Makes extreme 4x4ing look like a Sunday drive

[drivesafe]

I’ve been the passenger in a few ultra extreme off road trips ( never driven in one myself ) but these trips seemed like a sedate Sunday drive after going for a cut in the Snow Cat at the Antarctic Centre in Christchurch.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2007/10/72.jpg

We rolled up to by our tickets and were confronted with a sign warning all potential riders that this was a very rough ride and that anybody with neck or back problems or if pregnant, and so, should not take this ride.

As we bought the tickets, we were again verbally warned that this is a rough ride.

When it came time for the ride, we were AGAIN warned by signs in the waiting area that this is a very rough ride.

Then just before we were to board the cat, the driver stated “ I am obligated, for safety reasons, the warn you that this is a very rough ride and “ and so!

It all seemed like a good bit of proper gander build-up for the ride.

WRONG!

My daughter and I rode in the trailer where the seats run north south. We had a lap seat belt on, had our feet firmly wedged against the opposing seat’s legs and had two hand grips, hanging from the roof, to hold on to.

Didn't help, I don’t know how many time we all flew around the cab.

The ride is something you have to do to believe.

If you ever go to Christchurch, both the Antarctic Centre and the ride are well worth the effort.

[jimbo110]

They also run trips in these things (Hagglunds) at Hanmer springs north of Christchurch. The guy also owns a P38, a TD5 110 flat deck, and a Freelander. Also parked in his garage is a 107" series 1 so he is very Land rover friendly. :p

[drivesafe]

They also run trips in these things (Hagglunds) at Hanmer springs north of Christchurch. The guy also owns a P38, a TD5 110 flat deck, and a Freelander. Also parked in his garage is a 107" series 1 so he is very Land rover friendly. :p

Maybe there is some link between them and a Landy.

You certainly need to be mad to drive those cats the way they!

[DeeJay]

We looked at the unit - a red one and I thought - TAME- and it was only when we left (plane to catch) that the thing took off like the proverbial and roared thru the carpark out of sight. Does it do a 4wd circuit down the back? or is the rough bit the sharp accellerate/ decelerate?

[jimbo110]

http://www.iceberg.co.nz/hagglund.asp

[jimbo110]

The Hanmer springs one:

http://www.hottracks.co.nz/

[drivesafe]

We looked at the unit - a red one and I thought - TAME- and it was only when we left (plane to catch) that the thing took off like the proverbial and roared thru the carpark out of sight. Does it do a 4wd circuit down the back? or is the rough bit the sharp accellerate/ decelerate?

Hi DeeJay, you missed out on a ripper of a ride.

It starts in the car park and goes down the road and around the back to a course.

The course has a string of roller coaster humps the height of the Cat and another hill that is 7mt high with a 30 degree approach and a 45 degree departure slope and then down into a 3mt deep pond and so on.

The mad Scotch basted we had dove it flat out just about everywhere.

[drivesafe]

Thanks jimbo100, those shots of the inside are just what I would liked to have taken.

Fat chance of that though, I had enough trouble just trying to hold on for myself so there was no way I could have taken any pics.

Cheers.

[Frenchie]

Here's me - Long Fjord near Davis. :cool:

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2007/11/362.jpg

[drivesafe]

Here's me - Long Fjord near Davis. :cool:

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2007/11/362.jpg

That looks bloody cold.

It was -18 in the Antarctic Centre but I think that you beat that by a long margin.

How long were you down there for.

Cheers

[ellard]

Hi there

I went there a few years back - I recall the wind chill simulator (bloody cold)

Well worth the visit.

Wayne

[Piddler]

A few years ago I worked at Perisher and on a few nights I would go out with the snow groomers in the cats, that was heaps of fun.

Cheers

[Frenchie]

That looks bloody cold.

It was -18 in the Antarctic Centre but I think that you beat that by a long margin.

How long were you down there for.

Cheers

It was only about -20 but that's cold enough! :eek:

I had just been picked up from survival training after spending a couple of nights camped out in a snow trench. Spent 6 months (summer) down there in 96/97 then a round trip (there and back) in 2001. Trouble is it gets in your blood and I'm seriously thinking about applying for another trip next summer. :cool: