Online entries now closed – email terry@cavalcade.co.nz if desperate to get on.
Trail Boss: Les Beattie. 6 Days. Fully Catered and supported. Horse ‘n riders welcome. Ride out by 8am, typically in by 4pm. Good solid days riding over high country/farm 4WD tracks and cross country.
$800 riders. $765 backup
When do I need to be where? We meet at Dry Creek Station on the northern side of the Meikleburn Saddle from 3pm onwards.
How hard will the days be? Between 30-40km per day. This is one of the tougher rides on the Cavalcade. Longer days possible, more testing for horse and rider because of terrain. A good level of fitness and experience required.
What can we expect en route? AMAZING VIEWS, fantastic food, Very capable and experienced Trail Boss and Wranglers! And a great bunch of other like minded horse enthusiasts! Really bloody hot temperatures! 30 degrees plus. Freezing cold temperatures! -5 degrees maybe colder with the wind chill factor – You can get all sorts of weather in these Canterbury Mountains. At this time of year it is typically warm/hot but southerly storms can blow through (short lived) at any time.
What do I need to bring? A horse!
Waterproof coat/jacket, leggings & hat
Jersey, balaclava, socks, longjohns, gloves
Hot weather gear e.g shorts & T shirt
Gaiters are a good idea to keep rubbish & rain out of boots
Riding boots or boots with a heel suitable for walking
Plate/bowl, cutlery, drinking vessel, tea towel.
Towel & toilet articles
Sleeping bag & mat / stretcher
Sunscreen & insect repellent
Personal items and a roll of loo paper
Small first aid kit for you and your horse
Camera & torch
Don’t forget a wee treat for yourself and your horse
Water bottle
Personal medications
Money for the bar and Host Town
Baby wipes are handy when hand washing difficult
Small ground cover to put down in yards to put your gear on
Where are we going? (TBC)
Sunday. 28 Feb. We meet at Dry Creek Station on the northern side of the Meikleburn Saddle from 3pm onwards.
Monday. Today we pass one of NZ’s oldest stone huts before climbing up 1,000 meters with views over Lake Opuha and dropping down to Clayton Station for the night.
Tuesday. We ride out up the North Opuha River with stunning views of Fox Peak before sidling around the Sherwood Range, past Mt Dobson to Woodburn Station at the base of the Two Thumb Range.
Wednesday. Following the base of the Two Thumb Range towards Burkes Pass we will then ride along the top of the Rollesby Range through to the Mackenzie Pass looking down into the vast Mackenzie Basin with Aoraki Mt Cook as a backdrop, finishing the day at Grampians Station. This is our biggest day.
Thursday. Today we ride out towards Grays Hill Station, around hills that descend from a peak of 942 metres and cascade into an array of slopes and gullies.
Friday. Heading towards our final station, Ben Ohau, we ride across the Mackenzie Basin up the Pukaki River towards the stunning Lake Pukaki where we cross the canal with a back drop of Aoraki Mt Cook.
Saturday. A short ride today into the host town of Twizel.
Questions specific to this trail? Ask The Boss – didi@actrix.co.nz
Questions about the Cavalcade in general and entry process, support… Ask the organiser terry@cavalcade.co.nz Or call the office 03 445 0111
