Jan-Mar 2020
INDEX of TRIP REPORTS:
- Chromite Mines Circuit & Whispering Falls, Hacket Range
- King’s Creek Hut, Wangapeka Valley
- St. Arnard Range
5 Jan 2020 | Chromite Mines Circuit & Whispering Falls, Hacket Range
Leader: Kath Ballantine
Six Trampers set off from the Hacket Car park at 08.30am. We walked for approx. 30 mins before taking an orange triangle marked, but not sign-posted track to the right. A steep ascent for 20 mins then the track levelled out and sidled around in mixed pine and scrub bush before we came out on a ridge between the Hacket and Serpentine valleys. Elevation 400m from 240m on Hacket track. An over-grown Forestry road comes up to this saddle from the Serpentine Valley at this saddle. The track left the ridge and followed a pack horse track sidling along the hillside down towards the mines and Hacket track. We were informed by track posters that this track was built to carry the Chromite down into the Serpentine Valley and out to Nelson. We were impressed by the stone work supporting the road which was built sometime in the 1860’s. We found 2 mine shafts in the area. Morning tea was at a picnic table above this track offering us views across the Hacket to Mt Malita. Waimea Tramping club cleared the first part of the loop track up to the saddle several years ago and until recently it was not well marked at the Hacket track turnoff, but it seems some effort has been put into this with the placing of orange markers along the track and with the appearance of the picnic table.
We returned to the Hacket track East of the Whispering Falls turnoff, and after a short walk turned off to the Falls. An easy river crossing and short walk to the base of the falls, then a slow amble up the falls admiring the bush, the colours in the creek, and taking photos, before we emerged to a grassy flat and another picnic table were we had lunch.
The return to the car park took approx. 1 hr. The day was cool and conductive to walking but not swimming so none of us took the opportunity to jump in the Hacket pools back at the car park.
Trip participants: Kath Ballantine (leader & scribe), Mark Graesser, Philip Palmer and visitors: Richard Benfield, Christine Wanke, and Glenys Henry.
11-12 Jan 2020 | King’s Creek Hut, Wangapeka Valley
Leader: Mark Graesser
This trip offered a relatively easy opportunity to enjoy the beautiful lower Wangapeka Valley, with a night in a commodious hut. Three trampers departed from the Rolling River car park at 10:00 in fine weather. For the most part travel up the well benched 19th century miners’ track is easy, although some modest scrambling is required to get through the remains of the big slip which occurred in 2012. Mount Patriarch dominated the view from the valley; the river was in good flow, and we spotted a southern rata and lots of kanuka in full flower (but no whio). After lunch at the Kiwi Stream junction, we arrived at the hut about 2:00.
This 20-bunk King’s Creek Hut was built by the Forest Service in 1974, apparently with hopes that the Wangapeka Track would attract recreational traffic to rival the Heaphy. It is now a road less travelled, with the portion west of Stone Hut downgraded by DOC to a “route”. The hut has few frills, but is roomy and well maintained. We strolled 5 minutes up to survey the historic 4-bunk slab hut built in the 1930's by Cecil King, who spent most of his life annually digging for gold in the area. By evening a diverse and interesting group of 12 trampers occupied the hut, including a couple of young lads from Auckland who scrambled down to the river to spot a couple of whio and some giant trout.
With the onset of light rain (and fearing the possibility of rising water at the Dart River Ford), we departed in the morning without further ado, and were out at 12:30, mission accomplished.
Trip participants were: Mark Graesser (leader and scribe), Phillip Palmer, and Alaskan visitor Sam Young.
18-19 Jan 2020 | St. Arnard Range
Leader: Madeleine Rohrer
Madeline had completed a reccy so knew the area and what was on offer. We were efficient on getting to St Arnaud and leaving at a respectable 9:30am giving us plenty of daylight. The track is a bit like a logarithmic scale with a very gentle start getting steeper as you go. There were not many people around so we only met a few on the track. At our first break we were lucky enough to see a kaka in one of the trees above us. The bush was lovely to walk through although I don’t recall hearing a lot of bird life. The track steepened as we approached Parachute Rocks and not long after we rose above the bushline. Another 15 minutes or so saw us at Parachute Rocks (1450m). It was good to have climbed 800m before lunch. The views back over the lake were quite stunning and not long after, day trippers arrived to share the rock outcrops.
From the rocks the track zig zagged to the ridgeline and there was not much talking going on from yours truly. Once there we walked along the ridge and over the high point at pt. 1787. Not long after that Peter P declared a touch of cramp and the decision was made to camp at the first set of tarns. This allowed those that wanted to go no further to rest while others went for a wander further along the range. However, further ridgeline travel would have been challenging but a slightly lower route allowed the four to join a side later just east of pt. 1796 to get view down to another group of tarns. Ian raced back from this jaunt to make sure he was able to get the right light for his photographs. After dinner Phillip declared he was going to go horizontal and ponder but I think the unplanned snoring was not what he had in mind. Ian was kind enough to share a tipple before we all slept during a star lit evening.
The next morning it was a leisurely rise, including Peter and Michele have an invigorating dip in the biggest tarn, before setting off to a saddle in the north. This led us to another valley with an array of tarns. At the first tarn, which turned out to be the warmest, most jumped in and afterwards enjoyed the warmth of the sun. From our lunch spot in the tussock we had expansive views. At this point the party had various debates as to where the junction was along the main ridge and the party split. Of course some people are more right than others with several joining the ridge well after the summit and ending up doing a circumnavigation of the peak (by edging across the snow grass slopes) to join the track lower down. Returning to the car a few had a dip in the lake and all had refreshments at the Alpine Lodge in St. Arnaud. The weather could not have been more perfect and our thanks to Madeleine for a great trip.
Trip participants were: Madeleine Rohrer (Leader), Phillip Palmer,Ian D, Peter Phipps (scribe), Michele Cunningham (editor), Ashley Chen
2 December | Tour de Grampians, Nelson
Leader: Ray Salisbury
Starting out from the point of least resistance, in The Brook valley, our humble crew of six Sunday morning ramblers set off up the Access Road.
While the Grampians reserve was not new to the men-folk, it was a great introduction to Nally and Corrina. Our intention was to complete a full circumnavigation of Mount Flaxmore, utilising eight of the numerous tracks.
The summit road was used as a warm-up; this was abandoned for an overgrown, grassy path to gain the saddle with Sugarloaf. A lower section of the Kanuka Track took us up to a higher elevation, whereby we could sidle around the back of Mt Flaxmore. The Kahikatea Track was climbed to top out on the main summit ridgeline. Corrina and Nally were escorted by Kerry to the TV tower and actual summit, while the oldies drank flasks of warm tea at the lookout platform, also drinking in views of Nelson South and the Waimea Plains.
Dropping off down the Mamaku Track, David balanced on his twin trekking poles – recent rain had made the earthen path slippery, but there were no incidents. Philip indicated the junction which joined up with the pleasant Tawa Track, which descended gently towards Nelson city, with glimpses of the Hospital and Boys’ College.
Ronaki Track was a rude awakening, zig-zagging up to regain the main ridgeline. After Ray recovered with more tea-drinking, the Walkway was followed along to the top of the Access Road. This delivered the team back to Blick Terrace in exactly three hours.
The forecast rain mostly held off, and sunhats were more necessary than raincoats. Members were: David Cook, Philip Palmer & Ray Salisbury (scribe), with guests Nally Yi, Corrina Kagaya & Kerry Jones.
16 December 2018 | Maitai Caves, Nelson
Leader: Sue Henley
The weather for Sunday looked promising, my list of participants grew and grew as the week progressed. By Sunday I had 18 names on the list. After initially meeting at Millers Acre, we pooled vehicles and regrouped at the footbridge just before the Maitai Dam.
We meandered along the track for a few minutes before coming to an abrupt stop as some mountain bikers skidded to a halt. After warning the bikers about our rather large group we continued, making our way up and down some gentle inclines, crossed creeks and negotiated mud holes before reaching the caves. We then enjoyed a long, leisurely lunch, including some home baking and Japanese cuisine kindly donated by some of our group. We then made our way back to the cars, stopping along the way for a photo shoot.
It was a good day with a pleasant easy walk, and a gentle introduction for those wanting to get into tramping.
Participants were: Corrina Kagaya, David Cook Michele Cunningham, Kelvin Drew, Greg Roe, Kung Gay Cano, Ana Aceves, Karen Wardell, Annette Vartha, Glen Vartha, Emily Vartha, Penny McLeroth, Donna McLeroth, Kate Krawczyk, John Whibley (senior), Clair Quested & Sue Henley (scribe).
6 January | Billies Knob, Kahurangi National Park
Leader: Andrea Smith
Finally, after several attempts, the weather gods blessed and gave us access to this stunningly beautiful area. The road and ford were easily driven and by all accounts of passing foot traffic, Granity Pass Hut was the des res for the festive season.
As we drove up the road it was difficult to imagine the once bustling Wangapaka Township of 250 residents at Courthouse Flat that sprung up during the gold mining era. Complete, of course, with courthouse and jail –still not a bad view. Maybe those miners were a rowdy lot; they certainly would have been dissatisfied with the pitifully low yields in the area.
We were on official cub business of course, that of tramping. Two hundred metres shy of the altitude of the impressive Mt Owen massif, we still got a grunty workout, with a 1200m climb. It was a beautiful day and the cooling breeze was welcomed. Some of us rekindled the memories of the horrendous bash up Cullifords Hill — a somewhat epic adventure. Today was a garden stroll in comparison!
Some chose different options, so four of us arrived at the summit after around three hours. Grant declared it more of a mountain than a knob. (I recall similar discussions pertaining to Cullifords ‘Hill’ and on descent from Gordons ‘Knob’ (the birth of Knob Bagging) conversation turned to what constitutes a knob. I muse that NTC members are quite an intellectual group.)
Thank you everyone for your lovely, high-spirited company. Those cheerful souls were: Sue Henley, Grant Derecourt, Graeme Ferrier, Chris Louth, Kath Ballantine and guest Sam Beale
(Scribbled by Andrea.)
6 January | Beebys Hut | Mt Richmond FP
Leader: Kath Ballantine
Four trampers set off from the Church steps at 8am on what turned out to be a very hot day in town.
We arrived at the Beeby’s Knob car park on the Korere—Tophouse Rd at 9.15am. It was pleasant walking in the bush in slightly cooler overcast conditions. We reached the ridge track at 12.30pm having had a morning tea stop half way up. We decided to press on to the hut, rather than to Beeby’s Knob as it was very windy at the top. We envisioned having a more pleasant lunch in the hut rather than on the knob.
Situated in a pleasant spot, the hut was a welcome respite from the win. Starting at 1.30pm, we returned, Theresa and Ian making a side trip to the top of Beeby’s Knob. We arrived back at the car at 4.30pm then returned to Nelson.
Trampers were: Kath Ballantine (scribe), Ian Dohoo, with visitors Theresa Magrane & Kim Eunhee.
9 January | Pelorus Sound Sail, Marlborough
Skipper: Brian Renwick
On a warm, sunny, Wednesday morning, Rod and Carole-Ann Lewis, and Susan and Ian Dohoo joined Brian Renwick aboard his catamaran Canopus for a sail in the Pelorus Sound. Clear skies and light winds saw them using a combination of motor and sail to get out to Waiona Bay (opposite Maud Island). The bay provided a beautiful anchorage as a spot for a communal lunch based on some delicious fried Kahawai that Brian had caught the day before.
Breezes definitely picked up after lunch as the group headed back up the inlet. After clearing the marine reserve around Maud Island, the fishing line was one again put out – netting two more good sized Kahawai for the larder. Really good breezes made for some great sailing in Tawhitinui Reach.
We got back to the the Penzance Bay jetty about 6:00pm. Susan and Ian headed back into town while Rod and Carol-Anne remained on board for the night. All-in-all, it was a beautiful day on Pelorus Sound. (Penned by Ian Dohoo.)
21–29 January | Seven Pass trip | Nelson Lakes National Park | Leader: Brian Renwick
“This looks a lot easier than I remember!” Two seconds later, the guardian of Moss Pass punished Brian for his rash remark. With perfect Monty Pythonesque timing, he took one step down and promptly arsed over, sliding a few metres down the steep, loose gut amid a shower of rubble; the guardian exacting a tribute of a little skin and blood. After establishing Brian was ok, they all had a big laugh about it. Talk about cockiness coming before a fall…
Some trampers bag peaks; others bag huts. This was to be a pass-bagging trip: seven passes between 1785 and 1870 metres elevation. The first four days we followed Te Araroa from St Arnaud to the Waiau River, knocking off Travers Saddle and Waiau Pass on the way, then hanging a right to ascend to Lake Thompson. We had chosen day three for our first rest day, ambling up from West Sabine Hut to Blue Lake, arriving at the hut before moderate afternoon rain set in, which became heavy in the evening.
Soon after arriving at Lake Thompson and setting up camp, we were joined by three other trampers who had just come over Thompson Pass.
Day five was to be a toughie. We quickly gained Thompson Pass after breaking camp, and climbed the knob to the southeast, our highest elevation of the trip at 1880m, just eclipsing Waiau Pass. From here we dropped down into the D’Urville basin and started our traverse to D’Urville Pass. This went well, sidling across scree, light grass, and the occasional rocky bit. One of these “rocky bits” just kept getting steeper, necessitating removal of packs and passing them down. We finished off by a shortcut up a broad steepish gully and traverse across and up almost to D’Urville Pass, all on good rock, to avoid a boring scree grunt. This was a challenge, and good fun!
After the obligatory photos at D’Urville Pass, we trudged down the scree to the wee tarn for a snack, and checked out the next stage to David Saddle. There really seemed to be only one way to go: an ascending sidle to pass under a near-vertical rock face. Soon after, we picked up a line of cairns, but they seemed to lead across and down to the Matakitaki, perhaps a shortcut to avoid the steep gully below the tarn which we had ascended in September on good cramponing snow. After a bit of scree and rock scrambling we found ourselves at the notch, at the base of the rock face. From here, a direct traverse took us to David Saddle, where we stopped for a late lunch, about 2:15pm.
Up to this point, we had found the day sufficiently challenging to be interesting and mostly enjoyable, but then it took a turn for the worse. We descended the scree, looking for cairns to the left to indicate a route into the West fork of the D’Urville, which I had followed upwards eight years earlier. Nothing sighted, but Ian found a line of cairns that went down some uncomfortably steep ground towards the D’UrvilleForks.
Decision time; which way to go? We opted for the line of cairns, but soon lost them. We could see a route down, albeit steep, so went on and eventually found ourselves among rough vegetation on the terrace above the main creek. All traces of the trail I had followed eight years earlier had disappeared.
After further descent, we spotted a cairn, then a big orange triangle at the bush edge. The track was initially quite challenging and we had to scout around a bit “Does it seriously go down this steep, slippery creek?” Well yes, it did, but then it got into the bush proper and from there it was plain sailing.
After the trip, I found a recent write up of the new route on routeguides.co.nz. Lesson: don’t assume nothing’s changed; do your homework.
We arrived at Upper D’vUrville Biv at 5:40pm, later than expected, but pressed on to George Lyon Hut, arriving just before 9pm, rapidly running out of energy and daylight! After a dip in the D’Urville, Madeleine was rejuvenated and happily cooked her dinner, apparently none the worse for wear. Frankly, I was just about stuffed!
Day six continued fine, climbing up to Moss Pass in the cool of the morning. We had a pleasant break at the creek just before leaving the bush. Then over Moss Pass, where I met my nemesis, and on down to Blue Lake.
Day seven was our second rest day, just a stroll down to West Sabine Hut, also to recharge before attempting Gunsight, our final pass.
We took a shortcut, following the old Travers Saddle Track and then up the avalanche gully to the bush line. This worked well, and we set off across and up heavily grassed slopes, dotted with spaniards to keep it interesting. Madeleine was often lost to sight when the grass was well over her head. As we gained height, the going became easier; scree and light grass, sidling beneath the occasional rocky bluff, before reaching the steepish 200m gully leading to the pass.
The climb to the pass was quite enjoyable. We stuck to the true left, being half on stable scree and half on stable rock, and frequently on both at once.
After high fives on top, then down on mostly horrible steep scree to a prominent notch close to the Mt Cupola bluffs. We continued down, close under the bluffs, the theory being that the spring avalanches would suppress the spaniards. It went as hoped, but eventually we had to cross a sizable section of spaniard-infested tussock slope which exacted more tribute, and gained Cupola Hut at about 1830. The views of Mt Hopeless in the changing evening light were rewarding, and again in the morning light.
Last day was a pleasant amble down Cupola Creek, followed by hot conditions down the Travers to Coldwater Hut, where we treated ourselves to the 3pm water taxi, having tramped about 130km including over 6000m of climbing (and 6000m of descent!) in nine days.
Participants: Ian Morris, Madeleine Rohrer and Brian Renwick (scribe).
25-27 January | South Twin | Kahurangi National
Park | Leader: Silvano Lorandi
The Twins are two rocky waves in the sea of green rolling mountains of the Mt. Arthur Range.
They are near the busy Mount Arthur track but have none of Mt Arthur’s busy popularity.
Neglected perhaps, because of their intimidating look, but hidden from view from Mount Arthur, there is a beautiful green ramp to the sky for the pleasure of trampers – the west ridge of the South Twin (1796m) .
It’s accessible from Loveridge or Paddys Ridge in two days with camping or, as we did, a three-day tramp using Ellis Basin Hut as a base.
Six of us set off from Flora car park, up the hill.Descending into the Ellis Basin involves a short, steep section that with mud and wet tussock cannot be underestimated, take care there !
We arrived with no hurry and we were lucky to have the hut for ourselves (for both nights).
I have never seen so little water in the stream.The water doesn’t even form the waterfall below the hut because it disappears in holes along the meadows.
On Saturday, we set off early for what we thought would be the most challenging part of the trip. We got on a lightly-marked track that sidles around the Twins on the south-western side. After approximately one hour on a relatively good track, we emerged from the bush into the karst .
Here we were blessed and cursed by too many cairns marking different routes, so we opted for a low one. However, it was confusing and ended up splitting up the group. On our return we choose a higher option – this was agreed to be better.
After passing through the saddle at 1248m, the slope became steeper. We traversed above cliffs until finally merging into the valley directly south of the peak. We continued on to the main ridge at the start of the west ridge. Feeling summit fever, Andrea sprinted away, while others took it easier After about 15 minutes, we were all on the top of the world on a blue sky day, with endless views.
The return was easier because we knew the tricks of the route but slower because of the intense heat. By the time we reached the hut, all of us had run out of water.
During the night the weather changed to wind and light rain – definitely time to go home.
We were careful in ascending out of the basin. As we reached the ridge, we were hit by the strongest winds I have ever experienced. Suddenly we were thrown to the ground. The wind ripped off my rain cover. So, the real challenge of this trip was escaping the ridge in gale force winds.
We ended up walking four legged, stopping every 50m to regroup, holding each other for support. After a slow battle to gain metres we reached the main track below Mt. Arthur. Here, people were having morning tea in the calm of the bush while we appeared to have come out of a clothes dryer.
We enjoyed the peace and quiet of the bush, returning to our cars and heading home happy after three intense days in the hills shared with a lovely group of people. Thanks.
Participants: Silvano Lorandi (leader & scribe), Andrea Cockerton, Anna Riddiford (new member), Philip Palmer, Gina Andrews (visiting from Wanaka), Myrthe Braam (visitor), and for part of the trip, Liam Sullivan and Brian James.
Times:
Nelson to Flora Saddle car park: 1.5 hours
Carpark to Ellis Basin Hut: 5 hours
Ellis Basin Hut to South Twin: 4.5 hours
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| St Arnard Range Tango_Compressed.JPG | 156.75 KB |
