Programme, September–October 2010

Listed below are tramps and clubnights for September–October 2010. For further information please contact the trip organizer, or Programme Coordinator, Uta Purcell, Ph. 545 0280. Transport charge 8.3¢ per km (to be paid in cash, see Club Trips sidebar).

Print this programme (3 pages).
Download/open a PDF version (47Kb). (You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader or a similar program installed on your computer.)

4–5 September – Mt Fyffe – moderate (scale 2.9) $43
Ruth Hesselyn 544 0870 or 544 0570

This trip provides an opportunity to test out ice axe and crampon skills on easy terrain, while climbing the dominant foreground peak seen from Kaikoura. Leave Friday night and stay in Blenheim at the home of Ruth’s sister.

Day 1: From Kowhai River carpark, climb 900m over 5km via a 4WD road to Mt Fyffe Hut (8 bunks, 1 ticket). Extensive coastal views and a great spot to watch the sunrise.

Day 2: Climb a further 500m on a snow covered (hopefully) 4WD road to the summit of Mt Fyffe, 1602m. Return the same way. Topo O31

5 September – Dun Mountain traverse – fit (scale 3.5) $3
Pat Holland 539 1340

A round trip from the Maitai dam going up to Dew Lakes, over Little Twin and Dun Mountain and back down the Maitai. 18km & 1100 climb. Topo O27

11 September – Mt Robert Ridge via Pinchgut – easy (scale 2.1) $19
Uta Purcell 545 0280

The Pinchgut Track zigzags up the steep, bare face of Mt Robert on a well graded track. Take it at an easy pace and you will reach the ridge with spectacular views. Topo N29

11–12 September – Barratts bivvy – Hapuku River – fit (scale 3.4) $41
Dion Pont 547 7562

From the Grange Rd ford at 140m follow up the riverbed for 8km with some rough going above the gorge to Barratts Biv, 790m, 2 bunks. The top part of the route may be snow-covered. The bivouac is in a nice stand of totara forest with the historic Barratts Hut nearby. There should be time to climb up to Stace Saddle to get a good look at Mt Manukau (2608m) the highest point in the Seaward Kaikouras. Return the same way. Topo O31

18–19 September – Granity Pass Hut & Mt Bell - fit (scale 3.3) $18
Andy Clark 540 3006

From Courthouse Flat climb 860m via Billies Knob track, down the Staircase then follow Blue Creek to the new Granity Pass Hut which has no stove or fireplace (12 bunks 1 ticket). Next day climb a further 640m to nearby Mt Bell, 1875m, before returning to carpark Topo M28

19 September – Speargrass Hut – medium (scale 2.1) $19
Gillian Arbuthnott 547 8393

From Mt Robert carpark the track traverses gently through beech forest to join and follow the Speargrass Creek to the hut, which sits in a clearing in a field of tussock. Return same way. A climb 350m, 3-4 hours each way. Topo M29 N29

25–26 September – Buckland Peaks – fit (scale 3.8) $37
Marguerite 548 5944

Early departure from Nelson. From a carpark just off SH6, 8km before Westport, a nice flat warm-up across farm land and then a 1000m climb to Buckland Peaks Hut, 6 bunks, which sits in tussock above the bush line. Sunday morning, – a couple of hours exploring the granite outcrops across the tops before returning to cars via same route. Topo K29

26 September – Penzance / Elaine Bay circuit – medium (scale2.2) $14
Katie Cloughley 539 1336

From Penzance, round the coastline to Elaine Bay and then return to Penzance via the power cable road over the hill. 14km Topo P26.

2–3 October – Mt Weld – hard (scale 4.1) $25
Mark Stevens 545 7564

Day 1: Drive to the junction of the Rainbow and Wairau Rivers, then wander up the Rainbow River flats for approximately 7km to Rainbow Hut (4 bunks, 1 ticket).
Day 2: An early start will be required for this one. Initially the route follows the southern side of Tanekaha Creek (to avoid thick scrub), then heads up a spur to a large saddle on Turk Ridge, just south of Mt Weld, 2114m. The last section may be steep. Climb 1300m over 5km. Return the same way. Topo N30

3 October – Cloustons Mine – medium (scale 3.1) $14
Barry Pont 547 7562

From Flora car park follow Flora Track, after crossing Horseshoe Creek a benched, graded side track leads up to Clouston’s old mine on a spur of Gordon’s Pyramid. 9km – 3 hours one way. Opportunity to carry on to Gordon’s Pyramid. Topo M27

4 October – Club Night
Speaker: Mark Stevens on Mount Belvedere climb.

8–10 October – Lead Hills & Boulder Lake – fit (scale 3.6) $28
Pat Holland 539 1340
Day 1 (Friday): Head over to Golden Bay and up the Aorere Valley to Bainham and after dropping a vehicle at the James Rd track end drive a further 16km up the valley to E road-end under Pt.536.
Tramp up the ridge on a poorly marked track to the Lead Hills and over into Boulder Lake basin. High camp near Lake Clara, 5 hours.
Day 2: Easy day exploring the tops and old mining works at Boulder Lake before heading to Boulder Lake Hut.
Day 3: Climb up out of basin – beautiful views back down the lake to the distant Dragons Teeth and Anatoki Peak. Head down Brown Cow track to James Rd. Vehicle shuttle and drive back home, 6 hours.

9 or 10 October – Mt Arthur Hut & beyond – easy (scale 1.9) $14
David Rae 548 0686

From Flora carpark to the hut and beyond for those wishing to do so. Topo M27

16 -18 October – Duessa – hard (Scale 4.0) $ 34
Ruth Hesselyn 544 0870 or 544 0570

Day 1: Drive to Lake Tennyson and the 4WD track to Maling Pass. Head over this (200m) down to the Waiau Valley then up Glacier Gully to camp at around 1000m. 12km.
Day 2: Climb to the summit via a couloir and the SE ridge, approx 1200m. Return the same way. Depending on the time and energy levels we will either camp another night or return to Nelson.
Day 3: Just in case we run out of time on Day 2.
Tent, ice-axe, crampons, helmet and a harness (if you have one) will be required. Topo M31

17 October – Booths Hut – medium (scale 2.2) $19
Mike Locke 541 8642

On the road between Kawatiri Junction and St Arnaud is the Howard Valley. A walk up Louis Creek leads to the historic Booth’s Hut. From there a moderate climb on an old bush track continues up to Porika Road where some views can be got a little further on.
3.5km to the hut. Topo M29

24 October – Barnicoat Walkway – medium – (scale 2.1) $1
Gillian Arbuthnott 547 8393

From carpark at top of Marsden Valley cross the old dam and climb 500m on the steep "Boy Scout" track to the ridge. Return by descending the marked and graded walkway. Topo O27

23–25 October – Nina bivvies – medium (scale 2.4) $43
Dion Pont 547 7562

From NZDA Lodge on Lewis Pass Highway follow the Nina track to the Nina Hut and the Nina Bivouac, a marked route to Devil’s Den Bivouac, and the route to Lucretia Bivouac on the way back.This is a 3–4 day round trip centered in an attractive valley. Topo M31 M32

31 October – Wakapuaka sandflats – easy (scale 1.1) $1
Robyn Walsh 547 4301

A very easy walk over the sandflats between the carpark and the Glen. Topo O27

Coming up... 

7 November – Akersten Bay – easy (scale 1.4) $12
Ross Price 538 0064

Late October or early November – Devil River Peak
This is a seldom visited remote peak on the Devil Range in the Waingaro catchment. The nearest hut is at Anatoki Forks.
Contact David Blunt (548 6826) well beforehand if interested.
Access by helicopter is envisaged.