Thompsons Track closure

[PeterVahry]

The advice below was received today from the local Council manager asking for vehicles to avoid Thompsons Track in the Kaimai Ranges for a while. This is a helpful Council and it would be good if their request was observed by all 4x4 users.

Due to the recent bad weather, Thompsons Track is in a bad state. Trees
down(which have mostly been cleared) and several large slips which from all
accounts are only passable with Competition trucks. We are asking people to
stay off the track until we can get it tidied up a bit once the weather comes
right. Shinnies are definitely a no go on Thompsons at the moment.

If any one wants to contact me regarding Thompsons Track they can at this
email address MVanB@mpdc.govt.nz or on 0274993427

[DieselBoy]

Thats good to hear, we where up there on Sunday and winched a large stump complete with roots off the track, and spent a few hours helping another group get them selves back down the track. Even the bikes where having a hard time!!!!

[mercutio]

yeah it was a little messy up there on sunday will only be worse now

[mudzilla]

The local MudBrothers here in TeAroha are taking Mike VanB ( council dude ) up the track on Sunday for him to look at the slips Etc. As Merch and DB said , We have been winching stumps and chain sawing trees off the track but the slips are going to take a bit more to tidy up. If everyone is patient and stays off the track untill the Council has had a look and done some work up there.
Wayne.

[xj]

Cheers for your call tonight Wayne.

Ive told the other fellas the go, and rather than tagging along with you in the morning i'll steer clear too mate.

[PeterVahry]

A press release issued by the Matamata/ Piako District Council

Thompson’s Track

The large amount of rainfall over the past month that has taken its toll around the district, has also had a major effect on the condition of Thompsons Track. The District Council reports that there have been several slips and trees down across the well used and popular 4WD and motorbike track on the Kaimai Ranges.

Despite signage at the start of the track clearly stating the track condition, many ill-equipped people in 4WD vehicles are attempting the track. The District Council asks that anyone considering using the track doesn’t, until the weather improves and the track has a chance to dry out.

If use does not dramatically decrease, the District Council will have no choice but to close the track to all users for the next 3 months. We do not want to do this, but unfortunately a few people who think that because they have a 4WD vehicle that can negotiate the track, they are putting themselves at risk, says the District Council. The cost to recover a broken down or bogged vehicle from the track, starts at around $400.

Anyone wanting an update on the condition of Thompsons Track should contact the Matamata Piako District Council.

[PeterVahry]

Advice today from the Council is that on the Matamata side

Thompsons Track is OK to use again. Has dried out well but there are still some holes to navigate.

[coxsy]

why the hell do they bulldozer the thing flat and not put the rock metal down

[turoa]

why the hell do they bulldozer the thing flat and not put the rock metal down

why? much more fun to have a 4wd track

[DieselBoy]

why the hell do they bulldozer the thing flat and not put the rock metal down

And who's gonna pay for that???? You?????

[coxsy]

no the fn rock can come from the rock fall areas

[xj]

off you go then.

[mudzilla]

why the hell do they bulldozer the thing flat and not put the rock metal down

WHY... Dont you like 4x4 ...The council is doing a fine job of keeping the track open and useable without wasting resorces building a highway...Most of us drive 4x4's for the fun of going places others can't go in there cars.. If I wanted to drive around on gravel roads I would buy a rally car.

[coxsy]

i remember you saying it was the bulldozer that caused all the problems up there

[xj]

Not the bulldozer, but the way it was done. Undercutting banks with drains excavated beneath the undercut = bank slippage. putting in drains on the drop sides of the road, but not actually allowing the water to go anywhere off the track = increased pace of erosion. Excavating some banks into sheer walls, rather than excavating it into sloping inclines = [again] bank slippage.

Where the rock slip used to be was fine as it was, the 4x4s over time had created a path through it that the bikes could then follow (while at the same time crying about the 4x4s damaging everything) But rather than leaving it, it was cleared, AND the bank was excavated to a sheer wall, subsequently it slipped again.... had it been left alone all would have been fine.

Sure the track HAS to be maintained, primarily for survey purposes, (the big concrete block at the crossroads is a survey marker) and the MPDC HAS to maintain it, due to its road status, and I have no issue with that, I do have issue with the way it is done which leads to further problems down the track (excuse the pun).

At the end of the day, im happy for it to stay completely fuked [keeps the idiots away], but i do see the requirement for it to kept "reasonable". There are always the play areas on this side and the entire katikati side for the real fun, which leaves this side open for "tamer" conditions. Sadly "tamer" conditions end up with POS blocking the road with bald tyres, broken down, spare parts left lying in the bush, 30inch AT's cocking everything up etc etc etc.

[mudzilla]

Thats right..But the council is abligated to keep the track accessable for search and rescue, So a certain amount off work HAS to be done from time to time.It was unfortunate last time they took the surface off it pissed down with rain for a week and Fukt the place. We are lucky to have the PRIVILAGE to use a place like Thompson's, and off the couff coments from the likes of you (Coxy) are not helpfull. If it was made to easy it would suffer from over use and be fukt in half the time.