Benmore Range

Sunday 28th July.

Permission was not granted to go up Mt Saint Cuthbert so plan B was adopted, which was to go to the Benmore Range and climb to the conservation area.

For a change the weather was in our favour and was a lovely sunny day for most of it. Seven trampers left Oamaru and picking another one up on the way. We passed a tussock fire at the rock drawings just out of Duntroon, but was all but out when we passed by. (Saturday night entertainment for someone, they had set fire to the garden out by the road!!)

Around 10 ish we were heading up  the track, following the markers along the fence line. Only a few minutes into the walk we had our first obstacle, a wee creek and a boggy area. Now us HARDY trampers didn’t want to get our feet wet at this early stage, so a bit of walking up and down the stream (which was quite deep and swift) to check out a suitable crossing but in the end most of us got one foot wet ! Once over the stream it was up hill from then on in, with the occasional down and a bit of cross country and still keeping our eyes on the orange marker poles.

Lunch was had behind some rocks as a nasty wee S.W. wind had got up. The views were magnificent, looking out to L.Ruataniwha,L. Pukaki, Twizel and onto Mt Cook and the Southern Alps. We carried on up until about 1.30  and some decided to call it a day, however 3 continued on so they could see the conservation sign at the top. (which was the same as the one at the car park!)  The wind had got up by now and was very cold and we were pleased to get down to the warmth again.

A good Winter walk with great views, best done on a fine day. Thanks to Noel for organising the trip and to – Phyllis, Maurice, Lynda, Bill, Murray, and The Swedish Nurse for their company. Bronwyn.