Southern Saddles Ride

**Ruralman** · 14th August 2007, 11:43

Originally Posted by Jantar

At first glance a ride that includes all the saddles looks great, but as I looked at the saddles in more detail, (late last night), it would add an additional 4 - 5 days to the ride. One day for the saddles in the Catlins/Southland area, one day for the ones in Fiordland and getting back up to Queenstown. The ones in the Skippers would be most of a day on their own. The Rainbow and Takaka areas add a further day and then there are the ones in Canterbury/South Canterbury and Dunedin. So a combined Saddles/Passes ride would require around 10 days.

This does rather raise the idea of a "Southern Saddles" adventure ride - maybe a 3 day weekender? I'm still keen to do a big weekend ride including the Dunstan Trail and the Nevis - is there a saddle on the Nevis? (or the Dunstan)

**cooneyr** · 14th August 2007, 13:06

Originally Posted by Ruralman

This does rather raise the idea of a "Southern Saddles" adventure ride - maybe a 3 day weekender? I'm still keen to do a big weekend ride including the Dunstan Trail and the Nevis - is there a saddle on the Nevis? (or the Dunstan)

Duffers Saddle at the northern (Cromwell) end. You almost go over a peak on the southern end so no saddles there unfortunately. If you are going to do this (the Nevis) then I would go through Carricktown town as an alternative route between Duffers Saddle and Cromwell. It would be doable on a strom/Tranny if dry but could be a bit slippery if wet (lotsa clay). The worst bit is just just after duffers so if you do the Nevis south to north then you should be able to make a call without getting to committed.

The Young Australian Waterwheel had been restored and there is stone building remains along with a mine shaft, another waterwheel emplacement (minus wheel) to see. Probably one of the more easily accessible complete waterwheels in situ in the hills in central.

Map of Carricktown route attached.

Would like to join you fullers for saddle or passes but cant afford time of work as spending 4 weeks in Europe in October. Have fun

Cheers R

**Jantar** · 14th August 2007, 21:47

I like the idea. I'll have to check the maps, but from your place there are a couple of saddles to get to the start of the Dunstan Trail, Thompsons Saddle, Duffers Saddle, two sadlles in the Skippers Canyon, and quite a few in Southland. So a three day ride sounds about right.

I'll bring some details to the Pissed Penguin and we can look at possible routes, times etc.