Author Archive
Mt. Nimrod Reserve
Monday, March 10th, 2014
9th March 2014
This walk had all the hallmarks of a ‘girls only’ trip – with Jane G and Margie starting to plot suitable post tramp debriefing places – then up rolled the Kakanui based Mercedes with two kiwi blokes, so things reverted back to the usual icecreams and coffee!
With the forecast predicting the weather to clear, ten of us set off for Makihikihi, Evelyn remembering at the last minute to pick up Jo at Waitaki Bridge.
After turning inland, with light rain all the way, we soon hit Backline Road, and it seemed an eternity (actually one and a half hours) until we reached the Nimrod Reserve turnoff, by which time we had clocked up 100km. Shame the visibility was so poor.
Off we set on the loop track – up, up, up through the bush. Karyl was convinced there would be coffee shop at the top to reward her for her efforts.
After a morning tea stop in a clearing with a Leideker view, we began the descent to the stream. The wet conditions made the track rather slippery so plenty of careful foot placement was required. Dave was the only one to venture to the nearby waterfall when we reached the bottom.
Up we went again and had lunch under the trees at the saddle. With ground and vegetation pretty damp, we did not linger.
The rocky knob beckoned and we scrambled up, with just a murky glimpse of the waterfall before the mist closed in again. We were soon at the top, (some saw a wallaby), and carefully made our way down through more bush, reaching the cars about 1-15pm.
Our homeward journey saw us pass through the settlement of Hunter, which made such an impression on Dave he was reluctant to carry on to Waimate. An icecream there helped soothe his disappointment.
Thanks everyone for looking after each other so well and supporting your novice leader.
Tricia, Margie, Jane G, Karyl, Linda, Phyllis, Bronwyn, Jo, John, Dave M, and Evelyn.
no images were found
Mt. Domett
Sunday, February 23rd, 2014
So a year has passed since the last attempt at Domett. On that occasion, a tantalisingly small weather front drove us back, but by the time we had retreated to the cars, the mountain was again bathed in sunshine. When you are inside a cloud it’s hard to know what’s happening outside.
On this occasion however, the weather played a different game in the form of gale force winds.
The walk in to Chinaman’s hut on Friday evening was nothing but a pleasure for all, in spite of the river having had a major sluicing since last we were last there, making the going a little slower.
As the night progressed, so did the strength of the wind, even in and around the somewhat protected hut site. For those who chose to sleep outside (in tents and on the ground), it was a noisy night, even in the hut as well. At 6am, the planned time of wake up, I did a quick circuit of bodies, tents and hut sleepers to postpone the start ‘til at least 8am in the hope the wind might recede.
Departure at 8.45 was all very casual with little hope of going far, as the gusts were still viscous.
But as we approached the mountain, our hopes began to rise as the wind eased.
During the climb there was a bonus for the few at the front, seeing a very large stag 100m away which for a few seconds hadn’t seen us. Surprisingly it didn’t scamper off in the opposite direction, but proceeded up the hill and across our route so we got a great look at this magnificent beast.
How do you measure the combined elation of ten people all grinning like Cheshire cats at the simple achievement of climbing a hill – yes a bigger hill than some – in fact a mountain! Although I had been on this spot many times before, I got huge pleasure not only from my reaching the top again, but from watching the other nine people enjoying the moment as well.
But all too soon our attention was drawn to the huge bank of easterly cloud rolling toward us. This would make our descent (down a different and longer route) very difficult indeed, so off we went down the back of the mountain before sidling across horrible rock and scree to reach Raggedy Ridge.
About two thirds of the way down this long ridge, the fog engulfed us, reducing visibility to 100m. Almost immediately we found ourselves in unfamiliar territory but least were able to keep descending and eventually reached the creek with the help of the fog dissipating.
It had been a 10hr day so the focus was simple, a good meal, lively conversation, then into the sack.
Earlier thoughts of more climbing on Sunday seemed to evaporate, so it was a casual “watch your step walk” back down the river.
The homeward journey was broken with a brief inspection of the recent clearing of the historic bridal track from Beatties Hill across the Marawhenua river to Livingstone. There may well be more mention of this area in future.
The thrill seekers were – John Chetwin, Jane Green, Els Jordans, Colin Wollstien, Mathew and Anna Harris, Murray Gifford, Tim Pawson, Bron McCone, and Bill Bews.
TeAraroa Trail, Roundhill to Mesopotamia
Friday, February 14th, 2014
After meeting at 7am at Weston, exchanging vehicles and bags of spare clotes etc, thirteen keen trampers left heading North, our group of seven turning off at Pareora on route to Tekapo and the other party of six to Mesopotamia. We arrived at the Tekapo township in time for a coffe break and then travelled up the Roundhill skifield road to a locked gate and carpark. With sunscreen, packs and boots on we walked three kms up the gravel road to the marked turnoff onto a snowgrassed terrace overlooking Coal River. Before descending to cross at the junction of Camp Stream we sat amongst the tussocks in sunshine and ate our lunch. Matagouri flats were navigated upstream until another river crossing and a brief climb up a spur to arrive at the Camp Stream hut .With tents set up, we lounged in the afternoon sun and were soon joined by another couple from Christchurch who were walking part of the Te Araroa Trail in the opposite direction from us.
Friday promised more fine weather as we set off at 7.15am following a 4WD track, crossing Camp Stream and climbing up onto a ridge from which we had spectacular views of Lake Tekapo, Mt John, Rex Simpson Memorial Hut, Macaulay and Godley Valleys.Another couple sighted in the Camp Stream Valley, the official Te Araroa Trail route, unfortunately not enjoying the amazing vistas that we had on the ridge.The plant life was abundant,with many photos taken. The black daisy was found on the scree slopes as we traversed through a rocky basin towards Stag Saddle at 1925mtrs, the highest point in the Te Araroa trail. Over the saddle we stopped by a small stream to replenish our water supplies and have second lunch before descending through snowgrass and scree slopes to our second nights destination, Royal Hut, like Camp Stream, an old musters hut with plenty of character.The usual procedure took place, erecting tents, relaxing and enjoying the peaceful surroundings while we waited for the other party to arrive from Crooked Spur Hut.
Stories and keys were exchanged before departing the following morning. Initially it started out as an easy tramp through snowgrass passing the track to Bullock Bow Saddle and then fording Bush Stream to sidle on the true left as it became gorgey.
While having morning tea outside Stone Hut,we observed the antics of three falcons, before they flew to the rocky crags above us.
A bridge took us across Bush Stream once again and upwards to the first saddle, passing delightful bog areas on the way. A lunch break was taken on the saddle where we could see the intended route infront of us, a descent into the valley, crossing Sweeps and Pack Horse streams and then a climb up a scree slope to the second saddle at 1500mtrs.From here we followed a beaten track through the snow grass to arrive at Crooked Spur Hut at 3pm.
We departed the following morning in poor visibility but after descending a steep winding track down a spur we left the cloud behind. After fording Bush Stream we climbed up the other side and sidled along a pathway until dropping down to the riverbed once again. Knee-deep crossings followed where necessary after walking down the riverbed flats and out to the awaiting cars left by the other party at the Mesopotamia carpark.
A short stop at Forest Creek Station to pick up Barbara, a bonus tour of the stunning gardens at Rata Peaks Station, lunch at Geraldine had us arriving back in Oamaru at 4pm.on Sunday.
Thanks to Browyn, Jim, Neville, Ross, Murray and Maurice for the great company.
Also thanks to Uwe, Sylvia, Jane, Graham, Brent and John for their company at Royal Hut and making the transport feasible for all of us.
Phyllis.
Mesopotamia to Roundhill photos
Club Night, February 2014
Tuesday, February 11th, 2014
The Club has been quite active since the last report with many and varied tramping trips.
Staircase Ridge was attempted in lousy weather with wind damage necessitating a return trip rather than a round trip via Table Top.
An overnighter at Dumb-bell Lake via Freehold Creek, Mt. Sutton and the Ohau Ski field was enjoyed in good weather.
The Alps to Ocean bike trail from Quailburn to Tasman Point was ridden over 2 days.
Fourteen people attended a skills weekend at Trotters Gorge where they learnt about packs and gear, meals, how to use maps and compass, river crossing skills and trip planning and survival skills. They put their knowledge into practise the next day with a trip to Trig L.
Thirteen trampers walked the three Herbert Forest tracks plus a cris-cross down the Waianakarua River from Cosy Dell.
On Waitangi Day weekend two groups walked part of the Te Araroa Trail between Lake Tekapo and Mesopotamia Station in brilliant weather, a group starting from each end. The highest point in the Te Araroa Trail was crossed at Stag Saddle – 1925m asl. during the four day tramp.
It wasn’t all tramping though, with the Christmas party being again held at Parkside Gardens.
The Wednesday Walkers had day trips to Evensdale Glen, Earthquakes and surrounding farmland, Freehold Creek where the mistletoe was in full flower, the Blackcap Scout Hill circuit, a combined Puketapu Hill and Trotters Gorge Bush Track day, West Maerewhenua gold diggings, Studholme Bush, Pleasant River to Bobbys Head, Clear Stream in Danseys Pass with the option of a swim in clear water, Domet loop, sweet briar cutting at Omarama or track clearing up the Awakino Gorge, and last week a climb up Mt. Studholme. Numbers walking varied between 12 and 42.
Coming trips are Mt. Kirkliston, Mt. Domet, and Nimrod Reserve. More information can be found on the NOTMC website.
Our Guest Speaker was Club member Murray Gifford who explained the history of the Routeburn Track.
Originally used by Maoris to access greenstone, it was then used by gold prospectors with limited success, before graziers attempted to find new sheep pastures via the Harris Saddle which was quickly abandoned. It was then thought it could become a trade route to Martins Bay for goods transhipment to Australia, but two ships foundering on the Hollyford Bar put an end to that. The only lasting use was tourism which started in the 1890s and is still flourishing today with 30000 trampers a year enjoying what is arguably New Zealand’s finest walking track.
We were then treated to what was for many of us, a walk down memory lane, with photos of his and his daughters walk around the Routeburn and Caples tracks three years ago.
Christmas Greetings from the Leidekers
Friday, December 20th, 2013
Hello NOTMC,
We have followed all your tramping and club nights on the website . You have had some great expeditions in recent months and the one up Freehold creek looked superb. I think we were going to do that trip last year but weather got in the way. Its certainly not too flash here at the moment with wind straight off the Arctic. We did have a fantastic summer and hopefully some of you might have seen pictures of our tramps in the Brecon Beacons in south Wales . Apart from that just day walks in the hills and woodlands of southern England .
We are adjusting to life in London, doing quite a bit of work on our house and enjoying seeing our kids and family .
Wishing you all a happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year.
Steve and Ann