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Mt. Nimrod Reserve
Monday, March 10th, 2014
9th March 2014
This walk had all the hallmarks of a ‘girls only’ trip – with Jane G and Margie starting to plot suitable post tramp debriefing places – then up rolled the Kakanui based Mercedes with two kiwi blokes, so things reverted back to the usual icecreams and coffee!
With the forecast predicting the weather to clear, ten of us set off for Makihikihi, Evelyn remembering at the last minute to pick up Jo at Waitaki Bridge.
After turning inland, with light rain all the way, we soon hit Backline Road, and it seemed an eternity (actually one and a half hours) until we reached the Nimrod Reserve turnoff, by which time we had clocked up 100km. Shame the visibility was so poor.
Off we set on the loop track – up, up, up through the bush. Karyl was convinced there would be coffee shop at the top to reward her for her efforts.
After a morning tea stop in a clearing with a Leideker view, we began the descent to the stream. The wet conditions made the track rather slippery so plenty of careful foot placement was required. Dave was the only one to venture to the nearby waterfall when we reached the bottom.
Up we went again and had lunch under the trees at the saddle. With ground and vegetation pretty damp, we did not linger.
The rocky knob beckoned and we scrambled up, with just a murky glimpse of the waterfall before the mist closed in again. We were soon at the top, (some saw a wallaby), and carefully made our way down through more bush, reaching the cars about 1-15pm.
Our homeward journey saw us pass through the settlement of Hunter, which made such an impression on Dave he was reluctant to carry on to Waimate. An icecream there helped soothe his disappointment.
Thanks everyone for looking after each other so well and supporting your novice leader.
Tricia, Margie, Jane G, Karyl, Linda, Phyllis, Bronwyn, Jo, John, Dave M, and Evelyn.
no images were found
Mt. Domett
Sunday, February 23rd, 2014
So a year has passed since the last attempt at Domett. On that occasion, a tantalisingly small weather front drove us back, but by the time we had retreated to the cars, the mountain was again bathed in sunshine. When you are inside a cloud it’s hard to know what’s happening outside.
On this occasion however, the weather played a different game in the form of gale force winds.
The walk in to Chinaman’s hut on Friday evening was nothing but a pleasure for all, in spite of the river having had a major sluicing since last we were last there, making the going a little slower.
As the night progressed, so did the strength of the wind, even in and around the somewhat protected hut site. For those who chose to sleep outside (in tents and on the ground), it was a noisy night, even in the hut as well. At 6am, the planned time of wake up, I did a quick circuit of bodies, tents and hut sleepers to postpone the start ‘til at least 8am in the hope the wind might recede.
Departure at 8.45 was all very casual with little hope of going far, as the gusts were still viscous.
But as we approached the mountain, our hopes began to rise as the wind eased.
During the climb there was a bonus for the few at the front, seeing a very large stag 100m away which for a few seconds hadn’t seen us. Surprisingly it didn’t scamper off in the opposite direction, but proceeded up the hill and across our route so we got a great look at this magnificent beast.
How do you measure the combined elation of ten people all grinning like Cheshire cats at the simple achievement of climbing a hill – yes a bigger hill than some – in fact a mountain! Although I had been on this spot many times before, I got huge pleasure not only from my reaching the top again, but from watching the other nine people enjoying the moment as well.
But all too soon our attention was drawn to the huge bank of easterly cloud rolling toward us. This would make our descent (down a different and longer route) very difficult indeed, so off we went down the back of the mountain before sidling across horrible rock and scree to reach Raggedy Ridge.
About two thirds of the way down this long ridge, the fog engulfed us, reducing visibility to 100m. Almost immediately we found ourselves in unfamiliar territory but least were able to keep descending and eventually reached the creek with the help of the fog dissipating.
It had been a 10hr day so the focus was simple, a good meal, lively conversation, then into the sack.
Earlier thoughts of more climbing on Sunday seemed to evaporate, so it was a casual “watch your step walk” back down the river.
The homeward journey was broken with a brief inspection of the recent clearing of the historic bridal track from Beatties Hill across the Marawhenua river to Livingstone. There may well be more mention of this area in future.
The thrill seekers were – John Chetwin, Jane Green, Els Jordans, Colin Wollstien, Mathew and Anna Harris, Murray Gifford, Tim Pawson, Bron McCone, and Bill Bews.
TeAraroa Trail, Roundhill to Mesopotamia
Friday, February 14th, 2014
After meeting at 7am at Weston, exchanging vehicles and bags of spare clotes etc, thirteen keen trampers left heading North, our group of seven turning off at Pareora on route to Tekapo and the other party of six to Mesopotamia. We arrived at the Tekapo township in time for a coffe break and then travelled up the Roundhill skifield road to a locked gate and carpark. With sunscreen, packs and boots on we walked three kms up the gravel road to the marked turnoff onto a snowgrassed terrace overlooking Coal River. Before descending to cross at the junction of Camp Stream we sat amongst the tussocks in sunshine and ate our lunch. Matagouri flats were navigated upstream until another river crossing and a brief climb up a spur to arrive at the Camp Stream hut .With tents set up, we lounged in the afternoon sun and were soon joined by another couple from Christchurch who were walking part of the Te Araroa Trail in the opposite direction from us.
Friday promised more fine weather as we set off at 7.15am following a 4WD track, crossing Camp Stream and climbing up onto a ridge from which we had spectacular views of Lake Tekapo, Mt John, Rex Simpson Memorial Hut, Macaulay and Godley Valleys.Another couple sighted in the Camp Stream Valley, the official Te Araroa Trail route, unfortunately not enjoying the amazing vistas that we had on the ridge.The plant life was abundant,with many photos taken. The black daisy was found on the scree slopes as we traversed through a rocky basin towards Stag Saddle at 1925mtrs, the highest point in the Te Araroa trail. Over the saddle we stopped by a small stream to replenish our water supplies and have second lunch before descending through snowgrass and scree slopes to our second nights destination, Royal Hut, like Camp Stream, an old musters hut with plenty of character.The usual procedure took place, erecting tents, relaxing and enjoying the peaceful surroundings while we waited for the other party to arrive from Crooked Spur Hut.
Stories and keys were exchanged before departing the following morning. Initially it started out as an easy tramp through snowgrass passing the track to Bullock Bow Saddle and then fording Bush Stream to sidle on the true left as it became gorgey.
While having morning tea outside Stone Hut,we observed the antics of three falcons, before they flew to the rocky crags above us.
A bridge took us across Bush Stream once again and upwards to the first saddle, passing delightful bog areas on the way. A lunch break was taken on the saddle where we could see the intended route infront of us, a descent into the valley, crossing Sweeps and Pack Horse streams and then a climb up a scree slope to the second saddle at 1500mtrs.From here we followed a beaten track through the snow grass to arrive at Crooked Spur Hut at 3pm.
We departed the following morning in poor visibility but after descending a steep winding track down a spur we left the cloud behind. After fording Bush Stream we climbed up the other side and sidled along a pathway until dropping down to the riverbed once again. Knee-deep crossings followed where necessary after walking down the riverbed flats and out to the awaiting cars left by the other party at the Mesopotamia carpark.
A short stop at Forest Creek Station to pick up Barbara, a bonus tour of the stunning gardens at Rata Peaks Station, lunch at Geraldine had us arriving back in Oamaru at 4pm.on Sunday.
Thanks to Browyn, Jim, Neville, Ross, Murray and Maurice for the great company.
Also thanks to Uwe, Sylvia, Jane, Graham, Brent and John for their company at Royal Hut and making the transport feasible for all of us.
Phyllis.
Mesopotamia to Roundhill photos
Skills Weekend 25/26 January
Friday, February 7th, 2014
SKILLS WEEKEND – 25/26 JAN REPORT
14 members of the Tramping Club meet at the Trotter Gorge Scenic Reserve car park on a fine and warm Saturday morning. Some to learn new skills, some to brush up on some old skills and some to help out for the weekend. First up was the short walk up to the University of Otago hut which takes about 15 min and 6 creek crossings. After we got settled in at the hut it was into the morning programme. First up we went through packs to see how they were packed and what we had. We then took a look at different gear you can take, sleeping bags, clothes and sleeping mats. Then it was into looking at tents and bivy bags. After lunch our president gave us a run down on Club rules and hut etiquette with the suggestion that some noisy trampers should sleep in the wood shed. The rest of the afternoon was taken up with maps, river crossing and compass work which we all needed a brush up on, especially now that we all seem to be using G.P.S.. Phyllis showed us some simple food menus and what food you could take on a tramping trip. Then we all got our own cookers out and some interesting tea menus were made and eaten. After tea we went over trip planning and survival situations. After a full day of activities it was time to enjoy the evening and about 10pm everyone called it a day and soon all you could hear was the silence of the night with a few snorers. During the night I got attacked by some mozzies that left me and some others scratching for a few days. The next morning we were all set to go on our day hike by 8.30am. The day was cloudy but pleasant and this was the day we were going to put some of the thing we learned the day before into action. We split into two groups and headed off at different times. We headed up Trotters creek for about 3km all the time using our maps and compasses until we came to the farmers hunting hut, where our first lunch stop was taken. Then it was about a 1 hour climb to the top of trig L 401m. On top was when the weather changed and the wind turned around to the south and it got quite cool with a wee bit of rain. We then hiked along the top of the hills until we came to a farm yard and a second lunch was taken in a machinery shed out of the rain. It was then a short walk out on to Horse Range Road where it was a 3km walk down the road and back to the car park at Trotters Gorge. I think everybody got something out of the weekend and it was a very enjoyable weekend.
Thanks to these people for making this weekend a success Jo, Evelyn, Jane, Sam, John, Ross
, Robin, Liz and special thanks for helping run sessions Noel, Stewart, Bron, Maurice and Phyllis – Neville
Herbert Forest Tracks
Tuesday, February 4th, 2014
Herbert Forest Tracks February 2 2014
This being the first trip to go in the new year, there was a decent turnout of 13 people including 3 new faces. The weather gods were smiling as we set off from the Goblin Woods and headed up the Swallows Track. A short delay at the top while one member went searching for her bifocals dropped on the track but happily retrieved from a wee dark corner. Along to the Podocarp Track where the group split into two, some going up the Podocarp, others up the Glenbirnie, eventually meeting under the large Kahikateas where the two track rejoin. There are some maintenance issues along the way with some trees having come down in one of the many weather events of the past few months. Elvens’s were enjoyed here at 10.20am. Further up and along to the Hoods Creek Track, similar damage here with a few trees down. Lunch was had on the sunny strip overlooking the valley where it was very hot, almost too hot to linger and it was nice to get back into the shade. All good as we descended the track and out to the road where we walked down to the Cosy Dell ford and strolled down the river, crossing here and there to climb back out through the Goblin Woods. It had chilled just a bit by then, just enough to put anyone off having a swim. A nice cup of tea was had to de-brief and finish a very pleasant day’s walk. Thanks to the new ones, Carolyn, Rick and Jackson and the others Jane, John A, Tony W, Linda Sam,Brian, Ross,Bill and Bron for coming.
Robbie
River crossing North Branch Waianakarua River.