Mt Studholme
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.
Club Night August 2020
Trip Reports:
7 members enjoyed a walk around the Mt. Nimrod Reserve, with views from Banks Peninsula to the Waitaki River Mouth.
There was a 17k return walk up the Mt. Studholme access road was on another fine day, also with great views. Sitting in the lee of the transmission tower for lunch resulted in the odd shower of icicles being blown on them.
The Wednesday Walkers had day trips to Snake Gully near Hampden, the Three Peaks and 2 Tunnels circuit at Tapui, the Maerewhenua gold diggings, and a new walk up Mt. Tara in South Cantebury.
The Wanderers had walks near the Moeraki Lighthouse and Kelseys and Gunns Bush.
Coming trips are
a local bike ride and a tramp up Swampy with several possible return options.
Trip Planning for the October to December period took up the bulk of the evening. These tramps will shortly be available on the NOTMC website.
Takahe on Heaphy Track
The evening concluded with Maurice Gray telling us of a couple of trips he did. The first was riding the Heaphy Track from the Collingwood end while his 2 companions walked it. A highlight was seeing what seemed to be a very tame takahe on the track.
The other trip was to Ben Dhu in the Rhoboro Hills beside Lake Pukaki. This was a round trip which included negotiating almost impenetrable wilding pines and rosehip bushes by walking up a creek bed and ascending above the snowline for some fantastic views of Mt. Cook and over Lake Pukaki. A kind couple in a Juicy van gave him a ride back down the road to his car to complete the round trip and saved him riding his bike in the dark.
On Ben Dhu
Mt Nimrod Scenic Reserve
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
Club Night & Annual Meeting July 2020
The Annual Meeting, having been delayed for 2 Months by the pandemic, took place at our July meeting with a full SAR room of Club members.
President Robbie Verhoef, in his Annual Report summarised the Clubs activities over the past year, with 17 day trips and 2 weekend trips. There were quite a number of trips cancelled because of unsuitable weather. A lot of work was also done in the Port Blakley Herbert Forest on track maintenance and pest control.
He commented of his wish for a more balanced way of life which is more in keeping with nature, where his grand daughter can enjoy the privileges we have had and that our special places and creatures will remain for her grand-children to enjoy.
The Treasurer reported a small surplus for the year. It was agreed to increase the amount we contribute to the Federated Mountain Clubs in recognition of the crucial advocacy work they do on our behalf.
Julian Hardy was elected the new Club President. The photo competition results were announced with Ross Milmine winning and Bronwyn McCone a close second.
Trip Reports:With the lockdown restrictions lifted, 18 trampers spent a winter wonderland weekend at Mt Cook with snow and sun producing some fantastic photos. There was also a day trip to the Tavora Reserve near Goodwood, with a beach walk and a climb around Bobby’s Head. Puketapu was climbed on the way home.
Coming trips are to Mt. Nimrod Reserve, a weekend trip to Liverpool
Hut, Mt. Studholme and a local mystery bike ride.
The Wednesday Walkers had day trips around Oamaru and Cape Wanbrow during level 2. With the more relaxed level 1 rules there were trips to Hampden – Moeraki, Elephant Hill, Durden Hill and Mt. Baldie, a Ngapara farms walk and the Timaru walkway to Centennial Park.
Tavora Reserve & Puketapu Hill
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
