Mar 23 2024

Track Clearing

Published by under Track-clearing

Track Clearing Square26. 20/03/2024. Trampers. Track Clearing. Grade 3. $5. Leader: Phil Keene.

Reporting on track clearing 20 March and 22 February 2024. Since our last report we had a working bee on the 22 February when we commenced work on trimming and machining the Porkies Track which heads uphill off the Possumbusters track.

The 22 Feb Team (phil)

The 22 Feb Team (Photo & Caprion Phil K)

On 20 March 10members turned out to complete the annual flax cutting exercise where we concentrated on Upper Swine Spur and again Porkies. These tracks are known by the Green Hut Group as the Whare Flat tracks.

The Magnificent 10 1, Watch The Knife John (phil)

The Magnificent 10 1, Watch The Knife John (Photo & Caption Phil K)

There is always a degree of initiation when this work is commenced as you have to navigate opening the gate on Rollisons Road and this task falls to the person sitting in the navigator’s seat in the front vehicle. Graeme S bravely accepted the role, which requires bending down in the ‘proposal’ position and pursing your lips in a manner to prevent swearing…..after a period of time and just as passengers started to get out to provide advice and help, Graeme launched into the air, mission accomplished!

Maybe Easier Graeme If You Faced East (phil)

Maybe Easier Graeme If You Faced East (Photo & Caption Phil K)

Everyone enjoyed a splendid drive up and along Swampy, no clouds in the sky after a brisk morning and views from Dunedin by the Bay right around Strath Taieri to the Kakanui. Hard to beat and even harder to photograph.

The View Will Be Better When The Flax Is Cut (phil)

The View Will Be Better When The Flax Is Cut (Photo & Caption Phil K)

We soon parked up our vehicles at the Swine spur intersection, having passed the flying saucer …..we split into 2 groups of 5, one heading down to where work had finished on a recent working bee and to workback up, while the other group worked down. The plan being to meet in the middle, which of course we did!

Morning Tea On Top Of The World (phil)

Morning Tea On Top Of The World (Photo & Caption Phil K)

Lots of thick grass and young broom up there awaiting the machines!

Barbara(1)

Photo Barbara (her camera!)

We then returned to the vehicles and moved further along to the Porkies intersection where we repeated the plan, with a slightly different mix of teams.

Barbara(2)

Photo Barbara

This time the teams didn’t quite meet at the halfway point due to the time constraints but 95% of Porkies is trimmed, the flax here being continuous contiguous and every other construct! Hopefully we have not fallen out of love with harakeke!

Barbara(3)

Photo Barbara

We probably have 2-3 more working bees to complete the summer programme, to machine Upper Swine Spur and to trim and machine McQuilken’s. So far we have always enjoyed great weather, great views and great company! More on dates after Easter. Thanks to everyone for a hard but enjoyable days work.
Phil K

25. January 2024 Track clearing Leader: Phil

Square Res3 working bees have been held in January and, together with that in December 2023, 20 club members have spent 110 hours brush-cutting, trimming, raking and now and again swearing, but no blaspheming!

 

The 'on With The Motley' Or 'dad's Army Team' Caption And Photo Jenni

The ‘on with the motley’ or ‘Dad’s army team’ Caption and photo Jenni

Graham Has Used A Scythe Before Caption And Photo Phil

Graham has used a scythe before Caption and photo Phil

John In The Thick Of It. Caption And Photo Phil

John in the thick of it. Caption and photo Phil

Excellent progress has been made clearing the Smithys, Possum busters, and again Lower Swine spur and some of Upper Swine spur tracks. With the ‘opening’ of the entrance ways some walkers passing by have asked ‘Oh where do those tracks go?’, to which we reply ‘Into a wonderland…’

The Smithys Team Caption And Photo Phil

The Smithys team Caption and photo Phil

A lower Swine spur/Possum busters/Smithys walk certainly provides a quality loop walk through lovely bush, starting and finishing at the one spot on Rollisons Rd. We started on Upper Swine spur last week and that also looks enticing.

Upper Swine Spur Looking Good Caption And Photo Phil

Upper Swine spur looking good Caption and photo Phil

Thanks to everyone who has volunteered so far. We will look to get a couple more working bees under our belt during February, ahead of the flax day 13th March. Watch this space.
Phil K

24. 11/12/2023 Track Clearing Leader: Phil

The first working bee for the summer got underway on nice dry tracks, with 2 scrub bars operated by Phil K and John, supported by Sarah, Pam and Dave doing the trimming, raking and everything else that was needed!

Pam Says How About A Game Of Petanque On Swinespur Caption And Photo Phil

Pam says how about a game of petanque on Swinespur Caption and photo Phil

Phil and John played leap frog up lower Swinespur to the junction with Possum Busters where lunch was had just on noon. There was quite a lot of long wet grass, with patches of flax and small manuka requiring attention. Following advice from Neil Morrison we turned left at the intersection and worked our way out to Rollisons Rd along Possum Busters finishing right on time at 2pm.

This was not only a very good days work by everyone but also enjoyable, taking time to rest and enjoy the bush, views and each others company.

A Well Earned Lunch At The Intersection Caption And Photo Phil

A well earned lunch at the intersection Caption and photo Phil

The work does give one an appreciation of these Whare Flat tracks which are underutilised by us as a club, a hint for the upcoming trip list!

Phil

23. 02/06/2023 Track clearing Leader: Phil

9 keen flax cutters turned up at PJ Park and off we went to Rollisons Road, following Neil M who had the key to the gate.  Opening the gate at Rollisons Rd is like giving the new boy on his first day at work a trick job, and it proved similar here, but after a few minutes Phil M had his lips in the right position and hey presto the padlock was undone and off we went, climbing steadily and steeply and roughly onto Swampy – on what is still officially Rollisons Rd.  We followed Neil down quite a steep rocky gravely drop off and parked up/ down / and around, it was harder and tighter than getting a park in town!

This looks like we are working with a professional Caption and Photo Phil

This looks like we are working with a professional Caption and Photo Phil

Neil backed his 4wd bike off the ute and away we went, the strategy to walk down to the first flax above the bush line and then work uphill….well this took a while and so once there we started off with morning tea, as you do.

. It seems we can't get away from the Halo project this week Caption and photo Phil

It seems we can’t get away from the Halo project this week Caption and photo Phil

From there we split into two teams, each claiming to be the A team. Teams each had 3 slashers and one picker upper… and we plugged on with each team finding its own space.

This flax is a bit like a jungle Caption and photo Phil

This flax is a bit like a jungle Caption and photo Phil

Lunch was at 12 .15pm on the dot, in good shelter from the westerly breeze which had a very high chill factor.

Lunch amongst the flax and tussock - well earned Caption and photo Phil

Lunch amongst the flax and tussock – well earned Caption and photo Phil

After lunch we again found our own areas, meeting up from time to time and finally and funnily enough we came together right at the junction of Porkies and the Swampy track, perfect planning and execution, and again right on time at 2.00pm.

Not a bad view from Porkies Caption and photo Phil

Not a bad view from Porkies Caption and photo Phil

Good craic and good hard work along the way.  Many thanks to everyone but especially to Trevor, who’s first encounter with the club is flax cutting on Porkies!

A job well done Caption and photo Phil

A job well done Caption and photo Phil

22. 15/03/2023. Track clearing Leader: Phil

Following the meet n greet we worked out a plan with 5 in Phil M car, 4 with Phil K and 2 in the car of Lyn K. Neil M was going through the locked gate and up along the top to use the weed eater on the long grass near the top of McQuilkans.
It is appropriate I think to name the writers team, the AAA team and Phil Ms team the DCC team, or better still Helen’s boys…..(what happens in Bannockburn stays in Bannockburn). The AAA team to tackle Swinespur, the DCC team McQuilkans.

 

The 'A' team Caption and photo John

The ‘A’ team Caption and photo John

Helen taking the photo and the boys. Neil joined them. Caption and photo Helen

Helen taking the photo and the boys. Neil joined them. Caption and photo Helen

The AAA team was about to head off via the Lake Whare loop entrance off Rollison’s Rd when Lyn realised her wallet was ‘missing’, so with the group OK she back tracked in her car to various places, with luck as it turns out.

Ah the right sign and track entrance Caption and photo Phil

Ah the right sign and track entrance Caption and photo Phil

Morning tea Getting ourselves in the right frame of mind with coffee... Caption and photo Phil

Morning tea Getting ourselves in the right frame of mind with coffee… Caption and photo Phil

In the meanwhile the balance of the AAA team soldiered on and warmed up nicely and decided, as you do, to have a coffee before the real work started on lower Swinespur; generally the flax cutting was steady going with the track quite wet and muddy at the bottom of the steep bits, of which there seemed to be more than the last time we were here!

Working on the flax gang Caption and photo Phil

Working on the flax gang Caption and photo Phil

Tree Fuchsia was growing a new type of orange marker, akin to it’s natural colour and well the blackberries kept popping out as we slashed and bashed and they were ‘right up there too’, as the saying goes.

New track marker grown by the Fuchsia tree Caption and photo Phil

New track marker grown by the Fuchsia tree Caption and photo Phil

We boxed on with numerous discussions for the best time to lunch, when Lyn rang in to say she was back on track, but then nearly off track as a little pig (actually a big one) went rushing past on it’s way to market, and where were we at, and so forth. So Lyn started ascending Swinespur and did some QA with her new flax cutter, whilst the rest of us went to the top for lunch at 12.55pm, taking up Sarah’s suggestion to get the last 200m of flax on the way down – what an excellent idea!

The AAA team atop Swinespur Caption and photo Phil

The AAA team atop Swinespur Caption and photo Phil

Having posed for a photo at Swinespur to prove we had made it, off we went and finally met up with Lyn who did some more QA as we descended to the cars. We made phone contact with the DCC team who had returned to Peter Johnstone just a few minutes ahead of us.
So we were still all in the mood for a good natter at Blend who were most happy to accommodate us right on 3.30pm with excellent service and coffee and cake!
Thanks to everyone for their efforts and Neil M for his guidance and advice.

 

21. 11/5/2022. Track Clearing  Leaders: Neil Morrison and Arthur Heenan.

16 trampers turned up at the car park with appropriate gear ready to slash the flax on Swine Spur, Porkies. and McQuilkans tracks.
We met Arthur at the start of Swine Spur off Rollinsons Road. We divided into 5 groups, 1 for Swine Spur and 2 groups each for the other 2 tracks starting one at each end.

Gail

Travelling in style-Bruce, Carol and Dave Roberts on todays track clearing Caption and photo Gail

McQuillkins Helen

McQuilkans Photo Helen

morning tea

Morning tea at the swine spur / possum buster inn Caption and photo Phil

stink horn Karen

This gorgeous little stink horn fungus on the side of swine burn track Caption and photo Karen

views to die for

Lunch, with views to die for Caption and photo Phil

Clear now Helen

Clear now. Caption and photo Helen

The weather was fine, the flax not as thick as anticipated, so we finished earlier than expected.
A VERY GOOD EFFORT FROM EVERYBODY.
Upon completion we all returned to Bruce and Jenny’s for afternoon tea of delicious scones, tea or coffee and more talking.
Jenny couldn’t come flax cutting but we sure appreciated the afternoon tea she provided.

afternoon tea Phil

Thanks to Jenni and Bruce for a lovely and well earned afternoon tea Caption and photo Phil

An afternoon enjoyed by all I’m sure.
Neil Morrison


20. 12/5/2021. Track Clearing. Leaders: Neil Morrison and Arthur Heenan.

On the calendar of Wednesday 12, it says ‘Flax cutting’.  Oh?  When the frost is on the ground and it’s 2 degrees?  But, we won’t be put off!

Twenty hardy souls set off for the Silver Peaks in five vehicles.  Four headed to Swampy Summit and one vehicle to the start of Possum Busters where they walked on to the bottom of McQuilkans
On arriving at the top of Swampy, we realised why Green Hut Track Group cancelled their work day – a layer of snow on the road and a bit slippery.  However, after a cuppa, we soldiered on.
DSC04884res

“Fresh crisp morning tea conditions.” – Photo and Caption John.

Nine walked to the start of Porkies to clear this track and six went by vehicle through light ice and snow to McQuilkans .
 Cutting started immediately but we were fortunate that there was no wind and sky was clear which meant fingers and toes  didn’t remain numb for too long.
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“Marjike’s pruning saw getting into the bigger bits on Porkies.” – Photo and Caption John.

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“The ‘possum busters’ group having well deserved lunch.” – Photo and Caption Helen.

Good progress was made before we had a lunch stop pleasantly in the sun about 12.30pm.
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“Diane is too busy to enjoy the view from Porkies.” – Photo and Caption John

We then moved on through a section of bush with sun filtering through.  This the end of flax clearing?  Not yet!  The next  curve revealed a section of several metres where the flax  was considerably
thicker and required much more hacking and cutting.  At this stage, Neil heard voices below and headed down towards them.  He came back with the good report that the group starting
at the bottom had finished and that there was no more flax beyond the thick clumps we were working on.
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“Before – Porkies track – see next photo.” – Photo and Caption John.

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“After – transformation taking place(Dave and Diane posing).” – Photo and Caption John.

 

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“Graeme supervising again.” – Photo and Caption John.

Final swings and slashes:  End of flax cutting!  Job done!
It was with satisfaction that we made the upward trek to the ute and the ute then, with a bump or three, linked with the other group who had returned to the top of Porkies having cleared that track.
Back to the cars and homeward bound.
 Coffee back in Mosgiel was planned, some made it and some were delayed. So ended a very successful day.

THANKS TO ALL WHO HELPED


19. 17/3/2021. Track Clearing. Swine Spur Track. Leaders :Neil Morrison and Arthur Heenan

15 Eager trampers turned out for Flax clearing duty, on Upper Swine Spur Track.  They worked down from the top.

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“Ready to go.” – Photo and Caption Gordon

One Group for 4 drove up over Swampy Summit, from Rollisons Road, to the top of Swine Spur. They worked down from the top.

DSC04705 (1)

“Dave and Pam about to terrorise any flax bush in sight.” – Photo and Caption John

The larger group parked further down Rollinsons Road, and walked from the bottom. Morning Tea was taken at the Junction with Possum Busters, and this group started here to deal with the flax.

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“Smoko.” – Photo and Caption Gordon

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“You should be cutting lower John! – Photo and Caption John

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“Heads down, Bums up!” – Photo and Caption Gordon

Good steady progress was made  until the 2 groups met at 12.30, perfect timing for lunch. Afterwards both groups walked out to their starting points – with some titivating  on the way back.

DSC04706res

“Some titivating on the way back.” – Photo and Caption John

A very satisfactory days work.

Back in Mosgiel a well earned visit was made to BLEND .  A very special thank you to all who helped today.

Arthur.


18. 15/5/2019. Track Clearing. Possum Busters Area. Neil and Arthur.

On a fine but cool Wednesday  14 hardy souls turned up keen to clear some more tracks from FLAX. 7 arrived at Possum Busters, Whare Flat Road junction at 9 ::30 and  started along the track and eventually divided into 2. groups.  1 group cutting up McQuilkins , and the remainder carried on to Porkies. The other 7  travelled up to the top of Swampy by vehicle to clear going down Porkies and McQuilkins. By lunch time both tracks had been cleared of flax.

PM.20190515_125743c

(Phil M. pic.)

PM20190515_130046c

(Phil M. pic.)

HOORAY. Now it was just a matter of returning to the vehicles with a job well done arriving about 1:30.  3 1/2 hours cutting.   After this we returned to Blends for a welcome cuppa and a yarn and the RAIN STARTED.  WE CAN ALL SAY MISSION ACCOMPLISHED !!!!

A BIG THANK YOU FOR ALL WHO HELPED ON THIS JOB .  THE CLEARED TRACK LOOKS GREAT. – Neil.


17. 8/5/2019. Swine Spur – and Porkies. Neil and Arthur.

On a fine Wednesday 15 hardy souls turned up keen to clear some tracks from FLAX. We arrived at the bottom of Swine Spur at 9 ::30 and 11 started up the track

G.1st photo --Setting off all enthusedc

Setting off all enthused. (Gordon pic and caption.)

and eventually divided into 3. groups.

H.3.The groupc

The group. (Helen pic and caption.)

1 group cutting up to Swine spur

H.1.Hard at workc

Hard at work. (Helen pic and caption.)

from Possum Busters junction, another group checked Possum Busters to the left, and the remainder carried on up Swine Spur

G.4th-- Up hill to next lot of flaxcJPG

Up hill to next lot of flax. (Gordon pic and caption.)

meeting up with the forth group of 4 who had travelled up to the top by vehicle to clear going down Swine Spur.After lunch the top group cleared about an hour on Porkies by which time everyone had tired arms from sawing and chomping flax so they called it quits and headed back down

G.6th-- Time up.Time to returnc

Time up.Time to return. (Gordon pic and caption.)

to the locked gate and the others who had arrived back at the road at 2;;30 after another hour on Possum Busters. After this we returned to Blends for a welcome cuppa.

A BIG THANK YOU FOR ALL WHO HELPED ON THIS JOB .  THE CLEARED TRACK LOOKS GREAT.

– Neil

16. 2/3/2016.  Smithys.

Today, 4 of us started on clearing Smithys track. We went in across the new bridge installed by Neil, that crosses the very wet smelly red muck at the Rollinsons Road end of the track. We estimate that we got about 3/4 of the way through, before it was time to retrace our steps back to the cars.
We are not sure if we will have enough fuel to finish this work, so unless somebody comes up with a couple of litres of fuel, that is as far as we are going. I have about one litre left, & I’m not sure if that would be enough to get to the end of the track. – Ken

15. 11/1/2016 Swamp grass cleared from tracks in Lake Whare environs.

On Monday, 3 trampers met at 9am & went into the Rollinsons Rd area to do some more track clearing.
We started by clearing the bottom piece of Swine Spur, of the waist high swamp grass, then we cleared the whole distance around the Lake Whare Loop track [more waist high swamp grass] & the short lower piece of the track leading from the Lake Whare Loop up to Smithys Track.
As it was still only about 3pm, we decided to also clear a way through the long grass from Rollinsons Rd. to the bush edge of Smithys Track.
I have tried to contact the Green Hut track leader [ & left a message on his phone] to ask if they could put some sort of a bridge over the smelly boggy bit just off the road.
Cheers
Ken


14. 6/1/2016 Possum Busters cleared end to end

After a marathon effort, we finally got Possum Busters track cleared all the way through from road-to-road. This has taken 4 & a bit days of work to complete, & it still would not be finished if it were not for the helping hand of Dick from the Green Hut Track Group, with another scrub bar.
We had 8 people turn up this morning to help out, & it worked out very well with the different activities of the day.

Arthur walked all the way through with a chainsaw, accompanied by Keith, tidying up the few remaining trees blocking, or partially blocking the track, while Ian & Dick walked through to where we had finished off last time, & then started to work back towards Neil, Eric, Steve, & myself.

I would like to thank everybody for their work, it was a relief to get it finished.

However — we are not finished with track clearing yet, & our next effort will be on Monday next, meeting at the same place at 9am. We will be clearing the bottom end of Swine Spur, through all that very long swamp grass [cutty grass] along to where the track enters the bush.

HNY
Ken


13. 29/12/2015.

Yesterday [Tuesday 29th] 3 trampers went into Possum Busters track from the Rollinsons Road end with two scrub bars, & loppers/hedge clippers.
We have cleared all the way up to & beyond the junction with Swine Spur track. This was very hard work, because of the two steep gullies we had to get in & out of carrying all the gear, & clearing as we went.
We estimate that we have at least another day’s work to finish the full track length, from the Whare Flat -Flagstaff Rd. through to Rollinsons Rd.

The same 3 trampers turned up at the car park this morning, where we decided to have a look at signs on the Tunnels Track, [ or lack of signs] on the three tracks leading back down to the Silverstream.
The Green Hut Group have asked us to do this, & put in signs where necessary.

We will probably look at doing some more work on Possum Busters Track before next Wednesday sometime, weather permitting. So if anybody can lend a hand, that would be most helpful. I will send out an email stating the day/time/meeting place, when we decide to do this.
We will be going in from the Whare Flat – Flagstaff Road end this time, as although it’s longer, it’s much easier going when carrying scrub bars etc. – Ken


12. 30/11/2015.

4 of us went into the Whare Flat area today to put in some signs. We put 6 in around there, & then went up the firebreak track from the bullring, & put one at the top end of the Big Rock track as well. We then went down this track to see if we could find the lower part that goes down to the road, but we couldn’t find it. So we may try to come in from the bottom at the road end, & see how that goes. This track is NOT recommended, it is badly overgrown, & very hard to find your way. It also has some difficult parts, including clambering over boulders etc.
Somebody has been in there recently, & cut down some of the pines that are growing up near the top end above Big Rock.

Here are the pics of them except one which I forgot to photograph.

At junction of Smithies & Lake Whare loop (Ken pic and caption)

At junction of Smithies & Lake Whare loop (Ken pic and caption)

Junction of Swine Spur & track leading to Smithies (Ken pic and caption)

Junction of Swine Spur & track leading to Smithies (Ken pic and caption)

Top end of Lake Whare track (Ken pic and caption)

Top end of Lake Whare track (Ken pic and caption)

Top of Big Rock track (Ken pic and caption)

Top of Big Rock track (Ken pic and caption)

We are nearly finished with signs in that area now, maybe only two or three left to do. But the tracks badly need clearing AGAIN !! Time to get the scrub bar working again. – Ken


11. 6/5/2015

On Wednesday, Arthur, Eric, Dermot, & Ken met up at the end of Silverstream Rd. at 9am & went back into Whare Flat area to finish clearing Smithys track. We went in from Possum Busters on the Whare Flat-Flagstaff Rd. & made our way around to the junction with Smithys, where we started clearing, back towards where we finished on Monday. This was by far the worst end of the track, with many places that badly needed cleared of grass/lawyer vine/honeysuckle/broadleaf etc. etc. 
So it was a big day, & I didn’t think we were going to get to the end, but eventually we did get right through, much to everybodys relief. Then it was a bit of a struggle to get back to the car, after expending most of our energy during the day. The weather was good, although it did worry us a little at lunch time with a few spots of rain. However that soon cleared, & then the sun came out for a great afternoon.
The scrub bar used approx 4litres of fuel for the day, which is not bad considering it runs almost flat out for much of the time.

I arrived home at about 4:30pm, with a couple of blisters, & feeling VERY tired, but happy that we got the job done. – Ken.


10. 4/5/2015

Neil, Arthur, Bruce, & I went out on Monday into the Lake Whare area to do some more track work. We started by clearing long grass from the bottom end of an unnamed track, which drops down from Smithys track & joins up with the Lake Whare Loop track. 
Two of the group went into the bottom part of the Loop track, & us two made our way around from the top end, clearing as we went until we met up by the Lake. We then cleared the track going off to Smithys track [signpost says “to Jim Freeman”], & once we had done that, we then started on Smithys Track. We got a long way through here, but we still have the worst end to do, & estimate another 3hrs work before we finish it.
We were all pleased with the progress made, & commented how much faster it would be if we had two scrub bars to work with. 
I arrived home just after 4pm, feeling rather tired but happy with the day. – Ken

9. 1/4/2015.

April 1st saw two of the trampers out track clearing again. We finished clearing the bottom end of Swine Spur track.

 

1 Swine Spur track, before clearing. (Ken pic)

1 Swine Spur track, before clearing. (Ken pic)

2 Swine Spur track after clearing. (Ken pic)

2 Swine Spur track after clearing. (Ken pic)

3 Swine Spur, note the track marker we added. (Ken pic)

3 Swine Spur, note the track marker we added. (Ken pic)

Then went & cleared the way through the long grass on the top end of the Whare Lake Loop track, past the old stone ruins. After this we retraced our steps back to Rollinsons Rd. & drove down to the bottom exit for the Loop track, where we cleared about 50-70mtrs. of track until it entered the bush.

4 Clearing the top end of the Whare Lake Loop track. (Ken pic)

4 Clearing the top end of the Whare Lake Loop track. (Ken pic)

5 Whare Lake Loop track before clearing. (Ken pic)

5 Whare Lake Loop track before clearing. (Ken pic)

6 Whare lake Loop track after clearing. (Ken pic)

6 Whare lake Loop track after clearing. (Ken pic)

We then drove down to the start of the Tunnels Track, & cleared the entrance to this as well. We also hung some new track markers in appropriate places on Swine Spur, & the Loop Tracks. All this took about 5 hours of toil. You want to try clearing a path through shoulder high grass, & carrying the scrub bar for 5 hours !! Any volunteers from the hikers for the next piece to be done, which is from point 8 on page 5.08 in A. Hamels book, to where the track up through the bush starts on the short, but steep track [un-named] leading up to the junction with Smithy’s Track ?? – Ken.

8. 4/3/2015

We had a very successful day today, 6 trampers arrived at the end of Silverstream Rd. to help with the days track clearing effort. We motored up to Rollinsons Rd. where two members set off with chainsaws to make a path around a large tree that was across the Lake Whare loop track. The rest carried on a bit further to the end of the Swine Spur track, where we unloaded the scrub cutter, fuel, tools, etc. for the attempt at clearing a way through the waist high swamp grass along the lower part of the track.
Two carried another sign into Smithies Track, & put it in to point the correct way at what appears [wrongly] to be a track junction.
Later on, three members armed with hedge clippers & loppers went up to the start of Jim Freeman track on the Flagstaff – Whare Flat Rd. to clear the first part of that track, which had gotten badly overgrown.
The scrub cutter works extremely well with it’s new blade, & we made good progress up until lunchtime, when I decided to turn the blade over to get a new cutting edge, & lost a washer that holds the blade on, so the nut wouldn’t tighten up, & the blade just spun around inside it’s clamp. So we had lunch, looked for the washer unsuccessfully , & decided to call it a day.
We still have some distance to go to get through this swamp grass, but another mornings work should see it done. – Ken

7. 8/2/2015. Swine Spur grass clearing.

Today, Ian Hebbard & I went & tried out the scrub bar on the start of Swine Spur track. Went thru 2 tanks of fuel to get to the junction with the track going across the small log bridge around to Lake Whare, & found that the blade they gave us is useless. So I’m going to find out what a proper grass blade is worth & see if the club will come to the party. We used another tool head that came with it, & it works quite well…

Start of Swine Spur track. (Ken pic and caption)

1. Start of Swine Spur track. (Ken pic and caption)

showing clearing work on Swine Spur track. (Ken pic and caption)

2. Showing clearing work on Swine Spur track. (Ken pic and caption)

3. More clearing. (Ken pic and caption)

3. More clearing. (Ken pic and caption)

4. Cleared up to junction of Swine Spur & Lake Whare tracks. (Ken pic and caption)

4. Cleared up to junction of Swine Spur & Lake Whare tracks. (Ken pic and caption)

…but as soon as it gets into heavy going, or strikes a branch hidden in the long grass, it breaks the heavy duty nylon & then I have to replace it, so that could get expensive. This tool head is quite unusual, in that it’s very small, & takes straight lengths of very strong ‘ nylon wire’ [not my words, that’s what the makers are calling it] about 25cm-30 long, & they go through the tool head from one side, & stick out the other side by an equal amount. It can take two of these lengths at right angles to each other, but that would be too much for this machine in long grass.
It’s going to be a long hard slog to get the whole bottom end of Swine Spur clear of all that long swamp grass, I might try a scythe, & see how that goes!!!

We also put in another sign at the start of the Tunnel Track…

5. New sign at start of Tunnels track, about 30mtrs from road. (Ken pic and caption)

5. New sign at start of Tunnels track, about 30mtrs from road. (Ken pic and caption)

…about 30mtrs in from the road, & before you get to the creek crossing. – Ken.

6. 17/12/2014. Today we put in new signs…

…at the top of Swine Spur/…

 Top of Swine Spur (Ken pic and caption)

1 top of Swine Spur (Ken pic and caption)

…Porkies/…

Top of Porkies (Ken pic and caption)

2 top of Porkies (Ken pic and caption)

…Moon…

3 top of Moon (Ken pic and caption)

3 top of Moon (Ken pic and caption)

4 close up of Moon sign (Ken pic and caption)

4 close up of Moon sign (Ken pic and caption)

…& McQuilkans…

 

5 top of Mc Quilkans (Ken pic and caption)

5 top of Mc Quilkans (Ken pic and caption)

6 close up of McQuilkans sign (Ken pic and caption)

6 close up of McQuilkans sign (Ken pic and caption)

…tracks. We reinstated the DCC sign at the locked gate on Rollinsons Rd. & put in two signs on Smithies track, at two junctions, to point the correct direction to follow Smithies.
We used a 4WD vehicle, & a 4 wheeler quad bike with trailer…

7 our mode of transport (Ken pic and caption)

7 our mode of transport (Ken pic and caption)

…to transport us & equipment along the Swampy ridge track to the tops of the 4 tracks that emerge onto there.
We then went back down Rollinsons Rd. picked up the sign that should be at the locked gate, & proceeded to reinstate it…

8 reinstalling the DCC sign at the locked gate (Ken pic and caption)

8 reinstalling the DCC sign at the locked gate (Ken pic and caption)

…in it’s original position.
Then it was into Smithies track carrying two signs to be installed at junctions,…

9 one of the two Smithies signs (Ken pic and caption)

9 one of the two Smithies signs (Ken pic and caption)

…where it was not obvious which way to go. – Ken.

5. 24/11/2014. Track signs.

A good group of 6 gathered at the end of Silverstream valley Rd. this afternoon to help carry a couple of signs, & equipment,  in to the junction of Possum Busters Track & Porkies Track.
After deciding where the signs were to be placed some holes were dug, & it was here that one group member showed such a dab hand with the spade …

(Ken pic)

Uncaptioned. (Ken pic)

… that nobody else wanted to have a go with it!! After assembling the signs & lowering them into their holes, we rammed all the clay we could find …

(Ken pic)

Uncaptioned. (Ken pic)

… back into the holes, & when we had finished, some photos …

(Ken pic)

Uncaptioned. (Ken pic)

(Ken pic)

Uncaptioned. (Ken pic)

(Ken pic)

Uncaptioned. (Ken pic)

… were taken while we were congratulating ourselves on a job well done. – Ken.

… yesterday [i.e. 5/11/2014, Ed], 4 of us went & put some new signs in on Possum Busters, & Smithy’s tracks. – Ken.

At start of Smithy's on Rollinsons Rd. (Ken caption)

At start of Smithy’s on Rollinsons Rd. (Ken caption)

At start of Smithy's on Rollinsons Rd. (Ken caption)

At start of Smithy’s on Rollinsons Rd. (Ken caption)

At junction of Possum Busters & Swine Spur. (Ken caption)

At junction of Possum Busters & Swine Spur. (Ken caption)

At start of Possum Busters on Rollinsons Rd. (Ken caption)

At start of Possum Busters on Rollinsons Rd. (Ken caption)

4. 12/9/2014. Track Clearing. Possum Busters from Top.
We struggled up the Possum Busters track from Rollinsons Rd. & managed to lose two of our group. We didn’t notice they were missing until we got back to the Swine Spur/Possum Busters junction for lunch. We thought they were diligently trimming back some trackside growth somewhere behind us ! It transpired that they took a wrong turn about 100 yds.  from the junction where we had lunch, & ended up going down the bottom part of Swine Spur all the way out to the road. Of course they then realised their mistake, & retraced their steps. We found them when two of us went down the Swine Spur to see if we could find the track, as last time we tried, it disappeared, & we couldn’t find where it went. I’m happy to say that the track has been cleared, & we found the lost duo, just as they finished their lunch, about 200mtrs. from the lunch junction. Another member of our party went all the way out to the road on Possum Busters to try & find them, so he retraced his steps, & we met up with him shortly after we started heading out after lunch.
As for the track clearing effort, we discovered that we were only about 25mtrs. short of getting all the way through last time when we came in from Jim Freeman track.  It was a bit of a surprise to find that we only had about 1/2 an hour of clearing to do. So Possum Busters is now open for traffic, but still needs some tidying, which the Green Hut Track Group tells me they will do this when we cut a way through all the windfall trees.
On the way out, two of us stopped off at the pump-house car park, & went along the Silverstream track with chainsaws, to clear a way past some fallen trees that were making it difficult to walk the first part of this track. So it’s now possible to walk along here without having to duck under, or climb over any obstacles.
We also had a look at Leishmans track, where DOC have been trying to cut their way through windfall material. This is negotiable for quite some distance, but we didn’t go all the way, so there could still be some blockage further in. The track is steep in places, & the creek crossings are VERY slippery. – Ken]
3. 29/8/2014. Possum Busters track clearing day.
Today, 6 members of the club turned up for a track clearing day on Possum Busters track, which has been blocked since the last years big snow fall. We had two chainsaws working, & some others with loppers etc. & some shifting the cut vegetation from the track as we progressed along it. We achieved a good distance [estimate about 1km] with approx. 4 hrs work, & we think we are getting close to the other end of the blockage.
The damage in there has to be seen to understand what it’s really like, & many thanks to the Green Hut track group, who found the way through this jungle of fallen trees etc. & marked it so it can be followed again.
This track would make a good walk for the hikers in the future I think, although there are a few creek crossings to negotiate.
So a very grateful thanks to those that turned up & worked so hard during the day. Cheers – Ken]
2. 7/8/2013. Trampers. Schoolhouse, Tunnels, McRaes Weir, return.
At the request of the DCC, 4 trampers armed themselves with some tools, & arrived at the tunnels track ready to do some track clearing. The first obstacle was located within 300 mtrs of the starting point, up the road & just across the stream from the schoolhouse. This was one of many blockages that we had found when we did a tramp along here 2 weeks before.
We managed to get all the way along to the old racemans hut, & the stream crossing just beyond that, clearing all of the smaller stuff out of the way, so that the DCC guys, or The Green Hut Track Group could come in with chainsaws, & remove all the large trees across the track.
It was obvious that the DCC Task force Green guys had been along the last part of the track towards the old racemans hut, as there wasn’t much for us to do along that stretch, but we still did a good days work, & I think there would’ve been some tired bodies that evening.
We may look at continuing with this work at a later date, but I have sent an email to Graeme of the Green Hut Track Group, so he can keep me up to date on what still needs doing. – Ken.
1. 6/10/2004. Both. Track Clearing Day. (Hedge Clippers, Secateurs, Loppers.) Leaders: Ian, Bob H.

2 responses so far




2 Responses to “Track Clearing”

  1. bevray  Beverley Harveyon 20 Dec 2014 at 1:59 pm

    Think a very big “thank you” is owed to those members of the club who have done such a great job of the track clearing and the VERY well made new signs they have installed. I am sure it will be much appreciated not only by our club but many others who enjoy the tramps on these tracks. Certainly those of us that did the tramp/hike on 3rd Dec. did. Thanks guys.

    Reply

  2. kenmc  Ken McVieon 20 Dec 2014 at 5:21 pm

    Thanks must also go to the Green Hut Track Group, & others for the tremendous amount of work that has been done in that area alone.
    Not forgetting that they also look after the Silverpeaks tracks, & the Silverstream ones as well.
    My thanks go out to them all.

    Reply

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