Trip Reports
Swampy Ridge Track
Thursday, September 17th, 2020
13th September 2020
We met Rodney, Helen and Jane at Leith Saddle and after taking a vehicle to the bottom of Nicholls Creek Track on the Leith Valley Rd, we started walking up the Leith Saddle Track. This wide track has been well maintained with boards along the side. We soon warmed up and by 11am, were at Swampy Spur and had an early lunch. We met up with a group of youths training for the three peaks run. We continued along Swampy Summit and instead of turning down the Moon Track toward Nicholls Creek, we continued along to the Pineapple Track junction. It was here where the fire burned alot of scrub last year. Rodney had come up here soon after the fire and there were just rocks scattered over the area, no flora whatsoever. But a year later the flaxes were 1 metre high, the tussocks just as high though less dense. It was incredible the growth that had occurred. Five minutes further down the Pineapple Track, we came to the Pepper Tree Track junction and turned here. We walked down into a gully, had a brief break, and continued up the other side to a clearing and then turned right onto the Moon Track. We followed this down and crossed some bike tracks which apparently are reasonably new. Further down, we traversed over towards the south and got to Nicholls Falls, and then 10 minutes later, out onto Leith Valley Road. Here Graham was waiting, he had biked out to Port Chalmers, Waitati and picked up the car at Leith Saddle. A good day out on some new tracks. A big thanks to Rodney for his guidance in the unfamiliar areas.
Rodney, Helen, Jane, Roz, Mike, John, Ross, Julian and Bess
Nev’s Eat My Dust Mystery Bike Ride
Monday, August 31st, 2020
Fourteen keen bike riders turn up for this ride which was a good trip to have since we were back in level 2 lock down. The weather was great for this day out, with no wind which helped us non e bikers out. All up we had 8 riders on e bikes & 6 on conventional bikes.
We started off by heading down to the historical part of town, down Harbour St & then back along the Coast over the Oamaru Creek swing bridge and out to the bike track that follows the coast out to the Waitaki Boys High School. From there it was around a few side streets till we came to our biggest challenge for the day – Buckley’s Hill. This is where e bikes are e bikes, men are men and boys were boys. E bikes made it look easy but most of the rest of the party did make it up on their bikes, with a few of us flagging it away and pushed our bikes up till we all met up at the corner of Redcastle Rd & Reservoir Rd to catch our breath. From here it was along to Eden Rd with its big downhill section on to Oamaru Creek Rd to Turfus Camp Rd on to Airedale Rd to Teaneraki Rd on to Coal Pit Rd and then down Slaughter Yard Rd to all meet up for lunch at the Enfield Rugby Grounds. We covered about 26 km in just over two hours over some great rural roads with views over Oamaru and the Coast, to the Kakanui Mountains and some great rural country. Lunch was enjoyed by all in the sun talking about different bikes and everyone was looking forward to the 12km ride back to town on the A2O track, but I had other plans for them. Here we were with a rugby ground beside us so why not use it. I set up some bike challenges for them to do with a slow race for e bikes and then conventional bikes and then a final slow race with the winning of the e bike race and the conventional bike race with the conventional winning this. Then it was time to stretch the legs with a sprint race and in the final the e bike won this but the conventional bike was not far behind. The final race of the day was a slalom race and in the final the conventional bike won with the e bike knocking over a cone. After all this it was back on the bikes again along the A2O track back to Oamaru with some of us stopping off at Cafe Gray’s at Weston. All up we covered about 37km for the day with some great views, good weather and great company. Thanks to Bev, Ross F, Phyllis, Maurice, Bill B, Jane, Graham, Bill F, Ross M, Bron, Robbie, Colin and John.
Neville
Mt Studholme
Wednesday, August 12th, 2020
8th August 2020
After fears that the weather could cancel this trip – we had a marvellous clear, crisp, no gales day, with grand views in all directions.
Only 4 bods set off from Oamaru, with previous arrangements made to meet up with Helen and Rodney at a cafe in Waimate. However their precious car would not open/lock. To cut a long story short -they did manage to catch us, by driving up to the Woolshed a couple of kms up the road about 9.30.
It definitely was a steep-ish long slog of 6 ½ km up on the access road to service the transmitters. The 2km trip along the top ridge was chilly due to the light, but bitter, SW breeze. However the superb views and hunger pains got us along pretty quickly to the trig and massive tower, at 1086m, having climbed about 840 vertical meters.
Once all rugged up, during our lunch break – we were entertained by ice sheets and ice spears flying off the tower. Fortunately none of us was hit, as some landed pretty close.
After photos taken in all directions, we headed back the same route. Thinking the downhill would be rather pleasant, I think we were all surprised at how steep it was, and how demanding on our legs.
So a good 4hr workout with a total of 1049m elevation gain, of about 17kms.
Jodie knew that the recently renovated Waimate Hotel was a worthwhile refreshment stop, for a great crew, with tired bodies, but revived souls.
Thanks to Jodie, Julian, Mike, Helen and Rodney – from Jane filling in for Anna.
Mt Nimrod Scenic Reserve
Thursday, July 30th, 2020
26th July 2020
A good frost heralded the start of a glorious day as seven club members headed of to the Mount Nimrod scenic reserve.
Starting the walk at around 9.30am a steep climb up through a remnant podocarp forest soon warmed everyone up.
After a series of climbs and descents we arrived at a lookout point which gave us great coastal views from Banks Peninsula south to roughly Glenavy. Following a short break where many layers of warm clothing was removed owing to what was turning out to be an unseasonably hot day, we veered off the loop track and headed into the Mount Nimrod access easement.
We walked for the best part of an hour on this track until we reached a rocky Knoll where we rested for lunch and enjoyed the views.
Heading back the same way we rejoined the loop track and descended until we reached the Nimrod stream, a short walk upstream brought us to a nice little waterfall.
From the stream a steep climb ensued which tested the mettle of a few. However good progress was made overall. A nice descent from the top back down through native bush saw us reach the carpark in time for us to travel back for refreshments at Nosh café on the Waimate turnoff.
Thankyou to Jane, John, Vicky, Mike, Kim, and Mark for coming along and enjoying the day.
Julian
Tavora Reserve & Puketapu Hill
Monday, July 6th, 2020
5th July 2020
On a cool morning, six trampers travelled to the Tavora Reserve near Palmerston for an easy stroll out to the coast at Bobby’s Head. Racing against the incoming tide, we made our way South along the beach to breath in the sea air and view the various sculptures in the mudstone cliffs. After retreating and finding a log to sit on to have morning tea we were joined by Rodney and Helen from Dunedin.
A climb up and away from the beach took us through native plantings and out into the open where we had views of the coastline to the North and South. With a short walk along the road, we arrived back at the cars at 11.30am and then drove to Palmerston.
After parking at the lookout carpark, we set off to climb Puketapu Hill. Some took the steep direct route up to the top while others found a more gentler path. By climbing the stairs and ladders inside the monument we had some great views of the surrounding landscape. On the sheltered side we consumed lunch and then proceeded back to the cars by circling down by a more gentle slope. It was then back to Palmerston for us all for the compulsory ice cream stop. Having dodged the rain, we arrived home mid afternoon.
Phyllis
