Active Slip Monitoring

In 2019 heavy weather caused a large slip above a section of the Coppermine Trail between the Maitai Dam and Smiths Ford, Ground Anchor Systems was engaged by the Nelson Tasman Cycle Trust to clear the slip debris from the trail and reinstate the track for use by cyclists and walkers.

The section of track requiring remediation is only accessible via a walking track, because of this vegetated Flex MSE bags where utilized for the retaining structure required to reinstated the track, the Flex MSE bags where filled with media offsite and helicoptered to the slip site to form the track back to its original location.

Following the tracks reinstatement Ground Anchor Systems has undertaken rope access monitoring on a series of datum points placed across the slip, the slip is monitored on a bi-weekly basis or after weather events that exceed a threshold based of rainfall at the Maitai Forks.

This recurring observation ensures this section of the Coppermine Trial is safe for the cyclists and walkers that regularly frequent the track.

Raising the Flag - Nelson Cathedral

Something a little different for the rope access team today.

Vandals at Nelson Cathedral cut the rigging lines that are used to hoist flags high above the cathedral bell tower, with the previous rigging line fully removed we climbed the flag pole atop the tower to install the new rigging lines through the block at the top of the pole so the flag could again be hoisted.

Pole climbing is not a technique often used in rope access, it requires progressively shifting a series of “pole snatch’s” connected to the harness and foot loops and shifting the climbers weight between the harness and foot loops shifting the unloaded snatch one at a time, it is a relatively slow ascent technique used when direct access to the top of the structure is not possible.

The flag has been hoisted and is no blowing in the breeze.

Soil Nail Walls Continue on Takaka Hill

Takaka Hill 5 Site Remediation Project

Soil Nail Wall works continue on four of the five sites at Takaka Hill, to date Ground Anchor Systems have installed 1400m of Soil Nails and 120m3 of shotcrete.

The team have performed fantastically in the trying winter conditions.

Anchoring Begins on Takaka Hill

The first of hundreds,

Soil Nail installation has begun, the team have made a start on the hundreds of anchors to be installed as part of remedial works to SH60.

In February 2018 ex-cyclone Gita brought intense wind and rainfall to parts of the Takaka Hill Highway (SH60), causing severe land damage including landslips and undermining of the road in some locations. Five sites along SH60 have been identified as requiring remedial repair works to return the road to two lanes at the damaged sites.  

Ground Anchor Systems have been engaged to install five anchored shotcrete walls, one at each of the five sites, the anchored shotcrete walls that are currently being installed will provide a safe work site for the crews installing the permanent wall.  

Remote Location Drilling and Earth Works

Big Holes in the Hills

Ground Anchor Systems was contacted by Mt Campbell Communications Ltd to complete the drilling required for there solar array installation.

Mt Campbell Communication are installing a new solar panel array for there existing radio hut located high on the ranges outside of Havelock, Our team where required us to excavate a knoll of weathered rock to allow space for the solar panel installation and a heli pad for access.

Once excavated the team drilled four 250mm diameter holes into fractured rock with a 8” DTHH for the PFC sections that will hold the panels, cement grout was used to ensure the stability of the PFC sections and resist uplift against the high winds that frequent the exposed location.

Ground attends TEI hollow bar training in Colorado

Ground Anchor Systems Luke Green is currently attending TEI hollow bar drilling school in Montrose, Colorado.

TEI provide industry leading training in all things hollow bar access to this knowledge keeps Ground Anchor Systems at the forefront of the drilling industry.