Orbells Cave, Waikouaiti
Sunday 1 March 2020
It was a perfect day for tramping: clear blue sky, warm sun, and a light nor-westerly breeze only swinging north-east later in the afternoon. The drive in was long – 97 km, 24 km of which was on gravel roads in behind Waikouaiti. Blucher Road wound tortuously along a ridge south-east from Bucklands Crossing, then turned south to become Lamb Hill Road which wound its way some more to the Bendoran Huts where it became a farm track. We parked by a gate 200 metres before the huts and, just on 10 o’clock, started walking through the gate up a short hill before turning downhill and south-west. The 4wd track we were following wound around the hill before turning down a side stream to meet Orbells Creek at the bottom. It was now 10.45 so we settled down for morning tea on a sunny bank beside some stock yards.
After smoko, the track followed Orbells Creek for half an hour or so before leaving it to climb 200 metres over a saddle, drop down to a side stream, then climb again to another, flattish saddle before the final descent back to Orbells Creek, which had followed a big loop to the south. Reaching the creek, the destination caves could be seen in a prominent schist rock face above the true left. A short walk down the creek, through some yards, across the creek and up a short climb took us to the caves: two large openings in the rock offering airy shelter. One had signs of occupation – an old meat safe and a clothes line. The other had a small spring which watered a small patch of lush grass. Both had clearly provided bedding for livestock, so care was needed in selecting luncheon seating.
We had reached the caves shortly before 1 o’clock and, given the prospect of a 2 ½-3 hour climb back and the long drive home, it was decided not to go further down the valley to the Three O’clock Stream which Orbells Creek flows into and which, in turn, joins the Taieri River near Hindon. So, at around 1.30 we set off on the return journey, stopping to admire the remains of a previous al fresco party before making a fairly leisurely climb back to reach the car at around 4.30. The return to Oamaru was interrupted to enjoy the giant ice creams which are a feature of Hampden. The splendid day in interesting country new to most was enjoyed by Mark, Nicky, Kayla, Bronwyn and John.
Hideaway Hut
23rd February 2020
After a day of rain on the Saturday, it was a surprise to see clear skies and sunshine on Sunday morning. We left Oamaru and picked up Donna and Bill at Kurow and Julia at Omarama. From Birchwood Road, we turned left at the DOC sign and drove down the paddock, to the Ahuriri River. The river was deeper than usual so with 14 of us, there were a few groups linking up. Some of us had opted to cross in other shoes and change into our boots on the other side.
From the river, we walked over to the building under the terrace and then veered off to the left, stopping to re-group at the plateau at 11.45. From here it was only 15 minutes to the tarn so we stopped here for lunch. Bill decided a swim would be good. Usually there are Canadian Geese and other birdlife on the large tarn but there wasn’t any today. On the return trip, we did see two large trout.
After lunch we continued on to Hideaway Hut and reached it about 1pm. The hut itself is interesting with names etched into the corrugated iron, the earliest I could see was 1958. Inside, there is a large board showing where the names can be found, for example Lord Bledisloe who visited in 1936 was on the left north corner of the roof. The roof was quite rusty but the walls had lists of mustering and shearing gangs for Benmore Station.
We left the hut at 1.30pm and six people opted to return to the vehicles via the south east side of the big hill following the creek out. The remaining eight returned on the same route which we came in. We got back to the vehicles at 3.30pm and the other five arrived soon after. After a hot day, the river crossing was quite refreshing. We debriefed at the Omarama pub and then returned to Oamaru.
Great to see five new trampers out with the club, look forward to tramping with you again – Bill B, Bill F, Donna, Pragati, Margaret, Clair, Julia, Robbie, Lynette, Julian, Neville, Roz, and Colin. Bess
Club Night February 2020
The results of the club’s predator trapping in the Port Blakely Herbert Forest can now be viewed through the Traps N Z app which can be downloaded to your device.
The next Herbert Forest guided walks day will be in 2021.
Trip reports
The Mt. Kyburn trip was canceled due to a poor weather forecast and a round trip up to the Whitehorse at Waimate went instead.
There was a walk from Aramoana to Heywards Point and further towards Longbeach, until they came to a private property boundary. There were excellent views of seals and gulls from the cliffs at the Point. A short walk along a track at Port Chalmers rounded off the day.
A walk was enjoyed around Blairgowrie Run behind Five Forks with views of the North Otago downlands and Kakanui Range.
An overnight camp at Cattle Creek enabled an early start for a 23k, 10 hour traverse of the Dalgety Range with a group starting from each end. There were great views from Mt. Hutt to Mt. Aspiring as well as sightings of resident wallaby’s and vegetable sheep.
The Maitland Valley tramp included tracks, scree slopes and bush and staying at the Maitland hut where they were entertained by the resident mice having an overnight party on supplies left by a deer stalker. There was a day visit to Lake Orbell.
Coming trips are day trips to Hideaway Hut in the Ahuriri Valley, Big Hut on the Rock and Pillar Range and Orbells Cave behind Waikouaiti.
The Wednesday Walker’s day trips were to Island Stream Waterfall behind Herbert, Big Ben next door to Little Domet, Hillgrove Farm to Waimataiti Lagoon near Moeraki, Mt. Dasher (4 walkers) Kattothtrst (18 walkers) Siberia Hill (4 walkers), and Island Cliff Farm. The annual barbeque was held that evening. Up to 40 walkers are coming out at the moment.
The rest of the evening entailed choosing Club Trips for the April to June period, details of which will soon be on the NOTMC website.
Maitland Hut/Dumb Bell Lake
7th – 9th February
The two trip options for this weekend were combined to form a new one, as numbers were not sufficient to complete both trips.
The new plan was to go from Lake Ohau Station up the Maitland Stream to Maitland hut, day two a day walk up to Dumb-bell Lake and return and day three return to Lake Ohau Station.
The Maitland Valley in previous visits has been a place which we would have had to ourselves, but not so this time as over the three days our party met fourteen other people, with six tents pitched around the hut plus a large family of mice living in the hut with a continuous buffet from a food stash in a polystyrene box which they had chewed through.
On day one we drove to Lake Ohau Station, checked in with the manager then drove across to the fenceline and 4WD track.
After a one hour walk up the 4WD track we came across a boot on a post indicating the start of our track across some steep sided scree slopes in the direction of a patch of beech trees named the “Beehive”
The track descended to the Maitland Stream alternating with beech forest and river flats to come to a crossing followed by a steep climb and a short pleasant walk where a couple of riflemen were sighted in the trees through to the hut.
With three tents pitched we settled in to enjoy the rest of the day relaxing in the sunshine.
The two who slept in the hut were entertained by the busy mice family, while a noise of a different kind emulated from the tents.
Day two dawned overcast for the trip to Dumb-bell Lake but with a much lighter pack we set off through the bush track to the open tussock valley with spear-grass waiting for their victims. After a few spots of rain the day improved to sunshine, no parkas required.
Following the outlet stream from Dumb-bell was slow going over some boulder sections, tall tussock and spear- grass but by noon we had climbed 600m to reach the lake and what a scene awaited us. It was bathed in sun with some shadows around making the difficult walk worth all the effort getting there.
Lunch was taken by the lakeside while watching some ducks enjoying their large swimming pool and then it was time to consider the return journey.
To avoid part of the valley travel we climbed another 50mtrs south and up onto a shingle ridge where we were rewarded with great views of the waterfall from the outlet of Dumb-bell Lake making the effort worthwhile.
Once back in the Maitland Valley, travel became easier as we arrived back at the hut for a well-deserved brew at about 5pm.
On day three we woke to a good frost. With breakfast over packing up frosty tents made for some cold fingers which were soon warmed on the walk out.
We met the sun near the track connection to the 4WD track and enjoyed the picturesque scene of the Dobson Valley and surrounds while arriving back at the vehicle at 11.30am which made for good timing for lunch at The Wrinkley Ram in Omarama.
Thanks to Bron, Phyllis, Julian and Robbie
Maurice.
Blairgowrie
2nd February 2020
3 trampers looking for a walk turned up at 8-30 am and headed out through Five Forks to Turnbulls Road, stopping at the cattle yards part way along it.
We started off heading SE towards a forestry block, following along the boundry 
and crossing a few steep gullies. There were good views here out over the North Otago downlands,
It was then a steady climb, heading south west towards Scout Hill. A light northerly rain started about the time we had a view of the Kakanui’s so we decided to stop for an early lunch and put our parkas on.
With all the ups and downs behind us, it was just a matter of circling round to the farm track which led to the start of Turnbulls Road and a stroll back to the car by 1-30 pm for a 11.5k enjoyable walk. Thanks to Maurice ans Phyllis for coming. Ross M.