2004-11-24

Wednesday 24 to Tuesday 30 November

WEDNESDAY RAMBLE - OLD COACH ROAD

Fine, but the strong norwesterly made for unpleasant travel, so the trip was cut short. Enjoyable nevertheless. (15 members)

MEDIUM/FIT SATURDAY TRIP - ONE DAY SOUTHERN CROSSING

The mountain forecast for Saturday was southwest gales and snow to 1000 metres so we moved the trip to Sunday. But the high that was supposed to move over the country went off to the north, and we set out from Walls Whare at 7.30 am in rain. We did get some fine weather, between Cone and Hector, but a stiff westerly and mist arrived as we took a late lunch under the cross, and consequently we experienced a fairly standard Southern crossing! The last hour of the trip, back down to Walls Whare, was by torchlight. spelling Of the original six to sign up, three non-members were not free on Sunday - so they climbed Hector on Saturday where they found some snow but no gales. That left three members to undertake the Sunday extravaganza.

SOUTHERN CROSSING

Insufficient numbers, so Friday night into Holdsworth Lodge, on to Totara Flats and out the hard way, via High Ridge on Sunday. (4 members, 1 non member)

MEDIUM TRIP - GRACE'S STREAM - CLAY RIDGE - CATCHPOOL

Decided to do the trip in reverse, dropping off McKerrow into the headwaters of Grace's Stream which was traversed back to Catchpool for 2 ½ hours. A delightful day. (8 members)

SUNDAY EASY/MEDIUM - RIMUTAKA SUMMIT - SUMMIT STATION - KELLY'S TRACK

Track very overgrown with gorse in parts, making for slow travel - 7 hours. Weather was good. (7 members, 4 non-members)

EASY - BURN HUT

Most enjoyable loop trip. (4 members)

FAMILY TRIP - MORISONS BUSH

Camped overnight. Lots of activities, including cycling the Incline, kayaking on the Ruamahunga, volleyball and cricket. Had a great campfire. (40 members)

KAWEKA TRIP

Eight members spent an enjoyable four days in the Kawekas. All four seasons were encountered, with snow, hail and gales, and hot sun on the day we came out. The trip was modified accordingly to avoid too much time on the tops in the worst of the weather. Nevertheless, everyone enjoyed themselves and most visited places they had not been before. One night was spent in Kiwi Saddle Hut in the company of a German visitor (named Renee) who informed us in the morning that we were "very funny people".