Trip Reports
Dumb-bell lake via Freehold Creek.
Sunday, March 12th, 2023
25th February 2023 – Lake Dumb-bell via Freehold Creek.
Three members headed to Twizel on Friday night in order to get an early start on the Saturday morning.
We started at Freehold creek on day one, climbing steadily during the day passing and chatting t
o a few thru-hikers doing the Te-Araroa trail. Lunch was had early at the tarns at the top of Freehold Creek. We then climbed to the range above the tarns and traversed through the light snow and rocky terrain until we sighted lake Dumb-bell in the distance. A short stop to take in the views was followed by the descent to Lake Dumb-Bell. We set up camp on various flat areas close to the Lake and enjoyed a calm and tranquil evening.
Day two was a frosty start but we soon warmed up as we climbed back out of Dumb-bell to summit Mt Sutton, enjoying spectacular views on another fine day. We descended to The Ohau Ski-Field road and followed this until a decision to veer off towards Glen-Mary Ski Huts was made. This entailed some bush bashing in hot conditions, we soon crossed the Alps to Ocean track and headed back to where the Car was parked.
We were fortunate to have excellent weather for this trip and planty of time allowing us to stop frequently and enjoy the scenery.
Thanks to Robbie and Mark for their company.
Julian
Local Weston Bike Ride
Sunday, March 12th, 2023
Local Bike Ride. 5th March 2023
It was uncertain whether the bike ride would go ahead after heavy overnight rain ,but the morning was fine ,although cold. Some of us biked to the meeting place at Weston hall and we had 8 starters, 7 E bikes and 1 normal . From the Hall carpark it was along to the cycle track and out to Cormacks road to the Kia Ora hall, turning right into Roundhill road then into Cowans road. Then it was a shortcut onto Burnside road right along to the junction with postoffice and Windsor road. From here it was all downhill into Windsor and a morning tea break at the hall. Back onto the cycle track until Pig Island road, turning left back onto Burnside then down Pinehill road where we came out into the middle of Elderslie estate.
Onto the cycle track again until Fort Enfield to have a drink and snack and catchup. The clouds were getting rather dark so it was back on the bikes , some from kakanui leaving us for a less muddy return trip on another route , the rest of us back to Weston and home, without getting wet. For those starting from Weston it was 42km, those of us riding from home it was 60-70plus kms.
I don,t think any of us realized just how many dairy farms are in this area. The ride was on sealed and gravel roads and cycle tracks. Many thanks for the enjoyable company of Robbie, Colin,John, Jane, Graeme, Jack, Bill and Bev.
Livingstone and The Maerewhenua River
Sunday, March 12th, 2023
19th February 2023 – A good turn out of members to explore around Livingston and The Maerewhenua River organised by Bill. Great weather and great company for a very interesting trip. Starting at the Geopark information board on the Livingstone Duntroon road, we made our way through the valley and up to Livingstone village where we explored the old graveyard before finiding our way to the historical bridleway which made its way down to the Maerawhenua river. Crossing over here Bill navigated us to the ruins of an old travellers hotel, then walking a short distance down the Danesys pass road to lunch at a swimming spot at the confluence of the North and South branches of the Maerewhenua river. Then up along the tops above the motor camp descending out to Pukeraro, which now a very nice wedding and events venue. Crossing the river again at the water scheme pumping station which wwas very busy with families enjoying the water so we passed on the opportunity for a final swim.
Egg Lake, East Ahuriri
Sunday, February 19th, 2023
Sunday 12th February
Leaving Oamaru at 8am enabled the four of us to start tramping at the Quailburn Track at 10am. I had been informed of trees that had fallen due to snow, in the Quailburn and DOC had been through with chainsaws so in places, a new track had been developed. Generally though, the track was as it usually is and still with several creek crossings. About 45 minutes later, at the fenceline on the saddle, we veered off to the north crossing over undulating tussock clad ground for an hour. Reaching the saddle at another fenceline gave views up the East Ahuriri valley including the East Ahuriri Hut. From here we followed the fenceline down to the river which was steep and lastly a bit of rock climbing was necessary. We crossed the river and walked straight up until reaching the Te Araroa trail, turning left and walking on the trail for only about 400 metres. At this point, we left the trail and walked up a ridge to the top of the hill. Going up, we were delighted to see many skinks, cicadas and other various insects. We reached the top of the hill about 1pm and lunched while looking down at Egg Lake which was another 500metres away. We left Egg Lake at 1.45pm and returned back down the hill, opting not to visit the hut this time. We virtually returned the same way back to Quailburn and were back at the vehicle by 5pm after a good day out.
Thanks to Mary, Geoff and Jenny for your company. Bess
Upper Wilkin River, Top Forks Hut
Saturday, January 7th, 2023
Upper Wilkin River, Top Forks Hut
18th – 21st December 2022
The Upper Wilkin is a beautiful valley to explore and made highly accessible by flying into Jumboland airstrip with Southern Alps Air.
After staying at Makarora Lodge for the night of 18th December, nine trampers waited for three scheduled flights at 7am, 7.30 and 8am, the plane carrying only three trampers and packs due to the short runway at Jumboland. After low cloud lifted, we enjoyed superb flights up the Wilkin, spotting the Siberia and Wonderland valleys on the way.
We waited until all nine trampers had arrived at Jumboland airstrip, a mowed strip on the true left of the Wilkin River, before following our pilot’s directions: “Walk up the slope between the beech trees, through the swamp, cross the river, and join the DOC track to the huts.” Finding a safe river crossing took some time, as the Wilkin was running high, but it was useful to practice our river crossing technique. The walk from Jumboland airstrip to Top Forks Huts took us 1 ½ hours.
mpers at Top Forks, so we spread out comfortably between the two huts, (10 bunks, and 6 bunks), with grand views of Mts Pollux and Castor.
After settling into the huts and eating lunch, we set off to explore the South Branch of the Wilkin, up a track that leads to Waterfall Flat, where the valley ends in the cirque walls of Waterfall face. This is a rough track, high above Snow Bridge Gorge, and after 2 hours at 1100 metres we turned back, due to thick mist and rain. (Waterfall Flat is 4-5 hours from the hut, and we needed a full day for this trip.)
The next morning we headed up the North Branch in two groups, one leaving at 8am for Lake Castalia, the other group of five leaving later to lunch at Lucidus Lake. The North Branch is a wide valley, dramatic and magnificent. After the heavy rain of the previous night, the South Branch was running high, so more careful river crossings were practiced. It is a 1 hour walk through mossy beech forest, beside a raging Wilkin River tumbling over massive rocks, to Lake Diana above the bush line. From here it is an easy half hour walk through grasslands and over boardwalk to milky Lucidus Lake, surrounded by a high moraine wall on one side, and sheer bluffs with permanent ice and cascading waterfalls on the other.
After stopping for morning tea at Lucidus Lake, the lead group carried on to Lake Castalia. This took us another four hours from Lucidus, through magnificent herb fields, luxuriant in densely growing Mt Cook Lilies (in full bloom), native broom, speargrass, flowering celmisia, eyebright, native carrot, hebe, geum and tussock. Finally we scrambled high over boulders to Lake Castalia. What a stunning spot: still deep clear blue water reflecting waterfalls, ice and snow. Leaving the Lake at 3pm, passing thunderous, cracking avalanches swirling into Lucidus Lake, it took us only four hours back to the huts, moving faster downhill and finding the river levels had dropped.
It was up at 4.30am next morning to breakfast and pack, allowing for the 1 ½ hours walk back to the airfield for the first 7am flight. With the Wilkin River lower and the route familiar, we were back at the airstrip in an hour. What a welcome sight that little Cessna was as it flew round the corner!
A brilliant trip, made so accessible for everyone with the flights in and out.
Jenny Kitchin.