Big Hut – Mid-Winter 14th 15th June 2014
A night at Big Hut on the Rock and Pillars mid-Winter has become an annual event for the Tramping Club.
This year the response was less than usual with only four daring to experience the chill of a night at Big Hut. With only one vehicle and a 5km road section between both car parks, a bike was taken to retreive the car at the end of the tramp.
A forecast that was much better than previous years boded well for a clear sky and good views from the Rock and Pillar Range.
Departing from home at 8am the drive to the car park at Glencreay saw the temperature ranging from 7 deg. to-2 deg. After dropping off the bike we returned to the Lug Creek car park and began the journey up the zigzag 4wd track and on to the new Leaning Lodge for lunch.The OTMC have done a great job of rebuilding this hut.
The wind had picked up and even Colin put his long-johns on.
From the hut we went straight up to the top of the range from the first gut, and proceeded to Summit Rock on a thin layer of snow with a now very cold wind but good views in all directions.
While at Summit Rock two day trippers arrived from Big Hut, Tim Russel and Betty, also members of NOTMC, a nice surprise. It was not a place to linger too long so we moved on to our destination, Big Hut by 3pm.
With a brew to warm the inner body as the hut temperature was 6 deg. we started with a cheese and crackers entree, as there was a lot of food to get through on this mid-winter pot luck desert night.
After some table tennis and taking in the large amount of information displayed in the hut, it was time for food with a variety of beverages then deserts.
The AllBlacks test against England was listened to by various means, including sharing ear plugs on Colins radio, while Neville was in a world of his own listening to Johnny Cash (Ring of Fire) with the vocals and action to amuse the rugby listeners.
Sleep came easily with the sound of the wind outside while very comfortable in our sleeping bags.
Sunday morning and the kitchen registered 2 deg. still windy and now overcast outside. with a leisurely breakfast over, we packed and set off down the hill to the waiting bike and return of the car. With the warmer temperature and plenty of day left, we decided to visit Lake Sutton and return to Middlemarch for coffee a t Kissing Kate’s Cafe.
The homeward journey took in Macraes work site and a muddy Golden Bar Road to Palmerston, arriving home safe and well after a very enjoyable weekend with great company.
Maurice for Phyllis, Neville and Colin.
