“ Four intrepid trampers left Oamaru at 7am on Saturday morning, 15th November, to drive to Omarama and then up the Ahurriri Valley to park at the start of the old cattle track up to the top of the ridge. The drive up the valley was uneventful, until we reached the largest and widest stream channel crossing the road. The road ended at a bank, where the last heavy rain event had washed the road away. An investigation on foot found where vehicles had wound their way down stream, and then wound their way around rocks and stream channels to emerge on the far side. Low ratio gear engaged, and we slowly our way through, then carried on to the car park which was just before Base Hut.

 

We unloaded our gear, and at about 10:30am started the ascent of the track up to the ridge. The track has degraded since I last walked it, but provided a reasonably good surface to ascend to the ridge. Lunch was enjoyed there, and then we headed down the steeper and rough track towards the Dingleburn. There had been fresh snow in recent days, and the track was wet as a result of the snow melt, and very slippery. After some slips and slides we reached the beech forest and descended to the valley floor. Then along the track to Top Dingle Hut, which was unoccupied.However the DoC website had advised a large party were intending to be there for the night, so we erected our tents a suitable distance away from the hut to leave the hut for that group. We walked up valley for a distance, until the valley closed in, then returned to our camp. We met some of the large party as we returned, was a group from Queenstown with 8 adults and 14 children. They decided to camp further away from the hut, to allow us some peace!!

 

The night was very cold, slightly warmed up by a fireworks display after dark!! We awoke in the morning to our tents coated in frost, and with no sun likely for some hours we had breakfast in the hut, then packed up and started back up to the ridge, then same way that we had descended. The climb was steep, and still slippery, but we duly arrived back on the ridge. Being too early to descend back to the vehicle, Robbie suggested we walk along the ridge towards the main divide, to view a large tarn on the ridge. This walk was for an hour or so, and we enjoyed some great views and lunch by the tarn. Then back to the track, and down to the vehicle. We stopped in Omarama for a drink and food, before driving back to Oamaru.

 

Overall a good trip, with some lovely scenery and good company. Thanks to Robbie, Jen and Lorena for their company and fun had by all.

 

Colin Wollstein.”