will bring my spade and a couple pairs of gloves
Maratoto access
i have just been speaking with Mr Sanson and he had no idea that the track clearing was happening. . . . he does now. i think he is going to have a rally around to see if any of the other waikato bodys are able to join in as well,short notice but hope to see some of them.
will bring my spade and a couple pairs of gloves
will bring my spade and a couple pairs of gloves
If you already know everything, DON'T ask bloody questions!!
-
PeterVahry
- Hard Yaka
- Posts: 688
- Joined: Wed Mar 01, 2006 12:00 pm
- Location: Auckland
Yes the project is still all go. The digger has not been in so we will need to walk from the ABC rock to the Loop gate, about 15-20 min. To avoid a traffic jam we'll try to fill vehicles if we can.(limited turning and off trail parking)
Main task is to cut back part of the Loop to give digger access. Other trimming where needed too.
Meeting at 9.30 Sunday 14 Oct at the Wires Rd ford.
Peter
Main task is to cut back part of the Loop to give digger access. Other trimming where needed too.
Meeting at 9.30 Sunday 14 Oct at the Wires Rd ford.
Peter
-
PeterVahry
- Hard Yaka
- Posts: 688
- Joined: Wed Mar 01, 2006 12:00 pm
- Location: Auckland
The digger is going into the Loop because DOC requires it. They have been requesting that water related problem be addressed for several years and it was going to be done last year but the major slip repairs took all the funding.
We are required to put in some water controls on the stretch down to the Tairua River and sort out where vehicles have widened around wet areas.
It's a case of doing what we need to or lose access. We are in there courtesy of DOC and there are a lot of people who don't think we should be there!
We are required to put in some water controls on the stretch down to the Tairua River and sort out where vehicles have widened around wet areas.
It's a case of doing what we need to or lose access. We are in there courtesy of DOC and there are a lot of people who don't think we should be there!
sweet as, will see you there at 9.30
what sort of blockage is there that will stop us from driving right in ? must be a pretty serious slip ? surely 20 odd guys with spades could remedy this pretty quickly ? make getting into the work spot easier in the long run ? just throwing ideas out there.....
what sort of blockage is there that will stop us from driving right in ? must be a pretty serious slip ? surely 20 odd guys with spades could remedy this pretty quickly ? make getting into the work spot easier in the long run ? just throwing ideas out there.....
If you already know everything, DON'T ask bloody questions!!
-
PeterVahry
- Hard Yaka
- Posts: 688
- Joined: Wed Mar 01, 2006 12:00 pm
- Location: Auckland
PeterVahry wrote:Large deep mud hole at the base of a rock face! It would require winching all vehicles through and take longer than the walk! I know it seems contrary to the objective of four wheeling but quicker and cleaner than playing around in mud.
take one large mud hole,add 20 unfit guys with spades and PRESTO hole drained and filled and driveable
If you already know everything, DON'T ask bloody questions!!
im gonna get soaked just driving there -
BlackCruiser
- Hard Yaka
- Posts: 163
- Joined: Mon Mar 05, 2007 12:00 pm
Hi Guys,any pics off your efforts?
My biggest apollogies for not assisting in ya worthy cause,it was a toss between making bars for the VX so i can go play next weekend at Ngaroma or go and hold a spade whilst Benny dished orders and yes ive got pics to pr
ove it.
My biggest apollogies for not assisting in ya worthy cause,it was a toss between making bars for the VX so i can go play next weekend at Ngaroma or go and hold a spade whilst Benny dished orders and yes ive got pics to pr
ove it.92 Toyota VX,1HDT,3x Locked,Winch,stock
78 Toyota BJ40,3L Diesel,Gleason Locker
78 Toyota FJ40,V8,Locked,Winch,35"
84 Toyota BJ40,3L Diesel,Lefthook33"
76 Toyota FJ40,Custom,Winch,33" Mudz
78 Toyota FJ40,Chev V8,5 spd, Winch,33"
78 Toyota BJ40,3L Diesel,Gleason Locker
78 Toyota FJ40,V8,Locked,Winch,35"
84 Toyota BJ40,3L Diesel,Lefthook33"
76 Toyota FJ40,Custom,Winch,33" Mudz
78 Toyota FJ40,Chev V8,5 spd, Winch,33"
A couple of guys have approached me in regard to access to the track on the 13th of december. I advised them as far as i was aware the track was still closed in order to allow some of the recent repair works to stabilise.
Can anyone advise roughly when the track is expected to be opened to the public this summer??
Can anyone advise roughly when the track is expected to be opened to the public this summer??
lax2wlg wrote:Is that like saying 'she's hot, for a crackwhore??
-
PeterVahry
- Hard Yaka
- Posts: 688
- Joined: Wed Mar 01, 2006 12:00 pm
- Location: Auckland
The earthworks are completed and if the weather is not too wet this week it is hoped that the gate could be opened for the weekend of 8 Dec.
The phone service is 027 5242132
When you do visit the Maratoto please remember that a $10 per vehicle donation is appreciated, as the annual maintenance costs are the responsibility of the 4x4 community. There is a yellow box on the corner of Maratoto and Wires Rds.
A lot of work has gone into addressing water management and mud problems that have been causing concern for DOC and Environment Waikato. Please respect that effort and avoid creating mud holes. Stay on the main trail.
If you plan to go into the Loop make sure you know how to unlock the exit gate. 5242 Please keep it locked at all times to keep ill equipped visitors out. A small group went into the Loop to clear some fallen trees last week and emerged dented 12 hours later! It must not be taken lightly.
The phone service is 027 5242132
When you do visit the Maratoto please remember that a $10 per vehicle donation is appreciated, as the annual maintenance costs are the responsibility of the 4x4 community. There is a yellow box on the corner of Maratoto and Wires Rds.
A lot of work has gone into addressing water management and mud problems that have been causing concern for DOC and Environment Waikato. Please respect that effort and avoid creating mud holes. Stay on the main trail.
If you plan to go into the Loop make sure you know how to unlock the exit gate. 5242 Please keep it locked at all times to keep ill equipped visitors out. A small group went into the Loop to clear some fallen trees last week and emerged dented 12 hours later! It must not be taken lightly.
-
PeterVahry
- Hard Yaka
- Posts: 688
- Joined: Wed Mar 01, 2006 12:00 pm
- Location: Auckland
PeterVahry wrote:A revision of the previous posting.... the digger did not get out as planned and still has work to do. With rain forecast for several days now, the Maratoto will not open for the weekend of 8 Dec.
Sorry about that!
Cheers for keeping us in the loop
On my way to work this morning i was contemplating running a small trip up there on Sunday the 9th, so just aswell
Are there any areas in particular that need to be kept an eye on?? We generally try and take a sack of rocks per vehicle from the ford when we head up and throw them in developing wet spots.
lax2wlg wrote:Is that like saying 'she's hot, for a crackwhore??
-
PeterVahry
- Hard Yaka
- Posts: 688
- Joined: Wed Mar 01, 2006 12:00 pm
- Location: Auckland
There are some small potholes forming along the trail generally and they can often be fixed with a bag of rocks. The stones harden the holes and also help hold silt in the holes.
The most suspect area is below the ABC rock where big earthworks have been done and the soils are still settling. There is still a bit of water seeping through. Two cuts have been made and the higher one is closed to allow it to settle for some months and then it can hopefully cope with traffic and water.
Any rock can be used to harden those areas. DOC have an aversion to the plastic sacks so if you use those please empty them and recycle. Jute sacks can be left on the track or in holes.
The most suspect area is below the ABC rock where big earthworks have been done and the soils are still settling. There is still a bit of water seeping through. Two cuts have been made and the higher one is closed to allow it to settle for some months and then it can hopefully cope with traffic and water.
Any rock can be used to harden those areas. DOC have an aversion to the plastic sacks so if you use those please empty them and recycle. Jute sacks can be left on the track or in holes.
-
PeterVahry
- Hard Yaka
- Posts: 688
- Joined: Wed Mar 01, 2006 12:00 pm
- Location: Auckland
-
PeterVahry
- Hard Yaka
- Posts: 688
- Joined: Wed Mar 01, 2006 12:00 pm
- Location: Auckland
Ok, the Maratoto gate will be opened on Friday 21 Dec but please take care not to rip the track up as it's still softer in places than is ideal.
The planned work program was not completed unfortunately because the digger was interfered with while it was parked several kilometres up the track. Damage was done to the engine computer and it took several days to get the machine out in "limp mode". The cost of repair is still unknown.
Remember that a donation of $10 per vehicle is requested to help with maintenance costs and there's a box on the corner of Wires and Maratoto roads.
The Loop trail is very rough and winches are essential. You must ensure that you can open the exit gate on the Loop before entering at the top end. Code 5242 and the padlock is tight to open and close. Keep the gate closed to stop ill-equipped vehicles entering that area, as there is a history of calls to the Police for assistance from people who "just went for a look"!
The main gate may be closed in periods of wet weather or if the fire risk requires closure.
To confirm that the main gate is open, call 027 5242132 before driving to Maratoto.
The planned work program was not completed unfortunately because the digger was interfered with while it was parked several kilometres up the track. Damage was done to the engine computer and it took several days to get the machine out in "limp mode". The cost of repair is still unknown.
Remember that a donation of $10 per vehicle is requested to help with maintenance costs and there's a box on the corner of Wires and Maratoto roads.
The Loop trail is very rough and winches are essential. You must ensure that you can open the exit gate on the Loop before entering at the top end. Code 5242 and the padlock is tight to open and close. Keep the gate closed to stop ill-equipped vehicles entering that area, as there is a history of calls to the Police for assistance from people who "just went for a look"!
The main gate may be closed in periods of wet weather or if the fire risk requires closure.
To confirm that the main gate is open, call 027 5242132 before driving to Maratoto.
-
PeterVahry
- Hard Yaka
- Posts: 688
- Joined: Wed Mar 01, 2006 12:00 pm
- Location: Auckland
Re: Maratoto access
I'm hoping that the Maratoto trails are coping with the summer traffic and not showing signs of cutting up after the repairs that were done in late 2007. If people notice potential problems I'd be happy to be advised. The aim is to keep at least the main trail free of mud holes so that there are no complaints in regard to mud getting into waterways.
One small task that users can do, is to load a bag or two of river stone from the pile by the ford on Wires Rd and then empty that stone into potholes that you come across along the way. Please don't leave synthetic sacks on the trail but empty them and recycle. DOC are happy for hessian / jute sacks to be left in potholes or used for retaining areas.
Remember too that a condition of 4x4 use is that there must be no more than two tracks at any point and nothing cut down without DOC approval. There must be one track always in a good condition but the other bit can be "harder".
Hopefully every user is making at least a $10 donation towards the ongoing maintenance... there is a yellow box on the corner of Maratoto and Wires Roads.
As an update
... there is an absolute fire ban on the Maratoto and similar areas on the Coromandel at present, so please ensure all vehicles have a functional fire extinguisher and light no camp fires!
One small task that users can do, is to load a bag or two of river stone from the pile by the ford on Wires Rd and then empty that stone into potholes that you come across along the way. Please don't leave synthetic sacks on the trail but empty them and recycle. DOC are happy for hessian / jute sacks to be left in potholes or used for retaining areas.
Remember too that a condition of 4x4 use is that there must be no more than two tracks at any point and nothing cut down without DOC approval. There must be one track always in a good condition but the other bit can be "harder".
Hopefully every user is making at least a $10 donation towards the ongoing maintenance... there is a yellow box on the corner of Maratoto and Wires Roads.
As an update
... there is an absolute fire ban on the Maratoto and similar areas on the Coromandel at present, so please ensure all vehicles have a functional fire extinguisher and light no camp fires!Re: Maratoto access
Three of us went up the Wires track on Saturday.
The track is in supurb condition, and with respectfull driving, should remain so for a few years to come. Ses has done an awesome job with drainage and reworking the track ino benches in certain trouble spots!!!!!
We drove the main track to the top in just over an hour, had some lunch. Due to the easy going condition of the main track, we decided to head back down to the gate at the bottom end of the loop track and drive down to the river and back with hope of a challenge. The steep decent down to the river provided some entertainment as usual with some good angles and a few lines to choose from. The bogs had all been filled apart from the monster bog right before the river. Got tempted to push a bypass around the bog, but due to some painted markings on the ground, figured there was already a future plan for that.
On a side note, even though all the bogs have been filled, the ground is still very water logged and with our small group passing through in both directions, it was starting to cut up already.
From the gate to the river and back took us 1hr 20min including sorting a out a possible bypass around the last bog.
We were still in search of MUD, so made the call and headed back up to the top then ventured into the top end of the loop. We had to be carefull as i was in the 50 and self recoverable with the winch, but the other two vehicles (Discovery and a Rugger) didn't have winches, the 50 being super light weight isn't much use in towing big vehicle through bogs or up hills.
We ventured in for and hour or so, untill we reached a pretty big hole that neither the Disco of the Rugger could get through, so i had to turn around and drive back through and they reversed out a fair way before they could turn round.
Was a good end to the day, radiators full of mud and wet floors.
Will post some pics of the track condition in the next day or so
Oh, and Peter V, the lock on the gate was no where to be seen, it was wide open, so we left a note incase someone had headed in and taken the lock with them, but there were no fresh tracks and the gate was still open when we came out, so i would say someone has had a little "protest" and throw it into the bush
The track is in supurb condition, and with respectfull driving, should remain so for a few years to come. Ses has done an awesome job with drainage and reworking the track ino benches in certain trouble spots!!!!!
We drove the main track to the top in just over an hour, had some lunch. Due to the easy going condition of the main track, we decided to head back down to the gate at the bottom end of the loop track and drive down to the river and back with hope of a challenge. The steep decent down to the river provided some entertainment as usual with some good angles and a few lines to choose from. The bogs had all been filled apart from the monster bog right before the river. Got tempted to push a bypass around the bog, but due to some painted markings on the ground, figured there was already a future plan for that.
On a side note, even though all the bogs have been filled, the ground is still very water logged and with our small group passing through in both directions, it was starting to cut up already.
From the gate to the river and back took us 1hr 20min including sorting a out a possible bypass around the last bog.
We were still in search of MUD, so made the call and headed back up to the top then ventured into the top end of the loop. We had to be carefull as i was in the 50 and self recoverable with the winch, but the other two vehicles (Discovery and a Rugger) didn't have winches, the 50 being super light weight isn't much use in towing big vehicle through bogs or up hills.
We ventured in for and hour or so, untill we reached a pretty big hole that neither the Disco of the Rugger could get through, so i had to turn around and drive back through and they reversed out a fair way before they could turn round.
Was a good end to the day, radiators full of mud and wet floors.
Will post some pics of the track condition in the next day or so
Oh, and Peter V, the lock on the gate was no where to be seen, it was wide open, so we left a note incase someone had headed in and taken the lock with them, but there were no fresh tracks and the gate was still open when we came out, so i would say someone has had a little "protest" and throw it into the bush
lax2wlg wrote:Is that like saying 'she's hot, for a crackwhore??
-
PeterVahry
- Hard Yaka
- Posts: 688
- Joined: Wed Mar 01, 2006 12:00 pm
- Location: Auckland
Re: Maratoto access
Thanks for the update on Maratoto. A couple of points... the aim is to not have mud on that route for environmental reasons (it's DOC land) so please don't go to Maratoto if you are looking for mud holes, even though we know there are still some there! It is recognised that the first stage of digger work past the loop gate is not ideal with soft sections still, but it is unfinished due to the digger engine being damaged by idiots trying to start it. The work had to be abandoned and the digger extracted.
The loop gate is open because the lock has been stolen and not yet replaced. The reason for the gate is to make people think hard about entering that section as there have been many examples in the past of people going in in and getting stuck then calling the Police for help! The gate should be pulled closed for that reason, even if it can't be locked.
Auckland 4WD Club are going in on 16 March to prepare some places to plant Kauri and Kahikatea up by the loop gate area so a new lock may be installed then too.
The loop gate is open because the lock has been stolen and not yet replaced. The reason for the gate is to make people think hard about entering that section as there have been many examples in the past of people going in in and getting stuck then calling the Police for help! The gate should be pulled closed for that reason, even if it can't be locked.
Auckland 4WD Club are going in on 16 March to prepare some places to plant Kauri and Kahikatea up by the loop gate area so a new lock may be installed then too.
Re: Maratoto access
PeterVahry wrote:Thanks for the update on Maratoto. A couple of points... the aim is to not have mud on that route for environmental reasons (it's DOC land) so please don't go to Maratoto if you are looking for mud holes, even though we know there are still some there! It is recognised that the first stage of digger work past the loop gate is not ideal with soft sections still, but it is unfinished due to the digger engine being damaged by idiots trying to start it. The work had to be abandoned and the digger extracted.
The loop gate is open because the lock has been stolen and not yet replaced. The reason for the gate is to make people think hard about entering that section as there have been many examples in the past of people going in in and getting stuck then calling the Police for help! The gate should be pulled closed for that reason, even if it can't be locked.
Auckland 4WD Club are going in on 16 March to prepare some places to plant Kauri and Kahikatea up by the loop gate area so a new lock may be installed then too.
Sorry Peter, i wasn't trying to have a go at anyone in regard to the gate or the soft ground past the gated end of the loop, or for that matter encourage people to rip up the tracks trying to create mud.
Take my post at face value:
1. We had a good day
2. I am impressed at the work that has been done to the track and its condition
3. I encouraged people to drive the track in a responsible manor
4. Noted that extra care/caution was required in from the gated end of the loop as there were sections that were still soft.
5. Mentioned if you were in search of mud and a challenge, rather playing on the main track or worse, playing in some of the areas that have by-passed and since planted, go into the top end of the loop and have your fun there if you must.
6. We left the gate as found, as per general practise when passing through a gate.
WE ARE NOT ALL IRESPONSIBLE
lax2wlg wrote:Is that like saying 'she's hot, for a crackwhore??
-
PeterVahry
- Hard Yaka
- Posts: 688
- Joined: Wed Mar 01, 2006 12:00 pm
- Location: Auckland
Re: Maratoto access
I too was not suggesting that anyone had been irresponsible and appreciate the report. My reply was simply for general information about the points raised. Keep up the reports please as the users are our eyes and allow problem areas to be identified. When DOC people go in and raise questions it is good to be able to recognise the problem areas and consider maintenance solutions.