oldblue
If you look at Brent Cs trip and photo's , It started at the Howard Valley, then continuaed on to finish at Westport.
you're right i missread what he had.
Future caves trip
U-BOAT wrote:BrentC
Another good drive is Howard valley Road to Westport through Denniston - need key to gate and instructions on the river crossing - long day
howard valley? 1st time i've heard the "Mackely" or commonly called "New Ceek" track called that. as for the river crossing its not that bad - unless the river is up. i've had me motorbike through there a couple of times. the trick is to not cross the river in a direct line from road to road. from wpt-new crk you head hard left upstream then you do 180 so to speak and head back down on the other side of the mackley river to the road at blue duck creek, this avoids a nasty hole.
The Howard Valley Road is an extra trip - past Lake Rotoroa and through tthe Braeburn track to Tutaki along Mangles valley Road to Longford - left through Murchison to O'Sullivans Bridge.
If it was me - I would make it a really long weekend
Saturday to Hanmer and up the Rainbow to Tophouse then camp at Rototiti
Sunday through to Wesport or push trough to Greymouth Top10
Monday Napolean Hil - then home to Chch
got a few months left i think!
BrentC wrote:If it was me - I would make it a really long weekend
Saturday to Hanmer and up the Rainbow to Tophouse then camp at Rototiti.
Sunday through to Wesport or push trough to Greymouth Top10.
Monday Napolean Hil - then home to Chch
How would you describe this trip in terms of driver expertese and vehicle capabilities?
Ok people, move along. Nothing to see here. Thank you, move along.
Ph 0212078472
Ph 0212078472
kiwipete wrote:BrentC wrote:If it was me - I would make it a really long weekend
Saturday to Hanmer and up the Rainbow to Tophouse then camp at Rototiti.
Sunday through to Wesport or push trough to Greymouth Top10.
Monday Napolean Hil - then home to Chch
How would you describe this trip in terms of driver expertese and vehicle capabilities?
See http://www.nzgpsmaps.com/4wd/gear.htm
Say Grade 2 to 3 - with Nap Hill - maybe a 3/4 if it has been really piddling down and if some HiLux's on monster tyres have torn it up
- the caves area about a 2 providing river isn't up. the rest were good stable tracks - shingle roads - in January 2005 - should still be ok - no doubt someone with recent experience will advise.
The track up to Denniston was a long steepish climb - I suppose you could make a left instead of a right turn - but with my tracklog loaded to your vista - shouldn't get lost.
Just that Mackely/New Creek crossing to get your head around if you haven't done a lot of river crossings - looks worse than it is - still need to get wet and walk it though.
To Rotoroa
Mackely River
Into nap hill
Last edited by BrentC on Mon Aug 07, 2006 3:10 pm, edited 1 time in total.
that 3/4 grade only applies to a couple of short rutted down hills in nap hill if it has been real wet and the river crossing if river up