The 42 Traverse

[Kent]

A bunch of guys including myself went thru the 42 traverse on Saturday. I havn't been thru it before but some of the others had and from what they said the track was in fairly good condition.

We started at the Owhanga end, and the large river (which you cross by bridge) was running about twice as high as usual according to some of the others.

The track was fairly easy going with only one section needing people to be towed up. Not me in the Safari though I went up second try with a small clap to follow. In fact the only cars that I saw getting towed up were Toyotas. The Land Rover got up, and so did the Range Rover.

The main river crossing was running at about waist deep in the deppest part which created a bit of fun. But no one had any real trouble with it.

It was fairly busy we meet a group of 25 mountain bikers (who would mountain bike 45km, especially when you can drive it) we also meet 2 or 3 groups of motorcross bikers. They also tryed the river but had a considerable amount of trouble one of them got sweeped a bit down stream and would have kept going if his friends hadn't grabbed him and pulled him back in. But by this time it had taken water into the engine, so they were there trying to fix it while we were there. Another one rolled his quad over on top of himself has his bike got swept over.

So for all was a good trip.

Only a couple of dents and a whole heap of fun

Kent

Will post some pics of our trip in the FEARCE photo album asap.

[lilpigzuk]

Umm, 42nd traverse is shut to 4wds over winter . Is part of an access plan by DOC and the 4wd association (?) From May till October. Will try and find the details today.

cheers
Rex

[Kent]

A couple of the cars that went thru thought this might possibly be the case, but thought it applied more to clubs rather than a small group of individuals.

A couple of rangers passed us and they didn't seem to mind at all. Just a friendly smile and a wave.

There were no signs anywhere either to say that the track was closed or asking you not to go thru.

With the way the track is (mostly gravel) there is really no damage done on this stuff. Everyone was/is really sensible and no one was stupid. We all stuck to the main track etc.

I don't see a problem in small groups going thru to tell you the truth. I can definetly see why DOC wouldn't want large groups going thru because if a club took a group of 15 to 30 cars thru damage could definetly be a problem.


Kent

[Jungle]

Your right on that one. We had a club trip to whangamomona two weekends ago which was supposed to include the 42 traverse. But we changed plans due to the closure. I also heard it wont be open until 1st of December, but that could be just a rumour. I would also like to know where to find info on what tracks have access and which don't. Would save us making these mistakes.

Cheers

Jungle

[Kent]

Its so true, wouldn't it be good if DOC had a part on there website that listed all the tracks in New Zealand that they have control of, and then a small bit of info on each 1, for example a quick description of the track and how to get to it, and then also information on when the track is open or closed, and weather it is closed to individuals/clubs/both.

Kent

[lilpigzuk]

Fully agree, hard to find info if you arent part of the association.

Pain in the ar$e to find but here is the info about the 42nd traverse.

http://www.nzfwda.org.nz/news.html

If you download the latest newsletter "trail torque may 2004", then scrowl down to the 8th page, it has the dates it is opened and closed and the history about why it was closed back in 95 and the work that went into opening again to 4wders.

cheers
Rex

[Kent]

Thanks Rex

What you have just posted there proves the point entirely, look at how hard you have to search to find info on the tracks.

Cheers Kent

[wjw]

If in doubt I usually just phone the local DOC office.....

[cruiser_beast]

Yea it was a wicked trip, i went along in my cruiser. The track was in what seemed to be very good condition, ive never been on it before so i cant compare it with previous condition. It had a bit of everything, it was really good fun, it had rocky parts, a river crossing, some muddy bits, it was good good!

I just posted some more pics to our album of it, under Fearce, theres a few pics of our trip to the 42. Was awsome weather too!

siu.
Sam.

[Mudsurfn]

Hey Sam
Check out the photos under "Mudsurfn", this was the same puddle at the end of the 42 that your photo was in, just slightly faster!

[cruiser_beast]

haha yea, we were being conservative, lol, so how did your surf go through the 42?lots of branches to scratch it!!my cruiser has lots, i keep finding bits of tree in the window seals etc, lol. What was the surfs economy like through the 42 do u know?i only used 22 bucks of lpg for a days fun, cheapest whole day entertainment ever!lol, it was my first real 4wd track i had done, so it was heaps of fun! Anyway:)ill be bak to studying then to watch the rugby!!!!

[Mudsurfn]

Filled up on sunday back at National park, about $30. I think half my fuel usage was on the last section, playing in the mud puddles
The Surfs a bit more scratched than it used to be, I had to wash it twice and polish it to get the dirt off , must be the pumice mud or toi toi, I can usually get it twice as dirty around here with out having to work so hard to clean it.
I was only towed once each day so was pleased with my effort, my tyres were not as good as others so thought i did well.