rear panel damage, only 3 weeks old Club N.E.R.D.s
1st Jan 2014 8:12 pm
Gareth Site Moderator
Member Since: 07 Dec 2004
Location: Bramhall
Posts: 26774
A few years ago, I approached SF from the south in my 66 2a LWB. The river was not as bad as in the above picture, but it was just about washing over the road surface of the Irish bridges that the road goes over.
We continued to the lane, and we did drive it. It was pretty tough going, and exciting - the 2a had water in the cab up to my ankles on some crossings. The one near the bothy was especially tough going against the current. We got through to the abbey though, without any vehicles getting stuck.
If I knew then what I know now, I would have turned back. My point is, if the road is going under water on the approach, probably best avoid the lane.
1st Jan 2014 8:20 pm
Nick Ground
Member Since: 14 Dec 2013
Location: West Moors
Posts: 40
Did Happy Valley, it was tight but as a veteran of off-roading (27 years inc a stint of teaching) we made it through by getting out and planning approach where it was difficult.
Suffered a puncture the previous day on what seemed like a smooth rock track. I think the newer car is better protected and has better departure angles than my L322. The new one has track too wide for established ruts so tyre sidewalls are really vulnerable.
Don't want to hijack a post about SF but can post more pics if wanted.
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