Author Archive
Orienteering With Weston School
Friday, September 21st, 2012
Firstly, Maurice explained how to find North with the compass and then in pairs and with a compass each they did a little exercise on Weston Park. Once the four GPS’s were distributed to each couple, they were eager to put them into use. A course of ten way points had been set around the school grounds and the Park, with some lollies and chocolate bars hidden at two of them. The ten waypoints had been loaded into the GPS’s and with some instruction, the teams took off in various directions.By 3pm all teams had arrived back to “ homebase” successfully finding the waypoints and hidden treasures. Ross then handed out some maps he had printed off for them to do a little excercise at home.
Thanks to Stacey, Nakayla, Alex, Tony, Michael W, Michael A, Dillion D, and Dillion H for taking part and showing so much enthusiasm in the exercise.
Phyllis.
Club Report – August 2012
Monday, August 13th, 2012
There were several trip cancellations in the last few weeks because of wet weather.
If members wish to receive cancellation notices they should give the secretary their email addresses.
A First aid course is being held at Camp Iona 7th to 9th September, cost $145. Contact Neville Corry Ph 4372531. These are becoming hard to organize, and may not continue.
A new addition of “Safety In The Mountains” is available for the bulk price of $5 each.
Janis Russell and her partner are walking the “Spine of the South Island” next year and have requested organizing help from the club and any one else interested.
A planting day is being held at the Orokonui Scenic Reserve on the 2nd September. Contact Dave Mellish, Ph 43 95895.
Trip reports. Several car loads visited The Orokonui Scenic Reserve, and similar numbers next week went ice curling in Naseby.
Wednesday Walkers trips have been to Boundary Creek, the Seacliff-Split Rock-Green Point circuit, Mt.Shrives(858m) in the Hunter Hills, and the Domett loop with the saddle in cloud and snow lying.
Coming Trips. 19th August, a bike ride from Port Chalmers to Aramoana. Contact Noel Pullan.
25 – 26th August, Big Hut in the Rock and Pillars with the Otago Tramping Club. Contact Maurice Gray.
2nd September, Snow Craft Course at Awakino. Contact Neville Corry.
Our Guest Speaker Dave Mellish spoke on his fishing trip with 11 other blokes to Vanuatu. Based in Port Vila, they made several boat trips among the coral islands, swimming and snorkeling. However the main reason for the visit was big game fishing, and they managed to catch two tuna, having hooked four all at the same time, and some barracuda, but lost the one marlin they hooked.
Dave was impressed with the gorgeous flowering plants on the islands, the Brahman cattle grazing under the coconut palms, and the attractive fruit and veggie markets. He found the locals very friendly and helpful.
The highlight of the trip was a visit to the active Mt. Yassur volcano on Tanner Island. At only 330m above sea level, he was able to climb up and look down into the glowing crater which let off a reasonable explosion every two to three minutes. He captured it live on video with rocks flying up in the air, though fortunately the wind took them in the other direction.
Club Night – June 2012
Tuesday, June 12th, 2012
At its last Club meeting the following trips were reported on.
White Horse Hill, Waimate. A short steep walk on a sunny day.
Dunedin Hills. 9 trampers optimistically headed down in driving rain to Leith Saddle. Their optimism was rewarded by the sun coming out on their arrival, and they enjoyed a round trip along the Pipeline Track to Rustlers Ridge and Burns Saddle, coming back along Swampy to Leigh Saddle in windy but clear conditions with great views.
Queens birthday weekend saw 5 lads head up theOtehake River in the Arthurs Pass National Park to camp for 2 nights at the hot springs. As the middle day was wet and the river up, a relaxing day was had in the hot pool. They got home just before the snow arrived, though minus a stolen spare wheel. See Trip Reports for full details and photos.
The Wednesday Walkers had walks in the sheltered Herbert Forest on a cold S W day, Moana Station on the Kilmog, Verbakel’s farm, and Cape Wanbrow on another cold day.
Coming Club trips are to Ben Ohau on the 17th June, Awakino Gorge / Kurow on the 24th June, and “Winter Fun at Tekapo” in early July. Check the Trips / Programme for details.
The Club hopes to run first aid and snow craft courses later in the year.
Guest speaker was Glynne Lloyd on his fascinating bike ride with three others through Tibet from China to Pakistan. This was a journey of 1200k during three weeks that took them over several passes as high as 5500m asl. and included a side trip to Everest Base Camp.
The trip passed through Lassa where the Dali Llama’s Winter and Summer Palaces are, and over the Himalayas to Katmandu. The road started out as a good sealed highway, but soon deteriorated into a dusty rough gravel road with snow and ice on the top pass. There were lots of road works, using mostly manual labour. The bikes and riders stood up to the trip well in spite of arriving with four bike frames and only seven wheels. Another wheel was acquired and quickly adapted to fit. One of the group was an orthopaedic surgeon who used his skills to mend a bike frame with a bike tube!
We were treated to scenes of monasteries with meditating monks, prayer wheels, guest houses, simple lifestyles and friendly people, as well as the stunning scenery which included views of Mt.Everest with its ever present cloud stream.
A trip of a life time.
A Walk In The Dunedin Hills – May 2012
Wednesday, May 30th, 2012
With a long weekend approaching some of our party were out to test themselves for the up and coming trip. Strong northwesters and some rain predicted didn’t stop nine members of the N.O.T.M.C. from an 8am start. The journey to Dunedin encountered heavy rain at first then sunshine as we neared our start point, the car park over Williams Creek Waitati Valley Road.
Following the Pipeline track which is mostly flat going was a good warm up for the Rustlers Ridge Track. A steady climb in the shelter of the surrounding bush with the melody of bird song along the way bought us to the lookout knoll above Burns Saddle. A snack break in the shelter of the flax bushes was enjoyed before moving on to the junction of tracks on the saddle. Burns Track having been recently cut made for easy going to the intersection of Swampy Track. As we made our way up Swampy Track the strong nor-wester made its presence felt , but the views at the top were worth it . Lunch in the shelter of a nearby building where the wind was all but forgotten then back out onto the road and wind around to the Leith Saddle Track. A stop at the look out point for some more excellent views over Dunedin then on down to the shelter of the bush and the pathway back to the road. A short road walk back to the cars concludes a nice leisurely day out.
Thanks to, Bess, Bev, Dave, John, Bill, Neville, Linda, Phyl, – Maurice
Club Night – May 2012
Tuesday, May 15th, 2012
The Club held its 36th Annual Meeting on the 14th May 2012. There are slight changes to office bearers with Bronwyn McCone remaining President and Neville Corry becoming treasurer. Uwe Grasmueck is newsletter editor. Subs were increased slightly for family and social members.
The Club is a nominee for the Trust Power Otago Community Services Award.
Mountain Safety are running a First Aid course in June.
Trips organized by the club over the last month included a South Temple social trip by 4 members.
The Hoods Creek Reopening day was held on the 15th April in brilliant weather with about 90 attending. Groups then walked the various tracks in the Herbert Forest which is owned by Blakely Pacific.
Mount Buster near Naseby was climbed on a blustery day by 8 members, with a visit also to the Buster gold diggings, which at 1200m are the highest gold diggings in New Zealand.
The Routeburn Caples circuit was walked by 5 members. Incidents they came across included saving the Routeburn Falls hut from burning down upon walking into the hut to find a white spirit stove burning out of control. Luckily there was only smoke damage. There was a search and rescue operation happening in the Caples Valley, with helicopters everywhere. Members were impressed with the quality upgrade of the McKellar Saddle track.
The Wednesday Walkers climbed Station Peak from Little Roderick, walked the Benmore Walkway to the peninsula with brilliant autumn colours, climbed Mt.Difficulty from The Dasher, and did an anticlockwise circuit which included the Earthquakes Reserve near Duntroon.
Coming Club trips are the Elephant Hill – Mussen circuit on the 20th May, Dunedin Hills including the Pipeline and Swampy on the 27th May, and Otehake River in Arthurs Pass on Queens birthday weekend, where a soak in the hot pool is a must do. More details are on the NOTMC website.
Guest speakers were Club members Ann and Steve Leidecker who walked several day trips in the Appenine and Apuane Mountain ranges of Italy in September last year with a group of 12 friends.
They based themselves in Sommocolonia where they rented a very reasonably priced villa. Sightseeing in the pretty towns of Lucca and Barga started the trip. Then a day walk, including an extensive limestone cave tour, in the Apuane foothills. The views from the steep ridges were spectacular.
The third day saw them in the Appenine foothills climbing 2054m Mt.Prado, the route taking them up through the green beech forest and along a long ridge above the tree line.
The next day saw them walking through colourful heather, tussock, and wild bilberry meadows close to their Villa in the Appenine’s. Mt.Rommechio at 1700m and Cima del Ormo at 1850m were their objectives with a 24k round trip.
The last walk showed the limestone and high grade marble of the Opuane Mountains, where they visited a delightful church built into the cliff face, and saw the marble quarry that Michelangelo used for his masterpieces.
The pictures and talk were an enticement to members to visit this scenic part of Italy with its many well marked tracks.