Big River and Lake Hotshitter [Archive]

marks

1st October 2010, 20:21

Andy rang yesterday and hinted that he might like a change from the Mungatooks this weekend so....

Andy, Struan and I plan to be in Reefton Sunday (3rd Oct) night with Monday and Tuesday to explore and Wednesday to ride back

If any of you locals want to join in we should be at St Arnaud 1-1.30 and Porika 2-2.30 on Sunday arvo

loose plan is Big River /Waitahu River Rd on Monday and Lake Hotshitter etc on Tuesday.

Maybe New Creek to Mackley river on the way back on Wednesday.

plans may have to change at short notice given the amount of slips etc that we may encounter.

all welcome - I'll be on the black whale so trail pace will be modest at best

junkmanjoe

1st October 2010, 20:23

you suck ................:spanking:

JMJ

pete376403

1st October 2010, 20:46

For such an innocuous looking river the Mackley swallows a number of bikes.
Here's a mates DR after getting a bit of colonic irrigation.
(PS the KLR simply waltzed across)

CrazyFrog

1st October 2010, 20:53

You're a burgling bastard Mark.:2guns: Bugger off our turf....:nono:

I'm doing the same ride the following weekend, also including Mt Riley and Mt Fox behind Lake Moana (that's Lake Brunner for you English immigrants)
Was hoping to do a nice little RR but I hear you are pretty handy with the camera, so go for it.

I might be on a new bike too.....:love:, but that's another story............

Box'a'bits

1st October 2010, 20:53

Andy rang yesterday and hinted that he might like a change from the Mungatooks this weekend so....Andy, Struan and I plan to be in Reefton Sunday (3rd Oct) night with Monday and Tuesday to explore and Wednesday to ride back. Loose plan is Big River /Waitahu River Rd on Monday and Lake Hotshitter etc on Tuesday. Maybe New Creek to Mackley river on the way back on Wednesday.
Bugger. :crybaby: Mandy mentioned Andy called. Couldn't have got leave anyway, & the bike needs a lot of work yet. But still...Big River.....:crybaby:

bart

1st October 2010, 21:04

Wish I could tag along, but hey, have fun guys.....

Take plenty of photos......

and have fun guys.....

:woohoo::woohoo::woohoo::woohoo::woohoo:

Woodman

2nd October 2010, 05:53

Its like being locked in your house while people play in your own backyard:angry:

Have fun, I think the Westcoast warrants more exploring

XF650

2nd October 2010, 11:17

By an amazing coincidence I am "officially" on a work trip to the Coast the same days as this ride. Will be trailering the DT230 over via ChCh, later tomorrow (Sunday). Intend to come back via Hokitika Wednesday lunchtime.
So if anyone wants a ride.........

marks

2nd October 2010, 19:07

Well if you to figure out which mud bog we are stuck in you can follow us on spot (http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=0dIWGpAPcRhEUyNlkI4k2xhQKKnIB7s jG)

caio

Padmei

2nd October 2010, 19:17

Fcuk I thought my navigation was bad - that's not even in the Sth Island you turkey

Underground

3rd October 2010, 08:13

Just read this , my broardband has been out for quite a few days :angry:

Underground

3rd October 2010, 08:17

So have a nice one guys ,too much going on out here at the moment for me to join you ,plus the bike has some issues so its coming apart .

NordieBoy

4th October 2010, 06:19

Well that was petty boring.
Noone got stuck, there was no snow, no flooding and no one came off.

Although my memory isn't what it used to be...

NordieBoy

4th October 2010, 07:57

Nothing like this happened at all...
http://www.photostorage.nelson.geek.nz/sports/motorsport/mybikes/Trips/20101003%20Porika/slides/20101003-160157.jpg

Or this...
http://www.photostorage.nelson.geek.nz/sports/motorsport/mybikes/Trips/20101003%20Porika/slides/20101003-154655.jpg

http://www.photostorage.nelson.geek.nz/sports/motorsport/mybikes/Trips/20101003%20Porika/index.html

Eddieb

4th October 2010, 10:10

Nothing like this happened at all...
http://www.photostorage.nelson.geek.nz/sports/motorsport/mybikes/Trips/20101003%20Porika/slides/20101003-160157.jpg

Wow, thats deep.

Eddieb

4th October 2010, 10:16

I quite like this one.

http://www.photostorage.nelson.geek.nz/sports/motorsport/mybikes/Trips/20101003%20Porika/slides/20101003-160109.jpg

CrazyFrog

4th October 2010, 10:33

I quite like this one.

Hello Suzuki NZ.....
Can I order a complete set of DR650 bearings please?

cooneyr

4th October 2010, 11:58

Nothing like this happened at all...

http://www.photostorage.nelson.geek.nz/sports/motorsport/mybikes/Trips/20101003%20Porika/index.html

Well there ya go. Send him back to the NI till he has concured Cnut. He'll be able to romp up our Porika after that.

NordieBoy

4th October 2010, 14:48

Hello Suzuki NZ.....
Can I order a complete set of DR650 bearings please?

And I'd like change from $60 please.

Hello?

Hello SKF....

A set of bearings would be a cheap price for those photos.
If I'd have had my dSLR with me it would have been even moer betterer.

The camera shop buggers want $150 for a 77mm ND grad filter.
Don't they realize that's nearly 2,000km of fuel money?

NordieBoy

4th October 2010, 15:09

I quite like this one.

My favorite too.

More snow and less water last time through on the NIIOTS ride...

http://www.photostorage.nelson.geek.nz/sports/motorsport/mybikes/Trips/20090522%20North%20Island%20Invasion%20of%20the%20 South/slides/20090522-130346.jpg

XF650

4th October 2010, 20:54

Thanks Nordie for joining us - was a great day

having great fun apart from Andy belly flopping in a puddle and Struan filling his headlight with water

awesome weather

great food/grog

it sure beats working

cheers

Mark

Aslan

4th October 2010, 21:00

looks like a great time was had - kewl pics Nordie - onya!

Aslan

4th October 2010, 21:02

bart

4th October 2010, 21:06

Awesome Nordie. I like the fact you obviously stood and watched while Mark picked the whale up. :shutup:

richyrich

4th October 2010, 21:18

NordieBoy

4th October 2010, 21:26

Stand and watch?

What do you take me for?

They were like a well oiled team. You'd almost think they'd done that sort of thing before...

http://www.photostorage.nelson.geek.nz/sports/motorsport/mybikes/Trips/20101003%20Porika/slides/20101003-154717.jpg

It's like cameras emit this special forcefield that deflects riders from their chosen path.

It's a power we photographers must use for good.

Eddieb

5th October 2010, 06:39

It's like cameras emit this special forcefield that deflects riders from their chosen path.

And Mark is one for whom the forcefield affects strongly.

dino3310

5th October 2010, 11:23

It's like cameras emit this special forcefield that deflects riders from their chosen path.

.

and sometimes its the cameraman standing in the riders line:shit::facepalm:

NordieBoy

5th October 2010, 12:26

and sometimes its the cameraman standing in the riders line:shit::facepalm:

Even if the rider has to veer toward them to accomplish this :D

XF650

6th October 2010, 18:17

I too can vouch for the bloody camera jinx, although I also readily fall without them......
Great couple of days riding with the overseas visitors. The Reeftonites really turned it on for us, both with fantastic weather and excellent trails. DOC staff & locals were very helpful with pointing us to new tracks, most of which we have yet to tackle (next time!!). But we still rode a great combination of knarley / rough / steep bush tracks through to fast / big bike friendly forestry roads.
I hadn't been on the bike since Brass Monkey so was very rusty. I really have to sort the suspension too - the other guys seemed to "float" over the rough stuff while I took a pounding. Other than that the DT230 went well, even with it's gearbox & headlight full of water.
Pics later.

XF650

7th October 2010, 07:53

Not many pics from me, the others can fill in the gaps.
Big River - nothings changed, still a fantastic place to be on a bike.
220672220671220670

XF650

7th October 2010, 08:05

Bush bashing up the Waitahu Track

220678220679220680220681220682

XF650

7th October 2010, 08:17

These are from the Notown area. I invite captions for the 2nd pic - needless to say they can't read......
3rd pic shows how the forestry tracks split & divide - real easy to get lost or go in circles without a GPS.

220683220684220685

XF650

7th October 2010, 08:30

Visa's expired so evicted from our digs.
220686
Thanks guys for the great company. Hopefully they will have more pics of the actual riding.
We will return......

Footnote: Reefton Motors now stock trail bike consumables incl specific oils, air filters, chain lubes, chains, sprockets, tyres, tubes etc. All very handy if your riding in the area.

NordieBoy

7th October 2010, 11:23

Bush bashing up the Waitahu Track

Quite overgrown now...

XF650

7th October 2010, 16:51

Wasn't this sposed to be a work trip Struan?

Managed to combine work & play quite well this week, I'v been jet boating today too.
A Central Districts group were passing through on their way to Hollyford & I convinced them to take a run in the Ashburton River.
Adventure biking / adventure boating - it's all very similar.

220710

mattsdakar

8th October 2010, 04:33

Quite overgrown now...

Local cop was up the Waitahu on Wednesday?? with his chain saw clearing trees, apparently quite a few had come down and were blocking access to Montgomery Hut
As an aside, if you haven't done it before about 1km before Montgomery Huit there is a place to ford the river and opposite it is a very knarly access road to the back of the Garveys Creek mine. It's an awesome 4x4 track but very steep and fording river is also pretty challenging so probably not suitable for heavier bikes, I did it last year on DR350's with a mate and he drowned his bike in the river due large rocks and water flow

NordieBoy

8th October 2010, 06:29

Anyone done the Waitahu River Road - Kirwins Track loop on a bike?

NordieBoy

8th October 2010, 06:29

Local cop was up the Waitahu on Wednesday?? with his chain saw clearing trees, apparently quite a few had come down and were blocking access to Montgomery Hut
As an aside, if you haven't done it before about 1km before Montgomery Huit there is a place to ford the river and opposite it is a very knarly access road to the back of the Garveys Creek mine. It's an awesome 4x4 track but very steep and fording river is also pretty challenging so probably not suitable for heavier bikes, I did it last year on DR350's with a mate and he drowned his bike in the river due large rocks and water flow

Where are those huts?

Transalper

8th October 2010, 07:39

Anyone done the Waitahu River Road - Kirwins Track loop on a bike?
We wemt up Waitahu River Road toward Kirwins Track with the North Island invaders last year but got blocked by big boulder fields, washouts and trees. Pretty cool on the CRF230.
Didn't think it was supposed to be a loop... unless you are walking or on a MTB.
Weren't you there?

Transalper

8th October 2010, 07:54

Bush bashing up the Waitahu Track...
Looks like we need to start throwing a chain saw in our tool kits.
That wont take up too much room surely.
Stick it on the KLR. :shutup:

XF650

8th October 2010, 08:12

Genie

8th October 2010, 08:14

Cheers for sharing, love the pics. These are sights I'd most likely not see and they are tuely amazing veiws. Thanks and keep having fun and keep posting.:yes:

NordieBoy

8th October 2010, 09:07

We wemt up Waitahu River Road toward Kirwins Track with the North Island invaders last year but got blocked by big boulder fields, washouts and trees. Pretty cool on the CRF230.
Didn't think it was supposed to be a loop... unless you are walking or on a MTB.
Weren't you there?

Of course I was there...

http://www.photostorage.nelson.geek.nz/sports/motorsport/mybikes/Trips/20090522%20North%20Island%20Invasion%20of%20the%20 South/slides/20090523-090706.jpg

Just wondering if it was possible to do the loop.
GE shows Kirwins Track joining up with Waitahu River Road...

But it may be CRF230 with a trials rear tyre territory.

CrazyFrog

8th October 2010, 09:08

Anyone done the Waitahu River Road - Kirwins Track loop on a bike?

Waitahu River Rd is do-able on trail bikes, but Kirwans is a no go, walking and MTB access only.
A bunch of guys from work got a chopper ride (that's helicopter, not a Harley) up to the top there last year and MTB'd down, said the track is awesome.

Transalper

8th October 2010, 12:18

Of course I was there.....That's what I thought.

...
A bunch of guys from work got a chopper ride (that's helicopter, not a Harley) up to the top there last year and MTB'd down..That's cheating isn't it!

marks

8th October 2010, 12:20

Adventure biking / adventure boating - it's all very similar.

I hope you don't get as much water in your boat as you get in your bike :facepalm:

I'm suprised that there werent fish in your headlight

Looks like we need to start throwing a chain saw in our tool kits.
That wont take up too much room surely.
Stick it on the KLR. :shutup:

klr was fine until I got it unevenly balanced on a boulder in the middle of a crossing. If Andy hadn't been there it would have got very awkward....:yes:

We got quite a bit further than last time - I like this track more than Big River I think

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NordieBoy

8th October 2010, 12:44

We got quite a bit further than last time - I like this track more than Big River I think

That was as far as we got last time.

Bart, Transalper and ??? went over to the other bit Andy is coming back from.

I like it better than Big River and I like Big River.

The rocks were muuuch bigger last time.

mattsdakar

8th October 2010, 16:00

Where are those huts?

Montgomerie Hut is the end of the 4x4 track, from there it becomes unpassable on a motorbike, steep steps above major drop offs into bouldered river, you would even have to carry mountain bikes for some distance

Woodman

8th October 2010, 19:59

That was as far as we got last time.

Bart, Transalper and Zerax and Woodman went over to the other bit Andy is coming back from.

I like it better than Big River and I like Big River.

The rocks were muuuch bigger last time.

yes it was very big rocky

bart

8th October 2010, 21:10

Rocks....yeah there were a few. Few photos from last time.

The Woodman helping Bugs

220838

Woodman and Zerax getting through the first bit

220837

The bit where I gave up. Transalper works his way across.

220836

Bugs. Love this shot.

220835

Shame about the poor quality....but check out the Woodman...

220834

marks

8th October 2010, 21:20

Rocks....yeah there were a few. Few photos from last time.

The bit where I gave up. Transalp works his way across.

220836

Looks like we got to about the same place

<img src=http://webcoda.com/images/bike/IMG_8081.JPG>

it got a bit lumpy after that

<img src=http://webcoda.com/images/bike/IMG_8100.JPG>

Pity you couldnt come - it was fun :yes:

bart

8th October 2010, 21:28

Pity you couldnt come - it was fun :yes:

Yeah, I'm gutted, but I'll get back there again one day. I must admit it was the best ride so far. It's going to take a lot to top the 'invasion'. :woohoo:

NordieBoy

8th October 2010, 22:17

It's going to take a lot to top the 'invasion'. :woohoo:

2 black eyes?

http://www.photostorage.nelson.geek.nz/sports/motorsport/mybikes/Trips/20090522%20North%20Island%20Invasion%20of%20the%20 South/slides/20090522-161200.jpg

bart

9th October 2010, 10:18

2 black eyes?

Most people take photos away from a trip as a momento. I take scars....:yes:

This was a lesson in why panier bags are better than tieing a heavy bag high on the back mudguard. This can make cornering at speed a challenge.

220845

NordieBoy

11th October 2010, 21:40

Come on youse slack buggers!

Where's the rest of the photos?

XF650

11th October 2010, 21:48

Come on youse slack buggers!

Where's the rest of the photos?

Not all of them, I hope.....

NordieBoy

11th October 2010, 21:55

Not all of them, I hope.....

Depends. How did you get water in your headlight?

XF650

11th October 2010, 22:01

Depends. How did you get water in your headlight?

The same way I got water in my gearbox.

andy mac

11th October 2010, 22:16

Here's my photos of the trip (they aren't up to Bart & Nordies' standard) but they do show the blue skies & sun which inspired the spur of the moment decision to go.
It was great to see Nordie at St Arnaud & you wouldn't believe where he went on his favourite Shinko motard slick. However Straun & I were very glad we had knobblies on for a side excursion out of Big River. Each corner presented another challenge and when we contemplated turning back we realised we had already gone past the point of return :shit:.

And then we came to that rock chute :gob:
Fortunately the KLR was parked safely outside the cafe.

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NordieBoy

12th October 2010, 06:50

Good stuff.

And then we came to that rock chute :gob:

Is that the hard left coming out of Big River by the sign and takes you to the gravel pit on the other side of the Reefton Saddle?

andy mac

12th October 2010, 07:35

Is that the hard left coming out of Big River by the sign and takes you to the gravel pit on the other side of the Reefton Saddle?

Yes, there's about 5km of big bike friendly, twisty track to a trig clearing. It's a real pleasure after bouncing back out of Big River.

There are some side tracks to explore next time. The small bike ride starts 200m back from the trig clearing on the west side. It is a downhill only track unless you're a trials or enduro ace. There was a beautiful orange tinged bog which Straun described as bush tea - I think he wants to work for Resene Paints. The chute is about 1km from the gravel pit (which is near Tarawai Scenic Reserve)

Woodman

12th October 2010, 21:16

So the small bike friendly bit is all downhill??

How big bike unfriendly can it be?

I have heard about this track and would like to give it a go. :facepalm:

XF650

12th October 2010, 21:38

So the small bike friendly bit is all downhill??

How big bike unfriendly can it be?

I have heard about this track and would like to give it a go. :facepalm:

The steep bit in the vid is mostly clay, similair to Napolean Hill. Don't know how you would get up it if wet, sharp knobblies at least.
I don't want to exaggerate but it's steeper than it looks in the vid & the 4wd guys use it as a winching challenge, hence the ruts.
The issue with a big bike might be getting wedged in a rut. But then a guy with your skills would probably just laugh at it, unlike this wimp.

Woodman

12th October 2010, 21:42

The steep bit in the vid is mostly clay so if wet it could be like ice, similair to Napolean Hill. I don't want to exaggerate but it's steeper than it looks in the vid & the 4wd guys use it as a winching challenge, hence the ruts.
The issue with a big bike might be getting wedged in a rut. But then a guy with your skills would probably just laugh at it, unlike this wimp.

The thing about going down hill is that you should always get to the bottom, it may not be pretty but you should get down.
In theory

Transalper

13th October 2010, 07:04

Is that the hard left coming out of Big River by the sign and takes you to the gravel pit on the other side of the Reefton Saddle?
Think I been down that on the CRF about 6 years ago, have video still waiting to get done on the PC... or was that a photo only trip? Will have to go for a rummage through the files.
We had crossed a bouldery wet river and visited some rundown old hut on our way through and that was our exit.

XF650

13th October 2010, 08:57

Think I been down that on the CRF about 6 years ago, have video still waiting to get done on the PC... or was that a photo only trip? Will have to go for a rummage through the files.
We had crossed a bouldery wet river and visited some rundown old hut on our way through and that was our exit.

Not sure we are talking about the same track - I don't remember a river or a hut. As Andy said, we took the one nearest the summit, which eventually met the main road south of Tawhai. There were other side tracks further down, so we will just have to go back to find your hut.

bart

13th October 2010, 20:17

Here's my photos of the trip

Finaly got around to watching the movie thing. You bums. Looks like you had far too much fun.

When's the next trip.....

marks

13th October 2010, 21:30

Finaly got around to watching the movie thing. You bums. Looks like you had far too much fun.

When's the next trip.....

well I've been down the last 3 years in a row so I see no reason not to head down again in March or April next year.

its fecking awesome riding

where will you be brat-wise by then?

andy mac

13th October 2010, 22:13

So the small bike friendly bit is all downhill??

How big bike unfriendly can it be?

I have heard about this track and would like to give it a go. :facepalm:

I'm sure a skilled rider could take a 650 down this track but most people will take a tumble. Personally I wouldn't take the Transalp down.
I thought the rocky sections are the most difficult part. Whereas the chute is steep & OMG but all you can do is get in the rut and paddle down.
Also we were never sure we were on the correct track & were worried we would have to try to go back up again.

bart

14th October 2010, 21:19

well I've been down the last 3 years in a row so I see no reason not to head down again in March or April next year.

its fecking awesome riding

where will you be brat-wise by then?

Give me more than 3 days notice and I'll make sure I'm available.:woohoo::woohoo: I'm sure I can break free from the Bart clan for a long weekend.

I was thinking about a trip that way straight after New Year (Clarence river etc), but the funds might be a bit tight. Might have to get lost in the Norf Island for a few days instead. :yawn:

marks

15th October 2010, 18:16

Give me more than 3 days notice and I'll make sure I'm available.:woohoo::woohoo: I'm sure I can break free from the Bart clan for a long weekend.

I was thinking about a trip that way straight after New Year (Clarence river etc), but the funds might be a bit tight. Might have to get lost in the Norf Island for a few days instead. :yawn:

well save your pennies and plan for something in autumn

I finally posted a few photos and lies here (http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=317350&page=51)