Author Archive
Mt Studholme
Wednesday, August 12th, 2020
8th August 2020
After fears that the weather could cancel this trip – we had a marvellous clear, crisp, no gales day, with grand views in all directions.
Only 4 bods set off from Oamaru, with previous arrangements made to meet up with Helen and Rodney at a cafe in Waimate. However their precious car would not open/lock. To cut a long story short -they did manage to catch us, by driving up to the Woolshed a couple of kms up the road about 9.30.
It definitely was a steep-ish long slog of 6 ½ km up on the access road to service the transmitters. The 2km trip along the top ridge was chilly due to the light, but bitter, SW breeze. However the superb views and hunger pains got us along pretty quickly to the trig and massive tower, at 1086m, having climbed about 840 vertical meters.
Once all rugged up, during our lunch break – we were entertained by ice sheets and ice spears flying off the tower. Fortunately none of us was hit, as some landed pretty close.
After photos taken in all directions, we headed back the same route. Thinking the downhill would be rather pleasant, I think we were all surprised at how steep it was, and how demanding on our legs.
So a good 4hr workout with a total of 1049m elevation gain, of about 17kms.
Jodie knew that the recently renovated Waimate Hotel was a worthwhile refreshment stop, for a great crew, with tired bodies, but revived souls.
Thanks to Jodie, Julian, Mike, Helen and Rodney – from Jane filling in for Anna.
Mt Nimrod Scenic Reserve
Thursday, July 30th, 2020
26th July 2020
A good frost heralded the start of a glorious day as seven club members headed of to the Mount Nimrod scenic reserve.
Starting the walk at around 9.30am a steep climb up through a remnant podocarp forest soon warmed everyone up.
After a series of climbs and descents we arrived at a lookout point which gave us great coastal views from Banks Peninsula south to roughly Glenavy. Following a short break where many layers of warm clothing was removed owing to what was turning out to be an unseasonably hot day, we veered off the loop track and headed into the Mount Nimrod access easement.
We walked for the best part of an hour on this track until we reached a rocky Knoll where we rested for lunch and enjoyed the views.
Heading back the same way we rejoined the loop track and descended until we reached the Nimrod stream, a short walk upstream brought us to a nice little waterfall.
From the stream a steep climb ensued which tested the mettle of a few. However good progress was made overall. A nice descent from the top back down through native bush saw us reach the carpark in time for us to travel back for refreshments at Nosh café on the Waimate turnoff.
Thankyou to Jane, John, Vicky, Mike, Kim, and Mark for coming along and enjoying the day.
Julian
Tavora Reserve & Puketapu Hill
Monday, July 6th, 2020
5th July 2020
On a cool morning, six trampers travelled to the Tavora Reserve near Palmerston for an easy stroll out to the coast at Bobby’s Head. Racing against the incoming tide, we made our way South along the beach to breath in the sea air and view the various sculptures in the mudstone cliffs. After retreating and finding a log to sit on to have morning tea we were joined by Rodney and Helen from Dunedin.
A climb up and away from the beach took us through native plantings and out into the open where we had views of the coastline to the North and South. With a short walk along the road, we arrived back at the cars at 11.30am and then drove to Palmerston.
After parking at the lookout carpark, we set off to climb Puketapu Hill. Some took the steep direct route up to the top while others found a more gentler path. By climbing the stairs and ladders inside the monument we had some great views of the surrounding landscape. On the sheltered side we consumed lunch and then proceeded back to the cars by circling down by a more gentle slope. It was then back to Palmerston for us all for the compulsory ice cream stop. Having dodged the rain, we arrived home mid afternoon.
Phyllis
Aoraki/Mt Cook
Sunday, June 28th, 2020
20-21st June 2020
Eighteen people decided it was time to get out and head for the hills and what better place than Mt Cook when there has been a fresh fall of snow. The weather was fine even if somewhat cold.
It was a bit of a social trip but catered for everyone who wanted to get out there. After a leisurely drive with the obligatory stop at the Wrinkly Ram we arrived at Mt Cook carpark and unloaded into the Wyn Irwin Hut which has 16 bunks. We all wandered up the Hooker Valley on Saturday afternoon before settling in for a light tea followed by a very generous shared dessert.
Some of us played a couple of games like Doo Dah, Mancala and Jenga. (Maurice is a lousy liar)
Sunday morning five bods headed up to Sebastopol with ice axe and crampons through and above the fog to some spectacular views and the rest of us wandered up the Tasman valley noticing that as we gained a little height the snow was getting deeper. With the filtered light of the sun through the cloud and mist it was rather atmospheric and very pleasant. After a brief lunchbreak we returned to the cars and had a cuppa at the village before heading home.
Karyl
Exploring Silverpeaks
Thursday, March 19th, 2020
This trip was meant to go to the Rock & Pillar Range but with the forecast of rain & cloud I decided it was not the best place to be on a day like that.
I looked at the forecast closer to the coast and showers were forecast later in the day so I put the word out that we would be heading to the Silver peaks area. Three hardy trampers met on the Sunday morning in overcast conditions and it was decided to stay in the low part of the silver peaks and explore the river track up to the Philip J Cox memorial hut.
We headed south to Waitati and up Semple Rd and 1 km past the main car park we parked by the start of the Possum Hut route. From here we headed down this track, but instead of following this track all the way down, we veered right and headed down through the pine tree to come out by the Waikouaiti River South Branch a bit further down. From here we crossed the river (no wet feet} to pick up a good track on the other side. I think there is a group of people that maintain these tracks and they do a very good job. We followed this track down past the bottom of Rosella ridge, crossing Cats Teeth creek along the bottom of Hermit ridge. We found what looked to be a good track coming off Hermit ridge and another good track dropping down to the river below, which we would explore in the afternoon to see if it would get us up to Walkers Rd. We crossed another creek which was a great spot with the water flowing over smooth rock and flow into the Waikouaiti River with the bush all around.
It was then a bit of a grunt up a rough track through the bush to meet up with the Yellow ridge track and on to the Philip J Cox hut by 11.45am. Lunch was had here in warm conditions and after a rest and a look around we retraced our steps back to the bottom of Hermit ridge. We took the track we had seen in the morning down to the river thinking it might go up the river to meet up with Walkers Rd track. We knew that it was a long shot because according to the map the Walkers Rd ridge was another 1km up the river and we were right. After bush bashing on the other side for 5 min and not finding any tracks we headed back to the main track. Sure enough further up the track just before Cat Teeth creek we spotted an orange ribbon going back down to the river and another ribbon on the other side which lead into a firebreak. It was then another grunt up through the pine trees to come out on to Walkers Rd. It was then up Walkers Rd and back on to Steep Hill Rd and back to the vehicle and a light shower of rain was starting to fall. All up it was a 16km hike and took 6 ½ hours in warm overcast conditions with a light shower at the end. In the end I think it was a good option and exploring some new tracks in the Silver Peaks.
Thanks to Maurice & Phyllis for their company for the day and I know Maurice is already thinking of exploring the Hermit Ridge Track. Neville
