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Hump Ridge Track, 2nd October 2014
Friday, October 10th, 2014
With bad weather forecast for the next few days, I had my doubts about embarking on a trip to Southland to walk the Hump Ridge Track. However after picking up our fellow trampers, nine of us set off for Tuatapere in a mini-van anticipating rain and snow over the next 3 days. First stop was in Gore for tea and then we carried on to our accommodation at Tuatapere, arriving in daylight. The host was very helpful and gave us three rooms so none of us had to climb up to top bunks. [The climbing was still to come]. Some went and explored the township in between rain showers while others played table tennis and watched television, before retiring to bed.
The next morning was cool and overcast with the odd shower as we drove 20kms to the Rarakau Farm carpark. With parkas on, we set off walking at 8am, firstly through bush for half an hour and then down a long set of steps leading to Bluecliffs Beach in Te Waewae Bay. The track then crossed the Waikoau River on a swing-bridge past some cribs and on to a 4wheel-drive track, punctuated with puddles until we reached the beach. It made pleasant walking, but at times we were forced to scramble up onto stones to avoid the incoming waves. After an early lunch on the veranda of a hut, we crossed the Track Burn stream and walked in bush until the turn-off to the Okaka Hut at Flat Creek. It started with an easy amble through the forest until forty minutes of continuous boardwalk followed. As the terrain became steeper, we were pelted with several hail storms, but the hail-stones were small and dry so just bounced off our parkas. White patches like small polystyrene balls appeared on the ground. A shelter at Water Bridge was a welcome sight where we sat inside and had another lunch as several more hail storms passed through. The bridge across the stream was well-named as there was a billy tied onto a rope which could be lowered deep down for the last chance of getting water before the Okaka Hut, 9kms away.
The gradient became a lot steeper and the hail on the ground had turned into snow. From Stag Point we had views back down to Te Waewae Bay and also to the Hut. After leaving the sheltered bush, we were buffeted by strong wind gusts on the tops, sometimes almost getting blown off the boardwalk. The snow became deeper as we climbed, arriving at the hut at mid-afternoon. Snow had to be cleared before opening the door to the bunkrooms. The taps were frozen so Maurice and Noel climbed onto the tank stand and bailed out water to use for cooking and drinking. Because there was no gas or heating, we all put on extra layers of dry clothing and welcomed a hot brew in the kitchen in which the temperature was -1.6 degrees. It did rise to 5degrees after the cookers warmed it up.
We were joined by 4 other trampers for the night. A game of UNO kept us entertained with Neville coming out the winner, meanwhile the temperature outside remained in the minus’s. A loud clap of thunder and a spectacular flash of lightening startled us all, but fortunately that was to be the only one. With extra clothing on, we slid into our sleeping bags and hoped for good weather the next day. More snow fell during the night, but no rain. As it was murky and windy in the morning, we decided not to walk the loop around the tarns, instead leaving at 8:30am we backtracked for 30 minutes to the turn-off to Port Craig. Boardwalk and steps up and down took us to Luncheon Rock where we got views through the parting cloud of Te Waewae Bay, Lake Poteriteri and a viaduct. An early lunch was taken in the shelter before descending through the podocarp and silver beech forest to the junction with the tramline at Edwin Burn Viaduct. After following the tramline we reached Percyburn Viaduct which was closed due to restoration work. A detour took us down steep steps, across a bridge and a climb up the other side, while viewing the underside of Percyburn some 36metres above us. Second lunch was taken on the veranda of the Percyburn Restoration Trust Hut before a long walk on the tramline to Port Craig Hut where we arrived at mid-afternoon. With the luxury of running water at 2 sinks and an efficient log fire we were soon relaxing in the old converted school. Later we took a tour around the remaining relics and out to the remains of the old wharf at the Port Craig Town. On-site interpretation panels enabled us to get an insight of how the timber was milled, handled and shipped out between 1916 and 1928.
The ports, whiskeys and homemade brews came out before tea and then we played UNO once again with Dave winning this time.
Just after 7am on Sunday we departed Port Craig and followed a well graded track to walk the 17kms to the car park. The day was fine and parkas were stashed away in the packs. At times we got glimpses of Stewart Island and the beach as we made our way through the forest up on terraces.
A few quick dashes around headlands to dodge the incoming waves took us to Blowholes Beach for morning tea, Track Burn for lunch and then back to the car park, arriving at 12:30pm.
With a change of clothes and lots of stretching, we were on our way home, stopping at Winton, Clinton and Hampden where we had fish and chips and paua patties for tea.
Although it was cold at Okaka Hut, we had survived a tramp in hail, snow, wind and sunshine, with beautiful scenery and great company.
Thanks to Bronwyn, Jane, Noel, Dave, Murray, Neville, John and Maurice..
Phyllis
Trotters Gorge-Pigeon Bush
Sunday, September 14th, 2014
7.9.14
Twelve of us met up at the car park on a fine spring morning all looking for a good day out. We were meant to go to Meyer but with them lambing a bit early, I had to change my plans so it was off to one of my local favourite hiking spots. We all headed off down to the Trotters Gorge Reserve car park. It was on with our day packs and off up the track pass the Otago University hut and with several creek crossings we were able to keep our feet dry. We followed Trotters creek till we came to Vickers Hut where we stopped for a break before the climb up the hill. It was then off up the hill following a 4WD track up to the ridge at about 400m just below trig L. We then turned west and followed a track along the tops with great views of the coast and the surrounding hills. After about 2 km we went off track and sidled around a hill to take a short cut, but it might have ended up as the long way around but we were soon on the 4WD track again. The track then turned to the north and we went past the spot there we usually drop down to chinaman cave. We soon dropped down to a small creek with a sign saying Christmas creek (I think the farmer has named it) and this was where we had lunch. After lunch it was a short climb up and over a hill and then we dropped down into Pigeon Bush. As we came down into Pigeon Bush the birds gave us a big welcome with their song and the Kowhai trees were just starting to flower. We then followed Pigeon creek down through the bush on a good track for a start, but as we got down to the creek further on the track came to an end and we had to find our way through the bush in a bit of a gorge for about a 1 km. We finally came across some animal tracks which were a bit muddy in places, but soon we were out in the open again. It was then down a track and soon we met up with Trotters creek again and back down pass the University hut to the cars. The whole trip took about 7 hours and with the weather being great all day and the great company it was a very enjoyable trip. There is so much hiking to do in this area.
Thanks to Noel, Dave, Bev, Linda, Jo, Maurice, Phyllis, Theresia, Marcel, John and Jane for a very enjoyable day. – Neville
no images were found
Jane’s Extreme Bike-ride
Friday, September 5th, 2014
Jane’s Extreme Bike Ride 31st Aug
9.00am on a clear frosty morning was early enough for the brave 6 who turned up to venture ‘somewhere’ on the maps provided. General consensus was to follow the outlined route as one group, with at least one person hoping they would cope!
Cope we did. Firstly conquering Mt [!] Charles to the very top, spending some time looking at the gravestones in the Herbert Cemetery and posing for our first photo shot.
Then our historical tour took us to the Herbert Church, where we examined both its exterior and interior. Jane M and Scott joined us at Herbert.
Our second ‘mountain’ was calling us onward and upward… so now 8 of us took to the climb reaching the end of the road, at Mt Stalker, for a very well earned lunch, followed by a sleep for some! Our numbers had dropped back to 7 as Scott decided a party was more exciting at Hampden [though he had ridden from ‘his mountain’ up in the hills beyond Hampden, and to where he had to return].
Our rate downhill was pretty spectacular, with me learning that weight counts- I only managed 58km/hr and trailed from then on. Hopefully we managed to see the views of the down-lands as they rapidly approached. One Tree Hill road was a rollercoaster; and Kuriheka provided more photo shots as ‘the boys’ played on the guns.
After the climb to Kauru Hill’s now privately owned church and school, we had our final group stop. The brisk NEer wind, and for some their tired legs, the final ride via Gemmels Crossing and Teshmakers was quite a challenge. Now Jane named the ride: ‘Jane’s ‘too’ extreme bike ride’.
All safely returned with no incidents after completing the basic 72km circuit. Maurice completed 88km by biking from home, and Ian was off to do his second lambing circuit of the day.
Thanks for the company [when I caught up!] and support Maurice, John , Colin, Marcel, Ian, Scott and Jane M. Jane Green
August Monthly Report
Friday, September 5th, 2014
There were 26 people present at the August meeting
We were treated to an account of 11 days spent as volunteer wardens on Ulva Island over the last Christmas and New Year, by Brent Wallace and his wife and daughter, The island is 10 minutes by boat from Stewart Island. The first picture we saw set the scene for the rest – a kiwi standing on a track, and pecking at Maria’s boots. We saw pictures of a profusion of birdlife – wekas and chicks, parakeets, kaka, pigeons, tui, morepork and beautiful saddlebacks and also saw and heard videos of a number of these.The dawn chorus was amazing. The hut the family stayed in had solar power and was close to a bush fringed beach with was was a feature of all the island’s beaches , and food was easily harvested – blue cod and abundant shellfish, although much of the island is surrounded by Marine reserve.There are 3-4 km. of formed and signposted track and part of wardens’ duties was to keep them in good order and rubbish free and keep 2 toilets clean. There was a radio call each morning from DOC and 50 traps for rats and other vermin to be regularly checked and reset.Sandflies were not so bad!A dog was being trained during their time there, to sniff out rats, and visitors arriving there are requested to check their gear for seeds and rats. All visitors must leave by dusk. A headstone on private land marks the grave of an early postmaster,Charles Traill, who died in1918, and his wife, Henrietta. Maria discovered that letters can still be written on the back of muttonbird scrub(brachyglottis)leaves.
A truly beautiful and magical place.
The Tramping Club had an interesting month in spite of variable weather.
In mid July, 6 members walked the Heaphy Track .with 3 starting respectively from the Karamea and Collingwood ends, and exchanging car keys at the Mackay Hut where they met and stayed the night. Going south from the top end they stayed at the new Perry Range Hut and climbed Mt. Perry and then over the Gouland Downs, home of the enormous native snail and where 3 blue ducks were seen in a creek, and then Mackay and down to the West Coast and the 32 bed Heaphy Hut with nikau palms and a splendid sunset.Being winter they had encountered about a dozen mountain bikers on the way. They met up with the northwards walking group at Murchison to stay the night before the trip home. The longest distance walked in a day was 24 km. and the weather was good for the whole trip.
During the month there was also a trip up Mt. Ida where increasing depth of snow and decreasing visibility meant that the top was not reached although some went over Little Mt.Ida.
Ben Lomond, off the Waitaki Valley, was climbed by a group of 10 and afforded wonderful 360 degree views from the top. Return was back down the Bridle Track- a 21 km. walk in all with a climb of 1100m. and taking seven and three-quarter hours
.
Wednesday Walkers had some good trips – up Mt. Dryburgh on a round trip and with an excellent view down to the Waitaki Hydro; a group going up Big Ben in good weather encountered knee deep snow.Seven went on to the top.There was a well attended beach walk from Hampden to Moeraki during which a frost fish and a barracuda were collected. From Moeraki groups went variously to the Lookout and by road or round the beach to the Kaiks, and return was back along the beach to Hampden via, in some cases,the Boulders Cafe. A Ngapara farm walk attracted a good group to walk in good weather and experience great views over to the Kakanuis and up the Waitaki Valley,interesting limestone formations and lovely North Otago countryside as well as, by way of contrast, some old vehicles and machinery of interest to a number of the party!
Coming up will be a weekend trip in the Silverpeaks area and a 68 km. bike ride with various options around some good North Otago countryside.
Silverpeaks 23/24 August
Wednesday, September 3rd, 2014
Birds of a feather
Philip J Cox Hut
A bit late in the posting thereof, but that is what happens when the website goes down and then you go away without your computer. Anyway better late then never. Weather forecast predicted an overcast and SW breeze kind of weekend, not too bad for tramping. Four trampers , just right for the Philip J Cox Hut, a 4 bunker. Down the road, Jane insisting on a coffee stop just south of Waikouaiti from the coffee caravan/ whitebaiter set up, we just went along with it. Up Double Hill Rd and Mountain Rd, getting rougher all the time. We parked just near the locked gate, got changed and walked along the road for the 6km to the start of the Yellow Ridge Track. Its a great day, sun’s out and there is no wind. Down the track to the South Branch of the Waikouaiti R, we were into the native vegetation now and the track was slippery and steep, a bit of a grind to the ridge and then just along to the new 4 bunk hut. After lunch and unpacking we went off to explore the track still marked on the older maps leading down a ridge starting from where the old Yellow Hut used to be…..only to discover that it isn’t there anymore. With only unimaginable bush bashing on offer, we headed back to the Philip J Cox Hut for a fairly relaxed remainder of the afternoon. After a very comfortable night we were away early, keen to make up for the lack of tramping the previous day. Up the ridge to the top and turning north we had a good look around The Gap, that landmark visible from the main road when looking west. Photo’s were taken before heading on to the ABC Cave. A decent sized cave which has had a floor, some seating and a bench built in it. It would sleep 4 easily and will be going on the Trip List for another time. We carried on and an early lunch was had at Jubilee Hut. The weather was quite warm now and a few liters were lost climbing the Devil’s Staircase. The landscape is very dramatic here and we thoroughly enjoyed the day. The views from the to of the ridge were awesome and duly recorded on cameras. Along and along, getting a bit foot weary now, down the ridge and along to the site of the old Green Hut where another late lunch was had. Another hour or so saw us back out to Mountain Rd and a short walk on we found the car and headed back down for an icecream at Palmerston and home. This weekend was very enjoyable, the weather was good and we appreciated the varied and often spectacular landscape right in our own backyard. Thanks to Murray for driving and Jane and John for sharing a good weekend. Robbie
Potential pigeon pie
View from the loo
Spot the Jubilee Hut
This cave makes me happy
ABC Cave
Jubilee Hut
On TB lll 26
Rock and Pillars from TBlll27
Across to Pulpit Rock