Canterbury Recreational 4WD Club Issue July 2011

Chairperson’s Address AGM, then financial members only able to From Ian White participate.

A brief report this month, Thank you to those who mainly focussing on the attended our birthday upcoming AGM, and the meeting last month, new financial year. another informative night and a delicious supper As the year draws to a provided by the RSA for close, a thank you to the us. outgoing Committee for its support, and for the years The Committee meetings, work. held once a month, are now also held at the RSA. The end of one year also means that subs are due Thanks for the upcoming 12 months and these can be Ian paid direct to the treasurer at the monthly meeting, or by direct banking to our account, the number being 031592 0320343-00.

Just to reconfirm, if any votes are required at the

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Committee Written Correspondence Chairperson Ian White 379-6190 Please address written correspondence to: Canterbury Recreational 4WD Club. Secretary Bruce Herbert 942-5951 P.O. Box 4455 Treasurer Tony Hinz 385-3384 New Zealand Trip Co-ord Neville Hammond 352 5191

Memberships Blair Donovan 313-1006 Website & Contacts Combined Karl Andrews 021-111-9943 Visit our website at: http://cr4wd.org.nz Committee [email protected] – General inquiries Jeff Cumings 322-1755 directed to the Chairperson James Hamilton 352-1443 Simon O‟Connell 981-4847 [email protected] – Information Mick Howard 327-0717 about membership and to update contact Robin Jones 304 5752 details

Editor Bob Jones 304-5752 [email protected] – News Letter submissions and inquiries

Club Meetings (1st Wednesday of the New Applicants month) The following people have expressed an The next meeting will be held on interest in joining our Club. Any comments to the Committee please, within two weeks of Wednesday 3 rd August 7:30pm at the the date of this newsletter. Papanui RSA, 55 Bellvue Avenue, Papanui None this month

Probationary Members Newsletter The following Probationary Member(s) are Letters and articles for newsletters should be coming to the end of their Probationary emailed to the editor at: period. Any comments to the Committee please, within two weeks of the date of this [email protected] newsletter.

PLEASE send any photos as a separate attachment. None this month

The closing date for articles to be included in the next newsletter is 26th New Members August 2011. We would like to welcome the following new member(s) who have completed all probationary requirements:

None this month

Canterbury Recreational 4WD Club 2 crossing technique, Bob handed out a sheet with proposed schedule and some interesting historical facts Ramble concerning areas we would be visiting (some were a bit gruesome!). June 3, 2011 18 vehicles then headed for Birdlings Report by Robin Jones Flat. And the troopy as lead vehicle almost immediately got bogged down At 10 AM on a beautiful Sunday in the loose shingle! morning 21 trucks gathered at the Old Little River Train Station, enticed out by the good weather and the close proximity to Christchurch in this time of high fuel prices. It was a very diverse group with very experienced members, probationary members, guests who are possible future members, lots of families and a couple dogs. The ramble was rated Grade 1-2 as most of the travel would be on metal roads; copious rain in the preceding week Jason Marsden ruled out the possibility of using the proposed farm tracks or the primitive After backing and retrying 3 times to stock tracks. A potential summer trip... follow the main track we finally gave up and Scott pulled the troopy out The only potentially tricky spot of the backward. Some of the smaller, lighter planned trip was crossing vehicles were able to then cross and to Oashore and the Bossu Rd. Two help realign the track, and a couple days previously 3 trucks including Bob were able to follow a higher route to in his troopy, Mark Farge and friend in the other side. Unfortunately Bill‟s their vehicles crossed both ways to Terrano got well buried on that higher assure the route would be easily track and required a 3-vehicle tow with passable on trip day, and earlier this a long strop. All of us made it across morning Bob and Robin walked to the finally with Neville releasing vehicles causeway to ensure that no further one at a time and reviewing the new erosion had occurred with the recent strategy opposite to the “experts” additional rain... so it was all a go. previous advice; using maximum Two of the vehicles present were jandel down the rise and through the deemed to have inadequate tow hooks loose bottom to allow making the rise for this crossing and were given on the far side. directions for the Kinloch to Bossu Finally all vehicles were on firmer Roads with recommendations for good ground, and like a herd of turtles we viewpoints as they awaited the convoy. headed up the Bossu Rd to the top of Dougall with his young co-pilot also the hill with its beautiful views back opted for this route. After trip over Lake Ellesmere and Kaitorete Spit orientation and a discussion of the to the mountains. Continuing on the

Canterbury Recreational 4WD Club 3 Bossu Rd along the top of the ridge we Here a couple more vehicles headed peered over some of the southern bays back to Christchurch while the rest of Banks Peninsula then turned into turned up the hill on the opposite side Peraki Station, the site of the first of Le Bons onto the Dalglish Rd permanent European settlement in (named after one of the original settlers Canterbury and an old whaling shore whose descendents still farm here), base. Permission had been received then onto the Hickory Ridge Rd, a to go the beach, and here beside the public access track through the station historical marker and the rather rough to a knoll overlooking remote Hickory beach we stopped for lunch. Bay and a typical Banks Peninsula pastoral landscape. After a tea and photography break we retraced our steps to Le Bons Bay, then turned onto Panama Rd and back onto Camerons Track to complete the loop to the Summit Rd.

Mike Molloy

Reclimbing the hill we turned right on the Bossu Rd and headed toward Lands End on the western headland of Harbour. The views over the hills and harbour were clear, but Jason Marsden already when looking north a bank of “sea smoke” was evident on Pegasus Fog had begun to creep into some of Bay, with the higher mountains behind the bays, and one in the group still visible. In French Farm we received a text message from an stopped to make good use of the earlier-exiting member that the Summit public facilities, and here the trucks Rd near Hilltop had already begun to with the youngest children headed get icy. Keeping this in mind we home while the rest carried on by cautiously followed the Summit Road turning right on Hwy 75 and then left around the top of the old Akaroa on the Rd. volcanic cone. On the saddle between There followed a loop drive on the Pigeon Bay and Akaroa Harbour cloud basic metal roads between Okains and and fog were slowly streaming over the Le Bons Bays; leaving Okains on the road for about a kilometre, looking Big Hill Rd, turning onto Camerons beautiful and eerie. There were some Track with its lovely views back over very short icy spots, luckily in straight Okains, then onto Lavericks Ridge Rd parts of the road, then a longer icy which goes out a long peninsula first stretch near the Montgomery Park trail overlooking Lavericks Bay then area. Being forewarned and driving descending on the Le Bons Bay side. slowly, all the trucks successfully made

Canterbury Recreational 4WD Club 4 it across and at Hilltop divided with About 15 Km in we came across some heading 2 kms back toward roadworks with a “please stop on Akaroa to the Jones for a BBQ, and request” sign. Someone commented the others turning right back to over the radio that the lollypop man Christchurch. would not get overworked!

Eight gates and about 30 shallow water crossings later we reached the Okuku River. The river was running at approximately 7cumecs and about knee deep. Everyone crossed safely and a couple of drivers crossed again at speed for a quick car wash.

Mike Molloy

Many thanks to Steve who provided copious amounts of tasty Tegel sausages and chicken for the barbie, and all who provided salads, chips, beans, etc. It was a good ending to the day, just too bad that more couldn‟t join us! These winter days are just too David Keast short... After a cuppa we headed down the Lees Valley Road and stopped for lunch at the top Ashley picnic area. The sun was shining and with little haze, the snow on the hills stood out Lees Valley clearly. After lunch the group carried on, crossing the Ashley River heading July 17, 2011 towards Oxford, stopping to look over Report by Mary Keast the plains near Bottle Hill.

Fourteen vehicles met up just out of Rangiora on what turned out to be a beautiful day. Trip leader Neil handed out an information sheet on the area and a list of animals for the younger passengers to spot and call in on the radio. We then headed off through Loburn and on through forest and over the Okuku Pass Road. Neil Wilson

Canterbury Recreational 4WD Club 5 From here some people headed home group of 4wds about 1 third of the way while the rest had a quick de-briefing at through, the guys who hadn‟t seen the the Cust Hotel. lake and the new guys walked to the lake, by the time we got back the other Thanks to Neil for organizing and group had arrived at the hut. running a very enjoyable trip. We all headed back to the main hut and just before we got there we took a

group picture of all the 4wds parked on a hill, was a great site. I‟m looking Lake Daniels & forward to getting back there in the summer and see the difference! My Thompsons Flat overall opinion was it was really a great Saturday July 23 place to learn a few new things and I

Report by Damo Walsh had a wicked time!

It was my first time to Lake Daniels/Thompsons flat and what a great place it is! There were 6 of us there on Saturday and I think just Thompsons Flat about all of us got stuck, it was pretty Sunday July 24 awesome! Report by Wayne Wilson

The tracks are really good for a Sunday dawned calm, misty and oh so standard 4wd or a modified 4wd and quiet. Beautiful. you don‟t need to know much as the Walked with my dogs down onto the people on the trip with you can give flats and found evidence of the night you a lot of advice (and ways to get drivers “fun”, an alloy side step lying stuck). beside the track. Then back to the

cabin to discuss the day‟s events. Some decided to go pick up body parts left on the flats then leave by the easy route and the rest were to take the hard way out.

Five people in four trucks made a start at 10.30 heading for home the hard way: Richard & Eric in the wee Suzuki, Wendy White Damo in the Surf, Mick in his Safari & me, Wayne, in my Safari. With the sun It was good seeing a little Samurai shining through the trees we weaved pulling out a Safari, I had my doubts our way but it had the beans to do it!, it took us down the river enjoying not only the about 3 hours to get to the hut at the stunning views but also the balmy 4- end of the flat and we saw the 2nd degree temperature. Ably lead by

Canterbury Recreational 4WD Club 6 Richard we made pretty good time because he has real steel bumpers. down to the turn off from the river Proof that newer is not always better. where we stopped .Richard then said His mod‟s wish list has also grown. . “this is it, if you want to change your minds this is the last chance”. No one We stopped for lunch a little after 12, did. So we followed the track out of the enjoying the great weather, and then river and into the bush and started the headed on. „hard way‟ The track had moved in places, the river gauging out the entrances and Immediately Damo and I, (us being the exits, requiring some discussion about newbies) found out why this route alternatives. Most choices we made takes its name as we all squeezed were correct, like left branch or right, or through deep, narrow tracks, crawled cross here or down there. But Mick past clinging branches chose to jump a sunken log partially and wadded rock strewn river blocking one exit. Lots of splash but no crossings. This track had not seen a lot success. Looked impressive. of use lately. Then Richard told Damo, who was following, to cross down river a bit because the water looked a little deep opposite the crossing exit then he proceeded to drive straight across. The Suzuki dived into the water, deep enough to take a little into the snorkel, popped back up like a cork and with lighting reflexes Richard had it reversing back onto dry land. An amazing escape. Too quick for us to get a photo. Richard Moffat

We all realize that modern 4wds have way too much plastic on them and mine is no exception. This weekend had already pruned off a little more but the „hard way‟ track certainly gave the remainder namely flares & rear bumper a nasty fright. They are still on but will need TLC. Also my side steps look the worst for wear. This means I can justify some more „necessary modifications„ to Robyn, my loving wife. Yah. Wendy White

While Damo, in his early 90 s Surf, did have some traction issues he had no Not deterred we carried on down river problems with damage to his truck and made a successful crossing. A bit

Canterbury Recreational 4WD Club 7 further along the track disappeared into We continued down river after passing the river and just past a nasty set of the gate to the logging track and rapids a possible exit looked hardly quickly found some very gnarly tracks promising. After much discussion and through the trees, with a lot of planning and rock moving in that mudslinging and the Suzuki on two freezing water we made our move. The wheels around a corner, we exited exit was steep and soft, requiring back into the creek. The river has winching of the Suzuki and towing of changed a lot since previous trips due the Surf. Mick said his div lock should to a flood at some stage and the allow him to do it unaided and it riverbed was very washed out in probably would have but at the crucial places. And being the first time I have moment with foot hard down he forgot driven the creek this direction, parts of to engage the lockers. So the other the track were not recognised until Safari came to the rescue. Soon after looking behind us. We shortly found we came out onto the main track and another track in the trees but half way washed headlights and windows through this proved impassable, as the chatting about what we had just ruts more resembled a swimming pool. completed. The weather had closed in a little and looked and felt like snow was possible so we were happy to head to the garage, pump up tires then get over that pass and home. With Damo leading, Mick and I following (apparently Richard and Eric were going to have a slow trip home) we were over the pass with no snow in sight and while stopped at Waikari‟s Star and Garter for a „rest‟ it turned white in minutes. An amazing finish to an equally amazing trip. My first Richard Moffat Thompson Flat trip and not my last. After backing out we continued down the creek bed with Damo and I finding a way around a bank that had been gouged across the track, Mick then levelled the bank off by dropping the Lake Daniels Safari straight down it. A quick stop for lunch and a daring walk across the The Hard Way Out river on a fallen tree for Wayne who Report by Richard Moffat almost got the dogs to follow across. Further down we came to a river We departed the hut around 10.30am crossing I recognised that was usually leaving the easy way out guys walking quite deep, I drove straight in the flat in search of a couple of Toyota expecting the water to splash over the running boards lost the night before. bonnet but the whole of the front of the

Canterbury Recreational 4WD Club 8 Suzuki disappeared under water so deep, it got to the top of the snorkel! Birthday Party The Suzuki didn‟t touch the bottom and popped back up like a cork, floating Report by Robin Jones about a metre or more downstream At the July general meeting the until I had enough traction to back out. th After removing water from the air filter CR4WD Club celebrated its 9 we found a shallower spot to cross and birthday. Savories and sandwiches continued. After more relatively were purchased from the Papanui RSA uneventful driving we came to a point as repayment for the free use of their where the riverbed narrows and we meeting rooms twice monthly. had to negotiate some large boulders in the river before a tight turn and a scramble straight up the bank. We set up an anchor point first in the form of a rope around a fallen tree, then I drove the Suzuki over and around the boulders to the bank and winched up, Wayne followed and managed to drive straight up, Damo was next and after a few knocks in the river, was pulled up by Wayne, Mick then tried to drive the Safari at full noise straight through the bank rather than up it, and required a tow from Wayne, only during the tow Jason Marsden realising he had forgotten to put his locker in. A stop at the ford to wash The birthday cake was cut by 4 of the windows and lights, and it was off to Club‟s original members: Jill Powers, Springs garage for air and a hot Pie. Mike Sheppard, Graham Furness, and Bill Scott (the fifth bloke is the spirit of warriors past). Footage from past trips was provided by Mike and provoked many interesting stories…

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CANTERBURY RECREATIONAL 4WD CLUB CALENDAR

Trips to be confirmed (TBC) will have final details in future newsletters.

Trip Date Status Trip Details Trip Grade Phone No Contact

Aug 6-7 Reischek Hut 3-4 TBC

James Aug 13-14 Hermitage Hut 3-4 352 1443 Hamilton Aug 21 Pahau River 2-3 TBC

Sept 3-4 Godley/Macaulay Rivers TBC

James 352 1443 Hamilton & Sept 11 Basic Training/Probationary Members Bruce 942 5951 Herbert James 352 1443 Hamilton & Oct 1-2 Advanced/Refresher Training Bruce 942 5951 Herbert Reefton/West Coast James Oct 22-24 2-5 352 1443 (several trips geared to different skill Hamilton levels) Fishing Weekend Nov 5-6 TBC St James Conservation Area

Please contact the trip leader (or co-ordinator) to have your name included on the trip list and to confirm meeting place and time arrangements. If unable to make trip please let trip leader know.

Trip Grading System (numerical) 1 Easy shingle or formed tracks: No damage or scratches likely 2 Formed tracks or river bed with water or mud to mid wheel level, possibly some soft shingle or ruts: Some bush marks & scratches possible 3 Rocky river beds and / or rutted tracks. Slippery conditions with water to bumper level (i.e. possibility of water in vehicle) mud tyres recommended: Low risk of damage to sills & corners and / or bush marks and scratches. 4 Formed and unformed tracks with slippery conditions, rocky river beds. Mud and water up to tyre depth, mud tyres essential, snorkels recommended. Medium risk of damage to sills & corners and / or bush marks and scratches. 5 Unformed tracks, rough boulder riverbeds, slippery conditions, deep mud holes. Mud tyres and snorkels essential. High risk of damage to sills & corners and / or bush marks and scratches. Note! Trip grading is based on the following premise - Fine weather and normal river level conditions. As weather conditions can change dramatically, the trip grading may be amended by the trip leader on the day. Should this occur the trip leader may deem some vehicles unsuitable for the altered conditions or cancel the trip completely. (In either instance the Club will endeavour to accommodate those affected, either with an alternative trip or in other member‟s vehicles) Please Club regulations require the following minimum equipment to be carried on or in, every member‟s or probationary member‟s vehicle on every trip. a) Safe towing points front and rear; ie: rated tow hooks properly mounted or rated shackle mounting points or NATO pintle mounts or towing jaw with drop pin. b) Rated D-shackle and recovery strap. c) Shovel or spade. d) Fire extinguisher and First Aid kit Spark arrestor for diesel vehicles (regardless of whether turbocharged)

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Photo of the Month Jason Marsden

Banks Peninsula Overlooking Hickory Bay

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