Trip Reports
Mt Titiroa Traverse – 5-9 February 2025
Sunday, February 9th, 2025
Mt Titiroa Trasverse, Hope Arm to North Borland 5th– 9th February 2025
Two cars headed for Borland Lodge on Wednesday, with the group of six staying at Ryan’s Cottage. Next morning, we left one car at Borland Lodge and Julian managed to cram all six of us and our packs into his Everest, heading for Pearl Harbour at Lake Manapouri.
Clint from River Taxis was waiting for us at
8.30 am, ferrying us through the mist to Hope Arm in 30 minutes, pointing out islands and landmarks on the way. Chartering a boat for six was a reasonably cheap option.
After checking out Hope Arm hut, we set off at 9.20 am directly behind the hut, following the Snow White Clearing Track which climbs steadily through a ‘goblin forest’, before dropping steeply to Garnock Burn. In the bush, just before Garnock Burn, we were entertained by a sole kea sitting on the log preening himself, showing off his wing feathers.
We arrived at Pt1017 about 2.30 pm, tired from hauling ourselves up the ridge and surrounded by thick mist, so decided to camp close to the nearest stream. We found a perfect sandy flat campsite, just where the stream springs from the mountain below Pt 1017.
Next morning, still shrouded in mist, we packed up and set off at 7.30 am towards the summit and within 5 minutes we emerged from the mist into bright sunshine. As we quickly climbed, following footprints up the sandy slope, we had clear views over a vast sea of fog covering Lake Manapouri of Mt Tutuko, the Murchison and Kepler Mountains.
As we climbed the main rocky North Ridge of Titiroa, we were fascinated by the amazing shaped quartz-rich granite tors, weathered by wind, frost, and rain. We climbed our way around them, marvelling at the tiny mountain gentians, edelweiss and hebes growing in the sand, and reached the summit at 11.15 am.
From the summit of Mt Titiroa (1715m), we continued along the ridge southwards, scrambling around the steeper sections on the lower eastern side, with fine views across to the Hunter mountains. At Pt1581 we dropped down towards the North Borland Valley, following a broad ridge to a group of tarns near the bushline. It is just like running down a vast sandhill and progress was quick until we reached the bushline at 2.45pm. There is no obvious track through the dense bush, and although two bits of coloured tape marked a route on the true right of the creek draining the tarns, we think it would be better to follow a spur on the true left.
After pushing our way through the bush, we finally arrived at the North Borland hut and set up camp, at about 4pm. Next morning we followed a well-marked track that leads through beautiful beech forest, passed under the massive rock biv at 10.30, and lunched by the swing bridge that spans the South Borland branch. 5 hours after leaving the hut, we reached Borland Lodge, and Julian ferried everyone back to Manapouri and Te Anau in the waiting car. Thanks to Robbie, Julian, Lynette, Lorenna, and Colin for an epic trip. Jenny Kitchin.
‘Love Our Huts’ Campaign December 5-7th 2024
Friday, December 13th, 2024
With a fine weather window on Thursday 5th, 3 of us left Oamaru at 1pm. The road to Monument hut has been undercut by the river in places and with other wash outs driving was slow. We finally parked 2 km away from Monument hut. This meant a late start at 5pm, but with 5 hours of light left on a clear evening we hoped to reach Elcho before dark.
However, with the Hopkins River running high and swift, we needed to take all the high-water tracks through the bush. Making slow progress, by 10pm we faced an impenetrable wall of tree fall and dense undergrowth of beech saplings. With no sign of orange markers and no way through in the dark, we decided it best to sleep out in the bush under the stars. The beech leaves made a soft and spongy bed, so we pulled on hats and jackets and snuggled into sleeping bags. At first light we pushed, climbed and bashed our way through the bush before heading on to Elcho hut for breakfast.
Elcho hut is well maintained by NZ Alpine Club, but it was still satisfying to scrub benches and clean windows of sandflies (using the blue bucket that Karyl carried in), sweep under bunks, and weed around the hut. It is a unique hut with a great sense of history and retains a traditional feel.
Meanwhile, Mark and Nicky were following us up the valley on Friday, with Mark driving all the way to Monument hut in his Toyota Hilux. After walking part way up to Elcho and back, they settled into Monument Hut for the night, then next day cleared the track, stacked dry firewood, and polished up the hut.
Early Saturday the three of us at Elcho, being advised by a friendly hunter that it would be safe to take the lower river route now, set off back down the valley. Passing beech forest ablaze with flowering mistletoe is a highlight in December, and we marvelled at the abundance of crimson flowers billowing above us.
The Huxley River was still running high, so after checking for possible crossings, we opted on the side of caution and detoured into the bush to cross the swing bridge. As we headed briskly to Monument Hut over the river flats, Mark suddenly appeared to announce that hot sausages were sizzling in the pan for us at the hut. And, even more welcome, a ride back to Colin’s car was waiting for us!
We can report that Monument and Elcho huts are looking clean, tidy and well loved. Our hunter friend also reported that Cullers hut has been painted and is in good condition. Thanks to a great team of Colin, Karyl, Mark and Nicky for joining in and supporting ‘Love our Huts.’
Jenny Kitchin
Blackcap & Scout Hill
Monday, December 2nd, 2024
Sunday 1 December 2024
This tramp took in a circuit of tussock run country between the Hectors Creek and the South Branch
of the Kakanui River. It started at the end of Turnbulls Road which turns off Dunrobin Road which, in
turn, turns off Kakanui Valley Road north of Five Forks.
The route started south across gently rolling country to and then along Black Cap Road with a short
diversion to climb the eponymously named Black Cap (769 metres), with its cap of dark basalt rocks
and the remains of a trig. Back on the road, the route wound down to cross a low saddle between
Hectors and Mole Hill Creeks before tackling the 200 metre climb to the top of Scout Hill (892
metres). It then dropped down, past some organ-pipe like volcanic outcrops and a mob of Hereford
cows and calves to Scout Hut, where the group stopped for lunch.
Lunch was followed by a 2 ½ Km northerly walk up Mole Hill Road to a gate on the right which led
out over a flattish area before a grassy track showed the way. It wound down a ridge, then
descended steeply in a zig-zag to the Mole Hill Creek, some 300 metres below the road. A bulldozed
track then followed a narrow gully up the other side before coming out on to a flattish top, 200
metres above the creek. It then wound through a densely tussocked flat and back out on to the track
leading to the cars. The 21 km walk had taken 7 hours and had been enjoyed by Mary and Geoff,
Helen and Rodney, Linda and Neill, Lynette and Julian, Lorena, and John.
Paradise Creek 16/17 November 2024
Tuesday, November 19th, 2024
The upper Paradise Creek is in a hanging valley above the Huxley River and it flows into the Hopkins. A weather window opened up for 4 of us and provided a fine weekend. Rain on the previous Friday had made the 4wd part of the access to Monument Hut just tricky enough.
Access to the last stretch of riverbed before Monument was compromised and so our vehicle was left about 2km before the hut and clothes were changed and packs donned for our tramp. As we got to Monument Hut, we could see a 4wd stuck in the river and a young man rescuing his gear from it. He’d been unfortunate enough to have driven into the river to cross it without checking how good the bottom was and lost traction in the loose gravel.
We couldn’t help him so carried on to the Huxley Bridge where we had lunch on the other side. Just after spotting 6 deer on the far side of the grassy flat, we started our steep assent of the bushy hill which leads to a ridge at the 1100m contour. Very slow travel on this with lots of tree fells providing interesting route finding opportunities.
Eventually we got to a ridge at the correct contour and surprise surprise there was a DoC 200 trap and a trap line right along this ridge leading to further traps. This provided a decent route for us to follow right along until we dropped slightly and found ourselves at the edge of the bushline which happened to coincide with the start of the grassy flats along that section of Paradise Creek.
Our hard slog up the hill was well rewarded, it had taken over 3 hours to get here but the views of the cirque leading to Mt Boanerges and Taiaha Peak were spectacular. We didn’t waste any time in finding a suitable camp spot and tents were quickly erected and a welcome brew put on. The usual world issues were solved that evening and just after bed time a group of Kea was heard overhead which did leave anxiety for the safety of our tents. The night was moonlit, cold and filled with the occasional noise of avalanches coming off Taiaha Peak.
Morning saw us getting up at 6 with a decent frost on the tents and people sharing how they stayed warm at various parts of the night. Kea once again were heard overhead, but not seen. A Karearea was seen however. By 7 we were on the move to check out the head of the valley and had only gone a short while when we saw that we did have some neighbours in the form of 3 hunters who had been there for 2 nights. They had bagged 3 Thar and a deer the previous day and were looking forward to a big day of lugging out their catch.
The head of the valley was about 2km and although we didn’t get right to the end, we did go far enough to see all that we wanted before returning to our camp to have a brew and pack up.
The return trip was so much easier as we followed the ridge and the trap route all the way down into the Hopkins valley and a fast walk back to the car. The trapped 4wd at Monument was no longer there in the river, so that guy must have some mates.
A great trip, very strenuous at times, visiting an area which is not often seen by many.
Photography by Lorena can be seen on her Facebook (look up Lorena Marshal) or eventually on the NOTMC Facebook page.
Thanks to Julian for the 4wd driving, and Jenny and Lorena for their company.
Robbie
Kahikatea Lodge Circuit, Mt Miserable, 13 October 2024
Monday, October 14th, 2024
Nine of us met up at the Mt Misery Road corner on Sunday morning. A quick transference to accommodate everyone into a 4WD and away up the hill through Glencoe Run to the end of the road carpark. The weather forecast predicted a change after lunch, but in the meantime conditions were cold and windy but otherwise fine. The circuit proposed involved going down the fairly steep muddy track ( newly marked by DoC) down to a creek before a short steep pinch (15 min) to the saddle where the Lodge is located. Morning tea was enjoyed here and for those who had not been to this location an inspection of the new hut and the particularly impressive composting toilet.
We carried on from the saddle in a clockwise direction to climb up through tussock, following the ridge all the way up with very good views of the surrounding hills and a great overview of large parts of the Waianakarua Reserve including the entire length of the Staircase Ridge. Meeting up with the 4WD track and marked route to Mt Miserable we decided to carry on to Mt Miserable. This is one of the least impressive mountain tops and only distinguished from other tops by the trig. But great views and the location for lunch. Conditions started to deteriorate and we had to dress up for the occasion, with even small bits of snow coming down and the build up of major clouds from the south.
Down the 4WD track and the marked route back towards the carpark just in time as the rain came pelting down at exactly that point. The road out was still dry enough not to pose any difficulties in the drive back down.
This was a fairly short tramp in terms of distance (just 7km) but this country is steep and and the tussock can be slow to walk in so no speed records were set in our 5 hour walk.
A very enjoyable day out in our own backyard with great views in every direction.
Thanks to Bess,Charlotte, Shirley, Jenny, Rodney, David, Colin and Mike for coming along.
Robbie
