Mount Difficulty
Sunday 28 August 2016
The promised fine weather window developed after some heavy rain earlier in the week. Six trampers from Oamaru drove the 35km to The Dasher , meeting up with Rodney and Helen on the way. We were met and briefed by the runholder, Grant McNaughton and set off west just on 9 o’clock. The initial stage took us across country on farm tracks, then down a steep tussock ridge to the Kauru River at its junction with Hughie Stream. On the way down we heard the barking of hunters’ dogs further up the Kauru valley. The Kauru River at this point runs through a deep, steep-sided valley – almost a gorge – heading in a straightish north-easterly line towards Kauru Hill along what is clearly a geological fault.
It was now 10.30 so the riverside seemed a good spot for smoko. The next stage was a steep climb up a zig-zag, followed by alternating flatter stretches and further climbs which, an hour later, brought us out on to the plateau surrounding Mount Difficulty on the west and north. Looking across the many-headed Hughie Stream we could see Mount Hut by a lone pine tree sitting in a shallow saddle below Mount Difficulty. The hut looked like the perfect lunch destination but, the further we went, the further away it seemed to get. Eventually, after traversing up and down around the Hughie headwaters, we reached the hut four hours after the off. It was indeed an excellent lunch venue – cosy but with seats for all and the luxury of an open-air dunny to boot.
At 1.30 we set off on the gentle, half-hour climb across tussock and rocks to the top of Mount Difficulty. Time for photos and taking in the 3600 panorama from an unfamiliar viewpoint, and we started down off the east end of the hill towards a track and fenceline we could see below. The track took us back down to the Kauru River which we crossed easily an hour after leaving the top. There we had a choice: the traditional route up Mackerras Creek or a shorter but much steeper track up a spur east of the creek which would take us more or less directly back to the cars. We opted for the creek – it promised to be easier going (we had plenty of time) and we could go past the historic slate quarry (mined by the Otago Slate Company in the late 1800s to supply roofing material for the burgeoning city of Dunedin). Another hour’s steady climb took us to the top of the valley to complete our circuit and, after another fifteen minutes, we were back at the cars by 4.30.
The total trip was just on 21km and took 7½ hours, about 6½ hours of which was on the move. We had climbed (and descended) over 1000 metres. Although most of us had been to Mount Difficulty before, the route we had taken was new to all of us. An excellent day, with fine weather, great views and a good workout for Jane, Anna, Helen, Rodney, Neville, Ross, Sam and John. Thanks to Grant and Charlotte McNaughton for their hospitality.
Mt. Somers
20th-21st August 2016
A weekend to Mt Somers/Pinnacles Hut in fine weather was a much more attractive option than the scheduled trip two weeks previously which was postponed
A party of nine with some new faces met at North Oamaru and set off at 8.15am heading for the Staveley entrance to the Mt Somers Track.
Many cars greeted us at the carpark and there was some doubt as to whether we would all get a bed at the Pinnacles Hut for the night.
With heavy packs loaded with great desserts for our pot-luck feast the party split into two groups, the main one taking the walkway valley track while Uwe, Jane M and Maurice ventured along the South Face and up to the Mt Somers summit
.For the main party a snack was taken on Duke Knob before descending to the Bowyers Stream where progress on the well used trail was much slower because of compacted snow which made conditions very slippery in places.
.Meanwhile, the summit party had donned crampons and reached the peak to take in the perfect views all around. Radio contact was made between each other to make sure all was well and after about 1km of plodding in deep soft snow the summit party located the cairn indicating the place to descend a steep face with bluffs and gullies to connect with the walking track on a saddle above the Pinnacles Hut.
The main party were now installed in the hut and had it to themselves.With some help from Robbie and Phyllis back up on a saddle some advice was offered via radio on the best route down for the summit party who eventually arrived at the hut ready for a hot brew. John and Neville had the fire going which made for a very comfortable time as we prepared dinner and produced the special pot-luck desserts.
A great variety was forthcoming with cheesecakes,marshmallows dipped in chocolate,custard sponges dried apricots, chocolate coated ginger,a mixture of cranberries,crushed meringues and cream,chocolate coated rum treats from Germany complete with candles, a bottle of port and last but not least John’s speciality, a can of cream which seemed to get sprayed on most things edible.
With much hilarity and bulging stomachs we bedded down for the night.
On Sunday, Uwe, Fiona and Maurice left to go back out to the Staveley carpark and drove around to the Woolshed Creek carpark to pick up the rest of the group which had walked through from the Pinnacles Hut via Woolshed Creek Hut and the Miners Track.
Snowy conditions both ways made for a cautious walk with a few slips and face-plants but all arriving safely.
With an ice-cream/coffee stop in Geraldine we arrived back in Oamaru mid afternoon after an enjoyable weekend in the company of John, Jane M, Jane G, Neville, Robbie, Fiona, Uwe, Phyllis and Maurice.
Mt Trotter and Mt McKenzie
17th July 2016
After meeting the five Otago Tramping and Mountaineering Club members plus Helen and Rodney at the turnoff south of Palmerston, we continued up Mt Trotter Rd, through the locked gate and parked at the Woolshed. Introductions were made between OTMC and NOTMC members and then off to a good start and up the east side of Mt Trotter. We grouped together at the top and at this stage, two of the OTMC members chose to return to Dunedin as they did not want to miss an astronomical talk. The remaining 22 went down the south side of Mt Trotter and then heading west along the fenceline to another fenceline which goes south east down the ridge. The party spread out and some were half way up Mt McKenzie before the others had arrived. Everyone reached the top of McKenzie by 12pm which is where we enjoyed lunch out of the cold south westerly. Brent told us the story of when he worked on the farm and on his motorbike he rode up Mt McKenzie – he came down too – not as intended. So after lunch, over the top and down the south side and around to the east where the columnar volcanic rock displays itself – it is quite unusual. At the bottom of McKenzie, we followed a 4WD track back to the pine trees and then on a lower terrace it continued back to the vehicles at the woolshed. We stopped at Hampden for an ice cream and a chance meeting with Bill and Pat, before heading home.
Many thanks to those who braved the cold wind and rain.
Peter, Leonie, Lucy, Nathan and Christine from OTMC; Helen and Rodney, Linda, Jac, Ros, Sylvia, Ewe, Els, Jane, John, Phyllis, Maurice, Robbie, Noel, Bronwyn, Brent, Maria, Dean and Bess
Club Night July 2016
There were two safety notices.
Blakely Pacific are Harvesting trees in the Herbert Forest. While not directly near walking tracks care still needs to be taken on their roads.
DOC are undertaking possum control in the Lake Ohau area.
Trip reports:
Wednesday Walkers had four walks over the last month. A circuit to Douglas Rock on Dome Hills Station, the Black Cap – Scout Hill circuit, the Weston escarpment circuit, and a farm walk near Baghdad Rd.
The tramping Club had no trips that actually went so we heard about a members walk on the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Planned Club trips are to Mts. McKenzie & Trotter, a bike ride in the Kakanui area, and an overnight trip to Mt. Summers. More details are on the NOTMC website.
Our guest speaker was local botanist Hugh Wood who gave a talk and showed slides about the flora and fauna from the Southern Ocean to the Mountain tops of the Mount Cook National Park.
He started off at the Auckland Islands where the Hooker sea lions are affected by canine distemper with only 25% of 1994 numbers left. We also saw yellow eyed penguins, gentians that are purple, and mega herbs whose leaves are designed to act like solar panels and collect mist droplets for their roots.
Then it was to the Chatham Islands featuring the Chatham Island Forget-me- not, to the Waipapa Point gentians, Curio Bay fossilised trees, and Trotters Gorge limestone formations, Celmisia Hookeri and sun orchids.
The Waitaki Valley featured Clematis Afoliata near Georgetown, vegetable sheep on the Kirkliston Range, mountain dragon flies that used to be the size of seagulls in the Crustacean Period, buttercups on the Awakino Saddle, and native convolvulus on the Otematata Saddle.
The mistletoe at Lake Ohau is now growing on the matagouri thanks to DOCs possum control, but the bright pink flowers of the hebe, Swainsona novae-zelandiae on the Ben Ohau Range are being eaten by the hares.
Our most intelligent bird, the kea is declining in numbers, estimated to be between 1000 and 5000. It is hoped a more accurate count will be done soon.
Hugh’s slides showed the full colour of the native plants and mountain scenery and his wide ecological knowledge, memory of plant names and their distribution area here in our own back yard gave us a new perspective into the places we tramp.
The Hollyford 2016
Arriving in Te Anau in anticipation of good weather and a good tramp, we descended on the Te Anau Club for takeaways. We stayed at the Lakeview Holiday Park and the accommodation was fantastic.
Day 1: We arrived at the Hollyford road end approximately 10am and before starting, we did a short walk to the Humbolt Falls. En route to Alabaster Hut, we met several parties coming out and we also took in the Hidden Falls. The track is mainly through bush and six hours later we were at Alabaster Hut. The fire was on and beds available.
Day 2: We left the hut at 6.30am so were walking in the dark for about 1.5 hours. The track became much rougher after crossing the Pyke swingbridge. The 6 hours from Alabaster to Demon Trail Hut was an undulating rocky track with tree fall. We arrived at Demon Trail Hut at 12.30pm. As it was another 5-6 hours to Hokuri, it was decided to stay at Demon Trail Hut for the night. The sunny afternoon with Tomtits, Tuis, Fantails and an amazing view over Lake McKerrow gave everyone a well needed boost. The sandflies loved Bill. With the fire on in the hut, we all had an early night in anticipation of a big day the next day.
Day 3: On the track at 6.30am, we crossed several three wire bridges. The Rainbow Creek swingbridge had been damaged by tree fall, so we found an alternative route. The Demon Trail is a rocky undulating route which can get tiresome so everyone was glad to see Hokuri Hut. A brief lunch here and then the route took us down to Lake McKerrow and alongside the lake for two hours. We stopped in to see the Wilderness Homestay, Charlies Place, which is only open when they have bookings. The bath is outside and half filled with water and frozen over, however there is a copper to heat the water!
Further along Lake McKerrow, is Jamestown, a settlement where Hugh and Malcolm McKenzie grazed cattle and drove them to saleyards at Mossburn, 250km away. They sold out to Davey Gunn in 1926. We continued through bush and it opened out to grass flats, including the airstrip. Late afternoon, we arrived at Martins Bay, with Kate chopping wood. The NZ Fur Seals were lapping up the sunshine and having “playtime” together in a swimming hole. The tramp in had not been easy and so, there was a real sense of achievement for all of us. There had been blue skies, sunshine and no wind for the entire weekend – for Fiordland, this was unbelievable.
The helicopter flight to Milford Sound was brilliant. Tim’s brother, Nic gave Robbie and I a ride back to the vehicles at Hollyford road end, and after some car shuffling, we headed home.
Many Thanks for being such a resilient and fantastic group to go tramping with.
Robbie, Kate, Jen, Tim, Bronwyn, Bill, Jane and Bess
