Archive for the 'Assess Further' Category

Sep 16 2023

Pine Hill, Mount Cargill round trip

Published by under Assess Further

Click Mount Cargill history for background information
4. 13/09/2023. Trampers. Pine Hill, Mt Cargill. Grade 3.5, $5, 20km, Leaders: John Gardiner, Dave Roberts

Having already somewhat created a “rod for my own back”, in starting the Wizard of Oz theme in my tramp preamble last week, after some prompting, I’ll try to intertwine the “Wizard” theme into this report. Inevitably particularly pertinent to trampers, some yellow brick road references.

Getting ready to leave the cars - John

Getting ready to leave the cars (Photo & Caption John)

On an overcast morning with a chilly wind, 21 trampers, who arrived in 6 cars, set out at 10.00am, on the start of our tramp in Cowan Road. Like Dorothy at the beginning of her yellow brick road journey, most trampers had no idea where they would venture during the day.

– One interpretation of the “Wizard Fable” is that on life’s journey, tenacity, and perseverance in striving for a goal is a core value.

Following Dorothy to see what lies ahead - Pam

Following Dorothy to see what lies ahead (Photo & Caption Pam)

Following the previously described, muddy, gorse lined portal to what lay beneath, morning tea was enjoyed at 10.40am on the lower, wider, gravel road, at a sheltered spot.

About to have morning tea - John

About to have morning tea (Photo & Caption John)

– Some believe the gold colour of the yellow brick road and the green “Emerald City” represent the currency arguments the US experienced in the 1900’s.

Soon we were on the track leading down through the forest, with a pine needle carpet underfoot, and after following a fence line, we were soon on the gravel road to Sullivans Dam, arriving at 11.20am.

Tramping through the pines - Pam

Tramping through the pines (Photo & Caption Pam)

-During the making of the “Wizard” movie, the snow scene contained fake asbestos based snow that left many on set chronically ill!

Lunch in the sun - John

Lunch in the sun (Photo & Caption John)

Lunch was enjoyed at the beautiful Sullivans Dam, beginning a little early, at 11.50am, in a sheltered spot. We had reached our destination.

the shaft of light from above made the trout rise to Graeme's delight - Phil K

The shaft of light from above made the trout rise to Graeme’s delight (Photo & Caption Phil)

-In the Wizard story the Emerald City is a place to which Dorothy, the tin man, the lion, and the scarecrow journey in order to achieve their various dreams.

By 12.15pm we were on our way again, walking around the side of Sullivans Dam to the start of the “Cloud Forests of the Leith” track. This track, with it’s many boardwalk sections and beautiful bush (even a ‘bush telegraph’ and Gnome Grotto) adding yet more variety to our tramp.

No “I’m not having problems with my internet banking - Pam

No, I’m not having problems with my internet banking (Photo & Caption Pam)

Creatures of the forest - Pam

Creatures of the forest (Photo & Caption Pam)

-In the Wizard story the yellow brick road was at times very rough. The scarecrow often stumbled over the yellow bricks, which were very uneven, sometimes even broken, or missing altogether, leaving holes that dog Toto (a West Highland Terrier) and Dorothy jumped across or walked around.

Board walking - Pam

Board walking (Photo & Caption Pam)

Arriving at the top of the Cloud Forests track by 1.20pm, we regrouped with a magnificent view north to Blueskin Bay and beyond, before following the gravel road to the base of the “portal” gorse lined track.

Regrouping - Pam

Regrouping (Photo & Caption Pam)

Panorama - Blueskin Bay in the distance - John

Panorama – Blueskin Bay in the distance (Photo & Caption John)

On this section a navigational error by your’s truly resulted in everyone walking a bit further than necessary to a dead end part of the road. The greatest consequence of this being my embarrassment!

Are you sure we are going the right way - Pam

Are you sure we are going the right way (Photo & Caption Pam)

– In the Wizard story, Dorothy follows the yellow brick road, intending to find the Wizard, who would bestow on her the knowledge to achieve her goal, only to find that she had the answer within her all along.

Heading up the gorse lined final section of our tramp took us back to the cars by 2.30pm, having covered approx 8 km. A Grade 3 tramp.

Happy trampers - Pam

Happy trampers (Photo & Caption Pam)

-So where was the yellow brick road? Some believe it is a brick road in Peekshill, New York, where author L.Frank Baum attended Peekshill Military Academy. Others believe it was inspired by a road paved in yellow bricks near Holland, Michigan where Baum spent many summers.

Afternoon tea was enjoyed at the Crocodile Cafe, Dunedin Botanic Garden, on what had developed into a mild , sunny day. As a footnote – I did apply and receive a permit to walk on the City Forests section of this tramp, only to receive a later email, stating that it wasn’t necessary if we stayed on the Escarpment or 3 Peaks tracks.
Special thanks to Dave Roberts for acting as tail end Charlie and Graeme Souter for his help with the rece.

– Goodbye yellow brick road.

John Gardiner.

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Apr 05 2021

Maungatua traverse

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3. 31/3/2021. Trampers. Maungatua Traverse. Leaders Eleanore Ryan, Heather Kirk and Arthur Heenan

One of our best tramps ever!!

26 of us were met by Richard from Good Tour Bus Company leaving at 8:25am and driving an hour up to the Woolshed road, past the sheep yards for 3kms (saved an uphill walk) on Horsehoof Station.

The finish is now the problem

The finish is now the problem (Photo & caption Gordon Grant)

The weather was calm, with low cloud and fog in places.  We set off up the access road for about 6kms to the summit at 895 metres.

On the way

On the way
(Photo and caption Gordon)

Smoko was at 10:15am at the aerials, beside the boundary of the D.O.C. Reserve.

The fence into the Reserve was crossed and soon after a little detour to the rock outcrop was had to enable some to test their rock-climbing ability.

Rock climbing (Pam Cocks)

Rock Climbing  (photo Pam Cocks)

We continued upwards following a faint track along the fence line, through scrub, dominated by dracophyllum.  The summit in the rolling tops can now be hard to find as the trig has gone and only the base and a pole remain.  This high point for us was reached at 11:30am.  From here the views were truly spectacular.

Heading to the summit

Heading to the summit
(Photo and caption Gordon)

This was the end of the days climbing, soon to be followed by about another 9kms down.  We crossed the fence again and stopped for lunch at 12:15pm, amongst colourful, interesting plant varieties.

It was a great walk out in the afternoon, still enjoying beaut views, particularly the intricate set of channels, swamps, and lakes between Waipori and Lake Waihola, and, the Taieri river at the start of the gorge.  Dunedin Airport was small in comparison to the vast Taieri plain.

Views of Lakes Waipori and Waihola

View of Lakes Waipori and Waihola (photo Pam)

Continuing downhill we passed the lone rock outcrop before passing by The Three Kings rocks outcrop (which are much more of a landmark when viewed from the flood free highway).   Finally, we came through a patch of native bush, including some great specimens of Beech trees.  Then, rounding a bend we saw our bus was parked up waiting.  We arrived to it at just after 3pm.

The bus is waiting down there

The bus is waiting down there (Photo and caption Gordon)

We covered about 16kms over 6 hours.

This MAUNGATUA Traverse was a first for all of us, apart from President Arthur. Our thanks to you Arthur for leading us today.  Also, thanks to Heather for leading, along with Horsehoof Station Owners, the van Turnhouts at 3 Kings end and bus driver Richard Trainer.

I hope you all enjoyed this tramp as much as I did.  We are so lucky to have strong bodies and good health to enjoy tramping in the hills we love.

Viewranger record of the tramp

Viewranger record of the tramp (Sarah McCormack)

19 km to Kempshall Rd.
2. 5/2/2003. All. Maungatua Traverse. Moderate. Bus. Leaders: Bob H, Ian, Lex.
1. 8/3/1995. Maungatua Traverse. Long Day. Bus at each end. Fare to be notified later. Leaders: Rob Q, George, Eric, Les W

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Mar 13 2002

Jim Freeman, Pineapple

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Click Pineapple Track for background information.
Click Pineapple and Flagstaff walk for background information.
13/3/2002. Up Jim Freeman – Skyline. Medium. Leaders: Arthur and Barbara, Frank.
21/10/1992. Jim Freeman, Pineapple Track, Bivy Rock (or the other way around). View the Rhododendrons. Park cars at Bullring. Leaders:  Molly, Mary McG, Wendy, Joan A

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Mar 08 1999

Deep Stream pipeline from George King Memorial Drive. (Not recommended)

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8/3/1999 Deep Stream Pipe Line from George King Memorial Drive. Ria recommends not worth doing. (18/2/2010.) Leaders: Bev  H, Colleen, Pat.

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Jun 01 1996

Leith Saddle, Swampy, Pole Line, Thomsons Farm.

Published by under Assess Further,Year round

Click Swampy ridge track for background information.
Dunedin cars meet at Leith Saddle.
Lambing?
Seek permission
19/6/1996. Pole Line – Swampy – Leith Saddle – Thomsons Farm. Medium+ Leaders: Barbara McC, Ria L, Denise

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Nov 16 1994

Flagstaff Forestry, Jim Freeman Track.

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16/11/1994. Flagstaff Forestry, Freeman Track. Medium+. Leaders: Jack R, Jack M, Ivan, Betty B.

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Apr 01 1992

From Old Mount Cargill Road Lookout

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Click Mount Cargill history for background information
1/4/1992. From old main north road Lookout, over paddocks to Port Chalmers. Returning via Grahams Bush. Leaders: Marie F, Denise

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Dec 06 1989

Maungatua Summit from Dam and Forestry Road

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6/12/1989 Maungatua Summit from Dam and forestry road. Average. Lovely alpine flowers. Bring cameras and binoculars. Leaders: Bob H, Hartmann, Dave & Jean

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Nov 22 1987

Lots Wife Rock, via Philip, Stoneburn, Dunback Rds.

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Lots Wife is a hill in Otago and is nearby to Little Hummock, Swampy Hill and Mount Royal.

101 km from car park. Directions; Palmerston, Dunback Rd, left on Stoneburn Road, Stoneburn, right on Philip Rd, Lots Wife Rock on right. 714 mtr. Travelling time: 1 hr 50 mins.

(Stoneburn is a lightly populated rural locality in the Otago region of New Zealands South Island.)

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Nov 22 1987

Maungatua summit via Forestry Road (data lacking)

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Data lacking

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Nov 22 1987

Durden Hill, Mt Baldy. Between Waikouaiti and Palmerston (data lacking)

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Data lacking

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Nov 22 1987

Dunback, Shag River (data lack)

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Data lacking

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Nov 23 1977

Quoin Cliff, Otago Peninsula

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Accessed from Pipikaretu Road. 1.20 ret. Tramping track – unbenched. Manager: DCC CAM and private land.

‘Access to Quoin Cliff continues to cause problems, as there is a sign on the gate “Access to Beach closed.” The sign is technically correct. However you may go through this gate to get to the cliff as you are not going to the beach!’ – Quoted from Antony Hamel’s writings.

“quoin” definition: 1. An exterior angle of a wall or other piece of masonry.
2. Any of the stones used in forming such an angle, often being of large size and dressed or arranged so as to form a decorative contrast with the adjoining walls.

 

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