NO4WD - March 2025 Newsletter

Presidents Pen..

Hi everyone

just had a great trip around Otematata station thanks Russell Marr.

We have the AGM just around the corner we will be at least looking for a new person to do the news letter with Ian stepping back from many years of doing a great job of doing it.

So could it be you our next news letter person? 

We had a meeting with Steve from the new Zealand 4wd club to answer our questions about joining our club to it, a vote will be at our AGM . 

But if you still need any more information Russell Marr may be able to answer these 0274328001 .

cheers Greg

Club web site address

To view the club's web site click on this address     www.no4wd.co.nz

Did you know you can log into the web site and check your name and address details..

Enter your email address in the login box or click on 'login' if you have forgotten your password so the system can send you a temporary password...

Once you have logged in click on Personal settings to check your details...

if you change them be sure to click on the button 'update contact details' at the bottom of the screen after you have changed the data in the boxes...

Trips and related photos can be viewed by click on Events Summary ofrom the left menu... then click on 'search' and the system will display aschedule of all the club events held dince 2008.. select the event to view the photos that have been tagged to that event.

If you have any problems with this.. please email me for assistance...

ianvercoe@gmail.com

Upcoming events..

April 5 - 6 Serpentine Area

April - 15th - Club meeting night

April   -  25/26th  Combined Clubs - NO4WD hosts - see below

May - AGM

Trip Report - Otematata Station - March 2025

NO4WD Trip Report – Otematata Station and Rugged Ridges Station.

Sunday morning in Otematata dawned cloudy with the treat of rain in the afternoon so we were
keen to get on the trail. The briefing was held outside the Otematata Store with 11 Member vehicles joined by 7 from the South Canterbury 4 Wheel Drive Club. We managed to depart right on time, and it was off over the Otematata Saddle towards Sailors Cutting and then left Backyards Road and on up to the Station yards. The overnight shower of rain had been enough to keep the dust at bay.
From the yards the track winds up and over a low saddle and then down a long gully to meet the Otematata River. We then followed the track beside the river upstream and over a narrow bridge to the Forks Hut where we stopped for a coffee break. Most of the group had a good look around the Hut and the outbuildings. At this point the weather was just ok but if anything, the sky appeared to be getting a little lighter so we kept our fingers crossed that the promised rain would hold off.
From Forks Hut we continued up the track for about 7km before turning right to follow a gully up to Top Chimney Hut where we had a short stop to enable the group to have a look around. This Hut is like a home away from home, a good kitchen and lounge with a couple of bunk rooms. It even has a bath with a resident mouse!
From Top Chimney Hut the track climbs reasonably steeply up onto the higher country at about 1100 meters. From here we continued to climb alongside the boundary with Otamatapaio Station, past the Stone Man and onto the back boundary of Otematata Station where we crossed into the Oteake Conservation Reserve. At this point we were a little over 1500 meters. Once into the Park we continued to the Ida Railway Hut for lunch at about 12.30pm – on time and still no rain! The sun even threatened to shine during our lunch stop.
After lunch we headed east towards Tailings Hut, past the Chimney Creek Hut turnoff before turning left and a couple of km later we were back in Otematata Station. From here the track drops in altitude from about 1350m to 950m over a 6km distance so offered some good views up towards the Lake Ohau area although this was somewhat spoiled by the clouds rolling in from the Northwest.
We did get a skiff of rain in this section but luckily it passed on towards the East – thankfully we were heading West. At the 6km mark we headed down the staircase zig zag – a 500m drop over 2km so it is reasonably steep. The surface was rocky and a little loose in a couple of places, but everyone descended to the valley floor with no issues. At this point we were back in the gully we had driven up in the morning as we headed to Top Chimney Hut.
From here we headed back down the gully to the Otematata River, then downstream towards Forks Hut and a couple of km before the Hut turned and crossed the river into Rugged Ridges Station and commenced the climb up Harrisons Spur. From the feedback I received this was one of the highlights of the day although I am not sure all of the passengers enjoyed this section! A 750m rise over 5km which took about 25min and some very spectacular views plus a couple of deer on the track to add to the experience. Once we crested the top at Stags Head Gate it was only a couple of km before we started our descent back towards Otematata – and still the rain stayed away!

We then crossed back into Otematata Station and followed the track down towards the Gravel Pit beside the Otematata River Bridge. This section provided some great views of the Lake Aviemore and its surroundings, the Otematata Village, Lake Benmore and the Dam plus the Loch Laird area and even up to Ahuriri Arm.
We had a debrief at the Gravel Pit and following this some departed for home with the balance
heading for the Otematata Pub for drinks and dinner. We had about 25 people at the dinner, and this was a great finish to a very enjoyable trip.
Thanks to everyone who attended and thanks for the kind words of appreciation passed to me for putting this trip together.
My thanks also to the following members for their assistance with this trip:
 Owen, Chris & Ferne for the Pre-Trip check back in February.
 Pam for acting as the Banker – collecting the Station access fees and confirming the evening meal numbers with the Pub.
 Owen for performing the pre-trip vehicle check for suitable tires and towbar recovery points.
 Ron for getting the Trip Register filled in by all the Group.
 Owen and Pam for filling the Tail End Charlie role for the day.
And finally, thanks for the donation for access to Rugged Ridges. The box of Speights is just a small thank you to the Manager which hopefully keeps us in good stead for future access to both Rugged Ridges and Otematata Stations.
Looking forward to the “Next 1”.
Russell Marr.
Trip Organiser/Leader.

Committee 2024 - 2025

President: Greg McFarlane    Ph:0272294399

Vice President: Glen McGregor Ph:03 4395448

Immediate Past President: Les Weir    Ph:03 4342367

Secretary/Treasurer: Harry Van der Pauw  Ph: 0220710321

Trip Coordinator / Advisor: Russell Thompson    Ph:03 4343247, 0221914690 

Committee members:

Jennifer Dorsey    Ph:03 434 8610

Noel Bain    Ph:03 4371849, 02128 9001

Ron Pringle  Ph:021476 635

Social Convenor:  Chris Smyth  Ph: 0294262228

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

Serpentine area info sheet

Trip info - Combined Clubs weekend

Club Jackets, caps and beanies

Jackets, caps and beanies

There is the opportunity for club members to purchase smart black jackets, caps and beanies with the club logo on it for a great prices - Beanie $15, cap $20, Bucket hat $23 GST inclusive

The jacket sizes available are - S,M,L,XL,2XL and 3XL - $55.00

IN STOCK - 1 LARGE JACKET - 1 XL JACKET - as at 24/6/2024

Orders are being collated by emailing your name and size to no4wdoamaru@gmail.com or send a text - ring Greg McFarlane  0272294399

Trip grading schedule