West Coast spots

fweddy · Post by **fweddy** » Fri May 25, 2007 3:23 pm

Just jacked up some accom at Blackball for queen's birthday weekend. Looking to do some tracks over that area, got a few ideas but interested in recommendations.

Will have:
'98 prado (shiney - rough track ok, mud ok, dents not, light scratches that will polish out ok)
'03 Hilux (pretty much a shiney)
'93 MU (snork, LSD, ruggard)
'84 MWB Cruiser (Snork, Locker, winch, kitted)

Looking to do a decent day trip and perhaps a nearby mud and rough one for the two non-shineys - must have mud.

albundy · Post by **albundy** » Sat May 26, 2007 8:47 pm

Shoot over the river to Ahaura and do Napoleons hill and the Waipuna tunnels. They are pretty well known tracks and sutable for those shiny vehicles. Plenty of real hard tracks round there though

Al

fweddy · Post by **fweddy** » Sat May 26, 2007 11:02 pm

thanks Al was thinking of those, sounds good

Baldrick · Post by **Baldrick** » Sun May 27, 2007 12:35 am

The stairs inside the Blackball Hilton

Suitable for shineys - nil mud though

But in the right/wrong frame of mind could be plenty of damage

Will post some other (proper) tracks in the morning

fisho · Post by **fisho** » Sun May 27, 2007 6:06 pm

never heard of anyone coming to the west coast to do shiny trips!

Baldrick · Post by **Baldrick** » Sun May 27, 2007 8:24 pm

Big River is always a favourite. (Just stay outta the mud-hole at the old Merrijigs Hotel site. About 12 km from the turn-off to Big River. Lotsa locals & DOC getting pissed off with the damage done at this location)

Montgomery Hut - up the Waitahu River - depending on river flows

Sawpit Road - also known as Slab Hut - just south of Reefton: a snap from this link http://www.offroadexpress.co.nz/modules ... ht=reefton regarding some of this track: (Courtesy of Clint)

Will try and think of a few more....

Cockeye Creek & No Name Road out the back of Greymouth come to mind.

I haven't done them - but I'm sure the likes of Albundy & a few others have been there and can give advice on degree of difficulty. (I MTB'd No Name - but that's totally different - lotsa mud - little chance of damage unless falling off bike :lol:

)

fweddy · Post by **fweddy** » Sun May 27, 2007 9:25 pm

Did Big River last time, other's look interesting as well as Moonlight road - managed to get both vehicles we had that trip stuck on the same unknown rock in the same mud hole at different times. worth the trip up there tho.

Elmo · Post by **Elmo** » Mon May 28, 2007 7:33 am

Im heading over again on fri night, staying with Nuts in westport. We could possibly meet up with you and do a day with you guys maybe, but we are looking at a little more than shiney.

fweddy · Post by **fweddy** » Mon May 28, 2007 9:46 am

Sounds good, will have to see what the shiney drivers and rest of the crew are wanting to do.

My father in the Prado is fairly easy going with it, prepared to use its abilities and go places but at the same time its his good vehicle too. Its mainly the branches scratching down the sides he winces at...

The Hilux owner is pretty go-any-where as its a work vehicle (his business) but he won't be there, will be his wife (my sister) who is not so confident... They might not come out on the trip as will have wee boys....

Will be doing a main trip on Sunday. Might be interested in doing something else monday but need to be back home by that evening.

wjw · Post by **wjw** » Mon May 28, 2007 10:25 pm

Last time I did cockeye creek, it isn't a shiney track!

albundy · Post by **albundy** » Tue May 29, 2007 6:42 am

Last time I did cockeye creek, it isn't a shiney track

I did it last november, walk in the park compared to 3 years ago.
Al

wjw · Post by **wjw** » Tue May 29, 2007 1:59 pm

albundy wrote:
Last time I did cockeye creek, it isn't a shiney track

I did it last november, walk in the park compared to 3 years ago.
Al

fweddy · Post by **fweddy** » Tue May 29, 2007 6:15 pm

Looking for a map/ instructions for Napoleons hill and the Waipuna tunnels, not in my Sibley book,

Just a rough direction and alert of any major things to look out for

Baldrick · Post by **Baldrick** » Tue May 29, 2007 7:15 pm

fweddy wrote:Looking for a map/ instructions for Napoleons hill and the Waipuna tunnels, not in my Sibley book,

Just a rough direction and alert of any major things to look out for

Volume 2 of Sibleys Book - Page 128

Easiest from Ahaura end - downhill.

Once through the Tunnels - turn left and follow the worn track to the road bridge, along Waipuna Stream.

Turn left uphill on the upstream side of the road-bridge and out onto Waipuna road - through the gate. Turn left to Ikamatua - SH 7 (This way you by-pass Fergussons Place and no gate money required)

Have a look at this link:
http://www.angelfire.com/ne/4WDNZ/waipuna.html

It is an old one. (The map link keeps showing as an error)

Try this link for a map - seems to still work.

http://www.angelfire.com/ne/4WDNZ/wc4wd ... ns_Map.jpg

Once on the track at the end of Orwell Creek Road - don't turn off any side tracks - or you may well find yourself on Subaru Hill :!:

If still stuck - I'll try and find an old GPS track I might have saved somewhere here on the computer.

fweddy · Post by **fweddy** » Fri Jun 01, 2007 9:36 am

Thanks - have compiled maps and info that should see us right.

Couple more queries

How 'shiney suitable' is it? I generally wouldn't bother doing all this digging, I'd just get the basic info and cautions and go explore but when going with others I don't want to take them all the way in and then discover that its not suitable for their vehicles

Also have been reading about the decent from Napo's hill down to Nobel's Creek and read that its steep papa and can be slippery when wet - a bit more info on this would be appreciated, looks like it may well be wet as there is heavy rain today/tomorrow before we get there Sunday.

Also it says the track gets narrow to about vehicle width, is this likely to cause much side scratching? no problem with brushing etc but scratching might be an issue.

Is there any access issues? Thanks Baldrick for the note on the avoiding the Fegussons gate which is a great thumbs up, but is this a legit way around it or what?

oldblue · Post by **oldblue** » Fri Jun 01, 2007 10:55 am

It's a legal way to enter the creek, as your leaving a public road then into the river bed.
DOC have asked that trucks reframe from going up the clay hill at the end of the valley, if its wet it can make quite a mess of the track.
So in the interest of doing the right thing, You make that choice.
There was a sign there, but someone must of taken ofence to it.

Baldrick · Post by **Baldrick** » Fri Jun 01, 2007 11:04 am

fweddy wrote:Thanks - have compiled maps and info that should see us right.

Couple more queries

How 'shiney suitable' is it? I generally wouldn't bother doing all this digging, I'd just get the basic info and cautions and go explore but when going with others I don't want to take them all the way in and then discover that its not suitable for their vehicles

Also have been reading about the decent from Napo's hill down to Nobel's Creek and read that its steep papa and can be slippery when wet - a bit more info on this would be appreciated, looks like it may well be wet as there is heavy rain today/tomorrow before we get there Sunday.

Also it says the track gets narrow to about vehicle width, is this likely to cause much side scratching? no problem with brushing etc but scratching might be an issue.

Is there any access issues? Thanks Baldrick for the note on the avoiding the Fegussons gate which is a great thumbs up, but is this a legit way around it or what?

Yes it is a legitimate way around the gate. It is a well defined track.

I personally would avoid Napoleans itself if it is wet, unless you have lockers, and can live with some panel damage - which could happen if you drop into the ruts.

Due to the forecast (and papa is slippery shit) I would go in from the Waipuna Road end - through the tunnels, and head up to the base of Napoleans Hill, through the Waipuna Creek & Nobels Creek Gorge (fairly well defined track) Although - again - this is going to be dependant on the water flow through there.

There is plenty of room here to turn around, park for a lunch break, or walk up and have a look at Napoleans & the ruts.

If you do do the Hill - may well pay to have someone in front to guide the vehicles through the ruts area.

The track in is used by a number of Tour Operators as "shiney" trips - but some brush scratching can be sustained.

If you watch the gorse & broom , and remove/avoid the sharp branches - rather than push through them - you should be right (or carry a machette to remove the offending stuff)

A couple of areas following the Waipuna Creek in from the road have an alternative track - one heads along the gravel/pea-gravel creek-side, and the other goes up the bank and through the broom.

Be aware that if you follow the pea-gravel/gravel, there is a possibility of getting stuck and needing a tow out of it.

The second tunnel (assuming you are going in from Waipuna Road end) is a piece of cake. Just ensure that the drivers place their right wheels bewteen the stakes (they were there from the old gold cart tracks) There is plenty of room through the tunnel for the Old Fat-Ass Whale, so I can't see any prob with your vehicles. An F250 or Hummer might have a prob though!)

As I'm typing this, the heavens have just opened up again :evil:

what day are you looking at heading up there :?:

Baldrick · Post by **Baldrick** » Fri Jun 01, 2007 11:08 am

oldblue wrote:DOC have asked that trucks reframe from going up the clay hill at the end of the valley, if its wet it can make quite a mess of the track.
So in the interest of doing the right thing, You make that choice.
There was a sign there, but someone must of taken ofence to it.

Yes - I'd agree with this, especially in this current climate re 4WD's and access issues.

The local-rumour mill carries the story that the sign was erected by a tour-operator who didn't really want others to use a public track. :shock:

It lasted about 2 weeks before "vanishing". The post is still there - but the sign is gone.

Perhaps an old ghost

fweddy · Post by **fweddy** » Fri Jun 01, 2007 11:37 am

what day are you looking at heading up there

Sunday

Friday has heavy rain warnings for the coast, Sat is meant to be rainy, Sunday is meant to have some shine, but am expecting some mud

and wet surfaces and erosion after the rain. Monday is meant to rain again.

Does this sound like the west coast?

albundy · Post by **albundy** » Fri Jun 01, 2007 11:52 am

But will you all be able to get back over the pass. Advise to read the weather warnings for weekend. Snow predicted down to 200 mtrs.
Al

fweddy · Post by **fweddy** » Fri Jun 01, 2007 11:58 am

albundy wrote:But will you all be able to get back over the pass. Advise to read the weather warnings for weekend. Snow predicted down to 200 mtrs.
Al

Sounds like more fun... "Can't get back to work sorry, have to take the week off."

Should be ok, there are two passes, we have 4x4, and for our group, we have a access to a batch at Arthurs if we can get that far

albundy · Post by **albundy** » Fri Jun 01, 2007 12:05 pm

Even with 4x4 they won't let you over the pass without chains, been caught like that once before. Real shame you will all have to stay on the coast for a few wore days, lucky buggers. I will spend the weekend ferrying my staff to the hospital.
Al

fweddy · Post by **fweddy** » Fri Jun 01, 2007 12:11 pm

albundy wrote:Even with 4x4 they won't let you over the pass without chains,Al

Actually I've been reading up on my locker that you have to be more careful in icy conditions, I can see why too, I can spin up on soft ground very easy.

access4WD · Post by **access4WD** » Fri Jun 01, 2007 1:32 pm

Baldrick & Albundy you guys have made some great posts here,
The only thing I would add is:- 'Watch the weather'.
I have roamed many if not most of the drivable tracks on the coast over the years and the high rising waters will rise fast, and fall fast, but hell they take out stream beds and turn them from grade 1 to grade 5 in that time. So always have a safe route out, as a fall back, do not cross a river if you think you cannot get back safely.
Have a great weekend and mind that heavy rainfall that is forcast.

Paul

Baldrick · Post by **Baldrick** » Fri Jun 01, 2007 2:23 pm

access4WD wrote:Baldrick & Albundy you guys have made some great posts here,
The only thing I would add is:- 'Watch the weather'.
I have roamed many if not most of the drivable tracks on the coast over the years and the high rising waters will rise fast, and fall fast, but hell they take out stream beds and turn them from grade 1 to grade 5 in that time. So always have a safe route out, as a fall back, do not cross a river if you think you cannot get back safely.
Have a great weekend and mind that heavy rainfall that is forcast.
Paul

Have a look:
{SWW Event 2007/27.6}
URGENT - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST IN:
FIORDLAND WESTLAND BULLER CANTERBURY OTAGO

NOT TO BE BROADCAST AFTER 9:00pm Friday 01-Jun-2007

SEVERE WEATHER WARNING.
ISSUED BY MetService AT 1:16 pm 01-Jun-2007

HEAVY RAIN IN WESTLAND BULLER AND THE CANTERBURY ALPS EXPECTED TO
EASE
THIS AFTERNOON OR EVENING.

A cold front over South Westland at midday today should continue to
move northeast to lie over Nelson and Marlborough at midnight tonight.
Heavy rain, now affecting much of Westland, Buller and the Canterbury
Alps,should ease from the south as the front moves on.

FOR THE LATEST WEATHER AND FORECAST CHARTS PLEASE GO TO
http://metservice.com/default/index.php ... servations

MORE DETAILED INFORMATION FOR EMERGENCY MANAGERS AND TECHNICAL USERS
FOLLOWS:

====================
HEAVY RAIN WARNING
====================

AREA/S AFFECTED: WESTLAND, RANGES OF BULLER, AND THE HEADWATERS OF
THE CANTERBURY RIVERS AND LAKES.
FORECAST:

WESTLAND
Heavy rain should ease from the south during this afternoon.
In the 5 hours from 1pm to 6pm today another 60mm in possible in the
ranges
and 30mm in the coastal lowlands.

RANGES OF BULLER
In the 8 hours from 1pm to 9pm today expect a further 60-80mm rain in
the ranges.
Rain should ease to a few showers this evening.

HEADWATERS OF THE CANTERBURY RIVERS AND LAKES NORTH OF MT COOK
Heavy rain is expected to progressively ease from the south this
afternoon.
In the 5 hours from 1pm to 6pm today another 60mm is possible near
the divide and over 30mm within about 15km east of the divide

FREEZING LEVEL/: 2400 metres

=============================
WARNINGS NO LONGER IN FORCE
=============================

HEAVY RAIN WARNINGS HAVE BEEN LIFTED FOR: FIORDLAND NORTH OF MILFORD
SOUND AND THE HEADWATERS OF THE OTAGO LAKES AND RIVERS.

Heavy rain in these areas has now eased.
NO FURTHER WARNINGS WILL BE ISSUED FOR THIS EVENT FOR THE ABOVE AREAS.

NEXT SEVERE WEATHER WARNING WILL BE ISSUED AT OR BEFORE
9:00pm Friday 01-Jun-2007

Forecast prepared by: Oliver Druce

For further information after 2pm contact Duty Forecaster Mark Pascoe

A service provided through a contract with the Crown
(C) Copyright Meteorological Service of New Zealand Ltd 2007

__________________________________________________________________
Please do not reply to this e-mail.

Mail sent to this address cannot be answered.
For assistance, please send your e-mail to service@metservice.com

__________________________________________________________________

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fisho · Post by **fisho** » Fri Jun 01, 2007 3:59 pm

good weather info baldrick. been steady rain here most of the day in westport but has eased now. a lot of the creeks here have short catchments and can rise and fall substantially in a couple of hours- have been caught on the wrong side acouple of times and had to wait it out.the larger rivers here are all running above normal and levels can be obtained by looking at the west coast regional council wesite. happy swimming for the weekend

.

Baldrick · Post by **Baldrick** » Sat Jun 02, 2007 12:23 am

Here's the latest...Pass it on:

{SWW Event 2007/27.7}
URGENT - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST IN:
WESTLAND BULLER CANTERBURY

SEVERE WEATHER WARNING.
ISSUED BY MetService AT 8:10 pm 01-Jun-2007

ALL RAIN WARNINGS LIFTED

The cold front that brought heavy rain to the West Coast and Southern
Alps now lies north of the area and is moving away. All warnings are
therefore lifted.

FOR THE LATEST WEATHER AND FORECAST CHARTS PLEASE GO TO
http://metservice.com/default/index.php ... servations

MORE DETAILED INFORMATION FOR EMERGENCY MANAGERS AND TECHNICAL USERS
FOLLOWS:

=============================
WARNINGS NO LONGER IN FORCE
=============================

HEAVY RAIN WARNINGS HAVE BEEN LIFTED FOR: WESTLAND, THE RANGES OF
BULLER,AND THE HEADWATERS OF THE CANTERBURY LAKES AND RIVERS
NO FURTHER WARNINGS WILL BE ISSUED FOR THIS EVENT FOR THE ABOVE AREAS.

A service provided through a contract with the Crown
(C) Copyright Meteorological Service of New Zealand Ltd 2007

__________________________________________________________________
Please do not reply to this e-mail.

Mail sent to this address cannot be answered.
For assistance, please send your e-mail to service@metservice.com

__________________________________________________________________

---------------------------------------------------------------------
Definitions for the MetService Severe Weather email lists can be found here...
http://metservice.co.nz/default/?static=swxdefinitions

DaveM · Post by **DaveM** » Sat Jun 02, 2007 9:22 am

Thanks for the update, might be heading towards Reefton Sunday, so looks promising

Baldrick · Post by **Baldrick** » Sat Jun 02, 2007 9:39 am

Visit the MetService website:
http://www.metservice.com
{ROADSNOW Event 2007/1.16}

Issued by MetService at 7:26am Saturday 02nd June 2007
Valid until 3:00pm Saturday 02nd June

LINDIS PASS
A southeast change this afternoon (Saturday) is likely to bring some brief
snow
to higher parts of the road. Up to 1cm may settle at the top of the road
between
noon and 6pm.

PORTERS PASS
A southeast change later this afternoon may bring some some brief snow to
higher
parts of the road. Between about 4pm and 9pm Saturday, up to 1cm may settle at
the top of the Pass.

Disclaimer: These warnings provide information regarding expected
weather conditions. They contain no information about current road
conditions or about the amount of snow currently lying on any road.
For Road information telephone MetPhone 0900 999 + your area code.

Elmo · Post by **Elmo** » Sun Jun 03, 2007 8:24 pm

Well that was all a waste of time. Got a LITTLE rain going over on fri night.

Few showers on Saturday, but didnt get wet the whole day we were out 4x4ing.

Sunday, primo as sunny day!

Saw snow on the hills as we came back via Arthers, but nothing to stress about.

No water fell from the sky sunday, but PLENTY of mud went up! and down!