Safari 2010
Xmas Trip 2010
Sunday 31 January 2010 to Wednesday 17 February 2010 (18 days)
Glenorchy, Wanaka, Twizel and Oxford
Except for the Astley family, the Safari members flew to Queenstown on 31 January and after the usual big shop, Dougal drove us to the Glenorchy Motor Camp. It was very hot (over 30º) so we were pleased to have plenty of shade around the cabins.
1 February Lake Rere
We drove round the head of Lake Wakatipu, over the Rees and Dart Rivers to the start of the Greenstone Track. Brian Lynch and Cherie Cook left us here to do their three nights on the Greenstone-Caples. They didn’t go over the pass but really enjoyed both valleys and a great swim in the Caples River with temperatures of 36º. The rest of us split into two groups - the easy party going to the lake and returning while the remainder did the whole circuit, about 5 hrs of easy, fairly flat tramping. We didn’t realise this was to be our only ‘flat’ tramp for the whole trip! Except for Twizel, almost every day involved a 500m-plus climb.
2 February Glacier BurnThis track starts on the road to Greenstone, across the lake from Glenorchy. Almost immediately we had to cross the stream, causing chaos and confusion! Later we realised it hadn’t been necessary at all; DOC needs to re-route the start of the track. An initial gentle climb through beech forest led up a steep spur of the Humboldt Range to the tree line and the Glacier Basin with its rocky face and huge boulders. We enjoyed lunch and the view back to Glenorchy while Chris Ashton went botanising on the scree slopes. On return to the camp Doug, Ruth and grandson Jacob had joined us.
3 February Routeburn areaA day of great activity. Three brave overnighters (John, Ingrid and Caroline) headed round Lake Sylvan to the Rockburn Hut. A glorious night was spent with the mice and an open fire (the gas cooker didn’t work so John had to demonstrate his fire-lighting skills) in the original 1950s hut, which really should be preserved. They walked up the gorge and admired a turquoise swimming pool, but didn't venture in.
Three venerable gentlemen (Bruce, Trevor and Grahame) were dropped off to spend an easy day at Lake Sylvan. Another party walked up the Routeburn Track to the Flats Hut - a really beautiful area. The fitter group tramped right up to the Falls Hut, another big climb. Unfortunately, young Jacob sprained his ankle early on and had to hobble back to the bus. This was a fairly serious problem and he later had to fly home from Wanaka.
It was Phil’s birthday and he arranged for the hotel to put on a superb roast dinner just for us - a great night enjoyed by all.
This was a day of exploring old mines. Half the group set off towards the Rees Valley and the Invincible Mine. After a good climb they had great views of Mt Earnslaw and found the relics very interesting. The other group went a short distance from Glenorchy to the Whakaari Conservation Area and the remains of the scheelite (tungsten) mines - these were worked right up to the 1970s and were also very interesting. It was a very open, hot climb up to two historic huts on Mt Judah and we were pretty exhausted afterwards. Ice-creams or a cold beer were welcome treats back at camp!
5 FebruaryWe enjoyed a morning in Queenstown on our way to the Wanaka Holiday Park. Still very hot - over 30º and no shade this time. Some went for swims in the lake.
6 February Rob Roy GlacierAfter a long drive to Raspberry Flat, Phil, Brian and Cherie set off up the valley to Aspiring Hut. The rest of us crossed the river and had a glorious walk up through beech forest to the spectacular views of the glacier. We all made good time and enjoyed lunch with keas flying overhead.
7 February Fern BurnThe energetic Sarah, Dougal, Bryan, Howard, John and Anne drove to Glendhu Bay and tramped the Fern Burn Track to the first hut - a full day and a good climb following the river through lovely bush.
Another party of eight stayed in town and did a flat walk following the Clutha River and around Lake Wanaka. A small group spent the afternoon in the cool of the quirky cinema thoroughly enjoying Avatar - sometimes it's just too hot to tramp!
We drove round Lake Hawea to the attractive camping reserve. From there most of the group headed up the Sawyer Burn Track to the highest point - a climb of 600m - for panoramic views of the lake. Several continued for nearly an hour along a narrow, rocky path to the rather basic hut. The track didn't go anywhere and we tried to work out why the hut was there as it was a long drop down to fetch water with a bucket.
9 FebruaryA rest day as we drove to Twizel via the Lindis Pass and an interesting short walk to the Clay Cliffs. It was a super motor camp and we enjoyed some nice meals out in the town. It was also pleasant to have cooler weather.
10 FebruaryEveryone was able to do a flat local walk around Darts Bush Stream - this was open country so we were very pleased it was much cooler. In the afternoon we visited the black stilt conservation programme near the town.
12 FebruaryThis was a long driving day with pleasant stops in Fairlie for coffee, and Geraldine for lunch and shopping. There’s not much eating out in Oxford, so we hit the supermarket again before heading out to camp at Ashley Gorge. This is a lovely spot and we had good accommodation to suit everyone. We did manage one good night out at the local Working Men’s Club! Also coffee and cake at Jo Seager’s café.
13 February Mt Thomas 1023mA short drive took us to the Wooded Gully picnic area. There were plenty of short walks for those not into climbing mountains, and the rest of us set off for the summit. A 700m climb through pine forest saw us on the top after 1½ hrs but the clouds descended before we saw any views! We should have seen the Southern Alps and across to Christchurch. It was also blowing a gale and it was a relief to drop down off the ridge back into lovely beech forest and a chorus of bellbirds at lower levels. We couldn’t believe our bad luck when the sky cleared as we drove back to town.
14 February Mt Richardson 1047mFrom the Glentui picnic area, 11 of us had another good climb to the summit - this time we had clear views over the Lees Valley and Ashley River. Then it was along a ridge through the tussock on the Blowhard(!) Track. It was a bit bare and scrubby due to a lightning strike and fire 30 years ago. The Bypass Track took us back down to the carpark - on the way, three of us had an enchanting close encounter with a morepork which almost knocked Bryan’s hat off!
15 February Mt Oxford areaThis was to be our only damp day - really only a bit of drizzle but it meant no summit today. Instead we had a difficult drive along a track, definitely not designed for Big Blue, to the View Hill carpark. There were good options for low level walks and we went in different directions with a time to be back at the bus. It was a welcome relief not to be climbing big hills. Maybe tomorrow!
16 February Mt Oxford 1364mOur last day dawned brilliantly and the final big ascent beckoned. We drove to the Coopers Creek carpark - short and easy after yesterday’s adventure. A few wanted to be dropped off in the village to do the sights and walk back to camp. The easy party had a full day doing the Ryde Falls Track to the waterfall and back. Liz, Phil, Bryan, Howard and John dug deep and climbed the 1000m to the summit. It took 2½ hrs to the trig for lunch in glorious clear sunshine, quite a contrast to yesterday. The descent was hard on the old knees but everyone made good time and we arrived at the bus as the other party emerged from the bush.
A great day’s tramping to finish a wonderful Safari.
Susan and John did a fantastic job of organising all the accommodation and interesting walks. Everything went smoothly and everyone was happy - you can’t ask for more than that! Accolades to our drivers, Dougal, Bryan and Doug - there wouldn’t be a Safari without you.
Report compiled by Liz Ware from members’ notes.
