Broderick Pass, Labour Weekend 2015
After initially having 7 people interested in this weekends trip to Broderick Pass near the head of the North Huxley River this was whittled down to 4 of us in the end. The weather forecast was a bit of a mixed bag so the expectations for the trip were by necessity flexible and we were equipped with tents and snow gear for a possible ascend to the Broderick Pass. However after driving in to Monument Hut on Friday night and spending a relaxed night there it was decided in the morning to leave the tents in the truck which then confined our options to staying in a hut.
A pleasant walk to the Huxley Forks Hut on Saturday morning, marred only by some clambering around wind-fallen trees on the Hopkins section, saw us arriving at Huxley Forks by 11am for an early lunch. The Hut-book indicated at least 3 people already at the Broderick Hut so it was decided to flag going up there to stay and we called the Forks Hut home for the next 2 nights.
After the early lunch, 3 of us set out for a walk up the South Huxley with the idea that we might get to the South Huxley Hut. Two others accompanied us but were quicker and ended up overtaking us. The South Huxley is quite a wild place and great views of the surrounding peaks were had including Rabbiter’s Peak and looking back the Broderick Pass with it’s surrounding peaks. We ran out of time to reach the hut and had a pleasant break on a sunny flat and returned to the Forks Hut by about 5pm. Phyllis had stayed behind and reported that another group of 4 had gone to Broderick, vindicating our decision to stay.
A pleasant night was had but sleep was hard to come by in the updated and insulated hut after the fire did its job even though outside temperatures were low with a chilly SW wind. The hut has been relined on the outside and has a new roof but the porch has been changed to the opposite side of where it used to be which puts it on the cold and windy side ensuring no shelter when it rains. New aluminium joinery completes the upgrade leaving the inside as it was more or less.
The following morning was bleak and blustery with overcast cold conditions which meant that any thoughts of reaching the top of Broderick Pass were shelved and we contented ourselves with just a walk up to the hut and a bit beyond and this was what we did. The erosion on the true right of the North Branch is stunning and involved climbing great heights to get over slips and dodging overhangs and rocks that could shift at any time. Truly a moving landscape and a very fragile one. We had another early lunch at Broderick Hut and went on to the start of the ascent to the Pass before turning back for the Forks. Another 5pm finish and another pleasant night with another 2 joining us in the hut making it too warm again for easy sleep. The day had gradually cleared and the evening provided a spectacular light show on the Naumann Range.
Monday was fine but the forecast was for rain after lunch, so it was just a straightforward walk back to the truck at Monument Hut choosing the walk down the riverbed in preference to the high track. The rain didn’t happen but it wouldn’t take much rain to make the 4WD track impassible, some of the sections are very boggy again. So after an icecream stop in Kurow we were back home quite early. This was a pleasant trip with good company in a fantastic place. Thanks to John, Maurice and Phyllis. Robbie
