Archived News Reports
These are reports which have been displayed on the "News" page of this site.
Report Date: 27th May 2001
**25th - 27th May**
Interclub trip. Vic on tour, about 20 keen souls headed up to MUACs hut on the Turoa road for what promised to be a big weekend. Arriving there in the rain they found only Aucklanders, huddling miserably in their cars, eventually Massey arrived, unlocked the hut and everyone piled in. The morning dawned snowy, and as such all the cars were stuck. With the Tongariro crossing out of the question, some went cross country to Blyth Hut while others headed for the top carpark at Turoa for cricket and club honour. Then it was lunch, and into the party. As the night wore on the old favourite "at least I never" came out, purely to get to know everyone better of course!! Then it was time for table traverses, broom jousting and 14 person knots. Chris and Ben seemed particuarly keen on people traverses. Then sunday morning and any hope of a sleep in was dispelled by the grader arriving to clear the road, some cars were towed a wee way out by the grader, while others drove the same way. By all accounts a few underpant moments in the van on the icy road, then it was off to the Powderkeg where the hotpools were closed, so it was off to Tokaanu for the obligatory hotpools. Then back to Wellington, a succesful weekend completed.
People went tramping as well. Eric and Jo headed into Kawhatau Base, unfortunately foul weather meant they didnt start walking till 11am on saturday when the rain stopped. They cruised along the Hikurangi Range to MacKinnon Hut for the night. Plenty of snow, on sunday they popped down to touch base with Crow Hut, then back along the Hikurangi Range in drifts up to 1m deep and back to the car.
In the Tararuas the weather was also less than ideal. Graham, Benj, Peter, Richard and Gerard headed into Herepai Hut on friday night in torrential rain, saturday dawned clear, so we cruised along to West Peak where it started to snow, plenty of snow between there and the turnoff to Dundas Hut. Cold, cold lunch at Dundas Hut then down into the Ruamahanga and up to Cattle Ridge Hut for saturday night. Sunday it was out through Roaring Stag and off to the flying Fish for Pizza in Martinborough. Tess and Co headed in at the same time as the boys and got to Roaring Stag on friday night. Saturday it was up onto Cattle Ridge along to Waingawa and across Bannister Ridge to Arete Biv for the night. Sunday it was out via Dundas Ridge, to wait in the cold at Putara for the boys to finish their pizza.
**18th - 20th May**
Advanced Rockcraft. Crap weather on saturday, but a lot of keen people got a bit of climbing and instruction done in the rain nonetheless. Then a car crash on saturday night. Luckily no one was seriously hurt but all involved missed the good weather and good climbing on the sunday. Kapiti Island didnt go ahead, big seas meant the boat couldnt sail.
A big team went tramping as well. Ruahines this time for Richard, the two Bens, Kathryn, Tess, Tim and Joe. Friday night it was up to Rangiwhahia Hut then on saturday we battled across the Wahnahuia tops in poor weather before bombing down to Triangle Hut. As the Oroua river rose and cut off retreat we gorged ourselves on Pikelets, Chocolate biscuts, Easter Eggs and Hash Browns. Sunday it was back out the same way in possibly worse weather. An excellent indulgence trip, missing only the wine. Graham was business like as he got up early on sunday and barely stretched the legs in cruising to North Ohau Biv and back in about four and a half hours.
**11th May - 13th May**
Bash on Thru. Two groups (Gerard and Shane, and Richard H, Marleen and Heather) evetually made it to Bash on Thru in the Orongorongo river valley, and spent one and a half days looking for hidden markers and playing with radios and GPS. Base (melinda, Matthew, Chris, Caroline) meanwhile spent Satutrday morning - while waiting for the teams to radio in - tending to an injured party found at their intended campsite (gory details ommitted), and the afternoon was spent playing cards while dispatching instructions over the radio. The evening was spent discussing gory injuries while Heather told stories of running away from Bears in her native Canada. Various difficulties were encountered by all, including base (when laying out markers the saturday before), but all ended the weekend navigationally improved.
A good weeekend in the Tararuas too. Traditional Tararua weather of clag and strong winds but Graham headed in over Blue Range to Cow Creek and then up to Arete Forks for saturday night. Back the same way on sunday. Quentin went into Cow Creek then up to Cow Saddle, down Cleft Creek, up the Ruamahanga to Cattle Ridge. Then on sunday he headed along Cattle Ridge to Waingawa, down to Cow Saddle and back up the old track onto Blue Range.
Richard did a trip to Jumbo on friday night, then saturday was BAPs - 3 Kings (including Mid King Biv) to Dorset Ridge. Sunday it was down to Park Forks, then up McGregor Spur to McGregor Biv, and back out to the car through Jumbo.
**4th May - 6th May**
This weekend saw Bush Ball at Raukawa Lodge in the Orongorongo Valley. Needless to say, the walking was secondary. Its was, however a good effort to carry in the lights, stereos and batteries to power it all.
Report Date: 29 April 2001
Report Covers: 31 March - 29 April
**27th April - 29th April**
This weekend saw a club trip to Mokai base. Two trips went. Richard and Neal took one big group of Kevin, Auburn, Julie, Naomi, and Hillary into Lake Colenso Hut via Iron Bark Hut. On sunday they came out the same way. Quentin took a group of Daniel, Simon, Tohia, and Gareth. They headed along the Mokai Patea Range and dropped down to Wakelings for the night. On sunday they headed down the Waikamaka river and then back up and over the Mokai Patea Range to the carpark. Good weather, good views and good times. Jo and June did a trip from Kaitoke - Block XVI - Alpha - Elder Biv - Renata - Maymorn Ridge.
**ANZAC Day**
Graham and Eric headed up Waiopehu Ridge and visited Oriwa Ridge Biv, on the return trip they decided to explore the upeer Makaretu Stream before carrying on back to the car.
**20th April - 22nd April**
Chris, Dave, Caroline, Jeremy, Neal, Jessie, Melinda, Adrian, Ben, Bohdan and Ric headed into Totara Flats for a late 80s to late 90s reunion masquerade ball. Fine food was served, the bottles of red wine flowed and all were merry. The only other occupant, the hut warden and his dog Bull were invited (spare masks produced) and old parties were reminisced over. Heres to another trip in 10 years!! Some other people also went walking. Quentin a Kapakapanui trip, Graham a Tauherenikau/Waiohine valleys daytrip.
**Easter trips**
Easter saw the club headed for the Kawekas. They too had dire weather warnings, but in the end the weather varied from beatiful one day to perfect the next. Three groups, Junes group of Andrew, Richard H, Marlene, Bernice, Abby and Rachel headed into McIntosh hut which was full of hunters. They spent a bit of time doing some weeding, pulling out Pinus Contortia, then met Phils group of Ben Clark, Belle, Femke, Michael and Tohia at Kiwi Saddle. There good times were spent coutersy of Sunsets, sunrises, oh and vodka and raro courtersy of Phil. They were out by midday on monday and headed to Tokaanu for some hot pool action. The other group was Glenn, Sam and Scott who had an excellent trip. Also sighted in the Kawekas were Simon and Anna.
Benj, Eleanor, Graham and Tony headed into Mitre Flats and Cow Creek for a cruisy getaway. There was much scrabble played, voracious cnsumption of Easter Eggs and the trusty knucklebones even made an appearance.
There was a South Island trip as well. The "Garden Party" saw Eric, Pete and Jeremy trying to return to the Garden of Eden with Ben and Scott C. A late ferry on thursday then an all night drive had them at the roadend at Mesopotamia Station on early friday morning. A good 20 minutes sleep and they were readay for the big push up the Havelock River. Good time was made and it was only 6 hrs to St Winifred Hut. There Scott and Eric were both having leg problems so headed back to Mistake Flats Hut where they slept ... lots. Meanwhile, Jeremy, Peter and Ben pushed on and camped high in the Havelock River. The next day saw them head up to Dissapoitment Saddle and made there way to Schrund Peak where they admired the huge 'schrund. An interesting moment when Jeremies hammer decided to fly a couple of hundred meters into the head of Agnes Stream, then a reasonably tense evacuation from the scene had them cruising back down the Havelock. Then it was back to Picton catching a late ferry and getting back to Wellingtom in time for a couple of minutes sleep before work. Nice.
**9th April - 11th April**
Quentin headed into the Ruahines to do a South - North traverse. He went in at Tamaki West Roadend and got as far as Longview Hut before poor weather and a dire forecast (tropical cyclone) caused him to flag it away.
**6th April - 8th April**
The hut and biv bagging weekend. Unfortunately the attempt to visit every hut and biv fell down, but nonetheless nearly 50 people were still tramping in Tararua FP so it was a success in that regard. Heres a brief list of who did what. Gerard kicked it off bagging Eastern Hutt on friday. Graham and Catherine headed into North Mangahao Biv. North Ohau Biv was visited by Caroline and Adrian. Dundas, Cattle Ridge, Herepai and Roaring Stag were visited by Iain, Gareth and Caitlin. Burn Hut, Harris Creek, Mangahao Flats, South Ohau and Te Matawai were visited by Tess, Kathryn and Kylie. Kylie and Tess then headed out via Waiopehu and Edwards Shelter, while Kathryn went out via South Ohau. Two groups headed up to Waitewaewae, they were Ben Clark, Belle and Femke and also Damien, Floss and Katie. Also calling into YTYY were Richard, Ben and Peter who failed in their mission to get Carkeek, Dorset Ridge, Tarn Ridge, Mid King Biv and Mitre Flats, but still got Parawai, Field, Penn Creek, Maungahuka, Aokaparangi Biv and Andersons. Eric came in to launch a late attempt to get those missing huts, but ran out of time and only got to Mid King Biv and Tarn Ridge before meeting the girls at Te Matawai and heading out with Kathryn. Chris S did a daytrip and bagged Holdsworth Lodge, Atiwhakatu, Jumbo and McGregor Biv. Scott C did a Maungahuka loop visiting Mountain House, Powell, Mid Waiohine, Maungahuka, Neil Forks, Totara Flats and Sayers. Tim and Jo went up to Waiopehu then bagged Oriwa Ridge Biv, Dracophyllum Biv, Arete Biv, and headed out down the Ohau. Julian D headed up to Te Matawai then along the main range, stopping at Drac Biv, then headed through YTYY bagging Nichols in the process. Greg did a sunday daytrip and bagged Blue Range, Cow Creek and Arete Forks then headed out the same way. Chris F, Grant and Scott T cruised up to Otaki and headed for Kime on Friday night, saturday saw Chris and Grant head down and bag Elder Biv, then back up to Aston to pick up Scott, then onto Alpha. Sunday saw them head down Bull Mound to bag Cone and Tutuwai and Smiths Creek. Kylie, Derek, Julie and Jocelyn did a Kapakapanui loop. Duncan cruised in to Waiotaru but missed Renata and Snowy River. So Renata, Snowy River, Carkeek and Dorest Ridge were missed but a very enjoyable weekend nonetheless. Kudos to all involved and especially to all who contributed cars, some cars and drivers racked up big K's doing trips back and forth between wellington and the Tararuas. Stay posted for the next attempt. Maybe next time we won't schedule it to coincide with the roar and there may actually be some hut space left.
**31 March - 1 April**
Rockcraft at Baring Head. About 30 people and plenty of keeness. Everyone got out had a try at bouldering, and also a top rope set-up and some abseiling as well. Superb weather.
Also some tramping. Kathryn, Peter, Richard, and the two Bens headed up to Otaki and wandered up the Waiotaru river, then up the Snowy river to Snowy Hut. From there most headed back to wellington for the party, but Richard headed on and visited Waiotaru hut and stayed at Renata, then sunday saw them cruise along Renata ridge, visit Elder Biv, and then back to Otaki via Kime and Field Huts. Hot, hot weather and great views.
Report Date: 25th March 2001
**Conservation News**
Due to overwhelming public opposition to their plan for hut fees, DOC has agreed to slow down the process, and will not be rushing through the changes. They acknowleged the strong submissions recieved against the proposal.
**23rd - 25th March**
Bushcraft at Otaki Forks. About 30 people in all, Dave, Caroline and Neil set up a navigation course, Ben and Peter gave an introduction to navigation, Eric taught campsite management and Richard took river crossings. Saturday saw us heading up to the first flats up the Waiotaru where we split into three groups for navigation, rivers and campsite management. Saturday night we couldnt have a fire, but Graham and Catherine turned up with cake for Eric and Carolines birthday, there was also an epic and highly contentious scrabble match. Sunday we split into four groups under Peter, Richard, Ben and Gerard and looked for the markers hidden the day before. Mixed results and markers are still out there (what went wrong Ben? Pete?), but a lot was learned and great fun was had. A really good weekend. Other tramping happened too. Saturday night saw Tim, Jo and Chris heading up to Dennan where they camped, on sunday they headed down from Table Top to Penn Creek Hut, and then back to the Forks via Penn Creek and the Otaki river.
Jeremy, Simon and Dan headed up to the Ruahines, thet went to Kawhatau Base, and headed up to Colenso trig, and along the Mokai Patea Range. They dropped down to Crow Hut, and bivied for the night. On sunday they cruised out down the Kawhatau river back to the car. On the sunday, June, Joe, Hannah and Andrew went to Walls Whare, wandered up to Makaka Creek and packfloated down Waiohine Gorge.
**16th - 18th March**
Freshers at Totara Flats. Superb trip, about 50 keen types, and nice weather to match. Headed into Donnellys Flat on friday night, then Saturday saw us cruise down Totara Creek, past Totara Flats Hut to camp at the Southern end of the flats, next to a bomber swimming hole. Saturday night was time for exploding cookers, jokes and vodka (Phil). Nice. Sunday was a late start owing to swimming/frisbee until 11am then the trip out to Walls Whare for a BBQ, laid on by Caroline and Eric. Nice. Then the bus home, and some appropriate VUWTC greetings courtesy of Tim and Ben. All in all the trip could be described as .... Nice. Other people went tramping too. Graham headed into Otaki Forks, and did a trip from the Forks to YTYY to Maungahuka and out down the Main Range. A good trip as well.
**9th- 10th March**
Graham, Michael and Caroline did a torch bash to Alpha Hut on friday night arriving at about 2am. They were there to assist as marshalls and SAR for the Southern Crossing Mounbtain Race held on saturday. The first runners left Kaitoke at 7am and passed through Alpha from 10am. A busy few hours were spent recording times and race numbers, pouring drinks and advising runners to dress for conditions on the tops. At 12.30pm Michael, Caroline and Trish (WTMC) left as Alpha 1 to follow the runners over the tops to Kime and down to Otaki. Weather was cold, windy and misty. Graham stayed behind with the rest of Alpha Hut to wait for two individual runners who hadn't turned up. One of the missing runners eventually turned up (he started late) and passed Alpha 1 on top of Alpha. They eventually picked him up at Mt Hector. After providing food they walked out with him - via Kime for hot tea - and the the team from Kime, arriving at the Forks at 8.15pm for their free T-Shirts and filled rolls and jet planes. Meanwhile Graham, Andrew (HVTC), Ruth (HVTC), Kevin (HVTC), Gerard (SAR) and Dot (Dog) were sent back down the Marchant as Alpha 2 looking for one lost runner. He eventually turned up at Kaitoke after taking a wrong turn at Dobsons, and Alpha 2 came out around 7pm. The only runner from Vic this year was Quentin who came home in a very credible 6hr 56minutes, Colin Rolfe won in 4hr 45. All in all a good weekend, maybe next year there'll be more people from Vic running.
**2nd March - 5th March**
Carkeek Picnic, the misison: To get from Ohau to Holdsworth or vice versa in the shortest possible time. This year records werent even close to being threatened. Jeremy, Peter and Jo went in at Holdsworth and took a mammoth 20 and a half hours to get out to Ohau, while Eric and Gerard went in at Ohau and took 18hrs to get across. On the sunday, Greg and Graham did their own daytrip. Heading in from Ohau they cruised up Waiopehu Ridge, round to Te Matawai Hut a quick dash up the hill to tag Arete Biv, then it was back down off Pukematawai, down to Girdlestone Saddle and into the Ohau after checking out Dowling Falls. From there it was a quick trot down the river to the car.
Report Date: 25th February 2001
**23rd - 25th of February**
Heaps of climbing, Peter, Cielle, Anna, Benj, Eleanor and Chris went to Baring Head on Saturday. Meanwhile, Eric, Graham, Annika and Dave headed to Wharepapa and Froggats. Eric tested the ankle and toprope dogged everything in sight, everyone else just cranked. Julian did a Renata Ridge trip, heading into Renata Hut on friday night, across to Alpha on Saturday and out via the Marchant on sunday. Richard cruised across the Southern Crossing for a saturday daytrip.
**St Arnaud - Lewis Pass trip MkII**
Ben and Kathryn set off from St Arnaud with the intention of following in Tess and Hannahs footsteps. Stunning weather was a feature of this trip as well, but unfortunately, our president decided to make a direct descent of Waiau Pass via a steep rocky gut. The result of this was that they decided to head out via the Waiau river rather than cross a few more passes. A pleasant night was had at Caroline Creek Biv, then the next day they frollicked with the frisky Bovines on the St James station land, before stopping at Christopher Hut. From there it was out to Lewis Pass and down to Maruia springs for hotpools and general r&r.
**Tasman Wilderness Trip**
Jo and Tim stamped the clubs mark on the Tasman Wilderness Area. A superb 9 day trip. They started from Flora Saddle and headed in over the Tablelands to Salisbury Lodge. From there they traversed the Peel Range into the Cobb Valley, stopping at Cobb Hut. They entered the wilderness area past Round Lake and passed Island Lake and dropped off Mt Aorere to camp in the Aorere river valley. From there they had a slow day bashing across and into the Spey river. They headed up the Spey river to Lake Aorere where they stayed two nights, climbing Centre Mountain. From there they headed down the Domett Creek into the Ugly river. The next day they bashed up onto the Fenian range for the night, and on their final night in the hills they headed out to the Oparara Arches.
**St Arnaud - Lewis Pass trip**
Hannah and Tess had eight days of magnificent hot weather as they tramped from St Arnaud to Lewis Pass via Mt Roberts, Robert Ridge, the Sabine river, Blue Lake, Waiau Pass, Thompson Pass, the Matakitaki and Unknown Pass down to Ada Flats Hut and out through Cannibal Gorge.
**During the last few weeks**
Jeremy and pete have been cranking at Baring Head, while Dave, Benj, Eleanor, Graham, Annika and Jeremy have had loads of Baring Head visits.
**17th Feburary**
Baring Head rock hop Matt B was 3rd, Buff Dan was 2nd, other Vic people there - Dave, Eleanor, Benj, Catherine, Jeremy and Peter.
**5th January - 10th Feburary**
Eric and Peter hitched straight to Wanaka from Whataroa, and caught a shuttle up the Matukituki. From there they cruised up to Colin Todd Hut in two days, and climbed Mt Aspiring via the North West Ridge. A pleasing walk, but bullet proof ice up high and generally poxy weather meant they didnt linger and headed back to Colin Todd, about 10 and a half hours return. From there they cruised back out in another two days and came back to Wellington, a fine way to cap off two weeks in the South Island.
**27th January - 4th Feburary**
Its hard to get to the Garden of Eden from the West Coast without the potential for an epic, and this trip definately had that potential. Eric, Peter, Richard, Graham, Joe, Aroha, Tom, Warwick and Jeremy set off up the Wanganui river on the saturday afternoon, bound for Hunters Hut and the Garden of Eden - Mt Cook trip. Sunday was a wearying 9 hours of bush and scrub bashing up the steep Lambert Spur, to a campsite on the magnificent Lambert Tops. From there we descended into tussock basins then climbed over the ridge, descending into Aciphylla Creek via easy soft snow slopes. From there it was a gruelling sidle across steep bare rock, and slippery snow grass. It was a relief to reach easier, nicer scree and from there easy rock slabs were ascended to some more snow slopes above high terraces. These were sidled, and then we climbed the snowfields to the top of the east spur of Mt Lambert and descended onto the Lambert neve, where Graham learnt about 'schrunds by not jumping far enough. We camped under Mt Lambert. An early start saw us heading up to Satans Saddle where we put on the crampons for the descent into, and the traverse along the Garden of Allah ice plateau. We climbed up to Adams Col, and camped about midday as the rain rolled in. the next 30 or so hours were spent in tents in the rain and snow. A good freeze however meant we could get away on thursday morning to traverse the Garden of Eden, intending to exit over the Great Unknown. Easy sidling presented an apparently easy route to the summit, unfortunately the sun was well and truly up, and any vestiges of a freeze had gone leaving poxy snow, and terrible cramponing. It got quite steep near the top and Richard took a fall and got bashed around a bit by some rock bands on the way down. Lacerations and bruising, but the legs were OK so we beat a hasty retreat off the Great Unknown, and retraced our steps back to the Garden of Eden. From there we descended the Adverse Glacier into Adverse Creek, and camped about an hour above the Perth confluence. The next day the Perth was easily crossed, and the low river levels meant little bashing was needed as we boulder hopped/scrambled/grovelled down the true left to Scone Hut. This was the halfway point of the trip, and we picked up the food drop, and decided we had had enough. A good eat up at Scone Hut, then everyone turned their backs on Sealy Pass and bombed out down the Perth. Eric and Peter headed off to Wanaka to try Mt Aspiring, while everyone else headed home, Joe, Graham and Richard cruising out in 2 days via Nolans Hut, everyone else got out in one day. A bit of a shame not to do the full 2 week traverse to Cook, but a week long trip and a visit to the Gardens meant it was still a superb and very enjoyable trip.
Report Date: 22nd January 2001
**19th January - 22nd January**
Eric, Peter and Joe returned to the Ruahines. Friday night saw them head up to Rangiwahia Hut. On saturday they dropped down to Pourangaki Hut then up onto the Hikurangi range and down Pinnacle Creek to Waterfall Hut. Sunday saw them exploring the waterfalls in tussock creek before bashing up through heinous leatherwood. They then cruised along Sawtooth ridge and along to Te Hekenga. Sidling the chavelle pitch, they then decided to go straight down a small creek to Triangle Hut, cunningly avoiding the obvious spur. This deception worked a treat as they spent four hours getting ripped to shreds to gain half a kilometre, before heading back up on top and finding a better stream to go down. Monday was the quick blat back trough Rangiwahia to the car.
Chris, Kylie, Cielle and Anna did a Putara-Dundas-Cattle Ridge-Roaring Stag loop. Alistair, went into Mitre Flats on monday and cruised up Mitre in about two hours. He then spent five hours grovelling down South Mitre Stream and had a look at Mitre Falls.
**12th January -14th January**
Alistair, Eric, Richard, Peter, Arman, Graham and Julian headed for the Ruahines. Friday night saw them head into Heritage Lodge. Saturday was a quick blast up to Iron Gates Hut followed by a leisurely cruise across the Ngamoko Range to Longview for lunch before heading down the Pohangina River to Leon Kinvig Hut via Top Gorge Hut. Sunday was a dash back over the Ngamoko Range back to the cars via Tunupo for Richard, Eric, Arman and Peter, while Alistair, Graham and Julian headed for Limestone roadend via Toka. A good trip.
**5th January - 7th January**
Eric, Joe and Richard headed into Cow Creek on the friday night passing Anna, Kylie and Cielle on the way out. An early start saw them cruise up the Waingawa to Arete Forks. Heavy spring rain has caused massive erosion filling in the Waingawa nicely, so it was an easy 1hr 45 to Arete Forks. After a brew with Tony Gates it was up Pinnacle Spur to take in the stunning views before dropping into the Park River. A hot hot day meant some deep pools on the Park were welcomed as a chance to have a float. A large chunk of hillside has fallen into the Park creating a large waterfall which is impassible. A steep sidle was possible round this obstacle. By now the river was a bit tedious, but Eric knew of a route up onto Carkeek Ridge he had used years before. It provided good, fast travel over .1212 and onto Carkeek Ridge for the blast down to the hut. 11 and a half hours from Cow Creek. Sunday saw Dorset Ridge Hut reached in just 3 hours easily bettering Graham and Gregs time from just before Christmas. This was done via a new route which Eric rates as the best way yet into the Waiohine. From there it was up to Tarn Ridge Hut for lunch. A small hailstorm out of a near clear sky annoyed Eric who had left his jacket at Cow Creek, but worse was to come. As Eric waited ontop of Girldlestone the first blast of lightning touched down through the trig giving Eric a bit of a shock (so to speak), from there it was a charge across Table Ridge with thunder booming and lightning flashing uncomfertably close by. Joe felt a bit of a zap on Brockett. The atmosphere was quite erie being so charged up and it was a releif to reach the bushline feeling pretty jaded. A reviver at Cow Creek and then the tedium of the climb back over Blue Range followed. 11 hr 45 minutes from Carkeek back to the car. A good trip all things considered.
Report Date: Christmas 2000
**26th December - 2nd January**
Richard, Eric and June decided on a North Island trip into the Northern Ruahines. Poor weather saw numerous changes of plans, but a good trip still resulted. Boxing day saw them meeting at Sunrise Hut where they headed North along the main range taking in Sparrowhawk Biv, they then dropped down to Barlow Hut for the night of the 27th. The next day saw them travel via Parks Peak Ridge back to the main range where they spent a wet and uncomfertable night under the fly in a nasty storm. The 29th saw them at Ruahine Hut drying gear, and reflecting on the hospitality at No Mans Hut (now a private Hut) where they enjoyed sausages and Milo for a late breakfast. Courtesy of the leaseholder. On the 30th they put in a big day taking 14 hours to get to Ruahine Corner via Dianes Hut, the little visited Taruarau Biv (log book dates back to 1969!), and the equally isolated Ikawatea Forks Hut. The last 3-4km across the plateau were particulary miserable in driving rain, and near dark. The 31st saw them start late and end up at Maropea Forks for the New Year celebrations, a cold night broke to reveal a snowy dawn. Snow down to 900 metres in the North Island in January!! A late start on the 1st saw them heading up the Maropea river swollen with snowmelt, but it was still straightforward travel back to Sunrise Hut for their last night in the hills. Poor weather but a superb trip, with a little visited part of the world feeling VUWTCs presence.
**31st December - 4th January**
VUWTC Old Codgers 5 passes trip in Mt Aspiring and Fiordland NP
After waiting out bad weather in Wanaka, the 31st finally saw Dave, Chris, Nils and Caroline in the jetboat heading up the Dart River. They experienced rain, hail and sunshine, with an average temperature of about 6 degrees on their way up the Beans Burn to the first rock shelter. New Years Eve was marked by chocolate liquers then in bed by 7pm wearing all warm clothes. The 1st saw them snowed on crossing the Fohn Saddle, and they reached the 4 person rock biv on the Olivine Ledge, where a cosy night was enjoyed. The 2nd dawned clear and sunny, but a cold southerly called for jackets, polypro and overtrousers as they climbed over Fiery Col. The temperature warmed up as they descended, out of the wind, to Cow Saddle and carried on down Hidden Falls Creek past the rock biv and on to a campsite where they could finally dry wet boots and socks. Dessert that night was Christmas pudding and custard. Day 4 dawned fine for the short, steep climb up to Parks Pass, with superb views over the Darran Mountans (Fiordland NP). From there it was into the Rock Burn for another night in the tents on river flats. An early start on day 5 saw them up on Sugerloaf Pass with great views of Mt Earnslaw (before the cloud rolled in), and had them exiting at the start of the Routeburn track by 11.45am. Dave hitched back to Glenorchy to pick up the car, then it was back to Queenstown for hot showers, steak and beer! A great trip that took advantage of the window of good weather.
**26th December - 5th January**
Simon, Benj, Joel, Peter, Steve, Jeremy and Glyn headed down south to attempt Mt Aspiring. Poor weather in the first week meant a lot of coffee was drunk in Wanaka, and a relaxing few days were spent playing 500 in Aspiring Hut. French Ridge Hut was also visited. Alas the mountain was not climbed, Simon had a look at the South West Ridge, and Peter, Glyn and Steve had a look at the Bonar Glacier.
**2nd January - 5th January**
Anna, Kylie and Cielle headed into Cow Creek from Kiriwhakapapa on the night of the 2nd. The 3rd saw them head to Carkeek via Table Ridge and the tops. The 4th saw them drop down to Park Forks and then back up to bag Dorset Ridge Hut, before stopping for the night at Tarn Ridge Hut. The 5th was retracing old ground as they headed out to Kiriwhakapapa with some interesting moments after losing the track down off Table Ridge. Superb weather, and some excellent hutbagging partaken of.
Report Date: 17th December 2000
**15th - 17th December**
Graham and Greg added yet another VUWTC entry to the Carkeek logbook. In perfect conditions on the Saturday they headedin from Jumbo via McGregor Spur in seven hours. Sunday was a ten and a half hour slog in hot conditions to complete the classic loop via Dorset Ridge and the Three Kings. Highlights of the trip were new matteresses at Carkeek, and the sighting of Powelliphanta - the native land Snail. They may also have seen a Kaka in the Atiwhakatu Valley.
Meanwhile, Tim, Matt, Richard and Scott went for a daytrip up to Eastern Hutt Hut on Saturday. Eric, Steve and Benj did an East Holdsworth daytrip on the sunday.
**8th - 10th December**
Peter and Glyn went back to Girdlestone and plugged their way to the top, Eric took the skis out for a late season play around.
**1st - 3rd December***
Graham, Catherine, Eric and Richard H headed into Putara roadend on saturday afternoon to explore the huts and rivers of the Northern Tararuas. Graham and Catherine headed up to Cattle Risge via Roaring Stag with the intention of going over Dundas and doing the loop back to the roadend. High winds and rain foiled the plan so headed back to the roadend the same way, also taking in Herepai Hut. Richard and Eric headed into Roaring Stag then they went and camped up the river next to Ruapae lakelet. A good chance for Eric to put his ankle to the test and also to add some rerd line to his Levin map. Kathryn and Richard D meanwhile headed up to Te Matawai via South Ohau on friday with big plans to visit Carkeek, Dorset Ridge and Tarn Ridge huts. High winds on Saturday saw them stop at Arete Biv at about midday, and then spend 19 hours in pit waiting for them to drop. They died down on Sunday morning, and they plodded back to the car via Gable End Ridge in the rain. The early hours of sunday morning also saw the team return from Stewart Island. By all accounts a superb trip to a little visited part of the world. They split up while down there to enable greater coverage of the area, with Ben, Peter and Duncan conquering the heinous bush bash between Cooks Arm and the Feezer in only 8 hours, rather then the three days that was claimed by the doomsayers at DOC. In the interim Chris, Tim, Scott, Jo and June took the chance to further explore the vicinity of Cooks Arm and the Fraser Peaks. Once reunited they all crossed the Tin Range and then did the Sothern Circut as well with swimming at Doughboy Bay.
Report Date: 26th November 2000
**24th - 26th November*
The annual Sarex was held, based in the Akatarawa hills between Maungakotukutuku Road (behind Paekakariki) and Bulls Run Road (behind Upper Hutt). VUWTC had a stong presence with Richard and Kathryn in the 'missing' party who went in on friday. Club memebers involved in the search teams were Caroline, Adrian P, Rachel, Melinda, Mike, Neil, and Gavin. Dave W was one of the field controllers and Eric spent the weekend as a patient for the first aid skills scenario. An excellent weekend was spent by all grovelling through regenerating scrub on the site of old logging works and bashing down horribly narrow and grotty stream beds. The airforce had provided an Iroquois for the weekend so everyone logged at least some flight time, although some seemed to get more than their fair share. The absence of any landing spots meant plenty of work for the choppers winch, and the longest winch of the weekend went to Caroline who was winched 120ft out of a gorge. The rugged terrain threw up some other points of interest, like Carolines team and Melindas team searching the same stream but finding themselves seperated by the small matter of a 40m waterfall. Or the Police 4x4 deciding to investigate a deep hole in the river which required another 4x4 to winch it out, it also required a hurried recapture of the packs belonging to Melindas team as they floated away downstream. One team from the Waiarapa decided to stage their own mini-sarex by losing a team member up a gorge, the airforce were dispatched to locate a missing person 'believed to be sitting in a stream bed'!. He was winched out and dropped back with his team. All in all a good weekend to put the skills learnt during the year into practice.
**19th November**
Tim, Jo, June, Scott R, Duncan, Chris, Peter and Ben departed for Stewart Island, with the intention of crossing the Pegasus Wilderness area and traversing the Tin Range.
**10th-12th November**
A large group headed to Wharepapa South for a weekends climbing. They were Simon, Graham, Catherine, Glyn, Annika, Chris, Caroline, Dave W., and Nils. Meanwhile Jeremy returned to Girdlestone this time with Peter in tow. In excellent weather but less than perfect snow, they left the carpark at 8.30pm and topped out just after 11pm. They were back at the carpark by 1am. By all accounts a superb mission. Sunday saw them driving around to Mangatepopo, where they climbed Bomb Arete. It was also a good weekend for tramping. Alistair, Benj, Eleanor, Kylie, Anna and Cielle headed into Totara Flats for saturday night. Richard went for a daytrip to Mt Holdsworth on a claggy saturday and thus missed the views on offer on the fine and clear sunday.
**3rd - 5th November**
Graham and Catherine cruised around the Kapakapanui loop on Saturday. June and Jo headed back to Ohau roadend and spent the weekend exploring Waiopehu Ridge, Oriwa Ridge Biv and the surrounding areas.
Report Date: 29th October 2000
**27th - 29th October**
June, Jo and Tim went in from the top Mangahao Dam and headed up past Harris Creek and Mangahao Flats Huts, the up Triangle Spur and along to Arete Biv for the night. Sunday they headed down to Te Matawai where June and Jo went out via Gable End Ridge and Tim went out via the Ohau.
Jeremy and Glyn finally knocked off Girdlestone on Ruapehu for the club. It was proving to be a nemesis for the club this year. Meanwhile Dave, Simon, Annika and Alistair continued the clubs tradition this year of climbing at Whanganui Bay.
Graham and Catherine headed in late Saturday afternoon into the Haurangi Forest Park, past the Pinnacles and along to Washpool Hut for the night. They came out the same way on Sunday.
**20th - 23rd October**
Quite fantastic weather for Labour weekend and the start of summer tramping. The Tararua Hut Bagging mission was a great success, 22 people headed into the hills to try and get the club logo in every hut book. Richard and Ben were dropped off before dawn on Friday morning by Eric. Ben headed up the Ohau river to bag South Ohau Hut, then up Yeates track to bag Te Matawai, he then spent a few hours sunbathing at Arete Biv before dropping down Pinnacle Spur to stay at Arete Forks for the night. Saturday saw him head up onto Table Ridge, a quick backtrack to Tarn Ridge, and he then headed down off Mid King and bagged Mitre Flats. It was then a cruise out via Atiwhakatu. Richard was dropped at the No.2 Reservoir and headed up to Burn Hut, then cruised up the road and up the Mangahao bagging Harris Creek and Mangahao Flats before stopping for the night at Te Matawai. Saturday saw a cruise out via Waiopehu Ridge and a bag of Waiopehu Hut. Meanwhile Peter had headed into Mid Waiohine on Friday afternoon, bagging Holdsworth Lodge, Mountain House and Powell Hut en route. Saturday saw him bag Maungahuka he then decided an investigation of the Hector Forks was in order, so he skipped Neil Forks in favour of a grovel up onto Cone Ridge, and consequently missed Totara Flats and Sayers as well. Joe and Glyn did a loop trip through Penn Creek and up onto Table Top, heading back down to the car via Field Hut. Kathryn and Juliet did a Saturday day trip and bagged Cone and Tutawai and spent a long time in the sun. Saturday, Sunday and Monday saw Mike, Jessie, Adrian, Melinda and Lisa head into Carkeek, in the process bagging Atiwhakatu, Jumbo, Dorset Ridge and Tarn Ridge Huts. On Saturday and Sunday Michael and Gerard bagged Blue Range, Cow Creek, Cattle Ridge, Dundas, Roaring Stag and Herepai Huts. Sunday saw Alistair heading in and bagging Eastern Hutt, Alpha and Renata Huts. Then on Sunday heading out to the Forks via Waiotaru and Snowy River Huts. Phil, Anna, Rodger and Simon P headed in from the Forks and bagged Parawai Lodge, Field, Kime, Maungahuka, Andersons and Waitewaewae Huts. Disaster was averted when Greg charged on and bagged Nicholls on Monday. Caroline had been forced out of the Carkeek trip with injury but got up early on Monday morning to drop Dave at Walls Whare, he headed up onto Cone and dropped down to bag Neil Forks, he also bagged Totara Flats and Sayers on the way out to Holdsworth Lodge. Richard headed back into the hills on Monday for a quick dash up to Kapakapanui Hut, and the mission was complete. All Huts bagged.
Kylie, Chris, Anna, Cielle and Hannah decided to take advatage of the great views and fine weather and headed into Tarn Ridge on an independent trip.
The great weather also extended to the central North Island. Jeremy, Simon, Graham, Catherine and Annika headed up to Whanganui Bay for an excellent weekends climbing and sunbathing. Jeremy and Simon found time to head off on Sunday and climb the East Ridge of Mt Taranaki.
**17th October**
AGM - New president for 2001 is Kathryn Gow, Eric Duggan will be Chief Guide again.
**13th October - 15 October**
Climbing at Whanganui Bay, or in Erics case lying in the sun. An interesting trip back as well with a green juice-coke fight in the back of Jeremys car and Annikas hat dissapearing out the window courtesy of Eric.
**6th October - 8th October**
Club tramping trip to do Neil-Winchcombe Ridge. After a few late defections only two people were keen. Richard and John were dropped off at Walls Whare on Friday night by Caroline where we stayed the night. Saturday saw us head up to Totara Flats then up onto Cone Ridge, along Cone Ridge and down to Tutawai for the night. Sunday was a cruise down the river to be picked up by Caroline at Kaitoke. More wet, wet weather. Not Neil-Winchcombe but a pleasant enough trip.
Whanganui Bay was blessed with good weather and Jeremy, Glyn, Peter, Alistair, Catherine and Graham made the most of it with two days good climbing, with a night on the town in Taupo thrown in.
Report Date: 29th September 2000
**29 September -1 October**
Interclub trip at Massey Alpine Clubs Hut. About 20 people from the three clubs. Vic a little outnumbered but Joe, June and Gerard had a good time anyway. Walking in the rain at Mangatepopo and watching 'ethanol' the Auckland drinking king make a fool of himself.
Also attempts at tramping. Hannah, Tess, Graham and Tony set out to bag Carkeek. Friday night saw them at Parawai Lodge in the rain, Saturday was Kime in the rain, Sunday saw them marooned at the forks by slips and another night at Parawai Lodge. Monday the helicopter arrived and they were free. Five year highs for most Tararua rivers meant Carkeek was going to be hard work.
**22-24 September**
Two club trips going. Tramping or climbing - take your pick.
Tramping in the Ruahines, after a couple of defections six keenish people were left. Pete, Ben, Matt, Daniel, Hannah and Kathryn. Friday it was up to Heritage Lodge. Saturday it was up onto Tunupo on the Ngamoko Range and a long battle into strong wind to reach Longview Hut. Sunday it was down to Iron Gate Hut via Otumore and a fun leatherwood swim in bad weather. Then down the Oroua River to the cars, sidle track very quick and very dry, river a bit slower and requiring a swim. Full credit to those who stayed sensible and took the track.
Climbing - Whanganui Bay was the location again, by all accounts good climbing and good times had by all.
**15-17 September**
Club Ski trip. Stunning weather for lots of skiing and learning to ski on the saturday. Sunday it was climbing at Whanganui Bay. Another excellent weekend for the club based at Junes batch.
Stunning weather in the Tararuas as well. Maungahuka was the place to be. Chris, Michael, Cielle and Kylie cruised up to Powell on friday night, then wandered round the Maungahuka loop in beautiful weather.
Ben and Sean decided to try and do the same walk in the shortest possible time. After passing the first group having breakfast at Powell, they raced on, getting to Maungahuka at 3 o'clock. They made Cone Ridge on dark at spent a long time crashing around having lost the track. After finding their way down they spent a chilly night at Totara Flats without sleeping bags. Sunday morning was a quick blast back to Holdsworth Lodge to warm up.
The Northern Tararuas were also visited. Joe, Hannah and Alisatir set off for Cattle Ridge via Roaring Stag on Saturday, but ended up at Dundas via Herepai. Sunday it was a long day as they slogged back to the car at Putara. Once again it was two days stunning weather.
Report Covers: July 28th to August 12th
***August 10th-12th***
16 pupils and four instructors headed up to the mountain to look at snow conditions, place anchors, set up belay stances and pitch climb. A successful weekend; the anchors (generally) held, the belays worked and so did the sunblock. However, next year's long jump competition may be moved to a new venue....
Katherine Gow and Hannah also headed up to the mountain for a spot of tramping and reading on the sun-drenched snow.
***Egmont trip July 28th-30th ***
Fifteen keen types headed up to Taranaki armed with forecasts of impending bad weather, ice axes, crampons and sour gummy bears. All eventually arrived at Tahurangi Lodge for sleep expecting a wet dawn. Sunny.
Separated into a couple of groups and eventually everyone turned up in the crater. A bit of bouldering/soloing was done on the crater face of summer entrance and a top-rope set up for those who wanted a flail.
Summit photos galore in perfect weather. Jeremy soloed the Sharks Tooth, then Eric had a go but unfortunately fell on bad ice near the top. Broken leg so a helicopter evac. Those who hadn't already left headed down orstayed with Eric in the cold. Eric got his ride and we all arrived back at the lodge in various states of tiredness.
Sunday some (Ben, Tim, Roger, Joe, June, Jo) chose to go tramping/ piking/ visiting, others rock climbing (Jeremy, Catherine, Pete, Scott, Dave) and some to sift (Benj, Adrian, Zuzannah) then a visit to Eric at Taranaki Base before surgery on Benj's car and a long, late trip back to Wellington. Everyone buzzing. Yeah. it photos galore in perfect weather. Jeremy soloed the Sharks Tooth, then Eric had a go but unfortunately fell on bad ice near the top. Broken leg so a helicopter evac. Those who hadn't already left headed down orstayed with Eric in the cold. Eric got his ride and we all arrived back at the lodge in various states of tiredness.
Sunday some (Ben, Tim, Roger, Joe, June, Jo) chose to go tramping/ piking/ visiting, others rock climbing (Jeremy, Catherine, Pete, Scott, Dave) and some to sift (Benj, Adrian, Zuzannah) then a visit to Eric at Taranaki Base before surgery on Benj's car and a long, late trip back to Wellington. Everyone buzzing. Yeah.
Report Date: Tuesday June 28 2000
***Carkeek (June 23-25)***
Dave H, Jo, and Eric charged into Y2YY on Friday night. On Saturday they headed up onto Junction Knob and over Mt Crawford to Nichols; a bag for Dave. Then down to Park Forks and up to Carkeek Hut just on dark. This was my 21st visit to Carkeek. Sunday was unpleasantly cold and windy for the journey up Carkeek Ridge and across to Arete Biv; another bag for Dave. After confirming that Graham and Catherine hadn't made it to Arete it was down to Te Matawai. Here we called Graham at home and organised a ride out from Ohau. It was then down to South Ohau hut and out via the river.
***Holdsworth (June 18)***
Jeremy, June, Joe, Glyn, and Steve R went for a bit of a day trip up Holdsworth via Powell and then down East Holdsworth. Conditions were very windy with people being picked up off their feet on top of Holdsworth.
***Mount Hector (June 15-16)***
Eric, Glyn and Peter were dropped off at Otaki Forks about 9.30 PM Thursday night courtesy of Richie. The aim was to take advantage of a full moon and lot's of snow and hopefully do a moonlit southern over night in time for work the next day. Soft snow turned them back from the summit of Hector around about 2 AM. A call to Peter's father from Bridge Peak ensured transport back to Glyn's car in Kaitoke and back into work on time on Friday morning.
***Mount Hector (June 14-15)***
Tim and Jo headed up to Mt Hector plugging steps for the moonlit southern group. Soft snow meant they stayed at Kime and then went back to Otaki Forks the next day.
***Anderson's (June 12-13)***
Anna, Cielle, Kylie, Kathyrn, and Hannah headed up to Andersons Hut for a day trip from Y2YY after a leisurely sleep in. Sleet on the way down and a descent down from Shoulder knob in the dark. June 13 was cold and wet with snow on the plateau on the way out. Unfortunately that was the last significant snow fall the country's seen this winter.
Report Date: Tuesday June 13 2000
***Andersons (June 11)***
Anna, Cielle, Kylie, Kathyrn, and Hannah headed in towards Andersons
Hut. Hope they didn't find it too cold in there with all the snow
forecast.
***Waiotauru Hut (June 11)***
The inaugural VUWTC four-wheel driving trip. Two Suzuki's, a
series one Landrover and as some people suggested beforehand Simon's
family chariot (The '86 Mitsi Mirage station wagon). Those
involved were Duncan, Nick, Simon, Jeremy, Scott, Peter, Glyn, Richard,
Eric, Benj, Eleanor, Tim, and Jo. All the vehicles got into
the hut and out again, via the Akatarawa saddle and 4wd "road".
Only managed to role 2 vehicles on their side; Peter nearly put Nick's
Suzuki into a small creek. While Jeremy looked like he wasn't
going to leave the car-park at Akatarawa saddle until he had rolled
his Landrover; which he did.
***Field Hut (June 11)***
Caroline, Melinda, Lisa, and Chris went looking for snow but after
heavy rain at Field Hut decided to call it a day.
***Ruapehu (June 10)***
Simon, Jeremy, June, Glyn, Benj, Lisa, Peter, and Eric went for a bit
of a walk up Turoa Skifield on Ruapehu to check out the new snow.
Plenty of it but gale force westerlies and driving snow put us off going
beyond the liftie's hut at the top of the top chair. The ski down
is best left undescribed. It's looking like a promising winter though.
***Carkeek (June 9-10)***
Captain Clendon was obviously feeling keen and maybe a bit left out,
as he still hadn't been to Carkeek. However he made up for it with
a 2 day in and out mission in winter by himself. No worries getting
in over Crawford, down to Park Forks and up to the hut. Rain on Friday
night meant he had to swim the Park after recovering from an indiscretion,
which left him a bit upstream from Park Forks. However he was out
in time to injure himself on Saturday night.
***Kawkeas (June 2 - 5)***
Christian, Berber, Mariska, and Graham headed in from the "Gums" to
Te Puia lodge and the hot pools. A nice day trip to Makino Hut and back
and then back out again to the "Gums". A very relaxing trip by all
accounts.
Tim set a cracking pace for Eric, June, Jo, and Dave to follow.
Up over Kaweka J in the rain and cold wind on Saturday. Stopped in
at Back Ridge Hut, Back Ridge Biv, Rocks Ahead Hut, and finally into Tira
Lodge just after dark. Nice to find it full of botanists with a nice
fire going. Sunday over to Ballard, down to Makino and onto Te Puia for
a nice night relaxing in the hot pools. Cruised out on Monday to
the "Gums".
Catherine, Carla and Hannah went up over Kaweka J and then north along
the ridge in mist, rain, and wind to Ballard Hut. Sunday down to
Te Puia via Makino and a night in the hot pools with the others.
Monday out to the road end with everyone else.
Phil, Lars, and Jay cruised into Te Puia Saturday and onto Ballard Sunday.
Sunday night saw a very full hut and the southerly depositing a foot of
snow on the tops. Strong winds on Monday drove them back to the car-park
with everyone else. Monday night then saw us driving round to Makahu Saddle
to pick up the van, into Taradale for petrol for Phils's car. Back
to the "Gums", back to Taradale for petrol, onto Hastings for dinner.
Finally leaving for Wellington at 10 PM and back home at 2 AM.
***Northern Tararua's (May 26 - 28)***
Joe and others enjoyed a pleasant day trip round the tops above Herepai.
Simon P and Ben cruised around the tops to Dundas for the night while Richard
and Jo continued on to Arete Biv. Sunday was a big day for all four
of them as they headed back out to Putara via Bannister.
***Ruapehu (May 27)***
Meanwhile up at Ruapehu Eric was running around the mountain along
with a big bunch of crazy runner's that Mike Sheridan had organised.
A 4.20 AM start meant lot's of frost and ice but a beautiful sun rise and
set. Times ranged from 13.5 to 15 hours for the round trip; Turoa - Tukino
-
RockMyPapa - Turoa.
***East Holdsworth (May 27)***
Chris, Rachel, Caroline, and Jack the Border Collie dragged my parent's
up East Holdsworth and back down again. Cloud on the main range spoiled
views in that direction otherwise a good day
Report Date: Tuesday May 23 2000 - Easter
***Carkeek (May 19-21)***
Dave, Jo Hoare, Scott, Adrian, and Alastair headed in on Thursday night.
We never saw them at Carkeek so not sure what they got up to.
Jeremy Haines, Simon, June, Glyn, Graham, Catherine, Peter, Tim Baker,
and Eric headed into Jumbo Friday night. Saturday we headed to Carkeek
via Mcgregor spur arriving in the dark. Some interesting river crossings
(floating with the current) meant a longer than usual trip up the Waiohine.
9 people in Carkeek was nice and cosy but not too crowded. It was
the first visit for Tim, Catherine, Peter, and Graham.
Due to rain over night we headed out via the Upper Waiohine, Dorset
Ridge and over the tops on Sunday. Gale force north-westerlies and
then southerly rain made for an interesting trip with 6 people heading
out over Mitre and 3 down Baldy and back to Holdsworth for the cars.
Everyone eventually got out to Masterton at 10.30pm. Another great
trip to Carkeek.
***Bash on Thru (May 12-14)***
Caroline reports that: "14 keen and eager "students" came on Bash on
thru for the weekend to be instructed in the finer points of navigation,
leadership, bush awareness and radio procedure by Dave and his band of
merry helpers. After navigating around the Catchpool carpark and
locating yellow scraps of plastic they spent 10 minutes silently contemplating
and becoming one with their environment. Then it was time for the clue
awareness where 14 everyday items were placed casually on either side of
a short section of track. Not even Dave saw both the tampon and the
compass! After dinner groups were dispatched by base to their nominated
campsites (off track on various spurs off the 5 mile track) having to radio
into base every hour. The last group got to pit at midnight! Sunday
saw the groups tasked to yet more spot heights and grid references.
Two groups even found their little yellow markers!"
***Bush Ball (May 6-7)***
Not too sure there. Look at the photo gallery. A good trip/time
was had by all.
***Advanced Rock Craft (April 28-30)***
Dave, Jeremy, and Dereck instructed 9 pupils in the finer points of
rock climbing. Apparently Dereck then impressed everyone on a 28.
I am sure Dave will have more to say about this weekend in his next climbing
update.
***Easter***
Four groups headed into the Kaimanawas where most people experienced
bad weather. Some came out early and went to the hot pools (at Turangi)
where they met up with (by chance) other tramping club people
also in the area. Graeme's group had lot's of fun camping out
in the mist and the sleet which also meant their ambitious route wasn't
quite feasible.
***Also at Easter***
Eric and Simon went down to size up Tutoko - I asked Eric how it went
and he sent in the following report:
The trip down south was excellent. We made it down to Homer Hut
with a car full of food just in time for the weather to crap out.
The next day we decided to head to the pub at Milford Sound in the evening.
It had been raining all day and the dry stream between the hut and the
road had turned into a river and a small lake. Simon drove through
it with no worries and I got some good photos.
We found some American tourists at the pub to hassle but had to head
back as it was closing time. We got back to the river crossing ok
and even had our sleeping bags on the back seat in case we couldn't make
it. I got out and waded through the river to find the rest route
but Simon charged through and headed right. The car travelled under
water for quite along time and I thought he might even make it. Unfortunately
he went into a deep pool and lost momentum. At this stage the water
was up to his chest.
I rescued floating sleeping bags and dived under to grab cameras and
wallets. Luckily my camera was in a dry bag which really saved it.
Simon then grabbed his ropes and winches out of the back. Unfortunately
we also had to use my climbing rope to reach a tree. We then spent
two hours in the rain (which was pissing down) winching the car out.
We even used prussicks once we ran out of joins on the rope.
We then had to spend the next day drying out the car. Water was
shooting out of the cylinders once Simon removed the spark plugs.
A truck towed us back through the river and Simon was able to get the motor
turned over.
The next day we drove back to Te Anau and got a mechanic to drain the
oil and petrol. In the mean time we dryed our sleeping bags at a
motor camp and checked the weather. unfotunately the only good weather
was in the next day. So we rang up a helicopter company in Milford
and orgnaised a flight for that afternoon.
We drove out to Milford Sound and got all our gear ready and met the
pilot who was very relaxed. He looked up at the clearing clouds and
said he could get us up about 4.30pm.
The flight into Turner's biv was excellent. Walking in would be
a real mission with a heavy climbing pack. The final climb up to
the biv looks really steep. The pilot landed us on the glacier above
the biv. Unfortunately we forgot to grab the stove and fuel. Turner's
Biv is well built up with a couple of rock walls and room for 10 people
in 2 seperate rooms. It also gives you an awesome view up at the
south face of Tutoko, which is a real mountain. The valley floor
is at about 300m so it rises 2400m up to it's summit.
What we could see of the route up the South-East ridge looked quite
full on but definitely possible. What looked a problem was just getting
to the base of the climb. It looked like we would definitely be out
for over 24 hours.
We got up at and left at 2am and made good time up the glacier and found
an easy route round the side of all the cut up ice falls. The weather
was crap though as we were in the cloud and the wind was very strong.
About 4am we found a rock ridge to bivvy until light. It looked better
in daylight but we were still in the cloud. We had an interesting
steep traverse (while roped together) above a schrund. We got up
to the ridge onto Madeline (next to Tutoko) at about 2200m and had a good
look at the route over to Tutoko. By now it was about 8am and it looked
like a horrible traverse of about 3 hours along the ridge to Turner's Pass
(the start of the SE ridge on Tutoko). Due to a dodgy forecast we
decide not to attempt the route as we didn't want to risk spending a night
bivvying near the top. The route looked awesome and we realised that
Tutoko is a serious commiting mountain.
The weather then cleared up completly and we climbed Madeline via it's
west ridge. There was an interesting knife edge traverse over to
it's high peak but otherwise straight forward. We had amazing views
on top into the Darrans,out to the coast (Big Bay and Awarua Point), Lake
Alabaster, and even 5 jet boats on the Hollyford River. We could
look over too the Olivine Ice Plateau but it was covered in cloud.
While on top Simon also rang the helicopter company to organise a pick
up for us the next morning.
It was a quick trip down and we were back at the biv at 4pm. That
night a big north west storm came through, dropping snow on the top's but
clearing up by morning. It was just as well we weren't bivvied out
on top.
After flying out we raced north to Mount Cook getting to the Ball Road
end to spend Easter Friday night. We had another shit forecast but
with a possibility of clear weather on the monday. We tramped into
the Beetham Valley on Saturday and set up my tent in the rain. We
then waited until the weather cleared on Sunday afternoon and headed up
onto the West Ridge of Malte Brun. There was alot of snow about and
it looked like winter conditions.
We bivvied for the night at about 2100m. Just after dark it started
to sleet and then snow quite heavily as a southerly came through.
By 11pm it had cleared and our biv bags froze to our sleeping bags.
The next morning we decided to head out as there was too much soft snow.
It started snowing heavily on the way back to the tent which was under
about 10cm of snow. Once we got back on the glacier it had cleared up again.
It was a fast trip back down the glacier getting to Simon's car after only
about 3 hours.
We had a few car problems getting back to Christchurch but made it back
eventually.
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