Getting Out There – Devils Elbow, 19th October 2014
Lunch on Round Knob, Mt Miserable behind
Thirteen trampers left from the parking area on Tulliemet Road and set off up the track in cool (6 deg C) but fine weather. Obi and Siberia were in cloud , but otherwise visibility was fine. After the short climb, the track led across the rolling tussock-clad tops in a south-easterly direction. After an hour or so a trig came into sight and a branch of the track led off to the west to the Devil’s Elbow itself. Time was taken there for a snack and to admire the views in all directions (except Obi), particularly those down into the steep valleys of the Waianakarua North Branch and its tributaries, and the rugged rocky outcrops all around.
The trampers then backtracked to the main track and followed it down to a boundary fence and then up and down along a spur which, after another half hour, took them up to the Round Knob. The sun was out, air temperature rising and, with the shelter of the rocky knob, comfortable spots were occupied for a relaxed lunch.
The return trip followed the track out through tussocks whose colours were changing with the sunlight. By now conditions were warmer with the temperature in double figures and the cloud had cleared from Obi to complete the vista. The cars were reached by 2 o’clock. This easy introduction to North Otago’s accessible high country was enjoyed by Noel, Theresa, Michael, Vanessa, Marcel, Bill, Jane G, Neville, Melvin, Roz, Jac, Jane M and John. Thanks to Hamish Patterson of Mt Stalker Station.
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Club Night October 2014
An evening to encourage prospective members to ‘give tramping a go’ was full of helpful information and it was good to welcome some visitors. Member John, told us why he’d taken up tramping and shared photos of some wonderful locations which are ‘right on our back door’. Other members gave practical advice on boots, packs, parkas, food, clothing (with Neville doing a spot of stripping! )and first aid. Being properly equipped is vital, as photos of a recent trip to the Hump Ridge Track so clearly reinforced. Club members are always willing to share helpful tips with newcomers.
Wednesday Walkers have been busy exploring various parts of Otago. The walk from Doctors Point, through magnificent coastal caves to Mapoutahi Pa and Osbourne, then up the hill to Mopanui was a delight. Other walks were from South Peak to Pigeon Bush, Table Top from the One Tree Ridge block and Studholme Bush in the Waimate Gorge and on up to the White Horse. A Waimate icecream before heading home is always a highlight.
It was good to travel over the new Kurow bridge to the Hakataramea Valley from where the group met the Hakataramea River at the end of Hatcheries Road and followed the river gorge back to Highway 82 before continuing up Old Slip Road.
NOTMC trips included a day on the Milleneum Track following the Taieri River for 2½ hours between Taieri Mouth and Henley (and return), and a weekend on the Hump Ridge Track, where nine members encountered blizzard conditions, water taps frozen and temperatures below zero. Prospective members – DO NOT be put off!
Hump Ridge Track, 2nd October 2014
With bad weather forecast for the next few days, I had my doubts about embarking on a trip to Southland to walk the Hump Ridge Track. However after picking up our fellow trampers, nine of us set off for Tuatapere in a mini-van anticipating rain and snow over the next 3 days. First stop was in Gore for tea and then we carried on to our accommodation at Tuatapere, arriving in daylight. The host was very helpful and gave us three rooms so none of us had to climb up to top bunks. [The climbing was still to come]. Some went and explored the township in between rain showers while others played table tennis and watched television, before retiring to bed.
The next morning was cool and overcast with the odd shower as we drove 20kms to the Rarakau Farm carpark. With parkas on, we set off walking at 8am, firstly through bush for half an hour and then down a long set of steps leading to Bluecliffs Beach in Te Waewae Bay. The track then crossed the Waikoau River on a swing-bridge past some cribs and on to a 4wheel-drive track, punctuated with puddles until we reached the beach. It made pleasant walking, but at times we were forced to scramble up onto stones to avoid the incoming waves. After an early lunch on the veranda of a hut, we crossed the Track Burn stream and walked in bush until the turn-off to the Okaka Hut at Flat Creek. It started with an easy amble through the forest until forty minutes of continuous boardwalk followed. As the terrain became steeper, we were pelted with several hail storms, but the hail-stones were small and dry so just bounced off our parkas. White patches like small polystyrene balls appeared on the ground. A shelter at Water Bridge was a welcome sight where we sat inside and had another lunch as several more hail storms passed through. The bridge across the stream was well-named as there was a billy tied onto a rope which could be lowered deep down for the last chance of getting water before the Okaka Hut, 9kms away.
The gradient became a lot steeper and the hail on the ground had turned into snow. From Stag Point we had views back down to Te Waewae Bay and also to the Hut. After leaving the sheltered bush, we were buffeted by strong wind gusts on the tops, sometimes almost getting blown off the boardwalk. The snow became deeper as we climbed, arriving at the hut at mid-afternoon. Snow had to be cleared before opening the door to the bunkrooms. The taps were frozen so Maurice and Noel climbed onto the tank stand and bailed out water to use for cooking and drinking. Because there was no gas or heating, we all put on extra layers of dry clothing and welcomed a hot brew in the kitchen in which the temperature was -1.6 degrees. It did rise to 5degrees after the cookers warmed it up.
We were joined by 4 other trampers for the night. A game of UNO kept us entertained with Neville coming out the winner, meanwhile the temperature outside remained in the minus’s. A loud clap of thunder and a spectacular flash of lightening startled us all, but fortunately that was to be the only one. With extra clothing on, we slid into our sleeping bags and hoped for good weather the next day. More snow fell during the night, but no rain. As it was murky and windy in the morning, we decided not to walk the loop around the tarns, instead leaving at 8:30am we backtracked for 30 minutes to the turn-off to Port Craig. Boardwalk and steps up and down took us to Luncheon Rock where we got views through the parting cloud of Te Waewae Bay, Lake Poteriteri and a viaduct. An early lunch was taken in the shelter before descending through the podocarp and silver beech forest to the junction with the tramline at Edwin Burn Viaduct. After following the tramline we reached Percyburn Viaduct which was closed due to restoration work. A detour took us down steep steps, across a bridge and a climb up the other side, while viewing the underside of Percyburn some 36metres above us. Second lunch was taken on the veranda of the Percyburn Restoration Trust Hut before a long walk on the tramline to Port Craig Hut where we arrived at mid-afternoon. With the luxury of running water at 2 sinks and an efficient log fire we were soon relaxing in the old converted school. Later we took a tour around the remaining relics and out to the remains of the old wharf at the Port Craig Town. On-site interpretation panels enabled us to get an insight of how the timber was milled, handled and shipped out between 1916 and 1928.
The ports, whiskeys and homemade brews came out before tea and then we played UNO once again with Dave winning this time.
Just after 7am on Sunday we departed Port Craig and followed a well graded track to walk the 17kms to the car park. The day was fine and parkas were stashed away in the packs. At times we got glimpses of Stewart Island and the beach as we made our way through the forest up on terraces.
A few quick dashes around headlands to dodge the incoming waves took us to Blowholes Beach for morning tea, Track Burn for lunch and then back to the car park, arriving at 12:30pm.
With a change of clothes and lots of stretching, we were on our way home, stopping at Winton, Clinton and Hampden where we had fish and chips and paua patties for tea.
Although it was cold at Okaka Hut, we had survived a tramp in hail, snow, wind and sunshine, with beautiful scenery and great company.
Thanks to Bronwyn, Jane, Noel, Dave, Murray, Neville, John and Maurice..
Phyllis
Trotters Gorge-Pigeon Bush
7.9.14
Twelve of us met up at the car park on a fine spring morning all looking for a good day out. We were meant to go to Meyer but with them lambing a bit early, I had to change my plans so it was off to one of my local favourite hiking spots. We all headed off down to the Trotters Gorge Reserve car park. It was on with our day packs and off up the track pass the Otago University hut and with several creek crossings we were able to keep our feet dry. We followed Trotters creek till we came to Vickers Hut where we stopped for a break before the climb up the hill. It was then off up the hill following a 4WD track up to the ridge at about 400m just below trig L. We then turned west and followed a track along the tops with great views of the coast and the surrounding hills. After about 2 km we went off track and sidled around a hill to take a short cut, but it might have ended up as the long way around but we were soon on the 4WD track again. The track then turned to the north and we went past the spot there we usually drop down to chinaman cave. We soon dropped down to a small creek with a sign saying Christmas creek (I think the farmer has named it) and this was where we had lunch. After lunch it was a short climb up and over a hill and then we dropped down into Pigeon Bush. As we came down into Pigeon Bush the birds gave us a big welcome with their song and the Kowhai trees were just starting to flower. We then followed Pigeon creek down through the bush on a good track for a start, but as we got down to the creek further on the track came to an end and we had to find our way through the bush in a bit of a gorge for about a 1 km. We finally came across some animal tracks which were a bit muddy in places, but soon we were out in the open again. It was then down a track and soon we met up with Trotters creek again and back down pass the University hut to the cars. The whole trip took about 7 hours and with the weather being great all day and the great company it was a very enjoyable trip. There is so much hiking to do in this area.
Thanks to Noel, Dave, Bev, Linda, Jo, Maurice, Phyllis, Theresia, Marcel, John and Jane for a very enjoyable day. – Neville
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September Club Meeting Report
North Otago Tramping and Mountaineering Club September Report Our meeting this month began with special wishes to a member who’s recently celebrated her 90th birthday! Wednesday Walkers have had great walks to Mt Parker and Mt Miserable, Island Cliff and a farm walk at The Hayes in the Hakataramea Valley. Club trips have been in the Silver Peaks area on the Yellow Ridge track, and to Christmas Creek from Trotters Gorge where the kowhai was in flower and the bird song a treat. A bike ride to Mt Charles, then via Kuriheka to Mt Stalker, saw members clock up 72 km and a few tired leg muscles. Guest speaker, Craig McMillan of Heliventures NZ Ltd, gave a most interesting account of his work as a helicopter pilot. This included a period in the Yukon, Canada, flying in fuel and supplies to remote areas (sometimes 150km from the nearest road) where small camps had been set up to do investigative drilling for minerals. On his return to New Zealand, Craig was contracted to help in the aftermath of the Pike River Mine tragedy, flying police and officials in, and gas samples out. He has since purchased his own helicopter and formed his own company, complementing agricultural spraying with recreational work, such as flying mountain bikes and riders to the top of peaks for the thrill of the downhill journey. A second helicopter has now been purchased and both will be housed in a new hanger being built at Oamaru Airport. We wish Craig and his business every success. If you’ve always wanted to ‘have a go’ at tramping, next months meeting on 13 October is for you! Members will share their knowledge of ‘what you need’ and the following Sunday there will be an easy walk for those interested to put their new knowledge into practise.