Awakino Saddle, Black Daisies
Lunch at the tarn
24th January 2016
Sunday 24th proved to be a fine interlude in an otherwise unsettled period of easterly weather. It was pleasantly mild and, although the sky darkened in the afternoon, the rain held off and a strong easterly breeze came and went. Eight trampers travelled in two 4WDs from Oamaru, including five club members (Linda, Neville, Jane, Ross and John), one prospective member (Hugh), Zuni Steer from Forest and Bird, and Hugh Wood, NZ Alpine Club member and acknowledged expert on the plants of the St Marys Range. They met another four in Kurow: Club members Helen and Rodney, OTMC member Janet and her son Russell. Three vehicles were driven in to the carpark at the bottom of the Awakino ski field road (81km from Oamaru) where the Kurow four transferred to the two 4WDs which took all twelve the 4km up to park by the ski huts.
Booted up, the twelve headed up the 4WD track to the saddle at about 1700m on the main St Marys Range ridge. There, the party split. One (Zuni) stayed to fossick around the saddle and lower part of the ridge leading to Te Kohurau. Helen and Rodney headed north-west up the main ridge to Rocky Top (1942m) whence they turned south down into the valley towards the tarn. The main party of nine followed Hugh Wood on a journey of exploration west across the upper reaches of the valley leading down to Hut Creek. On the way they were introduced to an amazing variety of plant associations uniquely adapted to the differing environments in an area which, to the uneducated eye, looked like barren scree.
The tarn (near point 1616) was reached in time for lunch and the main party was joined by Helen and Rodney. After lunch the main party, now eleven, headed back to the main ridge, but on a higher line than the outward trip. At the saddle, all twelve climbed the lower reaches of the route to Te Kohurau to stop on a shoulder and explore the vegetation in a wetland area there. Then it was time to head down, first to the saddle and then to the vehicles at the ski huts for the homeward journey via the compulsory ice-cream stop in Kurow.
This was a tramp with a difference. For most of us, who are accustomed to enjoying the big picture through which we are tramping, it was a major experience in learning that that big picture is made up of a myriad of varied and fascinating small pictures occupying the many micro-environments. Many thanks to Hugh Wood for so enthusiastically sharing his knowledge.
John.
