SATURDAY 10 MARCH 2012

Reserve Day Sunday 11 March 2012

Start and Finish

• Start: Fern Burn, near Wanaka
• End: Butlers Green, Arrowtown

Key Dates

• Race Day: Sat 10 March 2012
• Reserve Day: Sun 11 March 2012
• Entries Open: 1 July 2011 @ 9am
• Entries Closed: 15 Feb 2012 @5pm
• Entry Transfers/Changes Close: 15 Feb 2012 @5pm
• Rego: Fri 9 March 2012 from 5.30pm at Wanaka - click here for more details

Race Day Timing

• Registration: 5am-5:45am Fern Burn carpark
• Shuttle Times: 5am-5:30am from Glendhu Bay Motor Camp to Fern Burn
• Race Briefing: 5.45am
• Race Start: 6am
• Sunrise: 8am
• Highland Hut Cut Off: 11am
• Rose's Hut Cut Off: 3pm
• Macetown Cut Off: 6pm
• Prize Giving: 5 - 6pm
• Sunset & Finish: 8pm

Race Records

• Open Male Team:7:25:06
• Open Mixed Team: 7:48:03
• Open Female Team: 8:56:43

For further details, click here

ADVENTURE RUN COURSE ROUTE & MAPS

Course Overview

Course Maps

• To view a map of all four Motatapu courses, click here

Course Profile

• To view the Adventure Run Course profile, click here

Course Description

Fern Burn Carpark to Fern Burn Hut: 7km

From the carpark the track follows the Fern Burn, passing through shrubland it then climbs through a remnant beech forest with cascading waterfalls. The track then leaves the bushline and heads into tussock country towards Fern Burn Hut. You should expect to run the Fernburn Valley segment in dark or low light so don't forget your headlamps!

Fern Burn Hut to Highland Creek Hut: 6km

This section of the track is more demanding. Continuing through tussock country and following the upper Fern Burn the track reaches Jack Halls Saddle at 1275 meters. After a steep descent and negotiating two further ridgelines the track leads down to Highland Creek Hut – Checkpoint A.

Highland Creek Hut to Roses Hut: 11km

Caution is required on this leg as much of the track is steep and unbenched, it requires careful navigation skills and visualisation of track markers is extremely important. The track crosses Highland creek, a sidling climb above another creek leads to a prominent spur where expansive views of the Motatapu valley should be enjoyed before continuing up the ridgeline. Several long steep sidles follow requiring careful attention due to the steep and tussock covered terrain, then descend down to the gully. Cross the creek through remnant beech forest before climbing Knuckle Peak’s leading south west ridge which then leads down to the Motatapu River. Cross the river, Checkpoint B and Roses Hut are a short run across the valley, where Powerade is provided and a Didymo wash station is compulsory.

Roses Hut to Macetown: 10km (2 options)

Cross the creek and climb the main ridge above Roses Saddle. As the track descends from Roses Saddle to the Arrow River, there are two available route options.

1 - If the water levels are normal to low we recommend following the river to Macetown – it should be quicker and easier despite the 20+ river crossings.  At the crossover between the Motatapu and Arrow catchment areas, follow the ridgeline down the track. The track then follows the Arrow River to Macetown.

2 - If the river is high, in flood or discoloured, the poled flood route is the compulsory option – however it is overgrown and not very well benched so the going will be slow. For what to do when you reach Macetown please follow the Bad Weather & Exit Routes instructions.

Macetown to Arrowtown - Butler's Green: 15km

The 4WD track from Macetown includes multiple river and stream crossings before finally reaching Arrowtown. This is a public road and there is no road closure so ensure you stay left and expect to see vehicles, trail bikes, and mountain bikes. On this leg you will pass an aid station, which will have water, Powerade and cookies available. Depending on recent rainfall stream levels can vary sometimes reaching waist deep in places, but often if you look carefully there will be a shallower route across! In case of the rivers becoming un-crossable taking an alternative route to Arrowtown is recommended.