Waterfall in Arthurs Pass?

**Paul in NZ** · 14th December 2006, 08:41

Be careful on the road through Arthurs Pass these days. Since they improved the road Truck - trailer combos use it and there is still a lot of it that is not improved.

Great place to ride a bike though.

**Big Dave** · 14th December 2006, 08:57

Originally Posted by Hitcher

Very poetic Dave. And aren't those 130kmh corners between Arthurs and Porters Pass a blast, even if they are labelled as 65kmh...

I set up a Trophy to do the first tour. Ohlins shock, Race tech emulators and Ohlins Fork springs. Sticky tyres. Had it jacked up with some custom ride height adjusters and it handled like a sprotsbike for the larger gentleman.
(an 06 FJR 5 years before they had 06 FJRs) Christchurch side was dry. Absolutely nailed it all the way down - back when I had an Aussie licence even.
Thems war the days.

**Big Dave** · 14th December 2006, 12:09

Also, in the enquiring minds want to know stakes - Arthur whom?

**Hitcher** · 14th December 2006, 12:18

The pass is named after Sir Arthur Dudley Dobson, who led the first party of Europeans across the pass in 1864. He had been informed of the presence of a pass which had been used occasionally by Māori hunting parties by a West Coast Māori Chief, Tarapuhi.

**Flyingpony** · 14th December 2006, 13:27

Yip. Knew a few on construction and they reckon its people sitting on the brakes the whole way down, by the time they have got to the corner the pedal is against the floor and they just dont slow down in time.

It's a lovely road that one. I'm quite sure there's a sign on the summit which tells trucks to use low gear. These signs should always be taking into account.

For myself, I'm engine braking virtually all the way down either hill so should the brakes be required

they're still there

**jonbuoy** · 14th December 2006, 14:44

I did it last summer - although on the day I went accross I could see snow not too far above me. Was still an awesome ride. Dangerous coz the scenery is so stunning.

**Big Dave** · 14th December 2006, 15:34

Originally Posted by Hitcher

used occasionally by Māori hunting parties by a West Coast Māori Chief, Tarapuhi.

What were they hunting? Crossing that lot seems a lot of bother for a feed of pointy beaked duck.

**Hitcher** · 14th December 2006, 18:07

Originally Posted by Big Dave

What were they hunting?

Probably pounamu. Or their West Coast brothers.

**sAsLEX** · 14th December 2006, 18:13

Originally Posted by Hitcher

The pass is named after Sir Arthur Dudley Dobson, who led the first party of Europeans across the pass in 1864. He had been informed of the presence of a pass which had been used occasionally by Māori hunting parties by a West Coast Māori Chief, Tarapuhi.

Originally Posted by Hitcher

Probably pounamu. Or their West Coast brothers.

Surely you mean East in the second statement as surely they wouldn't cross a mountain pass in order to attack themselves?

And I would probably point out that the Maori were exercising there rights of kaitiakitanga with the Moa population......

MD · 14th December 2006, 20:38

Originally Posted by Hitcher

The pass is named after Sir Arthur Dudley Dobson, who led the first party of Europeans across the pass in 1864. He had been informed of the presence of a pass which had been used occasionally by Māori hunting parties by a West Coast Māori Chief, Tarapuhi.

He was such a name dropper. Guess why there is a town west of Greymouth called Dodson.
My mammary gland might be playing tricks on me, but wasn't there an impressive statue/monument to Sir Arthur Dudley Moore Dodson on the old zig-zag road. That's the old road that twisted, oh so nicely over the top, before the viaduct was built. What did they do with the statue when they closed the zig-zag? Leave the poor old bugger up there in the snow on his lonesome?
Done that Chch-Grey trip so many times but still the scenery never ceases to impress, and the road- sweepers fast and slow to dream about.