Swallows Track Upgrade
Saturday 2 December 2017
After a very wet winter extending into Spring some sections of the Swallows Track had become very muddy making for unpleasant walking conditions for our number one track.
After some member discussion and the willing support from Port Blakely and Road Metals timber and gravel were obtained and two working bees got under way.
Construction of a 7m boardwalk was completed at the muddy section prior to the second bridge crossing future proofing this area. Another smaller section plus steps were added in another mud prone area halfway to the bridge.
A second working bee was held on Sat 2nd to lay a matting membrane and gravel over a 70m section from the start of the Swallows Track. After some earlier preparation of drainage and levelling this section soon became a highway. Ten club members with 4 wheel barrows loading transporting and levelling the gravel with great efficiency and enthusiasm. Some of the barrow loads needed extra assistance with a tow rope attached to gain the steeper and longer section.
We can now take a well deserved rest leaving the vistors to enjoy this special place.
Thanks to all our volunteers involved with this project.
Maurice.
Macraes Bike Trip
Sunday 26 November 2017
A golden day beckoned an enthusiastic bunch of bikers and a couple of walkers to Macraes on Sunday the 27th.
The ride started with heading off past the billboards in the art park up Redbank Rd then at the DOC headquarters we took a farm track south to link up with the skink ‘exclosure’ on Frazers Rd. With the main purpose of the fence being to exclude predators, DOC use the term ‘exclosure’.
DOC field officer, Patrick Liddy, kindly met us at the exclosure, briefing us on the protected area, their conservation efforts and what we’d likely find within. The majority of the group spotted most skink species which call the exclosure home: the Grand, the Otago, McCains, the Green and the Common Skinks. However the endemic species of gecko eluded us all. It was great to hear the success of the exclosure and the fact that several unique species are successfully cohabiting in their natural environment.
The manuka was in full bloom, including a prostrate variety and there were also a couple of plant species which seemed out of situ growing at that altitude, including a fuschia species.
After an hour spotting skinks, we tucked into lunch before heading up to the highest point on the ride which was Lott’s Wife (714m). We then backtracked down the hill to Bonanza Hut where remnants of an old mine shaft from Macraes early mining days could be viewed below. After returning to the intersection of Philips, Frazers and Bonanza we split in two groups with one group returning to Stanley’s Hotel via Frasers Rd while the second group added a few extra km’s to their trip, by rushing down a hill intending to link up with Ramrock Rd, and return via Nenthorn. However, with a nice downhill, nec minute, we found that we were at the end of a trapping line at which point it was decided it would be better to return to Frazers Rd and follow the other group out. An influence on this decision was the dirty, big threatening cloud that looked like it could open above us at any time, however, as we now know Roxborough received the lot while we basked in sun along with the lizards (skink) and finished at historic hotel Stanley’s with a well-earned drink.
Jane M
Huxley Forks Hut
11th-12th November 2017
We left Oamaru at 4pm Friday, stopped for tea in Omarama and then reached the road end up the south side of Lake Ohau at 7pm. It took us two hours to walk in to Monument Hut where we pitched our tents. Saturday morning, we left at 7.45am and started along the high water track which goes along the bush towards the Huxley River swingbridge. A lot of this track had windfall so we were in and out of the bush quite a lot. Once over the swingbridge, we went up, over and down to the river flats and walked along for a while and then back into the bush. We continued on the high river track through the bush on the true left of the river for about 45 minutes and then out onto the river flats. About 2 km before the Huxley Forks Hut, there had been an avalanche off Boanerges. After reaching Huxley Forks Hut, Bill, John, Jane, Jen and I went for a walk down the South Huxley branch, coming to a massive slip. On our return, we ran into two hunters with a cross bow and shotgun on their way to find some tahr hopefully. It was surprising how many people and animals were in the Huxley Valley – toddlers and cats, to name a few. The hut was empty so some opted to sleep inside while Jen, Jane and Jenny opted for their tents.
On Sunday morning we saw that the hunters had got a tahr, obviously with a shotgun. We left the hut at 7.45am and headed straight down the valley along the river flats. A few hours and several river crossings later we reached the Huxley river swingbridge. Surprise – Bill’s Croc was waiting for him – it must have come off his pack the previous day. Soon after this, Jenny lost her sunglasses so went back to find them, luckily they were just 30 metres back. From here, it was only an hour on to Monument Hut where we had lunch and met up with OTMC President Richard Forbes and his father. After a two hour walk to the cars, we had a quick debrief at the Wrinkly Ram and then home.
Thanks for your company John, Bill, Vicky, Mike, Jenny, Jane and Jen. Bess
Clubnight November 2017
13th November 2017
The recent 40th Anniversary of the North Otago Tramping and Mountaineering Club was held at Purton’s Café, Maheno. It was enjoyed by 61 people, with half of them being past members. A great meal followed by cutting of the cake by founding members and many stories told resulted in a successful function.
Past weekend trips include a tramp into the Youngman Stream Hut via Tarn Hut in the Puketeraki Range, and a trip to Huxley Forks Hut and South Huxley stream. A Working Bee in the Herbert Forest cleared tracks and windfall plus step maintenance. Wednesday Walkers have been to Saltwater Creek, Trotters Gorge, Anderson’s Lagoon and also had a Herbert Forest Working Bee.
Our Speaker for the evening was Past President, Jane Green who, with husband, Graeme, recently enjoyed a cycling trip in Cuba. Starting from Havana, the Exodus company provided local Tour Guides and a support bus for those who wanted a break from cycling. Being a communist and egalitarian society, Cuba has an excellent Health and Education system. The people seem contented and quite social. Everyone has a job, however it may only be for a few hours per week. Of every dollar earned, 68% goes to paying back Government debt.
