Uncategorized
Trip Report for Herbert Forest Working Bee, 11 October 2020
Wednesday, October 14th, 2020
Ten members made it out for this event and we started at the Queen’s Rd end of the Podocarp Track. Two of the main jobs undertaken were a replacement of a dodgy round pole bridge with a more standard version and continuing with step building downhill from the bridge. These 2 tasks were completed successfully and should improve the track. Clearing the track from any windfalls, and general plant incursions was also done on both the Swallows and the Podocarp Tracks. Old signage from the days of the NZFS was also carried out from the big tree junction, it had long been abandoned but was in remarkably good condition albeit it very waterlogged and heavy. The weather was fine for this day, not too hot, ground conditions were very dry. The Hoods Creek Track is still closed due to harvesting and was avoided except for scrub barring the bottom entrance. Scrub barring was also done on the gorse section of the Swallows return track. A big thanks to those who came, these jobs make a big difference done with many. Also thanks to Port Blakely for their continued support and supply of materials used for track work.
Club Night October 2020
Tuesday, October 13th, 2020
12 October 2020
A full room of members at the SAR rooms in Severn Street listened to Zac Robinson, Health, Safety and Environment Manager for Port Blakley, give an informative address about their programme to protect critically endangered long tailed bats in South Canterbury.
They are quite small with a wingspan of about 120mm and live in clusters of about 20. They cling to the tree rather than hang upside down like an Australian fruit bat. 
There are only about 300 left due to predation and loss of habitat. They roost in trees such as willows, sequoia’s and oaks, tending to move around according to the weather as they like to keep warm. They go into a state of semi hibernation during the winter.
Zac and his team use automatic bat monitors which tune in to their transmitting frequency to follow them round. They also put transmitters on some, to make tracking easier. When a roosting tree is identified, adjustable metal bands are placed around the tree to prevent possums and other predators from attacking them.
Other environmental work the Port Blackley team are involved in include looking at falcons nesting patterns and water monitoring, using a DNA test called Wilderlab. This test analyses the DNA of plants and animals found floating in the river or stream. They can see if there are any possums left in the area after eradication measures have been used, and identify what fish, birds or farm animals are present in the catchment.
Trip Reports:
A Trotters Gorge farm walk over a cutover forestry block revealed interesting rock overhangs and caves including a stalactite.
10 bikers rode from Duntroon to Kurow and back on a track covered in branches from the recent strong winds.
The Herbert Forest tracks received a repaired bridge and several new steps during a maintenance day.
The Wednesday walkers had walks to on Dave’s track to South Peak in Trotters Gorge, The Wainono Lagoon track with lots of birdlife and inland views, a new walk along the escarpment above the Mill House, and the Seacliff Split Rock circuit.
Coming trips are a bike ride on the A2O to Duntroon, Arthurs Pass at Labour weekend and Ohau Peak in the Quailburn area. Details can be found in this website in “what’s on”.
The club gratefully received a donation from the Waitaki District Council to replace their out of date Locator Beacon.
Harvesting around the tracks in the Herbert Forest is nearly finished and normal access will be available shortly.
The Club has talked to the Waitaki District Council about reinstating parts of the Oamaru Walkways and upgrading the signage.
Blairgowrie
Sunday, February 2nd, 2020
2nd February 2020
3 trampers looking for a walk turned up at 8-30 am and headed out through Five Forks to Turnbulls Road, stopping at the cattle yards part way along it.
We started off heading SE towards a forestry block, following along the boundry 
and crossing a few steep gullies. There were good views here out over the North Otago downlands,
It was then a steady climb, heading south west towards Scout Hill. A light northerly rain started about the time we had a view of the Kakanui’s so we decided to stop for an early lunch and put our parkas on.
With all the ups and downs behind us, it was just a matter of circling round to the farm track which led to the start of Turnbulls Road and a stroll back to the car by 1-30 pm for a 11.5k enjoyable walk. Thanks to Maurice ans Phyllis for coming. Ross M.
Herbert Forest Tracks
Monday, October 21st, 2019
IMG_0221The trip scheduled for Sunday 20/10 was replaced with a walk through the Herbert Forest Tracks with the option of rebating the traps.
Only 3 members availed themselves for this event and we did decide to do the traps. The day was very good but due to previous periods of rain the tracks were about as wet as they can be and both the Glenburnie and Hoods Creeks were running high enough to reach to knees when fording some crossings. It was however spectacular to see the creeks like this and any waterfalls were big and noisy. We leapfrogged our way from one trap to another, stopping for lunch at the new seating on the Hoods Creek Track. It was almost too hot to stay there too long. We completed our walk by walking along Couches Rd back to the Swallows Carpark. It was very interesting seeing all the new views right out to the coast following all the logging that has taken place there over the winter. We were all done by 3 pm and considered ourselves lucky at having had a good day out. Thanks to John and Neville for coming out.
Robbie
Big Hut June 2019
Monday, June 17th, 2019
After a break of 5 years this event was reestablished for the NOTMC this last weekend by an intrepid group of 7. Leaving the comforts of civilization this group made their way to the bottom of the 3 hour climb required to get to Big Hut with uncertain overcast conditions. Cloud covered the tops as we headed up but the activity resulted in rapid warming and before long clothes were being shed to avoid overheating. After a short munch stop about two thirds of the way up and an improvement on the meteorological front a small snow ambush took place with less fortunate down hill members being attacked from above no injuries resulted and we continued up the hill to arrive at the hut by about 1 ish.
After a substantial recovery break a group rugged up to face the elements once again to explore the range to the south with its spectacular rock tors. A couple of young students keen on skiing had come up before us and could be seen in the distance for most of the afternoon indulging in their snowy pastime, they later informed us that they had hoped to get to one of the Queenstown skifields but lacking in snow cover they had decided to come to the Rock and Pillars.
As the photographic evidence shows, the snow was not abundant on the Rock and Pillars either, a dump of some 2 weeks earlier had not been replenished. Conditions were rather cold though with a biting westerly wind ensuring a polar aspect that we have come to expect up there. The one iceaxe brought up by the party was usefully employed to gain access to the water tank at the hut.
After the reuniting of the intrepid group with the stay behinds the convivials were brought out and the social aspects of this trip were established with shared nibbles, drinks and eventually table tennis to keep the circulation going. After dinner the main event took place and a large array of desserts took centre stage. One member started to display major signs of distress at this point, with frequent absences and mutterings on return. It turned out that their contribution to dessert had failed to make it up the hill having been left behind on the kitchen bench at home. We all felt great sympathy with this member and many sounds suitable to this situation were made in his direction. His contribution of canned high pressure cream was appreciated though. It is highly unlikely that this omission will ever be forgotten and it will undoubtedly enter the historical record of our club.
As has been the case in the past the desserts far outweighed our capacity to eat and the 2 young skiing fellows were dragged from their beds in order to help us consume the wonderful delicacies on offer leaving just a smaller remnant to be taken care of for breakfast the following morning.
The night was long and the temperature variable going from quite cold to too warm and back to cold after a small blizzards passed through at about 5.36am which made the journey to the loos challenging.
The intension had been to do the round trip and return via Leaning Lodge but after much waiting for the clagged in cold conditions to change during the morning it was eventually decided to return the same way that we’d come the previous day. The snow encountered the previous day was hard on the return and we were pleased with our decision to return that way. We would have encountered harsh conditions via the Leaning Lodge route with exposure to steep snowy slopes making for unnecessary risks of a fall.
It did warm up on the way down and our winter gear was shed at different points on the journey. We arrived back at the carpark in time for another lunch (a previous lunch stop having already taken place). After another discussion it was wisely decided to stop at Stanley’s for a pint and a debrief.
This was a great trip with a strong social focus which highlighted the high regard and enjoyment we get from the spending time in the hills with our mates. Thanks to those who came and they were Marion, Maurice, Phyllis, Neville, Julian, Bill F and Robbie.
