Mt. David
Sunday, 6 December 2015
The day dawned fine, after a wet Saturday evening which had left a dusting of snow on the mountains, with a light south-westerly breeze promising to keep temperatures down. Two cars took just over an hour to ferry the seven trampers the 68km to the sign-posted turnoff from the Danseys Pass road to the top end of the Otekaieke Bridle Track. They parked by the locked gate a few hundred metres down the side road and set off on foot at about 9.20am.
The route took them across the Danseys Stream, over a paddock, past some sheep yards and down across the shallow Otekaieke River on to a 4wd track which climbed up into a valley and then forked northwards towards Mt David. Half an hour or so up the gently climbing track, the group paused for a snack and to consider options. The choice was to go up a fence line on the south-western corner of the mountain, or stay on the track, climb further to the west, and head up one of the scree-filled guts. The second option was chosen and, after climbing further on the track, they headed up the steepening slope clad in snow-rimed tussock towards a gut which promised to take them steeply, but directly to the top ridge.
It didn’t. When it became unclimbable, they clambered over or around a rocky spur to the next scree-filled gut to scramble up until it too ran out, and so on, and on – initially working around to the west and then back to the south. Finally, about 3 hours after leaving the cars, they reached the top ridge at point 1366m, paused to catch breath, and then walked for another twenty minutes to the 1412m summit, marked by a large cylindrical stone cairn. The 3600 views were stunning. Immediately to the north, the Dometts loomed with Grayson, Cone and Mt Kyeburn to the west. Further west, the Danseys Pass road could be seen snaking up the valley, flanked to the south by the snow-capped Kakanuis. Further south, Mt Dasher and the elusive Kattothyrst marked the area some of them had tramped the previous weekend. Then the long ridge of the Ben Lomonds blocked the view of the North Otago downlands, though Cape Wanbrow and the Weston escarpment could be seen. The panorama was completed by the familiar shape of Otekaieke Hill and the track down it to the Boundary Hut.
After lunch, the group struck out north-west along the top ridge, meeting up after about 2km with a 4wd track which led to a saddle and then descended to the east and south-, initially following Jacksons Creek. Some 3km down from the saddle, the track crossed the creek and headed south-west along a valley which ran parallel to and north of the Otekaieke River and Bridle Track. This track frustratingly dropped into and climbed out of a succession of side gullies but compensated by offering changing perspectives on the south side of Mt David. Finally, the Otekaieke River and the flats were re-crossed and the cars reached, 3 ½ hours after leaving the summit and 7 ½ hours after setting off; a longish day but a satisfying one as some had not climbed Mt David before, and others not for some time. It was enjoyed by Linda, Bill, Neville, Phyllis, Maurice, Jane and John.
Mitchells Hut – Mt. Dasher
Sunday the 29th November 2015
This was meant to be a weekend trip but with only two of us able to make it for the weekend and the weather being a mix bag it was decided to make it a day trip.
Eight of us turned up for an early 7am start on the Sunday. It was off out to Mt Dasher Station up the gravel road past Scout Hut and on to a rough 4WD track to Mitchells Hut arriving at about 8.30am. The weather was cool but clear so it was on with our day packs.
First we checked out Mitchells hut which has just been done up a bit with it only being a four bunk hut now. It was then off up the 4WD track under the rocky Siberia Hill for about 2km until Mt Dasher and Kattothryst came into view.
We then left the track and headed towards Mt Dasher over a big flat tussock area. With the tussock around knee height and Volcanic rocks hiding in the tussock it was hard to find a good animal track to walk on. After about 3km we were at the base of Mt Dasher and after about a 200m climb we were on top at 11.15 am.
The top of Dasher is all volcanic rocks but we had good views down the Pig Root, Kattothryst, Siberia Hill and Mt Obi. All the other high peaks had cloud around them and some low cloud was starting to build in behind us so we decided to head for Half Moon hut for lunch while we still had some clear skies.
Half Moon Hut is a small 6 bunk tin hut but was a good place to have lunch. The low cloud came in with a light shower and then it cleared again. After lunch we headed off back over the flat, rocky, tussock area hoping to have time to climb Kattothryst, but soon the low cloud and drizzle came back in with visibility down to about 20m and we couldn’t see Kattothryst.
I had taken a few way points on my GPS in the morning so they came in handy in finding our way back to the 4wd track. Once on the 4WD track John said there was a volcanic vent crater just off the track a bit further up, so off we set to look for it in the fog and after about half an hour we did find it. It was then back to Mitchells hut and the vehicles.
With all the drizzle the 4wd track was quite greasy and the 4WDs did a lot of slipping and sliding on the way out. At one point Robbie had to stop this vehicle to do the cramp walk around the truck. We were soon out and home by 5pm so thanks to; Ross, Linda, John, Robbie, Uwe, Sylvia and Jen for making it a good day on the hills. Neville.
Broderick Pass, Labour Weekend 2015
After initially having 7 people interested in this weekends trip to Broderick Pass near the head of the North Huxley River this was whittled down to 4 of us in the end. The weather forecast was a bit of a mixed bag so the expectations for the trip were by necessity flexible and we were equipped with tents and snow gear for a possible ascend to the Broderick Pass. However after driving in to Monument Hut on Friday night and spending a relaxed night there it was decided in the morning to leave the tents in the truck which then confined our options to staying in a hut.
A pleasant walk to the Huxley Forks Hut on Saturday morning, marred only by some clambering around wind-fallen trees on the Hopkins section, saw us arriving at Huxley Forks by 11am for an early lunch. The Hut-book indicated at least 3 people already at the Broderick Hut so it was decided to flag going up there to stay and we called the Forks Hut home for the next 2 nights.
After the early lunch, 3 of us set out for a walk up the South Huxley with the idea that we might get to the South Huxley Hut. Two others accompanied us but were quicker and ended up overtaking us. The South Huxley is quite a wild place and great views of the surrounding peaks were had including Rabbiter’s Peak and looking back the Broderick Pass with it’s surrounding peaks. We ran out of time to reach the hut and had a pleasant break on a sunny flat and returned to the Forks Hut by about 5pm. Phyllis had stayed behind and reported that another group of 4 had gone to Broderick, vindicating our decision to stay.
A pleasant night was had but sleep was hard to come by in the updated and insulated hut after the fire did its job even though outside temperatures were low with a chilly SW wind. The hut has been relined on the outside and has a new roof but the porch has been changed to the opposite side of where it used to be which puts it on the cold and windy side ensuring no shelter when it rains. New aluminium joinery completes the upgrade leaving the inside as it was more or less.
The following morning was bleak and blustery with overcast cold conditions which meant that any thoughts of reaching the top of Broderick Pass were shelved and we contented ourselves with just a walk up to the hut and a bit beyond and this was what we did. The erosion on the true right of the North Branch is stunning and involved climbing great heights to get over slips and dodging overhangs and rocks that could shift at any time. Truly a moving landscape and a very fragile one. We had another early lunch at Broderick Hut and went on to the start of the ascent to the Pass before turning back for the Forks. Another 5pm finish and another pleasant night with another 2 joining us in the hut making it too warm again for easy sleep. The day had gradually cleared and the evening provided a spectacular light show on the Naumann Range.
Monday was fine but the forecast was for rain after lunch, so it was just a straightforward walk back to the truck at Monument Hut choosing the walk down the riverbed in preference to the high track. The rain didn’t happen but it wouldn’t take much rain to make the 4WD track impassible, some of the sections are very boggy again. So after an icecream stop in Kurow we were back home quite early. This was a pleasant trip with good company in a fantastic place. Thanks to John, Maurice and Phyllis. Robbie
Club Night October 2015
12th October 2015
With warmer weather recently, many walks were completed by the Wednesday Walkers, including Station Peak, Altavady Farm up to Stoney Ridge and Kurinui via Big Kuri Creek. The NOTMC trips included a big turnout for the A2O Bike Ride from Duntroon to Oamaru and a windy Devil’s Elbow.
Dave Mellish, a member of the club, gave an interesting talk about his trip to Singapore, Cambodia and Vietnam. Singapore, a clean city, free from political corruption makes it unique. In Cambodia, Dave visited the Angkor Wot Temple which is virtually a square mile of rock. There are many Temples in Cambodia which are built in memory of past Kings. A trip on the Mekong Delta was an interesting experience. A visit to the Khmer Rouge Monument in Cambodia and the Vietnam War Museum subdued their trip however it was a huge part of their history. The locals in Vietnam did not have ill feeling towards New Zealanders from the Vietnam War, because tourism is now a part of Vietnam’s economy. Dave’s party hired a boat from Hanoi for two days and visited Halong Bay and Sung Sat Cave which is similar to Waitomo Caves . They went trekking in the Sapa area in which they saw Rice fields. Two local women followed them for the entire trip knowing that they would be able to sell them embroidered silk clothes and wall hangings.
Club Night September 2015
A number of walks were completed by the Wednesday Walkers including Teanaraki Escarpment, Seacliff Split Rock, Ben Lomond Ridge, Tapui Farm and Timaru Inland Walkway.
Club members enjoyed climbing Te Kohurau, walking Oamaru Cape and beach, plus Kakahu Bush.
Neville Corry, club member, talked about his recent tramps to the Heaphy Track and Abel Tasman Track. He was joined by several other club members and friends. The Heaphy Track is a 78km, 4 day tramp. On the first day they reached Perry Saddle Hut and Neville and Rex climbed Mt Perry. Next day was 28km to McKay Hut, then to Heaphy Hut. All huts on this track had been renewed since 2010.
The Abel Tasman track and the Inland Track is 100km. First day was to Anchorage Hut, second day to Awaroa Hut Inlet. Third day took in bush and bays including Separation Point which separates Golden Bay and Tasman Bay. DOC is trying to establish a gannet colony on Separation Point so they have “dummy” gannets with recorded sounds to attract gannets. Third night was at Wharewharangi Hut and fourth day was to tramp to Pigeon Saddle. They then completed the Inland Track. Abel Tasman Track meanders through native bush and into many bays.