TeAraroa Trail, Roundhill to Mesopotamia

After meeting at 7am at Weston, exchanging vehicles and bags of spare clotes etc, thirteen keen trampers left heading North, our group of seven turning off at Pareora on route to Tekapo and the other party of six to Mesopotamia. We arrived at the Tekapo township in time for a coffe break and then travelled up the Roundhill skifield road to a locked gate and carpark. With sunscreen, packs and boots on we walked three kms up the gravel road to the marked turnoff onto a snowgrassed terrace overlooking Coal River. Before descending to cross at the junction of Camp Stream we sat amongst the tussocks in sunshine and ate our lunch. Matagouri flats were navigated  upstream until another river crossing and a brief climb up a spur to arrive at the Camp Stream hut .With tents set up, we lounged in the afternoon sun and were soon joined by another couple from Christchurch who were walking part of the Te Araroa Trail in the opposite direction from us.

Friday promised more fine weather as we set off at 7.15am following a 4WD track, crossing Camp Stream and climbing up onto  a ridge from which we had spectacular views of Lake Tekapo, Mt John, Rex Simpson Memorial Hut, Macaulay and Godley Valleys.Another couple sighted in the Camp Stream Valley,  the official Te Araroa Trail route, unfortunately not enjoying the amazing vistas that we had on the ridge.The  plant life was abundant,with many photos taken. The black daisy  was found on the scree slopes as we  traversed  through a rocky basin  towards Stag Saddle at 1925mtrs, the highest point in the Te Araroa trail. Over the saddle we stopped by a small stream to replenish our water supplies and have second lunch before descending through snowgrass and scree slopes to our second nights destination, Royal Hut,  like Camp Stream, an old musters hut with plenty of character.The usual procedure took place, erecting tents,  relaxing and enjoying the peaceful surroundings while we waited for the other party to arrive from Crooked Spur Hut.

Stories and keys were exchanged before departing the following morning. Initially it  started out as an easy tramp through snowgrass passing the track to Bullock Bow Saddle and then fording Bush Stream to sidle on the true left as it became gorgey.

While having morning tea outside Stone Hut,we observed the antics of three falcons, before they flew to the rocky crags above us.

A bridge took us across Bush Stream once again and upwards to the first saddle, passing delightful bog areas on the way. A lunch break was taken on the saddle where we could see the intended route infront of us, a descent into the valley, crossing Sweeps  and Pack Horse streams and then a climb up a scree slope to the second saddle at 1500mtrs.From here we followed a beaten track through the snow grass to arrive at Crooked Spur Hut at 3pm.

We departed the following morning in poor visibility but after descending a steep winding track down a spur we left the cloud behind. After fording Bush Stream we climbed up the other side and sidled along a pathway until dropping down to the riverbed once again. Knee-deep crossings followed where necessary after walking down the riverbed flats and out to the awaiting cars left by the other party at the Mesopotamia carpark.

A short stop at Forest Creek Station to pick up Barbara, a bonus tour of the stunning gardens at Rata Peaks Station, lunch at Geraldine had us arriving back in Oamaru at 4pm.on Sunday.

Thanks to Browyn, Jim, Neville, Ross, Murray and Maurice for the great company.

Also thanks to Uwe, Sylvia, Jane, Graham, Brent and John for their company at Royal Hut and making the transport feasible for all of us.

Phyllis.

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Mesopotamia to Roundhill photos

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Club Night, February 2014

The Club has been quite active since the last report with many and varied tramping trips.

Staircase Ridge was attempted in lousy weather with wind damage necessitating a return trip rather than a round trip via Table Top.

An overnighter at Dumb-bell Lake via Freehold Creek, Mt. Sutton and the Ohau Ski field was enjoyed in good weather.

The Alps to Ocean bike trail from Quailburn to Tasman Point was ridden over 2 days.

Fourteen people attended a skills weekend at Trotters Gorge where they learnt about packs and gear, meals, how to use maps and compass, river crossing skills and trip planning and survival skills. They put their knowledge into practise the next day with a trip to Trig L.

Thirteen trampers walked the three Herbert Forest tracks plus a cris-cross down the Waianakarua River from Cosy Dell.

On Waitangi Day weekend two groups walked part of the Te Araroa Trail between Lake Tekapo and Mesopotamia Station in brilliant weather, a group starting from each end. The highest point in the Te Araroa Trail was crossed at Stag Saddle – 1925m asl. during the four day tramp.

It wasn’t all tramping though, with the Christmas party being again held at Parkside Gardens.

The Wednesday Walkers had day trips to Evensdale Glen, Earthquakes and surrounding farmland, Freehold Creek where the mistletoe was in full flower, the Blackcap Scout Hill circuit, a combined Puketapu Hill and  Trotters Gorge Bush Track day, West Maerewhenua gold diggings, Studholme Bush, Pleasant River to Bobbys Head, Clear Stream in Danseys Pass with the option of a swim in clear water, Domet loop, sweet briar cutting at Omarama or track clearing up the Awakino Gorge, and last week a climb up Mt. Studholme. Numbers walking varied between 12 and 42.

Coming trips are Mt. Kirkliston, Mt. Domet, and Nimrod Reserve. More information can be found on the NOTMC website.

Our Guest Speaker was Club member Murray Gifford who explained the history of the Routeburn Track.

Originally used by Maoris to access greenstone, it was then used by gold prospectors with limited success, before graziers attempted to find new sheep pastures via the Harris Saddle which was quickly abandoned. It was then thought it could become a trade route to Martins Bay for goods transhipment to Australia, but two ships foundering on the Hollyford Bar put an end to that. The only lasting use was tourism which started in the 1890s and is still flourishing today with 30000 trampers a year enjoying what is arguably New Zealand’s finest walking track.

We were then treated to what was for many of us, a walk down memory lane, with photos of his and his daughters walk around the Routeburn and Caples tracks three years ago.

Skills Weekend 25/26 January

                            SKILLS WEEKEND – 25/26 JAN REPORT

14 members of the Tramping Club meet at the Trotter Gorge Scenic Reserve car park on a fine and warm Saturday morning. Some to learn new skills, some to brush up on some old skills and some to help out for the weekend. First up was the short walk up to the University of Otago hut which takes about 15 min and 6 creek crossings. After we got settled in at the hut it was into the morning programme. First up we went through packs to see how they were packed and what we had. We then took a look at different gear you can take, sleeping bags, clothes and sleeping mats. Then it was into looking at tents and bivy bags. After lunch our president gave us a run down on Club rules and hut etiquette with the suggestion that some noisy trampers should sleep in the wood shed. The rest of the afternoon was taken up with maps, river crossing and compass work which we all needed a brush up on, especially now that we all seem to be using G.P.S.. Phyllis showed us some simple food menus and what food you could take on a tramping trip. Then we all got our own cookers out and some interesting tea menus were made and eaten. After tea we went over trip planning and survival situations. After a full day of activities it was time to enjoy the evening and about 10pm everyone called it a day and soon all you could hear was the silence of the night with a few snorers. During the night I got attacked by some mozzies that left me and some others scratching for a few days. The next morning we were all set to go on our day hike by 8.30am. The day was cloudy but pleasant and this was the day we were going to put some of the thing we learned the day before into action. We split into two groups and headed off at different times. We headed up Trotters creek for about 3km all the time using our maps and compasses until we came to the farmers hunting hut, where our first lunch stop was taken. Then it was about a 1 hour climb to the top of trig L  401m. On top was when the weather changed and the wind turned around to the south and it got quite cool with a wee bit of rain. We then hiked along the top of the hills until we came to a farm yard and a second lunch was taken in a machinery shed out of the rain. It was then a short walk out on to Horse Range Road where it was a 3km walk down the road and back to the car park at Trotters Gorge. I think everybody got something out of the weekend and it was a very enjoyable weekend.

Thanks to these people for making this weekend a success Jo, Evelyn, Jane, Sam, John, Ross

, Robin, Liz and special thanks for helping run sessions Noel, Stewart, Bron, Maurice and Phyllis – Neville

Herbert Forest Tracks

Herbert Forest Tracks February 2 2014

This being the first trip to go in the new year, there was a decent turnout of 13 people including 3 new faces. The weather gods were smiling as we set off from the Goblin Woods and headed up the Swallows Track. A short delay at the top while one member went searching for her bifocals dropped on the track but happily retrieved from a wee dark corner. Along to the Podocarp Track where the group split into two, some going up the Podocarp, others up the Glenbirnie, eventually meeting under the large Kahikateas where the two track rejoin. There are some maintenance issues along the way with some trees having come down in one of the many weather events of the past few months. Elvens’s were enjoyed here at 10.20am. Further up and along to the Hoods Creek Track, similar damage here with a few trees down. Lunch was had on the sunny strip overlooking the valley where it was very hot, almost too hot to linger and it was nice to get back into the shade. All good as we descended the track and out to the road where we walked down to the Cosy Dell ford and strolled down the river, crossing here and there to climb back out through the Goblin Woods. It had chilled just a bit by then, just enough to put anyone off having a swim. A nice cup of tea was had to de-brief and finish a very pleasant day’s walk. Thanks to the new ones, Carolyn, Rick and Jackson and the others Jane, John A, Tony W, Linda Sam,Brian, Ross,Bill and Bron for coming.

Robbie

River crossing North Branch Waianakarua River.

Alps-2-Ocean Cycle Trail

Saturday 14^th / Sunday 15^th December

A rather iffy weather forecast was causing some concern as the eleven cyclists drove up the Waitaki Valley.  Saturday looked OK, but north-westerly rain was forecast to come over the main divide into the Mackenzie basin overnight and into Sunday.  Perhaps more concerning, nor-west winds of up to 50km/h were forecast for Sunday.  However, it was agreed to stick with Plan A.  This involved the seven ”Easy Riders”  starting from Quailburn and the four “Hard Tails” driving to Twizel, checking into the camping ground, then biking to Quailburn.

The Easy Riders found the Quailburn starting point to be clearly signposted on the Quailburn Road, about 1km short of the old woolshed.  They headed off across the flats into a steady nor-west wind.  The track soon began to climb relatively gently, then more steeply, and finally zigzag up to the high point at 900m on the lower slopes of the Ohau Range.  Although the climb was over 250m, the track had been well graded and steep pinches were nicely interspersed with easier slopes.  At the 900m point (the highest point on the whole A2O trail), the Easy Riders paused to draw breath, suck water, and take in the panoramic view extending across the Mackenzie Basin to the Ben Ohau Range and up Lake Ohau to the snow-topped mountains of the main divide.  From there, it was all downhill – literally.  The 350m descent to Lake Ohau Lodge was continuous and speed was limited only by the headwind, sharp corners, rough surfaces and courage.  Towards the bottom, the track traversed sections of beech forest notable for the brilliant red of flowering mistletoe in the trees and scarlet carpets of fallen mistletoe flowers on the track.    A brief pause at the track end while Jane, who had taken a diversion to the Glenmary Ski Club, rejoined the group, was followed by a down-wind top-gear blast  along the Lake Ohau Road to the track re-entrance at the foot of the lake.  A few hundred metres along the track, the Easy Riders met up with the Hard Tails and lunch was declared after a ride of about 2 ½ hours.

The next section truly offered an easy ride around the bottom end of Lake Ohau, on a flat well-surfaced track with more great views of the lake and Ben Ohau.  It was here that Sam spun out on a deceptively sharp bend  to remove some skin from a knee. The Easy Riders paused at the Ohau weir to replenish water and debate the merits of reaching Twizel by continuing across the weir on to canal roads versus turning down the Ohau River Road to SH8.  The unanimous verdict was to take the more scenic River Road.  Big mistake.  It was a bad road – much worse than a bad track because it provided a mix of huge potholes, deep shingle varying in size from boulders to dust, and steep ascents and descents up and down river terraces.  On one of these downhills John descended gracefully on to the grass verge as both wheels lost grip.  Thoroughly shaken physically and mentally, the group reached SH8, crossed the Ruataniwha Dam and turned westward up Max Smith Drive to struggle into the now stiff wind towards Twizel.  Finding a way into the town, whose street layout had been based on a plate of boiled spaghetti, was another challenge.  Four riders made it to the camping ground via Ostler Drive and opposing circuits of Mackenzie Drive, while the other three diverted down to Lake Ruataniwha ,ostensibly to watch the rowing and explore the delights of the Ruataniwha camp.  The afternoon leg had taken between 2 and 3 hours and the total day’s ride amounted to 60km (more in three cases).

Meanwhile, the Hard Tails had had a hard beat into the wind up Lake Ohau, followed by a wind-assisted climb to the 900m high point, a descent initially slowed by the need for careful navigation of the zigzag, and then a downwind/downhill blast across the grassy lower slopes to recover the Easy Riders’ vehicles at Quailburn and rejoin the others at Twizel.

Tents pitched, bodies showered, wounds patched, it was time to dine.  The Bistro offered suitably large and tasty meals ranging from cod through ham and steak to pork bellies washed down by rehydrating refreshments.  Easy Riders again led the way, this time into the New York baked cheesecake, although only Neville managed three courses.

The sleep was deep, punctuated only by feminine snoring and a brief shower of rain, and terminated by a rowing mother rousing her charges at 5.50am to prepare for the regatta;  7.30 saw all eleven bikers on the road.  As they drove up the east side of Lake Pukaki, they could see the clouds spilling over the divide and enshrouding the alpine tops.  They parked at Jollie River, lowered posteriors gingerly on to saddles and pedalled off the 12km up the bumpy Tasman River flats, crossing several streams on the way, to reach Tasman Point – the top end of the A2O trail.  The head wind was brisk, but nowhere near the threatened 50km/h.  Photos taken (unfortunately Aoraki the Cloud Piercer wasn’t doing so that day), the eleven headed down wind and down river back to the vehicles – a round trip of 2 hours.  On the way, Murray and John diverted to explore the 1947 Mt Cook Station power station on a small creek.  And Maurice, attempting an Evel  Knievel  on a bridge that was too short for the stream it crossed, did an almost damage free a-over-k.

Then it was back in the vehicles to drive down the lake to a park close to where Hayman Road joins SH8.  This avoided a 40km ride on mainly dusty gravel road with backs to the scenery.  By now the weather was threatening and they could see the rain chasing them down Lake Pukaki , catching up with them sufficiently to require windscreen wipers.  Lunch was eaten with parkas on before mounting up for the last 19km leg.  Fortunately the rain came to nothing and the Easy Riders headed off on the beautifully surfaced track around the bottom end of Lake Pukaki, as the Hard Tails drove to the end of the track to ride back.  Although clouds obscured the Alps, the view up the lake was still stunning, with a silvery sheen on the water framed by the Ben Ohau range.  The riders crossed the Pukaki High Dam – possibly the roughest piece of track on the whole trip – made a quick stop at the somewhat run-down information centre next to a kiosk selling the most expensive icecreams in New Zealand, and crossed SH8 to take the road down the side of the Pukaki River to join the track across the Pukaki flats and finish by SH8 just before the Twizel River bridge.  A short wait for the Hard Tails and it was bikes on trailers, quick changes into street gear, a stop at the Wrinkly Rams for caffeine fixes, and off home.

The total ride had been 103km, plus (for those who had explored the Ruataniwha camp) or minus (for the Hard Tailers who had wisely not ridden the Ohau River Road), taking about 10 hours.  The track had varied from smooth seal to bone-shaking clay and gravel.  The weather had held and the scenery had always been spectacular.  The company had invariably been entertaining, thanks to the following cast:

Hard Tails – Maurice, Phyllis, Bronwyn and Noel;

Easy riders – Jane, Graham, John, Robbie, Sam, Murray and Neville;

and particularly to Maurice’s superb organization.