The team on the Girdlestone Saddle section of the track
After 8 days cutting, the GWBN team completed cutting the 18.5 kms from the Dora Track to Mangahao Dams. Total effort was 211 hours cutting. The chainsaw and scrub bar were operating for 52 hour. This completes 360 kms of track clearing over the last 27 months in the Tararua and Aorangi forest parks.
Some days in the heat were hard going. When we got to Harris Creek, we took a break and returned to work from the Mangahao dams. The Horowhenua Hunters Club kindly loaned us use of their house at the dams.
Jim cleared winfalls using the chainsaw for all 8 days
For the second stage from Harris Creek, Jill Dalton and Paul McCredie joined Jim Hepburn, Alistair Barr and Derrick Field finish the job. Nigel Boniface and Emma Gregg were unable to return for the final push.
We finished bit quicker than expected. The stretch downstream from Harris creek is hard going with the equipment but from the swing bridge out to the dam the going was fairly easy.
Emma and Alistair clearing cut vegetation off the track
Te Araroa walkers appear to be using the track a bit. A large party passed through before us, and we met a party while track clearing.
Staying at the Mangahao Flats hut without the hut being full of TA walkers was a pleasant change. The hut has been kept very clean. We spent some time cutting the vegetation around the hut, and looking out to the river.
Clearing fern and gresses around Mangahao Flats hut
Funding for this track was from the annual grant the GWBN receives from DOC Wairarapa