Trip Reports
Canyon Creek – Ahuriri Valley
Tuesday, December 18th, 2018
15th- 16th December 2018
Canyon Creek in the Ahuriri Valley, a place I have visited many times before, but this latest visit with five club members was probably the most perfect I have seen with sunny skies, wind free warm conditions and after recent rain and late snow falls the water falls were performing at their best.
Our departure from Oamaru at 7.30am saw us leaving behind a misty damp day but soon to be in sunshine as we approached the valley lakes and beyond to the Ahuriri Conservation Park.
Sadly the local council have stopped maintaining the road just after the Ben Avon Reserve, leaving many pot holes for several kilometes to Birchwood Homestead. Beyond there the 4WD track to the carpark was reached with the help of Neville’s high clearance 4WD vehicle.
The day was already quite warm at 10.30am as we set off across the flats to Canyon Creek and the first test of uphill fitness where at the top a view into the Canyon Gorge was the first of many magic sights.
Once down the other side and out onto the river flats we were ready for lunch under the cooling shelter of the beach trees.
As we approached the lower cirque it was hard to concentrate on foot placement with all the stunning waterfalls and landscapes to take in.
The track out to the Upper Valley is an honest workout and we were pleased to see flat land again.
Some melting avalanche debris was present in a gully crossed to reach the Upper Canyon adding to the beautiful scenery.
The way to the Bivy Rock, our destination involved picking the best cairned route as there is quite a lot of rock hopping and the heat of the day was starting to tell. As we rounded the corner in the valley and the large Bivy Rock came into view my thoughts of what I had in my pack to revive me spurred me on.
A magic place and we had not seen another person all day.
With the four tents pitched we gathered around the rock with billies soon boiling and settled back to soak up some more of the stunning views all around.
At about 9pm we retired to our tents as the warm day had taken its toll so sleep came easy.
Sunday dawned with the sound of a kea, although unsighted and the promise of another fine day but the planned climb to Mt Heim was replaced with a stroll to the head of the valley.
On reaching the headwall, Neville got close enough to take in the cold spray of a waterfall, while Bron with camera in hand went searching out the many alpine flowers.
With the sun now making its way into the valley we packed up and returned down the creek, detouring off to view the stream’s journey over the edge of the cirque and plunge twisting and turning its way to the valley below.
After meeting up with the track again we made our way down to the lower valley stopping off for lunch in the shade under the beach trees.
Frequent stops by the cooling streams for drinks and soaking sunhats were made before reaching the car park with the temperature at 28 degrees.
Thanks to Bronwyn, Phyllis, Forester and Neville for making this another memerable weekend.
Maurice.
Dromedary Hill
Sunday, November 18th, 2018
Sunday 11 November 2018
Four trampers set off from Oamaru at 7.30am. One and three-quarter hours and 140km later they arrived at the parking area just east of the Dalrachney Stream bridge on the Lindis Pass road where they met up with two more trampers who had driven from Clyde.
At 9.25am we set off through a gate on to the poled route along an easement through Longslip Station. At 9.35 we turned back having missed the crossing point on Dalrachney Stream. We eventually crossed and carried on along the poled route which followed the stream up a broad, flat valley. Three more crossings ensured that feet were well wet by the time we reached the gate into the Conservation Area at the end of the flat, 5km from the start. It would be another 5km distance and 900 metres climb to the top of Dromedary Hill. The track continued up the narrowing valley before turning north to start climbing. A few hundred metres up we stopped for smoko in the shade of a clump of remnant beech trees. It was encouraging to see that destocking had allowed beech seedlings to spread out from the clump promising long term recovery of native forest.
Smoko over, we climbed up the zig-zag track until we reached a fenceline on a ridge, which we then followed up to a saddle, where we turned west towards the now-visible summit. It now being just after 1 o’clock, we stopped for lunch at a spot with views and shelter from the cold southerly breeze. We estimated that it would be at least half an hour to the summit, so we set a turnaround time of 2.30pm and set off again. Some more fairly steep gravelly zigs and zags and a final climb through tussock along a fence, turning left at a gate, and we were on the snow-clad summit by 2pm. Extensive views were admired, with much speculation about the possible positions of Mounts Aspiring and Barth. The nearer hills were very picturesque with their dusting of snow and the Martha Saddle, which some had crossed on the Breast Hill-Ahuriri track earlier in the year, was spotted across the valley of the Avon Burn.
At 2.20 we headed back. The return trip was straightforward, apart from one deviation to explore alternative routes, and we got back to the cars just after 5pm. A fine day, a satisfying climb and good company: Marian, Julie, Helen, Rodney, and Neville. John
Head of Lake Wakatipu
Thursday, October 25th, 2018
Labour Weekend 2018
Leaving Oamaru at 7.45am Saturday with 4 in the van meant that we had some time up our sleeve before meeting the others at Glenorchy at 1pm. We stopped at Tarras for a drink and then Cromwell for some low-priced fuel before hitting the Queenstown Lakes area. We arrived in Glenorchy well before 1pm and spotted Jane, Graham and Karyl at Camp Glenorchy so we booked into our bunkroom. With a full van, we met Kim and Mark down at the iconic red shed and then we all travelled around towards Kinloch where the Glacier Burn Track is. Everyone was keen to get walking. The track starts on the true right on the stream but within a 100m, there is a crossing to the true left and the well-formed track stays on this side right, through beech forest, up to the Glacier basin. Two hours later, we reached the basin, below some snow. Back to the vehicles and Camp Glenorchy. We were lucky enough to be there for the “Great Glenorchy Getaway Weekend” which offered barbeques, food stalls, entertainment, to name a few. So that night, Camp Glenorchy opened their bar and put on a BBQ which we took advantage of. Camp Glenorchy is self-sustainable so they have solar panels, composting toilets, automatic doors, sensor lighting, sensor drying room, devices in rooms to maintain optimum oxygen levels throughout the night and thermo controlled underfloor heating. There is a huge lounge and dining area plus a large kitchen. The sculptures, paving and landscaping are superb.
Sunday morning with the sun shining, we started up the Mt Judah track at 8.45am, viewing the Scheelite mining history on the way. At 10.30 we reached the junction where the Mt McIntosh track begins, spotting a corrugated iron hut about half way up Mt McIntosh. We continued up the Mt Judah track and reached the end of it at 11.15am. Here we encountered the Kea to everyone’s delight as it played with walking poles and packs. We reached the Boozer Hut just after opening thankfully, and then lunched in the shade at the Bonnie Jean Hut soon after 12pm. The Bonnie Jean Hut and an old workshop next door both had iron bars installed to prevent people going in and so to preserve the contents within. Nearby was an old Massey Fairhall under cover. While lunching, we were entertained by another Kea. Within 45 minutes, we were at the Heather Jock Hut, where we met up with a woman and a Kea. Her husband was away climbing Mt Alaska, he had also carried his bike to the hut – very keen!! From here, we walked down the long zigzag to Jean Hut, unique in that it has rocks tied to wire and standards to keep the roof on! The exterior of these huts was all constructed with old iron bits and pieces so there was no wood at all.
Just after the Jean Hut, we met up with the Mt Judah track again and called in to look at the Scheelite mines and then back to the van by 4.30pm.
After a hot day, some sampled Ginger Beer from Crimson Badger Brewing’s at Mrs Woolly’s General Store while some sampled her ice creams. Everyone was keen for a shower, followed by cold refreshments and a meal at the pub. On the way back, we opted to bypass the Valley Blue Grass Band playing at Mrs Woolly’s General Store, in favour of resting in the luxurious lounge at Camp.
Monday morning, we left Kim and Mark to possibly go biking on the Diamond Creek Track. The rest of the group spent a couple of hours walking the Lake Sylvan circuit which is a Scenic Reserve of beech forest. After this, we drove down the road to the Routeburn Shelter for a look. On our way back to Glenorchy, we stopped at the Mt Alfred Track which was an option for Monday but not many were keen for it, possibly a good thing as there was a Caution sign, stating snowfall, windfall and the track obscured in places. It will keep for another time. Back to the pub for lunch and then home for everyone.
Thanks for your company, making it an enjoyable weekend, Kim, Mark, Karyl, John, Neville, Roz, Jane and Graham. Bess
Swallows Track Working Bee
Monday, October 8th, 2018
7 October 2018
Spring Working Bee, Swallows Track, Herbert Forest.
Eleven club members turned out for the latest working bee, which concentrated just on establishing more board walks in the Swallows track. This track gets the greatest use all year round and still has had muddy patches during certain parts of the year. Previously we had gravelled the beginning section and this work has been continued off and on for the last few months and was carried on with by two members on this occasion using a special 2 wheeled wheelbarrow which is now a new improved version with fully adjustable handles.
The rest of the group worked hard firstly carrying in all the materials and tools needed for approximately 28 meters of board walk in total and then building the boardwalks complete with wire mesh for better grip.
We used mainly screws for assembling the boardwalks on this occasion and members had fun trying out the latest screwing technology with impact drivers taking the hard work out of driving in the longer fasteners. Everyone worked incredibly hard and the job was all done by 3.00pm. One member lost his club hammer unfortunately, so if you happen to see one in the Swallows please grab it.
Many thanks to Maurice, Phyllis, Jane, Graeme, Mike, Vicky, Bob, Karen, Bess and John.
Little Kyeburn Track
Sunday, October 7th, 2018
30th September 2018
The weather forecast changed so much leading up to this trip. A week out it was going to be fine and then half way through the week it was going to be raining and by the end of the week it was going to be light rain in the morning clearing about 11am. I put a plan B in place to go to Trotters Gorge if the weather on Sunday was no good. One of our members from Dunedin Rodney said he was going to stay in Naseby on the Saturday night and would give me a weather update on the Sunday morning. Sunday morning dawned cloudy and bleak but Rodney rang me and said it was clear in Naseby so the seven of us that had met at the car park decided to head Little Kyeburn. We headed through the Danseys Pass in light rain and mist but once we got over the pass the weather cleared and it looked like we were going to be in for a good day. We picked Rodney and Helen up on Little Kyeburn Rd and drove to the DOC car park at the bottom of Mt Buster. We headed off over a 4WD track for about 2km till we picked up the Little Kyeburn Track and gorge. The well used track with three nice waterfalls along the way follows the little Kyeburn creek through a gorge over some rocky knobs through some scrub and then opens up to a tussock valley where we climbed steeply out of the Valley and on to the little Mt Buster shelter/hut for lunch. After lunch we followed a 4WD track along to the Buster diggings to view the unusual formations caused by the hydraulic sluicing that took place in the area over a 100 years ago and it was also at this stage a wee patch of snow was found for a snow fight. From here we follow a 4WD track east viewing the Water races that were made 100 years ago for the sluicing till we came to a junction where we headed south for about 2km to climb up onto Mt Buster 1334m. Last time I was on Mt Buster the wind was so strong you couldn’t stand up without getting blown off but this time it was still windy but we all got up on top and got photos of the views across to the Kakanui Mountains and the Ida Valley and beyond. From here we could see the car so it was off down the eastern tussock slope of Mt Buster towards the cars. This was not as easy as it looked because the further down the slope we got the bigger the tussock and Spaniard grass to push through and a wee creek gut to get across before we got back on to the main 4WD track back to the car park. I will also mention that coming down through the tussock I lost my camera which was like looking for a needle in a hay stack, well shit happens. We all got back to the cars after about 6 ½ hike in good weather all feeling we had, had a good day out. We dropped Rodney and Helen back at their car and headed for the Danseys Pass Pub for light refreshments and this is where my troubles continued. I pulled up at the pub, got out of my truck and watched my back tyre go flat, oh well, more shit happens. After changing the wheel and light refreshment it was back through the Danseys back to Oamaru, getting back about 7pm.
Apart from all my troubles it was a good day out with alot of country covered so thanks to,
Julian, John, Kim, Mark, Maurice, Phyllis, Rodney and Helen for the great company for the day. Neville
P.S Also thanks to the farmer for letting us climb Mt Buster and come down through his land.
