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- Chasam Track Attack
Chasam Track Attack
Aside from logging new tracks and features for the RemoteMoto website, one of the focuses for this trip was to check out access across the Grey River for the upcoming Chasm Track ride.

First on the cards was coffee from Drovers
Reference Link : Drovers Cafe & Bar

Reference Link : SH73 - Arthurs Pass

Reference Link : Lake Lyndon

Reference Link : SH73 - Arthurs Pass

Reference Link : Waimakariri Valley Track

Reference Link : Waimakariri Valley Lookout

Reference Link : SH73 - Arthurs Pass

Attending to the grumbling belly at Arthurs Pass Store
Reference Link : Arthurs Pass Store

Lake Pearson
Reference Link : SH73 - Arthurs Pass

Lake Pearson
Reference Link : SH73 - Arthurs Pass

The Taramakau River Bridge
Reference Link : Lake Brunner Road

The Taramakau River
Reference Link : Lake Brunner Road

The magic and crystal clear Crooked River
Reference Link : Bell Hill Road

Lady Lake
Reference Link : Bell Hill Road

Lake Haupiri
Reference Link : Haupiri Road

Haupiri River
Reference Link : Haupiri Road

Lake Haupiri Outlet
Reference Link : Haupiri Road

Ahaura River at the end of Haupiri Road
Reference Link : Haupiri Road

Reference Link : Haupiri-Amuri Road

Next up were some back roads through the Nelson Creek area. I was half expecting not to be able to get through with the recent storm bringing down numerous trees however someone (presumably a 4X4 club) had been through with a chainsaw and cleared the way. Nice job!

Some of the tracks are getting more and more eroded



After a good sniff around some back roads, the day was running short and it was time to find a place to camp

The next morning it was off to check out the crossing for the Chasm track. This photo makes the crossing look like a walk in the park but looks are deceiving. Even though the water is running extremely low the river is still very boldery with deep pockets well over 3 feet; ample to drown a bike. That was to be expected for this river, what was the surprise however was the water temperature. Just a few months back at the tail end of the fishing season I had a session on this river spending a good portion of the day wet wading around waist height. Like most New Zealand rivers in late summer the temperature was fresh, but tolerable. I expected the temperature to drop with the snow melt however not as severe. Even spending just a few minutes in the icy cold water feels like someone is stabbing you in the legs with a dagger. In all honesty it would be bitterly unenjoyable ferrying six bikes across the river waist deep in this icy cold water, this is ideally a summer trip when the water temperatures have raised. The concluding good news from this reconnaissance trip is that the riverbank lends itself well to safely pendulum the bikes across on inflatable pontoons. So at this point it is all systems go for the Chasm trip, we'll just have to scratch in the dates for mid/late summer

The rest of the morning was spent walking this river and nearby tributaries investigating fishing spots for the upcoming season.



After packing up camp it was off on the bike again

Some nosy onlookers

Reference Link : Nelson Creek Campsite

Reference Link : Slab Hut Creek Campsite

Reference Link : Slab Hut Creek Campsite

A brown out feeding in the foam lines. He's sitting in front of a rock centre/right in the frame


Reference Link : SH7 - Lewis Pass

Reference Link : SH7 - Lewis Pass

Reference Link : SH7 - Lewis Pass

Reference Link : SH7 - Lewis Pass

Reference Link : SH7 - Lewis Pass

To wind up the trip was a feed from the Hurunui Pub
