One way NZ4WD is getting you out is by organising Readers’ Trips. And the April visit to Waiouru MUST count as a milestone, with a full house getting into an area they may never see again!
Reason for this is that NZ4WD, after much negotiation, obtained permission to enter more of the Army Training Area at Waiouru, an area normally totally off-limits to members of the public.
For the two days, April 28 and 29, a Saturday and Sunday, we eventually ended up with two groups as four NZ Army personnel were required by regulations to lead and tail the group while on army land.
With all of them being volunteers this meant the groups were seemingly larger than the ideal – but it worked out extremely well in the end, with the wives of some of the volunteers switching roles on their hubbies and even attempting a couple of the climbs. We sense new recruits to the world of 4-wheeling!
As far as the army helpers are concerned, this is probably a good time to thank Major Chas Charlton RNZSigs, the main coordinator of the project on the military side – together with our own Ashley Lucas – as well as Staff Sgt. Possum Stevens, RNZALR, Staff Sgt. Marvin Taua, RNZIR and Staff Sgt. Kim Marurai, RNZALR.
The day dawned with low cloud, drizzle and even some rain as we gathered for our briefing from the intrepid Ashley, and we quickly realised views were NOT going to be the order of the day – although Mt Ruapehu did peep out from behind her fluffy veil for a few minutes before quickly hiding her face away again.
So the gathered crowd – husbands and wives, children and friends – split into two groups, one heading across State Highway 1 to the western side of the 65,000 hectare training area and out towards the lower slopes of Ruapehu, the other heading east through the camp and into rolling moorland towards the Kaimanawa ranges.
For those on the western side a highlight was to have been the views from 1,300 metres up the side of the mountain, but as the weather closed in this was impossible.
Another highlight was to see the path of the recent Lahar and the destruction as it made its way from the crater lake towards SH1 and then south west towards Tangiwai and beyond, and we got to view a narrow canyon and gorge that was now deeper and more rugged than it had been before.
The terrain was mostly sandy and rocky with only a small patch of mud for the “boys” to play in towards the end of the day. Those who didn’t were able to take an alternative route to bypass the mud.
On the other side of the main road, though, things were better, with clearer weather and the only time it rained when we bivouacked for lunch, which had been provided by Ronald Cherian and the team at Rations Café at the NZ Army Museum.
This was especially yummy, and showed that Waiouru is no longer just a stop for petrol and “greasy spoons”. This and other meals proved the Rations Café slogan “Home of food less ordinary” is not just empty words.
Our lunchtime halt was interesting, as we stopped beside the historic Westlawn Hut which was built around the 1890s. This hut was originally for the drovers who herded stock, but once the army took over the land for training in 1918 they used it.
Since then, though, the army has built a new place and the original Westlawn Hut is now protected as a historic building.
The route on the eastern side was mainly along a well-kept and well-built shingle road which took the army 18 years to build, and
was easy for everybody, but there were a couple of “asides” including long steep hills.
One of these could be by-passed by continuing along the main road, and some opted for the easy drive.
However the second, which was an essential ingredient since it led on to a Bailey bridge deep within the training grounds, was too slippery and rutted for most and was abandoned, with only a couple of people managing to get through.
It also resulted in a particularly tricky – but expertly expedited - recovery of a Suzuki that didn’t make it.
A highlight of this area was the number of Kaimanawa wild horses that were seen, and there were some particularly stunning views, especially north to Taupo.
There was also a bit of playtime in a muddy gully. A few got through, but most had to be towed out by our own small platoon of helpers. The rest watched, enjoyed, and applauded!
Saturday night was at the Army Museum in Waiouru which stayed open later so the participants could have a look around prior to dinner. We’ve got Boris Beach to thank for that - he stayed late and kept the museum open.
During dinner participants were able to view photos from the day and NZ4WD, on behalf of all participants, presented a cheque for $1,500 to the museum for planned extensions under Project Tamitea, mainly designed to put the museum’s fine collection of military vehicles on permanent under-cover display.
The next day saw the weather better for both groups, although it proved a little chilly in places.
Conditions had dried out a bit and the eastern group got to the “Zone 8” by lunch time and even managed to get four or five vehicles to the top, although a couple were winched the last bit.
There was time to play in the mud again and a busy time for the helpers as they extracted stuck vehicles.
All throughout the two days the sounds of live gunfire echoed around the hills as soldiers trained (business as usual) and in the distance you could hear the occasional heavy cannon fire from the NZ LAVs (armoured personnel carriers). In all, a great way to spend a weekend in April!
Our next readers’ trip is to the South Island in July. See page 13 for more details.
For the two days, April 28 and 29, a Saturday and Sunday, we eventually ended up with two groups as four NZ Army personnel were required by regulations to lead and tail the group while on army land.
With all of them being volunteers this meant the groups were seemingly larger than the ideal – but it worked out extremely well in the end, with the wives of some of the volunteers switching roles on their hubbies and even attempting a couple of the climbs. We sense new recruits to the world of 4-wheeling!
As far as the army helpers are concerned, this is probably a good time to thank Major Chas Charlton RNZSigs, the main coordinator of the project on the military side – together with our own Ashley Lucas – as well as Staff Sgt. Possum Stevens, RNZALR, Staff Sgt. Marvin Taua, RNZIR and Staff Sgt. Kim Marurai, RNZALR.
The day dawned with low cloud, drizzle and even some rain as we gathered for our briefing from the intrepid Ashley, and we quickly realised views were NOT going to be the order of the day – although Mt Ruapehu did peep out from behind her fluffy veil for a few minutes before quickly hiding her face away again.
So the gathered crowd – husbands and wives, children and friends – split into two groups, one heading across State Highway 1 to the western side of the 65,000 hectare training area and out towards the lower slopes of Ruapehu, the other heading east through the camp and into rolling moorland towards the Kaimanawa ranges.
For those on the western side a highlight was to have been the views from 1,300 metres up the side of the mountain, but as the weather closed in this was impossible.
Another highlight was to see the path of the recent Lahar and the destruction as it made its way from the crater lake towards SH1 and then south west towards Tangiwai and beyond, and we got to view a narrow canyon and gorge that was now deeper and more rugged than it had been before.
The terrain was mostly sandy and rocky with only a small patch of mud for the “boys” to play in towards the end of the day. Those who didn’t were able to take an alternative route to bypass the mud.
On the other side of the main road, though, things were better, with clearer weather and the only time it rained when we bivouacked for lunch, which had been provided by Ronald Cherian and the team at Rations Café at the NZ Army Museum.
This was especially yummy, and showed that Waiouru is no longer just a stop for petrol and “greasy spoons”. This and other meals proved the Rations Café slogan “Home of food less ordinary” is not just empty words.
Our lunchtime halt was interesting, as we stopped beside the historic Westlawn Hut which was built around the 1890s. This hut was originally for the drovers who herded stock, but once the army took over the land for training in 1918 they used it.
Since then, though, the army has built a new place and the original Westlawn Hut is now protected as a historic building.
The route on the eastern side was mainly along a well-kept and well-built shingle road which took the army 18 years to build, and
was easy for everybody, but there were a couple of “asides” including long steep hills.
One of these could be by-passed by continuing along the main road, and some opted for the easy drive.
However the second, which was an essential ingredient since it led on to a Bailey bridge deep within the training grounds, was too slippery and rutted for most and was abandoned, with only a couple of people managing to get through.
It also resulted in a particularly tricky – but expertly expedited - recovery of a Suzuki that didn’t make it.
A highlight of this area was the number of Kaimanawa wild horses that were seen, and there were some particularly stunning views, especially north to Taupo.
There was also a bit of playtime in a muddy gully. A few got through, but most had to be towed out by our own small platoon of helpers. The rest watched, enjoyed, and applauded!
Saturday night was at the Army Museum in Waiouru which stayed open later so the participants could have a look around prior to dinner. We’ve got Boris Beach to thank for that - he stayed late and kept the museum open.
During dinner participants were able to view photos from the day and NZ4WD, on behalf of all participants, presented a cheque for $1,500 to the museum for planned extensions under Project Tamitea, mainly designed to put the museum’s fine collection of military vehicles on permanent under-cover display.
The next day saw the weather better for both groups, although it proved a little chilly in places.
Conditions had dried out a bit and the eastern group got to the “Zone 8” by lunch time and even managed to get four or five vehicles to the top, although a couple were winched the last bit.
There was time to play in the mud again and a busy time for the helpers as they extracted stuck vehicles.
All throughout the two days the sounds of live gunfire echoed around the hills as soldiers trained (business as usual) and in the distance you could hear the occasional heavy cannon fire from the NZ LAVs (armoured personnel carriers). In all, a great way to spend a weekend in April!
Our next readers’ trip is to the South Island in July. See page 13 for more details.
