Seven Summits Spring Safari

**CrazyFrog** · 2nd August 2009, 09:56

I feel it's my time to step up to the mark and organise a ride to be done sometime over the next couple of months. Spring weather is normally warm enough to do a longer day, and hopefully we won't have issues with late snow blocking any routes (Mt Arthur and Mt Patriarch).

Here's the proposed route, distances are not exact but close to it.

Seven Summits Spring Safari - 1 Day ride

Nelson - Wakefield 28 km
Wakefield - Dovedale Saddle -Jacobs Ladder - Ngatimoti 38 km
Ngatimoti – Mt Arthur Flora carpark 16 km
Flora carpark to Woodstock Bridge 17 km
Woodstock to Kohatu (inland Mot Hwy) 26 km
Kohatu to Spooner Top Rd (SH6) 9 km
Spooner Top Rd to St Arnaud (SH63) (FUEL@ 177km) 43 km

St Arnaud to Mt Robert carpark return 14 km
St Arnaud SH63 to Renwick (FUEL@ 105km) 91 km

Renwick to Northbank Rd SH6 5 km
Northbank, Onamalutu Rd, Kiwi Rd, Bartletts Crk, Fabians Crk 35 km
Fabians Creek Intersctn, Northbank Rd to Top Valley Rd 12.5km
Mt Patriarch summit return 61 km
Top Valley Intersctn to Northbank SH6 Intersctn 33 km
SH6 to Havelock (FUEL@ 171km) 24 km

Havelock to Pelorus Bridge 19 km
Pelorus to Mangatapu to Nelson 45 km

Total KM’s: 517 km
Summit Altitudes:
1. Dovedale Saddle 350m
2. Mt Arthur Flora Saddle 1000m
3. Spooner Tops 350m
4. Mt Robert carpark 900m
5. Mt Patriarch 1470m
6. Onamalutu/Kiwi Rd 575m
7. Mangatapu 800m

This will be predominantly road based with gravel excursions, with the exception of Mt Patriarch and the Mangatapu, which as most of us know are slightly more technical.
The route could be extended to include Takaka Hill (Harwoods Hole) and Mt Altimarloch, but this would make it around 800km in a day, which getting up around Dusty Butt distances.
Let's throw some ideas around and start finalizing suitable dates/route.

**buggsubique** · 2nd August 2009, 12:02

I'd probably need to be on the Sept dates as I might be unavail for the rest of the options. No issues with snow I don't reckon - it's warming up pretty good over here.

I'd probably also ride over early and then leave you after Mt Pat.

Cheers, B

**Underground** · 2nd August 2009, 16:41

S S S S super idea !
Budgetry constraints are keeping me close to home at the moment but a wee local spin like this will be justifiable ,besides I like riding to the top of high places .

**Taz** · 2nd August 2009, 16:58

If it was in November I might come down for it.

Andy.

**Cary** · 2nd August 2009, 18:18

Could be an interesting day trip

Fit some knobbys to the Tiger and book a trip to Welly on Anthrax's trailer.......

**Woodman** · 2nd August 2009, 18:29

Sounds bloody good to me, not sure what date suits yet as have a few trips away aug and sept.

Good on ya crazyfrog

**Alpha Solo** · 4th August 2009, 10:37

Sounds good to me too, count me in!

Still trying to find that headlight surround for you, it's burried somewhere!

**Underground** · 4th August 2009, 11:14

I'm not voting because any of those dates suit me (sooner the better though)
CF does it add too many K's to do the Maunga twice and avoid that truly awful road from St Arnaud to Renwick ? Or even build a raft and do a crossing of the Wairau ?

**buggsubique** · 4th August 2009, 15:27

Originally Posted by Underground

Or even build a raft and do a crossing of the Wairau ?

Sh*t yeah I'm up for that! River Crossings are an Army Engineer's specialty! Now who's got a few hundred metres of SWR we can sling up at a crossing point? I'll bring the blocks and tackle and we'll hoist them across.

**CrazyFrog** · 4th August 2009, 15:33

Originally Posted by Underground

I'm not voting because any of those dates suit me (sooner the better though)
CF does it add too many K's to do the Maunga twice and avoid that truly awful road from St Arnaud to Renwick ? Or even build a raft and do a crossing of the Wairau ?

Funny you should mention the Wairau crossing. A year or so ago I did Northbank Rd to the very road end which basically ends up at the river.
The crossing would be do-able for the very brave but only with very low water flow levels, and the depth changes regularly according to how much the river current moves the gravel base around. The real issue is a locked gate down by the bridge where the track exits back onto SH6 near St Arnaud. I need to start asking around at the local farmers houses and make some inquiries, and then do a recon ride.
I like Buggsy's idea of constructing a barge!

**Transalper** · 4th August 2009, 16:31

I'm interested, can't do Labour weekend (26th October) or Canterburys Public holiday weekend (13-15 November) and may be off to the Magpie Rally (20th - 22nd November) this year.
If what ever is left fits then I'll try attend... Saturdays are best. It's easier for me to take Friday off than Monday, so I would want to get home on Sunday in time for work on Monday.

**JATZ** · 4th August 2009, 17:32

Nordie, Cooney,ElScooto and myself had a look at a crossing a couple of years ago, as a backup plan for the D.B. At the time it wasn't a goer, but things may have changed.
Exit is at the power house, then follow the road back to the main rd

**Underground** · 4th August 2009, 17:37

I've got many k's of 24mm rope and plenty of mussel floats ,2 floats will support a big bike easy

do we have to wear camo's ?

**buggsubique** · 4th August 2009, 19:39

optional on the cams, but I can make up some eye-EE-dee's (big brother might be watching

) for some battle simulation...ooh this is real rednek stuff this is!

**NordieBoy** · 4th August 2009, 19:56

Originally Posted by buggsubique

Sh*t yeah I'm up for that! River Crossings are an Army Engineer's specialty! Now who's got a few hundred metres of SWR we can sling up at a crossing point? I'll bring the blocks and tackle and we'll hoist them across.

Plenty of wire up in the forestry...