Mt. Dasher Bike Ride, 10th February 2013
Nine keen riders loaded their bikes onto trailers and travelled to Mt Dasher Station, unloading at Scout Hut. Noel gave instructions as to the route, and the riders left on farm 4 wheel drive tracks to climb up to Mitchell’s Hut. This was a tough climb, with many steep slopes and a lot of height gained in a short distance. All riders made it safely to Mitchell’s Hut, and enjoyed a morning tea break with great views over North Otago. Then it was a faster ride back down to Scout Hut, and we realised the metres we had climbed on the way up to Mitchell’s Hut.
After lunch the riders began the ride down to Clifton Falls, a good downhill but with some stiff climbs to test the legs. The speeds reached required eyes be kept on the road, with stops to admire the views, and for a rest. A steep climb by Mt Dasher Station homestead was the final test before the long sealed downhill to Clifton Falls. All riders made the finish, with no mishaps or punctures.
A great day was enjoyed by the riders, and thanks to Noel and Maurice for driving the vehicles.
Colin, on behalf of Noel, Maurice, Phyllis, Bill, Ross, Graham and Jane, Robbie, Sam and John.
Club Night February 2013
A good variety of tramping trips have taken place since the last report.
The 25th November saw a group climb Elephant Hill, with 5 continuing on a round trip via Mussen.
The day after the Club Christmas party, 8 intrepid trampers scaled Razor Ridge, returning via Mt. David and descending down the south bluffs back to Bayley’s yards. Great views were seen of the surrounding peaks, and Ian Roger’s cairn on Razor Ridge was rebuilt.
An attempt was made by 13 trampers on the Mt. Domet east face in mid January. Although there was an early start from Chinamans Hut, by the time the half way saddle was reached, thunder, rain and lowering cloud had set in, so it was agreed to abandon the climb. A discoloured rising river had to be negotiated many times on the way back to the cars.
The 27th January saw 15 climb Mt Kohurau on a warm summers day. Half climbed the North East ridge, and half went up via the ski field road. The native flowers were well photographed on the way down.
In the last trip 9 bike riders took on the steep uphill 4wd track from Scout Hut to Mitchells Hut on Mt. Dasher Station. It was then mostly downhill to the Clifton Falls bridge for a great 40k bike ride.
Coming trips are to Mt. St.Bathans, and the Herbert Forest. Details are available on the NOTMC Website.
Wednesday Walkers day walks have been to Nimrod Reserve in the Hunter Hills, Kauru Hill and Fuchsia Creek, The North Temple above Lake Ohau, Waianakarua Reserve, Mt. Fortune, Herbert Forest, the Dome Hills big rock circuit, Kurow Hill returning via the Awakino Gorge, Kaiwarua Station down the North Waihao River, Ashlands Road to South Peak near Hampden, Clear Stream in Danseys Pass, and Deep Stream on Waitangi Station.
Guest speakers Brian and Margie Smith gave us a personal and graphic account of their tour of London, Switzerland and France.
We saw the historical and modern London with its sometimes unusual shaped structures and engineering features. Then it was on to the awe-inspiring Swiss Alps with walks among the unique peaks of Mt. Blanc, the Eiger and Matterhorn. Included was a cog train ride up through the Eiger with a coffee schnapps and cream at the top, where they also viewed pristine ice sculptures.
Then it was off to Nolay, in Burgundy, for a stay in a French Villa and a tour of a Chateau south of Dijon.
A stop-over in San Francisco for a ride in the cable car and a view of Alcatraz rounded off a great trip with stunning photos that would entice many to want to follow in their tracks.
Mt. Domett, 19th – 20th January 2013
It has been many years since the club has been to Domett from Chinaman’s hut, so it wasn’t surprising to have a group numbering thirteen attempting what used to be the old favourite.
In keeping with this summer’s weather pattern, the forecast was not perfect. However, it made good sense to at least be poised at Chinaman’s hut to give ourselves a chance the next day.
Just the casual walk up the gorge to the hut in perfect conditions, is a bonus, especially for those who had not been to this beautiful place before. One slightly unique feature of this particular trip is that in spite of being in quite a narrow gorge, we get a remarkably good view of almost the entire route that we will be following tomorrow as we approach the mountain. For some, this raises adrenalin levels. For others it may be spoiling their day somewhat as the size of the task ahead becomes more apparent as we get closer.
Total diligence Sunday morning with everyone on the way by 6am and the weather ‘holding’. By 7.15am the easy stuff was completed and the climbing began. Unfortunately, the ‘holding’ , mentioned above, turned out to be holding rain which gradually wasn’t being held any longer. Persevere we did for another hour or so, but with the rain becoming heavier, temperatures dropping and the cloud lowering, common sense prevailed. Back to the hut. Obvious disappointment by some, but also a feeling of relief by others who were caught out somewhat by the severity of the climb.
The wander back to the hut became a very strung out affair and while a brew was being enjoyed someone noted we were one person short. “Not to worry. He will have walked right past the hut as many others have done in the past”. So we pick up his sleeping bag etc and head off down valley expecting to find him returning after he had realised he’d gone too far. But no sign of him, all the way back to the cars . With the creek running a lot higher than it was yesterday there was suddenly a very different atmosphere as a small group of the most experienced trampers headed back upstream. The search was short-lived however, as the missing tramper was met just five minutes later coming towards us. He had apparently missed the hut and turned around just as we had predicted but missed the hut a second time just before we set out down the stream.
On reaching the cars, a very worthwhile debriefing was held to identify all the aspects of the entire trip that could be improved not only to do with losing a tramper for a while, but every other aspect of the trip as well. It was a valuable discussion.
Ironically, the mountain was laughing at us by this time, bathing in sunshine. However, it will be there for another day.
Mt. Kohurau, 2010m. Sunday 27th January 2013
Fifteen keen trampers met at the car park on a fine and sunny morning at 7am. Sorry about the mix up with the start time, but I chose the early time so we could get going before the day got too hot as we had a steep climb.
On this trip we had five new trampers with us, two from Dunedin, one from Timaru and two from Oamaru who are looking at joining the club. We then headed up to the bottom car park of the Awakino Ski field which is inland from Kurow.
At the car park we decided to split into two groups, with one group of five going up the Ski field road. The rest of us started heading north/east along a 4WD track slightly climbing to we came to a fence. From here it was all up hill, first over tussocks, and as we climbed higher, onto the scree and rock.
At about 10-30am we had a rest at about 1400m, from where we got our first view of Mt.Cook. Then it was all uphill again. We had a good view of the Ski field and road and could see the other group making good time.
As we got higher up we started to come across some of those special alpine plants, so Bronwyn was having fun with her camera. After about 3 hours of climbing we came to the big flat tops with the last climb to the top of Kohurau in a distance. We headed off across the flat tops to the last climb up over some lose rocks to reach the top of Mt Kohurau at 12.15pm about 3-3/4 hours after leaving the cars. The other group arrived about 15 minutes after us.
What a great place to have lunch on a glorious warm sunny day and the view was to die for. You name it we could see it. Mt Cook, Mt Tasman, Mt Aspiring and the Remarkables. We had 360deg. views everywhere.
After lunch and a few photos all good things have to come to an end, so it was back down the side and along the flat tops to the saddle that drops down to the road that goes down past the ski field.
Along the way there were more photos of some more alpine plants and then it was down to the lodge for afternoon break and a look around.
Then it was back down to the cars arriving there at 4pm, a 7-1/2 hour hike for the day, ice creams at Kurow and then home.
Thanks to Linda, Noel, Ross Familton, Sam, Ann, Phyllis, Dave, Bronwyn, Bill and the new trampers, Rodney and Helen, Matt, Theresa and Judith. You all made it enjoyable day out – Neville.
Mountain Bike Ride Rekkie for the 10th February
Mountain bike ride on 4WD tracks, Mitchells Hut to Clifton Falls, Sunday 10th February 2013.
Maurice and I went out for a rekkie to Scout Hut on Tuesday 15th January for this coming trip. We rode from Scout Hut to Mitchells Hut and return . Then it was all down hill to Clifton Falls. The ride is 90 percent down hill, 41K or four hours riding time, plus lunch stop and photo stops.
