Little Canyon Creek, 20/21 January
Trip Report Little Canyon Creek, 20/21 January
Things did not work out as hoped for. As we contemplated the dark clouds inhabiting the Ahuriri Valley from the Wrinkly Rams while sipping our coffees, we realised that the forecasted weather was different to reality. The occasional shower as we drove up the valley confirmed that the edge of the storm system going up the west coast was active here and the river was proof that intense rain had been here, it was high and the colour of mud. We met a 4wd coming back and the driver warned us that the road was blocked due to a mudslide just past Birchwood and a Prado was stuck to the axles in it. We then met Julian and Lynette with friends coming back, they were due to go up Canyon Creek but had changed their mind with the closure of the road they were headed somewhere else. We dithered around a bit trying to decide what to do, thinking about various options but in the end we decided to carry on and walk the extra road bit from Birchwood to Canyon Creek about 12km in total before Little Canyon Creek. And so it went, stopping at Base Hut for some lunch and walking through windy drizzle to the start of our route.
The last time I was here
it was a fairly straight forward route of about 3 km of beech forest up the creek, but this time a recent wind event had distributed many trees spread randomly across our path and resulted in a slow rate of travel. We found ourselves at the upper end finally by about 5.30pm and were ready to stop beside the roaring creek on some grassy flats and put up tents in the fresh and quite strong NW wind. It was chilly and the predicted 27C did not eventuate and more than once I wished for my feather jacket that was left at home. After a reasonable night sleep we got up and were away to the large single scree that led up to the tarns below the peak 1677 for a quick day trip. It was a lot warmer on this day and we stayed around the tarns long enough to take in the great views of the nearby Canyon Creek valley with Mt Barth at the head. A magical spot. Knowing that we had a long road walk ahead of us we didn’t linger too long and were soon on our way down the big scree, giving our legs a real pounding. Back to our camp spot by 11, we had an early lunch and packed up and were on our way out before 12. A different route was followed for the way out, quite a long way up from the previous day and it avoided all the wind fells which sped us along very well and halving the time. The day was very hot by now with a warm NW providing little relief from the intense heat as we walked back to Birchwood arriving back at the car at about 4.30 drained of all our energy and wilted from the heat.
The stop at the Oamarama Pub for a drink and a bowl of chips was just what we needed to get us back down the valley and home.
This was a good fitness gaining trip for the tramping season ahead going to an area few people visit ever. My thanks to Jenny, Jane , Jo and Scout for coming.
Robbie