Club Night February 2013
A good variety of tramping trips have taken place since the last report.
The 25th November saw a group climb Elephant Hill, with 5 continuing on a round trip via Mussen.
The day after the Club Christmas party, 8 intrepid trampers scaled Razor Ridge, returning via Mt. David and descending down the south bluffs back to Bayley’s yards. Great views were seen of the surrounding peaks, and Ian Roger’s cairn on Razor Ridge was rebuilt.
An attempt was made by 13 trampers on the Mt. Domet east face in mid January. Although there was an early start from Chinamans Hut, by the time the half way saddle was reached, thunder, rain and lowering cloud had set in, so it was agreed to abandon the climb. A discoloured rising river had to be negotiated many times on the way back to the cars.
The 27th January saw 15 climb Mt Kohurau on a warm summers day. Half climbed the North East ridge, and half went up via the ski field road. The native flowers were well photographed on the way down.
In the last trip 9 bike riders took on the steep uphill 4wd track from Scout Hut to Mitchells Hut on Mt. Dasher Station. It was then mostly downhill to the Clifton Falls bridge for a great 40k bike ride.
Coming trips are to Mt. St.Bathans, and the Herbert Forest. Details are available on the NOTMC Website.
Wednesday Walkers day walks have been to Nimrod Reserve in the Hunter Hills, Kauru Hill and Fuchsia Creek, The North Temple above Lake Ohau, Waianakarua Reserve, Mt. Fortune, Herbert Forest, the Dome Hills big rock circuit, Kurow Hill returning via the Awakino Gorge, Kaiwarua Station down the North Waihao River, Ashlands Road to South Peak near Hampden, Clear Stream in Danseys Pass, and Deep Stream on Waitangi Station.
Guest speakers Brian and Margie Smith gave us a personal and graphic account of their tour of London, Switzerland and France.
We saw the historical and modern London with its sometimes unusual shaped structures and engineering features. Then it was on to the awe-inspiring Swiss Alps with walks among the unique peaks of Mt. Blanc, the Eiger and Matterhorn. Included was a cog train ride up through the Eiger with a coffee schnapps and cream at the top, where they also viewed pristine ice sculptures.
Then it was off to Nolay, in Burgundy, for a stay in a French Villa and a tour of a Chateau south of Dijon.
A stop-over in San Francisco for a ride in the cable car and a view of Alcatraz rounded off a great trip with stunning photos that would entice many to want to follow in their tracks.