Camp: Albert Town Lodge – Wanaka

16-19/4/2010. April Camp. Albert Town Lodge. Leaders: Bill and Pat.

Those of us arriving in the early afternoon agreed to tackle Mount Iron. Some drove and arrived early, others of us walked the distance. Here are the ‘walkers’ climbing the zigzag track.

We had been preceded by those who went by car and had already ‘peaked’ and departed again.

We descended by the track on the far side and had good views across to Albert Town.

At the bottom of the steep track, we did a bit of cross-country work to arrivew back at the camp. En route, we got a phone enquiry from Bill as to the whereabouts of some of those still descending the track. As a result, a considerate car set out to pick them from the track bottom. Brilliant day. Good start to the camp.

Eight of us set off across the swing bridge across the West Matukituki to climb through the lovely Beech Forest track. At one point on the track a sign warned us not to linger below this big overhang.

The track led us onward and upward to finally emerge on a heavily washedout area, obviously having happened quite recently, as indicated by the still-flattened grass on its edges. It would have needed a very heavy deluge to have left so much destruction. Washed-down boulders were enormous.

Recently-formed tracks led us across the washout to an area beyond where grass and shrubs had escaped the destruction. We found a spot partly sheltered from the cool breeze. We had small birds and scuttling mice for company.

After our leisurely lunch before the wonderful view, we picked our way back across the devastation of the washout and were pleasantly surprised to find the other half of our group had arrived and we now enjoying their lunch. We stopped to talk.

We eventually turned back down the track. Down a bit, we re-examined an up-to-date toilet, standing bravely alone, surrounded by another local washout, but one not as severe as that further up.

Back at Raspberry Flat, and prepared to await the trampers to Aspiring Hut, who had a much longer tramp, we were surprised they had truncated their walk and were instead awaiting us.

We stopped occasionally on the way back to catch glimpses of Mount Aspiring, now quite clearly visible and with a trail of cloud streaming off its lee side. Great sight.

Most of us sat down to an arranged meal at the pub before returning to the lodge for the Happy Hour and arrangements for Sunday.

At the Happy Hour, the planned ascent of Roys Peak (formerly known as Mount Roy) was cancelled due to only two trampers wishing to tackle it and and concerns about safety with only two going. Instead, a walk along the Hawea River track for all was the eventual decision, with car shuttle arrangements engendering much discussion.

Bob provided some lively and much appreciated scottish music on his violin. Thanks Bob.

Although there had been some (needless as it turned out) concern about how Saturday’s weather would develop, Sunday dawned, and remained, brilliantly clear. It was to be a short walk, so it was a case of stringing out the time in order to avoid getting back to the Lodge before lunch! This we accomplised by stretching ourselves out over a considerable distance, occasionally stopping to regroup.

Of course the two tea stops got us all together again. On both occasions, we found excellent river views to relax by.

The lunch stop was a happy discovery at the last spot before the track diverged away from the river. It was rather early, but heck, we had to spin out the time somehow. A steep bank provided a brilliant opportunity for ancient legs to dangle comfortable over its edge.

A surprise along the track was the large number of cairns formed from a plentiful supply of convenient rocks. Young Joyce had a great time.

The highest quality swing bridge we had ever seen took us back across the Hawea River. Would love to know what it cost! Then it was just a short walk across to the Lodge. A wide, gravelled, level walk all the way. Very appropriate for cyclists, of whom there were many. But rather hard-surfaced for walkers. And we had managed to get back to the Lodge after lunch-time after all.

Line-dancing teachers, Lesley and Evelyn got a lot of us moving with some easy and more sophisticated steps. Later, the other Evelyn taught some Scottish dancing with the help of Bob and his fiddle.

Thank you Bill and Pat for organising and leading a very successful camp. Facilities were superb and 22 live-in and three live-out members had a very enjoyable time. Unfortunately two others living more remotely were unable to join with us as it turned out. – Ian.

31/10/1997 Albert Town Camp. Leader: Margaret D.

During the first weekend of November, 1997, 25 members of the Taieri Recreational Tramping Club spend a most enjoyable time in the Wanaka area based at the very comfortable Albert Town Lodge.

Their first walk covered the Mount Iron area on Friday afternoon, followed on Saturday by a longer walk through the Wanaka outlet, along the shores of the lake and back to Albert Town.

On Sunday, a more ambitions 50km trip was taken to the Mt Aspiring National Park area where the destination was the Rob Roy Glacier. The weather was fine but extremely windy so crossing the swing bridge over a branch of the Matukituki River was an exhilarating experience for most club members, but well worthwhile once the shelter of the beech forest was reached.

A 2 hour zigzag climb thorough the bush afforded some wonderful views as the glacier-fed Rob Roy stream cascaded down the mountain.

Finally the track opened above the bush line revealing fantastic views of the Rob Roy Glacier across the valley. As members sat and enjoyed a well-earned lunch joined by a family of voracious keas, several huge avalanches thundered down the opposite slopes, providing an unforgettable sight.

The downhill return journey to the vehicles was accomplished in quick time but it was discovered that the warm NW wind had caused a thaw on the tops which, while providing many spectacular waterfalls, played havoc with several fords across the gravel access roads. As a consequence of the startling rise in the level of these streams several cars had to be marooned for the night although sufficient transport was available to shuttle all members back to base.

Friday 11/2/1994 – Monday 14/2/1994. Combined meals.

2/1993

Owned by Tekapo Ski Club.

32 people in 7 bed-bunk rooms.

PO Bx 234 Wanaka. Ph/Fx 03-443 9487 Mal Brown 6 Kingston St, Albert Town, Caretaker
Contact: Don Malcolm, 621 Harewood Rd, Christchurch