Central Otago/Southland 6 day Safari 16-22 January 2010

[albundy]

Yep, aware of that. This trip we are only going up the staircase and turning around. I have a mate that has a database of all the landowners in NZ, so he is good for sortring that side out for me.
Al

[albundy]

If ya tuning in Glen, what sort of stuff have you got planned for us while we spend a couple of days at Piano Flat. Give us some grid co-ordinates so we can google map it.
Got a rear diff out at the moment tring to fix a rumble (? pinion bearing). Fitting new transfer case with crawler gears anyway so all good. Get to fix oil seal leak at back of gearbox now as well.
Al

[juz]

Winch decided to stop working over the break... hopefully get that fixed,Fitting drop boxes,arms,springs and shocks this week and got to make up rear bar when I find time so going to be a busy cuple of weeks Id say..

[2roky]

giday i could be keen to meet you guys at the linburn runs road intersection to go up to pool burn i asume thats they way your going in? (just passed patearoa ) for the trip into poolburn and through to serpintine. im based in roxburgh for my holidays so can just shoot over the hill via onslow.

as a side note i could be keen for an exploration trip sometime

i can be contacted on 0274202727

[albundy]

giday i could be keen to meet you guys at the linburn runs road intersection to go up to pool burn i asume thats they way your going in? (just passed patearoa ) for the trip into poolburn and through to serpintine.

Yep that's the way we are headed in. Leaving Ranfurly about 2:30pm so should be at turnoff not long after that.
Al

[albundy]

links to Piano Flat and Mavora Lakes DOC campsites:
http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-stay/conservation-campsites-by-region/southland/te-anau-area/mavora-lakes/
http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-stay/conservation-campsites-by-region/southland/murihiku/piano-flat/
They have tiolet facilities, water and bbq. I doubt we'll be able to have a fire as it appears to be pretty dry down there, see the fire yesterday in Roxburgh. Hence the need for spark arrestors.
Al

[2roky]

awsome me mate lives in the house at the end of the seal so ill just tootle out when i see you guys heading up the road.

and yeh it was a bloody good fire that they had could have ended very badly as the wind could have pushed the flames right down towards ettrick and up the hill towards the waikaia area.

i did the waikaia track the other day the bogs are a little over half full possibly slightly fuller now as we had a day of snow and rain on wednesday which will have topped them up a wee bit but bugger all.

all but the last 2 or 3 can be driven round. the last big bog cant be driven round but you will get a standard vehicle through the left hand side of it not a worry i had to winch through the right hand side and im running 33''s

the worst bog on the track
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBiovFpjrL4

[NJV6]

Yep, that hole - even with 36's a couple of weeks ago swallowed a GMC!

None of the holes need driven around in the summer, even the deep one is only half full at the mo.

We have a day trip in the area planned for the 19th onto private property, similar country to the old man range, but will get a bit higher on Glenaray station.

There is an option to shoot down to Riversdale to get fuel but that is a good 80km return from Piano Flat camp spot. Best and more reliable bet would be a jerry can from ALexandra I guess.

Biggest thing is - don't forget insect repellant for Piano flat!!!

[NJV6]

Also, if anyone is doing Macetown while they are down - beware of the water hole about 7 or 8 crossings in - its deep if you take the obvious way through, there is an easy way around it in the river but I did two trips up the river and pulled two Surf's out!!

[2roky]

lol no wonder i didnt get through it then, made it a bit further on the second attempt on the way back.

is that up to the blue lake on Glenary? heard thats a good trip but they dont open the track to people often

[albundy]

Does Waikia have fuel Glen??? It's only about 20km's from pianio flat. After looking at google maps, I think I answered my own question.
Al

[NJV6]

No, Waikaia doesn't have fuel. It used to but not any more

and Yes

[NJV6]

Got any idea on numbers? Who's coming?

Been a good rain so the fire issue isn't so bad.

[2roky]

dont forget the snow either there was and still is snow on the ground up on the tops to waikaia. it fell on thursday night and as far as im aware there is still showers going through of it now. id be very carefull with the down hill decent into waikaia being that it is clay it will most likely be very slippery unless we get some good dry days and a bit more of this cursed wind.

i will sadly have to pull outa this trip as i have other comitments but if anyone is around the central area after during or before and would like to catch up for a beverage of some discription and to put a face to a name just give me a txt, 0274202727 cheers cam

[albundy]

Yep, keeping a close eye on the weather, especially when we are on the tops of those hills. Hoping the tops are a little wet. If there is snow, it will be like our first trip down that way.

Leaving home about 8ish, so sth side of chch about 9ish if anyone wants to do convoy. Re-fuelling in Oamaru so the top up in Ranfurly is not so big. Have googled a backway from Shell Oamaru through to road that will take us to dansey's pass. Lunch at Dansey's Pass, which is a very cool old pub.
Al

[wjw]

30cm of snow at Mt Hutt!!!

Have fun boys...wish I was going with ya..

[red-devil]

how about we go for a drive up there for a fun little drive in the snow

i think i know someone that can get us passed the gate

[wjw]

Would love to, but the trucks still not right.. I have some gear up there I might need to do maintenance on once its running though

[albundy]

My cell phone number is 021925114 if any one needs to call me on the day. I will be on channels 11 on CB and 19 on PRS. A few rules before we head off just so everyone knows were they stand.
1. No hooning.
2. Stick to the track, we will get you through.
3. We all stick together, no tripping off for look sees over here
and there on the ranges, you will get lost up there. We all
help each other out
4. Covoy rules prevail.
-maintain visual contact with truck in front and behind
-don't dick around, keep up. But do take photos.
-leave all gates as found. Truck behind trip leader
opens and shuts gate and falls in in front of tail end charlie.
-if you need to halt convoy, use radio, lights or horn.
-If truck behind needs a tow, do so promptly and safely.
Don't dick around.
-before entering a hazard, ensure vehicle in front
has cleared it.
-trip leader has final say.
5. When travelling on tarseal, ensure windows, lights, indicators etc, and number plates are clean. I have been pinged for that once before.
Rules may come across as anal but these are standard club rules. It also gives a positive image out to those that see us and also for ORE.

I envisage that we will be on the road each morning by 1000hrs, don't need to rush things, we are on holiday. Probably be setting up camp each night at about 5-6ish.

Any questions??? Weather is getting better all the time, should be plenty of mud to go through going by the reports I have been getting.
AL

[tallsam66]

My cell phone number is 021925114 if any one needs to call me on the day. I will be on channels 11 on CB and 19 on PRS. A few rules before we head off just so everyone knows were they stand.
1. No hooning.
2. Stick to the track, we will get you through.
3. We all stick together, no tripping off for look sees over here
and there on the ranges, you will get lost up there. We all
help each other out
4. Covoy rules prevail.
-maintain visual contact with truck in front and behind
-don't dick around, keep up. But do take photos.
-leave all gates as found. Truck behind trip leader
opens and shuts gate and falls in in front of tail end charlie.
-if you need to halt convoy, use radio, lights or horn.
-If truck behind needs a tow, do so promptly and safely.
Don't dick around.
-before entering a hazard, ensure vehicle in front
has cleared it.
-trip leader has final say.
5. When travelling on tarseal, ensure windows, lights, indicators etc, and number plates are clean. I have been pinged for that once before.
Rules may come across as anal but these are standard club rules. It also gives a positive image out to those that see us and also for ORE.

I envisage that we will be on the road each morning by 1000hrs, don't need to rush things, we are on holiday. Probably be setting up camp each night at about 5-6ish.

Any questions??? Weather is getting better all the time, should be plenty of mud to go through going by the reports I have been getting.
AL

Sounds mighty fair to me.
I find best when driving in convoy to keep up with the vehicle BEHIND you. That way we all slow down if someone is having a problem & dont get string out or anyone left behind.

[BrentC]

I find best when driving in convoy to keep up with the vehicle BEHIND you. That way we all slow down if someone is having a problem & dont get string out or anyone left behind.

man - I wish we were doing this trip - have a great time in my favourite area of NZ

Re - convoy rules - I always indicate an av on road speed - say 90kmh - then if you can't keep up on the road - you get up early and leave before everyone else I hate being being slowed down getting to a track or getting to a meeting point because some nanna is constantly piddling around - accidents and breakdowns excepted.

[IcedJohnno]

man - I wish we were doing this trip - have a great time in my favourite area of NZ

And the same from me. If the Mula allowed I would be exploring too.

I love the wide open high country spaces down there and of course it is a replay of the first trip I did with Al and Bill before I joined ORE.

Ah well I guess I will be getting my fill of big views soon whilst working above Lake Tekapo very near the Macauley, at 2123m.

[juz]

Will meet yas Ranfurly, Main St at 2pm. Anybody else heading up from Dunedin/Southland way wanting to Convoy?

[NJV6]

ah well I guess I will be getting my fill of big views soon whilst working above Lake Tekapo very near the Macauley, at 2123m.

Hi Jono, how are you getting to 2123m?

I thought I had been on the highest track in NZ at GPS'd 2099m... Don't tell me there is a higher one...

[IcedJohnno]

Once I have finished designing and then helping to coordinate the build of it, I will be riding the biggest and one of the fastest ski lifts in NZ. It will also be the worlds longest ski rope tow at 1.45km.

Until then shank's pony or occasionally Helo, though Turn-back Tim has done that twice now.

Hmm 4 x 4ing at 2099m, now where is that?

Mt Pisa? Been over that in the ex mayor of Chch's Austin 7. Very kind of Garry to lend it to me. Some battle damage occurred... The other A7 has yet to arise as the Pheonix!

Regularly at 1550m. April, May and early June in snow at that.... At Broken River in the Craigieburns.

[juz]

A few teaser pics from the trip,only did the Weekend part so Im sure theyll have lots of better pics when they finish.Awesome countryside,Two hot days and some real fun 4wding.Cheers for organising another good trip Al.

[IcedJohnno]

Awesome, nice to see these shots, thanks. All familiar places.
Was wondering how they were getting on.

[NJV6]

Looks good. Will catch them tomorrow to take them through to Blue Lake.

They have just struck the weather perfect so far, beaut days.

Jono, that height was Mt St Bathens. I believe DoC have shut the gate now since tenure review has been completed.

Glen

[NJV6]

Just returned from the day, another day in paradise.

Great Track, scenery and company. Cheers Guys.
They have a day off tomorrow then onto Mavora Lakes

A wee few photos later.

Glen

[juz]

Look forward to the pics Glen! was gutted I couldnt continue on the trip.