Manawatu Gorge slip - benching begins.

06 December, 2011

Now that a track has been cleared through to the top of the Gorge slip, a Higgins team have been busy clearing bush and trees at the top of the cliff face to allow excavation equipment a clear and level 'bench' work site.

Removal of rock will occur from the top down cutting 'benches' into the slip face, removing rock and debris from the hillside down a 'shoot' - an area to the side of the slip.

Just as a rock climber secures himself via a rope to a fixed point, so too the excavation equipment working at the slip face will be tethered by wire rope to a very large bulldozer secured at the top of the slip.  The large bulldozer/winch has now been installed and work to commence the second bench is under way.