42 traverse

**Crisis management** · 11th January 2008, 20:02

Sunday 2nd March for the traverse

Details as below:

I'll be staying at Kinloch so can meet people at either Taupo or Turangi, I suggest 10 am at Turangi as a general meeting time / place.

Down state highway 47 to Kapoors road (carefully not marked on my map, but I'm sure we can figure it out) onto the traverse and let mayhem ensue!

Thru the track (about 2 hours offrd?) to Owhango for a beer and a bit of lunch then back again for all the bits we forgot to fall off at.

Assuming it stays dry, this should be suitable for any adventure bike and if there has been a bit of rain then bring the "fuck off" (to quote BD) knobblies.

Expressions of interest would be nice, I'm going regardless and I'm sure with a bit of help anyone can get thru......

Post on here and nearer the time we will confirm meeting places etc.

Previous stuff for historical, hysterical?? reference......

Anyone done the 42 traverse track between Taurewa and Owhango in the central plateau?
I'm looking at a trip down that way in a month or two and it looked quite do-able on average sized bikes (an aquaintance claims to have done it on an airhead R100) so any info would be welcome.

Any volunteers to assist would also be welcome...its a bloody long way to walk out by all accounts!

Right, don't be shy, spill the beans guys.

**Zukin** · 11th January 2008, 20:21

Yep it is good (most of the time) the creeks can get up a bit......

BUT....yes it is a big BUT

The bridge at the Owhanga end had washed away in the floods and last I was there (maybe 2 months ago) it had not been replaced

It may of been repaired by now

Cheers

**Grahameeboy** · 11th January 2008, 20:24

Yep did it a few years ago after a lot of rain and it was guttery as.

**skelstar** · 11th January 2008, 23:19

Awesome on a MTB. Did it twice in 5 days. Mint.

**shaneh** · 12th January 2008, 07:13

I've done it on a quad with some friends who rode MTBs. I had a bike rack fitted to the tow bar on my quad (yep, it's a proper quad, not some nancy pants city quad) and so could take a MTB and rider up the hills for them to ride down again. Should have been charging. Ride was about 2 yrs ago, easily accessible, good fun. Might be up for it again.

**Crisis management** · 12th January 2008, 15:26

Zukin, according to DOC the bridge has been repaired, november ish, however I understand there was an accessible ford a couple of hundred metres down from the bridge.
Sounds doable guys, any takers?

**Wellyman** · 12th January 2008, 15:32

Yes. and its a bit tough in places... but doable, I have done bits of it.
WM

**Jorja** · 12th January 2008, 15:32

Originally Posted by Crisis management

Anyone done the 42 traverse track between Taurewa and Owhango in the central plateau?
I'm looking at a trip down that way in a month or two and it looked quite do-able on average sized bikes (an aquaintance claims to have done it on an airhead R100) so any info would be welcome.

Any volunteers to assist would also be welcome...its a bloody long way to walk out by all accounts!

Right, don't be shy, spill the beans guys.

Will mention this to Frosty. He is really into his dirt bike at the moment and if he can get away would probably love to do it.

**dino3310** · 12th January 2008, 16:01

would love to iain BUT you know the story.
would be an awesome trip.

**OV Lander** · 12th January 2008, 21:06

Guys, am often in there with the 4x4. Track is in good condition, and to be honest - is a bit teadious in a club truck because it is in such good nick.

HOWEVER - as pointed at earlier the the bridge at Owhanga is out, with not simple 'drop into the river' options. big and very steep drop into a fst river with an impossible climb out. That said, the bridge is right at the end of the track, just yards before the tarseal. This means that the track can be completed from the Tongariro end, and done again to get out - a sort of 2 for 1 deal!

As far as I understand, DoC have 'no budget' for any repair attempt, and I believe that given DoC's track record of restricting public access they are quietly happy for the track to be unpassable and to see it gradually fall into disrepair (my 2c anyway).

**Lucy** · 12th January 2008, 22:17

Originally Posted by OV Lander

Guys, am often in there with the 4x4. Track is in good condition, and to be honest - is a bit teadious in a club truck because it is in such good nick.

HOWEVER - as pointed at earlier the the bridge at Owhanga is out, with not simple 'drop into the river' options. big and very steep drop into a fst river with an impossible climb out. That said, the bridge is right at the end of the track, just yards before the tarseal. This means that the track can be completed from the Tongariro end, and done again to get out - a sort of 2 for 1 deal!

As far as I understand, DoC have 'no budget' for any repair attempt, and I believe that given DoC's track record of restricting public access they are quietly happy for the track to be unpassable and to see it gradually fall into disrepair (my 2c anyway).

Yep, last time I read about it in the local rag, the bridge was out, and a couple of mountain bikers were told that, and that they shouldn't do it, but they did it and ended up needing to be rescued!

Didn't realize they were never going to fix it though. I also didn't realize you were allowed to ride it on motorbikes! Sounds way more fun than pedalling.

**Crisis management** · 13th January 2008, 08:19

Right, looks like I better double check the state of the bridge then...
I like the idea of there and back on the track tho if the bridge is still out.

**curious george** · 13th January 2008, 09:13

watch out for cyclists. Last I did it the guys on motorbikes were going far to fast to stop if there was somebody in the way.
It looks a long way to get choppered out of.

**clint640** · 14th January 2008, 13:21

Hi Mate, I might be up for a trip in there, I've only ever been in a little way from the Ruapehu end & would be keen to do the rest, in & back is no problem I reckon. Keep me posted as to when.

Cheers
Clint