Inland Pack
Track [See Map]
This was the very first tramp undertaken in late 2009. Ethan, Amy, Timothy,
Ryan and Tim headed off to the Paparoa's for a three day tramp through the
Inland Pack Track. Up the Punakaiki River and across the saddle to the Pororari,
across the river and cross country to Bullock Creek where we camped the night
beside the swimming hole below. In the morning that swimming hole had totally
disappeared because of the porous limestone geology of the river bed. We
had a great camp fire with hot milo and good food. The next day was inland,
over a saddle and down to Fossil Creek. From there it was river bed walking
with multiple crossings to the Dilemma Creek junction and then down Dilemma
to Fox and up Fox to the Ballroom overhang, an amazing limestone overhang.
We saw several goats along the way. The final day was down the Fox with lots
more crossings and a final wait beside a warm fire for the car. |
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Amy, Ryan, Timothy and Ethan |
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The mysterious disappearing swimming hole at Bullock Creek |
Ethan and Timothy heading to the tents |
Campfire on Bullock Creek |
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Croesus
Track [See Map]
The Croesus track was our first organised group tramp up to the top of the
Paparoa ranges staying overnight at the Ces Clark hut and then back down
the same way to the carpark above Blackball. It was a great first tramp in
fine weather over a reasonable distance and to a height of 1200m. We were
joined at the hut by a Swiss couple who went out calling for Kiwis and a
more mature aged group out for a ramble. It's a great hut and we had an awesome
time playing 500, listening to music, reading and general chit chat. Being
the first tramp it was also a good opportunity to refine my thinking about
how we organised future tramps in terms of gear, clothing, preparation and
to experiment with a couple of sticks as substitute walking poles. |
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Josh powering up the last stretch |
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Ethan, Josh and Tim Playing 500 |
Amy crossing one of two swing bridges |
Ces Clark Hut |
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Lake
Daniell [See Map]
This was our second tramp and only a few weeks after the Croesus. Lake Daniell
is a short walk of about 7km of reasonably flat terrain and beautiful beech
forest finishing at a very picturesque lake with a good 32 bunk hut. Eight
of us walked in an enjoyed on arrival a fun afternoon of swimming and finding
snagged fishing lures. Jordan collected over a dozen to add to his collection.
The walk out was also great because just before the end their is a swimming
hole known as the sluice box where the Maruia river passes through a short
narrow canyon. We spent a good hour or so leaping off the bridge and drifting
down the river before climbing out to repeat the experience. The only thing
I would add is that the water even in mid January is freezing cold. Everyone
jumped though and had a good swim. |
Amy, Timmy, Ethan, Jordan, Ryan, Tim, Caitlan and Regan at the Lake
Daniell hut |
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Enjoying the chill of Lake Daniell |
Jordan, Amy, Tim, Regan & Ryan posing |
Amy, Caitlan and Ryan all smiles |
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Abel Tasman
[See Map]
Our third tramp this year was a big step up from overnighters to a four day
tramp in the Abel Tasman. It was quite an experience. We got up at 5am, left
at 5:30am, arrived at Marahau in time for a 10:30am water taxi ride up to
Totoranui and then our first walk to Awaroa Hut crossing the inlet at low
tide. A promised big storm did not eventuate. The next day we walked to Bark
Bay hut through some beautiful forest and magnificent views lunching at Onetahuti
on the way. The next day on to Anchorage. We left late to time our crossing
at Torrent Bay for low tide again. Great swimming and glow worms at Anchorage.
The last day was a 12.4km walk out to Marahau and then into Motueka for McDonalds
before heading off home. The Abel Tasman is a magnificent, scenic walk with
beautiful views and wonderful golden sand beaches. A must for any to do list. |
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Looking down over Frenchman's Bay |
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Ethan, Daniel, Timmy and Violet resting |
Ryan crossing at Onetahuti lagoon inlet |
Ethan, Tim, Timmy, Daniel, Jeffrey, Ryan, Violet and Amy about to
head off in the Water Taxi. |
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Jeffrey and Ethan relaxing at Bark Bay |
Scenic walkway |
Amy, Jeffry, Ryan, Ethan, Timmy and Violet building walls of
sand |
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Violet, Ethan and Amy leaving Awaroa |
Violet, Daniel, Ethan, Ryan, Timmy, Jeffrey and Amy about to cross
Awaroa Estuary |
Daniel relaxing at Bark Bay |
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Welcome Flat [See
Map]
This was our fourth tramp this year and we had perfect weather for it.
No rain for several weeks meant the rivers were low and safe and the track
dry but a little frosty in places. Sixteen of us heading up the Copland track
for what became a 7 hour 17.4km endurance walk for some, but everyone made
it and enjoyed a relaxing soak in the amazing hot pools at the end, surrounded
by majestic snow clad mountains. Tuly a magic setting. Tea, a few games of
cards and off to bed for an early start the next day as we made our way back
down the track to the carpark. 2.5 hours of driving later we stopped off
in Hokitika for Fish'n'chips where some of us realised how old we were when
we got out of the car and staggered the short distance to the takeaways.
Overall a fantastic achievement. Well done everyone! |
Looking back down the Copland River. |
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The group just before setting off from the start of the Copland
Track. |
Josh, Jordan and Ried fooling around with ice.
It was cold! |
Bridie, Jess and Timmy in the Welcome Flat Hut. |
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The group at the lunch stop. |
Welcome Flat hut. A very welcome sight. Warm and toasty
inside. |
Timmy crossing Shiel Creek bridge. |
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The mountain backdrop to the hot pools and hut. |
The hot pools. |
Timmy using a chain up a steeper section of track. |
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Maps
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