Trip Reports
Mt. Domett, 19th – 20th January 2013
Tuesday, February 12th, 2013
It has been many years since the club has been to Domett from Chinaman’s hut, so it wasn’t surprising to have a group numbering thirteen attempting what used to be the old favourite.
In keeping with this summer’s weather pattern, the forecast was not perfect. However, it made good sense to at least be poised at Chinaman’s hut to give ourselves a chance the next day.
Just the casual walk up the gorge to the hut in perfect conditions, is a bonus, especially for those who had not been to this beautiful place before. One slightly unique feature of this particular trip is that in spite of being in quite a narrow gorge, we get a remarkably good view of almost the entire route that we will be following tomorrow as we approach the mountain. For some, this raises adrenalin levels. For others it may be spoiling their day somewhat as the size of the task ahead becomes more apparent as we get closer.
Total diligence Sunday morning with everyone on the way by 6am and the weather ‘holding’. By 7.15am the easy stuff was completed and the climbing began. Unfortunately, the ‘holding’ , mentioned above, turned out to be holding rain which gradually wasn’t being held any longer. Persevere we did for another hour or so, but with the rain becoming heavier, temperatures dropping and the cloud lowering, common sense prevailed. Back to the hut. Obvious disappointment by some, but also a feeling of relief by others who were caught out somewhat by the severity of the climb.
The wander back to the hut became a very strung out affair and while a brew was being enjoyed someone noted we were one person short. “Not to worry. He will have walked right past the hut as many others have done in the past”. So we pick up his sleeping bag etc and head off down valley expecting to find him returning after he had realised he’d gone too far. But no sign of him, all the way back to the cars . With the creek running a lot higher than it was yesterday there was suddenly a very different atmosphere as a small group of the most experienced trampers headed back upstream. The search was short-lived however, as the missing tramper was met just five minutes later coming towards us. He had apparently missed the hut and turned around just as we had predicted but missed the hut a second time just before we set out down the stream.
On reaching the cars, a very worthwhile debriefing was held to identify all the aspects of the entire trip that could be improved not only to do with losing a tramper for a while, but every other aspect of the trip as well. It was a valuable discussion.
Ironically, the mountain was laughing at us by this time, bathing in sunshine. However, it will be there for another day.
Mt. Kohurau, 2010m. Sunday 27th January 2013
Sunday, February 3rd, 2013
Fifteen keen trampers met at the car park on a fine and sunny morning at 7am. Sorry about the mix up with the start time, but I chose the early time so we could get going before the day got too hot as we had a steep climb.
On this trip we had five new trampers with us, two from Dunedin, one from Timaru and two from Oamaru who are looking at joining the club. We then headed up to the bottom car park of the Awakino Ski field which is inland from Kurow.
At the car park we decided to split into two groups, with one group of five going up the Ski field road. The rest of us started heading north/east along a 4WD track slightly climbing to we came to a fence. From here it was all up hill, first over tussocks, and as we climbed higher, onto the scree and rock.
At about 10-30am we had a rest at about 1400m, from where we got our first view of Mt.Cook. Then it was all uphill again. We had a good view of the Ski field and road and could see the other group making good time.
As we got higher up we started to come across some of those special alpine plants, so Bronwyn was having fun with her camera. After about 3 hours of climbing we came to the big flat tops with the last climb to the top of Kohurau in a distance. We headed off across the flat tops to the last climb up over some lose rocks to reach the top of Mt Kohurau at 12.15pm about 3-3/4 hours after leaving the cars. The other group arrived about 15 minutes after us.
What a great place to have lunch on a glorious warm sunny day and the view was to die for. You name it we could see it. Mt Cook, Mt Tasman, Mt Aspiring and the Remarkables. We had 360deg. views everywhere.
After lunch and a few photos all good things have to come to an end, so it was back down the side and along the flat tops to the saddle that drops down to the road that goes down past the ski field.
Along the way there were more photos of some more alpine plants and then it was down to the lodge for afternoon break and a look around.
Then it was back down to the cars arriving there at 4pm, a 7-1/2 hour hike for the day, ice creams at Kurow and then home.
Thanks to Linda, Noel, Ross Familton, Sam, Ann, Phyllis, Dave, Bronwyn, Bill and the new trampers, Rodney and Helen, Matt, Theresa and Judith. You all made it enjoyable day out – Neville.
Mountain Bike Ride Rekkie for the 10th February
Tuesday, January 15th, 2013
Mountain bike ride on 4WD tracks, Mitchells Hut to Clifton Falls, Sunday 10th February 2013.
Maurice and I went out for a rekkie to Scout Hut on Tuesday 15th January for this coming trip. We rode from Scout Hut to Mitchells Hut and return . Then it was all down hill to Clifton Falls. The ride is 90 percent down hill, 41K or four hours riding time, plus lunch stop and photo stops.
Mt. David via Razor Ridge, Sunday 9th Dec 2012
Monday, December 10th, 2012
After the Club Christmas Dinner on Saturday night, eight trampers arrived at the car park the next morning to go and walk off the great food consumed. The sun was shining and a nice day looked promising. We left Bayleys yards off the Danseys Pass road at 9.30am and set off across the paddocks to the Otekaieke River. There was a good flow with some colour from the snow melt, but the temperature was very comfortable. After several crossings we came to the first side stream, where we left the river below to ascended the initially steep beginning of Razor Ridge.
The views unfolded as we gained height with the familiar sight of the peaks we had climbed previously. Razor Ridge looks almost unclimbable in places from a distance, but as we got up close there always seemed to be a way through. Lunch in a sunny spot on the ridge was welcomed as the Christmas Dinner had worn off.
From here it was much easier going to Pt 1228, the highest point on the ridge, where a cairn had been built by Noel and myself four years ago housing a Waitaki River bed stone in memory off the late Ian Rodger. Unfortunately due to the weather, animals, or poor workmanship the cairn was destroyed. A rebuild took place, but sadly the river stone was lost. Ian was in our thoughts which is what matters.
We had some down hill at last, and after crossing a swampy area it was yet again all up hill to Mt David. With photos taken and more fuel on board, we enjoyed the flat walk back to the end of the ridge while taking in the whole of the Razor Back Ridge view.
It was then a scramble down the rocky ridge to the 4WD track leading back to the valley floor, and crossing the Otekaieke River one last time. A short paddock walk back to the cars ended another great trip.
Thanks to – Ross, Noel, Colin, Robbie, Phillipa, Stuart,and Phyllis for your company and supporting the N.O.T&M.C. Programme. Maurice.
