NO4WD - March 2021

A witch (somewhere) has upgraded.....

Presidents Narrative..

Hi everybody,

Richard and Alison Wade's trip in February 21st to the  Omarama Saddle and Upper Manuherikia went very well. Many thanks to Richard and Alison for the trip and the morning tea...

Many thanks to Erik Wikstrom for his trip report and thanks to Russell for sharing his pics.

March April is looking busy for trips...

Brent Wilson from the Central Otago Four Wheel Drive Club has confirmed the combined clubs trips for the weekend of March 20th / 21st are proceeding. Details are listed below.

The weekend will be based in Alexandra.

A registration form can be downloaded from the front page of the web site

Stephen Phillips has organised a great 2 day trip for the weekend of March 27th and 28th.

These trips travel through tracks that the club has never been to before....

The details are listed below 

Russell Thompson has a great trip planned for April - Autumn colours of the Dunstan Trail

looking forward to seeing you all on the next trip

President Les Weir

Club web site address

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Upcoming events..

March 16th - Club night - Oamaru Club  7.30pm

March 20th - 21st - Combined clubs weekend - Alexandra

March 27th / 28th - South Canterbury / Tekapo area

April 17th / 18th - Dunstan Trail - Central Otago Autumn Colours

April 20th - Club night - Oamaru Club  7.30pm

May 18th - Annual General Meeting - Oamaru Club  7.30pm

From the archives #1 March 2020 - Events were cancelled due to covid

Trip reports - Omarama Saddle - Upper Manuherikia

This trip was organized and led by Richard Wade and involved Omarama Saddle, Upper and Lower Manuherikia, Oteake Conservation Park and Oterehua. We all met at Richard and Alison's place about 9.30 on Sunday morning for another delicious Scone/coffee/tea party before departure. Just great, as always !

 There had been 21 cars registred to come on the trip, but later on 2 cancellations. So I assume there was 19 vehicles on the trip. At lunch I tried to count the number of people and came up with about 35.

As per Richard's strict instructions, we left his place at 10.15 am with the understanding that it was going to be a big day, and it was. We turned off the Lindis Pass  highway into "Broken Hut Road" and drove to the end where one has the choice of taking either the East or the West track over Omarama Saddle. The elevation of the Saddle is about 1400 metres on the eastern track and about 1250 metres on the western track.

We set out on the western track, passed the Top Hut and on to Boundary Hut where we stopped for a short break. As we drove on it was decided to stop for lunch at "Homestead Garden " camping ground which is about 10 km south of Omarama saddle on the western track. It was a nice place for lunch under some shady trees.

After lunch we headed south along the Manuherekia River , passed Falls Dam on it's eastern side , crossed h/way 85 at Hills Creek (?) and ended up in Oterehua. 

Most of us bought an Ice Cream from the wellknown, and historical (?) Gilmores  shop. The Publican across the road must have been disappointed the we didn't come into his place ! (Maybe somebody did ?)

Our return trip then started, going north across h/way 85 again and towards St Bathans but turned east before that town and then past Homestead Garden Campground again and on to the East Manuherekia Track and headed north towards Omarama Saddle.

At about this time someone (Richard ? ) suggested that the women in the group could take over the driving. Apparently some did, and all went well. Myself, being concerned about the wellbeing, convenience and safety of my wife Mareeta, suggested that I'd keep driving . Hmmm

Overall I think the trip went well and was enjoyable. The tracks were not bad, a bit hard and dusty. Numerous Fords and Creek crossings (and river branches } but no troubles as far as I am aware. We  arrived back at Omarama about 7 pm. Overall I think we totalled about 170 km and went through about 20 gates. It was a nice trip with beautiful views and nice companions.   

Many thanks to Richard Wade and his wife Alison.     Regards, Erik Wikstrom

From the archives #2 March 2011

March 2011 - 10 years ago - The combined clubs weekend was hosted by the Central Otago 4 Wheel Drive club - Glen Dene Ridge Track

Trip Info schedule - Combined Clubs weekend Alexandra - March 20 / 21

Itinerary
Friday 19th March from 6pm
Informal registration, drinks and informal get together at Monteiths, 26 Centennial Avenue,
Alexandra.

For menu see https://www.mbba.co.nz/ ph. 03 448 9189
Please make a reservation directly with Monteiths if you intend to eat there.

Saturday and Sunday Trip
The trips will be easy to medium (Grade 2, possibly but unlikely grade 3).

See gear list attached.

If in doubt, please ask! Usual convoy rules apply. Channel 12 for communications.

Depending on conditions and landowners’ requirements spark arrestors may be compulsory.
Saturday 20th March
8.30am at the Ice-Skating car park at the northern (Clyde) end of Alexandra for briefing and
vehicle count before embarking on the days trip.

We have 2 options on the table this stage -
either Forest Range Station to Hawea via the Lindis Pass

or Mount Difficulty Station behind Bannockburn.

An update will follow once the trip is confirmed.
BYO lunch, drinks, cameras and warm clothing.
6pm (ish) onwards Alexandra District Club, 35 Centennial Avenue -TBC
Bistro meal, drinks and get together - Meals range from $16 to $30 see menu here
https://alexandraclub.net.nz/restaurant/
Order and pay at the counter.
As part of Club NZ there are reciprocal rights with other clubs throughout NZ. (Alexandra
District Club, Club Southland, Oamaru Club etc. If you are not a member then please indicate
on your registration and we will need to sign you in so you can buy drinks etc.

Sunday 21st March
9.00 am at the Ice-Skating car park at the northern (Clyde) end of Alexandra for briefing,
vehicle count before embarking on the days trip.
Up to the new Fraser River Hydro scheme for a tour then linking up through private
farmland to the Obelisk before heading down Symes Road and out to our club grounds (or
the Lower Manorburn) for lunch -depending on the river levels and track conditions.
BYO lunch, drinks, cameras and warm clothing.
Plan to finish early to mid-afternoon to allow for the drive home -

Note Otago Anniversary 22nd March.

Gear List
Required
No Dogs or Firearms, Current Registration and Warrant of Fitness, Valid Driver’s Licence
3rd party Insurance minimum, Tow hooks / recovery points, Jack & jack base
First Aid Kit, Basic tool kit / vehicle spares, Fire extinguisher, Soap / towel / toilet paper
Water, Strong Footwear, Shovel / Spade
Recommended
Remove tow ball, VHF Radio -Channel 12, Recovery strop / joining stick, Rated D, Bow or soft shackle, Radiator Blind / Sack, Torch, Spark Arrester, A bag of lollies for the gate openers

Please make sure that all participants have warm clothing and abide by the trip leaders’ instructions.
Normal Convoy rules apply, please keep the vehicle behind you in sight and communicate on VHF Radio or flash headlights if you need assistance.

Please make your own accommodation plans and bookings in Alexandra

This information and a Registration Form are available on the front page of the clubs web site

Committee 2020 - 2021

President: Les Weir    Ph:03 4342367, 02743422188

Vice President: Greg McFarlane    Ph:03 4372734, 0272294399

Secretary/Treasurer: Garth Dovey    Ph:03 4371851, 0274795159

Newsletter: Ian Vercoe     Ph:03 4452796, 0211708030

Trip Coordinator: Ron Pringle    Ph: 021476635

Trip Advisor: Russell Thompson    Ph:03 4343247, 0221914690 

Committee members:

Noel Bain    Ph:03 4371849, 02128 9001

Eric Wikstrom    Ph:03 4324191, 0274576007

Social Convenor:  Les Weir

Life Members: Neville Daniel, Laurie Young

Club web site and link to past eNews issues   www.no4wd.co.nz  

Trip Info schedule - Tekapo / South Canterbury area weekend - March 27 / 28

Day 1 - Lake Tekapo - Mt Hay - Two Thumb Range - Saturday 27th March

Leave Oamaru 7.45 am Waitaki Transport Holdings

Depart Tekapo - Round Hill Ski field road 10.00 am

Bring your smoko / lunch and camera for the cracking views....

Pets must be on a lead

Truck fee $30.00

Accommodation options

Mt Hay farm accommodation - shared rooms - $25.00 pp byo bedding and evening b/f food

Phone Mary May 021 0354343 (first in first serve)

Alternate option is to book your own accommodation in Tekapo. Top 10 Camp 03 6806825

Optional Group evening meal in Tekapo Saturday night

Day 2

Depart Tekapo at 9.00 am

Travel to Albury then traverse via farm track through to the Hakataramea Valley

Bring your smoko and lunch

Truck fee $30.00

Both days:

Vehicle / Equipment requirements as per the clubs standard schedule

Low Range Gearbox a must

Good A/T tyres a minimum, high ground clearance an advantage

Some steep ascents and descents. No damages likely

Gravel and expect  some rocky track surfaces

Tow balls to be removed

Pets on a lead please

Members may wish to do either Day 1 or Day 2

RSVP to Stephen Phillips  027 220 55 73 - phone, leave a message or txt ASAP please

Trip info schedule - Dunstan Trail - Autumn colours - April 17 / 18

Leaving Oamaru New World South Hill 8.30 am Saturday morning April 17th

Pick up points Palmerston, Clarks Junction

Concludes Clarks Junction on Sunday afternoon Sunday April 18th

Bring smoko and lunch for each day

Costs - your accommodation / evening meal for Saturday night in Alexandra - please make your own bookings

Weather conditions - light rain, wind ok

Trip suitable for all members

No Damage likely

Gravel track, a few fords, average ascents and descents

Equipment schedule - Standard club schedule minimum

recommended good all terrain tyres

Trip Grade 2 - If wet parts will be grade 3

The Dunstan Trail starts at Clarks Junction and travels through to the Styx and continues to Alexandra via the Poolburn. There are lots of points of interest and side trips available.

Please contact Russell and Chris Thompson indicating your intentions to attend

03 - 4343247, 022 1914690

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