Club Night – June 2012
At its last Club meeting the following trips were reported on.
White Horse Hill, Waimate. A short steep walk on a sunny day.
Dunedin Hills. 9 trampers optimistically headed down in driving rain to Leith Saddle. Their optimism was rewarded by the sun coming out on their arrival, and they enjoyed a round trip along the Pipeline Track to Rustlers Ridge and Burns Saddle, coming back along Swampy to Leigh Saddle in windy but clear conditions with great views.
Queens birthday weekend saw 5 lads head up theOtehake River in the Arthurs Pass National Park to camp for 2 nights at the hot springs. As the middle day was wet and the river up, a relaxing day was had in the hot pool. They got home just before the snow arrived, though minus a stolen spare wheel. See Trip Reports for full details and photos.
The Wednesday Walkers had walks in the sheltered Herbert Forest on a cold S W day, Moana Station on the Kilmog, Verbakel’s farm, and Cape Wanbrow on another cold day.
Coming Club trips are to Ben Ohau on the 17th June, Awakino Gorge / Kurow on the 24th June, and “Winter Fun at Tekapo” in early July. Check the Trips / Programme for details.
The Club hopes to run first aid and snow craft courses later in the year.
Guest speaker was Glynne Lloyd on his fascinating bike ride with three others through Tibet from China to Pakistan. This was a journey of 1200k during three weeks that took them over several passes as high as 5500m asl. and included a side trip to Everest Base Camp.
The trip passed through Lassa where the Dali Llama’s Winter and Summer Palaces are, and over the Himalayas to Katmandu. The road started out as a good sealed highway, but soon deteriorated into a dusty rough gravel road with snow and ice on the top pass. There were lots of road works, using mostly manual labour. The bikes and riders stood up to the trip well in spite of arriving with four bike frames and only seven wheels. Another wheel was acquired and quickly adapted to fit. One of the group was an orthopaedic surgeon who used his skills to mend a bike frame with a bike tube!
We were treated to scenes of monasteries with meditating monks, prayer wheels, guest houses, simple lifestyles and friendly people, as well as the stunning scenery which included views of Mt.Everest with its ever present cloud stream.
A trip of a life time.