2019-02-06 < Weekly activities > 2019-02-20
Activity summary: Wednesday 2019 Feb 13th to Tuesday 2019 Feb 19th
Wednesday 13th February
Horseshoe Bend, Nicol, M, Justin Kerr Twelve people joined the M 13 February 2019 trip in Pigeon Bush from "big bend" off SH2 Remutaka Hill Road to Nicholl, and then along a new track to descend back onto SH2 near the Eastern boundary of Pigeon Bush. Topographical map of the region
Prout Stream Crossing, MF, Colin Cook Two members spent the day all parka-ed-up in mist and very damp bush. They didn't get to Prout Stream upper forks either so: Ranges 1, Rovers 0. Topographical Map of the area
Cannons Point Walkway, E, Sally Marx 10 trampers incl 8 TTC members and 2 new participants (and prospective members) enjoyed a leisurely 4 hour walk, particularly appreciating the shade provided in various bush sections on a hot Wellington day.
Baldy, Broken Axe Pinnacles, Angle Knob, F, Gerald Leather
Circling the upper reaches of the Atiwhakatu Stream
Topographical map of the Atiwhakatu
We left Holdsworth Lodge at 7.45am, unsure whether we could do this trip in the 12 hours estimated. Conditions were perfect - sunny and still. There was general agreement that the track from Atiwhakatu hut to the bridge had improved, although this may have been due to the dry conditions. The morning tea stop at the bridge over the Atiwhakatu stream was an opportunity to replenish containers and stomachs with drinkable water, which we would not see again for at least 6 hours. The speeds achieved on the track to this point led to one pair of boots overheating and having to be cooled in the stream - after the water for human consumption had been collected.
The saddle was reached in just under 3 hours. The steep climb from the saddle caused some further overheating until about half way to the bush line, when a gentle north easterly breeze blowing through the trees provided some cooling. Reaching Baldy at 12.10 was sufficient excuse for first lunch. We sat in the sun surveying spectacular 360º views of the Holdsworth – Mitre Range, the baking Wairarapa and the headwaters of the Atiwhakatu.
It took a further 50 minutes to climb up to the ridge, where at the cairn we turned left to head for the Broken Axe Pinnacles (BAP). Those of the party who had done this route before were apprehensive of steepness of one part of the BAP; those of us who hadn’t were comforted by references to a track to the east of the BAP. A light mist was spilling up out of the Waiohine river valley and lapping over the BAP. Perhaps it was the mist, but from the north it was hard to determine where the BAP began and we were not convinced that we were on them until we arrived at the much talked about steep pitch. It looked particularly steep and high in the mist. We were therefore grateful to find a well-marked sidle route around the east side. On the north side of the sidle there is a jaunty little DOC sign with an arrow and “Jumbo Hut” on it, which might give the impression to the uninitiated that the hut was just round the corner rather than 3 hours away. The sidle is a vague route marked with blue poles across a steep slope, and included all of the following; visibility inhibiting long grass, Spaniard, slippery mud, and bare eroding rock. It is however short, doesn’t involve significant altitude loss and does look preferable to the near vertical alternative.
That being the end of the BAP, we ascended McGregor through waist high grass and a profusion of Spaniard. The ascent from BAP is so short, and the route off McGregor so gentle, that it is a little hard to take seriously McGregor’s claim to be the fifth highest peak in the Tararuas. On the top of McGregor the party rejoiced in the knowledge that it was all downhill from there – with only minor exceptions.
Second lunch was taken at Angle Knob at about 3.30. Second lunch sorts the seasoned trampers from the not so seasoned. The seasoned trampers go straight into munching on their carefully selected food, and the unseasoned repelled by the food which looked so appetising at sea-level cast envious glances at others food and indulge in some carefully disguised begging.
There was a hui on the top of Jumbo at about 4.15 as to whether to go down to Atiwhakatu via Jumbo hut or along the ridge to Holdsworth and down Gentle Annie. The absence of water at Powell and the uphill bits clearly visible on Holdsworth swung the decision in favour of the Raingauge track.
Brief stops for water at Jumbo and Atiwhakatu huts were all that punctuated our return to the car and the high-fives which accompanied the unlocking of the car 11 hours and 57 minutes after it had been locked. Statistics: distance travelled 29 kilometres, accumulated ascents 2084, most water consumed by a member of the party - 6.5 litres, number of boots on trip -11.
Tricia French, David McNabb, Janette Roberts, Lynne White, Gerald Leather
Saturday 16th February
Sheridan Creek, MF, Russell Cooke On Saturday on the M/F trip five members ascended to Field hut for morning tea. From there they attempted to descend down a spur from point .866 to where two small streams enter Sheridan creek. The spur was not easy to pick up and there was extensive sidling before a good spur lead them to the creek. Lunch was had in the sun and at 130pm the group started down the creek. The first 90 minutes have some difficult sections with small waterfalls, but it becomes a little easier after that.[[<<] Three cairns led up to a small section of permalatted track which took the group to the log hauler. From here there is a rough DOC route track to the river. The river section took nearly 4 hours and the whole trip 9.25 hours. It would have been quicker if the route finding down to Sheridan creek had been more efficient. Topographical map of the area
Sunday 17th February
Hemi Matenga pest control tracks, EM, Helen Quinlan Six members, one non member.
A new route up to the top via a trapping track, then north along the ridge, returning via the Parada track. We spotted some riflemen, which was pleasing. The group extend their sympathy to Helen, and hope her arm heals quickly. - Diane Head, Substitute Leader Topographical map of the area total 38 members and 3 non-members