Trip Reports

10-11 September 2021 Snow Farm

From Martin…..

The Club traditionally organised a winter trip to the Snow Farm’s Meadow Hut. For me it was the second trip after a long break, this time with my 4yo son Jacob and luckily I invited a friend with her 3yo daughter. Even though normally I would take my cross-country skis, this time we decided to walk (use snowshoes) and take sledges instead.

The walk from the base to the hut was great fun for children, either on sledges or playing with snow. We were lucky that we could experience both - snowing (snowing was a great experience for children) the first day and lovely sunny second day. We built a snowman and in the evening were kids playing on the second floor in the hut getting us a few minutes to relax with mullet wine :-)

While a few people cancelled at the last minute, there was plenty of space in the hut. It would be great to have a few more children on the trip, this is such a great family destination, easy to walk to, or tow on a sledge if needed. Perhaps we can see more families next season!

Photos: https://photos.app.goo.gl/zDJk8UZLxHyPQM2d7

From Les….

Cathy had booked Meadow Hut at the Snow Farm for the 10^th, and although the conditions weren't great we decided to go ahead with the trip.

Cathy, Bev, Sherron, Isla and myself arrived first. We got our gear sorted, and Sherron and I, being absolute beginners, had a lesson and then headed to the hut. We were told that the snow conditions were challenging for beginners so that is my excuse!!

We made it to the hut, and it is a Beauty. Cathy went back to meet up with Lynn, Edita, Martin and the kids, with instructions to light the fire and heat the water for the Mulled Wine which she had very kindly supplied. This helped everyone enjoy a very convivial evening.

Saturday dawned fine and clear so after some discussion Bev, Isla, Sherron and myself decided to snowshoe to the summit of Mt Pisa. Conditions couldn't have been better with more snow at higher altitude and great panoramic views,including Mt Aspiring. The higher slopes were quite busy with Kite Skiers which looked like great fun. There was a chilling breeze at the summit so we returned to the hut via the same route. The others had all departed, Cathy and Lynn to tramp into one of the new Water Tank huts.

As we neared the base on our way back a Biathlon event was in progress. It was good to see how fast people can XC Ski when they are competent.

We were too late in the season for the good snow on the learners trails, but I really enjoyed the trip and our day on Snowshoes.

Thanks to Cathy for organizing it. I will be a starter for next year if it is on!!

29-30 July 2017 Port Craig

Nigel, Sue; Liz met up on Saturday morning; headed off on a frosty but lovely sunny day towards Port Craig. We had a beautiful walk along Bluecliffs Beach; had lunch at Blowholes Beach then took the high tide inland route from there to Port Craig schoolhouse hut, arriving after about 6 hours including our stops. There we woke up three young hunters who were having an afternoon snooze in the warm sunny hut. They already had the fire going so we had a cosy evening, shared also with a man from Franz Josef called Steve. The lads went out pig hunting in the evening; returned successful at midnight - but were very considerate; quiet whilst they cooked their tea. The next morning we could return via the low tide route, which is more interesting; about half an hour quicker, accompanied by Steve. Nigel got some paua; mussels on the way. Even though it was right on low tide, the rocky ledges at the far end of the low tide route were only just above the waves. Another pleasant tramp along the beach; back to the car before 3pm.

Off to the Last Light Lodge at Tuatapere for a hot drink; one of their yummy orange almond biscuits…. Thanks, Nigel, for organizing the trip.

March 29th – April 1st (Easter) 2013 Livingstone Mountains to McKellar Hut

On Good Friday, Liz Scott, Sue Bennett and myself set out on my first adventure as a member of the Fiordland Tramping & Outdoor Recreation Club. The route was planned the evening before and I was very happy to hear that we would be off track and above the bushline as much as possible. As it eventuated, it was even more exciting than I anticipated because we had windy white-out conditions from about 1300m and I was able to witness Liz’s masterful use of compass and map in what really seemed to be the top of nowhere, but in reality was actually the Livingstone Mountains. After several hours we changed course at an altitude of 1540 metres and headed east-ish until the requisite saddle loomed out of the mist and we found the ridge we needed and headed down and into the bush, coming out at McKellar hut. After a peaceful night in my tent, and a somewhat more sociable night in a full hut, we set off the next day up the McKellar saddle and then up above the bushline again.

This was a lovely sunny day with good visibility and it was great to see where we had journeyed the day before. A fairly gentle stroll along the side of the Ailsa Mountains (notwithstanding some determined scrub that sought to trip us up) saw us passing some pretty tarns before heading down through the bush to intersect the Routeburn ‘highway’ just along from Howden Hut. By now we had met up with more friends, Harriette, David and their two children. Our bush-bash down to the track was ably led by Will aged 7, who nimbly guided us through the rainforest and climbed the odd tree while he waited for us to catch him up. I thoroughly enjoyed my first trip with the Fiordland Tramping & Outdoor Recreation Club and look forward to meeting more of you on subsequent tramps!

Lynette Dalglish

26-27 November 2012 Borland Valley

On a wild and windy Saturday, Bev eventually secured a boat that would take us to Hope Arm as the jet boat that had been booked considered the lake too rough.

After a quick inspection of the Hope Arm hut and noting a large beech tree outside had been felled we set off over the saddle into the Garnock Burn. A pleasant wander up the Snow White Flats with some interest being taken in the amount of deer sign and the remains of old carcasses. After a hour or two we had lunch by the main river on a nice bend in the river in a sheltered sunny spot.

After another short walk we made it to a major side stream where we left the main valley and ascended a steep ridge that Bev had descended on a previous trip, noting some random DOC markers well up the route. The party was well spread out by the time the bush line was reached.

Here we had a short break and then continued up through scrubby mountain beech forest on to the tussock fields above. These we sidled across slippery dry tussock slopes to where it saddled with the North Borland. As it was only 4.00pm we decided to carry on into the head of the North Borland. A descent was made that became tricky at the bottom due to a large slip near the valley floor.

We continued down stream through pleasant forest and tussock clearings and located a beautiful camp site above the river where we pitched our tents and got into the serious job of eating and drinking. We enjoyed our evening meal by celebrating Faye's birthday with selection of cheese and crackers, red wine, chocolates and broad range of food from dehy’ card board to delicious tinned casserole!

After a leisurely Sunday breakfast we waded down the upper Borland to avoid the sub alpine scrub until we reached the North Borland hut for a second breakfast and brew. We then made a steady pace on a freshly cut forest track to the Borland junction where lunch was had. John Whitehead and Bob Perry our chauffeurs kindly met us by the limestone bluffs and our transport awaited us at the road above.

Thanks to Bev, Sue, Faye and Tina.

John Stevenson

Easter 2012 Jackson Peaks Kepler Mountains

The tramping club trip to Jackson Peaks was high on my priority list, I was sure there would be magnificent views from this ridge. (Nothing against the Kepler Track, - I just find walking via Iris Burn a bit boring.) And now after experiencing endurance scrambling up and down steep slopes I have to admit that this trip has become one of my favourite ones of all.

On Easter Friday, at 8.20am a group of 5 keen trampers gathered at the water taxi jetty on Te Anau lakeshore. Liz Scott - our team leader and local GP (good to know we had a first aid professional with us), her friend physio Lois Martin, Sue Bennett - nature specialist, Ray Willett - our nationwide famous local identity and me.

Friday morning was pretty straightforward - by water taxi to Brod Bay, then we walked up to Mount Luxmore, where Fay - DOC ranger, made a cuppa for us and we had a chat, also with Alistair Jukes, who was checking stoat traps. It was a lovely sunny day, we continued up to Mount Luxmore where we had our lunch break and then further to a place called China's Wall where we turned left off the track into wilderness. At first we sidled towards the ridge of Jackson Peaks ridge and then walked along the tops reaching our highest point of the trip at 1611 m. The views were stupendous, evening sun was creating shadows and light beams between rugged mountain ridges and valleys. There was no wind, it was totally still. Our camp site was by a mountain tarn at 1300 m altitude. We scrambled down and after a long day of about 8 hours walking happily built our canvas town by the tarn. While preparing dinner we were visited by a mischievous kea, probably a local resident. Possibly we were attractive entertainment in an otherwise boringly quiet glacier carved valley. Ray’s yellow tent especially was on the priority list of this kea and even though Ray warned it and reminded it of the deadly fate of its ancestors the kea didn’t listen and kept Ray vigilant all evening. Meanwhile I was with Lois experimenting with night photos of the tarn and evening sky.

Late evening a strong wind blew up, that made our tents flap, however we woke up to another day in paradise. Blue sky above us, underneath was Lake Manapouri covered by a lid of clouds. This day was a shorter distance to walk, however the very steep slopes looked quite formidable. As there was no route we had to find our way via ridges, cliffs, bluffs and valleys. I have to confess, some bluffs and narrow ridges tops made me dizzy - forcing me to focus straight in front of me.

But this price was once again easily paid by awesome panoramic views from the ridge tops. We could see both lakes Manapouri and Te Anau, distant Mount Titiroa, Tor Ridge of the Murchison Mountains and Mount Luxmore, on the north horizon Mount Earnslaw and on the south a hazy view of Longwood Range. To be accompanied by Ray was very entertaining itself, with his endless stories, poems and jokes. By 4pm after about a 6 hour walk we ended up on a small peak with little tarns having a cuppa and contemplating whether to continue to the treeline to a dubious camp site or stay overnight on this lovely perch with marvellous views. A sudden encounter with a helicopter made it easy. Pilot Mark Deaker brought a wedding party to take memorable wedding shots on the tops with the background of Lake Manapouri. We asked him if he could see any tarns by the tree line - he could not remember, but promised us to fly over this spot and if there was any water blink at us by reflector. He didn’t, therefore it was clear this was our final camping spot. While the wind was picking up I was taking my last pictures of the sunset and subsequent moonrise - it was just million dollar entertainment.

Overnight we were bombed by wind gusts and by dawn the odd shower had started. However it was an ideal combination, from Fiordland came formidable clouds, yet above Te Anau and Manapouri basins there was still blue sky, with early morning sunbeams penetrating the clouds and showers creating a big rainbow above Lake Manapouri. After a last few morning pictures, we quickly packed our tents and hurried to finish the last leg on the ridge and descent to the forest. The first hour on the ridge we were drenched by showers coming from Fiordland but above the Manapouri basin was blue sky. Luckily the tussock and soil were still reasonably dry and we easily entered the forest, first scrambling and later walking down towards Forest Burn. Liz led us by the old fashioned, trustworthy way - with map and compass. We arrived above spectacular bluffs looking down into the Forest Burn then crossed the river and found a new track leading us safely back to the Kepler Track and Lake Te Anau Control Gates. By 6pm, after 9 hour day, we finished the trip, all tired but happy, privileged to have such a wonderful experience.

Thank you Liz for organising this great trip, I am looking forward to the next adventure.

Martin Sliva