Little Canyon Creek, 20/21 January

Trip Report Little Canyon Creek, 20/21 January

Little Canyon Creek joins Canyon Creek in the Ahuriri Valley just down stream from the start of the Canyon Creek track entrance. Instead of crossing Little Canyon Creek at this point 4 of us headed up Little Canyon Creek hoping to reach some tarns just down from Pt 1677.
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

Herbert Forest Working Bee 14 January 2024 Report

 

With a bleak forecast ahead it was a pleasant surprise to have 13 club members turn up for this the first club activity for the year and indicates the value that members hold for these tracks and their commitment to ensure that members of the public can also enjoy them.

Our focus for the day was the Hoods Creek Track which suffered huge damage during last years’ wind event as well as being impacted by the log harvesting of the previous couple of years. Deviations around the most major wind fells have required many steps and members carried a further 60 steps and pegs to the various sites that required them. Groups went in from both ends of the track dropping materials off where needed and meeting in the middle (the grassy spot with the seats) before heading back in each direction clearing overgrown vegetation and putting more track markers in as needed to clearly identify the new deviations.

The rain did come, more so for those at the top end of the track and this group came out at about 1.30pm, having completed the necessary work. The group at the bottom end had a little more work to do and didn’t get the rain so they finished at 2.30 as planned.

My thanks to those who came, its a good feeling to know that members love the tracks as much as I do.

Robbie

Kattothryst

The original trip idea was for a two night stay at Mitchells hut at the top of Mt Dasher station, which then morphed into a single night stay on the Saturday.  However, when the group convened at Five Forks, the weather was cold and drizzly with the forecast to only clear late in the afternoon, so decided instead to meet again at 6:30am Sunday 21st Dec for a long day out instead.

The drive out through to Five Forks was again grey and cloudy, however when getting some altitude up the Mole Hill road we saw soon surprisingly above the clouds. The private road for Mt Dasher station is in very good condition, only needing to slow down for cattle and gates.  After the second airstrip on the map, the road condition dropped to 4×4 needed, and progress now slower and bumpier until reached Mitchells Hut.

After a quick coffee and getting ready stop we carried on up the 4×4 track on foot to the top to decide next steps. Mt Obi looked far away (one for next time if on mountain bikes) and Mt Dasher looked a bit ambitious. Trip leader then confused directions to Kattothryst, requiring some cross country through high grass and minor boulder fields. Back en-route to Kattothryst passed a couple of wild pigs and a fine Merino sheep and lamb, then leaving the packs at the bottom of the short and sharp climb to the summit.  Great views from there across to Kakanui Peak, rock and pillar range, up to Dommett and the Hakataramea all the way round back to Oamaru.  A couple of squalls coming through on the return to the hut.  Thank you to Mt Dasher Station for access.

November 2023

Jenny welcomed members.

Trip Reports
Bess took a trip up to the White Horse near Waimate .An enjoyable day.
Labour Weekend Bess also organised a trip to Glenorchy .7 people went and based themselves at Kinloch Lodge.They walked the Invincible Mine Track and Lake Rere track.Some explored Sugar Loaf Pass in lieu of the Rockburn as a bridge was out.Good weather for the weekend.
   Julian gave us a report of his trip on the Saint James Walkway.Rain and wind had damaged
parts of the track but a new hut had been built to replace the old Anne Hut.An enjoyable few days.
Ross took a bike ride around the back roads north west of Oamaru,Great views and good weather.
  Wednesday walkers gave their report.
 
Up and Coming Trips
Neville is taking a trip to Little Mount Peel with options
Mt Dalgety A fairly straight forward 900m climb.
North Temple Up to the circ and back
Snowy Gorge Hut .Overnight trip .Cross the Ahiriri river at the start.
 
 Robbie gave a report about the Herbert Forest .The Swallows Track and Hoods Creek Track need work after storm damage.Some new auto. traps have been donated and need to be installed to replace the old centinal traps.2 dates have been put on calendar for this work.
  A sub committee is to organise a Herbert Forest open day for the 21st April 2024.
  A draft constitution is to be drawn up to meet the new requirements of the Incorporated Societies Act.John will oversee this with input from other members.
  Trip planning for the summer season then took place.
 
Meeting closed  8.35pm followed by a cup of tea.

Mt Dalgety

November 26th 2023

Setting off at 7am, Mark, John and Jonathan headed up to  the Hakataramea Pass, picking up Fiona on the way.

With warm weather and sunny blue skies we set off from the newly installed cattle grid at the top of the pass heading up the fence line.  John brought his Sika saw along for some wilding pine clearing, but only saw a few as the land is being well managed by the station owners.  At the two-thirds mark John stopped whilst the other three carried on to the top, where there was light wind and great views all around the Mackenzie, the Waitaki and across to the Grampian range.