options for Iron Gate hut
Original post
Are there any options to get onto the Whanahuia Range directly from Iron Gate hut. I know I can go from Rangiwhahia to Triangle then down the river but looking for an alternate route back.
If a route exists how well marked will it be and how passable in 3 weeks time?
Other alternative is via Alice Nash and maybe Tunupo but that looks quite ambitious for a winter weekend.
thanks
28 comments
Horizons council uses litres / second. Divide by 1000 for cumecs
Online graph of Oroua river level is here.
http://www.horizons.govt.nz/managing-environment/resource-management/water/river-heights-and-rainfall/Choose-river-rainfall-chart/detail?Collection=Flow&Site=Oroua+at+Almadale+Slackline
Thanks for that info.
Its not looking pretty.
First we have one recent visitor quoting an easy crossing on a day that quotes a flow of 9000 and then we have an opinion of a regular visitor saying its risky above 8000.
The current flow is above 9000 and the 10 day forecast is 8 of rain.
I will be keeping an eye on that site with a view that even if it is crossable at a higher flow planning must use the lower number. Getting it wrong means a 7 hour walk to get there then 4 hours back to Rangiwhahia put of which will be by torchlight. I have a plan B
Just quickly this is 8 thousand not 80 thousand?
Flow peaked at 76518 at 4am on the 13th and is still 23k
Weather not looking flash either with showers leading up to the weekend and rain friday and saturday Sometimes heavy intermittently torrential
As things stand now plan b looks quite attractive
Yep. 8. Been across in 14k myself but that was a swim for a confident river swimmmer.
Without knowing the area at all, just by reading the thread I'd hazard a guess that you're faced with enough questions in your own mind Geeves to make prolonging this particular route the sensible option.
Now, I'm not always one to take the sensible option, but when the variables begin to pile up prudence should come into play.
I think you're already leaning that way, and if that's the case, I support your choice.
Just for reference I dont know how large or wide the river is at either the crossing or monitoring point but 8000l/sec is roughly the same as a house full of water going past every 10 seconds. In a small channel thats a lot of water
A lot of confluences before you get to the monitoring point.
River at Iron Gate is similar in volume to the river at Sayers/Totora Flats in the Tararuas - if that helps. Probably a bit less. Certainly not something to cross when it's in flood - but an easy crossing in low conditions.
In the end with the weather forecasts at hand we have decided not to go at all.
Tramping is meant to be fun but now this weekends fun will be watching paint dry
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| Forum | Tracks, routes, and huts |
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| Started by | geeves |
| On | 26 May 2015 |
| Replies | 27 |
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