#38 of 100 trips for 100 years - High Points of Silver Peaks 12 March 2023

 

On previous trips to the Silver Peaks we had completed three summits, then five summits and today was the ultimate seven summits.  It can’t have been a completely silly idea because 14 people agreed to join us on this challenge.  With clear skies we left the car park on Mountain Road and headed up towards our first summit of Hightop which at 531m was the lowest of our summits for the day.  From the turn off on Green Ridge the track to Hightop quickly runs out and becomes more of a bush/flax bash gaining 80m of height to the open golden tussock tops. This was our first real opportunity to look ahead to the other six summits and also to get the first team summit photo.

We had been on Hightop a couple of times recently for trips #18 and #26 but not from this direction and it would be fair to say that our climb up and then descent down Hightop back to Green Ridge did not take us on a route we had done previously and involved more bush bashing  as well as taking us through a lovely standing forest of manuka which we nicknamed the Goblin Forest.  Once back on Green Ridge with a few extra scratches, it was a reasonably fast walk to our next summit turn off and an easier climb to the 588m summit We felt like we were cheating a little as the Greengage Track took us right up to the summit, and while the Greengage Track is steep in places there are a few steps and handily placed trees to aid the climb up (and then back down).  For the effort of climbing our second summit we were rewarded with great views of yesterday’s trip #37 to Saddle Hill and Mosgiel.

Back down to Green Ridge and it was onto our next summit, Green Hill for lunch.  The 90m climb up to Green Hill is a little steep in places and takes us out of the bush so we had panoramic views in all directions but mostly we focussed our attention towards the interior of the Silver Peaks where the remaining four summits beaconed.  Lunch was enjoyed in the sun but not for long as we knew that we still had most of the climbing still to do.

On our descent of Green Hill we opted for a slight detour and instead of following the track back to Green Ridge we bush bashed our way down to join Green Ridge further along, missing a section of the track.  Having descended from Green Hill we were faced with 180m climb up to Pulpit Rock.  The track up is consistently steep and also out in the open making the climb hot work.  Most of us took the slow and steady approach to reach the top of Pulpit Rock and still have some energy left to tackle the remaining summits.  At Pulpit Rock we had wonderful 360degree views over the Taieri Plains and inland to the Rock and Pillars, out to Karitane on the coast and around to Mt Cargill and Mosgiel.  We were able to pick out the peaks of Mt Watkin, Mt Charles and of course Saddle Hill which are the other summits we had climbed over the past couple of weekends.

Down from Pulpit Rock and it was only a short walk to our next summit of 744m.  This was one of the shortest climbs today as it is only about 40m higher than the track but is a steep scramble through the scrub and tussock to the narrow top.  We were feeling pretty elated as this was our fifth summit with the remaining two being within grasp. 

We headed back down through the scrub to the track and a fast pace was set towards Silver Peak, our highest summit at 777m.  Again we were rewarded with awe-inspiring 360degree views and for some this was a good place for a second lunch which they hadn’t had time to eat earlier.  Standing on Silver Peak, we had uninterrupted views looking down Christmas Creek and inland to Strath Taieri. The legs were starting to feel a little tired but with only one summit to go there was only one way to go.  

Our seventh and final summit  which was the no named peak with a trig on it and is only 10m lower than Silver Peak but requires a descent from Silver Peak, then a climb up to the trig.  We reached the 767m summit by taking a little used trail off the main track that wound it’s way up through the tussock to the trig.  With a small detour to a little off the summit we were able to see down Cave Creek  to Jubilee Hut in the valley below.  There was lots of smiles as we posed for the final of our summit photos.  We were all buoyed by the knowledge  that we had achieved our goal of 7 summits in 1 day.

The return journey back to the cars was straightforward as we didn’t have to make any detours to summits and we followed Green Ridge down to the Green Hut Site where we had a brief rest and snack (or third lunch for some who hadn’t already eaten all their lunch).  The final hour was a brisk walk along Green Ridge and back to Mountain Road and the cars.  A tiring but enjoyable day that saw us walking nearly 17 km, and climbing 7 summits over nearly 7 hours. 

#37 of 100 trips for 100 years - Saddle Hill 11 March 2023

 

Today's trip to Saddle Hill/Makamaka was special for a number of reasons.  One being that it is a prominent landmark seen from many parts of Dunedin, another that it is privately owned land with permission needed and finally, that there have been over 60 club trips to Saddle Hill in the past 100 years.  Being another beautiful, sunny Dunedin day meant that 23 people gathered at the club rooms with high hopes of spectacular views from Saddle Hill/Makamaka.  After the short drive to Saddle Hill/Makamaka we met up with the land owner whose grandfather had lead a club day trip to the area nearly 30 years ago and he was to be our ‘guide’ for the walk. In order to make it more of a 'round' trip, we walked back down Saddle Hill Road for a short distance and turned off to walk through a farm paddock where a bag of mushrooms and a few four leaf clovers were collected before the real business of climbing up the hill began.

After crossing the paddock, we went through a gate into the cool of a native bush reserve. From the gate the track zig zagged up the hill under the shade of the mature fushia trees to the chorus of native birds. The gradient wasn’t overly steep making it easy to chat while walking.Once at the top of the reserve, we went through another gate into a farm paddock where we were rewarded where the views really opened out from Black Head Beach down to the Catlins.

We spent some time here drinking in the fantastic views and were hesitant to leave this wonderful spot but the top was calling. The track lead us around the base of the top of the hill where we had more spectacular views, this time looking towards the city and Mosgiel from an angle not often seen. The streets of Fairfield and Green Island with the dividing motorway were laid out in front of us.

The final push saw us clamber over a rocky section to reach the trig at the top of Saddle Hill/Makamaka. This was the perfect place to sit for a snack and admire the views over the Taieri Plains that were stretched endlessly in front of us. We could see the hills that we had climbed last weekend – trip #35 Mt Charles and trip #36 Mt Watkin and also where we were headed on tomorrow’s day trip into the Silver Peaks for 7 summits.

After the compulsory team photo at the top, we were reluctant to leave such a magical place but time was getting on and we started the final downhill section which took us along an old farm track that zig zaged down to the landowners house and back to the cars. Despite being a shorter day of 4.5 km it was a memorable trip with lots of stopping time for amazing views in all directions.

#36 of 100 trips for 100 years - Mt Watkin 5 March 2023

Mt Watkin/Hikaroroa is the prominent rounded peak inland from Waikouaiti and eight of us were keen to explore this little visited area.  We took the easy way up by driving on the gravel road and parked about 200m below the summit of Mt Watkin/Hikaroroa.  We could see the trig on the top of Mt Watkin/Hikaroroa and with no marked track to the top  we decided the easiest way was to cross the farm paddock and go through the gate into the reserve. 

Once through the gate it was onto the reserve land and the real fun began.  Firstly we negotiated our way around the head high tussock and gorse to the base of the columnar basalt rock field.  The slopes of Mt Watkin/Hikaroroa are the same rock as the Organ Pipes with large open sections of jumbled columnar basalt. The rocky scramble up the basalt rock field tested our balancing skills as the overnight rain had made the basalt rocks slippery and care was needed to ensure that each foot was securely placed before moving on.  Most of us found it easier to use four points of contact by utilizing both hands and feet for the climb up the basalt rocks.

 

The height to be gained through the basalt rock fields was only a hundred or so metres but for some of us it was slow going, especially when the spear grass and bush lawyer interspersed amongst the basalt rocks.  The sharp points of the spear grass drew blood from almost everyone in the group but the reward of the great 360 degree views from the top were worth the effort. 

We reached the top in good time and stopped for a snack and drink while we took in the views. With clear views in all directions, we couldn't decide which way was the best direction to be looking.  We could see rain clouds towards the Silver Peaks but it looked clear towards Waikouaiti and the coast.

This was the first time on top of Mt Watkin/Hikaroroa for most of us and it was surprising how far we could see after such a short climb.  Despite the odd rain drop, the sun was trying to shine on us and we were reluctant to leave.  Not wanting to go down the way we had come up,  we opted for a 'round trip' and headed down the opposite side of Mt Watkin/Hikaroroa which was easier to travel as the columnar basalt rocks were hidden under tussock, spear grass and flax meaning we had something to hang onto as we stumbled down the mountain, even if our hand holds were a little prickly at times. . 

Reaching the road and cars only a few hours after leaving them, this was one of the shorter day trips but it was still worth coming as everyone agreed the views were stunning.

#35 of 100 trips for 100 years - Mt Charles 4 March 2023 (by Jade Pettinger)

Today’s trip to Mt Charles/Poatiri had been highly anticipated and I was thrilled to see the weather forecast improve over the week. Mt Charles is the highest point on the Otago Peninsula at 408m but can only be accessed by crossing private land. Thankfully a friendly landowner granted access to the OTMC for this trip so 10 of us gathered at the club rooms ready to “knock the bastard off”!

Arriving at Papanui Inlet we were all exclaiming that despite being the highest point on the peninsula, it really didn’t look too steep… boy were we wrong! We started heading up a gravel farm road which started out as a gentle climb but somehow kept getting steeper and steeper. Barely 15 minutes in and we had already gained 100 metres in height! The lungs were certainly feeling it but the view provided us with plenty of reason to stop and catch our breath.

Before long we were crossing the halfway point, which also signalled a change from gravel farm roads to paddocks. Mt Charles towered above us as we had a quick drink and stripped off layers, however we were pleased to see there was a zig-zag track to the top so we didn’t have to scramble straight up the side. While we still had another 200m to climb, the terrain wasn’t as steep and we made good time towards the top.We reached a small flat area just below the summit just as the cloud was beginning to roll in.

The views were fantastic, especially looking down over Victory Beach which we visited on trip #024 to Victory Beach and the Pyramids in January. A quick break to snap a few pictures and devour a square or two of chocolate was taken. Hastily we set off in an attempt to beat the worst of the weather to the summit to avoid a repeat of the 2020 trip to Mt Charles, where the only view they saw was of the inside of a cloud.

Waterproof layers were quickly donned by most of the party as we picked our way up to the rocky outcrop and trig that marked the summit of Mt Charles. The rain and cloud had well and truly arrived so after a quick team photo we retreated to a small cluster of trees which reminded us of a fairy grotto. It was fairly sheltered here so we enjoyed an early lunch break whilst keeping our fingers crossed that the weather would clear before we headed back down.

Emerging from our fairy grotto we were delighted to see the clouds had rolled away and the view had opened up again. The panoramic views in all directions were breath-taking - from the inlets and sandy beaches of the peninsula to the distant hills of the northern skyline. The wind was fierce and a little chilly as we began our descent back down to sea level.  A mixture of the recent rain and the steepness of the terrain made the descent a little slippery in places. We were pretty chuffed to arrive back at the cars in just under 3 hours, having successfully summited the highest point on the Otago Peninsula. 

by Jade Pettinger

#34 of 100 trips for 100 years - Milford Track 23-26 February 2023

The Milford Track was established in 1888 as a route between Lake Te Anau and Milford Sound and until 1959,  the only way to and from Milford Sound was to walk both ways along the track.  Named as 'the finest walk in the world', the Milford track was only accessible by paying for a guided walk until 1965 when the Otago Tramping Club refused to accept that only those who could pay were able to walk the Milford Track and a group of 40 people from the tramping club staged a protest or 'freedom' walk along the track.  It was this freedom walk that opened the track up to non-guided walkers.  As part of the Otago Tramping & Mountaineering Club's centenary project of 100 trips for 100 years it is appropriate that a group of 40 club members walked the Milford Track again.  

The dates had been chosen 2 years earlier and it was with pleasure that the group of 40 club members, ranging in age from mid 20's to almost 80 boarded the ferry at Te Anau Downs in good weather to take us to the start of the Milford Track.  The boat ride across the calm lake took around an hour and we were able to stand on the top deck and admire the mountains and fjords of the lake.  The boat passed the Quinton MacKinnon memorial cross on a small rocky island in the lake which has been erected near where MacKinnon's boat was found after he went missing in 1892.  Anticipation built as we neared the head of the lake and our journey on the Milford Track. 

Once we docked at the start of the track and collected our packs, we began  the first day's walk of one and half hours to Clinton Hut.  The first 10 minutes is along a track wide enough for a four wheeler until we reached Glade House which is the first hut for the guided walkers.  In 1928 the Otago Tramping Club walked the Milford Track and were present when the first Glade House was accidentally burnt down.  Today Glade House is situated in a sunny clearing and has magnificent views of the surrounding mountains.  We didn't have time to investigate further as we lined up to cross a large swing bridge over the stunningly clear green waters of the Clinton River

This first day saw us wandering along beside the Clinton River which is so clear that you can see the bottom no matter how deep and is an unbelievable green colour.  The track is flat and easy to walk with lots of glimpses of the river and mountains.  One highlight for me was stopping at a clearing with a good view of Dore Pass which is where I had come over to walk the Milford Track in 1988.

We took the short detour to the wetlands with wonderful red and orange mosses surrounding small shrubs which give the opportunity to appreciate the sheer sided mountains that enclose the Clinton River on both sides.  Not far from the wetlands is our first hut, Clinton Hut which has bunks for 40 people and a large kitchen area.  We found a bunk for the night and went for a short walk to a lovely swimming hole not far from the hut.  It was a brief swim for those brave enough to enter the cold water and show some skin to the hungry sandflies but the views from the rivers edge are simply stunning.

Back at the hut we had tea and snuggled down for the night before an early rise in the morning for a 16km walk to Mintaro Hut. The track starts reasonably flat through the beautiful native beech forest dripping with moss which soaks up the rainfall in this, the wettest place on the planet but for us today, it was sunny and very dry making for good walking.  Every few 100 metres or so is a glimpse of the clear green Clinton River and after a couple of short detours to viewing areas we emerged from the bush into the open valley.

From here the track became more interesting as we took all the side trips available.  This included the 10 minute detour to Hidden Lake which isn't really hidden because of the sign pointing the way.  With mirror like reflections in the calm lake we marveled at the sheer steepness of the valley sides and we discovered the only downside to having such fantastic weather is that there are no waterfalls.  We all agreed though, that no waterfalls is a small price to pay for having beautiful blue skies.  Another side trip was to Prairie Lake which was even lovelier than Hidden Lake, and that included the insect hidden in the cliff face (can you see it?)

We stopped for lunch at the Prairie where we met up with others from our group along with being discovered by the sandflies again.  After the Prairie the track begins a steady climb towards Mintaro Hut  with some sections requiring a rocky scramble while all around us, we were dwarfed by the rocky mountains and outcrops.

As we neared Mintaro Hut we started to get a closer look at tomorrow's obstacle, Omanui/MacKinnon Pass. Despite having done half the climbing to the pass already, it was still a daunting sight but our hopes were high for another cloudless day with stunning views.

With 20 minutes to the hut, the track starts to level off and we were able to pick up the pace a little. Arriving at the hut, we were greeted by three beautifully carved pouwhenua before climbing the stairs and finding our bed for the night.  This is the new Mintaro Hut, opened only last year and is in a much better spot than the old hut. After dinner, we had a fun night with much hilarity when put into teams for a tramping related quiz night. Some teams did really well in the quiz, while others lack of knowledge was highlighted. 

Knowing that the day going over Omanui/MacKinnon Pass was going to be the toughest day of the trip, we were up early and walking by 7.30am.  The track up the pass zig zags it's way up, what from a distance, looks like a sheer rock face but in reality is a nicely graded track with the odd steep, rocky section.  As we gained height, the trees started to become more stunted until we were out into the alpine tussock.  We were lucky to come across a family of kea feeding their young on the track.

After an hour and half of steady climbing we came out on top of the pass to magnificent views on both sides.  We rested for a few minutes by the MacKinnon memorial before exploring the area a little further.  We felt privileged to be in this special spot on such a beautiful day, especially when considering that often the views are obscured by cloud as more than 9 metres of rain falls each year. We spent longer on the top of Omanui/MacKinnon Pass than we should have but we just couldn't drag ourselves away. 

We were mesmerized by the many small tarns, surrounded by golden tussock on the pass with the reflections of the sheer rocky mountains on the dark watery surface. The view around each corner or knob we climbed over was breath takingly stunning.  Eventually though, we couldn't delay any longer and we carried on to the pass shelter then started the 1000m descent down the other side.

The descent to Dumpling Hut is hard on the knees as it is mostly an alpine sidle over a rocky track then a  scramble down over tree roots as bush line is reached.  We found a sheltered spot beside a side creek for lunch which gave us cold fresh water.  During lunch we spent our time admiring the views and looking back towards Omanui/MacKinnon Pass which looked almost vertical from this side.  

In the bush the track continued it's steep, knee jerking descent but with some nicely placed steps that took us close to the Roaring Burn which tumbled it's way down a number of waterfalls and rock faces. This was a nice distraction from the concentration needed for feet placement amongst the rocks and tree roots as we quickly lost height through the forest. The Roaring Burn is well named as it thundered beside us on and gave us the opportunity to rest and watch the water cascading down. After a couple of hours of knee jerking descent we rounded a corner to find we had made it almost to the bottom and there was the turn off to Sutherland Falls which is the highest waterfall in Australasia and the fifth highest waterfall in the world. 

The side trip to Sutherland Falls is a 1.5 hour return walk over a small hill which is tough on already tired legs but it is also a must do so we left our packs and made the trek to the base of the falls. The sheer power of the water hitting the plunge pool at the bottom of the falls is unbelievable.  A few hardy souls had braved the frigid waters to go for a swim while others donned their rain jackets to head behind the falls and it was fascinating to see how small they looked against the amount of water coming down the falls.

By now we were starting to feel tired and we still had a few hours of walking ahead of us so we didn't spend as long as we would have liked at Sutherland Falls and reluctantly we turned our backs to head back to where we had left our packs.  Once back at our packs we had an hours walk to Dumpling Hut which was a sight for sore eyes as we had been on our feet walking for 11 hours.  We found a bunk for the night and had a quick meal before thankfully rolling into our sleeping bags and were quickly asleep. The track from Dumpling Hut to Sandfly Point is reasonably flat and easy walking compared to the day before.  We made good time, leaving the hut at 7am and walking to our first stop at the Boat Shed.  This is where the first OTC group in 1965 had to cross a swollen river in flood but today there is a lovely big bridge across the wide, slow moving Arthur River for us to cross.

From the bridge we move away from the Arthur River and wind our way through the bush to the MacKay Falls and Bell Rock which is an enormous boulder that has been  hollowed out over time by the power of water and then turned upside down.  The hollowed out centre of Bell Rock is big enough to  comfortably hold 5 people (or 15 at a squash).

We were very aware of the time as our boat was leaving from Sandfly Point at 2pm and we didn't want to miss it so we only had time for a few photos and a quick snack at MacKay Falls before hitting the track again.  The track runs along side Lake Ada which is a large body of water formed by a landslide 900 years ago.  Today Lake Ada looked peaceful and serene with swans and ducks floating on the waters surface. As we neared Sandfly Point we stopped for a breather at Giants Gate Falls.

We met up with a group of day trippers at Giant Gate Falls and we envied them their light, day packs but we only had a few kilometres to go and time was ticking so on we went, counting the mile markers as we passed them. By the time we reached Sandfly Point, the feet were starting to feel tired but we were happy to have completed the 53.5 km journey before the boat arrived.

Without a sign of rain at all over the last four days, we felt priviledged to have spent time in such a beautiful part of  our country with a great group of people .