Trip Report - Ribbonwood Station - Ohau - 23rd May
Ribbonwood Station - Jimmy Sinclair - Sunday 23rd of May 2021
Donald Taylor was handed the job of organising this trip on Jims behalf, 'the cunning bugger'.
As no one put there hand up to write a report, I will write it giving the organiser Donald Taylor a glowing report about his disorganised trip.
From the start it looked as though it would be a major undertaking to get permission to run this trip through Ribbonwood Station from reports of the locals. The dealings, once I got on side with Grant Murray, the manager, were excellent and a nicer guy you would find hard to meet. He went out of his way to help the North Otago 4WD club.
From a 9 a.m. start in Oamaru, and everyone was on time, and similar at the pick-up point in Kurow, then on to Omarama to meet at the north end of the Arthur River bridge for smoko, where we lost one member but he was Ribbonwood Station when we arrived at 11 a.m. 24 vehicles in all. The moral of this is, always follow the vehicle in front even if you think they are lost or ask a question.
Grant Murray, the manager gave us a large aerial photo of Ribbonwood and explained to Donald, Richard and Russell where to go. Should be easy to follow shouldn't it. After we checked his directions several times as none of us have been there for 30/40 years, we made it through the second gate before I had to ask Richard and Russell which way now?. Up the hill to a turn-around where we stopped for the club spiel from the disorganised organiser and to extract the $5 per vehicle trip fee by fair means or foul, only occasionally having to resort to the threat of interest, imprisonment or hanging, Richard Wade extracted all the money. We were asked if we would take credit cards but this from now on will be acceptable only if the PIN number is included and we will keep the card. Proposed new club rule number 101.
On up the hill on a good track where the view to the north looking at Lake Ohau just got better and better. Mt Cook showed up with the Dobson Valley in the foreground. Quite a few taranaki gates were encountered but our professional gate opener Jennifer Dorsey was on hand once again to open more than her fare share.
Arriving at the high point of 1600 m we were confronted with which way to go. Richard, Russell and myself consulted maps, photos and memories. We chose the old adage of when in doubt go South by southeast, seemed to work and if you get lost just follow water for 3 days and you will come out somewhere. By now wind blown snow covered 75% of the track in the cuttings and as in an ideal spot to circle the vehicles lunch was declared with the view to the southwest of the ahuriri valley at the North end the north east of the Mackenzie country.
After lunch we continued on this track which was buy now heading downhill until the convoy was bought to a holt by a rock damage tyre. A rapid fix was made and we continued on. Les Weir had suggested that the front vehicles continue while the tire was changed but I declined that good advice as the run manager had had a report from some motorcyclists that the track was ok but the track down to the creek had a slump on it and was impassable.
So on went the 'intrepid 24' until the track narrowed and rocks on the track became a problem. Then one unnamed person dropped the outside wheels of his vehicle over the edge of the track which was undermined. The unnamed driver managed to get the wheels back onto the track. Bugger, Defender too wide, will have to revert to Mitzi.
David Dunn, a new member to our club, said he would run ahead to check the track as he had looked at it through his field glasses and said it doesn't look too good. The report from the dispatch runner confirmed that it was impassable for our vehicles and more like donkey country. Reverse was selected. Most vehicles had to reverse approximately half a kilometre to an area that we were able to do a tight turn around ably assisted by Noel Bain and Ron Pringle. At this point it was decided to retrace our steps to the saddle by 'False Diadem'. It was then on Les Weir's wise call that we carry on down as we only had 2 hours of daylight left. We had a late smoko at 4pm, (sorry Peter) and as the sun went down the group travelled over the saddle into the East Ahuriri and down to the huts to drop off the aerial photo loaned to us by Grant Murray.
The group then travelled on down the valley fording the East Ahuriri to Irelands bridge over the main are Ahuriri River. On our travels we saw three rabbits and the biggest black cat I have ever seen tearing across the river flat. It possibly could have been the fabled 'Lindis Pass Black Panther'. The debrief was held at the main highway by Dunstan Downs. A very scenic trip. We were joined by another new member Guy and Claire Pereival. Once again we were ably assisted by Glen McGregor as tail end Charlie, I thank you.
I appreciate the company of a large turnout from our club to tour an area even the locals don't usually get to. The trip was slightly disorganised as no time was available by myself to run a recce over the proposed trip area due to snow in the previous two weeks.
Any complaints can be in forwarded in triplicate by post so that I can light the fire with them. Thanks to Richard and Russell for their input and Jimmy Sinclair for suggesting the trip in the first place.
Donald Taylor
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