Offroad-Express

hi i'm heading down to tairua at new years (29th - 5th) and i'm keen to go and check out the easy (is it matamata side??) of thompsons , we've got a 2.4 surf 2" lift and a swb pajero both on 31"s with hooks and basic recovery gear. can anyone give us any info on how to get there and what condition the track is in?
if anyone else is up there be keen to tag along

cheers

bobbo

Yeah we did it wkend before last. You SHOULD be alright, i think. We had 4 trucks when we did it Toyoda in his safai standard apart from winch and M/Ts, dixie in his "nice" patrol with just M/Ts (i think ) xj in his heap (lockers M/Ts winch etc etc) and Me in my surf (bit done here bit done there) None of us got stuck on the actual track (we did off the track).

Track condition: rutted in places but if you have mud tyres you should be sweet. Fairly dry although may have got a little more wet since then.

Cheers, Dan

looks like 3rd Jan could be a good day.

check out this forum

http://www.offroadexpress.co.nz/modules ... 1&start=15

also there are 1 or 2 easy tracks around Cormandel worth looking at.

ha ha sounds good yeah hopefully the weather will play the game, how far can i go past the summit from the matata side before it gets a bit hairy? what are the other tracks you talk about? i've heard of the neavesville track and the wires of course.. and is there still some tracks north of coromandel by colville??

cheers

bobbo

Hi,As you go up Thompsons there are quite a few little play areas on both sides of the track,on the right hand side about 3/4 the way up there is a loop track that comes back onto the main track at a different exit point,normally an easy drive but watch out for the big pond it used to be quite shallow but with the amount of use it is getting deeper and soft in the middle,There is however an easy bipass on both sides,We will be at the Pine trees at the start of the track at 7am on the 3rd if your around at that time you could always follow us up and we could point out the start of the loop and other play areas where you shouldnt come to grief..Cheers..../Steve

Going by Andy C's book the neavesville track is a bit of a challenge.

was looking at the 'softer' options like 309 Road, Puketui Road, Kauaeranga Road.

I think the wires/maratoto loop is still closed??

looking at the topograpical map of the lower Cormandel there may be some side roads worth exploring.

your correct ,Maratoto is still closed while the slip damage is repaired,It wont reopen till early to mid Feb,The Staia/Neaseville track also has some slip damage and is currentky quite a challenge,The near by Grapevine is in the same league,if your planning to take large trucks like Nissans etc then expect some panel repairs,All these tracks require well set up winch equiped trucks

mainly looking at 'Sunday drive' trips, nothing too serious

yeah same, sounds like thompsons is the go don't know if i'll be up there at 7 thou! see how it goes...

cheers for the info

bobbo

what about either Tuesday 2 Jan or 3 Jan, start around 1000am on Matamata side?

dunno if ill make it up there early as, as originally intended, but id be happy to mooch along with you fellas on 3rd. 10 at the gate would be cool as i reckon. Maybe callum too.

mark
0274707015

catch themon there way home.... i'll have done something stupid and be stuck up there..

callum007 wrote:catch themon there way home.... i'll have done something stupid and be stuck up there..

your not trying hard enough if you dont get stuck dude

G'day guys,Monstr and I are going through and back on the 3rd, If you guys are still there when we come back (If were not suck) we will have chat and play. What chanel do you guys use on PRS ? we will probly be on 20.I will be away from my computer from 11am today but monstr will pick up messages till Monday morning. Have a Happy New year and will see you up thompsons.
Cheers WayneT

I'll grab a couple of handhelds, and will tune into 20.

See ya there somewhere

i would quite like to join you guys but i'm working on the 3rd so you guys have fun

it is a bit of a shame as i have finally sorted out my issues with my transmission and i have fitted some tow hooks as well

Looks like Thompsons track could be a busy place on wednesday-taken from http://www.4x4.net.nz - informal trips

Thompsons Track mud fest
January 3, 00:00 Waikato
Trip details updated: 31/12/2006 21:40:47 6069

Anyone up for a trip over Thompsons Track (Matamata to Katikati via Kaimai's).
I'll be taking my quad. If you're interested, let me know.
Quads (no 2WD) and tough 4WD's welcome. 4WD drivers should be reasonably experienced and well equipped.

Trip suitable for: Average experience
Meeting place: West side of Kaimai's at beginning of Thompsons Track
Numbers limited to: 4


Trip proposer: Shane Hobson - Honda quad

well i hope they dont get in the way of zilla and monst.....

Its all cool, the more the merrier i reckon. it dont get dark until 9pm..... and the wife wont be setting a time fer me to be back........

is there room for one more? . . . suzuki escudo. mud's, hooks, the basics. al 027 257 3757 give me a text if you want. otherwise ill check back here later.

o well then i be there. hope i can keep the truck in one piece.. i been giving it death over last few days.. click click noise at front, cant get bearings for rear till thursday.. half fixed srings. might go to shed and soa the rear tonight. have made the mounts last night..

why the hell not big al!

Or should we just step back and have a little count up.......

Dixie (?)
Callum
Big AL
Brian
dirtydeeds (x 2 waka)
me
7 at the mo.... with the other traffic up there do we want to defer to thursday perhaps? Or do we tackle the loop... muhahahahaha

Wopass, what you up to? Pete?

either day, im easy, but if we got callum coming from auks and brian shooting up from....... vegas?? Al and deeds from out of town as well, we want to make sure they have a good time and not feel too rushed, up to you dudes......

either wednesday or thursday suits me

i would prefer wed as i put off a client for this..

Bastards, I`m working both days

Fixed my rear diff yesterday too.

original plan it is then gents.....

sorry, just to clarify, wed 10 am at a gate? is it easy to find? if i go down thompsons road off S.H. 2 should i see it? what channel will you guys be on? i will be in a camo suzuki. Thanks

xj wrote:why the hell not big al!

Or should we just step back and have a little count up.......

Dixie (?)
Callum
Big AL
Brian
dirtydeeds (x 2 waka)
me
7 at the mo.... with the other traffic up there do we want to defer to thursday perhaps? Or do we tackle the loop... muhahahahaha

Wopass, what you up to? Pete?

either day, im easy, but if we got callum coming from auks and brian shooting up from....... vegas?? Al and deeds from out of town as well, we want to make sure they have a good time and not feel too rushed, up to you dudes......

working bro, and the missile has the leaky fuel tank out at the mo for repair so im out for a while.

just weld up the hole in the tank.. missile will go real good for few minutes... or is it just me that would do that sort thing..

If your meeting at ten at the gate, Then myself and son james will see you there

I would suggest we come inside the first gate and park up on the grass. channel.... go 40 i reckon, ill only have a handheld. failing that, i think most of us have cellphones, 0274707015