Lake Monowai Labour Weekend 2014
After some last minute arrangements 7 members got away on a Friday night for the long drive down to the Borland Lodge to stay there for that night. One carload towing Dave’s powerboat arriving before the other carload towing a trailer with 4 kayaks.
An early start on Saturday morning ensured that we were all on the water by about 8.30 am. Because no one was walking in, all sorts of items went that normally would not. It was a brilliant morning with hardly a breath of wind, perfect conditions for a paddle and there was much jubilation all around as we glided up the lake in the kayaks with just a minor glitch in getting Dave’s power boat cranked up (reported to the kayakers via radio). As the 4 kayakers paddled up the lake it was further reported a short time later that Dave had caught a fish. Robbie spotted another good size trout along the lake edge at about the same time as we were weaving in and out of the remains of the forest edge from when the lake level was raised at the time of the hydro going in.
After a most enjoyable 3 hours we reached Rodger Inlet and headed across the inlet to the Rodger Inlet Hut which was uninhabited at the time and we moved in and made ourselves at home. The hut is a standard 6 bunk hut somewhere around 10 years old by the look of it. Further exploration revealed a smaller 2 bunk hut with the same name nearby. So there was enough accommodation for our group, and in any case Dave had decided that he really wanted to sleep on board his boat.
After an early lunch we wanted to make the most of the calm conditions, so Dave took a group up the lake for a fish and the rest hopped into kayaks for a paddle somewhere. We were mindful of impending change in the weather with gale force NW winds predicted for that day and sure enough, as the paddlers headed up the lake the smooth conditions started to change and it was decided to return to the inlet and closer to the hut. We decided to test our skills in the rougher water when we were back in the inlet but as the wind picked up and blew straight down the inlet, the waves got bigger and it was decided to head back to the hut. It was a challenge in those conditions and surfing on waves took place with the wind in our backs. Back on land safely we waited for the return of the fishers in the powerboat and this did not take very long. Unfortunately despite traveling some distance up the lake they failed to hook any more fish.
After all that sitting about, a walk was needed and all of us went along the track where one would walk in from the road end where large black beeches dominated the forest with treeferns and some podocarps and a mix of others as well. This was followed by snacks and drinks on our return as well as feasting on the trout which was deboned and smoked for the occasion and then large amounts of food were cooked and eaten. Dave did not spend the whole night on his boat, but returned to the hut after being tossed about in the windy conditions.
On the Sunday, the weather was cloudy and windy and it was the day that was pegged for a climb up to point 1325m starting at the rear of the hut. Six of us headed up through dense bush on a marked but otherwise hard to follow track with a lot of wind fell obscuring the track. It seemed to take a long time to gain the required height which was not helped by the lake’s relatively low altitude of 200m. Eventually we popped out of the bush at 1000m only to be drizzled on and discovering a complete Leidecker View of the lake some 800m below us. After sharing lunch with some who had neglected to bring any we decided to head back down which took about the same time as the way up, returning to the hut about 3pm. Dave took some away for another fish and to pick up some forgotten items from the Borland Lodge and they took a while to return, but more feasting took place when they did.
The last day dawned clear with a mild breeze still from the north. After packing all the gear back into boat and kayaks and cleaning both huts we headed back on the lake. The boat people still hunting fish, the rest paddling right across the lake and following that side back to the road end. A mild breeze stirred the lake and mid morning just as we had stopped for a morning cuppa there was a sudden change to SW and some showers urged everyone back to their respective vessels and the last leg home. The boat ran out of fuel at about this point and those who had not yet wielded paddles were now obliged to do so. The kayaks meanwhile carried on back oblivious to the plight of the boaties. Enough fuel was eventually squeezed out of the tanks to enable the boat to make the final maneuvers at lake’s end and onto its trailer. Some went back to the Lodge for a shower whilst the others proceeded homewards.
This was an unusual trip for the club, boating not being common on the trip list, but it was extremely enjoyable and the company was very good as usual and there was a great deal of laughter in the 3 days. Thanks to those who came who were Dave, Jane John, Karyl, Uwe, Sylvia and Robbie
Heading up the lake on day 1
The fish
morning tea in style
nor-wester on the way
Kayakers on the lake
Where did I leave the bacon.