Birt's Anatomy
To see photos and information on different
areas of the truck click on them on the picture below or just scroll down.
The Expedition vehicle
The
vehicle we use is a Scania 112m truck, the same one that successfully traversed
the planet on the global challenge. The truck has tonnes of low range power
for the mountains and off road terrain and is converted for maximum practical
expedition usage. When we converted the vehicle we built a bus-like rear
section with comfortable seating, lockers for all of your equipment and space
for spare parts, food and a large water carrying capacity that allows us
to be self sufficient for up to a week anywhere we base ourselves.
On the large picture above click on the following areas for
info: The bull bars, seat behind the cab, front of roof, ho
le
in the front side, bottom of the truck in the middle, the pagoda painted
on the side, the section between the cab and truck and the climbing wall
on the very back. This should give you an idea of just some of the features
of the big red truck. Inside it has seating for 28 on reclaimed coach seats
to try and prevent numb-bum on long driving days. Also inside there are individual
overhead lockers and a section with the stereo, book library and the truck
bar ran by somebody on the expedition called "The no hands rest"
On
board the truck we also carry loads of essential food stores from England
in the kitchen section and the huge storage locker. The kitchen is well equipped
and tables, an exterior light and a tarp for when it rains means that we
can make excellent bush camps be it in the desert or at the base of the crags.
This is what we call home, and lets face it, how many homes have a bouldering
wall and a bar?
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Forged out of finest water pipe by Mike
the wonder welder the bull bars are a testament to modern engineering
and have withstood the test of time and India.
Sadly the original succumbed to a Mozambiquan tree (well, they called
it a draw) whilst saving everyone's life.
The new bar is just as pretty (and hard) though.
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In the world of bull bars they stand
alone as a colossi of implied power that moves pedestrians and other
trucks out of the way with equal ease providing a clear run to the
next crag. Handy as a seat when in the lower position and a hammock
hanging point when raised they have protected the front of the big
red truck for over 5 years.
One of the main jobs of the bull bars is to protect the ‘here
we come’ air horns essential for those crowded cities and blind
bends on mountain passes. The 8 series 7 trumpet invader horn's purchased
in central india do an ample, if noisy job, and complement the ‘we
are really annoyed now’ master horn on the drivers door.
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The cab - Everybody will spend there time
in the cab navigating us along the way. Fear not for those directionally
challenged! there is only usually one road, the main problem is noticing
the difference between this and the surrounding fields. |
The driving will be done by one or two
people that have HGV or PCV licence's (Bus or truck) When we are in
the middle of the desert however it is traditional to let everybody
have a drive round for a bit as there is nowt to hit.
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Sliding roof - You can see that the front
section of truck roof slides back so that the front 8 people have a convertable
effect. This is good for views and lets lots of air through the truck
when its hot |
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The safari seat is a seat (they are standing
on it) just behind the cab outside of the vehicle. Originally these were
used in Africa for great game viewing, but it is the best seat for three
or four in the house to travel in as we are driving along |
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The sin bin - Is a seat for two or three
facing out from the side of the truck. Its a great place to take your
own tunes in (can see speakers) and chill out for the days driving. As
its on eye level to locals get used to suprised faces and lots of waving |
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Bouldering wall - the four metre high wall
on the back of the truck is good for training and getting super strong.
Its also good for a challenge laugh around the camp as everyone sets
problems for each other. |
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We have 450-500 Liters of water carrying
capacity that gives us a lot of self sufficiency at crags or desert
crossings. You can also see the gas bottle for cooking and on the other
side are lockers for Tools, spares, Axes, spades and camp tables and
chairs and all the other thing we need to do the trip. There is a separate
locker for tents and sleeping bags.
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The rear of the truck has roll up tarps
with clear windows in. Most of the time these are all the way up to give
the airflow on hot days. |
Behind a bedraggled looking Nick you
can see the bar and library area. There are sections for tapes and
CD's, books and guides and the bar stores.
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