Waipra river trip sunday the 15th!!

rudrty · Post by **rudrty** » Tue Oct 10, 2006 7:50 pm

hi guys
anyone interested on going for a play down the waipra river bed this sunday if its not in flood an weather is ok?
ill see how many ppl are interested then decide on a time.

mud_slinger · Post by **mud_slinger** » Tue Oct 10, 2006 8:24 pm

hey i mite be keen jus depends if i put all the vital organs back into engine bay in time haha

gomulletgo · Post by **gomulletgo** » Tue Oct 10, 2006 11:08 pm

just to clarify: Waipara river?

MULLET

4x4boy · Post by **4x4boy** » Wed Oct 11, 2006 8:00 am

Could be keen. Have to check with the Boss.

rudrty · Post by **rudrty** » Wed Oct 11, 2006 2:53 pm

yeah so wether looks like its going to be good. 11oc ok with every one?? take a left at the hamner turn off then take your 1st left again ithink it is that takes you to the river bed.

billyvanboheman · Post by **billyvanboheman** » Wed Oct 11, 2006 7:17 pm

Where are you planning on going from the meeting point?Up river or down river.
How far are you looking at going and will ATs and no snorkel be OK?

May be keen but just getting the word out so everyone knows what the plan is before setting out.

I understand there are some Eco sensitive areas on the river so best to have a plan and post it so those in the know can help.

rudrty · Post by **rudrty** » Wed Oct 11, 2006 7:46 pm

im guessing ill be going down stream like i have on the few times before. i realy have no idea though, mainly looking for guys who want to come explore. An yes ATs an no snorkel is fine unless when we reach the beach you decide to keep going??

billyvanboheman · Post by **billyvanboheman** » Wed Oct 11, 2006 8:14 pm

Nice one, if I decide to keep going at the beach I will make sure I bring my daughters water wings along, they should do the trick :lol:

I will see how I go, still have to re weld the inlet on the air filter box, which I was planning on doing in the weekend when I can get close to the welder which is in Mayfield (Ashburton area).

If I can get it done before then i will be keen.

with prior approval of course, but my keen 4WD better half did mention this string!!! :shock:

kaney · Post by **kaney** » Wed Oct 11, 2006 9:52 pm

any one got any idea how long it would take to get there from town( uni area)

jeep4079 · Post by **jeep4079** » Wed Oct 11, 2006 10:42 pm

kaney wrote:any one got any idea how long it would take to get there from town( uni area)

about 1 hour I think.

albundy · Post by **albundy** » Thu Oct 12, 2006 5:36 am

why don't you head in from stringers, head up towards the gorge, have lunch then head back down to the beach.
Al

Leithfield · Post by **Leithfield** » Thu Oct 12, 2006 6:26 am

As @ the 10th October, entry/exit from Stringers is restricted by fallen trees/tree branches which came down in recent strong winds; easy fix with a chainsaw or quality handsaw, but wasn't carrying either at the time. There is still one entry/exit point available but it involves an interesting wee drop + deep fording (read lapping over my bonnet) on entry, plus the double bonus of deep fowarding (angled across-current) between two fallen willows + a very slippery climb if exiting.

Had gone shooting after work on the 10th, following the route from SH1 bridge to Stringers - got all the way up to Stringers on a slowly rising river only to discover that the exit was well and truly blocked :shock:

. Faced with the prospect of retracing my steps or risking a tricky exit, I went for the latter; thanks to a combination of high wading height + lockers was able to crawl out - wouldn't have attempted it were it not for the prospect of heading back down a rising river in the dark though.

billyvanboheman · Post by **billyvanboheman** » Thu Oct 12, 2006 7:05 am

Hell if it was lapping your bonnet it would have been 3/4 way up my windscreen :lol:

As usual it pays to check current conditions, cheers for the heads up Leithfield.

I also take note of this post.

http://www.offroadexpress.co.nz/modules ... pic&t=3648

Leithfield · Post by **Leithfield** » Thu Oct 12, 2006 7:44 am

billyvanboheman wrote:I also take note of this post.

http://www.offroadexpress.co.nz/modules ... pic&t=3648

Fortunate thing about the Waipara is that spring-time nesting is largely confined East of the SH1 bridge (unfortunately, this is the area that multiple recreational users frequent en-masse in the warmth of Spring); if one stays on the well worn path between the SH1 bridge and Stringers, the environmental impact is minimal.

billyvanboheman · Post by **billyvanboheman** » Thu Oct 12, 2006 7:54 am

Thanks Leithfield, good advice, I enjoyed the trip between SH1 and Stringers on the training day, good mix of hard and easy for shiny and well equiped, I had not considered packing the chainsaw as part of the 4WD equipment, might have to think about that :lol:

access4WD · Post by **access4WD** » Thu Oct 12, 2006 9:28 am

Correct with regard to the bird nesting. Just stick to tracks especially in open shingle areas at this time of year. Research with nesting birds has shown that doing that creates fewer issues for nesting birds. If you notice birds are active and flying about, then move on, as there may be nests near by.

Have a good day out.
Paul

Ps. It is interesting that it is actually fishermen who create issues as they stop and fish and what happens is a bird will fly away off the nest, and the egg gets cold, buy the time the fisherman moves on and the bird returns to the nest it will continue to nest but off course the egg is dead. However if the egg was crushed say by a vehicle, or a dog or whatever the bird notices that and will actually re-nest and re-lay an egg. Hence if you stop and notice birds about it is best to move on.

billyvanboheman · Post by **billyvanboheman** » Thu Oct 12, 2006 9:44 am

Great piece of Info Mr acess4WD, keep up the good work, great to see your input here to help keep everyone informed!!!

access4WD · Post by **access4WD** » Thu Oct 12, 2006 9:47 am

No Problems. Only too pleased to help.
Paul

rudrty · Post by **rudrty** » Thu Oct 12, 2006 4:23 pm

ok guys so whats the plan???

11oc in the river bed just off (sh1) then head down stream as far as every one wants to go???

spankmeister · Post by **spankmeister** » Fri Oct 13, 2006 2:26 pm

So just to confirm. This trip would be OK for AT's, no snorkel etc? Do you reckon it would be OK to have the family (1 x 3 years, 1 x 2 weeks) tag along?

rudrty · Post by **rudrty** » Fri Oct 13, 2006 2:45 pm

yeah you should be fine the river is normaly quite low an if you stick to the main track its reasnibly hard unter foot to.

4x4boy · Post by **4x4boy** » Fri Oct 13, 2006 3:37 pm

Not going to make it out there on Sunday. A bit costly to run the V8 that far so going to do something a bit closer to home. Have a great time anyway guys.

rudrty · Post by **rudrty** » Fri Oct 13, 2006 4:01 pm

im just woundering how many people are coming out on sunday so if your definatly going to show up to the waipara "play an exploration day" can you PM me please. just so we know how many trucks to wait for an dont leave with out anyone
cheers
scott

SMOKEY · Post by **SMOKEY** » Fri Oct 13, 2006 4:34 pm

rudrty, hi I'v spoken to you a couple of times up Worsley track, I walk the wee Spoodle dog. Good luck with the trip, with this norwester the river level could be a bit high. A warning from one that knows. Any one doing river trips with out a snorkle has bought a ticket in the bad luck lottery and the odds on winning are pretty good. Don't want to be a stick in the mud, just hate seeing the end result of a guts full of water and it takes very little.
DON'T GET WET,
FITZY.

rudrty · Post by **rudrty** » Fri Oct 13, 2006 5:30 pm

cheers for the heads up. ill still be going because , well. . . . . my trucks alot biger than my brain an i have a bad habbit of just dealing with problems instead of avoiding them hahaha
hope there is still a few people interested in coming. if so as i said before. pm me

kiwipete · Post by **kiwipete** » Fri Oct 13, 2006 7:22 pm

Gotta agree with smokey here, was there last wknd with Elmo for a quick play after our hilly adventure, and the river was about twice normal height with slight colour.

kaney · Post by **kaney** » Sat Oct 14, 2006 7:02 am

so it a no go with out a snorkle?

Leithfield · Post by **Leithfield** » Sat Oct 14, 2006 8:45 am

Up the Waipara last night - water level not too far off normal again; few soft patches after recent flooding. Also agree with Smokey, river sans snorkel is a gamble.

kaney · Post by **kaney** » Sat Oct 14, 2006 7:21 pm

i wont be going

cant afford to kill the motor, may be after i get a snorkle. i will just go for a play tomorow somewhere potentialy less dangerous lol

billyvanboheman · Post by **billyvanboheman** » Sun Oct 15, 2006 6:29 am

Sorry I am unable to make it, :roll:

if the trip goes ahead guys, make sure there are plenty of photos, :idea:

we all like to see what we missed.
Good luck, it looks like a good day for it.