Kakahu Bush

Friday, September 11th, 2015

Sunday, 6^th 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

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Cape Wanbrow & Beach Walk

Sunday, August 30th, 2015

In dull overcast conditions five members left the Medway Street carpark on foot, crossing under the Thames Street bridge,  following the track by the steampunk headquarters and along to the end of Test Street. We then made our way up through the recently felled Cape Wanbrow forrest on various tracks, some bike trails and down to meet up with Graves Track. As low tide was timed for 9.30am, we didn’t waste too much time walking along the beach to the bluffs before Bushey Beach, passing several fur seals on the way. A light mist had started to fall as we picked our way around the rock pools without getting our feet too wet to reach Bushey Beach. More seals were present among the rocks and we also watched one swimming out to sea. Two pairs of oyster catchers were foraging along the tideline. The hide made a welcome stop for an early lunch. After retreating along the tops, we arrived back at the gun emplacements and after exploring the old lighthouse and forts we walked to Lookout Point and emerged onto Test Street once again. From there we strolled along the beachfront to a shelter at the playground where we had another lunch. The weather had improved as we explored the shops in Harbour Street. After admiring the engine at the steampunk headquarters, John set off the flames and steam, much to our amusement as we watched the reactions of some visitors. The walk ended after stepping across some concrete filled buckets which took us across Oamaru creek and back to the cars at 2pm.

Thanks to John, Linda, Bryce and Maurice for your company on a pleasant Sunday walk.

Phyllis

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Mt Te Kohurau

Wednesday, August 26th, 2015

Sunday 23rd August 2015
Early start at 7am with 10 on the trip, Robbie, Maurice, Ross, John, Jane, Jane, Rodney & Helen, Tim & Noel. It was great to have Rodney & Helen Meiklejohn travel up from Dunedin and Tim met the troops at Kurow.
We lset out from the bottom gate at the Ski Field in perfect conditions. We followed the ridge all the way to the top and when approaching the snow, Jane Green and Helen tried crampons for the first time. Unfortunately the snow was very soft but they learned to walk in crampons in soft snow and across rocks. The views of Mt Cook and Aspiring were very clear, not a cloud in the sky. We had lunch at the top whilst taking in the views. We returned via the same route back to the cars. Some chose to stop at Kurow for icecreams. A great day had by all.

Noel

Summit of Mt TeKohurau

Mt. Parker

Wednesday, August 5th, 2015

Sunday 2nd August 2015

It was cool and fine and stayed that way for the walk. As we approached Glenavy  we thought we were in for a Leidecker View Day, as we encountered fog, but it turned out to be short lived.

We left the Mount Parker yard at 9 am. and headed on up the Hill. There was a VERY SHORT DEBATE about taking the 4 wheel drive track or straight up a quite steep hill, the steep hill won! At the top good views were to be had of the Waitaki River, Valley and the Mountains. After morning tea in the tussocks, we headed down, going north to the valley floor and muster’s hut, where we had an early lunch at 11.30.

There was a lot of evidence of a successful pest kill with many remains of wallaby about. We never saw a live one all day, which was good.

From the hut we made our way to  Penticotico Stream where we decided to go down it rather than taking the 4 wheel drive track. With many river crossings and a bit of bush bashing we made our way down stream where there was some Kowhai in flower and we also found Clematis afoliata (not in flower).

We came down steam a bit too far and had to do a couple of manoeuvres to get back on track and reached the yard about 3.30 ish.

There were a few of us who hadn’t been in this neck of the hills , so it was good to see new country. As usual we had a lot of laughs and thanks to Neville for organising the Trip. Many thanks also go the land owners for allowing us onto their properties.  Neville, Linda, Jane, Noel, Robbie, John  & Bronwyn,

P.S. A fashion statement has been set for the male trampers, so the rest of you need to up your anti in the HAT department!!!

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Orbells Cave – Three O’clock Stream Sunday 14 June 2015

Saturday, June 20th, 2015

Back up Orbells Creek

Looking down Three O’Clock Stream Cave

Looking up Three O’Clock Stream

Lunch near the Cave

Orbells Cave

Orbells Cave

Orbells Creek

The Party

The day dawned fine with a reasonable forecast as eleven trampers in three vehicles left Oamaru at 8am and headed south, picking up another at Maheno and the thirteenth at Waikouaiti. There, they turned inland for the 24km drive over Buckland’s Crossing, and along the winding, narrow, gravel, ridge-top Blucher and Lamb Hill roads to the Bendoran Huts. The weather looked increasingly threatening as we headed south, and we were met by a cold southerly wind and light drizzle as we kitted up. We parked opposite a gateway about 200m north of Bendoran Huts and, just before 10am, set forth through the gate on a little used 4wd track, up over a hilltop and down a ridge to meet up with Orbells Creek. From here on the route was sheltered from the weather and the walking pleasant. After a short snack stop, we continued down the track which followed the creek all the rest of the way down, mostly on the true left but with a short stretch on the opposite side before recrossing by some yards a few minutes before spotting the cave in the schist rock face above the true left of the stream just on 12.30pm. After exploring the caves, we found a sheltered spot for lunch nearby. About 1.15, three trampers headed downstream for the 15 min walk to the broad valley of the Three O’clock Stream into which Orbells Creek flows and which, in turn, joins the Taieri River near Hindon. Meantime, the remaining ten, with a wary eye on the increasingly threatening weather, headed back up the valley. The three caught up with the ten near the top, to be greeted by a biting southerly gale and needle-like sleet across the exposed hilltop at around 4pm. Fortunately, the squall was short lived, particularly as one vehicle had a flat tyre which required changing in difficult conditions. That achieved, the party headed home, back to sunny North Otago. Enjoyment and exercise were had by Vanessa, Marcel, Phyllis, Maurice, Noel, Linda, Jac, Roz, Neville, Jane, Bill, Sam and John.