Club Night – April 2012
Recent trips include the Big Kuri Circuit in behind Hampden, with 6 trampers enjoying a day out.
An extended anniversary weekend enabled 14 members to walk the Rees- Dart track. This was done with half walking from each end and swapping keys to save transport problems. The weather ranged from fine to rain to snow to fine. Some side creeks were up at times but all were able to be safely crossed. It was cold for the anticlockwise party crossing the Rees saddle in 2-3 inches of snow, and they were glad to get to the Shelter Rock hut. Both parties were out by early afternoon on the fourth day, and it was homeward bound from an enjoyable trip.
A working bee was held to clear the Swallows Track in preparation for the guided walk day in Herbert Forest. More needs to be done, especially up the gully of the Swallows Track. Any member with spare time and a pair of loppers is welcome to clear the track.
The Wednesday Walkers day trips have been to the Windsor Tapui area with a circuit over Rakis Table, Belmont, and Victoria Hills, and through the old railway tunnel. Pigeon Bush was visited and the old Totara tree measured, giving an estimated age of about 1500 years. It was agreed at the Club night that this was considerably older than the member who celebrated his birthday that day!
There was also a round trip of Elephant Hill and Mussen.
Eight members visited Stewart Island for five days, flying into Masons Bay, and walking and boating out to Oban with day walks to explore. Kiwi were spotted, and they were entertained by the antics of kaka, bellbirds, tui and theStewart Island robin.
Another group biked the Central Otago Rail Trail.
On the 15th April the Hoods Creek track in Herbert Forest will be reopened, and there will be guided walks available on it plus the Swallows and Podocarp tracks. Signs should be followed from SH1 south of Herbert to the Breakneck Road meeting place, with the opening at 9-30am and guided walks starting from 10am until midday. Walk lengths range from one to five hours. If the weather is unsuitable the event will be held on the 22nd April. Postponement will be announced on the local radios and the NOTMC notices website.
Coming trips are a Mt.Buster circuit on the 29th April, and the Routeburn – Caples 10th to the 13th May. Visit our trips website for details of these .
Guest Speaker at the April club night was Denis Brown, telling us about his second trip to Macquarie Island to eradicate the rabbits, rats, and mice there. Because of poor flying weather the $26m project was not completed in 2010, so they returned in late autumn 2011 to finish the job. “Pestoff” a waffrin based bait was spread over every square meter of the 25k by 5k island. The Australian based team of 41 included a N Z contingent, led by local helicopter pilot John Oakes because of their expertise in bait placement. Denis was the communications expert, but duties also included cooks help, cleaning and helicopter refueling. The team reached the island via Hobart on a chartered P&O ship and included a cargo of 4 squirrel helicopters for bait spreading, and 13 dogs for clean up work. Thermal imaging on the helicopters was used to find the last of the rabbits and the dogs and shooters will continue for at least 2 years to ensure total eradication. Calcivirus had been introduced a few years ago, so the rabbit numbers had been drastically reduced, making it easier to poison the rest.
We were enthralled by Denis’s portrayal of life on the island, the excellent still and video photos of birds, seals, scenery, and getting round the island. The weather ranged from the odd fine calm day to blizzards and up to 30cm of snow. When the weather was too bad to fly the helicopters, they explored the island, staying in the strategically placed huts that were well insulated and well stocked with food and fuel. Being a world heritage island, all rubbish had to be removed.
Wild life include numerous birds such as Petrel, King and Royal Penguins, and Albatross. There were Hooker Seals who needed to be given a wide birth or they would bite you, and huge – up to 4 tonne Elephant Seals who got in the way and had to be shifted somehow.
There are still many other islands in the world that need pest eradication, funding being the main constraint. The Antipodes may be the next local island to be cleared.