2010-12-08 < Weekly activities > 2011-01-19
Tramping Reports 2011 Jan 01 to Tuesday 2011 Jan 18
January 1 - 10 Janette Roberts took 5 members to make a second attempt at a Hunter valley/Wilson Pass trip. Just like last years attempt heavy rain put paid to plans with four very wet days out of eight. Good river crossing skills got them into Makarora hut and up to the pass to Scrubby Ck, but the retreat took even better river crossing skills. The weather finally improved and allowed 8 of them to complete a Wilkin - Gillespie Pass - Young loop.
6 members, 2 non-members and a dog ‘minnow’ undertook a variety of climbing trips in the Mt Cook/Hopkins area. Despite very heavy rain, a party of six attempted to follow Hugh Barr's party into the Hopkins valley on the 28th but were preventing from reaching the road end by a washed out ford near Ohau Lodge. Retreating to Mt Cook Village, four went to Mueller Hut, climbing Mt Sealy by its south west face on December 29. Next day a fifth member joined and a nice time was had exploring a breezy Annette Plateau.
On January 3, two returned to the Hopkins valley, experiencing difficulties at the ford and twice requiring a tow-out! Tramping up the north branch of the Huxley River, they camped near Brodrick Pass, climbing Mt Mackenzie on the main divide on January 5. Joined by another two of the original party at the excellent Brodrick Hut. The four walked out on January 6-7 but were delayed by yet more heavy rain and enormous side creeks.
Meanwhile, three had been waiting in Mt Cook village for a clearance and finally choppered the upper Tasman Glacier on Friday 7. The following day they were joined in Tasman Saddle Hut by the Hopkins pair. In five days of glorious weather, Mts Walter, Annan and Aylmer were climbed, plus the Hochstetter Dome and the so-called Mt Mabel near Kelman hut. Three flew out again on January 12 while two walked out down the Tasman Glacier the following day.
Wednesday 5 January - 5 members were on Peter Reiman's trip to Mt Matthews. They ascended via Goat stream spur and returned via the DoC track. ( hours 20 minutes in hot, hazy, humid conditions.
8-9 January Diane Head took 4 members up to Powell hut for the night to see the wild flowers. It was drizzly and cold, so the wood stove was much appreciated.
Wednesday 12 January 6 members on Lynn Pomares trip went up Sheridan creek. Dry overcast made ideal tramping conditions. Sheridan creek required care, especially around a recent slip in the lower valley. They chose the right spur and came out exactly on Tirotiro knob as planned. Carole Haigh had 3 members and 1 non-member on her BBB along the new Polhill cycle way. It is a pleasant walk, especially as not many cyclists know about it yet. Michael Bartlett led 14 members along the eastern Hutt hills from Haywards Reserve to Naenae. It took 5.5 hours all up.
Wednesday 19 January. Einar Jensen had 12 members on his Park Hill to Speedy Reserve trip in fine conditions. Colin Cook had 4 members on his traverse of Tait stream. Things went awry when they went up the wrong branch at a forks, ending up on the main ridge north of Tauherenikau. A very enjoyable trip with a bit more edge than usual as they tried to figure out where the hell they were.