Snow Storms

I was travelling from Auckland to Wanganui on Saturday 5th July 2008, when it started snowing heavily at Erua. As I approached the corner at the top of a hill that leads down to a hairpin, then under a railway bridge, I was concerned about whether negotiating this stretch of road would be safe, due to the steepness and the hairpin at the bottom. It wasn't! Nine cars travelling ahead of me ended up in the ditch against the bank, when they lost control.

I had been testing my brakes along the level part leading to this stretch and found conditions very slippery, so I stopped at the top, got out and found it difficult to even stand up. So I turned around and went back to National Park for the night!

The first photo shows a snow plough passing my car (parked somewhat in the middle of the road!) just after I had turned around. The other photos show the conditions the next morning.

Click on each image to view a larger one.

	Accident Location at Erua Location of accidents at Erua on 5th July 2008.
	Stranded Vehicles Queue of vehicles stranded at National Park.
	My Snowy Car My car covered in snow at National Park the next morning.
	Wonderland This is a time-share at National Park after the overnight snow.
	Snowing Again! I was starting to think that I might be stuck for days!

Feel free to make contact with me: alan@alanmiles.co.nz