Bay Closed
28 February 2005 - 10:53am
.... or it will be if people keep driving past the marae and parking at the camp site. I got told to pass on this message when paying for my days climbing by one of Mere's whanau. Apparently this road was closed to climbers as a result of someone boy racing past the Marae and almost hitting a child. This was relaxed for a while when the pigs were raiding peoples food - vehicles were permitted down at the camp site to store food in. The pigs have been delt with and Bay locals want no cars going past the Marae. Also people are camping too far right on the beach which is now directly in front of a permanently occupied dwelling. Mere is getting more and more reports of people climbing at the Plateau and not paying from the residents up there. Mere keeps this quiet from the majority of the whanau as she is supportive of climbers but if the word gets out that this is widespread all it takes is for majority voting at the Marae to ban climbers. Spread the word.
The bay road is now 2 wd the whole way.
28 February 2005 - 2:16pm
#2
I'm going to be blunt...DONT F#CK IT UP FOR EVERYONE ELSE.
Having a chat with the Mere and being respectful does wonders for access. Mere does have a soft spot for climbers....POLITE ONES.
The bay whanau are nothing but generous with access, friendliness and the occasional lift up to the carpack!!
MAKE SURE YOU PAY. Its a small token and for what you get in return, its a no brainer to see who has the best deal.
28 February 2005 - 4:33pm
#3
Who drives in front of the Marae?
You have not been able to for years. Pretty well known.
I have never seen anyone but the locals drive down here since they asked people not to. It's fairly clear from the signs.
If these signs have dissapeared or something then the locals should let it be known to those who did drive past that they shouldn't. They are probably not even aware that they are doing anything wrong. The same with the camping site. If you are not told how are you supposed to know?
Contrary to what the locals might think if you tell one climber, evry other climber in the entire country who might go there does not automatically here about it. There is more than 10 of us.
But equally, when those of us who do know what the story is are down the Bay, it is our responsibility to let newcomers know how they should behave. Make sure we tell people. I am certain that some newby climbers have no idea that you even have to pay anything at all.
As for the plateau? I'm assuming this is referring to Day climbers? I can understand how some people may be less than enthusiatic after a days climbing to walk from the plateau down to the beach and then back past the plateau and up to the carpark. That's a fair hike. Especially since you should not give your money to any one but Mere or whanau at her place.
I assume that in instances like this people just pay extra the next time they stay down there? That's what we have done in the past. Maybe it's a non issue now you can actually drive down there again?
These sorts of things come up every now and then (as you would expect them to with an ever changing population of climbers who don't know the rules) We just all have to make sure the resource continues to be respected.
28 February 2005 - 4:48pm
#4
Well put Regan.
Some of the signs are getting a bit overgrown. I'll try and clear them a bit next time. I've often paid $10-$20 in one go for 2-4 days worth of day climbing at the plateau or lobotomy and Mere appreciates the honesty when this happens. I do a lot of day climbing there (30mins from home :))and it's easy to get a bit slack, but it's equally easy to pay in a lump sum every so often.
Part of the driving problem maybe that there are a lot more "locals" now and it maybe hard to tell who's who on the road, so it's easier to blame the climbers. Please, if you're taking 1st timers, make the effort to point out the ettiquette, and show them where Mere lives, that way future generations will know the deal.
28 February 2005 - 5:22pm
#5
Yeah the sign on the road before the marae is getting a little worse for wear, I was thinking of repainting it next time I'm down.
Mere told me that she is also having a issue with people coming in via boat for a days climbing and not paying as they think payment is for camping fees, so it might be good to keep that in mind.
Plus where else in NZ is climbing/camping fees tax deductable. The payment is considered a donation so remember to get as much back from that damn IRD.
28 February 2005 - 5:46pm
#6
Well put Regs - my post is for Morons who visit this forum and can't read.
http://mojozone.co.nz/climbing-location/whanganui-bay
"Access is via the notorious bay road. It's on the western shore of Lake Taupo, on the highway that goes round the back of the lake. Approx 24 km south past the Tihoi trading post, turn left off the main road. Current (Nov-Dec 2004) access conditions indicate that only a 4wd will make it down the bay road fully. There's a car park about halfway down the bay road before it gets really ambitious, so check it out carefully before you head down to the bottom. Otherwise leg it, it's about a 30min stroll down the road from the carpark. Camping is on the designated area, and the cost to climb/camp is $10 per day & night or $5 per day. Payable to Mere, you can find her at one of the houses down by the entrance to the main cliff. See the news item for an update on the road."
How else to people get information avout the bay in the first place? Word of mouth is common...but maybe too much time is spent talking about the fantastic climbs and not about the system involved for access.
Indeed. This is somthing all climbers must do as it would be a shame to loose such an excellent area.
Follow the sign's and park where it says, pretty simple really.[/b]