Day 6 - Arthur's Pass

Arthurs Pass "tramp" Cass to Cora Linn Road.

Day 4 of tramp: Lagoon saddle to Cora Lynn Road.

There was a section where recent wind had blown over a few beech trees which had blocked the path and we had to find our way back to the orange triangles again.  In the hut someone had written that in the fog this was an extremely tricky thing to do.  Luckily there was not much fog when we were there. Some of the trees which fell had the orange triangle on them!!

Just under 3 hours walking through fog and some mud. 30 crossings 2 total foot immersions including one mud immersion by all of us - poor Ronnie immersed hands, knees and feet in mud which you.can pay big bucks for in some places in New Zealand!

Total creek crossings 126
Total full foot immersions 38
We made it! Spectacular waterfalls and landscapes. Would be best to do it as New Zul-unders do it- in 2 days carrying tiny sleeping bag, freeze dried mashed potato, surprise peas and 4 muesli bars. Not with tents, changes of clothes, stoves & food for 4 days as we did.

Back to Christchurch to luxury dinner at Buddha Stix Thai and stayed at Ashleigh Court again for New Year's Eve!!!

Day 5 - Arthur's Pass

Arthurs Pass "tramp" Cass to Cora Lynn Road.

Day 4 of the walk: West Harper hut to Lagoon saddle hut 4 hours walking. The miriad 300mm step ups while carrying a pack are getting to my knees and thigh muscles!  44 crossings 17 full foot immersions.

A view of the slopes and one of the creeks.

Lagoon saddle has two little huts.  One A frame on the edge of the trail which we stayed in because I just couldn't walk another step.  John and Steph had to use the one across the river for which I am eternally grateful.  We pitched our tents inside the huts incase the sandflies decided they wanted a meal.  This was a great opportunity to dry the tents off. 

Day 04 - Arthur's Pass

Day 2 Hamilton Hut- West Harper Hut. Including side trip to mirror tarn (lake)  6 and a half hours actual walking. 10 creek crossings including 3 full foot immersions. Swing bridge and wire bridge to negotiate 2 crossings.

Incredible beech forest with cushion of beech leaves beneath.  Rivers are wild and it is summer!  Can't imagine what they are like when the snow first melts. Lots of steep scree slopes to negotiate.

That's me with the Deuter pack cover!

 The orange triangle marks the trail. Sometimes it is like where's wally to find them.

The West Harper Hut was very cute.  The photo doesn't do it justice.  It started to rain as we arrived and it was lovely and warm in the hut after we built a warming fire. (I wanted to say roaring fire but beech just doesn't burn that way.) We camped in our tents as we were a bit worried by the evidence of rodents' previous visits but the hut was perfect to satisfy my pyromaniac tendencies and to eat dinner and to relax.  The extra (admittedly huge-thank you John) effort required to carry the 1kg of wine and scotch was very worthwhile (in my opinion) and much appreciated at the end of the day.

Day 03 - Arthur's Pass

Arthurs Pass "tramp" Cass to Lagoon Saddle ending on the Cora Lynn Road.

First day: Cass-Cass hut  33 river and creek crossings  including 11 total foot immersion excluding puddles.  Method for counting river crossings: I didn't count it as a crossing unless the water was moving under foot, even if I could hear trickling water I didn't count it.  I also excluded bridges, mud puddles (some 4m long) unless all 4 of us had total foot immersion in same mud puddle.

A grueling "tramp" up hill and down dale in spectacular incredibly steep mountains in NZ alpine area through fast moving rocky rivers, tiny 200 mm wide path across 60 degree scree slopes and over the exposed roots of beech tree forests. No snow where we climbed but some remnants around the area.  The only animals we saw were 3 hares and a ver few birds. Very quiet away from the river. We were going to stay at Cass Hut but the trip proved too much for one man we met along the way & his group took it over for the night prior to turning back the next day. We pushed on to Hamilton Hut.

Cass Hut - Hamilton hut This section had 11 river crossings including 5 total foot immersions. After 8 hours actual walking we were pleased to see a fantastic hut with kitchen facilities (a sink), bunks and a long drop toilet out the back. Had dinner and collapsed.

One of the river crossings:

Day 02 - Arthur's Pass

Arthur’s Pass is 920m. Annual rainfall 4500 mm and it rains 200 days a year.  Last January there was 600mm of snow in the village.  This year there is snow but only on the peaks – starting at 1833m.  Last night’s wind of 145km per hour probably blew most of it away!! Yesterday’s temperatures in the Village were 3º > 25º on the peaks -4º > 16º.  Glad it is summer!

We are staying in a very nice cottage for the first night - Mountain House Cottage - then venturing out into the elements with tent, sleeping bag and billy.  Wish me luck.

             Arthur's Pass from the Village

                                   
             Devil's Punchbowl Arthur's Pass

Day 01 - Christchurch

             Christchurch - Avon River

Flew Air New Zealand and arrived Boxing Day.  Christchurch suffered another earthquake just before we arrived and there are still a lot of damaged buildings especially in the city and to the east of the city. 
Most people seem optimistic about the recovery but a few have decided to leave Christchurch for good or at least move to the outskirts. The whole of New Zealand is prone to earthquakes though.
Stayed at Ashleigh Court Motel, Riccarton, Christchurch. 

New Zealand

This time we are going to New Zealand - land of the long white cloud, which is particularly true of New Zealand at the moment where it has been raining practically non stop for 3 weeks.  It is also home of Ron’s forefathers.  He is descendant from the Maori Princess Irihapeti Te Paea which means he and the boys can kill as many mutton birds as they want.  I am taking a 0.22.  

The plan is: Leaving on Boxing Day to go to the South Island landing in Christchurch. Then Arthur’s Pass, Christchurch for New Year’s day, Dunedin, bicycling on the Otago rail trail for 5 days then Queenstown and Milford Sound.

Not at all sure about internet availability in the places we are staying because they are off the beaten track so will give you some info now.

Greetings: