Peter Trevathan would like to establish an Air Scouts patrol group in conjunction with the already formed Cromwell Scouts. The Air Scouts will meet each week on Tuesday evening 7-9pm at the Octive Street Scout Dan. There is an ATC operating in Alexandra. Peter is new to Cromwell, but has run an Air Scout Group in his previous location.
On todays flight, I am looking at the Roxburgh Gorge. Unlike the Kawarau and Cromwell Gorge, the Roxburgh Gorge is very narrow and the walls extend less than 1,000ft. However, the rock formations are tremendous, and it is full of gold mining history.
The northern entrance is to the left of Butchers Dam. You get a good view of the Dams concrete structure, which isn’t visible from the road. Flying at minimum altitude, the Gorge walls look impressive. Below you can clearly see the cycle trail and the remains of various gold diggings. It is truly spectacular.
However, there are a few obstacles that I need to plan for. At the southern end there are several sharp 90 degree turns. And just before the Roxburgh Dam, there is a Transmission line crossing the Gorge. Fortunately, the walls at the southern end reduce, so all went smoothly.
Roxburgh is an interesting town. Established in 1865, it was the first town in Otago to have a Power supply. Water was channelled at the head of the valley on the Eastern side, down through a pipe to a small generating station at the valley entrance. This is all visible from the air as you turn onto the downwind side of 16. Also you can see the large open-cast Coal mine above the main highway on the northern end. Roxburgh is probably best known for it’s fruit. In the 1970s a tin of Roxdale Apricots was a common site on the breakfast table.
Returning to Alexandra again through the Gorge, I couldn’t help but be amazed by the rock formation, but would limit flying through the Gorge to the northern end, especially carrying passengers.
Happy Flying
Stephen Morton
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