Trip Reports
Sullivans Dam, Dunedin
Wednesday, September 19th, 2018
16th September 2018
With temperatures expected to be in the 20’s, five people set off from Oamaru at 8am destined for a tramp up to Mount Cargill, north of Dunedin.
Jane joined us at Kakanui and Marian and Robbie at Herbert while Helen and Rodney met the group at the entrance to Sullivans Dam just off the Dunedin Northern Motorway.
After walking part way around the dam we entered the Cloud Forest of the Leith Track and climbed lots of boardwalk and steps to eventually come out of the bush and into the open under several transmission lines.
Re-entering the bush again we followed the Escarpment Track which was a lot rougher with fallen trees to climb over, muddy patches and rocks and tree roots to negotiate.
A break on a rocky outcrop of Pigeon Hill for morning tea gave us good views north and back down over the motorway.
The terrain became easier after crossing Cowan Road and walking up the A H Reed Track to the tower on Mount Cargill, our goal for the day where we enjoyed a lunch break in a sunny sheltered spot overlooking Dunedin City and surrounds. It was here that one member discovered that he had smashed his lunch box after slipping on a rock on the Escarpment Track. (Very fortunate with the placement of lunch box in pack as could have easily been some broken bones instead).
An easy stroll down Cowan Road took us to the obscure entrance of the Three Peaks Track which we followed down through some young trees and onto a road. Meanwhile some of the newer members had been learning map reading so were able to test their skills when we arrived at a fork.
Once on the right track we ended up at the entrance to the Cloud Forest of the Leith Track which we descended to Sullivans Dam and continued the circuit around to where we had commenced our walk in the morning.
Yes the temperature did reach the 20’s.
Thanks to Jane, Shirley, Marian, Helen, Rodney, Neville, Robbie, Julian, and Maurice for their company.
Phyllis
Nimrod Reserve
Tuesday, September 11th, 2018
9th September 2018
We arrived at Nimrod Reserve at 9.30am and 10 of us set off shortly after heading in a clockwise direction of the loop track. Up out of the bush on a view point, there was some low cloud but could still see across South Canterbury flats. We opted for a snack on the saddle before dropping down a rocky steep stage and down to Nimrod Stream. A detour 100m up the stream led us to the waterfall, unique as it has a rock arch at the top where the water rushes through. Up out of the bush again and we exited the loop track and followed the poled route up to the fence line. Being 12.30, we had lunch on a grassy knob before continuing through the gate and onto the Easement Track which leads to the Hunter Hills Conservation Area. This is a grass 4WD track with poled route which is the public access route. There were several other tracks going off the Easement Track which had “Private Track” signs. We passed through several spring gates, expensive looking, and effective in that no-one could leave them open. So with these fool proof tools in place, the owner can be rest assured that the stock and trampers will stay where they belong. As we got into the afternoon, Mt Nimrod with a dusting of snow on top, loomed closer, and there was talk of making a day trip to Mt Nimrod in the future. We returned back down the Easement Track and joined up again with the Nimrod loop track and continued clockwise back to the cars by 3.30pm. A stop at the St Andrews pub topped off the day.
Thanks for your company Sandra, Linton, John, Jane, Neville, Jac, Marian, Julie, and Dean. Bess
Day Walks based in Dunedin
Monday, September 10th, 2018
11th and 12th August
Friday afternoon saw 5 bods stuff their gear into 1 carload, and head to Dunedin. There we had a flat to unpack and establish ourselves into. Although the ‘film festival’ was on, no one seemed inclined to take advantage of this, with the option of good restaurants and our own conversations being sufficient each of the 3 evenings.
Saturday morning saw us heading South to Taieri Mouth where we met up with Maurice and Phyllis to walk the Taieri River Millennium Track. The track basically followed along the river with beautiful views from vantage points as we rose and fell with the terrain through forest and bush. After the said 8 km’s we came out towards the other end of the track near Henley. A good spot for lunch except for a pesky jet boat that disturbed our peace! A pleasant return trip with differing views-especially of the sea as we approached it.
On the return journey to town, we were fortunate enough to join the crowds spying a whale.
Sunday we headed to to Outram , then continued S along the Maungatua’s to Berwick. 5km down the Waipori Falls Rd we began the Government Track. This was built in the 1860’s to provide access to the Central Otago gold fields. The gradient was gentle but relentless through rather nice beech forest. It seemed to take some time to reach our 9km goal of the top, then to be disappointed with no inspiring view for our efforts. The return trip was somewhat speedier. A nice walk to do once.
Another nice meal in ‘The Gardens’ area in Dunedin before heading home. Thanks to Roz, Chris, Ross, Phyllis, Maurice and especially Heather who joined us from Middlemarch way.
Jane.
Nordic Skiing and Diamond Lake
Monday, August 27th, 2018
25th-26th AUGUST
It was an early start with Maurice collecting us in the van just past 6.30 on Saturday morning. We met four more of our party at the Snow Farm Base which sits at the top of Pisa Range. There was little time to wake up before the lesson, in which the crew was taught the Cross-Country skiing rudiments of double-poling, diagonal striding, the herring bone (to go uphill – very awkward, and even more so to look at) and stopping. A few of us had a bit of trouble with the last essential skill and just had to sacrifice our bodies in a more abrupt (and bouncy) braking technique.
A timely lunch-break gave some skiers time to recoup their energy for a ski (shuffle) out to Meadow Hut. It was a picture-perfect day with snow-covered rolling hills and blue skies as far as the eye could see so the 2.5km ski to the hut was more a delight than a hardship. You can stay at Meadow Hut and there’s also half a dozen snow-caves surrounding the hut so that will be us next year !!! A couple keen skiers, Jane and Di, pushed on to Bob Lee Hut to complete the loop back to base. A few more decided, prudently, to mind their frames and try to perfect their cross-country skills on the trails.
All twelve of us reconvened at the end of the day, body-worn, a bit bruised, but really happy with what we’d achieved. Dinner at Francesca’s was an excellent reward.
The next day, seven of the team donned their tramping boots and headed up the 3 hour return Rocky Ridge walk at Diamond Lake. The crew got to stretch out their tired muscles from the day before and said the views at the top were totally worth it. They got a flawless panorama of Wanaka and Mt Aspiring and Handy-Nev was able to pinpoint and name each mountain.
A double-scoop icecream in Omarama was the perfect ending to a great weekend.
Anna
Station Peak 885m
Monday, August 20th, 2018
19 August 2018
One of the rewards tramping to a high point on a fine day are the views that unfold on the way up and especially on reaching the destination.
Leaving from a shaded and frosty SH 82 it was straight into a steady up hill track which soon had the blood pumping and the need for less layers. Once on the ridge top we then followed the road terminating at one of the communication towers where a lunch break in the sun was taken. The views of the Waitaki and Haka Valleys also across the Waitaki River to the high peaks of North Otago were just reward.
The return journey was down a steep track where at the bottom we were expecting to see a colourful display from a grove of Kowhais. Unfortunately spent flowers with dead looking branches was the disappointing scene. Maybe the frost had an effect.
A short walk back up the road to the cars completed the days walk, along with icecreams at Kurow.
Thanks to : Jane, Kim, Julian, Mark and Phyllis.
Maurice.
