Kakahu Bush
Sunday, 6th September
Arriving at Kakahu Bush at 10am, the historical lime kiln presented itself boldly. Made of stacked stone, approximately 20 metres high, of a cylinder shape and built in 1876. This area is rich in limestone and also coal which together are used in the kiln to produce burnt lime. Coal and limestone are alternately layered and at 1000 degrees, the calcium carbonate is driven off and the remainder is calcium oxide, useful for agricultural lime. This kiln was used until 1900. We set off and soon were at the Pinnacles Look out which was a 10 minute side trip. We stopped for lunch on top of the Pinnacles with fantastic views of South Canterbury. On to the next stop which was the Balancing Rock hidden amongst large trees growing up the side of the cliff face. After this walk, there is a 10 minute Escarpment Track which is worth the stop. Also Waitohi Reserve is an old track, being amongst a Podocarp forest, so we had a 20 minute walk here but there is a 60 minute option also.
Thanks to Linda, Bill and John for the company. Bess
Cape Wanbrow & Beach Walk
In dull overcast conditions five members left the Medway Street carpark on foot, crossing under the Thames Street bridge, following the track by the steampunk headquarters and along to the end of Test Street. We then made our way up through the recently felled Cape Wanbrow forrest on various tracks, some bike trails and down to meet up with Graves Track. As low tide was timed for 9.30am, we didn’t waste too much time walking along the beach to the bluffs before Bushey Beach, passing several fur seals on the way. A light mist had started to fall as we picked our way around the rock pools without getting our feet too wet to reach Bushey Beach. More seals were present among the rocks and we also watched one swimming out to sea. Two pairs of oyster catchers were foraging along the tideline. The hide made a welcome stop for an early lunch. After retreating along the tops, we arrived back at the gun emplacements and after exploring the old lighthouse and forts we walked to Lookout Point and emerged onto Test Street once again. From there we strolled along the beachfront to a shelter at the playground where we had another lunch. The weather had improved as we explored the shops in Harbour Street. After admiring the engine at the steampunk headquarters, John set off the flames and steam, much to our amusement as we watched the reactions of some visitors. The walk ended after stepping across some concrete filled buckets which took us across Oamaru creek and back to the cars at 2pm.
Thanks to John, Linda, Bryce and Maurice for your company on a pleasant Sunday walk.
Phyllis
Mt Te Kohurau
Sunday 23rd August 2015
Early start at 7am with 10 on the trip, Robbie, Maurice, Ross, John, Jane, Jane, Rodney & Helen, Tim & Noel. It was great to have Rodney & Helen Meiklejohn travel up from Dunedin and Tim met the troops at Kurow.
We lset out from the bottom gate at the Ski Field in perfect conditions. We followed the ridge all the way to the top and when approaching the snow, Jane Green and Helen tried crampons for the first time. Unfortunately the snow was very soft but they learned to walk in crampons in soft snow and across rocks. The views of Mt Cook and Aspiring were very clear, not a cloud in the sky. We had lunch at the top whilst taking in the views. We returned via the same route back to the cars. Some chose to stop at Kurow for icecreams. A great day had by all.
Noel
Summit of Mt TeKohurau
Clubnight August 2015
With a combined group from NOTMC and North Otago Search and Rescue, our guest speaker was David Ellis from Earth Sea Sky, outdoor performance clothing specialists. Ephraim Ellis, David’s Great Great Grandfather worked for the Kaikorai Valley Woollen Mills and from there his son Arthur formed Arthur Ellis Ltd in 1913. They manufactured mattresses followed with bedding and Arthurs’s son Roland Ellis was first to manufacture sleeping bags and these Fairydown sleeping bags became world famous thanks to Ed Hillary’s Mt Everest expedition and the 1958 South Pole expedition in 1958. Murray Ellis, an engineer, was a member of the South Pole expedition. David Ellis and his wife Jane established Earth Sea Sky 25 years ago and they concentrate on the design and marketing of their clothing and contract out the production to four NZ firms. They are driven to make the best performance outdoor clothing therefore comfort, warmth and protection are the key elements in their layering theory. For comfort, clothing needs to be dry so any skin moisture needs to be absorbed by the first layer of clothing and readily evaporate, Bi-component Polyester is ideal. The second layer is the heat trapping layer and Polarfleece is ideal because it releases moisture quickly. However Polarfleece is not wind proof or waterproof so the third layer needs to have this function therefore the jacket acts as the protection layer. Earth Sea Sky supplies clothing to Antarctica scientists and support crews, Westpac Rescue Teams, DOC and the NZ Police Peacekeeping Force in the Pacific Islands.
Mt. Parker
Sunday 2nd August 2015
It was cool and fine and stayed that way for the walk. As we approached Glenavy we thought we were in for a Leidecker View Day, as we encountered fog, but it turned out to be short lived.
We left the Mount Parker yard at 9 am. and headed on up the Hill. There was a VERY SHORT DEBATE about taking the 4 wheel drive track or straight up a quite steep hill, the steep hill won! At the top good views were to be had of the Waitaki River, Valley and the Mountains. After morning tea in the tussocks, we headed down, going north to the valley floor and muster’s hut, where we had an early lunch at 11.30.
There was a lot of evidence of a successful pest kill with many remains of wallaby about. We never saw a live one all day, which was good.
From the hut we made our way to Penticotico Stream where we decided to go down it rather than taking the 4 wheel drive track. With many river crossings and a bit of bush bashing we made our way down stream where there was some Kowhai in flower and we also found Clematis afoliata (not in flower).
We came down steam a bit too far and had to do a couple of manoeuvres to get back on track and reached the yard about 3.30 ish.
There were a few of us who hadn’t been in this neck of the hills , so it was good to see new country. As usual we had a lot of laughs and thanks to Neville for organising the Trip. Many thanks also go the land owners for allowing us onto their properties. Neville, Linda, Jane, Noel, Robbie, John & Bronwyn,
P.S. A fashion statement has been set for the male trampers, so the rest of you need to up your anti in the HAT department!!!
