1st, 2nd Jan 2011

[sambo]

thats pretty awsome, i flew over from Ontario at xmas, went up whistler yesterday, i know what you mean about trees jumping out at you, amazing slopes over here.

im looking at a working holiday visa for japan in 2012, is that what your on?

nah im just over here on a skiing holiday with family and family friends for a few weeks, getting a bit of skiing in before i do a ski patrol course in wanaka next year.

its a bit diffrent from the states/canada not as steep and challenging and the trees are smaller/not as solid, but the amount of snow that japan gets is just ridiculous, every days a fresh powder day

im also spending a couple of days in tokyo on the way back home.
anyone know cool shit to do it tokyo?
i heard there was a toyota museum somewhere that i would be keen as to go have a look

[FORGE1]

Went upto gum fields (Ahipara) over the weekend with my brother n law and my brother 2x Safari's and my Bighorn (TL) got through no problems on my road tyres but had a few hairy moments.
Damage: Alternator (brothers safari), Broken exhaust (brother n laws safari), no problems with the bighorn but Selector bungs came out of the bighorn on the way back to camp and lost a about 500mls of fluid but still no big deal drove back to Whangarei like that and sorted it out this morning. Didnt have to pay a koha to use the track either.

also I think I saw "mark.griffith" parked up at a flash looking house on my way to the track.

pics to come.

Was it you i saw driving on Tokerau beach on NewYears day? gave ya a wave but I think you had your bikini spotting glasses on .Al

Haha yeah probably was me we have a section up on the main road so did some camping. LOL nah not really any bikini spotting taking place my wife was probably with me in hers so that would have made me distracted enough Dam if I knew you were up there I would have got you to join us was a wicked day.

[pjb]

Went upto gum fields (Ahipara) over the weekend with my brother n law and my brother 2x Safari's and my Bighorn (TL) got through no problems on my road tyres but had a few hairy moments.
Damage: Alternator (brothers safari), Broken exhaust (brother n laws safari), no problems with the bighorn but Selector bungs came out of the bighorn on the way back to camp and lost a about 500mls of fluid but still no big deal drove back to Whangarei like that and sorted it out this morning. Didnt have to pay a koha to use the track either.

also I think I saw "mark.griffith" parked up at a flash looking house on my way to the track.

pics to come.

Forge, we must have just missed you! Me and Griffo headed over on the 1st. Great trip! Looked like someone had been through fairly recently. Leave a spade behind?
Tons of photos here: http://dstgeorgephoto.smugmug.com/Friends/New-Years-at-Ahipara-2010-2011/1st-Jan-Crunchie-Trail-4wd-ing/15349280_e8jZQ#1148436466_FXgTa

We had a bach rented on the waterfront. Mint spot.

[NJV6]

thats pretty awsome, i flew over from Ontario at xmas, went up whistler yesterday, i know what you mean about trees jumping out at you, amazing slopes over here.

im looking at a working holiday visa for japan in 2012, is that what your on?

its a bit diffrent from the states/canada not as steep and challenging and the trees are smaller/not as solid, but the amount of snow that japan gets is just ridiculous, every days a fresh powder day

Gotta watch those trees, when skiiing in Colorado 8 years ago you'd just aim for the gap twist body sideaways and hope you fit, was always easier following some ski marks, at least you knew you'd fit!!

[pjb]

A tad behind the times here, but here's some pix from the Crunchie Trail we did New Years Day.

Thanks to David St George for the awesome shots. See here for more: http://dstgeorgephoto.smugmug.com/Friends/New-Years-at-Ahipara-2010-2011/1st-Jan-Crunchie-Trail-4wd-ing/15349280_e8jZQ

[Drurban]

A tad behind the times here, but here's some pix from the Crunchie Trail we did New Years Day.

Thanks to David St George for the awesome shots. See here for more: http://dstgeorgephoto.smugmug.com/Friends/New-Years-at-Ahipara-2010-2011/1st-Jan-Crunchie-Trail-4wd-ing/15349280_e8jZQ

Wow that looks like a great track, a friend of mine and myself want to go do this track at some stage, photo's look great.

Where about's is this track?

Ruben

[FORGE1]

Went upto gum fields (Ahipara) over the weekend with my brother n law and my brother 2x Safari's and my Bighorn (TL) got through no problems on my road tyres but had a few hairy moments.
Damage: Alternator (brothers safari), Broken exhaust (brother n laws safari), no problems with the bighorn but Selector bungs came out of the bighorn on the way back to camp and lost a about 500mls of fluid but still no big deal drove back to Whangarei like that and sorted it out this morning. Didnt have to pay a koha to use the track either.

also I think I saw "mark.griffith" parked up at a flash looking house on my way to the track.

pics to come.

Forge, we must have just missed you! Me and Griffo headed over on the 1st. Great trip! Looked like someone had been through fairly recently. Leave a spade behind?
Tons of photos here: http://dstgeorgephoto.smugmug.com/Friends/New-Years-at-Ahipara-2010-2011/1st-Jan-Crunchie-Trail-4wd-ing/15349280_e8jZQ#1148436466_FXgTa

We had a bach rented on the waterfront. Mint spot.

That must have been the house I saw the Bighorn parked at.

Yeah I think someone went through before us as well we met some dirt bike riders part way through. Nah we didnt need to take out anyting for our trip, so came back with everything.

Was definatly a good run though will to it again next time Im up there.

That first pic where you are digging if you go down it and try and turn up wards the wheel will stop the front from hitting the bank lol.

And I didnt go through the deep part on that water crossing (no snorkel) so took to shallower one haha.

Im still waiting for my brother to fwd me the pics I have. Will get them up on here soon.

Ray