gauging interest

[albundy]

I have been asked by a few Canterbury dudes if I would start running trips again for ORE to show them a few tracks. I have put this post up to firstly guage what level of interest there is and where people want to go.
I was thinking we could run a trip to the Westcoast around Sept 19 & 20. Tracks could include Mt Greenland (Gr4-5), No Name Rd (Gr3-4), Cockeye Creek (Gr 3-4), Waipuna Tunnels (Gr 2-3). That would cover a weekend. We would stay at the motor camp in Greymouth.

In mid to late january I was going to head down to Central Otago as I haven't been down there for three years now. This would be a safari style trip camping in different places overnight. Tracks would include Serpentine (Gr 2-3), Old man Range (Gr 2-3), Old Woman Range (Gr 2-3), Whitcombe Rd (Gr 4-5), Mavora Lakes (Gr 2-3), Carricktown Track (Gr 2-3), Macetown (Gr 2). These would be over 7-10 days.

For all trips minium of good tread depth AT tyres, but strongly recommend MT's for the Westcoast. Snorkels are a must. Rated tow hooks front and rear, recovery gear, and the basic club rules would apply.

If you are interested post away. If you have further suggestiosn then post them up. This is rerally aimed at those that want to get out and 4wd but don't know the tracks or are looking at building more confidence in both themselves and their trucks. Families are most welcome and kids must be kept under control.

Al

[skid]

Cheers Al

do you know if theres a thread on here with the gradings on it stating what you may need for certain grades of trips.

Always wanted to venture south, but when it happens will be wanting to keep it reasonably shiny.

[mike]

Your 80 would handle these tracks easily skid and you would love it on this trip if he runs it

[albundy]

All Westcoast tracks will incur what us mainlanders call "westcoast pinstriping". I've got so much of it that the paint is coming off. Central otago tracks will be good for shineys.
Al

[rokhound]

Grade 1, = easy soft roader type stuff, generally on well formed tracks/roads

Grade 2 = Simalar to above, but may include some small muddy sections, shallow water crossings etc.

Grade 3 = Reasonable tracks most of the way but may have overhanging scrub, wheel depth water, rutted muddy sections, off chamber hill tracks etc.

Grade 4 = Getting into heavier stuff now. Expect to get stuck at some point, can be some seriously rutted sections, possibilty of some panel damage.

Grade 5 = The shizzle . Bulletproof type trips. May require major track building, serious water crossings, major obstacles, panel is more than likely.

Hope that helps Skid

[albundy]

Thanks Rok, I was going to write it verbatim from an old club mag.
You are right, grade 5 is the shizzle, what I would prefer to do.
Al

[fweddy]

Good thread Al. I think there has been a bit of a shortage of trips around this area lately. That's one reason I initiated the Gary/Okuku river day-trip coming up on the 16th, although that's more casual. They are good times to learn from others and some of those more distant tracks (west coast etc) are good to do with some one who's been there before.

[albundy]

Yep, this is just to feel the idea out. Once I can guage the interest I will post up definitive trip threads probably 3 weeks before heading off.
Al

[PR]

Awsome I proberly wont be able to do the westcoast one due to $$$$$$ but should be able to do the central one

[albundy]

Awsome I proberly wont be able to do the westcoast one due to $$$$$$ but should be able to do the central one
Awsome I proberly wont be able to do the westcoast one due to $$$$$$ but should be able to do the central one

Stop wasting money on that red thing then....

[Mud Hog]

I would be very keen to be showen some grade 3-4, 4-5 tracks by some experienced guys. As for september don't know weather I will have gear box in by then and don't know if the 8000lb warn winch will handle long abuse?

[rokhound]

Even on G5 trips, winches are only pulled as last resort Mudhog. If someone is through and a quick snatch will get you through, then that is what will be done. having said that, there are some trips that require the winch a significant amount

[Taz]

80000lb warn winch will handle long abuse?

Fark man 80,000lbs. That shit should breeze through

I'd be keen for a few tracks on the coast. Been a few years since I've had a poke around over there. Grade 2-4 sort of trips sound good to me. Not really setup for anything overly feral.

[flexy]

sounds cool i would be keen to try some of the harder westcoast tracks.. iv done a few of the tracks down south with mates. will keep an eye on this thred for sure

[Mud Hog]

Yep 1 too many zeros fixed. Eye yep thanks rokhound for some reason I have thought grades 4-5 require hard winching. It might be ok for the odd pull then. Al would Tailings be one you may do? Would like to give that a go.

8000lb warn winch will handle long abuse?

Fark man 80,000lbs. That shit should breeze through

I'd be keen for a few tracks on the coast. Been a few years since I've had a poke around over there. Grade 2-4 sort of trips sound good to me. Not really setup for anything overly feral.

[muddyplumber]

im keen sounds awsome

[pressy]

i would be very keen on some trips like these? thanks al.

pressy

[albundy]

Tailings is up Westport way. To do trips up there you would want to base yourself in Westport and spend a few days there, like a long weekend for example. It is a bit too far to go for a day trip, even if basing ourselves in Greymouth or Reefton. makes for a very long day.
Al

[JR]

sounds good al, any trip to the west coast and i'll certainly be keen to come along to learn more of the tracks over there.

[H2OLOVA]

I'm usually up for the grade 2-3 trips Don't want to go denting panels

Would be keen to tag along Al any excuse to get the wreck out. Helps keep the time/money spent per km travelled looking abit more even (if thats possible )

On most tracks you'd only be winching for 10-15 metres at a time and theres always the snatch block to keep the pull weight down. I think alot of you guys would be surprised where your truck can go

[albundy]

I think alot of you guys would be surprised where your truck can go

Couldn't agree more Jas. Will start a trip thread next week when I get my latest assignment for uni out of the way. Good to have you coming Jas, always good to 4wd with others you have traveled with before.
Al

[albundy]

For those that expressed an interest in leanring about some Westcoast tracks, please follow the link below:
http://www.offroadexpress.co.nz/Forums/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=17605
Al

[DieselBoy]

Would be keen on the central trip, would make a good summer holiday

Will be watching how this unfolds with interest

[albundy]

Will keep you posted. I have leave scheduled for 11th january to 1st February, so in the middle there somwhere I will plan a southern safari. You gonna be down this way then dieselboy or will you need more notice of exact dates?
Al

[DieselBoy]

Some date's would be good, but that's enough to go on for now, probably have to book the ferry around November at the latest

Would be pretty dry up there at that time of year i would presume??

[albundy]

The first ORE trip I ran down there in January o4 had a foot of snow to drive through and muddy as hell, been there other years and dry and dusty as shit. Hoping for some snow and water, make it more interesting. How does 15th to 26th january sound for ya to work around.
Al

[EDDY]

Would be keen on the central trip as well

[baxter]

I'd be keen on the Central trip (subject to time off work of course ).

I should even have a WOF on the Niva by then...

[hiriklux]

i might be keen for a coast weekend

[albundy]

Link to Centarl Otago/Southland 4wd Safari for those that showed interest.

http://www.offroadexpress.co.nz/Forums/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=18473
Al