Golden Bay Alpine and Tramping Club

March, 2018 Vol 31 - No 4

TRAMP REPORTS

Rogaine 2 December Everybody seemed to have a good time, despite the wind. We were pleased to see competitors scattering to the

four points of the compass at the start and, from a quick look at the Control Cards, taking all sorts of routes

around the area. We hope everybody enjoyed the mix of terrain and the views of Farewell Spit, albeit somewhat

shrouded in its very own sandstorm!

If you’d like to do more rogaining have a look at the NZ Rogaine Association website (www.rogaining.org.nz).

Finally, thanks everybody for your donation to St Johns. Much appreciated. Richard English

Parapara Peak 17 December

Party: Angharad (leader / coordinator), Dan (bird, bug & plant man), Rose, Terri, Dennis & Cathy

What were we thinking?!! It must have been one of the hottest, muggiest days of the year & we chose to climb

1200m. However, great company, wonderful views, beautiful bird song including hearing a Kakariki,

carnivorous plants (Drosera spatulata?) and then the Mussel Inn afterwards for a very well deserved cold drink.

Thanks to Angharad for getting us all up and down safely and to Rose for supplying much needed, lifesaving (it

felt like it) electrolyte drinks. Cathy

Taupo Point kayak & camp Cancelled – weather too windy

Kaihoka Ramble 16 December

Party: Joyce (Guardian and guide), Mary (2nd

Guide), Shaye, Ryan, Steph, Kan and Kevin

There can be many elements that make for an enjoyable day out; and we were lucky to tap into many of them on

this lovely ramble. Joyce, guardian of the land, clearly had Norwegian negotiations in ameliorating the weather

from windy to largely calm. The sun shone hot but the pace was gentle so that there was not too much sweat lost

as we climbed to the highest parts of the property. The company was diverse with energetic teenagers roaming to

explore caves, often followed by plucky 8 year old Ryan, and the adults in various phases of phitness.

As we climbed we were soon greeted with the sights of fluted, and otherwise sculptured, limestone, until,

reaching a high point, we could see into “Middle Earth”. Everyone delighted in hearing Joyce’s description of

how the film crew came to the Wyllie Farm to film the Hobbit – a tale I’ve heard before, but none the worse for

repeated hearings.

Lunch time found us on a rocky outcrop with big views; down to a beach on the West Coast, across the

Westhaven Inlet in the opposite direction, and beautiful topography in between. Treats were shared as the party

increasingly warmed to one another and opened up to share enthusiasms.

From this high point we descended towards the Inlet side, being educated variously on the geology, flora and

fauna that we passed. The tide was in retreat when we reached sea level and walked across 3 metres of sand into

what seemed like 2 km of squelchy mud. Whilst three of our number were barefoot for the entire ramble, almost

everyone forsook their footwear for fear of losing it in the sucking sediment.

Much of the discussion during this latter part of the trip was focussed on the authenticity of the dinosaur

footprints that we were heading towards. Indeed when we reached the spot a great deal of persuasive imagination

still failed to convince everyone.

Despite the leisurely pace of the day we had been out in the hot sun for many hours, so a cooling swim in

Kaihoka Lakes was a great way to end a most enjoyable day. Thank you Joyce and Mary. Kevin

Historic Rameka Track 17 December

Rameka old Rameka,

The Historical Pack Track.

Terri, Dennis, Brian, Paul, Rose,

Up hill steady we all goes.

Great views, clear skies after rain,

With ease, height easily gained.

Up on ridge there's other tracks,

For bikes and trampers, with packs.

There's the 'Great Expectations',

'Odyssey',steep downhill runs.

Had lunch at a special place,

Lorax Liar, an open space.

Appreciate very much,

Efforts and creative touch.

Track makers, and pest trappers,

Bridge builders, and tree planters.

Much thanks from us to you all,

A lovely place to explore. Poet Paul

Kaituna Crossover 23 December

Party 1: Louise, Terri, Dennis, Cathy - scribe

The 4 of us started from the Knuckle Hill end and as the day was going to be long and hot we rather thought we

got the best deal! It was cool enough and we had plenty of energy at that point to get up Knuckle Hill. Then on

through the beautiful park-like area before entering the bush. Plenty of water along the way for us to fill our

bottles and the most gorgeous display of Rata any of us had ever seen. We met the 4 coming the other way and

even remembered to swap keys!

Although designated a route, the track was easy to find and well marked. It was relatively slow going until we

descended to Kaituna Forks where we had a welcome splash in the river - bit of a trickle compared to what it

can be like. The track from the Forks to the road end was very well formed and we marched along it as we were

all thinking about a long cold one at the Mussel Inn!

The two groups rendezvoused there as arranged. Cathy

Party 2: Lis, Brian Shaye and Paul

Starting from the Bainham end, we meandered our way up the valley. Rata flowers were blooming, contrasting

nicely with the green foliage. We battled ferociously while crossing the river to defend ourselves from the

savage eel. Oh wait never mind we didn’t even get our feet wet. And then up the hill we went. We remarked on

the smell of potatoes, with what I thought was also accompanied with grilled cheese. Paul says that he usually

smells this in the bush around this time of year, although no one knew what caused it. Any ideas?

We hadn’t met the other group by 12, but decided to stop anyway. Walking is fun, but lunch is something I find

especially enjoyable. The addition of rhubarb cake made it all the better, thanks Paul!

The other group earned bragging rights after an ascent of Knuckle Hill was completed. They even beat us back

to the Mussel Inn, but thats ok because they cheered upon our arrival. Thanks to everyone who came and to Paul

for being our coordinator/leader! Shaye

Journey to the Seven Lakes 5 –7 January

Party of 2 x 70 yr olds, 4 x 40-50 yrs, and 4 kids, aged 8-13

By Bo Cherry-Young (aged 13), Jaiden Stevenson (aged 12), Ashton Stevenson (aged 8) & Ryan Hartill (aged 8)

Very cold lakes… A lot of uphill… Evil Owie bushes (aka Spaniard Grass)…Fun bush bashing and awesome

swimming in most of the lakes.

Here is a memoir from each day from the 4 boys who went on the trip...

Day 1: We liked going down the spur from Iron Hill and seeing the other mountains from the top of Iron Hill.

There was cool ‘snow’ at the top of Iron Hill aka Quartz Crystal. Climbing around the quartz was interesting

because the white lines were really unusual. There were bones from an unidentified animal found near a pile of

rocks at Campsite one. Oh and finding a gecko was cool too.

Day 2: Evil tussock grass gave Bo asthma and it hid owie bushes. On top of Mt Benson Ridge was super windy

conditions almost blowing us over, but very epic at the same time! Ashton really loved the navigating and bush

bashing part, and jumping over the plants that his brother Jaiden couldn't get through. At Diamond Lake the

wind was blowing really hard and the Hartill family camped with Chuck by the lake. The others were more

sheltered in the bush site.

Day 3: Bo's favourite part was getting a ride at the end of the track past all of the adults! He really liked the

coldness of the lakes and rivers...Not! Getting home to running water, toilets, proper beds and a fridge! Ryan's

favourite part was jumping off the rock and swimming at Lake Locket, really fun.

Swimming in the waterfall at Batty Creek on the way out was very refreshing too. Seven lakes but only five

swims, was too cold and blustery for Lakes Lillie and Diamond.

Thank you Gaylene for organising the epic trip!!!!!! It was amazing and epic and crazy and super fun and spiky

and just awesome!!!!!

Pupu Canyoning Cancelled – flooded, then heavy rain pending

Tablelands Treasure 23 - 25 January

Party: Cathy - organiser & scribe, Brian - guide & historian

Glorious weather. Went up Mt Peel on the way to Balloon Hut, so quite a long hot day, but just stunning.

Next day we went to check out Salisbury Lodge then on to visit Sphinx Cave and the potholes ending up at Dry

Rock Shelter. We then returned to Balloon Hut for the night. Last day we got up early to beat the heat and got up

to the ridge above Deep Creek before the early morning cloud rolled away. Lunch was at the beautifully kept

Myttons Hut. A great little trip. Cathy

Rotoiti Family Trip 27 – 29 January

Party: Jessica, Rodney, Bethany (15), Hannah (13), Ruby (10), Naomi (8), Leah (7), and twins Kaitlyn & Nicole

Smith (15)

This outing was designated as a family trip, and so it was, as Jessica and I took our 5 girls plus 2 cousins from

Hokitika (also girls) on a double overnighter to the Coldwater hut at the lakehead. We had nearly beautiful

weather throughout with just a thunderstorm on Sunday evening to give interest.

The walk in was a leisurely 3.5 hrs from the Mt Robert Rd around the west side of the lake to the more historic

of the two lakehead huts. This side of the lake is a great option as it is less travelled, by the lake for the most

part, and cooler for January tramping. The Coldwater hut is fabulous too, with a lake edge view and nestled

amongst the full size beech forest. Having a 'middle' day allowed us to explore further, so we ventured up to the

Travers swingbridge. A very nice 2 hours up valley for the junior group, to a great picnic spot and dip in the

river, which at 650m never quite loses its bracing nature. I left the girls to head back as I blew out some cobwebs

by having a crack at adjacent Paenter Peak, which is a 1200m climb from the valley to the summit at 1850m.

This point is the Southern extremity of the St Arnaud range and a good challenge for a body no longer in its 20s.

Monday saw a return to sparkling weather as we headed out. The 5 min diversion to Whiskey waterfall was well

worth the effort, then a dip in West Bay after the trudge through the warm regenerating manuka was a blissfull

end to a top shelf family outing. Rodney

Mt Owen – Cancelled – too hot, and not enough interest

Greenhills Arches Cancelled – wild weather

Parapara Gorge via Glengyle Stream 17 February

Party: Frazer, Kerry, Daphne, Jaiden, Lena, Luane, Elangio, John, Richard, Kirsty

Ten adventurers left from the end of the Parapara valley road. We had a track for the first 15 minutes or so and

then crossed the Parapara River to follow up Glengyle Stream. Most of our route was right in the waterway as

this provided the easiest travel. There was still plenty of ducking and diving and clambering to be had however!

We were able to see both ends of the tunnel that was used to transport water from the Parapara dam to the

Glengyle for sluicing operations in the 1890’s. The final part of the up route leaves the stream and pulls uphill to

meet up with the track heading into Richmond flat. At the dam we had lunch, donned our wetsuits and hit the

water. The Parapara gorge is very stunning – large pools, small water chutes, interesting shaped rocks and lovely

bush. The boys spent as much time in the water as possible - tackling as many mini rapids and water features as

they could. The rest of us relished being able to warm up out of the water by rock scrambling from time to time!

The scrambling gets more difficult further downstream and I think we all felt like we had experienced a full

body workout by the end! The round trip took us about 7 hours to complete. Kerry

Tuesday 27 February Club Night

With interwoven sound recordings and photos, stories of the building of old huts, anecdotes of members, past

and present, Kevin produced a fascinating illustrated history of our club, proving that history is never dull. A

huge amount of research went into this, and a record has been lodged with the Golden Bay museum. Paul added

insights into various club tramps where camaraderie won the day. There followed a lively quiz, supper and

sociable conversation.

TWO INTREPID TRIPS

Lower Dragon's Teeth - mid November In from the Kill Devil track to Soper Shelter for the night. Next day was an early start up the first spur onto the

ridge going to the Drunken Sailors. Sidling under this I met up with the Lower Dragon's teeth route having taken

a short cut to miss out the section to Lonely Lake. I headed down the route to the Anatoki River, and once there

followed this upstream on the true left. Leaving the river and going up to the saddle above Adelaide tarn, I

clambered out to find Warwick and fellow trampers camping, preparing for the Dragon's Teeth the next day.

What a nice surprise to meet him up there! The hut was empty and next day I went out by Boulder Lake and

Brown Cow. Fiona

Roaring Lion River - mid December Back in December when we were basking in hot, dry weather a river trip looked good. Leaving the car at

Trilobite in the evening I walked in to an empty Chaffey Hut to stay the night ready for an early start. The next

two days were off track and going up Chaffey stream to the saddle was straightforward, although steep down to

Breakfast Creek on the other side. I then followed the creek down to the Roaring Lion River. The true left of the

river is old growth beech and easy to walk through. But the easy walking changed to negotiating steep bluffs and

slips where the river narrowed. With such hot weather, swimming was a more appealing option, being easier and

quicker than going up high around the bluffs, bush bashing and negotiating windfalls. I had my gear well packed

in dry bags in the backpack, which floated well with all the air pockets. But swimming only worked in the still

pools not the fast water or rapids, so often there was no alternative but to go up and round and progress slowed.

It was better to keep going with the friendly sandflies coming out to feast in the evening and the river getting

colder but when it got too dark to see, I put up the tent by the river. Up early and straight into the chilly water

followed by the friendly sandflies was a good wake up. The sandflies gave up as it warmed up but then the

friendly eels came to see me in the river. Even with the eels, swimming was more appealing than hot, slow

detours up and round, but on the last long gorge I did wonder how many were lurking in the dark depths below!

Especially as I'd been bitten by one a few years before.

The gorge came out at the Roaring Lion hut and after a brief stop continued on a DOC track to the Karamea

River. There is an unmarked, unmaintained track on the true right of the Karamea from the Karamea Bend hut to

the Roaring Lion hut, which a DOC sign estimates at taking 6-8 hours. But with the river low I opted to follow

the river crossing back and forth between the gravel and this reduces it to 4-5 hours and you get to see more of

the river. Two hours before the hut it got colder and started raining, and swimming across seemed really

unappealing, so I decided to wade across, which was not a good decision. I fell and was rolled around but got out

with just some large bruises. The rain got heavier and the sandflies gathered round to give me sympathy! It was

better to just keep soggily going than try to change as there was plenty more crossings. Arriving at the hut a

fisherman who came from Denmark made me a welcome cup of hot tea. Next day was fine weather and another

early start to get up on the Tablelands before the heat of the day. A cool off in Lake Peel and back to the car.

Long days, but a great adventure! Fiona

OTHER NEWS AND INFO

Trip Co-ordinators: A PLB must be taken on all club trips. Maps, a map case and billies are also available for

club trips. You must contact Kevin if there are changes to plans so that they can be posted on our website and

advertising changed. Also, please organise one of your party to write a trip report.

Petrol contributions for tramps: The petrol contribution amount for each tramp is a guide only, based on four

people in a car. It may be changed at the discretion of the trip co-ordinator. It is the co-ordinator’s responsibility

to collect money from each tramper and to distribute it to the drivers.

The March issue of the FMC Bulletin (now called “Backcountry”) should arrive around mid-March. You will be

told when it arrives, and it will be available for you to collect from the library – Thanks to Tish and her crew.

Available for hire: for club members on private trips

The club PLB and GPS - $10 for each for up to a week, provided the PLB is not needed for a club trip

The club’s new Macpac Minaret Alpine tent can be hired for $5 per day. It weighs 2.4kg.

We have a Group Facebook page - Golden Bay Alpine Tramping Club. We can post photos and tramp reports

there, and spontaneous tramps can also be notified. It is a closed group, but you can ask to join. Thanks to CJ for

setting this up and being its administrator.

And our website is http://www.goldenbayatc.org/

Photos. Please email to Fill Burgers (address below) for the newsletter, and to CJ (address below) for Facebook

or post them direct to Facebook.

If you have done an amazing tramp, or if you have dreams of amazing tramps in the future, you are welcome to

share these in the next newsletter. Email to Fill by 20 May.

Golden Bay Alpine and Tramping Club Committee 2017/2018

President Gaylene Wilkinson 022 170 7398 beachgums(AT)gmail(DOT)com

Treasurer Albie Burgers 525 9138 albie.fill(AT)gmail(DOT)com

Secretary Kevin Durkan 525 9539 kdurkantc(AT)yahoo(DOT)com

Newsletter editor Fill Burgers 525 9138 albie.fill(AT)gmail(DOT)com

Committee Rodney Watson 525 8847 rjwatson2(AT)xtra(DOT)co(DOT)nz

CJ Webster 027 426 8050 cjwebster962(AT)gmail(DOT)com

Cathy Rooney 021 999 015 cath.roo(AT)gmail(DOT)com