Links Completed – Page 24 – Taieri Recreational Tramping Club

Clarendon Area, Stone Stables, Lime Works, Whale Museum and Lookout

No. 82 on old hardcopy list of 113 club tramps. “Old Stone Barn Clarendon Farm”

Background History of Stable and Cemetery

38 km from car park

Associated farm on Cullen Road has new owner requiring signing in and out, and therefore no longer viable as a round trip. [Edit.]

16. 14/6/2017. Clarendon, Cemetery, Sinclair Wetlands, Berwick Camp. Leader: Eleanore.

Today 7 hardy (maybe silly) trampers drove to Phosphate corner at Clarendon, then along Berwick road, parked up and walked up the hill to the Cemetery (my Great Great and Great Grandparents, some Siblings and Children from Sinclair family are buried there.
We then drove further along Berwick road, parked and proceeded up the track to the hay barn for smoko.

Shed for morning tea out of the freezing wind. (Helen pic and caption.)

Mud to get to the shed. (Helen pic and caption.)

We all decided it would be no fun climbing round and up Mary Hill with frequent showers and a bitterly cold wind.
On the way back we briefly stopped at Sinclair Wetlands then drove into Berwick Camp, a year 8 class was there on camp, talked with the Activity Coordinator and strolled up to the dam.

On a bridge at the Berwick camp. (Helen pic and caption.)

It was plain to see what fun the young students were having, particularly when having a turn driving round with a leader in an old converted type of Land Rover in the mud.
So after all this strenuous activity we journeyed on to eat lunch (and cake) at a little hilltop cafe in Clyde street. – Eleanore.

Lunch at Eleanore’s with a lovely warm fire and cakes which were enjoyed by us all. (Helen pic and caption.)

15. 24/4/2013. Hikers – and a few trampers. Limesprings Farm, McNeil Rd, Whale Museum, and return back through Farm by a different route. Leaders: Jim and Betty.

The overcast day succeeded a wet 24 hours, and several trampers joined us after cancelling their bush walk up Raingauge Spur for safety’s sake. We parked the cars halfway along Driver Road and walked on to enter Limespring Farm.

We stopped to admire the old Horseshoe Stable. What was most noticeable was that the owner has made the switch for sheep to dairy farming. With the transforming magic of electric fencing a wonderful new cattle route steeply ascends the hill, connecting to a myriad of rotational paddocks. No stock were visible, presumably away in some distant meadow. We stopped for morning tea beside an old stone cottage before attempting the climb. Our leaders fittingly anticipated ANZAC Day tomorrow by disporting a hat poppy and distributing ANZAC biscuits to accompany our meal.

Next, the climb. Talk about slippery! A patina of thin wet mud over the track foundation made it impossible for mud-caked boots to find any sort of a grip, so it was a struggle up what remained of the grass verge and gripping the electric fence, which was fortunately turned OFF. The climb emerged finally onto the top of McNeil Road. The more energetic climbed a track leading a little further to reach what looked like the excavation of a dam into the hillside. We climbed above that a little further to the top of the hill, before coming back down to McNeil Road to join the others who had preceded us to the Whale Museum to lunch there in welcome shelter from the wind.

After a leisurely lunch, it was only a little further down McNeil Road before we re-entered the farm and via a arcing 4WD track, this one safely firm underfoot, to get back to the Horseshoe Stable and back along to the cars. Thanks to Jim and Betty for the planning they put into the route, despite the completely unforeseen atrociously slippery climb! – Ian.

14. 31/8/2011. Hikers. Clarendon, Cemetery Hill, Limesprings Farm,

After leaving a sunny Bush Road car park, seventeen hikers parked in coolish still conditions at the junction of Cullen Road and the Berwick Road after traveling down Phosphate Road and turning right at the road end.

The red brick Ewing Phosphate Company building on the right at the turn off from State Highway One is now a calf shed for Milton dairy farmers Tony and Sue McDonnell.

Tony interested Ravensdown in mining the phosphate deposits at Clarendon in 2009 and phosphate rock from the area is now mixed with imported rock to make a product called Clarendon Gold. Ravensdown imports rock from Morocca, Vietnam, and Christmas Island.

The 450 ha South Otago phosphate deposit is one of only two in NZ with the other being on the sea floor in the Chatham Rise. The Ewing Phosphate Company was established in 1902 and by 1904 it was regarded as one of the leading industries in NZ. Fifty tons a day of phosphate rock was railed to Dunedin. The mines were worked from 1902–1924 and from 1943–1955. About 200,000 tons were extracted. The business ended after competition with cheaper phosphate from Nauru.

Mr McDonnell was reported in the Dairy Exporter Magazine as saying that apparently he and his neighbours had the only phosphate deposit in Australasia. To warm up, the group ascended approximately to the top of cemetery hill starting at the gate at the Cullen Road turnoff. About 30 graves were present in the cemetery at the top of the hill including several to Sinclairs. We had a view of Lake Waihola and the Sinclair wetlands.

After starting down the hill we had morning tea near a shelter belt and then proceeded along Berwick Road and Driver Road to Limesprings Farm. We were able to inspect the vintage stone stables together with some tractors awaiting restoration.

We then proceeded up the farm road to lunch at the Whale Fossil lookout and returned by the same route after lunch to the cars which we reached at 1345.

We noted that Angela Wanhalla referred to the allocation of land at Clarendon to the mixed-descent families of Southern NZ in her book In/visible Sight (Wellington: Bridget Williams Books; 2009). – Bruce

13. 5/2/2009. Both. Horseshoe Bush Stone Stables, McNeil Road, Whale Museum Tea break, Lime Works, Fort Hill Road, Hay Barn lunch, Trig Q and back. Medium. Leaders: Bob M, Ian.

18 of us enjoyed the tramp from Lime Springs Farm. From the Ewing Phosphate works building by Highway 1, we drove down Phosphate Road, to the left of Cemetery Hill. We turned into Driver Road and parked opposite the Horseshoe Bush Stables on what is now called Lime Springs Farm. We climbed first up the farm track

View from farm track. Lesley, Neil, Bev. — View from farm track. Chris?, Neil, Bev.

to McNeil Road where we turned right to the the Whale fossil Museum at the top of the road for the tea break. Here are housed whale fossil bones extracted from the Milburn Lime Quarry. Then it was back down to turn right up Fort Hill Road and climb again to eventually crest a saddle and head on down to our lunch stop by a farm sheep yards and sheds.

Sheep year at lunch stop — Sheep yards at lunch stop

After lunch, we climbed by farm track and paddocks to reach Trig Q and pose for a group photo.

Trig 2. — Trig Q. Wendy, Neil, Bev, Evelyn, Arthur, Dot, Barbara, Chris, Fred, Joyce, Lesley, Molly, Les, Peter, Lex, Bob. Emma.

Then back down a bit where Bob found inspiration in a rock formation.

Fortunately for us, on the recce, Bob (and Doug who couldn’t be with us on the day) had discovered the usual paddock down was this year in turnips and too rough by the fence to negotiate easily, so led us down the true right of the nearby bushed gully and back to the starting point. Fortunately due to the dry weather, Lime Springs farm did not live up to its name and what is usually slushy going at this point was bone dry.

12. 10/9/2008 Trampers. Clarendon, and Cullen, Fort Hill and Circle Hill Rd. Medium-. Leaders: Ken, Ian.

Only three of us, namely Ken, George and self attempted the road walk from Clarendon up Cullen Rd, Fort Hill Rd, and then the circuit round Barnes Rd and Circle Hill Road and back down again. The weather came in wet and dry periods, windy and calm. We were treated to brilliant green meadows, sheep lambing, cattle foraging on winter turnips and choumollier, and extremely muddy paddocks left behind by them. We enjoyed the variety of hills we walked amongst, sheltering behind a hedge for morning tea and in a shearing shed for lunch. We reached close to 280m and walked about 18Km in a surprisingly short time, getting home as early as 2.30 p.m. A good stretch of the legs and and interesting rural area, enlivened by a chat with an ATV driver and a farmer leading a couple of horses. – Ian

11. 8/8/2007. Both. Clarendon, Stone Barn, Lime Works, Whale Museum, Lookout. Leaders: D Moir, Graham, Bob M.

Barn at Clarendon — Stone Barn. (Bill pic)

Lake Waihola from farm track. (Bill pic)

Cuppa a museum — Cuppa at museum. Tash, Who? Arthur, Bob, Barbara, Pat. (Bill pic)

10. 23/6/2004. Hikers. Clarendon, Whale Lookout. Leaders: Eleanaor, Joyce.

9. 16/6/2004. Trampers. Milburn, Fort Hill, Limeworks Road. Medium. Leaders: Doug M, Arthur H.
8. 8/5/2002. Clarendon, Fort Hill. Medium. Leaders: Doug M, Irene, Bob H
7. 21/11/2001. Clarendon – Milburn. Medium. Leaders: Shirley McN, Irene, Ian.
6. 22/3/2000. Clarendon, Old Stone Barn. Leaders: Doug M, Ann, Lex.
5. 21/1/1998. Clarendon, Old Stone Barn, Limeworks. Leaders: Doug and Ngaire, Irene.
4. 24/7/1996. Milburn Ramble from Stone Stable. Average. Leaders: Ngaire and Doug, Nelson.
3. 12/4/1995 Milburn, Clarendon, Circle Hill, Fort Hill. Medium.Leaders: Doug and Ngaire, Shirley R, Ted.
2. 14/7/1993. Milburn Lime Works. Interesting history. Medium.Leaders: Peg C, Diana, Joan A, Doug M
1. 24/7/1991. Milburn Lime Works. Average. Leaders: Peg C, Mary Y, Jack R, Les W.

Physical Geography.—To the south of Dunedin there is a line of coast-hills, varying in height from 500 ft. to 1,400 ft. Shut off by these hills from the sea are two long, somewhat narrow plains—the Taieri and the Tokomairiro—along the length of which run the main road and the Main Trunk Railway. The drainage of these plains finds an outlet to the sea through narrow gorges in the coast-hills. On the western side of the plains the hills rise abruptly, but between Clarendon and Millburn they jut far out towards the east, separating the two plains from each other, and forming the Waihola Gorge—the former name for Millburn. It is at the base of the protruding part of these western hills that the rock-phosphate mostly occurs. On the southern (Millburn) side of the gorge the hills rise sharply at first till the crown of the spur is reached, and then the spur runs in a north-west direction, attaining its greatest height at the Trig. Q. From the trig. another long spur runs down in an easterly direction on the north boundary of the district, reaching the plain opposite Cemetery Hill. Between this spur and the former one the hills descend somewhat more abruptly to the plain. In the neighbourhood of the gorge a small cross-spur runs northward parallel to the road; the western flank of this spur was the site of the original discovery of rock-phosphate, and is now the scene of the greatest activity in the quarrying of the rock.

– Excerpt from: Transactions and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New Zealand 1868-1961. Volume 38, 1905 Art. LII.—On the Geology of the Clarendon Phosphate-deposits, Otago, New Zealand. By Arthur R. Andrew B.Sc., A.O.S.M., Laboratory, Otago University School of Mines.

Deep Stream Pipeline by Highway 87 (upstream)

38 km from car park.

4. 22/3/2017. Trampers. Hindon Pipeline upstream. Leader: Neil.

Wednesday 22nd dawned clear and fine for our usual walk. Nine keen trampers departed for Hindon and the pipeline up-stream. After a bit of misunderstanding by the leader, we departed the cars at 9.45am. The first 1/2km of this walk is uphill on the farm track which tests everyone’s lungs, legs etc then over the top and down towards the cattle yards in the distance.

Walking uphill. (Arthur pic and caption.)

We had morning break at 10.15am on the grass above the creek.

Morning tea stop. (Arthur pic and caption.)

After that, it was onwards and upwards till we crossed over the road to Rocklands and on up to the high knob with the tree on it where we stopped at midday for lunch.

There was quite a strong, cool wind blowing up there …

Lunch in the shelter. (Arthur pic and caption.)

… but a good view all round.

We returned parallel to the uphill climb but on reaching the road walked about 1/2km before going through a gate to continue our paddock walk back to the cars which we reached about 2.0pm.

One car load chose to go straight home and the others stopped at Outram for the usual coffee break and chat.

An enjoyable day was had by all. -Neil.

3. 20/5/2015. Trampers. Hindon Pipeline upstream.

Deepstream pipeline - South. GPS of route, courtesy Ken. — Deepstream pipeline – South. GPS of route, courtesy Ken. Waked 12.6km; Ave 4.1km/h; 2hrs 53min; climbed 406mtrs; max height 562mtrs.

This week, we had a good turn out of 9 trampers, who returned to the same parking spot as last week, but this time we went off to the LH side of the road. from the bridge over Deep Stream in the big dip on highway 87. This was a new tramp for all, as we had not been this way before.

The first 10 mins. of this walk up a steep gravel road, really got the blood flowing, & warmed us up, as there were signs of a frost in this valley.

On the way along here, we met up with the landowner, & had a chat to him for a few minutes. He suggested a walking route for us, which we did some of on the way back out, but we went a long way further than he suggested.

We had morning tea, at a spot where there was some dry ground,

1 Morning tea spot. (Ken pic and caption)

& then carried on towards Rocklands Station. When we arrived at the edge of the ridge looking down on Rocklands,

2 Looking down on Rocklands Station. Old Dunstan Rd. in distance. (Ken pic and caption)

we thought that the fence we were leaning on was a boundary fence, so didn’t cross that to go down to the Deep Stream. Instead, we headed off in a SW direction, which took us across the Old Dunstan Rd. & into the paddocks on the other side, where we spied a suitable high spot with shelter to have lunch.

This proved to be a good choice, as there was a very light breeze blowing, & the sun had not quite made it’s presence felt yet.

4 View from lunch spot. (Ken pic and caption)

While having lunch, I made some mental notes of the route we could take on the way back, as I could see a large amount of the country we would have to walk across. So after lunch, we retraced our steps for a few hundred mtrs. to a gate in a fence we needed to cross, & then made our way back in the direction of the cars.

This tramp was throughly enjoyed by all, as the weather was fine, the views were great, & the country side was nice to walk through. – Ken.

2. 16/7/2014. Trampers. Deep stream Bridge, Middlemarch Road, Hindon Pipeline. (upstream).

Hindon pipeline to left of highway 87. We walked about 7.6 km; moving time 1h 55m; 3.8k/h ave; climbed 319mtrs. GPS courtesy Ken.

Not one of the 6 trampers who ventured out on this walk had been to this area before, so it became like doing a recce !! We started by examining the map on the GPS & deciding to walk towards the Old Dunstan Rd. which was about 4km from where we parked the cars. After climbing a couple of small hills, & a stop for morning tea, we got to within about 4 -500mtrs of the Old dunstan Rd. where we watched some farm hands feeding out to some cattle. then we turned right & went inland further to overlook the valley into Rocklands station. The lunch stop was on the tops with a view over to the Lammerlaw/ Lammermore ranges which were snow capped, & a rain shower passing along them. then it was back along the tops to join up with the road leading in, & back to the cars. A short walk, but enjoyable to be out on the open tops, & not in bush. the day was cool, but mostly calm, which made for pleasant progress. – Ken.

1. 12/12/2007. Trampers. Deep stream Bridge, Middlemarch Road, Hindon Pipeline. (upstream). Medium. Leaders: Arthur & Barbara

13 of us parked the cars to the left of the Highway 87 bridge over the Deep Stream gully and Arthur and Barbara took us on the upstream farmland of the Deep Stream Pipeline route. Some confusion arose from an enforced wait for the late arrival of the station owner who had wished to point out aspects of the area and from an imperfect memory of a recce of a trip cancelled due to bad weather six months earlier. We stopped for morning tea on a steep slope providing an excellent view of the willow-clad stream below, later lunching…

Lunch. Peter, Wendy, Barbara, Abe, Arthur, Pat, Bill, George, 2 visitors

…further upstream beside a robust concrete bridge structure over the stream. Elsewhere, the remaining…

Chimney ruin. Peter, Visitor, Ria, Bill, Arthur, Barbara, Abe, Visitor, Pat, George, Wendy, Hazel

…chimney of a former stone house also provided interest. We caught only a few indications of the pipeline, largely buried under paddocks. Hot sunny weather gave way to threatening black clouds but we experienced only light rain on an early return to the cars. – Ian

Tramps Associated with the Whare Flat Schoolhouse

11 kms to Silverstream car park.

Whare Flat – Information and Trips Library
Tunnels, McRaes, Racemans, Top Weir, Silverstream – Information and Trips Library

30. 22/2/2017. Hikers. Whare Flat. Leaders: Peter D, Janice.

Whare Flat/McRaes Weir (not quite) Wednesday 22nd Feb

26 happy hikers on a lovely sunny morning – what could go wrong?

Seven opted to drive up to the locked gate on Rollinson Rd and walk on to the start of the Steve Amies Track, where they enjoyed a pleasant amble to the picnic area and a leisurely lunch in the sun, before returning to the cars and off to Topiary for the usual coffee stop.

Little did they know of the drama that was developing below….

The other 19 left the cars at the park near the pump house, and set off up the track on the steep grunt that takes longer but avoids the water crossing and the possibility of wet feet.

However, Ian opted to do the shorter, easier version, risking wet boots, and meeting us in the clearing just past the swing bridge.

Ian reached the clearing safely and with plenty of time. In his own words –

’Ho hum. Oh! Time to get out the puffer and see how it might get me up the next climb and manage to avoid that first 5 min. heavy breathing before the blood vessels adjust and let me get away. Bummer.

(I had not used it for ever so long as usually I remember when it’s too late to use. It’s worked well on earlier occasions, but not in this case, standing, waiting, for such a long time before climbing.)

Started to feel faint. Got worse. Lay down, ended looking like a wee gnome in the grass, as one of you said. The rest you know better than I do!!!’

So, here was Ian, looking worse by the minute. While he was attended to by those with medical experience, we debated the options.

Cell phone call for help. No signal.
Use the locator beacon. Was there enough room for a chopper to land? Debatable.
Go back to the cars and phone for an ambulance.

It seemed at this point that Ian was recovering – his colour was better and he was lucid. Two people set off for the cars. Over the swing bridge and just past the gate to the road they realised the house on the right was occupied. But no landline and still no cell phone coverage. The wonderful lady (who had a key to the gate!) drove them out to the cars. One went on to get coverage and call for help. The other returned, to find that Ian’s condition had worsened, necessitating CPR. Gulp. Back down the road – kind lady again drove. The police car was met at the (un)locked gate and immediately radioed URGENT to the ambulance.

Things happened fast. In just over an hour from Ian’s collapse the ambulance was at the swing bridge and Ian was stabilised and stretchered across the bridge, and off to A & E.

It was now 11.30 and we were all rather shell-shocked. Five decided to call it a day. Two went to break the news to Shirley, and the other three heading home.
The remaining 13 headed up the track to the next clearing where a very sober lunch was had. Then up the track we climbed to McRaes Weir Track. It was decided that the weir could wait for another day, and we headed back along the race track to the road and down to the cars, with rain starting to fall and the track becoming muddy and slippery.

Coffee at Topiary was welcome!
Thanks to everyone for the able assistance that was provided in so many ways. Ian is fine – he had a reaction to the ‘puffer’ and after tests and checks, was allowed home that evening.

LESSONS LEARNED:

IF for any reason the group SPLITS, there must be at least TWO PEOPLE and preferably FOUR so that in the event of an emergency, one can stay with the ‘victim’, and two go for help. The same should apply to anyone deciding to turn back and in future this needs to be enforced by the leader.
In a later debrief with Police, we were praised for the efficient handling of the situation. However, they said that we should never hesitate to use the beacon because a few precious minutes could be saved. On the beacon signal, our precise position is shown and authorities can then make the decision as to which services to use. So in future, no hesitation! Better a false alarm than a death.

29. 1/5/2013 Both. Steve Amies. Leaders: Ian and George.

This time we left from the schoolhouse, making it more of a road walk. We had morning tea on the lower Rollinson Rd and lunch in the track clearers’ picnic area, after inspecting the helicopter landing pad a little beyond.

As we returned down the road, we were surprised to see the helicopter, and shortly after the tank truck making their way towards where we had been. Apparently this was the day to carry out the weed spraying we had been notified about – and we were now making a timely exit. A tramp for 25 of us and of 10.5 km according to Peter’s pedometer and 25. – Ian.

26. 15/6/2011. Trampers. Schoolhouse, Tunnels, McRaes, Racemans, ret. Medium.

Plan 1: Swampy to Green Hill via Sleepy Hollow. Cold winds too fierce on tops.

Plan 2. Schoolhouse, Little Coal Creek, Steve Amies. But wet weather meant steep tracks would be too slippery and dangerous.

Plan 3. The actual tramp (see above). – Racemans level and safer, (except for the gradual Tunnels ascent/descents). However wet tree roots still had to be carefully negotiated.

Although rain for a start, but it soon went off and only drippy bush had to be endured. Track still muddy in places, but in many places a grand avenue and well cleared. Seven of us ventured out and enjoyed what looked at first to have been an unpromising day. – Ian.

GPS of route. Courtesy, Ken. (Route double-tracked for some inexplicable reason.)

12.33 p.m. Ready to return from lunch spot on Racemans.

2.23 p.m. Top of Tunnels track. Rest stop on pine-needles on return.

6. 23/10/1996. Trig Q. Average. Leaders: Margaret and Les, Doug J.

5. 7/6/1995 Trig Q from Whare Flat School. Medium+. Shorter trip available. Leaders: Bob H, George, Jack R, Nancy

No. 57 on old hardcopy list of 113 club tramps.

Patmos Avenue, Leith Saddle, Moores Bush

Moores Bush – Information and Trips Library

5. 18/1/2017. Hikers. Moores Bush – Sullivan’s Dam. E. Leaders: Bev and Lesley.

Route map, Courtesy Ian. (Ignore straight line.) Moore’s Bush on Thomson Rd, Loop Track, Leith Valley Rd, Sullivans Dam circuit, lunch, return by Leith Valley Rd.

Morning tea at entrance to Moore’s Bush. (Ian pic and caption.)

4. 19/9/2012. Hikers. Moores Bush, Sullivans Dam. Leaders: Bruce and Marjorie

3. 17/2/2010 Hikers. Thompson Rd, Moores Bush, Leith Valley Rd, Sullivan’s Dam, Leith Valley Rd. Leaders: Bev, Leslie.

Good day to start with but got rather cold by lunch time. However, 12 keen hikers enjoyed a very pleasant, but shortish, day out. What a wonderful little forest Moore’s Bush is. Where is Moore’s Bush, you ask? Ascend the Leith Valley road out of Dunedin and take a left turn into Thompsons Road, and not far along is the entrance, signposted but fenced, to this Forest and Bird Society property.

Have included the website for anyone interested in looking it up. http://www.ecoimages.co.nz/ForestandBird/mooresbush.html The photos are ones from that site.

Just a short walk to the entrance of Moores Bush for our morning tea and then off we went through the bush. Track rather overgrown and we had to wade through Leith Stream to get to the exit but everyone was interested to see Moores bush and check out what work had been done by the Forest and Bird Soc., over the years. We didn’t see much “bird”, but we loved the “forest”, with some grand Rimu trees, lots of mature Fuchsia, a Big Red Beech, many mature Lancewoods, heavy undergrowth, and more recent plantings of Totara, Rimu

and smaller trees and shrubs. Little streams wound through it and also the Leith, which we crossed, most getting wet feet etc, except for Bob who found a fallen branch bridge, and stayed dry, much to the disgust of the others.

Leith Stream running through Moore’s Bush.

Leslie, who led, with Bev, had an old information leaflet about the reserve which spoke of the area as being perhaps the best piece of bush in the greater Dunedin area. It is certainly not large, but it is a gem. There is even a long-drop-lodge near the start if you need it!!

We exited again onto the Leith Valley Road. From there it was up the road to Sullivans Dam with a very pleasant walk round the dam to find a sheltered spot on the motorway side for our lunch as it had turned quite cold. We admired the birdlife on the ‘lake’ and the unusual North Island Cabbage Tree planting. Then it was back down the Leith Valley Rd to the cars. While it was not a long walk, it was varied and satisfying for the 12 people most of whom were discovering new territory. – Bev and Bob. (Amalgamation of two reports. Thank you, Bev and Bob. – Editor)

2. 5/6/2002. Combined. Patmos Avenue, Pigeon Flat, Moore’s Bush. Medium. Leaders: Nancy, Barbara and Arthur, Barbara McC

1. 3/5/2000. Patmos Avenue, Leith Saddle, Moore’s Bush. This incorporates and longer and shorter walk. Starting together. Leaders: Nancy, Pat and Bill.

John Bull Gully Track and Millennium – from Henley and Taieri Mouth

No. 38 on old hardcopy list of 113 club tramps. “John Bull Track to River. J Shaw. Year Round”

Location: 31.8 km.

Click Taieri River Geology for background information.

Millennium Track from Taieri Mouth – Information and Trips Library

Millennium Track from Taieri Ferry Rd, Finlayson Rd, Galloway Rd, Bells Farm, Kennedys Farm, Wenita (Morrisons Block) – Information and Trips Library

17. 5/10/2016. Hikers. Millennium-John Bull; Taieri Ferry to Taieri Mouth. Bus at both ends. M. Leaders: Bob and Doug.

Map of route Taieri Ferry to Taieri Mouth. 3.3km Ferry Bridge to Wardells Cottage; about 5km to seat; about 3km to track end; about half km to bus at T.M. Bridge. — Map of route. 3.3km ferry bridge to Wardell cottage; about 5km to seat; about 3km to track end; about half km to bus at T.M. bridge.

Millennium Track – combined trip Wednesday 5th October 2016-10-05

A dampish morning did not deter 40 intrepid club members who boarded the bus at the Bush Rd car park promptly at 9am. Packs were stowed in the luggage compartment and our driver Richard transported the happy crew out to Highway 1 and along to Henley and the start of the track – well, almost the start. 24 hikers disembarked in persistent light rain and trudged along the road for 45 minutes to a morning tea stop on the veranda of the white house just over the style, at the true beginning of the track.

The remaining 16 bods (and the bus) departed for Taieri Mouth.

Sheltering from the rain for morning tea in the old Wardell's crib verandah. — Sheltering from the rain for morning tea in the old Wardell’s crib verandah.

The upward plod soon began and we were glad it wasn’t too hot. The light rain continued but there was no wind and it was pleasant for tramping. It was lovely in the bush with plenty of bird song and glimpses of the river below as we climbed.

A couple of solid hours saw us at the junction down to John Bull Creek, where it was unanimously decided not to descend, but to press on to the top for lunch. Which we did, collapsing gratefully for welcome food and drink. The rain had stopped and a pleasant break was had, with chocs to celebrate Alec’s recent birthday.

Lunch at the seat. Rain stopped at last.

Then down, and down, with a few inadvertent sit-downs, and the loss of a couple of impatient members who tried to take the direct route….it was quite slippery. No harm done, and we were soon back by the river for the last plod out to the road. The bus parked by the bridge was a welcome sight.

Nine cheerful souls on the bus had had a pleasant few hours meandering round Taieri Mouth and catching up on gossip, and there was no sign of the hardy seven trampers.

Thanks to hiking leaders Bob and Doug and tramping leader Arthur. It was a great day out, well-supported and enjoyed by all, and rounded off with a riotous session for coffee for 23 at Topiary. – Judy.

Coffee at Topiary. 22 in the sun. — Coffee at Topiary. 23 in the sun.

16. 13/7/2016. Trampers. Millennium and John Bull from Henley. M. Leader: Arthur.

Two cars transported 9 trampers to begin the day’s adventure. The mild temperature was welcome, the sky overcast with northerly breezes.

We left the car-park at 10.00 a.m. and waked for about 10 minutes, to have morning tea at the picnic spot on the riverbank.

Continuing on it was up and down, as the track flows, and then up to the high up seat where we stopped for a little while. This spot overlooks the river to advantage

Another river view. (Margreet pic and caption.)

and also views away to the north too.

View from the top. (Margreet pic and caption.)

For example, Mount Cargill stood out in all its glory, with its mast on top.

The track was now downhill, the trampers intelligently noting that it would be the opposite on the returning journey. We came to a small wind-blown tree across the track, but Neil M. wrestled mightily with it and it was a problem no more.

An hour after leaving the high up seat we reached the track’s end. We were invited to have our lunch outside at Jay’s nearby house (she didn’t have the key with her), which we found a most pleasant and suitable place. – Thanks, Jay.

Lunch on the verandah of Jay's Bach at Taieri Mouth. (Margreet pic and caption.) — Lunch on the verandah of Jay’s Bach at Taieri Mouth. (Margreet pic and caption.)

A half-hour’s lunch and rest stop, and the party was on the track again. Grim determination was noted now, and with little talking, a fast pace was set, and we were back at the high up seat in an hour uphill – the same time as it had taken going down.

It had just come on to rain, so a brief regroup was taken under the trees, coats on, etc. The view being ignored now, downhill, and we were back at John Bull gully – just as the rain stopped and the sun came out.

Up the zigzag, and along, and down, etc., saw us back a the car park at 3.35 p.m.

The DoC sign at the car park stated that it was 9.3 km to Taieri Mouth but Margreet’s electronic gizmo said that we had done 16.2 kms.

Whatever distance we walked, we can say very definitely that “we went there and back”. A satisfying day’s tramp.

Blustery wind and rain welcomed us back to Mosgiel. No time for coffee today! – Arthur (substitute leader for Helen – off sick.)

15. 9/9/2015. Trampers. John Bull and Millennium from Taieri Mouth.
This tramp was done in place of the one scheduled, as I could not get permission from the farmer to do the tramp that was on the program.
Ten of us arrived at the Taieri Mouth car park, & set off along the riverside track. We had quite a late morning tea stop at the wooden seat at the top,…

…before going down to John Bull Gully, where we had a short break. Then it was on along the Millennium track towards the Henley end. We arrived at the picnic spot down by the river, & had lunch there…

…before setting off to do the remainder of the track, though to Wardells Cottage, & the car park beyond. [just to do the full track distance]
After a short break here, it was back the way we had come. We stopped at the seat at the highest point again for a rest & refreshments, after climbing the quite steep track up from John Bull Gully. We then made our way back to the cars at Taieri Mouth.
The weather was fine all day, but the track was quite muddy in places, & care is needed on the downhill muddy slopes.
It was good to hear the comments from some, that they had enjoyed the walk.
Although many in the group had walked both tracks in the past, it was the first time that quite a few of us had walked the full distance, there & back.

Walked 16.4km; ave 3.8km/h; moving time 4h 15mins; climbed 760m. – Ken.

14. 21/12/2011. Trampers. John Bull and Millennium from Taieri Mouth.

GPS. Taieri Mouth John Bull Gully Millennium Track. Courtesy Ken.

13. 8/12/2010. Trampers. Taieri Mouth to Wardells’ Cottage, return. H.

The day was a bit cold and windy with some promised rain. A vote taken at the Taieri River mouth bridge was two to one (the writer was the ‘one’) with two abstentions to do the more sheltered John Bull Gully track instead of the scheduled Akatore beach walk. Aerobically it was certainly more beneficial with its plentiful provision of ups and downs. Continuing on to the Millennium Track to Wardells Cottage as well provided us with an all-up 18 km work-out which we all enjoyed. There was some spring grass overgrowth in places and the odd fallen tree. Some scrub cutting had been started There was some school group or other on inflatables out on the Taieri.

12. 15/4/2009 Hikers. John Bull Track. Leaders: Lesley S, Bill H, Fred.

The hikers’ walk from Taieri Mouth on the John Bull track took a turn for the worse when 2hrs into the walk Elaine had to stop because of chest pains etc.
Leaving Elaine in the professional care of Bev, Lesley G and Neil, the remaining 10 carried on to higher ground to try and get cell phone coverage. This proved more difficult than anticipated and it took Lesley S to search for higher open area off the main track before finally making contact with the emergency service.
After the helicopter landed a paramedic ran down the track to where Elaine was lying. After her condition was checked and she was stabilized, she was attached to the paramedic and winched through a small gap in the bush canopy into the helicopter. – Fred

Morning Tea. Neil, Evelyn, Bob, Lesley, Chris, Fred, Margaret. (Elaine pic)

Calm Taieri. Lesley, Margaret, Evelyn, Les. (Elaine pic)

Update from Elaine.

Hello Ian

I have been overwhelmed with kindness from the tramp club since the event on the John Bull track.

Would you be able to convey my thanks to the members of the club who helped as a great team in my dramatic exit from the track which I don’t really remember.

The quick action of Bev, Lesley and so. I have found out the support of Neil in keeping me warm. And Lesley S who found cell phone coverage.

Chris who rang her husband in Brighton who linked it all together and the tramper who had the white shirts on that lay in the open area for the chopper.

ED at the hospital told me later that I was very lucky that I had had such great care.

They did a battery of tests – CT Scans but the last test I had was the Head Scan. (That was purely because I was a member of the TRTC – “Just joking” they said.) I had previously told them about the mad wet day that we did to Dr Point in the rain.

It has turned out great in the end. They said I can carry on tramping as usual next week If you will have me back?

Kind regards to every one – Elaine.

11. 16/5/2007. Hikers. John Bull from Taieri Mouth. Medium. Leaders: Dot B, Lesley G.

10. 15/10/2003. Medium. John Bull Gully from Taieri Mouth. Medium. Leaders: Jack and Rosemary.

9. 5/9/2001. Combined. John Bull Track. Leaders: Frank and Lesley, Pam.

8. 1/11/2000. John Bull Track. Leaders: Doug M, Hazel, Jean.

7. 16/6/1999. John Bull Track. Leaders: Lance and Lois, Judy C.

6. 18/11/1998. John Bull Track to river. Leaders: Dot B, Doug and Ngaire.

5. 8/7/1998. John Bull Gully and return. Leaders: Bev H, Bev McI.

4. 4/6/1997. John Bully Gully. Leaders: Joyce, Nancy, Eleanor.

3. 14/2/1996. John Bull Gully. Leaders: Dot and Eric.

2. 6/4/1994. John Bull Track, then over paddock to Waihola Road, back on John Bull Track. Medium. Les S, Bill H, Doug and Ngaire

1. 17/2/1993. Taieri Mouth Bridge to John Bull Flat. Average. Leaders: Eric and Dorothy, Joan H, Chris.

Akatore Forest

(Distance from car-park: 44 km.)

Akatore Area – Information and Trips Library

8. 1/6/2016. Akatore Forest Both Groups. M. Leaders: Bruce and Marjorie.

June 1 2016 Akatore. Trampers' Route map, courtesy Bruce. — June 1 2016 Akatore. Trampers’ Route map, courtesy Bruce. [Closer detail, Ed.]

June 1 2016 Akatore. Route map courtesy Bruce. — June 1 2016 Akatore. Trampers’ Route map, courtesy Bruce. [Wider context, Ed.]

Nike app route map of Akatore Forest tramp — Hikers’ route map. Akatore Forest.

Akatore tramp 1 June 2016.
We obtained the access permit for the recce, on Saturday 21 May 2016, from the Wenita website at http://www.wenita.co.nz/use-the-forest/. The only limitation on numbers mentioned on the access permit was 4 hunters per permit. We obtained the permit for the tramp on Wednesday 1 June from Ian at the Wenita office, 11 Hartstonge Ave, Mosgiel, on Tuesday 31 May. Permits for entering the forests at the weekends can be obtained online. Wenita like to issue weekday entry permits at their office in the preceding week so they know what forestry operations will be taking place. No number limitations were mentioned on the tramp permit for 1 June in contrast to the limit of 15 that has been on some permits in the past.
35 trampers set off along Pleasant Road from the gate approximately 400 m south of the Akatore Creek bridge, approximately 6 km south of the Taieri Mouth Bridge at Taieri Mouth. We had morning tea, after approximately 2.25 km, near the bridge at the junction of Pleasant and Boundary Roads.

Sunny spot for some having morning tea (Helen pic and caption)

After morning tea we climbed the gradual ascent on Centre Road for approximately 3.75 km to the turnoff to the left onto Staircase Road.
We lunched at 12.30 pm on Staircase Road in a rather chilly situation after negotiating the major obstacle of the day, a large wind-fallen tree.

Lots of fallen trees on track. (Helen pic and caption)

After lunch we proceeded for the remainder of Staircase Road …

Muddy underfoot in parts. (Helen pic and caption)

… (total approximately 3.75 km) to the junction with Pleasant Road.
The main group proceeded with Marjorie back to the cars by the gate while a smaller group followed Bruce up Pleasant Road for approximately 1.5 km to the junction of Pleasant Road and Kamahi Road before getting back to the cars at approximately 2.45 pm.

The day was generally quite cold and keeping moving helped for staying warm. No rain fell but the tracks were mostly in the shade and there was some wind at times.

Coffee followed at Wals. Distances: approximately 12 km without the Pleasant Road dogleg; 15 km with the dogleg.
– Bruce and Marjorie.

7. 6/5/2015. Akatore Forest Both Groups. M. Leaders: Bruce and Marjorie.

The 10k Group

The 10 km route map — The 10k group’s route map

The 10k group of 10 parked on the right approximately 200 m past the Akatore Creek bridge…

Akatore Bridge — Confirmation of the calm day. Akatore Creek Bridge (John pic, taken after tramp)

Out to sea (John pix) — Further calm. Looking out to sea, from the Akatore Creek Bridge. (John pic, taken after tramp)

…on the Akatore road, went around the locked gate and walked 1.41 km along Pleasant road to the junction with Level road where the party stopped for morning tea.

They then turned left into Level road and proceeded 3.07 km up the road to where a road comes off on the right to a hill top (about 150 m before the junction of Level road and Mailbox road. Some went up this road to look at the view. They then returned down Level road and turned left into Pleasant road and proceeded 0.41 km along this road to the bridge area for lunch. They were surprised to meet the 10 in the 14k group standing on Pleasant road beside the turnoff on the right to the concrete bridge.

Both groups had lunch together 150 m up Boundary road. Some sheltered under pine trees to shelter from a few spots of rain which did not persist. After lunch the 10k group returned along Pleasant road for 1.82 km to the cars. The weather was pretty good overall with only a little very light rain and generally warm temperatures. A few fantails were seen. Total distance approximately 10 km, climb approximately 120 m.

The 14 km Group

Screen Shot — The 14k group’s route map, courtesy Bruce.

The 14k group of 10 parked on Quoin Point road, 3 km south of the Akatore Creek bridge. (It is easiest to turn at the widest part of Quoin Point Road at the junction with Akatore road and back up Quoin Point road and then parking on the left facing Akatore road. )

We walked 200 m down Akatore road, heading north towards the Akatore Creek bridge, and then turned down Mailbox road, on the left, past the locked gate for 1.07 km to the junction with Level Road. We turned left to remain on Mailbox road and, after 1.21 km, passed Serpentine Road branching off on the left. We stopped at the junction with House 21 road, 780 m past the Serpentine road junction, for morning tea. After morning tea we continued on Mailbox road for 1.48 km to the junction with Ridley road where we turned right and proceeded for 940 m before turning right into Pleasant road. We went down Pleasant road through the forest for 4.67 km arriving at the bridge area about 12.20 p.m., a minute or so before we met the group of 10k trampers. We had lunch with them. After lunch we waited for them to depart before proceeding along Pleasant road again for 410 m, turning right into Level road for 3.07 km, and then turning left into Mailbox road again and walking uphill for 1.07 km back to Akatore road, and then 250 m to the cars in Quoin Point road. We saw a tomtit and some fantails. Total distance approximately 15 km, climb approximately 400 m. – Bruce.

6. 13/3/2013. Akatore Forest Walk via Mailbox Road entrance. Leaders: Bruce and Marjorie.

On a calm mild day after crossing the Taieri River at Taieri Mouth and then Akatore Creek we proceeded south for about 3 km on Akatore Road and parked on the left hand side of the road about 70 metres past Mailbox Road on the right just before Quoin Point Road on the left.

We went down Mailbox Road for about 400 m to the junction with Level Road and had morning tea about 150 m along Level Road at the junction with a logging road on the left.

We then continued on Level Road (on the right) for about 2.2 km to the junction with Pleasant Road. We turned left into Pleasant Road…

…and had lunch in the trees about 2 km further along. After lunch we continued another 2 km along Pleasant Road and turned left at the end into Ridley Road. We proceeded about 600 m down Ridley Road passing some bee hives on the right and took the first road on the left, Mail Box Road.

The sign for this was obscured by gorse. We continued along Mail Box Road until the junction with Level Road where we started the circuit (it was the third road on the right) and returned up hill to the cars. The weather remained calm and mild. We saw some fan tails and a tom tit. We heard brown creepers in the canopy and a grey warbler. Leslie heard a falcon. We obtained a permit from Wenita prior to the tramp and estimated that not more than 15 were likely to attend. Having more than 15 makes an event and different rules apply. Distance travelled 12.4 km. – Bruce.

5. 16/5/2012. Both. Akatore Forest Walk via Pleasant Road entrance just beyond the Akatore Creek Bridge. Leaders: Chris, Bev.

In the light of questionable weather, and uncertain weather reports, few ventured out to the car park. The Hindon area trampers’ tramp promised high exposure to cold winds so was really out of the question. But the Hikers’ Akatore Forest promised a more sheltered tramp. As it turned out. With plenty of sunny spots on the roads. The route turned off Pleasant Road to anti-clockwise climb the hill and later descend via Staircase Road to Pleasant Road and out again. Bravo. Congratulations to the leaders and their determination to give it a go for six of us. – Ian.

Where the clockwise loop ended. (One of the more clouded moments.)

4. 26/2/1997 Akatore South Side. Leaders: Jack M, Hugh, Mary L.3. 3. 7/8/1996 Akatore Farm Walk. Average. Leaders: Jack M, Jean A, Ria H
2. 9/2/1994. Akatore. Medium. Leaders: Jack M, Eleanor, Judy & Rob
1. 30/1/1991 Akatore Forest Walks. Leaders:

Nicols Creek Bridge, Morrisons Burn, Poleline Road, Swampy, Nicols or Pineapple.

Click Dunedin’s Hills’ History for background information.

Click Swampy ridge track for background information.

Click Pineapple Track for background information.

Click Pineapple and Flagstaff walk for background information.

Nicols Creek – Information and Trips Library

6. 23/3/2016. Morrisons/Poleline/Swampy/Moon circuit. Leader?

Morrisons Poleline track Swampy Moon track. (Caption/route map courtesy Ken)

After cancelling our trip to Leaning Lodge, 7 trampers turned up at the carpark to do the Morrisons/Poleline/Swampy/Moon circuit.
We parked on the Leith Valley Rd. by the entrance to the Glow worm track, then walked up the road to the bridge over the Morrison Burn.
The day started off cool, but fine, & the track condition was quite good. We climbed under the barrier at the locked gate on the bridge at the start, & made our way up to the weir,

then backtracked to where the track went uphill through the bush. After morning tea break,

we carried on until we came across a gravelled road, where we took the wrong way!! We soon discovered our mistake, & walked along the road to where the track started again up through the bush. This eventually led us onto the Poleline track that goes up to the top of Swampy. We had lunch sheltered from the wind by the building at the top of the Leith Saddle track, then retraced our steps back …

3 Fog over Mosgiel from Swampy (Ken pic and caption)

… to the junction of the Poleline track & the Swampy Ridge track, where we turned off, & made our way along to the top of Moon track. We had a short stop here before heading off down this very badly rutted [damaged by mountain bikes] & rough track into the bush again where there is a multitude of mountain biking tracks, winding back & forward making it hard to know which track to take. So we just kept looking for tracks that went downhill, & eventually we ended up on the Leith Valley Rd. about 150mtrs from the cars.

An interesting day, & a tramp that a few had not done before, & all agreed that it was a good walk.
Walked 12.8km
Ave speed 3.9km/h
Moving time 3h 18min.
Climbed 658mtrs. – Ken.

5. 19/8/2009. Medium. Morrisons Burn, Morrisons Track, Poleline Road, Swampy, Pineapple, Nicols Creek. Medium. Leaders: Keith and Glenice

Morrisons Burn waterfall

Looking down from weir. Keith, Hazel, Bruce, Ria

4. 23/1/2008 Morrisons Track, Swampy, Pineapple, Nicols Creek. Leaders: Lex

Greenery on Morrisons Track — Greenery on Morrisons Burn Track

Parking the cars at the Nicols Creek bridge, we walked up the Leith Valley Road to Morrisons at the foot of Stoney Ford slope. We scrambled past the large slip immediately across the footbridge and enjoyed the beautiful bush and moss-clad track up to reach the waterfall. Then the steep scramble up the bank to morning tea on the 4WD at the slope’s top. Along that a bit, and then it was further up, up, up through bush to join the Pole Track 4WD to enjoy lunch where it meets the Swampy Ridge track. Instead of turning down the Nicols Creek track junction when we reached it,

Junction of Swampy with Nicols Creek Tracks. Hazel, Ria, Pat, Ken, Doug M, Lex

by common consent Lex took the 10 of us on to the Pineapple Track

Junction Swampy, Pineapple Track. Lex, Ken, Pat, Doug M, Hazel, Wendy

descent to break away from it further down at a stone cairn to cut across the cocksfoot on the left to the bush edge. This provided heightened interest as it had not been reconnoitred but Lex cleverly located the track that led down through the bush and across back to Nicols Creek track. The day had begun overcast and actually rained a few drops after lunch, but got really hot during our concluding descent to the cars. A good way for it to happen. – Ian

3. 16/1/2008. Trampers. Nicols Creek, Swampy, Morrisons. Medium. Leaders: Lex, Tash.

2. 16/5/2007. Trampers. Morrison Falls. Return Nicols Creek. Moderate. Leaders: Lex, Tash.

1. 15/11/2006. Trampers. Morrison Track, Pole Track, Swampy. Medium. Leaders: George, Doug J.

AGM Minutes 27/8/2015

MINUTES OF 28^th ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE TAIERI RECREATIONAL TRAMPING CLUB HELD AT THE MCKERROW LOUNGE, MOSGIEL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH ON THURSDAY, 27 AUGUST 2015 AT 1.30 PM

PRESENT: L Smith (Chair), M Smith, J Knox, K McVie, L Harvey, P & W Bathgate, D Bennett, J Butcher, P Clough, E Cooper, E Day, F Deans, J Dennison, J Devlin, J Dodd, L Donaldson, B & J Finnie, I Fleming, L Gowan, L & A Griffin, G Haggie, B Harvey, L Harvey, I Hebbard, A Heenan, C Hughes, A Landrebe, B & P McLean, A Miller, D Moir, K & S Munro, D Poole, M Spittle, T & D Stratton, M Vaughan, J Yardley

Apologies: H Morris, B Spittle, B Mitchell, N & C Morrison, E Ryan

Moved L Gowan, seconded M Vaughan that these be accepted. Carried

Minutes of Previous Meetings

Minutes of 27^th AGM of dated 28/8/15 were taken having been previously circulated were taken as read . Moved P Bathgate, seconded M Smith that they be confirmed as a true and accurate record. Carried

Matters arising: Nil

Correspondence:

Inward:

Nil

Outward

Nil

PRESIDENTS REPORT

President, L Smith, presented his report for the year. The club had had a good year, with 9 new members which was important for the future. There was a good variety of tramps, and the weather in general had been favourable. Moved L Smith, seconded L Harvey that it be adopted. Carried

FINANCIAL Report

Financial statement for the year ended 30/6/15 was presented by the treasurer. Bank balance $428.62, petty cash $4.60. There was a deficit for the year of $222.53 between income and expenditure. This was mainly contributed to by scrubcutter maintenance and fuel, but felt this had been a worthwhile project.

Moved J Yardley, seconded L Smith that it be received. Carried

Auditor: Tom Stratton thanked for his services and moved that he be re-appointed. This was declined, and the treasurer to find another auditor.

Subscriptions: These to remain at $5, plus $10 joining fee for new members.

ELECTION OF OFFICE BEARERS

President: Judy Knox (Moved I Fleming, seconded B Harvey) Carried.

Vice-President: Jill Dodd (Moved J Knox, seconded P Clough) Carried

Secretary/Treasurer:Jan Yardley (Moved I Fleming, seconded M Spittle) Carried

Committee:

Existing committee: Ken McVie )

Elaine Day ) continuing

Lester Harvey )

Moved J Knox, seconded C Hughes that Arthur Heenan and Liz Griffin be appointed to the committee. There were no further nominations Carried

Life membership: President, Les Smith presented Molly Vaughan with a life membership certificate, in recognition of the service she had given to the club in the early days, and her continued enthusiasm.

Gifts:

Vouchers of appreciation were presented, as under:

Elaine Day – organisation of social events

Margaret Smith – hosting committee meetings

Bev Harvey – preparation and distribution of track programmes

Ian Fleming – website

Pam Clough – supplying greeting cards

General:

Bev Harvey reminded members that the 30^th anniversary of the club was coming up in 2016, and thought to be given to what form of celebration this could take
Ian Fleming was thanked for his work on the website. He could do with an assistant, and if any member was interested to approach Ian.
George Haggie reminded members that if members saw examples of poor animal husbandry on any of the farms they were tramping on, to bring their concerns back to committee rather than approaching SPCA or a similar organisation.

There was no other business, and the meeting closed at 1.40 pm. Judy Knox thanked Les Smith for his work over the last two years as President.

Guest speakers, John and Robyn Armstrong gave a very interesting presentation on their 6 week sailing trip from Dunedin to the Dusky sound area Thanked by Peter Bathgate, and presented with a voucher.

Confirmed ………………………………………..(President) Date ………………….

Concord Blackhead

12 km from car park
No. 103 on old hardcopy list of 113 club tramps. “Concord – Blackhead – Brighton Rd Year Round”
Concord – Information and Trips Library

1. 1/7/2015. All. Midwinter Dinner. Concord Tavern. E. Leaders: Elaine and Eric.

Well! Records set. At least for the tramp. 40! Yes, 40. And 50 for the meal. Much due, this reporter suspects, to the way Elaine crafted the walk’s publicity. Easy? Well, not altogether with a bit of a climb into Abbotsford maybe a bit hard for some.

First problem was to number the carpark’s milling crowd off, but Fred got it right by standing at the corner by the road. Elaine set off at a brisk pace down …

… the “Main South Road” (surely it’s time to name it the Old Main South Road), around the corner at the bottom and then level walking towards Green Island. Then a stop. Question time.

Date of motorway completion? Wow. Peter had the exact answer. 1974. Take a prize! Then on. Stop again, outside an imposing gateway. What do the initials IRMO stand for?

More knew the answer this time. A prize again. Onward. Stop – outside Harraways Office. Now a generous distribution …

… of complimentary Oats Singles packets. Take more than one. Onward again. Across rise where most recalled the railway line that once crossed the road. To collect coal from Saddle Hill once, someone said. Last stop, at the curly beginning of the impressive overhead footbridge, spanning Kaikorai Stream, the motorway, …

… bush, and finally the railway before turning right into Neill Street and left into Matthew Street, and second entrance on our left into a property with a wonderful back covered porch.

A further surprise. We were regaled with mulled wine or soup served in pottles with generous refills. (A recent email from Elaine says a further whole thermos of mulled wine got overlooked. – Damn, as she so feelingly put it.) Next, in through a door leading under the house to view …

.. a model train set.( This reporter can testify it was even more elaborate than any he saw at the recent display put on at Wobblies.) It was N gauge (9mm). Unfortunately, the owner didn’t have it going, lest he exposed himself to an embarrassing derailment. Too bad. It was capable of running two trains at once. There’s a wealth of ancillary detail also, all to scale. A close study will prove most rewarding! To this reporter, this is the engineering equivalent of close needlework.

After this wonderful surprise break, it was back down Matthew Street and away along Neill Street to our left to reach a hidden pedestrian underpass at the foot of Armstrong Lane …

… and to emerge onto a little path that skirted round to the foot of Harraway Road, across a Kaikorai Stream bridge, out onto the “Main South Road” and back to the Concord Tavern for the Dinner. Here we met with the non-walkers and filled an almost overcrowded dining room. Some of us neglected to pick our table first as we found we were supposed to (including this reporter) before we lined up at the servery to place our meal order, but waiters found us eventually and all was well.

Again, due to Elaine’s homework with her sponsors, there were little prezzies on the tables and under-the-seat tickets for rewards. What a girl she is!

So, thanks to Elaine and Eric for such an imaginative midwinter dinner function effort. Well done, to put it mildly. – Ian.

16/8/2000. Concord – Blackhead. Leaders: Les W, Diana and Ray.

26/5/1999 Concord from Tavern to Blackhead. Leaders: Jean, Ngaire, Bev McI.

19/5/1993 Concord Corner, Blackhead, Beach, Brighton Road, Allan Road, Green Island Bush Road. Round Trip. Leaders: Jack, Rosemary, Joyce I, Joyce S

23/9/1989 Concord Hills from Wine and Spirits carpark. Easy+ Leaders: George, Ria L, Pam, Ria H

Outram Glen and Traquair/Whare Creek. Cartwright Track

Outram, Allanton, Floodbanks, Lee Stream, Traquair, Whare Creek – Information and Trips Library

6. 15/9/2014.
Just been reading some of your website on this short track. You may like to know that when we were talking to the gentleman at the museum last week, he told us that the track was put in to take supplies of piping etc up the burn for the Outram water supply. Also, if you go to the end of that track, & then cross the burn, there is a track up the other side, & up there is a valve, & some old piping. So it seems that the track has nothing to do with the old mill that was there, as it got it’s water from the race that you & I found in the paddocks above the road.
He has some old photos of the area as well, but they are not very good ones. There is also a water wheel [working] at the museum, which I think he said was the old mill wheel. – Ken

5. 10/9/2014. Trampers. Outram Glen & Traquair/Whare Creek.

After a cool start to the day, the weather warmed up, & we had a good walk along the Outram Glen track to Lee stream, [where we discussed the possibilities of crossing the stream without getting very wet] & back. We had a couple of stops along the way, one was with the owner of one of the houses up the Chalkies track road. He tells us that the grumpy one has now gone, & the new owners are quite ok with groups like ours going down [or up] the track through their properties, then down [or up] their driveway. I think permission should still be sought first though, especially for the first time at least.We arrived back at the car for lunch, & then proceeded along to the short track that runs in from the one way bridge at the start of the George King Memorial Drive. this was a new walk for some in the group, & started up a discussion on the old mill that used to be there.
On the way back out, we decided to go up into the museum grounds, as this was also new for some in the party. We struck up a good conversation with one of the gentlemen working on the site, & he was most helpful with info on the old mill, it’s whereabouts, & where to find some old relics.
We arrived back at the carpark, just before the hikers returned.We walked approx 12.5km [didn’t take the GPS on the short track.]
ave. 4.2km/hr. – Ken.

4. 5/5/2012. Whare Creek Outram Council weir. Ken and Ian.

On a fine Monday afternoon and with permission and advice from the landowners, we explored down the bush track below the power lines to arrive at the water race that supplied the water that drove the old Outram Glen Flour Mill back in the early 20th Century.

Following the pink markers brought us to the point leading steeply down below the race to the creek and a weir. From Jim Sime’s later information, this was the Outram Council’s weir and pipe line to supply water for the Outram Water Supply tank, located above the Taieri Museum, now no longer in use. The weir was designed so that flood debris would wash right over it.

Old Outram Council Weir and piping, no longer in use.

Mr Sime said that the Flour Mill water race, higher up the bank, which he explored on an earlier occasion, leads on for a considerable distance to disappear at the face of a rock bluff, with no indication evident of how the fluming would have had to have been attached to the sheer rock. Mr Sime thinks that a pool yet further upstream at a streams’ confluence may well have been where the race might have begun.

Ken pic. Upstream from the weir, the creek winds round to the left.

3. 18/4/2012. Trampers. Outram Glen & Traquair/Whare Creek.

Seven of us took to the Outram Glen – Lee Stream track on an overcast & cool morning. We decided to have morning tea at Lee Stream, so we set off at a good pace, & we soon warmed up. The sun was out at Lee Stream, so a leisurely break was in order. We made our way back to the glen where we had lunch, & then we moved the cars down to the Traquair Burn bridge.

We made the short walk to the start of the Traquair Burn track & along this to the end, where we did a bit of exploring up the small tributary stream on the left. This quickly ran out of easily negotiated terrain, so we went back to the track end, & Ken went exploring up the Burn a bit further to see if it was possible to go upstream.

We returned to the cars via the Outram machinery museum grounds, where we had a good look around. – Ken

2. 23/4/2008. Trampers. Outram Glen & Traquair/Whare Creek.

Six trampers turned up at the car-park following a very stormy night to learn that the leaders, Ria and Hazel had, happily as it turned out, decided on Outram Glen instead of Whare Flat. They had carried out three Whare Flat recces only to find on each occasion tracks too overgrown to clear. We were delighted to find the reported upgrade of the initial flat (mostly) part of the Outram Glen track had been widened and metalled making for two-abreast walking. The remaining steeper bit however was literally, according to a DoC notice, “maintained to only route standard”. It was! But we made good progress arriving at the Lee Stream terminus at 11. It was there that Doug and Hazel discovered wild potatoes

Gathering potatoes near Lee Stream outlet.

of a very good size which Doug lugged back down the track for his meal table.
We lunched below the Taieri Historical Museum area prior to exploring a newly-cleared track up alongside the Traquair (or Whare) Stream – a new discovery for most of the group. Ian recounted how his Grandfather and family had owned the Flour Mill in a small area across the stream from 1911-1913 (the original Outram Glen), now buried under the present road corner alignment: a place once renowned for its gardens and picnic area for locals. Two houses, a mill, a fountain and an electric generator (which had earlier powered Outram’s street lights) as well as gardens had occupied the area. The buildings were destroyed by fire in 1918.

Fallen coloured deciduous leaves on an open area of the track would have kindled a painter’s imagination. We returned from where the track finally petered out, left wondering where it might have continued to in the past. Another satisfying day. – Ian

1. 23/4/2008 Leaders: Ria L, Hazel

Grahams Bush, Upper Junction, Brickhill Rd

Grahams Bush botanical information.

Grahams Bush reserve was originally the site of sawmills and brick kilns operated by David Bethune in the 1880s, and became city council property in 1955.
Parking: Church Grounds. Distance from car-park: 27 km.

Grahams Bush, Organ Pipes, Buttars Peak, Mt Cargill – Information and Trips Library

6/8/2014. Both. Hall Rd, Grahams Bush, Mt Cargill Rd, Upper Junction Rd, Brickhill Rd, Stevenson Ave. Leaders: Lester, Ian. (As it turned out, there was no appointed tramper leader there on the day.)

A perforce Hikers’ report.

This was one of those first of the month tramps for both trampers and hikers to get together. However at the car park on the church grounds, there was no sign of the trampers. We waited and questioned whether they had got lost. They had left the Bush Road car park before us. Where had they gone? We eventually set off without them on the long walk up Hall Road and on along the initial farm 4WD route to stop for a cuppa at the track turn-off.

For quite a few of us this was their first time on this route and they spoke appreciatively about the lovely bush. Rain the night before had made the track muddy in places. We were pleasantly surprised by beautiful bird calls, more than experienced on previous occasions.

The steep grade gets no easier, but eventually we emerged onto the Mt Cargill road be be greeted by the small group of three trampers. They had left the car park early before the rest of us, had apparently driven right past the church car park in Station Rd and (cunningly? shorter distance!) parked further up Hall Road, and carried on ahead. So it was not to be a together day after all, even up to a morning tea stop!

Anyway, after our brief meeting at the Mt Cargill Road car park, (so we were together briefly after all) they were off to further ascend Mt Cargill while the we stopped off for a leisurely lunch. Some of the hikers ventured a short distance up the track after lunch and returned back down again.

Hikers’ lunch at the car park on Mt Cargill Road

We set off along the old Mt Cargill Rd in a very orderly single file, quite a number of us wearing high-viz jackets. Perhaps it was these that encouraged passing drivers to noticeably slow down as they passed. We turned down Upper Junction Road and were interested to see how the slip at the bottom had been repaired. After the last grouping at Brickhill Rd, we straggled on to our cars back at the church park grounds. At 16, there was only half the usual number of hikers, and we suspected some had wisely decided their fitness was no longer up to the steep climb of the day. Another fine day, bracketed by bad weather on either side. We were so lucky. – Ian.

A Trampers’ report.

3 trampers left Sawyers Bay before the hikers arrived, as they got tired of waiting around ! The walk up through Grahams Bush was a little damp after rain on the previous night, but the bird life made the walk more pleasant.
After morning tea, with still no sign of the hikers, we walked to the top road,

*At the top road (Heb pic and caption?)*

where we waited for approx 40mins. for them to arrive. After this, we walked up the Organ Pipes track, stopping to view the tumbled down remains of the pipes,

then went on to Butters Peak junction,

*Buttars Peak Junction (Heb pic and caption?)*

where lunch was had in the sunshine.
The return trip was uneventful, & the birds once again kept us company. – Ian Hebberd? – per Ken.

1/8/2012. Both. Grahams Bush, Mt Cargill Rd, Upper Junction Rd, Brickhill Rd, Hall Rd. Leaders: Pat, Ken.

GPS of route, courtesy Ken.
10.5 km distance.
3.7km/h moving ave.
2hr 48min moving time.
379mtrs. total ascent.
394 max elevation.

3/11/2010. Both. Grahams Bush, Mt Cargill Rd, Upper Junction Rd, Brickhill Rd, Hall Rd. Leaders: Fred, Elaine.

A goodly number of 21 of us set off for the round trip. We stopped at the turn-off into the bush for morning tea. Evelyn has apparently suffered an early bad fall but soldiered on.

Continue reading “Grahams Bush, Upper Junction, Brickhill Rd”

Christie Gully, Big Stone Road, Otokia, McLaren Gully Rds

No. 50 on old hardcopy list of 113 club tramps. “McLaren Rd – Christies Gully Year Round”

Trampers Park Henley Road, to left of entrance from north end of flood free highway. 17 km from car-park.

Hikers Park Henley Road, to right of entrance from north end of flood free highway. 18 km from car-park.

17. 9/7/2014. Hikers. Otokia, Big Stone, Christie Gully and Henley Roads. Leaders: Les and Margaret.

About to begin tramp — About to set off. (John panorama pic)

Morning Tea on a hump of Otokia Road. (John pic)

Road dip — The dip in the Otokia Road beyond the Morning Tea stop. (John pic)

Otokia sign — The road sign marking boundary between Big Stone and Otokia-Kuri Bush Roads. (John pic)

Christies Sign — The road sign by Margaret’s g/parents’ place where we turned off to steeply descend Christie Gully Road. (John pic)

16. 13/6/2012. Hikers. Otokia, Big Stone, Christie Gully and Henley Roads. Leaders: Les and Margaret.

15. 24/8/2011. Hikers. Otokia, Big Stone, Christie Gully and Henley Roads. Leaders: Les and Margaret.

14. 27/7/2011. Trampers. Henley Road, Christie Gully Road, Big Stone Road, McLaren Gully Road SE along SH1 back in to cars on Henley Road extension. 3.5 to 4 hours. 15 km walk.

View from top of Christie Gully Rd (Ken pic and caption)

Ria & Linzi enjoying the snow. (Ken pic and caption)

13. 13/10/2010. Hikers. Christie Gully, Cemetery.

12. 3/6/2009. Both. Henley Road, Christie Gully Road, Otokia Kuri Bush Road East, (down Otokia Rd for shorter walk), Big Stone Road, McLaren Gully Road SE along SH1 in to cars on Henley Road extension. Leaders: Les and Margaret.

We parked in the usual place.

click to enlarge

The start. Chris, Dot, Molly, Bev, Lesley, Margaret

The later 9.30 a.m. start had us stopping for a cuppa on the Henley Road in some shelter instead of after the turn into Christie Gully Road.

Tea break. Lesley, Bev, Dot, Chris, Margaret.

Next, we saw geese on the Taieri River.

Then we saw deer on the hill.

On Christie Gully Road we saw some old friends – or their descendants.

Sign says it all. — The sign says it all.

At the top of the road we stopped for a breather and to admire the view. It turned out we were outside Margaret’s mother’s old place. The house had been burnt down long before Margaret’s time.

Margaret's folk. — Peter, Carmel, Molly, Bev, Margaret, Chris.

We paused at the junction of Big Stone Road and Otokia-Kuri Bush Road West.

As Margaret was going to take those who wanted a shorter walk down the shortcut and via the cemetery, we stopped for lunch here.

Falcons — A rare sight of falcons flying and calling in sky.

The first time I’ve snapped this place.

House — An attractive old house on McLaren Gully Road.

11. 29/10/2008. Hikers. Otokia, Big Stone, Christie Gully and Henley Roads. Medium. Leaders: Peter B, Neil

10. 12/9/2007. Hikers. Christie Gully, McLaren Gully Roads. Easy+. Leaders: Margaret and Les.

9. 8/8/2007 Leaders: Ian, Bill M.

Parked north end of flood free highway by gravel heaps.
Walked Henley Rd to Christie Gully.
To Otokia Kuri Bush Rd East/Big Stone Road.
Turned down McLaren Gully to SH1. Henley Rd to cars.

8. 30/6/2004. McLaren and Christie Gully. Medium. Leaders: George, Bruce, Dot T, Les & Margaret.
7. 18/9/2002 Leaders: Catherine, Lance & Lois
6. 27/9/2000 Christie Gully – McLaren Road. Road Walk. Leaders: Mary Y, Jean A, Catherine
5. 16/6/1999. Christie Gully, McLaren Road. Leaders: Les and Margaret, Wendy.
4. 22/7/1998. Christie Gully, McLaren Gully. Leaders: Margaret S, Nancy.
3. 11/6/1997. McLaren Gully, Christie Gully round trip. Leaders: Les and Margaret, Ivan.
2. 5/11/1992 Otokia, Big Stone, Christie Gully and Henley Roads. Average. Leaders: Eric & Dot, Margaret S, Les W
1. 15/6/1991. Christie Gully and McLaren Road. Good winter tramping and views. Average+. Leaders: Nancy, Margaret S, Eric & Dot

Distance from car park: 18 km.

Davies Track, Ben Rudd

Click Ben Rudd Article for background information.

Ross Creek, Lower Leith Valley, Wakari Rd Bike Park, McGouns, Pineapple and Davies Tracks – Information and Trips Library

5. 19/2/2014. Trampers. Pineapple, Ben Rudd, Davies.

The group at the new seat. (Heb pic and caption)

Afternoon tea break at the bottom of Davies track. (Ken pic and caption)

Hazel in deep thought over her phone. (Ken pic and caption)

4. 23/3/2005. Both. Davies Track, Booth Road. Leaders: Annie G, Irene, Dot B, Bruce.

3. 10/11/1999. Warburnton Track from Booth Road – Ben Rudd. Leaders: Joyce, Nancy, Ria.

2. 8/11/1995. Warburton Track from Booth Road to Ben Rudd. Medium. Leaders: Doug and Ngaire, Chris, Joan H.

1. 5/7/1995. Warburton Track. Ben Rudd. Medium. Shorter trip available. leaders: Ria L, Doug & Ngaire, Denise.

AGM Minutes Aug 2013

Minutes of the 26th Annual General Meeting of Taieri Recreational Tramping Club held in the Presbyterian Church McKerrow Room on 25 August 2013 at 1.30 p.m.

ATTENDANCE. P Bathgate, W Bathgate, D Bennett, P Clough, S Cooney, E Day, F Deans, E Finnie, J Finnie, I Fleming, G Haggie, B Harvey, L Harvey, I Hebbard, C Hughes, V Jackson, J Knox, R Lippers, B McIntosh, P McLean, W McLean, K McVie, D Moir, P Randall, J Shaw, L Smith, M Smith, B Spittle, T Stratton, G Such, M Vaughan, J Yardley. (31)

APOLOGIES. N Buckley, E Cooper, J Dodd, L Donaldson, A Landrebe, B Landrebe, H Leslie, C Morrison, N Morrison, D Pearce, D Pool, M Spittle, D Such.
That the apologies be received. Moved B Harvey, seconded I Hebbard. Carried.

MINUTES of the 25th Annual General Meeting OF 25 August 2012, having been circulated, were taken as read.
That these minutes be confirmed as a true and accurate record of that meeting. Moved I Fleming, seconded P Bathgate. Carried.

ANNUAL REPORT. President B Harvey presented her report.
That the report be adopted. Moved B Harvey, seconded M Smith. Carried.

FINANCIAL REPORT. Treasurer I Fleming presented his report.
That the report be received, the audited Financial Statement be adopted, that Auditor T Stratton be thanked and that he be reappointed as Auditor for the coming year. Moved I Fleming, seconded L Smith. Carried.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS
PRESIDENT.
L Smith. Nominated B Harvey, seconded D Bennett.
There were no other nominations.
B Harvey declared L Smith elected. Applause.

VICE PRESIDENT.
J Knox. Nominated L Smith, seconded M Smith.
There were no other nominations.
B Harvey (who continued to chair the meeting) declare J Knox elected. Applause.

SECRETARY.
I Fleming. Nominated J Knox, seconded C Hughes.
There were no other nominations.
B Harvey declared I Fleming elected. Applause.

TREASURER.
J Yardley. Nominated I Fleming, seconded P Clough.
There were no other nominations.
B Harvey declared J Yardley elected. Applause.

COMMITTEE.
The last committee meeting had recommended this be limited to five members.
That the committee be limited to five members. Moved J Knox, seconded B Harvey. Carried.
Nominations:
G Such. Nominated L Smith, seconded P Bathgate.
I Hebbard. Nominated R Lippers, seconded G Haggie.
D Bennett. Nominated M Smith, seconded C Hughes.
K McVie. Nominated I Hebbard, seconded R Lippers.
B Landrebe. Nominated W Bathgate, seconded G Such.
E Day. Nominated C Hughes, seconded J Knox.
C Hughes. Nominated M Smith, seconded L Smith.
L Harvey. Nominated L Smith, seconded G Such.

Two scrutineers were appointed for a secret ballot.
T Stratton. Nominated J Knox, seconded B Harvey.
B Spittle. Nominated B Harvey, seconded G Such.
There was general acceptance of this.

GIFTS Three gifts were presented.
H Leslie (in absentia). For her beautiful cards used on occasions of sorrow and also in appreciation of land-owners granting permission to tramp on their property.
M Smith. For hosting tramp programme meetings.
S Fleming. For hosting committee meetings.

GENERAL BUSINESS

Two motions and one amendment had been emailed in advance out the secretary and forwarded out to the club.

FIRST MOTION – in the name of I Hebbard and K McVie.

That the combined hike on the Wednesday of each month be dropped, as it doesn’t normally suit the abilities of some trampers.

Explanation: The trampers [and some of the hikers] complain about having to stand around far too often, getting cold, while waiting for the slow ones to catch up.
The combined hike came about as an idea 13 years ago, & was adopted for a 12 month trial period, & then it became the norm. it was also, at the time this was suggested, that the club should plan ahead, & be flexible.

The mover and seconder presented and spoke to the motion. There was general discussion.

AMENDMENT – in the name of I Fleming.

That the motion: “That the combined hike on the Wednesday of each month be dropped, as it doesn’t normally suit the abilities of some trampers.”
be amended to read: “That the combined hike on the first Wednesday of each month be retained, but there be established as well a scheduled tramp for those whose abilities the combined one doesn’t normally suit.”

Note 1. The combined tramp, although it doesn’t suit some trampers, does suit others who enjoy the monthly combined one.

Note 2. The combined tramp, although merely a convention, has been cherished by many, I believe, in whose minds the word ‘Recreational’ implies renewing contact and fellowship with each other from time to time.

The mover presented and spoke to this amendment. Seconded L Smith.
There was general discussion.
B Harvey put the amendment to the vote. Carried.

The amendment then became the substantive motion.
There were not further amendments.
The amendment was carried.

THIRD MOTION in the name of K McVie and I Hebbard.

That the start time of 9:30 in the winter months, be changed to 9:00.

Explanation: This is purely a safety remit. On the shortest day 2013, there was more daylight at 8:00am than at 5:00pm. We feel this is a safety feature, as if trouble should occur on a tramp or hike, it allows more time to deal with it, before darkness sets in.

The mover and seconder presented and spoke to the motion.
There was general discussion.
B Harvey put the motion to the vote. It was lost.

The scrutineers had returned with the committee election findings.
Those elected to the committee were:
D Bennett, E Day, L Harvey, C Hughes, G Such.

The scrutineers were thanked and discharged, and the voting papers would be destroyed.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS
There was general discussion. A number of points were mentioned.

Gifts were presented to the out-going President, B Harvey and later, to J Knox for her presentation.

B Harvey declared the meeting closed at 2.46 p.m.

B Harvey invited Judy Knox to give here powerpoint presentation of her expedition to Patagonia.

Subscription payments and refreshments followed.

Confirmed……………………………………………………………. Date………………………………..

Swampy from Access/Rollinsons Road

4. 17/7/2013. Trampers. Rollinsons Rd, Rollinsons Track, Swampy Ridge track along to Hightop, & return.

4 trampers set out from the locked gate On Rollinsons Rd. which was a little icy in places & there was still some snow showing in parts as well. We were all amazed at the amount of destruction that the snow had caused, with 15cm Manuka splintered like matchwood, & everything sort of flattened.

We had morning tea in the shelter by the picnic area, & then climbed up to the elbow, where we went straight ahead on Rollinsons Track, which was running with water in parts, & covered with snow in other areas.

After reaching the Swampy Ridge track we set off towards Hightop, but soon found our way impeded by fallen Manuka. We negotiated this for a kilometer or two before arriving at a very large & difficult blockage, so as it was almost mid-day, we decided to have lunch, & then return to the cars. – Ken.

3. 31/3/2010. Trampers. Rollinsons, Swampy Ridge, Hightop. Leaders: Ria, Ian

The tramp differed from intentions. For one thing, the leaders had done no recce due to a failure to find a date suitable to both. For another, it had been four years since we had last tackled the track, and memories were a little hazy. Going in from the elbow of Rollinson Road, we were first surprised to find the Rollinson Track sign missing, replaced by one announcing “Tarns”. We wondered at this, but were pleased to find the track fairly well marked by fluorescent pink tape.

These led us helpfully deeper into the swamp. The dry summer had left the track beautifully only damp where there would normally have been mud.

Second surprise. The helpful pink tapes had led us down to Swampy Lagoon. Obviously the “tarns”, or one of them. Were there others?

Oh dear. Where to from here? With reflective hindsight, we should have resisted the seductive tapes way further back and sought out the true Rollinsons, once upon a time indicated with Les Murcott’s green markers, some still there in places but now very faded. We should have paid them more attention. But we had been suckered by the pink. So what to do? We knew we were well off the track, and that anyway, up at the top was Swampy Ridge track. So we set off up a vertically vertical ridge, pulling ourselves up with tufts of tussock and grass, to eventually gain the track, after much heaving and huffing.

Looking back down steep ridge we had just climbed

Later on, northwards to where the Ridge Track had considerably descended (!), we found the pole indicating where Rollinsons track DID emerge onto the ridge, by way of a MUCH easier climb.

“R” pole indicating Rollinsons track junction with Swampy Ridge.

Near the north end of Swampy Ridge Track,

we attempted a climb of Clump Peak on our right, as our way to Hightop on our left had appeared too scrubby.

2. 5/10/1988. Swampy from Access Road gate. Average Climb. Great views around summit (bring binoculars. Return by Flagstaff weather permitting. Car shuttle if required. Leaders: Bob H, Ria L, Jean Y

See Flagstaff Name for its origin.

But even here a thick belt of gorse blocked our way so we hunkered down for lunch interrupted by a VERY light shower which was magically terminated by dint of one or two of us donning parkas.

Back then, along Swampy Ridge and up to swampy summit topped by the Airways VHF receiver station. Descending the Rollinson accesss road to the elbow completed our extended circuit. Six of us had come out for the day. – Ian.

1. 5/10/1989. Swampy from Access/Rollinsons Road gate. Average climb. Great views around summit. Return by Flagstaff weather permitting. Car shuttle if required. Leaders: Bob, Ria, Mary.