Paradise.

Riverside Garden, Elcho

Hopkins Smoko

Path to Paradise

Elcho Forks

Just made it

Sunset on Mt Williams

Welcome Smoke, Elcho Hut

Dazzler Pinnacles

Lake Ohau View

Temples View

Four of us set out from Oamaru on a Friday afternoon at 4.00pm. Not a brilliant forecast to go with but we had options. It was good to get away at this time, it allowed us to do the 4wd component in daylight. A quick stop at Omarama for fish and chips from the hotel, they were very good too and up to Ohau and beyond. The last bit of the drive being 4wd, one or two hairy bits where the creeks had eroded the track leaving big drops, but barring a few scrapes, we arrived at Monument Hut before dark and settled in with a cuppa. The following morning it was grey and drizzling already so the decision was made to abandon the Paradise Valley and head for a hut up the Hopkins. The rivers were all full of meltwater and high, the weather got gradually worse and we were pleased to see Elcho Hut and have our lunch. Rather than walk further to Dodger Hut, we decided on a walk up the Elcho and eventually went to the confluence of the North and South Branches, it rained all the while. Evidence of severe weather was all around with many trees down, some snapped clean in half others uprooted. Debate ensued on the causes and perhaps it was wind and snow. The rain petered out on our return to the hut and it cleared rapidly to become a brilliant evening with fantastic light shining on the snowy peaks all around. The Dazzler Pinnacles looked amazing with snow still stuck to the near vertical rock faces. A good clear moonlit night developed and we had a great fire going in the hut and played cards after dinner before a good night sleep. The morning became more overcast with the second front coming from the NE and after discussing possible side trips we decided to exit more rapidly and get the 4wd bit done before things became more difficult. This would leave time for a look at the Temples. I was worried about the return drive, that sharp drop-off into the creek was going to be tricky to get back up. Luckily when we got back to Monument Hut after a faster trip down the Hopkins crossing the Huxly instead of the bridge, a white truck came bouncing up the track, a high off the ground job for the serious 4wdriver. A nice guy emerged who was happy for us to tag along with him on the return drive and help if needed. It turned out to be tricky and this truck took 3 attempts at the steep bit to get up it, wheels spitting rocks and gravel. I felt less than positive and asked the passengers to hop out for more ground clearance. After lining up and receiving instructions from the 4wdriver I took my turn and was somewhat surprised that my truck just popped straight up there with not much a scrape, brilliant, panic over!  Off for lunch at the Temple Shelter and another walk, this time something easy and straight forward………not, we headed for the Temple view walk, but within minutes had lost the track after a large wind-fall blocked the track, hard to believe but we did not relocate that track for another 2 hours. Not daunted we carried on up the hill looking for views of the Temples, it was open bush, a possumers trail, kill traps bait and orange tags urging us upwards. 400m later we admired the view, very good from 1000m, no track still. After photos, back down a different ridge, not bad going and eventually coming across the track and back to the truck. The drive back home interrupted in Omarama again, this time for the smallest icecream I have had for a very long time, should have stopped in Kurow instead. Home around 6 and satisfied with a good weekend outing despite the weather. Thanks to John, Murray and Jo.

Robbie