Swallows Track Working Bee
7 October 2018
Spring Working Bee, Swallows Track, Herbert Forest.
Eleven club members turned out for the latest working bee, which concentrated just on establishing more board walks in the Swallows track. This track gets the greatest use all year round and still has had muddy patches during certain parts of the year. Previously we had gravelled the beginning section and this work has been continued off and on for the last few months and was carried on with by two members on this occasion using a special 2 wheeled wheelbarrow which is now a new improved version with fully adjustable handles.
The rest of the group worked hard firstly carrying in all the materials and tools needed for approximately 28 meters of board walk in total and then building the boardwalks complete with wire mesh for better grip.
We used mainly screws for assembling the boardwalks on this occasion and members had fun trying out the latest screwing technology with impact drivers taking the hard work out of driving in the longer fasteners. Everyone worked incredibly hard and the job was all done by 3.00pm. One member lost his club hammer unfortunately, so if you happen to see one in the Swallows please grab it.
Many thanks to Maurice, Phyllis, Jane, Graeme, Mike, Vicky, Bob, Karen, Bess and John.
Little Kyeburn Track
30th September 2018
The weather forecast changed so much leading up to this trip. A week out it was going to be fine and then half way through the week it was going to be raining and by the end of the week it was going to be light rain in the morning clearing about 11am. I put a plan B in place to go to Trotters Gorge if the weather on Sunday was no good. One of our members from Dunedin Rodney said he was going to stay in Naseby on the Saturday night and would give me a weather update on the Sunday morning. Sunday morning dawned cloudy and bleak but Rodney rang me and said it was clear in Naseby so the seven of us that had met at the car park decided to head Little Kyeburn. We headed through the Danseys Pass in light rain and mist but once we got over the pass the weather cleared and it looked like we were going to be in for a good day. We picked Rodney and Helen up on Little Kyeburn Rd and drove to the DOC car park at the bottom of Mt Buster. We headed off over a 4WD track for about 2km till we picked up the Little Kyeburn Track and gorge. The well used track with three nice waterfalls along the way follows the little Kyeburn creek through a gorge over some rocky knobs through some scrub and then opens up to a tussock valley where we climbed steeply out of the Valley and on to the little Mt Buster shelter/hut for lunch. After lunch we followed a 4WD track along to the Buster diggings to view the unusual formations caused by the hydraulic sluicing that took place in the area over a 100 years ago and it was also at this stage a wee patch of snow was found for a snow fight. From here we follow a 4WD track east viewing the Water races that were made 100 years ago for the sluicing till we came to a junction where we headed south for about 2km to climb up onto Mt Buster 1334m. Last time I was on Mt Buster the wind was so strong you couldn’t stand up without getting blown off but this time it was still windy but we all got up on top and got photos of the views across to the Kakanui Mountains and the Ida Valley and beyond. From here we could see the car so it was off down the eastern tussock slope of Mt Buster towards the cars. This was not as easy as it looked because the further down the slope we got the bigger the tussock and Spaniard grass to push through and a wee creek gut to get across before we got back on to the main 4WD track back to the car park. I will also mention that coming down through the tussock I lost my camera which was like looking for a needle in a hay stack, well shit happens. We all got back to the cars after about 6 ½ hike in good weather all feeling we had, had a good day out. We dropped Rodney and Helen back at their car and headed for the Danseys Pass Pub for light refreshments and this is where my troubles continued. I pulled up at the pub, got out of my truck and watched my back tyre go flat, oh well, more shit happens. After changing the wheel and light refreshment it was back through the Danseys back to Oamaru, getting back about 7pm.
Apart from all my troubles it was a good day out with alot of country covered so thanks to,
Julian, John, Kim, Mark, Maurice, Phyllis, Rodney and Helen for the great company for the day. Neville
P.S Also thanks to the farmer for letting us climb Mt Buster and come down through his land.
Sullivans Dam, Dunedin
16th September 2018
With temperatures expected to be in the 20’s, five people set off from Oamaru at 8am destined for a tramp up to Mount Cargill, north of Dunedin.
Jane joined us at Kakanui and Marian and Robbie at Herbert while Helen and Rodney met the group at the entrance to Sullivans Dam just off the Dunedin Northern Motorway.
After walking part way around the dam we entered the Cloud Forest of the Leith Track and climbed lots of boardwalk and steps to eventually come out of the bush and into the open under several transmission lines.
Re-entering the bush again we followed the Escarpment Track which was a lot rougher with fallen trees to climb over, muddy patches and rocks and tree roots to negotiate.
A break on a rocky outcrop of Pigeon Hill for morning tea gave us good views north and back down over the motorway.
The terrain became easier after crossing Cowan Road and walking up the A H Reed Track to the tower on Mount Cargill, our goal for the day where we enjoyed a lunch break in a sunny sheltered spot overlooking Dunedin City and surrounds. It was here that one member discovered that he had smashed his lunch box after slipping on a rock on the Escarpment Track. (Very fortunate with the placement of lunch box in pack as could have easily been some broken bones instead).
An easy stroll down Cowan Road took us to the obscure entrance of the Three Peaks Track which we followed down through some young trees and onto a road. Meanwhile some of the newer members had been learning map reading so were able to test their skills when we arrived at a fork.
Once on the right track we ended up at the entrance to the Cloud Forest of the Leith Track which we descended to Sullivans Dam and continued the circuit around to where we had commenced our walk in the morning.
Yes the temperature did reach the 20’s.
Thanks to Jane, Shirley, Marian, Helen, Rodney, Neville, Robbie, Julian, and Maurice for their company.
Phyllis
Nimrod Reserve
9th September 2018
We arrived at Nimrod Reserve at 9.30am and 10 of us set off shortly after heading in a clockwise direction of the loop track. Up out of the bush on a view point, there was some low cloud but could still see across South Canterbury flats. We opted for a snack on the saddle before dropping down a rocky steep stage and down to Nimrod Stream. A detour 100m up the stream led us to the waterfall, unique as it has a rock arch at the top where the water rushes through. Up out of the bush again and we exited the loop track and followed the poled route up to the fence line. Being 12.30, we had lunch on a grassy knob before continuing through the gate and onto the Easement Track which leads to the Hunter Hills Conservation Area. This is a grass 4WD track with poled route which is the public access route. There were several other tracks going off the Easement Track which had “Private Track” signs. We passed through several spring gates, expensive looking, and effective in that no-one could leave them open. So with these fool proof tools in place, the owner can be rest assured that the stock and trampers will stay where they belong. As we got into the afternoon, Mt Nimrod with a dusting of snow on top, loomed closer, and there was talk of making a day trip to Mt Nimrod in the future. We returned back down the Easement Track and joined up again with the Nimrod loop track and continued clockwise back to the cars by 3.30pm. A stop at the St Andrews pub topped off the day.
Thanks for your company Sandra, Linton, John, Jane, Neville, Jac, Marian, Julie, and Dean. Bess
Day Walks based in Dunedin
11th and 12th August
Friday afternoon saw 5 bods stuff their gear into 1 carload, and head to Dunedin. There we had a flat to unpack and establish ourselves into. Although the ‘film festival’ was on, no one seemed inclined to take advantage of this, with the option of good restaurants and our own conversations being sufficient each of the 3 evenings.
Saturday morning saw us heading South to Taieri Mouth where we met up with Maurice and Phyllis to walk the Taieri River Millennium Track. The track basically followed along the river with beautiful views from vantage points as we rose and fell with the terrain through forest and bush. After the said 8 km’s we came out towards the other end of the track near Henley. A good spot for lunch except for a pesky jet boat that disturbed our peace! A pleasant return trip with differing views-especially of the sea as we approached it.
On the return journey to town, we were fortunate enough to join the crowds spying a whale.
Sunday we headed to to Outram , then continued S along the Maungatua’s to Berwick. 5km down the Waipori Falls Rd we began the Government Track. This was built in the 1860’s to provide access to the Central Otago gold fields. The gradient was gentle but relentless through rather nice beech forest. It seemed to take some time to reach our 9km goal of the top, then to be disappointed with no inspiring view for our efforts. The return trip was somewhat speedier. A nice walk to do once.
Another nice meal in ‘The Gardens’ area in Dunedin before heading home. Thanks to Roz, Chris, Ross, Phyllis, Maurice and especially Heather who joined us from Middlemarch way.
Jane.
