The trip over to Westport started great - Weather fine - looking a little overcast, but room to improve (or get worse)
Then at Inangahua Junction - got stuck behind an "Inangahua-ite" travelling at 60 - 65 km through the Buller Gorge – Bugger these slow drivers!
Got to Westport in time to grab some food for the day, and head around to the Motor Camp.
Found where everyone was parked - and introduced ourselves to each other. (Must admit - it took a wee while to figure out who "My Dad" should be called/named by people other than Tim.
)
After a bit of organising - we were off. 11 trucks in all - heading for the great unexplored reaches of Waimangaroa - well - not really - but Nuts showed us this great little stretch of deep brown water - or very liquefied mud - aptly named The 1K Track.
(Apparently it is a real "killer" trying to do it from North to South.)
Tried out the video option on the digital camera – but ended up taking a 4-second shot of mud-playing, and a 30 second video of my right foot walking down the road – doh! :geek: :scratch:
A couple didn't make it there, due to refuelling & such-like, but met us at the other end.
From there, it was off to Waimangaroa - and after a brief comfort-stop, and air-down time - we were off up the hill to the Goat Track.
I have never been to this area, although I have heard of it before.
What a great gnarly track.
:thumright: :thumleft:
The Rock Step caught a few unawares - and 1 vehicle had some major hassles getting up the step. With no rated tow hooks - others were a little reluctant to hook a rope onto it.
Fortunately, an alternative route was found to get around the Step - which was duly taken with some guidance and direction from suitably qualified people.
Onwards & upwards to the Old Quarry - where many had a ball playing on the hill and the various humps/bumps & holes. :salut: :bounce:
One member decided to create a new track and as a result of his efforts needed to help check the functionality of a Nissan PTO winch. (Or was it just an excuse to check the winch-rope for any old damage??
)
After lunch - we headed down the hill, and exited a really tricky little sharp right-turn out onto the main track.
Stopped off and checked out the old disused Burning Mine - which still stinks! :tongue:
A little further along - taking all the fords rather than wimping out and using the bridges (unlike a couple of not-to-be-named Nissans) it was time to stop at another little mud-hole for the obligatory "Who can get the Dirtiest truck" play. :pig:
Then follow the road down through to the Mackly River Crossing.
Despite the river running at an almost all-time low, there were a few "Minty-moments" that occurred. Not naming anyone - but let's say it was 1 each for Toyota & Nissan!
After a wade/paddle across - or up, down AND across- the river like one truck it was time to start back towards Denniston.
During the uphill stretch, there were a few minor mishaps - graunchy handbrake housing on a Nissan, over-heating on a Toyota, and a hot Auto Trans on another Toyota. Then there was a problem with another Large Nissan - some electrical problem I gather (the words: mud, water, alternator & Black coal-burning Nissan LWB seem to be synonymous for some reason)
At about the 1/2 point, the group spilt up, with some making a run back to Westport for some minor repairs, and children duties, while others went to the top of Mt Rochfort.
I understand that the view from there was incredible - with flat seas - the sun setting on the blue ocean. All sounds like another great 4WD trip on the West Coast.
Sunday dawned clear and blue, with no wind. :cheers:
Re-grouped at the Motor Camp, and sorted out the "Plan" for the day.
There were a couple of changes from the previous days' line-up, with Hose Hustler staying back for the day, and a Nissan being parked up "for a wee rest"
Anyway, in all - 10 trucks headed off to Reefton, where a morning tea/early lunch stop was made, and then it was off to Waipuna to check out the tunnels.
Easy drive in, having to avoid a few other vehicles coming out, until we got to the Tunnels.
As with the "best laid plans" things tend to be fluid, and changeable.
It was decided to go up the gorge, and have a break at the bottom of Napoleons’. Then those that wanted to do Napoleons’ could, while the others waited at the bottom.
The trip through the gorge was very dry - with numerous comments being made about the low-level of water through there.
Another group of trucks were making their way out, but moved over and waited for our convoy to go through. - Thanks guys :thumleft:
A few hair-raising moments were had by one self-confessed "Learner" - but with some assistance and guidance, and the intervention of people who know what they are doing, any potential problems were overcome without miss-hap.
Although there was a report of a minor re-alignment of a rear step liner on a LWB Nissan in there somewhere.
Lunch was had, and as all things must come to an end, it was decided that those going up the hill would go - and the rest of us would make our way out, and wait at Ikamatua for the others - in the event that any problems were encountered.
That being sorted - we spilt up, with 4 trucks going up Napoleons’, while the rest made our way out.
Once we met up with those that had been up the Hill - we headed for home - very tired and weary, but memories of a GREAT weekend 4-wheel-driving with a great group of people.
Thanks to the organisers: Hose Hustler (sorry to hear about the engine troubles) Elmo & Nuts for putting together a great weekend. :cheers: :thumleft: :thumright:
Special thanks also to Nuts for the use of the water blaster & tools for minor repairs & his hospitality. :king: :thumright:
Link to photos:
http://www.offroadexpress.co.nz/modules ... _album.php
hey coal is cheap here y not run on it 
