Hi Hiking Zone. Have checked in with some people that have been more recently. I think the easiest access is to head down the Ure Road (off state highway one) about 8km until you are opposite Kilgram. Enter the Waima River at this point. You shouldn't have to cross any private land and should be able to stay in the hydro parcels.
We did a day trip from Isolation Hut to Isolated Biv and back. It took us 2 hours to get to the highest point of the track (the saddle) before leaving it to climb to Isolated Hill. Then a further 2 hours to get to the biv. Our impression of the section from Kilgram to Isolation Hut was that there was no delay due to neglected tracks. It took us 3 hours and I know we're not as fast or as fit as Kev! We are older than these lads.
Wow that trip is not for the faint hearted! The gorge was amazing and beautiful, thank you for taking us along. Looking forward to the next adventure. Would be good to know how many nights you're out and always fun to see your gear and food 😉 Take care!
Thanks Hobbit Hiking. We have never thought of doing a gear video as always been a worried that they can get a bit commercialised. Might be something we can look into though.
Been watching a few of your videos this morning. Nice work. Id love to see a map at the start of your videos showing where abouts the tramp is. I know I could look it up myself.
Hi Tom, there is always a topo map of some description in the videos, but it is often at the end (we will look at bringing it nearer to the start in the future). Or are you after a dot on a map e.g. indicating Arthurs Pass?
@@samandkevsoutdooradventures I was thinking Google map saw cut george so it brings up a red marker. zoom out a little to show kaikoura and ward then video it.
Hi again Sam and Kev, question please. Do you know how it works for scenic reserve access being "closed"? My understanding is that (with national parks at least) access can't actually be prohibited. I'm aware that assets (such as suspension bridges) can be closed, but not actually nature access itself. Any thoughts? Thanks.
Hi Joshua, yes that's a bit of a tricky one. Technically the reserve is open refer to www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/marlborough/places/isolated-hill-scenic-reserve/things-to-do/tracks/sawcut-gorge-isolated-hill-route/ however it is surrounded by private land and there are no easements across this land. So there are a couple of options 1. Helicopter in. 2. Get permission from one of the land owners that surround the reserve. 3. Go up a river (as suggested in the DOC link). From people I have talked to recently entering the Waima River from Ure Road opposite Kilgram seems to be the easiest and you won't need to cross private land.
@@samandkevsoutdooradventures Thanks very much. I wasn't aware it was an easement issue. That's helpful information. I wish the information i had read was more descriptive, rather than just saying that the reserve is closed. Cheers!
Pleased you enjoyed the video Dave. Your not the first person to ask about the maps, we just make them up in powerpoint and then insert them into the video
great to see the gorge is still accessible, haven't been up since before the quake
Luckily, the gorge looks unaffected from the earthquake.
Exact location sawcut gorge ???
Best access to that point?
Absolutely beautiful
Hi Hiking Zone. Have checked in with some people that have been more recently. I think the easiest access is to head down the Ure Road (off state highway one) about 8km until you are opposite Kilgram. Enter the Waima River at this point. You shouldn't have to cross any private land and should be able to stay in the hydro parcels.
Looks like a great trip 👍
Thanks, Andy. The Sawcut Gorge itself is amazing.
Wow! Sawcut Gorge looks Amazing!! But, what a mission!! 💪
The gorge really is incredible, but there were some very long days involved in that trip.
We did a day trip from Isolation Hut to Isolated Biv and back. It took us 2 hours to get to the highest point of the track (the saddle) before leaving it to climb to Isolated Hill. Then a further 2 hours to get to the biv. Our impression of the section from Kilgram to Isolation Hut was that there was no delay due to neglected tracks. It took us 3 hours and I know we're not as fast or as fit as Kev! We are older than these lads.
I wouldn't imagine Isolated Biv gets many visitors. Many names in the hut book?
Another great trip - astonishing the quake didn't finish the gorge off.
The gorge looks untouched. There is evidence along the tracks every now and then of what looks like earthquake related rockfalls.
Wow!!! Amazing scenery & video!
Thanks Curtis. It's an amazing place.
Wow that trip is not for the faint hearted! The gorge was amazing and beautiful, thank you for taking us along. Looking forward to the next adventure. Would be good to know how many nights you're out and always fun to see your gear and food 😉 Take care!
Thanks Hobbit Hiking. We have never thought of doing a gear video as always been a worried that they can get a bit commercialised. Might be something we can look into though.
Great Vid - makes me wanna get out and tramping again. Quite professionaly put together too - you guys make a good team.
Thanks Matt, pleased that you enjoyed it. Hope you get back out in the hills again in the near future
Thanks guys, what a fantastic gorge! I’ve only seen one hut with spring beds - Waipakihi in the Kaimanawas. Was like sleeping in a hammock.
Thanks Don. Haven't slept in a hammock since I was a young fella. Might be time to go to Waipakihi to relive the experience
Been watching a few of your videos this morning. Nice work. Id love to see a map at the start of your videos showing where abouts the tramp is. I know I could look it up myself.
Hi Tom, there is always a topo map of some description in the videos, but it is often at the end (we will look at bringing it nearer to the start in the future). Or are you after a dot on a map e.g. indicating Arthurs Pass?
@@samandkevsoutdooradventures I was thinking Google map saw cut george so it brings up a red marker. zoom out a little to show kaikoura and ward then video it.
@@toddthomas3226 thanks for the great idea. We will add it into the next video.
Great video fellas. I hadn't realized that it had been reopened after the Kaikoura quake.
Joshua, it's a sort of "make your own route" opened. DOC website says access via hydro parcels.
nice vid guys! looks pretty rugged!
Cheers Bryn. Took my body a week to recover from this one!
Hi again Sam and Kev, question please. Do you know how it works for scenic reserve access being "closed"? My understanding is that (with national parks at least) access can't actually be prohibited. I'm aware that assets (such as suspension bridges) can be closed, but not actually nature access itself. Any thoughts? Thanks.
Hi Joshua, yes that's a bit of a tricky one. Technically the reserve is open refer to www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/marlborough/places/isolated-hill-scenic-reserve/things-to-do/tracks/sawcut-gorge-isolated-hill-route/ however it is surrounded by private land and there are no easements across this land. So there are a couple of options 1. Helicopter in. 2. Get permission from one of the land owners that surround the reserve. 3. Go up a river (as suggested in the DOC link). From people I have talked to recently entering the Waima River from Ure Road opposite Kilgram seems to be the easiest and you won't need to cross private land.
@@samandkevsoutdooradventures Thanks very much. I wasn't aware it was an easement issue. That's helpful information. I wish the information i had read was more descriptive, rather than just saying that the reserve is closed. Cheers!
@@samandkevsoutdooradventures What is Kilgram? I can't find it on the map.
Adam try this link www.topomap.co.nz/NZTopoMap/nz39065/Kilgram/
@@samandkevsoutdooradventures Thank you!
Thanks for taking us on routes less traveled. That gorge was epic, I'd be beside me with joy. How did you do the map track route overlay, please?
Pleased you enjoyed the video Dave. Your not the first person to ask about the maps, we just make them up in powerpoint and then insert them into the video