ABC Cave, Silverpeaks, 14,15 March 2015

Trip Report Overnight at the ABC Cave, Silverpeaks, March 14, 15 2015

A very small contingent arrived at the Mountain Rd gate at about 9.30am after a quick stop for coffee at Vanessa’s in Hampden.
Good weather had been ordered for this weekend and was duly delivered in spades. There was no real pressure on the walkers with plenty of time to achieve our objective of the ABC Cave.
We deviated from the Yellow Ridge Track to look at the tunnels, just a 5 minute walk off the main track. The tunnels were disappointingly small. They were located along a water race which picked up water from the South Branch of the Waikouaiti . Both were leftovers from gold mining activities in both the 1860’s and later the 1930’s. There were never any great yields here.
On up the ridge to the Phil Cox Hut for lunch, and along to The Gap for a look . We arrived at the ABC Cave at about 4.30pm to find that it was already occupied by 2 people. After a small rest and look at the cave we decided that it would be less crowded if the 3 of us didn’t stay so we carried on to Jubilee Hut arriving there about 6pm. The hut was empty when we arrived, but within 5 minutes the crowds started to arrive, first a group of international students, then other smaller groups. 14 people stayed the night, a further 4 moved down to the Cave Creek to camp. A busy night ahead and the big crowd making sleeping just that much harder.
In the morning we found others who had also camped the night along the creek. The weather was fine again and as we gained height going up the Devil’s Staircase it got very hot. We had elevenses at the top and then turned north to go along Rocky Ridge towards Hermit Ridge in an attempt to find the Hermit’s Cave. This was not found, but having found out more information on its location, I am confident that the next attempt will be successful. We returned to our packs quite thirsty and hungry and after lunch carried on along the ridge and eventually down to the Green Hut site to meet a group of OTMC members out for their club day trip , David Barnes was amongst them. These ones gave us the information about the Hermits Cave.
The remainder of the walk down was done in the company of this group and David kindly offered to run us up to the gate to retrieve our vehicle saving that last bit of road bashing. Coastal cloud had come in by this time and the temperature was much lower .
The customary ice-cream at Hampden was enjoyed by 2 of us while the other looked on in disgust while we polished off the much larger than average ice-cream.
This was a very enjoyable weekend trip in an often under rated area very close to home with good company and good weather.
Thanks to Steve and John for the laughs…… Robbie

Climbing up towards The Gap

No Leidecker View here Steve.