Twizel Mid-Winter Weekend
17-18th June 2017
Saturday morning we started off with the obligatory coffee at the Wrinkly Ram before 7 people headed up to the North Temple for the afternoon. The weather was fine and a few weary bodies returned to Twizel late in the afternoon. We then enjoyed a delicious potluck meal at the High Country Lodge, then some played Doo Dah and some sorted out the woes of the world.
The weather on Sunday wasn’t so fine but a few keen souls headed up towards Flannagans Pass direction although this proved to be not quite so straight forward in the mist. Mid afternoon we returned to Oamaru via the Wrinkly Ram. A great social weekend.
Karyl, Bess, Chris, Maurice, Phyllis, Mark, Neville, Jane, Graham and Roz.
Swampy Summit
Sunday 11th June.
With Winter temperatures on hold, it was a nice day for taking in the fantastic views and the outstanding colours and varieties of the bush. All this in a few hours easy walk from the car park at the top of the Northern Dunedin motorway. Leaving the park at 9:30am and with a short walk down Waitati Road to the beginning of the Pipeline Track, which we followed, we viewed some great examples of tree fuchsia along the way.
Rustlers Ridge Track follows on from the end of the Pipeline, climbing a steady gradient to a lookout open point, where we had a smoko break. The first of many views of the surrounding countryside was to be had including Silver Peak, Rocky Ridge and the Gap. On the move again we soon came to the fourway junction with lots of options. We decided to continue on the Rustlers Ridge Track leading up to Swampy Road, arriving to take in more expansive views including Mosgiel, Taieri Plains and further West to Central Otago. With a cool breeze at our backs an easy walk along the road followed, observing the many structures on the way, one of which was a fog/mist moisture measuring device. Lunch spot was on the sheltered side of a building beside the road. From here new views emerged of Dunedin and the coastline, while further along the road we connected with the Swampy Spur and Leith Saddle Tracks. Another viewpoint from Trig S provided yet more land marks, Mopanui, Orokanui and Blueskin Bay. Finally the last section of track is gravelled and bordered giving us time to take in this truly wonderful stand of native flora and also several New Zealand cedar trees. A pleasant surprise near the end of the track awaited as we met up with fellow club members, Rodney and Helen who had come up from Dunedin to check on us. After a debrief with them we set off homeward bound stopping for the mandatory ice cream on the way.
This was an easy 5hour walk for Bill, John, Mark, Bronwyn, Maurice and Phyllis.
Club Night June 2017
Recent day tramps included: Mt Obi from the Pigroot and on top there were great views of Mt Cook. Little Mt Peel presented itself on a cloudless, sunny day with frozen tracks so there were some slippery moments. On top, views of many Canterbury mountains and large irrigation ponds below. Last weekend, the club went to Swampy Summit via the Pipeline Track and its lush native glory, then on to Rustlers Ridge and up to Swampy Summit. Wednesday Walkers went to Dome Hills, Livingstone and a wander around the Tokarahi Golf Course, Elephant Hill and Island Cliff. About 18 months ago, trees were planted at Gard’s Road in association with DOC, so WW also spent a day on maintenance here. Upcoming trips include a winter social weekend at Twizel and Bethune’s Gully to Sawyers Bay.
Michael Sandri was our Guest Speaker for the evening and he inspired us with a recount of his experience competing in the 2016 Grand to Grand Ultra Adventure Race in the Grand Canyon. From this gruelling event, Michael decided that a similar event could be held here, where competitors feel welcomed by the Oamaru community. In return, Oamaru will benefit economically. With the financial support of local businesses, the Alps2Ocean Ultra will be held in February 2018. The 133 competitors from 14 different countries will complete the 316km in 7 stages finishing in Oamaru.
Little Mt Peel
21st May 2017
The stars were still out when 9 keen trampers arrived at the car park by 7.am. With a 2 hour drive we didn’t linger and were on the road shortly after 7am.
When we arrived at the Blandswood carpark it was very cool but was a beautiful day and stayed that way all day.
We were soon on our way up the road listening to the birds singing in the bush. We soon left the road and headed up Deer spur which we followed all the way to the top. The track is well worn and marked by poles. Care had to be taken on the track as there were patches of ice and snow. Some of the board walks were very slippery and we chose to walk in the scrub.
A late smoko or early lunch was had in the sun on the track about 11 ish. We were on the top by 12.15am. We had the most wonderful 360 views of Mt Somers, Mt Hutt and across the Canterbury plains to the coast and to the west the snow capped Mts. After a photo session we headed down to the Tristam Harper Memorial shelter for our second lunch ! There was a cool breeze and we soon cooled down so every one was keen to head back down.
Not knowing the condition of the South Ridge Track we returned the way we came up. The trip down, especially the top section was slow because of the icy conditions. We arrived back at the cars at 4.00pm.
After a quick change we headed to Geraldine for icecreams and then home.
A great day was had by all. Thanks to Phyllis,Maurice,Anna,Neville,Bill,John,Sylvia, Uwe and Bron.
Mount Obi
14 May 2017
Six of us met in town on a fine Sunday morning all looking for a good day out. We picked up one more in Herbert on the way and meet another two in Palmerston. The nine of us then headed into the Pigroot to park in the rest area by the Pigroot creek bridge. It was then on with the day packs and up the creek for about 2km till we came to a 4WD track and our first 600m climb. We then zig-zagged our way up this track for about 1 and half hours to point 1125m on the map. We then headed along the tops in a easterly direction with a we bit of up and down till the track climbed up about 200m to meet the main track that comes up from Shingly Creek Rd. It was then the final climb of about 150m to the top of Obi, getting there about 12.15pm. Lunch was had by the communication tower building getting out of the cold breeze. We had 360 degree views along the coast, up the Pigroot, all the peaks of Kakanui Mountains through to Mt Cook and Tasman. After lunch we headed back down the main track for about 3km till we came to a junction in the track. We turned right and took the track and headed in a westerly direction slowly descending back down to meet up with Siberia Creek. It was then down Siberia Creek pushing our way through a bit of scrub till it opened back out to flat paddocks and soon we were back at the vehicles.
Thanks to Bron, Phyllis, Maurice, John, Rodney, Helen and our newbie’s Jim and Carolynfor their company for the day.
I would also like to thank the Farmers for giving us access to their land to do this trip.
Neville
