Dumb-bell Lake is a place I have wanted to visit for years, mostly because of its name. Having thoroughly enjoyed previous trips in the area to Gunsight Pass and Maitland Pass, a loop around Dumb-bell Lake quickly became next on the list As we drove around Lake Ōhau, a thick valley fog blanked the landscape … Read more
Before we departed, Sally checked the weather forecast, and after discussing with the Chief Guide, made the proper choice to modify the trip. The weather was forecast to be cloudy, rainy and very windy, and generally miserable to hike in the claggy weather. Natasha had the idea to modify the route so that on Saturday, … Read more
At Bush Stream track carpark we came across two gentlemen prodding the matagouri bushes with sticks. They had hidden their keys in a bush and then promptly forgot where they had stashed the keys. We helped them in their search but had no luck. I suspect it was like looking for a needle in a … Read more
The call went out for Mt Owen and Luna Tops leaders. When Luna Tops was cancelled, nine of us planned to head south. Planning got tricky when weather bombs and uncrossable fords scuppered our South island plan B’s. North island plans C, D, Es were banded around. Given we had a long weekend, we decided, … Read more
Prelude: We had all been really looking forward to our planned Mt Owen trip in Kahurangi National Park. However, it turned out that when we arrived on site, the water level flowing over the Dart River ford (which you need to cross to access the track to Mt Owen from the North) was too high, and … Read more
After a lovely sailing on the Interislander on Friday, we arrived at Spring Creek Holiday Park in the early evening and were able to get organised ahead of our tramp. The following day, after a quick coffee and bakery stop in Kaikoura, we ventured to the Mount Fyffe Rd road end, and began our tramp … Read more
“If you want to save a species or habitat, it’s a fight forevermore. You can never turn your back.” Trapping has taken me to so many different places since 2021, when I first began volunteering on a trapline in my local bush reserve, Waimapihi Reserve. Over the last few years I have added another two … Read more
Friday After a quick drive over the Remutakas and some of Carterton’s finest fried chicken, we drove to The Pines carpark and were at the head of the Barra Track at 7.30 pm. Ethan, sporting the elite tramping look of gaiters and shorts, was leading 9 of us to the mighty Mitre Peak in the … Read more
Friday We left at around 4.45 pm from Wellington train station and had a dinner and supermarket stop in Palmerston North before continuing on to Anzac Park campground (arriving at around 8 pm). We all set up our tents, except for Bogdan, who took the opportunity to try out his tarp. The campground is next … Read more
A brief summary of a week down South – not at Aoraki/ Mt Cook as originally planned (due to stormy, gusty and avalanche prone conditions) – but at Methven and the Lewis Pass, to follow the good weather. Day 1 – Pudding Hill(4.5 km, 1 h) Day 2 – Mt Hutt(9 km, 1,000 m elev … Read more