Up coming four wheel drive trip fundraiser ~ weekend of 6-7 March 2010
For perhaps near on 20 years my cousin Mike and a handful of enthusiastic friends in North Otago Search and Rescue have pioneered organising 4 wheel drive trips [drive your own] all over the remote areas of Otago. Apparently they've guided about 7500 vehicles over this time, and that'd equate to well over 14,000 people!
Since permission from high country farmers is hard to organise [finding out who owns what], and there are so many complex routes and tracks, they're very popular with the public - you pay your money and rock on up. They're not all about pitting one's vehicle against the terrain either, but about enjoying a day out in the hills. I like to sign up to see remote areas myself, and like to be the tail ender helping shut gates etc..
This autumn [best season - good traction means no damage to terrain, vehicles or nerves] Mike invited me and my camera on the pre runs which are right on my back door step, and as I prefer to ride with him to catch up in a brotherly way, rather than drive myself, we talked about trying a blog to see if it'd be useful for folk who are contemplating coming, to see a few photos.
So below is all the guff for anyone keen and a selection of photos made last weekend during the recce. of the two trips offered on the Sat. and Sun. of the weekend 6-7 March 2010.
Actually re-post to a different blog [btw I use MarsEdit to blog - it's Mac and marvellous, and I can post about 4 times faster than in blogger, to numerous destinations]
Day One: Dunstan Mountains - from Cromwell Gorge to Thomsons Gorge road via Leaning Rock.
Dunstan tops...
Lake Dunstan...
Leaning Rock...
Track up to Leaning Rock...
Arriving at Leaning Rock...
Gentian...
Past Leaning Rock...
Recce crew has lunch...
Stamper Battery Thomsons Gorge...
Trip ending at Northburn Station Vineyard...
Day Two: Pisa Range - southern end.
On the tops at 1900 mts...
Possible morning tea stop in this ancient glacial cirque...
Looking across at the Dunstans and Leaning Rock...
Fragile alpine bog...
Looking towards Roaring Meg country...
Fragile vegetation abounds...
Register 8 to 8.30 am for a 9 am start each day at the Cromwell sports grounds on Alpha St.
Cost $35 per adult per day. Under 16 no charge. Deposits to John Simpson, 6 Forth St.. Oamaru. Chqs. made out to N.O.S.A.R.
No dogs allowed.
For Sat. night we recommend the Cromwell Top 10 Camping Ground ph 0800 107 275, and is very close to the assembly point.
Should the weather be unsuitable it will be held the following weekend 13 - 14 March. In event of cancellations please tune into Radio Central [More FM] Port FM or Classic Hits FM [4ZB].
John Simpson: 03 437 1689
Mike Firman: 03 434 7385 or 027 220 1948
Photos and blog creation Donald Lousley email
Since permission from high country farmers is hard to organise [finding out who owns what], and there are so many complex routes and tracks, they're very popular with the public - you pay your money and rock on up. They're not all about pitting one's vehicle against the terrain either, but about enjoying a day out in the hills. I like to sign up to see remote areas myself, and like to be the tail ender helping shut gates etc..
This autumn [best season - good traction means no damage to terrain, vehicles or nerves] Mike invited me and my camera on the pre runs which are right on my back door step, and as I prefer to ride with him to catch up in a brotherly way, rather than drive myself, we talked about trying a blog to see if it'd be useful for folk who are contemplating coming, to see a few photos.
So below is all the guff for anyone keen and a selection of photos made last weekend during the recce. of the two trips offered on the Sat. and Sun. of the weekend 6-7 March 2010.
Actually re-post to a different blog [btw I use MarsEdit to blog - it's Mac and marvellous, and I can post about 4 times faster than in blogger, to numerous destinations]
Day One: Dunstan Mountains - from Cromwell Gorge to Thomsons Gorge road via Leaning Rock.
Dunstan tops...
Lake Dunstan...
Leaning Rock...
Track up to Leaning Rock...
Arriving at Leaning Rock...
Gentian...
Past Leaning Rock...
Recce crew has lunch...
Stamper Battery Thomsons Gorge...
Trip ending at Northburn Station Vineyard...
Day Two: Pisa Range - southern end.
On the tops at 1900 mts...
Possible morning tea stop in this ancient glacial cirque...
Looking across at the Dunstans and Leaning Rock...
Fragile alpine bog...
Looking towards Roaring Meg country...
Fragile vegetation abounds...
Register 8 to 8.30 am for a 9 am start each day at the Cromwell sports grounds on Alpha St.
Cost $35 per adult per day. Under 16 no charge. Deposits to John Simpson, 6 Forth St.. Oamaru. Chqs. made out to N.O.S.A.R.
No dogs allowed.
For Sat. night we recommend the Cromwell Top 10 Camping Ground ph 0800 107 275, and is very close to the assembly point.
Should the weather be unsuitable it will be held the following weekend 13 - 14 March. In event of cancellations please tune into Radio Central [More FM] Port FM or Classic Hits FM [4ZB].
John Simpson: 03 437 1689
Mike Firman: 03 434 7385 or 027 220 1948
Photos and blog creation Donald Lousley email
Labels: Central Otago, Cromwell, Dunstan Mountains, Leaning Rock, Pisa Range, Roaring Meg, Thomsons Gorge
posted by Donald at
9:21 PM
6 Comments:
Dear Donald
The last two postings are like trips down memory lane. Such unique country. I covered a lot of that ground in my late teens with the Otago T & MC. What great horizontal landscapes.
Its a pity I wasn't more interested then in the landscapes than the pretty girls on the trips.
Chers and thanks.
Bob
Hi - A comment on your comment ( is this the right place to comment on comments?) - There is another connection to the Elwing although very distant and Barbara and Arthur would not remember - but a long lifetime ago when I was a brand new, terrified , primary school teacher - I got sent to portobello school for my first 2 years of proper teaching. Arthur and Barbara were parents of very young children at the time and I got to teach their then very young daughter Ann - who by now must be 30ish? There was a,little brother Edward if I recall as well. Maybe a new baby also. I dont think I was much good at teaching in those days. I also did not have an appreciation of any of my skills and talents. I remember them because funnily enough you remember every single kid in your first ever class and only some beyond that time.
Cheers Marg
Hi Bob
Your comment bought a grin to my face - thanks!
I did quite few trips with OTMC people - almost joined in fact, but never did as I did not live in Dunedin.
I think all the pretty girls must have followed yourself, as they were not evident when I fronted up. Anyway I'm sure we both now more fully appreciate the environment more, with our eyes wide open.
Cheers
Donald
Hi Marg
This seems an OK place to comment on comments.
I'm sure as we teach in any manner or form we'll never know quite the effect we have, so in your case I choose to believe you were n fact a very good first year teacher, and just kept improving - it maybe you recall those names because of enthusiasm and that is always an ingredient when magic happens.
And what a small world eh! That we should meet in this space and have the knowing of a family in common is food for thought!
Cheers
Donald
Kia ora Donald,
Wish I could join you. With this hip walking is out of the question but I could certainly enjoy the sights and amenities of traveling in a four wheel drive. njoyed your last post and the flavour of the mountains and back country. Does my soul good. Strange times we are living in here with the mountains under attack, DOC being directed to make money above all else, and even National Radio under threat. National now even wants to control the news we recieve from the media. Soft crap like Close UP showing woman whom are scared of clowns, and cancelling an opportunity to get into it with Key, to hear the pitiful wails of an ex All Black who groped a teen ager. This is news!
Sorry for the rant Donald, have a great weekend! Kia kaha!
Cheers,
Robb
Yes Robb the energy vibration if you like of our New Zealand Govt. is appallingly low. I'm not seeing many Statesmen, but something quite the reverse and lamentable. They're simply not even aware I suspect, so in our day to day lives we'll have up the tone and counteract it.
Cheers
Donald
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