Trip Reports
Mt. David
Thursday, December 10th, 2015
Sunday, 6 December 2015
The day dawned fine, after a wet Saturday evening which had left a dusting of snow on the mountains, with a light south-westerly breeze promising to keep temperatures down. Two cars took just over an hour to ferry the seven trampers the 68km to the sign-posted turnoff from the Danseys Pass road to the top end of the Otekaieke Bridle Track. They parked by the locked gate a few hundred metres down the side road and set off on foot at about 9.20am.
The route took them across the Danseys Stream, over a paddock, past some sheep yards and down across the shallow Otekaieke River on to a 4wd track which climbed up into a valley and then forked northwards towards Mt David. Half an hour or so up the gently climbing track, the group paused for a snack and to consider options. The choice was to go up a fence line on the south-western corner of the mountain, or stay on the track, climb further to the west, and head up one of the scree-filled guts. The second option was chosen and, after climbing further on the track, they headed up the steepening slope clad in snow-rimed tussock towards a gut which promised to take them steeply, but directly to the top ridge.
It didn’t. When it became unclimbable, they clambered over or around a rocky spur to the next scree-filled gut to scramble up until it too ran out, and so on, and on – initially working around to the west and then back to the south. Finally, about 3 hours after leaving the cars, they reached the top ridge at point 1366m, paused to catch breath, and then walked for another twenty minutes to the 1412m summit, marked by a large cylindrical stone cairn. The 3600 views were stunning. Immediately to the north, the Dometts loomed with Grayson, Cone and Mt Kyeburn to the west. Further west, the Danseys Pass road could be seen snaking up the valley, flanked to the south by the snow-capped Kakanuis. Further south, Mt Dasher and the elusive Kattothyrst marked the area some of them had tramped the previous weekend. Then the long ridge of the Ben Lomonds blocked the view of the North Otago downlands, though Cape Wanbrow and the Weston escarpment could be seen. The panorama was completed by the familiar shape of Otekaieke Hill and the track down it to the Boundary Hut.
After lunch, the group struck out north-west along the top ridge, meeting up after about 2km with a 4wd track which led to a saddle and then descended to the east and south-, initially following Jacksons Creek. Some 3km down from the saddle, the track crossed the creek and headed south-west along a valley which ran parallel to and north of the Otekaieke River and Bridle Track. This track frustratingly dropped into and climbed out of a succession of side gullies but compensated by offering changing perspectives on the south side of Mt David. Finally, the Otekaieke River and the flats were re-crossed and the cars reached, 3 ½ hours after leaving the summit and 7 ½ hours after setting off; a longish day but a satisfying one as some had not climbed Mt David before, and others not for some time. It was enjoyed by Linda, Bill, Neville, Phyllis, Maurice, Jane and John.
Mitchells Hut – Mt. Dasher
Sunday, December 6th, 2015
Sunday the 29th November 2015
This was meant to be a weekend trip but with only two of us able to make it for the weekend and the weather being a mix bag it was decided to make it a day trip.
Eight of us turned up for an early 7am start on the Sunday. It was off out to Mt Dasher Station up the gravel road past Scout Hut and on to a rough 4WD track to Mitchells Hut arriving at about 8.30am. The weather was cool but clear so it was on with our day packs.
First we checked out Mitchells hut which has just been done up a bit with it only being a four bunk hut now. It was then off up the 4WD track under the rocky Siberia Hill for about 2km until Mt Dasher and Kattothryst came into view.
We then left the track and headed towards Mt Dasher over a big flat tussock area. With the tussock around knee height and Volcanic rocks hiding in the tussock it was hard to find a good animal track to walk on. After about 3km we were at the base of Mt Dasher and after about a 200m climb we were on top at 11.15 am.
The top of Dasher is all volcanic rocks but we had good views down the Pig Root, Kattothryst, Siberia Hill and Mt Obi. All the other high peaks had cloud around them and some low cloud was starting to build in behind us so we decided to head for Half Moon hut for lunch while we still had some clear skies.
Half Moon Hut is a small 6 bunk tin hut but was a good place to have lunch. The low cloud came in with a light shower and then it cleared again. After lunch we headed off back over the flat, rocky, tussock area hoping to have time to climb Kattothryst, but soon the low cloud and drizzle came back in with visibility down to about 20m and we couldn’t see Kattothryst.
I had taken a few way points on my GPS in the morning so they came in handy in finding our way back to the 4wd track. Once on the 4WD track John said there was a volcanic vent crater just off the track a bit further up, so off we set to look for it in the fog and after about half an hour we did find it. It was then back to Mitchells hut and the vehicles.
With all the drizzle the 4wd track was quite greasy and the 4WDs did a lot of slipping and sliding on the way out. At one point Robbie had to stop this vehicle to do the cramp walk around the truck. We were soon out and home by 5pm so thanks to; Ross, Linda, John, Robbie, Uwe, Sylvia and Jen for making it a good day on the hills. Neville.
Broderick Pass, Labour Weekend 2015
Tuesday, October 27th, 2015
After initially having 7 people interested in this weekends trip to Broderick Pass near the head of the North Huxley River this was whittled down to 4 of us in the end. The weather forecast was a bit of a mixed bag so the expectations for the trip were by necessity flexible and we were equipped with tents and snow gear for a possible ascend to the Broderick Pass. However after driving in to Monument Hut on Friday night and spending a relaxed night there it was decided in the morning to leave the tents in the truck which then confined our options to staying in a hut.
A pleasant walk to the Huxley Forks Hut on Saturday morning, marred only by some clambering around wind-fallen trees on the Hopkins section, saw us arriving at Huxley Forks by 11am for an early lunch. The Hut-book indicated at least 3 people already at the Broderick Hut so it was decided to flag going up there to stay and we called the Forks Hut home for the next 2 nights.
After the early lunch, 3 of us set out for a walk up the South Huxley with the idea that we might get to the South Huxley Hut. Two others accompanied us but were quicker and ended up overtaking us. The South Huxley is quite a wild place and great views of the surrounding peaks were had including Rabbiter’s Peak and looking back the Broderick Pass with it’s surrounding peaks. We ran out of time to reach the hut and had a pleasant break on a sunny flat and returned to the Forks Hut by about 5pm. Phyllis had stayed behind and reported that another group of 4 had gone to Broderick, vindicating our decision to stay.
A pleasant night was had but sleep was hard to come by in the updated and insulated hut after the fire did its job even though outside temperatures were low with a chilly SW wind. The hut has been relined on the outside and has a new roof but the porch has been changed to the opposite side of where it used to be which puts it on the cold and windy side ensuring no shelter when it rains. New aluminium joinery completes the upgrade leaving the inside as it was more or less.
The following morning was bleak and blustery with overcast cold conditions which meant that any thoughts of reaching the top of Broderick Pass were shelved and we contented ourselves with just a walk up to the hut and a bit beyond and this was what we did. The erosion on the true right of the North Branch is stunning and involved climbing great heights to get over slips and dodging overhangs and rocks that could shift at any time. Truly a moving landscape and a very fragile one. We had another early lunch at Broderick Hut and went on to the start of the ascent to the Pass before turning back for the Forks. Another 5pm finish and another pleasant night with another 2 joining us in the hut making it too warm again for easy sleep. The day had gradually cleared and the evening provided a spectacular light show on the Naumann Range.
Monday was fine but the forecast was for rain after lunch, so it was just a straightforward walk back to the truck at Monument Hut choosing the walk down the riverbed in preference to the high track. The rain didn’t happen but it wouldn’t take much rain to make the 4WD track impassible, some of the sections are very boggy again. So after an icecream stop in Kurow we were back home quite early. This was a pleasant trip with good company in a fantastic place. Thanks to John, Maurice and Phyllis. Robbie
A2O Bike Ride, Duntroon to Oamaru
Monday, September 21st, 2015
20th September 2015
A late decision to use the backup day of Sunday giving a better weather forecast was used and the final number of riders only known on the day made for interesting organising.
With 14 cyclists assembling at the car park, bikes loaded onto trailers we set off for Duntroon and on arrival we met Uwe who had already had a warm-up ride biking from Weston.
As we set off in fine overhead conditions with a cool southerly breeze our first stop was at the Maori rock drawings less than 1km away. Mel’s borrowed bike had a puncture and a flat front tyre requiring a quick tube change and some warm up pump exercise.
The peleton moved on to the next stop in the valley of John Hore’s farm without further incident. After a snack in the warm sheltered valley it was tempting to stay but the show had to go on.
The steep zig-zag section leaving the valley saw some walking their bikes while others challenged themselves biking and won.
The off-road section continued across Grants Road and onto Duff Farm where a gentle down hill stretch exited onto Prydes Gully Road and another regrouping. Sarah had a woopsie on the loose pine needles, but that was soon sorted with a couple of sticky plasters and Sam had had an altercation with a stick getting caught in the back wheel but no damage to bike or rider.
A short section of tarseal took us back off road following the Karara Creek through farmland with lots of new lambs to Cants Road.
A gravel hill climb to Peaks Road saw the party spread out but regrouping before the enjoyable fast downhill ride to Rakis Tunnel. The dark tunnel was negotiated with the aid of several torches and red rear flashing indicators which took us to the “light at the end of the tunnel” where an obstacle course of pine cones and a wind fell log was crossed before arriving at Peaks Road.
The gravel lead to Windsor township and a short ride up to the old church, God’s Old House, where Roger and Carol’s new venture of coffee making for the tourists was sampled in a sheltered courtyard along with our own lunch. A pleasant setting,with bodies refuelled it was back on the road where the riding was easy going, following Pig Island and Burnside Roads linking the next section of offroad trail beginning at Whitstone and connecting the old railway line through Weston. It was here where the vehicle drivers and some of the locals finished their ride, while the rest continued onto the Oamaru Harbour, riding through the gardens, streets and historic part of town.
Rumour has it that some of the finishers ended up at Scotts Brewery for well deserved refreshments.
Thanks to the transport drivers and all who attended an enjoyable day ride in pleasant surroundings.
Uwe, Bill, Robbie, Sam, Kate, Pete, Sylvia, Chris, Ross M, John, Jane, Phyllis, Mel, Sarah.
Maurice.
Kakahu Bush
Friday, September 11th, 2015
Sunday, 6th September
Arriving at Kakahu Bush at 10am, the historical lime kiln presented itself boldly. Made of stacked stone, approximately 20 metres high, of a cylinder shape and built in 1876. This area is rich in limestone and also coal which together are used in the kiln to produce burnt lime. Coal and limestone are alternately layered and at 1000 degrees, the calcium carbonate is driven off and the remainder is calcium oxide, useful for agricultural lime. This kiln was used until 1900. We set off and soon were at the Pinnacles Look out which was a 10 minute side trip. We stopped for lunch on top of the Pinnacles with fantastic views of South Canterbury. On to the next stop which was the Balancing Rock hidden amongst large trees growing up the side of the cliff face. After this walk, there is a 10 minute Escarpment Track which is worth the stop. Also Waitohi Reserve is an old track, being amongst a Podocarp forest, so we had a 20 minute walk here but there is a 60 minute option also.
Thanks to Linda, Bill and John for the company. Bess
