TRIP REPORT: REEFTON, Day 1
Date: 17/01/2009
Trip leader: Del & Marie Morgan
Trip report & photos: Richard & Karyn Deck
 
Nine Shiny 4x4 arrived eagerly at the ron-day voo in Reefton ready for the day’s unfolding – Del wouldn’t tell us where we were going so it was all a mystery. Reefton put on typical Westcoast weather (although Reeftoners don’t regard themselves as Westcoasters) - black sky and rain ranging from occasional drops to heavy downpour.

While Del briefed us on the first leg of the trip the clouds blackened and finally let loose as we all scurried for the welcomed cover of our beloved 4x4’s. We were off towards Grey- mouth to Brunner Mine. We drove past some beautiful terrain – thick native bush, rusting cars, pub’s right on the road verge, and the skeletal remains of sheds standing proud against the ravages of time.

On the way the locals sense of humour was evident in artefacts – one notable one being two Jags jutting out from the ground forming the sentential guard at the entrance to someone’s property.
First stop Brunner mines giving us time to stretch out legs, learn some local history and metamorph us into drowned rats. And please, don’t all rush to cross the bridge – 120 persons at a time!
Next was a visit to Blackball and driving through was like going into a time capsule. Except the street was still lined with Election Campaign signs.

We hit some gravel at Croesus track where the road forked and narrowed – time for some fun and drifties (while the wife wasn’t looking). As we made our way up the track we came across some interesting sights. One being more Drowned Rats running down for the Moonlight Biathlon.

It was along this track our trusty team-leader lost power to his back wheel. All the blokes congregated, defying the rain to contemplate and commiserate together. After fixing that, they came to their senses and decided now was not the best time to solve any further mechanical potential problems and we were off once more.

We continued on over the Croesus track which lead us back onto the main road where we headed back towards Reefton.

After seeing ‘the lights over Reefton" we headed back down via Zig Zag track which is well named, into the township. Del had done a great job showing off his ‘back-yard’.

 TRIP REPORT: REEFTON, Day 2
Date: 18/01/2009
Trip leader: Del & Marie Morgan
Trip report: Hartley Patience
Photos: Richard & Karyn Deck
 
 
Sunday 18th of January dawned misty with light showers on and off which started to clear for the second day of Del and Marie’s Reefton shiney trip. Hopes were high for a fine day after Saturday’s rain. Rain gods had other ideas on that.

Nine trucks gather at the meeting place opposite the school, main highway Reefton, for a 9:30 am start. Del gave the drivers instructions for the day, while Marie gave out the very valuable information sheet. At the end of the briefing Del started eyeing my truck. "You first here Hartley" "Yes" "You can do the trip report"

Del led off towards Greymouth and drove to the Nelson Creek turnoff where we turned to our left and travelled through the settlement of Nelson Creek to the turnoff of Hochstetter Road. Over the old one-way bridge, at one truck at a time. Headed into a forest block that had been badly damage in the course of the August 08 storms; areas of pine smashed like match sticks and yet some trees had not been touched. Top of the trees just broken off, whole trees ripped out of the ground.

Arrived at a clearing where we left the trucks and walked short distance along a track to the old dam earthen wall, which we walked along the top of to get to the control gates. Now have to admire the skills of the men who built these control gates. No laser levels to get the two vertical poles up right or set the cross beams level. Drill the bolt holes (by hand) etc. The dam was built for gold mining operations via a water race to Nelson Creek. Back to the trucks drive out to the road and turned right.

Continue up the road to Trig Road turnoff; turn right start climbing up the narrow track to an old skidder site on our right for lunch. Great views when the mist cleared looking North East of Lake Hochstetter and North falls on the Ahaura/ Kopara road.

After lunch moved out of the clearing to the road and turned to our left; follow the road along a narrow ridge, then drop down to the flat again, where we turned up another shingle road with a shallow creek crossing which led us through native bush on both sides of the road. After travelling along this road we end up on the tar seal again heading back to Nelson Creek settlement reserve for a cuppa. And say our farewells to Dell and Marie as that was the end of the of the day’s activities. As most were driving straight back to Nelson.

On behalf of all the members that attended this weekend trips, a big thank you Del and Marie, we do appreciate the effort you put in to make it an enjoyable and interesting time.