"You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you" - Isaiah 55:12

25 February 2014

Trig M, Korowai/Torlesse Tussocklands Park - 28 October 2013

Labour Day...fine weather...no kids...the perfect opportunity for Julia and I to spend half a day in the Canterbury foothills.

Trig M was the goal, chosen for its' proximity to Oxford, ease of access, and that it offered a short, easy route to the tops with good views, despite its' modest height of 1251m.
We made the scenic drive along SH73, over Porters Pass, to the small layby on the western side of the pass just before reaching Lake Lyndon.

From the carpark the track snaked its way up the hillside, following a well formed (and obviously regularly used) 4WD track. It was mostly a quite gentle gradient, increasing to moderate steepness for short sections, and allowed good progress to be made on the climb up to the ridgeline, which was reached at about the 1050m contour.

The ridge is easily followed, the route being well marked with poles, and takes an undulating ramble along the tops passing over or just beneath a couple of small bumps on the ridge before the final climb up to Trig M itself. If you're carrying the newer Topo50 map, then Trig M is marked as Pt 1251m, with the trig code AA41 (grid reference BW21 954040).

We enjoyed lunch in the sun at the summit, taking in views south down the Acheron River all the way to the Rakaia valley, with Mt Hutt and nearby peaks standing beyond. Below us sat Lake Lyndon, wedged between where we sat and Mt Lyndon directly across from us, while to the north and west the long stretch of the Craigieburn Range, capped by recent spring snow, reached out as far as the eye could see, and away to the east lay the flat Canterbury Plains with Christchurch just visible through the haze in the distance.
It was amazing to be able to take in so much country from such a modest, and so easily accessible, summit.

From Trig M, parties looking for a longer trip can continue along the ridge to Rabbit Hill. This section is not marked at all, and in poor visibility care needs to be taken to stick to the correct ridge as there are numerous bumps and spurs leading off the main ridge.

We took the same route back to the car, doing it in about half the time of our ascent - Julia relishing the almost total downhill nature of the return leg. Other options for an alternative trip back could be to drop down one of the many spurs leading off the main ridge down to Lake Lyndon, most of these appear to provide good routes down, or you can take the Old Coach Road, which leaves the main ridge about halfway along and drops down into Coach Stream before exiting at the hairpin bend on the highway at the foot of Porters Pass on its' eastern side - a car shuffle is recommended (unless you want to climb back over the pass on foot!).

All in all, a fun half day outing, ideal for those just starting out in tramping, for those looking to introduce kids to the wonders of the backcountry, or for those just wanting a nice easy day out in the hills as a break from the rigours of more arduous tramping - I highly recommend it.



Looking towards Porters Pass on the climb up to the ridgeline

Porters Pass, with Foggy Peak (1741m) rising on the left

Selfie! - not easy with a heavy camera

Julia excited to be out tramping again

Lake Lyndon, with Mt Lyndon, Cloudy Hill and the snow-capped Craigieburns beyond

First view of Trig M (1251m), seen just left of centre

Pausing to take it all in

Majestic scenery from the ridge below Trig M

Arriving at the summit

Summit trig, Foggy Peak and Torlesse Range in the background

Looking down Macfarlane Stream towards Christchurch

Red Hill (1641m, at left), Blue Hill (1946m, rear, snow covered), and Mt Lyndon (1489m, right)

View north from Trig M

Pleasant spot for lunch, Mt Hutt Range and Rakaia valley in the distance

Posing at the trig, with the Torlesse Range providing the backdrop

Easy descent off Trig M

Cloudy Hill (1442m, in front), Mt Enys (2194m), Carn Brea (2090m), and Mt Cloudsley (2107m)

Looking towards Ben More

Along the ridge, just below Pt 1170m, with Foggy Peak looking good

Great day to be in the hills

Final section of ridge, aiming for the dip in ridge right of centre - spot Julia

Panorama of Mt Hutt and Black Ranges, from the summit of Trig M

Crown Copyright - Land Information NZ

Access: Take SH73 towards Arthur's Pass. Shortly after crossing Porters Pass look for a small layby and DOC info board on the left about halfway between the pass and Lake Lyndon.

Time: Carpark to summit 1hr 30mins, return 45mins

Map: BW21 Springfield

Hut: None


6 February 2014

Edwards-Hawdon via Tarn Col, Arthur's Pass National Park - 18-20 January 2014

This trip marked the beginning of what will hopefully be a long tradition of Froud-James family tramps. It was time for us adults to all get away for some time in the hills together so plans were made and kids were relocated for a long weekend.

We initially planned to do the route in reverse, easing into things with an easy 3 hour stroll up the Hawdon Valley before tackling the passes the next day. However a forecast of a building nor'wester had us rethinking that idea - the thought of walking 8-9 hours into the teeth of the wind quickly persuaded us to change tactics, and so we found ourselves at the Mingha/Edwards carpark ready to go just before 1pm.
Signs were ominous already, the carpark was full - surely some of them are here training for the Coast to Coast we said to each other, not as convincingly as we might have liked! But there was no going back now - we were here, back in the hills, and ready for a great time away.

It was wet boots from the start - our first obstacle the Bealey River. Fine weather the previous day made for low river levels and an easy crossing and it wasn't long before we had made our way across the rocky riverbed to the start of the first track through the bush and into the Edwards Valley.
The track was well cut and in good condition, and started with a short, steep climb until we were about 60m above the river, then leveled off to a nice, easy gradient. Evidence of wind damage from the spring storms that battered much of the South Island was apparent through here, but posed no problems, and we quickly found ourselves back in the riverbed above the lower gorge. Guidebooks indicate that it is possible to negotiate this lower gorge with low flow so that is an alternative option to the bush track.

The next section took us out into the riverbed, hopping along the rocks for about 2km. For the most part it was easy going, crossing when necessary to find the easiest travel. In places the track at the bush edge had been washed out forcing a choice between pushing through the bush with thick extremely soft mud underfoot, or edging along rocks at the river's edge with the eroded bank for support. Iain forged ahead into the bush, having spoken to a hunter who had just come through with a warning that the mud should be avoided (he went in up past his knee!), while I scoped out the riverside route which seemed preferable, and was soon followed by the ladies.
As we approached the East Branch of the Edwards the terrain became a little rougher, early signs of the gorge up ahead, but was still easy going.

The route re-entered the bush after crossing the East Edwards, marked by the standard orange triangle about 100m upstream of the confluence with the main river. Up-river from here lies the second gorge in the Edwards, this one non-negotiable so the bush track must be followed.
The track climbed steeply, often resembling a staircase leading up through the bush. In places it involved both arms and legs, scrambling up eroded sections with tree roots offering good hand holds. Usually on such bush tracks there is a fair bit of up and down travel, climbing up and over small spurs coming down off the main range. In this part of the Edwards there was plenty of ups, but not many downs, as the terrain forced us to climb up along the ridgebacks of the spurs once we had gained the crest. At the highest point of the track we were close to 200m above the river, but a quick examination of the terrain below us revealed there really was no easier way - it was an almost vertical drop straight down to the river.
Adding to the excitement (or nerves in my case!) about halfway between the East Edwards and the end of the bush track was a descent down slabby rocks with the aid of a chain for support. While the others all made it down in quick time, my descent was somewhat slower - I could try explain it by saying I went slow to protect my camera (which took several knocks anyway) but in reality it was just being in a situation outside my normal comfort zone. Sometimes that can be a good thing, and stand you in good stead in the future!
Eventually we made our descent back to the river and from here it was an easy 30 minutes tramping alongside the river until we reached Edwards Hut.

Edwards Hut sits on a pleasant grassy terrace just above the bushline on the true left of the river at 1070m. It contains 16 bunks in two bunkrooms, has 2 tables with bench seats, cooking bench, and a logburner.
The current version of the hut was built in 1969 in the midst of the wave of Lockwood designed huts in the National Park. Other Lockwood huts include Casey Hut (built just prior to Edwards Hut, sadly burnt down in 2015), the old Hawdon Hut (1971, burnt down and now replaced), and Carrington Hut (1975).
The first hut in the Edwards Valley was built in 1940 by the Canterbury Mountaineering Club. It was a small, barrel shaped bivvy, built with materials carried in on the backs of the members - and being 1940 most of the men in their 'prime' were at war, leaving the task to those that were either too young or too old to serve.
In 1952 a 4 bunk hut was built, this time using materials dropped in by air. This hut served its' purpose well but in 1969 trampers on route to Tarn Col at the head of the valley found it burnt to the ground, probably by ashes being blown out of the fire and igniting the wooden floor (a similar fate that befell the original Hawdon Hut too, in 2005). The original bivvy remained on site until the completion of the current Edwards Hut.

First appearances were deceiving on our arrival at the hut. As we approached all seemed rather calm and peaceful, but on rounding the hut to the door a different scene unfolded - fellow trampers spilling out the door. In all, 26 were in residence at this 16-bunker so for us it meant scouting out a decent site to pitch our tents (carried for this very scenario!). It didn't take too long to find a spot not far from the hut with just enough room to pitch our tent and also the fly that Iain and Beth were carrying. It was a bit of an experiment for them, pitching the fly using walking poles, but looked like it would be successful so long as the wind didn't pick up.
Dinner was a somewhat cramped affair as we found ourselves a tiny little corner of bench space inside to cook on - not quite the nice relaxing experience so often found in a backcountry hut - so after dinner we retired to our tent and had an earlier night in preparation for the long day ahead of us.

Ready to go at the Mingha/Edwards carpark
Heading for the Edwards Valley (right), with the Mingha to the left and The Spike (1440m) centre
Crossing the Bealey River
Mt Oates (2041m) at the head of the Mingha Valley
Climbing through the bush to avoid the lower gorge in the Edwards
Making our way along the eroded river bank in the Edwards - Iain was negotiating the boggy bush
Scrog stop just below the Edwards River East Branch
At the East Edwards forks
The attractive Edwards River
First of many climbs to get round the upper gorge in the Edwards
Dragonfly
Still climbing, good example of the track above the upper gorge
One of the reasons why we had to climb so high
The chain-aided descent in the Edwards Valley
First view of Edwards Hut, just visible on the distant grass terrace to the left of Iain
Lost the track amongst the head high scrub back down at the river
Small side stream just before reaching Edwards Hut
Arriving at Edwards Hut, the deserted appearance was deceiving!

We woke to a perfect day - clear skies and light winds down in the valley, although an examination of the upper cloud layers revealed a very strong nor'wester. We hoped to be through the passes before the wind caught up with us, and so were away from camp at 8.45am.
Travel through the upper Edwards was straightforward, making our way through alpine grasses, with the views of Mt Oates and Falling Mountain drawing us on. Apart from a few short exceptions to cut bends in the river we kept to the true left and after about 2 hours of easy going we stopped for a snack behind a small knoll before continuing on to Taruahuna Pass at the head of the valley.
Taruahuna Pass and its' surrounds are a spectacular sight. The pass itself is a pile of broken rock, remnants of Falling Mountain which came crashing down in an earthquake in 1929. The quake measured 7.1 on the Richter scale, and sent rocks tumbling 5km down the Otehake valley. It is something of a forgotten earthquake, overshadowed in most people's memories by the earthquake that struck near Murchison just a few months later. This one measured 7.8, and resulted in 17 deaths.
It is only a short climb up onto the pass but from the top the true extent of the event can be seen. The eye roams over the Otehake valley, round to Tarn Col and continuing past Falling Mountain and back to Mt Oates standing guard above the head of the Edwards. It was enough to make one feel quite small.

Tarn Col was our objective and it looked an imposing sight, rising up almost vertically from the rock below Taruahuna Pass. We made our way to the base of the small stream running down from the col and looked up - around 150m vertical climbing, but at least it wouldn't take too long.
Initially it was straightforward, the streambed allowing easy but steep progress. Around halfway up a cascade in the stream forced us out into the tussocks. It was steep going, at times resembling rock climbing but with small tussocks and grasses for hand and footholds. The strength of tussocks is quite remarkable, the thought of what might happen should one pull out didn't bear thinking about. We reached the top of the col after about an hour of slow but steady climbing and took the opportunity to have lunch, knowing we had reached the highest point of the trip.

After a half hour break we were on the march again, with the descent from Tarn Col to the Otehake East Branch the task at hand. After skirting round the tarn we dropped down into the stream draining it. Although this section is marked on the map as being poled, the poles were few and far between so it was mostly a case of finding the best route down the stream (look for cairns), which fell in a series of mini cascades. At times the foot trail was well defined through the scrub, while at others it was non existent, making for slowish progress as we picked our way down to the river. For all this though it was never difficult and we arrived at the Otehake after about 90 minutes.
By now the wind was strengthening so we found a decent sized rock to shelter behind while we enjoyed a scroggin stop. With the cloud building behind us in the west we made it a quick stop, and set off up the Otehake towards Walker Pass, which would give us access to the Hawdon Valley. The Otehake was delightfully clear, with blue pools tucked in the less turbulent areas, but after only 15 minutes of rock hopping we left it behind to start the short climb up onto Walker Pass.
Atop the pass the wind attacked with full force, knocking us off stride with its' frequent gusts. Just as there is at Tarn Col, there is a lovely tarn just below Walker Pass also, but this one had a less serene appearance to the previous, with small waves being whipped up on the surface - foiling my plans to photograph a nice reflection of the mountains opposite. The route off the pass bore much similarity to that of the one off Tarn Col, as again we found ourselves criss-crossing a small stream amongst the scrub. This stream (Twin Fall Stream) descended at a much gentler gradient and made for pleasant tramping.

The final test came on the climb up out of the streambed up onto the rocky knoll on the true left, from which the bush track down to Hawdon Hut begins. Here we were fully exposed to the wind as it blasted us side on as we climbed the rock slabs to the top of the knoll. We would hang on and wait for a lull in the wind before quickly getting in as many steps as we could before it hit us again. By now I was climbing with 2 hats as well as my walking poles in my hand, as Julia had had hers blown off on the way up. Although not technical climbing by any stretch, the wind made for some uncomfortable moments.
We ducked down over the crest of the knoll, hunkering down at the start of the track for a final snack before the steep descent to the Hawdon. For Beth and I with knees aching now it was to be a slow descent, nursing them down in as comfortable a way as possible. Julia on the other hand was in her element - going downhill is definitely her thing and she was quickly out of sight. Having pushed on while the others took a rest, I found her almost at the bottom so we made for the hut which I knew to be only minutes away with the idea of getting some water on for a brew for all of us.
Soon the familiar sight of Hawdon Hut appeared through the trees, 9 hours after leaving the Edwards. To our great joy there was only 6 people there, most of them a party that had been about half an hour ahead of us most of the day. This was to be a far more enjoyable evening, with plenty of room in the large 20 bunk hut to sit and relax.

Hawdon Hut is one of DOC's newer style huts, built in 2007 to replace the original that was built in 1971 and burnt down in 2005. For those who have visited the old hut, the new one is now about 15 minutes further up-river, above Discovery Stream. It has 20 bunks, platform style, in 2 bunk rooms and plenty of living and kitchen space.

Early morning in the Edwards Valley, our campsite to the right
Breakfast time - one of the joys of not being in the crowded hut
Setting off up the Edwards Valley, with Falling Mountain (1901m) centre background
Looking back towards Edwards Hut, Mt Williams (1718m) bathed in morning sun
Interesting cloud blowing across the valley
Amber Col (centre), flanked by Pts 1731m (left) and 1828m (right), Falling Mountain far left
Mt Oates (2041m) at left, with its' North ridge leading off to the right
In the upper Edwards valley, nearing Taruahuna Pass
Scrog stop before tackling the passes
View back down the Edwards Valley
Mts Scott (2009m) and Wilson (2035m) on the Polar Range, from the upper Edwards
Approaching the foot of Taruahuna Pass (1252m)
Negotiating the rock which forms Taruahuna Pass, once part of Falling Mountain
The NW aspect of Falling Mountain
Feeling small as we cross Taruahuna Pass beneath Falling Mountain
Tarn Col (1368m), ascent route climbs the grassy gully to the left of the scree
Starting the climb up to Tarn Col
Looking back down from the top
Mt Franklin (2145m), as seen from Tarn Col
The tarn that gives the col its name, Mt Hunt (1825m) at the left of the ridge in background
Typical terrain on the descent from Tarn Col to the Otehake East Branch
Beth and Iain picking their way down
Reaching the Otehake River East Branch
Scrog stop in the Otehake
Otehake River East Branch - beautifully clear
Working our way up the Otehake 
Julia crossing the Otehake
Start of the climb out of the Otehake up to Walker Pass
Approaching Walker Pass (1095m)
Looking back on our line of travel, Otehake in foreground, stream from Tarn Col coming in from the left
On windswept Walker Pass
There's a tarn here too!
Skirting the amazingly blue tarn
Looking back to Walker Pass from the rocky knoll above the Hawdon 
Hawdon Valley and Discovery Stream confluence, from the knoll 
Beth arrives at Hawdon Hut

Just as had been forecast, rain fell overnight but when we woke it had passed, leaving behind grey but non threatening skies. The day ahead was an easy one, the route down the Hawdon straightforward (described more fully here ). The ladies set a cracking pace, finding the flat riverside travel to their liking, and we reached the East Hawdon Stream in just over an hour. After this we slowed slightly but were pleased to find that the usual foot-aching plod down the last section in the riverbed was much easier than previously experienced due to a well formed quad-bike track through the riverbed. DOC staff are up and down the valley a lot, trapping predators and monitoring the population of orange fronted parakeets which reside here.

The final ford of the Hawdon proved to be our hardest of the trip. The river narrows to one, deeper, channel just before you reach the shelter and carpark and with a bit of overnight rain it made for a swiftly flowing current at about mid thigh height. We linked up and crossed safely, reaching the car about 2hr 45mins after setting out in the morning. All the was needed was to collect the car from Bealey and head for the Sheffield Pie Shop!

Thanks Froudies for the great trip - look forward to the next edition!


Grey morning in the Hawdon valley

Ready to depart Hawdon Hut

Just downstream from Discovery Stream, this section was all bush on my last visit - serious flood damage!



Easy tramping alongside the Hawdon River

Julia in the Hawdon

Final ford of the Hawdon River, our deepest and swiftest of the trip


Crown Copyright - Land Information NZ


Access: Take SH73 towards Arthur's Pass. The Edwards valley carpark is about 500m north of Greyney's Shelter on the right. The road to the Hawdon Shelter is signposted at the Mt White turnoff (passed on the way to the Edwards).

Time: Carpark to Edwards Hut 5hrs, Edwards Hut to Tarn Col 4hrs, Tarn Col to Walker Pass 2hrs 30mins, Walker Pass to Hawdon Hut 1hr 30mins, Hawdon Hut to carpark 3hrs

Map: BV20 Otira, BV21 Cass

Huts: Edwards Hut (16 bunks), Hawdon Hut (20 bunks)