2023-06-28 < Weekly activities > 2023-07-12
Activity summary: Wednesday 2023 July 5 to Tuesday 2023 July 11
Crofton Downs/Boulder Hill from Kelson/Crowther - McKerrow/Eastern Harbour/Pigeon Bush Loop/Hurunui - Harper Pass
Wednesday
Lunch Crofton Downs Café, organised by Jenny Lewis, Wed 05/07
E Trip ‘Boulder Hill from Kelson’ led by Peter Nixon, Wed 05/07
Four members came to the Block Rd car park and then drove to the car park at the end of Kaitangata Crescent. It was easy driving with no blinding winter sun. The track to Boulder was wet as is normal there but less slippery than expected. We had morning tea in the last available shelter, at the junction with the Dry Creek track. Beyond that point there was a chill breeze, especially among the boulders. Lunch was in a sheltered spot lower in some gorse and scrub. The walk out was easy. Perfect conditions for a mid Winter trip.
EM Trip ‘Crowther – McKerrow’ led by Michele Dickson, Wed 05/07
In cool and calm conditions 6 happy members headed into the bush at the end of Willis Grove, Wainuiomata for the gentle track up to the Crowther masts, and on to the top of the Sunny Grove Track. A short way up the Camp Wainui Track a morning tea stop was made. More pauses and stops along with earnest chatter kept the grunt up to McKerrow Track pleasant,with lunch at the junction. More photo stops before a good descent down the Whakanui Tk to Sunny Grove ended the trip.
M Trip ‘Eastern Harbour, Lees Grove to Seaview’ led by Chris Ward, Wed 05/07
Twenty one members set off to traverse "the tracks less travelled" in the Eastbourne hills. We became a bit strung out on the initial steep route up to Lowry Bay trig 374 metres. We then took a delightful track down to BP Wainuiomata, then up the Rata track again to Mount Lowry. Then south a bit on the main ridge track to "the secret York Bay descent". The whole trip took 5 hours 20 minutes, dry feet all the way, good weather and plenty of blokes providing gender balance.
SF Trip ‘Pigeon Bush Loop’ led by Colin Cook, Wed 05/07
Four members completed a circuit in the north west corner of Pigeon Bush. At one point, descending a gorgy section of the upper reaches of Princes Stream they were pleased to find somebody had had the foresight to carry a rope. Lower down they found a route around the 15 m waterfall without needing the assistance of same rope.
Multi-Day
‘Hurunui/Harper Pass’, led by Janette Roberts 3 – 9 July
A great trip in spectacular weather. From Windy Point over Kiwi Saddle to the Hurunui then up to Harper Pass and over to Locke Stream hut on the West Coast. Thence a return to the Hurunui and exit to Lake Taylor. Kiwi footprints were spotted in the snow at Harper Pass and heard calling close to Locke Stream hut. Hunting for firewood on the West Coast side and getting the open fire to provide heat on a very cold, clear night was a challenge, but we were in awe of the craftsmanship evidenced in the hand sawn timbers in this 1939 hut. We enjoyed a bathe in the hot pools both going up and down the valley. Seven members, seven days, 100km.
Total 42 members and 0 non members