Nelson Tramping Club / beta

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Welcome to new members: Rosalie Horsfield, Ray Caird, Mark and Nolene Tullett.

Note:

If you need your FMC card by the end of August contact Acting Treasurer Uta Purcell Ph 545-0280. (phone number in pdf version incorrect).

UPCOMING CLUBNIGHT

Monday 4 August 2008 (Put it in your diary!)
AGM and a talk by Lawrie Halkett "Reafforestation in Mt Everest National Park", which will relate to his experiences there as a VSAer in 1979 through to 1981.
Nelson Intermediate School, Tipahi Street, 7.30 pm, gold coin admission. Pat Holland Ph 5391340

Annual General Meeting

A Notice of AGM will be provided in July; however, we now request nominations for committee. Nominations are to be made in writing (using the form at the end of this newsletter) and be signed by the nominator, seconder, and nominee. Nominations must be received by Saturday 5 July 2008.
If you want to discuss a possible nomination please contact Mark Stevens Ph 5457564.
Details of people nominated will be provided in the Notice of AGM.
For your information, our Constitution (Clause 15) requires the committee to consist of not less than eight and not more than ten members, being a President, Vice-President, Correspondence Secretary, Minutes Secretary, Treasurer, Programme Co-ordinator, plus ordinary members. The current committee consists of ten members: eight of whom have confirmed they are willing to be nominated again, and two will be standing down, details as follows:-

Vice-President Mark Stevens )
Correspondence Secretary Pat Holland )
Member Dion Pont )
Member Mike Drake ) available for nomination
Member Laurie Halkett )
Member Mike Marren )
Treasurer Gillian Arbuthnott )
Programme Co-ordinator Ruth Hesselyn )

There has been no sitting President for 2007/2008, Minutes Secretary, Uta Purcell, is not available for nomination, and Hec Arbuthnott has elected to continue as Newsletter Editor, but not as a committee member.
If you are interested in being nominated for a committee position complete your part of the form, take it to two other members to complete the 'person nominating' and 'seconded by' parts, send it in,or hand to a current committee member.

Annual Subscription

Confirmation of annual subscriptions fixed by Committee for the year 2008/9.
Subscription: Adult - $28.00 Couple - $45.00. These all include FMC Affiliation levy of $10.00 per person.
NB. Subscriptions can be paid online to: Nelson Tramping Club Inc. at Westpac Nelson,
Account 03 0703 0028827 00. If using this option you must identify yourself by name.
If you need your FMC card by the end of August contact Acting Treasurer Uta Purcell Ph 545 0280.

Club Night 9 June 2008

The forty three club members and guests were well entertained as Pat Holland gave a really interesting, and well explained presentation on his nine day trip with five others into the Adams Wilderness area of the Southern Alps in January. Pat had compiled a great slide show to accompany his vivid descriptions and engaging anecdotes. As an aside Grahame Harris gave us a remarkable comparison between the “permanent” snow levels fifteen years ago, and those evident at one of Pat’s campsites. Grahame’s campsite was on snow about 10 metres vertically above Pat’s. In January there was just air!
Past President/FMC board member Tony Haddon gave us a brief talk on “Future Prospects for FMC” and in particular was interested in feedback on some options he presented.
Several club members purchased items at the “SALE” table, much to their, and the sellers’ delight!
NB. There will be no ‘SALE” table at the AGM, however the “SALE” table will return for the October meeting.

NOTICES

DoC Notices

Possum Control in Cobb Valley, Mt Campbell and Waingaro Areas
DoC are currently involved in both ground and aerial operations in the above areas, being 4200 ha between the Cobb Dam and Chaffey’s Stream, 6250 ha of the Mt Campbell and lower Waingaro River areas and a further 8300 ha within and around these areas. Warning Notices are displayed. Take note and take care when out in these areas over the next several months. Before you go check with for full details with DoC Golden Bay Ph 03 525 8026.

Revive Rotoiti Autumn Newsletter; extracts:

Go to http://csl.doc.govt.nz/upload/documents/conservation/land-and-freshwater/lan for the full newsletter. Or if you would like to become a member of the Friends of Rotoiti please contact Sally
Leggett, phone (03) 521 1067 email sleggett@doc.govt.nz.
The Rotoiti Nature Recovery Project (RNRP) team celebrated their 500th stoat trap check on the week of the 4 - 8 February 2008. The project has been running its stoat control for ten years so this was a pretty momentous occasion. Over the 10 year period of the project, this equates to trappers walking 22,500kms - 14 times the
length of New Zealand or 5,911 times up Mt Cook from sea level!
The Friends of Rotoiti (FOR) rat trappers have had a relatively quiet summer period with low rat captures on their rat trapping lines which would suggest that the rat population has been relatively low over this period.
Honeydew, produced by the scale insect, is an important food source for many native species. For about 5 months of the year introduced wasps remove 90% of available honeydew in areas with no wasp control.

Action Forest Management

Fireball Road Area Hira Forest
The harvesting activities for the Fireball, Lookout, Golf Course and Groom Creek Roads and adjacent forests have been replanned and rescheduled; therefore these areas are now open for public access.
Hut Closure: Ball Shelter
Ball Shelter in the Tasman Valley is closed until further notice due to its proximity to the moraine wall.
At its present location Ball Shelter is at risk should the moraine further slump or collapse. The Department plans to move the hut back to the toe of the hill. Recent Geotech advice is that the new location will be out of any avalanche path and should be safe for the next 20 years. The decision to close the shelter has not been taken lightly by the Department. After aerial and ground inspections and consultation with Geotech professionals, the risk was considered high enough to close the hut.
All other huts and tracks are currently open to the public.
Change to Radio Schedule Times
Aoraki Area Office wishes to advise hut users that from May 1st to September 30th 2008, the afternoon radio scheduled calls to huts will be at 4.45pm

Avalanche education fostered by new book

The New Zealand Alpine Club (NZAC) has announced the publication of the first New Zealand-specific avalanche awareness handbook: Avalanche Awareness in the New Zealand Backcountry
Author Penny Goddard is an avalanche forecaster and educator, ski patroller and mountaineer. She has spent several winters working in the avalanche industry in Canada and the USA. After working in ski patrol and search and rescue for many years, Penny has developed a passion for educating Kiwis about avalanche hazards - and hopefully helping to make their mountain experiences safer. With this in mind, Penny has consulted extensively with a variety of experts in the outdoor recreation sector – including mountain guide Bill Atkinson, University of Canterbury Professor Ian Owens, and snow scientist Dr Jordy Hendrikx – to produce an avalanche handbook of a very thorough and practical nature.
Ordering: Please see this link to view a cover shot http://www.alpineclub.org.nz/default.aspx?p=371 Orders can be placed now through Margaret McMahon, National Administrator, New Zealand Alpine Club Inc. PO Box 786, Christchurch Mail Centre 8140, Ph: 03 377 7595 Fax: 03 377 7594 margaret@alpineclub.org.nz www.alpineclub.org.nz. NZAC members $20, Retail $30 plus p&p
Need some Specialist Repairs to your Outdoor Gear?
Twin Needle Outdoor Equipment Repairs is offering a unique service to the whole of New Zealand. Visit
www.twinneedle.co.nz for details.

Contributions from Club Members

For Sale

Ken Ridley Ph 5489897 has for sale: Two wooden handle ice axes, and crampons, $50 each: Two person “Fjall Raven” tent, 4 season quality Swiss made, 2.7kg all up, older style but good as new condition $200.

Private Trip

8 June 2008. Browning Spur. Grahame Harris and John Faber.

We got away quickly from the Hacket carpark to escape a party from the Waimea TC plodding to Browning Hut and a private party galloping the Hartebreak Ridge. We followed the Browning Track to the high level floodwater bypass, and from the top of that headed up through the bush to the end of the spur. We reached the top at a spectacular outcrop of large rocks, and encountered a few more on the way along. We turned east along a modest slope of untracked but fairly open bush until we met up with the Rocks Track, and followed it back out. We were off-track for about 3 km and the going was mainly quite easy. There was much pig rooting, and we found a pig-hunter. He said he had seen a deer, but would not shoot it or us, because he was training his new dog for pigs, and did not want to confuse him. A good trip for the Club sometime for those who want something a bit different.

Showing the Way (Extracted from the Nelson Mail)

Wade Glover's mission has already taken him to some of the most isolated parts of the country.
The 12-year-old Hope boy is aiming to visit every one of 666 back country huts in the South Island maintained by the Department of Conservation, and has already ticked 130 off his list. Wade's favourite so far has been Adelaide Tarn Hut in Kahurangi National Park, which he made it to at Easter after two full days of tramping.
"It was really pretty, that area."
He said his mission stemmed from staying in trampers' huts since he was a preschooler. One of the earliest pictures of Wade in the great outdoors was taken on top of 1433m Mt Lodestone in the Arthur Range when
he was just four years old. He keeps a scrapbook of all the huts he has been to. Of course, his family still comes with him, but Wade usually walks ahead of his parents Mike and Deirdre, and sisters Chelsea, 11, and Alice, 12, who is Wade's twin.
"It suits me. I'm keen to go anywhere he wants to go," said Mr. Glover, whose father helped to build some of the region's back country huts, such as the John Tait Hut in the Travers Valley.
The family aims to go tramping every school holidays and one weekend a month. Mr. Glover has also taught his son to navigate with a compass, so he can find his way when venturing off the beaten track. Wade also keeps track of conditions with his own home weather station, and carries a wind speed gauge and wind chill meter when out tramping. Getting to new huts has taken the family all over the South Island with their favourite places being, Fiordland and Kahurangi National Park.

TRIP REPORTS

16 March 2008 Mt Arthur Traverse Lawrie Halkett
Sunday began and ended a wonderful day; great weather, great people and the best one day walk in the Nelson Province. An early start from town meant the group was on the track bright and early. Two youngies (yes people in their 20s) ensured that we more mature types had to step out to show we were still a force to be reckoned with. Past the hut, down into Ellis Basin and up the western rocky ridge to Mt Arthur Summit in time for a leisurely lunch. Then it was back down the conventional eastern ridge track toward home. The highlight being meeting a middle aged couple with no shoes or socks, yes that's right; doing the return trip barefooted!
Those in the group included members Ruth Hesselyn, Carole Crocker, Brian Renwick, Lawrie Halkett and the two youngies (prospective members) Evangeline and Daniel.

20 April 2008 Starveall Hut Organiser: Margot Syms
A tramper forgetting his boots is akin to a golfer forgetting his clubs, or Batman forgetting his bat costume. So integral are they to the pursuit. I maintain it was the excitement of the first frost that led to me forgetting my bat costume... Fortunately Steve was persuaded to lend me his nice shiny trainers. And so it was that I, Steve, Uta and Ruth began our tramp to Starveall Hut. Before long I was happily splashing through the eight stream crossings in Steve’s best shiny trainers. From there the walk plunged into bush. Steve and I pressed on ahead, whilst Ruth and Uta, both harboring injuries, decided to take a steadier pace to the hut.
The view from the hut was utterly clear. Behind us the enticing ridge lines of the Richmond Ranges, and, in front, civilization, before the glistening sea. Inside the hut we found a pair of shorts, and a hat. Further down the track we had found a t-shirt. We came to the conclusion that there must be a naked man running around the hills. I wondered if I could borrow his boots. After a relaxing lunch Ruth and Uta started back. But, with the ridges so enticing, Steve and I led up a little further. The view opens up as the ridge is reached. It was with a real sense of reluctance that we also made our descent. It was a lovely, energetic tramp and a fantastic introduction to the Richmond Ranges. Ruth had described the route as a “workout”. But as ever New Zealand, and indeed the Tasman District, again proved its understated grandness with snatched glimpses of astonishing panoramas and varied bush and forest. I washed Steve’s trainers.
Scribe Tony Benson. Other participants: Uta Purcell, Ruth Hesselyn, Steve Whyte

27 April 2008 Shedwood Bush Tramp Organiser: Rosemary Weir. Cancelled. Weather

25 - 27 April 2008 Red Hill Organiser: Ruth Hesselyn
Day one went more or less according to plan, well, for most of it. Rendezvous point was Belgrove then onto Inwoods Lookout. Good weather and a good pace soon saw us up and over the Gordon Range and down to the bushline for a relaxed lunch. Seating arrangements were movie style, with the screen being filled by red hills. Lunch was duly eaten, the map passed around and a suitable route sorted for the morrow. Then it was packs on for the steep descent to the Left Branch of the Motueka River, as per usual the troops spread out, with myself bringing up the rear. Once down, it was up river and slope to the inviting Hunters Hut.
Oops, looks like one is missing! Two back to the river where we deduced that the missing person must have gone downstream. Mike took the river route and I took the track, meeting back at the junction to Inwoods Lookout. Yippee, we spotted the lost soul heading our way. Fortunately, he had decided that he was travelling in the wrong direction and retraced his steps.
Happily back at the hut, a pleasant evening was had chatting to a couple of resident (in the area for 10 days) possum monitors, not to be confused with trappers. Interesting stuff and apparently they also get monitored.
Day two, we were up at 6.00am and away just after daybreak, to beat the rain that was forecast for later in the day. Back to the river then up valley and onto the main spur that runs directly to Red Hill. Apart from a little scrub bashing here and there, the route was straight forward. A few hours of steady plodding saw us shivering on Porter Ridge, wondering whether to continue on to the summit, as by now the tops had disappeared and conditions were looking decidedly gloomy.
We opted for retreat and started to descend, but ho hum, were we too hasty! The skies looked to be clearing, so with decision making as fickle as the weather, we altered course and headed on a rock hopping traverse to a tarn studded basin for lunch. From here a short climb took us onto the spur that runs down to the hut and after an easy descent under blue skies (grrr) we arrived back at the hut around mid afternoon.
Dinner conversation was enlivened by the arrival of a young Englishman who is walking the length of New Zealand. We cheered him up with tales of woe on the dangers of river crossing in New Zealand.
Day three and as anticipated, we awoke to grey skies and drizzle, but at least the Motueka River was still easy to cross. The day continued to get colder, mistier, wetter and windier as we retraced our steps up through the bush and onto Gordon Ridge. So, with heads down we continued on our way, a comment was passed that the ridge seemed to be quite long. Oops, after a bit of reassessing the situation, we discovered that we were on North Peak. Oh well, at least we got in one summit. So, a quick retracing of steps got us back on track and an hour or so later at the cars.
Thanks to Christine Hoy, David Blunt, Mike Drake, Ray Caird (visitor) and Uta Purcell for an enjoyable (oddly) and slightly unpredictable weekend. Ruth Hesselyn (scribe).


4 May 2008 Dun Mountain Walkway Organiser René Visser
Jim Maxwell, Julie Sherratt (scribe), René Visser and visitor, Anthony McNamara met at the Tantragee carpark at 9.00am. We climbed steadily up the start of the Dun Mountain Walkway, turning right onto the Ridge Track above the Brook Stream. Stopped for coffee and a slice of René’s excellent feijoa cake while taking in views down the Brook Valley to the port, and the spectacular sight of the Arthur Range with its huge new dumping of May snow. Heading onward we chose the steep Waterworks Walkway Track down through the bush, over the 4 wheel drive roadway, and soon emerged on the Brook Stream just above one of the old weirs. A stroll down the Brook past remnants of Nelson’s old water supply, then we stopped to read the information board for the proposed Brook Waimarama Sanctuary. Noted that we had traversed some of its precincts, already well stoat-trapped and alive with fantails and bellbird song. Through the Brook Campground, past new housing, back to the cars by noon. Thanks René for a pleasant Sunday morning exploring our back doorstep!

4 May 2008 Ben Nevis, with Marlborough Tramping Club Organiser; Tony Haddon
Tony organised a special trip for the club by inviting Marlborough TC along. Four took up the offer – Val and Buck came over the night before, while Gerald and Steven must have been up before the sparrows had even thought about it. On the eve of the trip we awoke to see Ben Nevis and surrounding hills covered in snow. This caused a wardrobe rethink and snow shoes and goggles were dusted off. By that evening the bulk of the snow had disappeared, so the snow shoes went away but the winter woollies stayed out. The forestry road access allows a high starting point (600m), but it would be fair to say that the logging company did not have as a high priority the restoring of signs to the track end after logging. Maybe we should do a bit of membership recruiting among forestry workers. The air was cool as we set off and just about everyone wore a hat. Dan’s was the only sun hat, but a closer inspection revealed a woolly hat underneath it. After we got above the bush line we could see from Tapuaenuku in the east to Tasman Bay in the north to the snowy western ranges. There was a tiny cloud with an undercarriage of precipitation touring around. Soon it spotted the caterpillar of trampers and drifted over for a look. Then we had panoramic views while it was snowing lightly. In said weather lunch was partaken on the summit on principle, but people were not inclined to linger. Ruth had just poured herself a tankard of hot tea when the group got up and left! Back down to the cars and Gretchen was juggling change trying to organise the car money. All was fine until Mark brought out his credit card to pay, however he baulked when Gretchen started to copy down the number. Despite the minimal car parking being on very sloping ground, people managed to manoeuvre without so much as a scratch to any vehicle. Oh that we could see such care at the supermarket carpark.
Marlborough TC: Buck and Val Beveridge, Gerald Dalton, Steven Grant.
Nelson TC: Tony Haddon, Gretchen Williams, Ruth Hesselyn, Mike Drake, Dion Pont, Tom Brown, Marguerite Verheul, Christine Hoy, Yvonne Kyle, Arthur Jonas, Trish Bennett, Mark Stevens, Alice Patterson, Jo Kay, Susan Sinclair, Dan McGuire, Ruth Henry and Margot Syms (scribe).
Visitors: Lenika Onderwater, Jan Thompson and Gillene Haldane.

11 May 2008 Cycle Nelson Organiser: David Nielsen
From the Stoke Police Station, five Lance Armstrong wanna-bes sped off unpursued down Songer Street at the start of the Tour de Nelson; adopted the dynamics if not the appearance of Bombardier 300s along the Monaco/Airport cycle-way and exhibited David Tua-like upper body strength as five bikes were lifted over the No 8 wire fence which marks the southern boundary of the Tahunanui Motor Camp. A leisurely ride through the said camp and along picturesque Rocks Road brought us to the Vickerman Street end of the Maitai River Walkway, where stunning autumn leaves decorated various parts of the concrete path and riverbank. At the Nile Street end our mountain biking skills came into play as single file we dipped and dived and wound alongside and above the river; we returned via the road and eventually arrived at the Founders Café. Lattes and beer (yippee, no drug testing here) were savoured as a shower of rain pattered down overhead on the verandah roof – hmm, what weather forecast did you listen to? The new cycle path alongside Queen Elizabeth Drive is to be recommended and a quick traverse across town brought us to the start of the Bishopdale Railway Reserve Incline. And the reward at the end? A double rainbow, sunshine and rain. And for added fun, a hailstorm and cold rain blew in from the south as we fast tracked along the Stoke Railway Reserve. Eventually five elated and exceedingly wet cyclists arrived back at the starting point. The yellow jersey? Nah, too much fun was had to think about that.
Spinning ten wheels were: David Nielsen, Gillian Arbuthnott (scribe), Ken Ridley and visitors Pam Satherly and Anthony.

10-11 May 2008 Cobb Pick and Mix Organiser: Mike Marren
Followers: Ruth Hesselyn, Alice Patterson, Dion Pont, Jo Kay (scribe).
We arrived at Trilobite Hut on Friday night to give us an early start on Saturday, and reached Fenella at lunch time on Saturday with the options for Saturday afternoon narrowing as the rain started. We all opted for a “Pit day” afternoon and enjoyed the warm fire, reading, Sudoku, Mike’s panklets with Alice’s toppings and entrée and cards. Sunday morning’s activities were delayed to see what the weather would do but at 8:30 the all clear was given to proceed onto the tops. The main group travelled up the track toward Kakapo Peak then turned along the ridge towards Mt Benson. There were several route choices around some of the peaks with high and low roads taken. The descent involved some Tarzan and Jane antics swinging down through the trees to cope with the steepness. I opted to return via the valley after a small side trip to the tarn and up to the ridge to see along the tops to where the rest were headed and was rewarded with views down to Lake Cobb and the Waingaro Valley. The final treat was a close up view of a large antlered stag on the side of the road, just before we reached the saddle on the road, as we climbed up from the lake.

18 May 2008 Nelson Lakes Organiser: Ruth Hesselyn
Crisp and crunchy conditions were encountered along the moss covered path of the Buller River Anglers Walk. A wide and well graded track that winds for a couple of kilometres through Manuka and Kanuka trees to the Mt Robert Road. We emerged near the source of the Buller River, a quick look here then down the road and into the sunshine of West Bay for morning tea. We spotted a few large eels lurking by the jetty, enough to quash any thoughts of a chilly dip in the lake. Back into the dappled light of the bush and around the lake edge via the Peninsula Walk to Kerr Bay. We lunched in the sun at one of the picnic tables before starting on the slightly more energetic Mainland Island Loop Track. Two pulled out before this section, opting instead to wander around the village and visitor centre. Noticeable was the increase in birdsong as we wound our way up hill to eventually connect with the St Arnaud Track. A nice change from the flat walking of the morning. We arrived back at the village around 2.00pm, a quick car shuttle, the traditional coffee then home by late afternoon after a pleasantly easy day.
Trampers were: Beverly Muirhead, Carole Crocker, David Nielsen, Jim Maxwell, Ross Price, Trish Bennett and visitor Karen Kell.

17-18 May 2008 Gordons Pyramid / Gridiron Shelters Organiser: Uta Purcell
This roundtrip we approached from the alpine ridge of Mt Arthur. In good weather it brings out a lot of
Nelson’s outdoor people and every bunk space at Salisbury Lodge is occupied, the overflow moving
on to Balloon Hut even at 6.00pm. The weather was stable, clear and frosty. The blanketing snow of a fortnight earlier had completely gone. At 9.00am at Flora car park we were not the earliest group to set off. From the Arthur Hut we enjoyed the first distant views as far as Mt Tapi. Puffing up the Arthur Ridge to our turn off seemed quick. From the ridge we could take in our destination, the Tablelands and Salisbury Lodge, surrounded by peaks. Dropping down into the Karst Basin, skirting the base of Mt Arthur and gradually gaining height on Gordon’s Pyramid seemed to take us to the heart of this landscape. On a north facing slope and
out of the wind we enjoyed our lunch and lingered to contemplate four vapour trails in the sky, two running
parallel until one suddenly swerved. After the top of the Pyramid it is quite a steep downward clamber
through bush riddled with sinkholes. After a good six hours we reached Salisbury Lodge and settled in.
Everyone appeared comfortable and content. Some “still young at hearts” had card games going.
Mist came down but the sky next morning was clear. An early side trip to Balloon Hut for a view
down to Lake Peel beckoned four of us. The sunrise over mist filled valleys, surrounded by clear peaks,
and deep golden Tableland tussock glittering with frost, made us appreciate this beautiful landscape
even more. We returned to the Flora Car Park as two groups, each taking in all the Rock Shelters along
the way and recounting history. At the Flora Hut we caught up with each other and mid-afternoon we
departed from the car park for home. Feeling quite rewarded by such a good weekend were: Merrick Mitchell, Grahame Harris, Bob Janssen, Pat Holland, Uta Purcell and visitors Ray Caird and Glenda
Fortune, a member of the Hagley Tramping Club, Christchurch.

25 May 2008 Stillwell Bay and beyond Organiser: Katie Cloughley
The Abel Tasman Park put on its finest early winter face for our party of ten trampers. The well groomed trail,
and the perfect windless weather, meant easy progress around the coast from Marahau. One of the party
decided to stay put at Apple Tree bay and rejoined the group later back at Marahau. Yellow Point was mooted
as a possible lunch destination, but was declared “too shady” so it was on to Akerston Bay, where an indolent
hour was spent reclining on the beach in the sunshine. (At the opposite end to the dead pig!) The return walk
was a pleasant repeat of the morning exercise. Hot drinks at the art gallery/café rounded off a perfect day for
members Grahame Harris, David Neilson, Jim Maxwell, Willy Stewart, Karen Wardell, Maurice and Katie
Cloughly (scribe). Visitors were Sandra Lawn, Jo Higgs and Karen Kell.

25 May 2008 Blue Glen Trig / Trig G Organiser: David Blunt
From the main drag through Golden Downs we drove up the Motueka River on Blue Glen Rd. Public easement closed I learnt, apparently never reopened after logging years ago – bit of a cheek really. However permission is obtainable for upright citizens like members of NTC. Once on foot we leapt across the narrow Blue Glen Creek and climbed via the forestry road to a skid site on the ridge separating Blue Glen Creek from the Motueka Gorge. From there upwards SSE on the ridge, nowhere near as clear as my map indicated. We walked in the footsteps of the Tuesday group. And jolly fine footsteps they were too, especially since they were accompanied by clippings through the scrub in places and embellished by some plastic bag markers. We added markers too, 20 or 30 of them, but our purpose was less altruistic – we wanted only to follow them down. By spot height 1232 m it was open country and we could see our quarry, Blue Glen Trig, unflatteringly simply called “G” on the map. Now into a spot of native beech for a change and we were horrified to see no understory plants and in places the ground ploughed by pigs as far as you could see through the trees. Soon we were at the summit (1377 m) only five minutes late for lunch. Weather glorious, sun warm, wind absent and view 360 degrees. A perfunctory glance was made further along the ridge towards Beeby’s Bush. Then we retraced our steps commenting on the likely passability of the route in five years’ time. At the cars just after 3.00pm, and home at a very civilized hour.
So thanks to David, the Tuesday group and Hughie for a very nice day. Pity more did not come to enjoy it.
Party: David Blunt, Dan McGuire (both ex Tuesday group), Jocelyn Winn, Tom Brown, Margot Syms (scribe) and visitor Lenika Onderwater.

1 June 2008 Penzance – Elaine Bay Organiser: Grahame Harris for Jim Maxwell
Party: Karen Wardell, Dan McGuire, Beverley Muirhead, John Faber, Grahame Harris.
Arrived at Penzance at 9.30 am and tackled the uphill service road first. Morning tea at a clearing with views back to Tuna Bay, then down to Elaine Bay for lunch. The hills above Elaine Bay and the first part of the coastal track have been logged and they are bare and stark. Then into the native bush back to Penzance after six hours. Weather stayed fine until we just arrived back in Nelson. Pleasant trip with no special features or events.

31 May-2 June 2008 Carroll Hut, Kelly Range, Arthurs Pass
Organisers: Mike & Deidre Glover
After meeting at Kelly’s Creek car park we started a steep climb up a bushy ridge to the bush edge. From there it was about half an hour to the hut. We were lucky enough to get some views back towards Arthur’s Pass and the viaduct but by the time we got to the hut it was really foggy. The next day we got hut-bound because it was all foggy and rained throughout the day. After lunch we went to the tarns by compass and saw a little bit of sun. After being stuck in the hut all day some of the adults got cabin fever so they ate a lot of food. Monday was a chilly morning but clear so we went up Kelly’s Hill for a look around in fresh snow. While we were climbing we saw a Brocken Spectre which appears when the sun shines behind a tramper who is looking down from a ridge into mist. We were back down at the car park by 3.00 pm. On the trip were: Dion Pont, Ruth Hesselyn, Mike Drake, Mike, Deirdre, Wade (scribe), Alice and Chelsea Glover, and visitor Ray Caird.

8 June 2008 Brook Sanctuary Organiser: Arthur Jonas
This trip took us along virtually the whole length of the Brook Valley, above the lower dam. New territory for most. After an initial couple of climbs to reach an appropriate spur there was a long sidle, roughly along the 400 metre contour, on the true left of the Brook Stream, to the base of the spur leading to Third House. The route was along a new track; one of several cut to give access to the interior of the Brook Waimarama Sanctuary, and was at times rather precarious. However there were no problems - apart from the threatened mutiny resulting from the organiser’s choice of lunch spot!
Finally we climbed to Third House and walked back to the Brook down the Dun Line. Sixteen people did the trip: Arthur Jonas, Tom Brown, Tony Haddon, Ruth Henry, Yvonne Kyle, Merrick Mitchell, Margaret Page, Uta Purcell, Gretchen Williams and visitors, Anne Kolless, Youngju, Ronni Symon, Lenika Onderwater, Ray Caird, Mark and Nolene Tullet.

7-8 June 2008 Lake Man Biv, Lewis Pass Organiser: Dion Pont
Due to the bad forecast we decided against going to Lake Man Bivvy and headed to the Nina Hut instead. We left our cars at the old Deer Stalker’s hut and crossed to the other side of the road to the start of the track. First we crossed the Boyle River swing bridge, and headed up the very scenic valley in the rain. After having wet cold feet all week before this trip, Dion promised me that I wouldn’t get wet feet again, but sure enough my feet were wet by the time I got to the hut. The hut is quite new and was really nice and warm and sits in a clearing which gives good views. Just as I went to bed it started to snow. The next day there was snow on the ground but not a cloud in the sky. It took a long time to walk out because every one was taking photos of the snow in the trees. On the trip were: Dion Pont, Mike, Deirdre, Wade (scribe), Alice and Chelsea Glover, and visitor George Micet.

14 June 2008 Beebys Knob Organiser: Gretchen Williams
Participants – John Faber, Grahame Harris, Jocelyn Winn, Bob Janssen, Beverley Muirhead, Gretchen Williams, Merrick Mitchell, Trish Bennett. Visitors – Mike & Sue Locke, Elaine Shields, Maree Greeks.
The weather was better than everyone thought it might be and the predicted showers didn’t eventuate. It was a nice walk through the bush and a pleasant but chillier walk with views along the road to the Knob and then down to the hut for lunch. The mist came in after lunch. Three people went down via the 4WD road while the rest returned through the bush.

14-15 June 2008 Wainui Bay, Separation Point Circuit Organiser: Margot Syms
Winter is the time for Nelsonians to visit Abel Tasman, but the days are short. To start from Golden Bay an overnight stay beforehand is called for, and to make the journey more worthwhile we started with a Saturday afternoon visit to Rawhiti Cave (formerly Mansons Cave). A brisk half hour walk gets you to the entrance of a wide, shallow cave with a wealth of stalactite formations. Many of the larger ones near the mouth are bending outwards towards the light.
Next morning “the enthusiasts” drove off in drizzle from two wee cabins at Pohara Camp, and transferred to legs at Wainui Bay. Despite there now being no precipitation Ruth had her lime green umbrella up and David his new purple parka on. Fashion statements? The uphill grade soon put an end to that nonsense. At the first saddle we were so enjoying the climbing that we decided to reverse the trip and ascend Gibbs Hill immediately, with the possibility that we might also be thankful for this decision later in the day. On the summit we were in fog, but morning tea and positive thinking saw that come and go with cameras clicking in sync. As we descended towards Totaranui, being very careful not to measure our lengths on the slick clay track, we started to get some clear coastal views. The vegetation had been Kanuka with gorse regenerating into native bush, then suddenly on the Anapai Bay track we were in a little valley of mature native forest with giant Rata, Nikaus and other delights. We emerged onto the beach at Anapai Bay in lovely sunshine, with stunning rock formations and golden granite sands. Only a snack was permitted and we continued on to Mutton Cove where long suffering (in silence) Uta was finally allowed to have her lunch.
Separation Point could not be missed, and we could smell the sea life before we could see it. Mainly Spotted Shags and seals – one lying on its back, sunning its belly did not take umbrage at David sneaking up for a snap. Our last stop was the old Whariwharangi homestead, now a DoC hut, then back to our “good decision” saddle, and down to the car by 4.00pm.
While all this was going on the “rehab party” enjoyed a more leisurely start with breakfast in bed, then did some long beach walks among the bird life (winged). An excursion to the nearby Grove Scenic Reserve, a little oasis with spectacular limestone formations, more huge Rata and Nikaus, was made before fitting in a coffee at the café.
Enthusiasts: Uta Purcell, Ruth Hesselyn, David Blunt, Margot Syms; and Peter Syms (Rehab).