Karapoti Rock Garden/Devils Staircase

**gunna** · 12th July 2007, 17:47

A few of us lads thought we would go and explore the Karapoti Rock Garden/Devils Staircase (Upper Hutt) on July 22. There's an existing thread in the Adventure Bike section http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=53418 but the consensus of opinion is that this is one adventure too far for the big bikes. Anyone coming needs to have paid up life insurance and all the usual waivers signed for personal and property damage. A mild skill level with a big dose of "what the hell, you've got to die of something" is a minimum requirement for this ride. I'm thinking about 6-10 riders would be a good number, so first in gets to do the damage.

Sign on here

**Deano** · 12th July 2007, 18:04

I did the Karapoti trails years ago with a few mates.........once.

I was on a newly acquired KDX200 and the Karapoti was basically a baptism of fire.

I only crashed twice. And got lost once. Ended up above Battle Hill so rode down, through the station and onto Paekakariki Hill Road - then across onto QE Park up to Poplar Ave Raumati, then down SH1 and back up snakes gully to the place we started from. I can't believe I didn't run out of gas.

I sold the bike soon after. The injuries weren't conducive to excelling in my other chosen sport of the time.

Oh yeah, have fun !!

**denefoster** · 12th July 2007, 19:04

I've got "What the hell" in abundance

And I guess we'll find out about the skill..

On another note, where could one acquire about 30m of rope.. ya know, just in case

**Aslan** · 12th July 2007, 19:12

Originally Posted by denefoster

I've got "What the hell" in abundance

And I guess we'll find out about the skill..

On another note, where could one acquire about 30m of rope.. ya know, just in case

having seen this lad attack the Pram on an f650gs shed with Tourances and tackle the Makairo on the same machine - I know he's gutsy and determined

**denefoster** · 12th July 2007, 19:29

Originally Posted by Aslan

having seen this lad attack the Pram on an f650gs shed with Tourances and tackle the Makairo on the same machine - I know he's gutsy and determined

I see you're posting.. but not signing up for the ride. I bet if you bring the rubber ducky you'd be the first ever to make it through there on one.. and probably the first to ever attempt it

**Aslan** · 12th July 2007, 20:18

Originally Posted by denefoster

I see you're posting.. but not signing up for the ride. I bet if you bring the rubber ducky you'd be the first ever to make it through there on one.. and probably the first to ever attempt it

tis not me though Dene - you know the story - not many old and bold motorcyclists. As you know I fit the first attribute - the bold went in my twenties (back in the '60's) when I used to press on pretty hard on triumph thunderbirds and saints - using same in many off road attempts around dunedin)

today i'm content puttering through the PRAM and associated tracks following the younger bucks like you!

**gunna** · 12th July 2007, 20:55

Originally Posted by denefoster

I've got "What the hell" in abundance

And I guess we'll find out about the skill..

On another note, where could one acquire about 30m of rope.. ya know, just in case

Hey, welcome aboard. If we don't manage to kill ourselves completely, I bet the locals will happily finish us off. Is that a chorus of banjo pickin' I hear?

**marks** · 12th July 2007, 21:22

Originally Posted by gunna

Hey, welcome aboard. If we don't manage to kill ourselves completely, I bet the locals will happily finish us off. Is that a chorus of banjo pickin' I hear?

da da dang dang dang dang dang dang.....

I r be there if'n I cun just get my dang fingers untangled from ma banjo...

an my son and nephew Glen warrl he is gonna be there too..

"Leaving Karapoti carpark (Upper Hutt end) 10:30 Sunday 21st July"

h'mmm what year is this - there aint no Sunday 21st July on ma calendar....

**cheese** · 12th July 2007, 22:46

I've done it once on a KDX 200 that was bored out to a 250. coming up that staircase was some fun I tell ya!! there is some nasty downhill uphill section there too that is some fun.

Wish it wasn't so far to go....

**denefoster** · 12th July 2007, 23:17

Originally Posted by Aslan

tis not me though Dene - you know the story - not many old and bold motorcyclists. As you know I fit the first attribute - the bold went in my twenties (back in the '60's)

I'm sure you could still show us young pups a thing or two.

Back on track, do we mean Sunday the 22nd, or Saturday the 21st ?

**gunna** · 13th July 2007, 07:53

Back on track, do we mean Sunday the 22nd, or Saturday the 21st ?[/QUOTE]

Sorry, yes Sunday 22nd July, Karapoti Carpark, 10:30
(do I need to get any kind of permissions?)

**marks** · 13th July 2007, 08:41

Originally Posted by gunna

do I need to get any kind of permissions?

Just advise your mortician

**Aslan** · 13th July 2007, 08:46

Originally Posted by gunna

Back on track, do we mean Sunday the 22nd, or Saturday the 21st ?

Sorry, yes Sunday 22nd July, Karapoti Carpark, 10:30
(do I need to get any kind of permissions?)[/QUOTE]

Tim - free permits from WRC - I'm sure you new that tho - sorry to be a pedant!

**F5 Dave** · 13th July 2007, 18:00

Make sure you head down the staircase & up the rock garden. The bottom of the staircase was a bit hairum scareum last time we went through (maybe 8mth ago).

There are a couple of gnarly bogs, erm tread with care & say what the heck & walk a few of the big ones.

Most of us went ok, but a few of the guys on lesser bikes struggled. The rock garden required some balls to attempt at a decent speed so you get up. You need the momentum, if you have it it is easy, if you don't you will fail. I've done it in damp & it was miserable, in the dry I floated up. Some didn't. I had a GasGas enduro & decent tyres.

I won't come with you as I don't want to help push. But have fun anyway.

To be honest I wouldn't go in winter, if it has been raining don't show up.

Take food, warm closthes & maybe some comfortable walking shoes in your backpack.

**bart** · 13th July 2007, 20:20

Originally Posted by F5 Dave

Make sure you head down the staircase & up the rock garden. The bottom of the staircase was a bit hairum scareum last time we went through (maybe 8mth ago).

There are a couple of gnarly bogs, erm tread with care & say what the heck & walk a few of the big ones.

Most of us went ok, but a few of the guys on lesser bikes struggled. The rock garden required some balls to attempt at a decent speed so you get up. You need the momentum, if you have it it is easy, if you don't you will fail. I've done it in damp & it was miserable, in the dry I floated up. Some didn't. I had a GasGas enduro & decent tyres.

I won't come with you as I don't want to help push. But have fun anyway.

To be honest I wouldn't go in winter, if it has been raining don't show up.

Take food, warm closthes & maybe some comfortable walking shoes in your backpack.

From what I've seen of the staircase, listen to this guy. I'd love to have a go at the end of summer, when everything is nice and dry. After a few hours of playing in slops, the novelty wears off.

Good luck guys, and my advice is to start a bit earlier in the day. Sunlight is an amazing thing.