Avoca Hut 23rd-25th March 2013
Trip Report
What do you do when a strong windy, wet NWer is predicted when your trip is to be to Mount Alexander on the West Coast? Well eight keen trampers were still keen to go somewhere. With consultation of likely spots and weather effects it was decided to go to Avoca Hut in the Torlesse Range 50km west of Arthurs Pass.
Not to be outdone by Karyl Robertson, the first stop was Geraldine for a good coffee, the second at Castlehill for cream and raspberry jam on scones. Avoca hut was only 10minutes from the car. It was first built as a homestead in 1906 and has recently been restored by DOC. It is a delight! After settling in, some in tents, the eight of us went on an exploratory trip to the ridges to the North East. Amazing views were observed of the railway to Arthurs Pass including two large high viaducts and 5 tunnels. After a good meal, many stories of the past were told with hilarity.
We were fortunate to have Bill Bews and Maurice and Phyllis Gray who had been in the area before. So our second day was planned to explore the relics and operation of the coal mine that operated, in the area from about 1915 to 1925. It was a full day with reasonable weather. Foundations of cottages and bridge remains were found as well as a steam engine and boiler at the top of a cableway. The track of the connecting railway line to the main line was visible. We followed the cableway(2 cables still intact) through thick bush, on quite a slope, down to the river. Noel Pullan our professional cameraman had plenty of features to photograph. After lunch it was up the river to a side valley to the coal mine. After exploring, we walked up to the Broken river hut(4 bunks) which is mainly used by hunters. On returning we practised our river crossing skills and walked back to the hut. A great meal was had by all. We could only marvel at the determination and hard work of the early coal miners. The stories that were not told the first night were told the second!!
The final day involved packing up and heading to Cave stream by Castlehill. With head torches on and split into two groups of four we walked through the cave system about 1km. The water was cold (the shouting was loud), in places it was deep with several small waterfalls to negotiate and an interesting ladder climb out, but all quite exciting.
Geraldine provided a warm welcome coffee, on the way home, as well as a visit to Barkers.
By the way the weather was as predicted with strong winds at high altitudes so Mounts Torlesse and Alexander beckon for another day.
Thanks to Bill, Noel, Phyllis, Maurice, Anne, Rod and Wendy for great company and making it a trip to remember.
Dave Mellish
