Gary Huish takes us on a transalpine adventure with the Peninsula Tramping Club.
Where else could we go? “No problem, it’s only the Snowy Gorge bridge” says Geoff through his information sources in Glenorchy and off we go.
Our trip began with a leisurely start for the twelve of us from Christchurch, an obligatory stop in Fairlie, some civilized food in Glenorchy and on to Chinamans Bluff to distribute party gear. The pack weigh-in produced some unpleasant surprises, but at least this year we had a graded track to get used to our loads. Merv still got an escort for the first 10 minutes so he didn’t repeat last year’s acrobatics. Camping a few hours in at Surveyors Flat allowed the first campfire.
Cattle Flat, Dart Valley Photo Raymond Ford
The following day, we continued up the Dart River, which allowed us to inspect the damage to the track caused by the 2014 landslide at Slip Stream and the resultant lake. The section around the lake itself felt like a work in progress and there were muttered curses as we zig-zagged up and down around massive boulders with occasional glimpses of the original flat track below us. Flood debris in the side-stream bridge handrails and views of the Dart River showed how high the water had recently been, but it was still high and not dropping. Plan A had been to cross the Dart River, and ascend the Whitbourn River to Key Dome, but that looked increasingly improbable. Plan B was to use the Cattle Flat bridge. This was a welcome sight, and the large rock biv looked palatial as we moved in.
Rock Bivvy; Cattle Flat, Dart River. Photo/ Geoff Spearpoint.
The next morning dawned grey; it was the almost traditional “second day of rain”. Another night in the rock biv sounded attractive compared to navigation in the cloud and a wet snowgrass descent into Blue Duck River. The day was spent on a side trip to the bridge, reading, a swim for some, and a diabolical dice game introduced by Diane called Zilch.
Early morning departure Cattle Flat. Photo/ Raymond Ford
However, the following morning dawned fine with fresh snow on the tops and we were off. Across the bridge, up the river, and then the climb to the bushline through open beech warmed us up while some small tarns and a Bidi-bid problem for Merv provided a rest. A long sidle to about 1400m then provided a view down into Blue Duck River.
Marion Looking back down into the head of Blue Duck Valley with BD Glacier above. Photo/Merv Meredith
Hmm, quite a drop down steep tussock. Glad we hadn’t tried this yesterday in the wet. Some sidling, above some bluffs then a long descent to the valley floor. Great campsite on the flats at the head of the valley. Three kea turned up at dusk, then calls high above, now five, up to eight by dark. Don’t worry, they will go by nightfall. Some hope! We went to bed, they started to play. Push the tent when they land on the ridge. Throw things when that doesn’t work. Will they ever go to sleep? The morning revealed the damage. Aarn’s ice axe had been carried well up the valley. The stove bags had been pulled from under large rocks spilling contents well up the slope. Holes were ripped in tent flys and groundsheets. Great, the birds were cheerful, but the people were grumpy.
Climbing out of Blue Duck Creek. Photo/ Geoff Spearpoint.
We continued up to Boys Col on the Main Divide, via Key Dome, past some fantastic tarns on the ridge, which were patronized by Liz and Gaylene. Crampons were donned for the snow ascent to the long Key Dome ridge. Crevasses on the climb to Boys Col were large but navigable with the last being bypassed by Geoff’s cunning, almost subterranean, bergschrund along the rockface.
Climbing up Key Dome to Boys Col. Photo/ Peter Umbers
And then we were there! The Marion Plateau with views across to the Darrans with incredible cloud formations, concealing then revealing. We set up camp with half the party on the West Coast, opting for evening sun, and the other half on the East Coast, hoping for morning sun. Geoff, Raymond and Gary went for an evening recce of the crevasse field towards Mt Lydia for the following day.
Camp at Boys Col. Photo/ Liz Stephenson.
The new day dawned full of anticipation and possibilities.
Sunrise Boys Col. Photo/ Raymond Ford.
First was the 2517m Mt Lydia ascent but the last 20m proved too far with a major gap before the summit ice-cap.
Party on Mt Lydia. Photo/ Geoff Spearpoint
Sidling around to the ridge provided most of the views, however, with tantalizing views down to the Snowball Glaciers, Joe River, Williamson Flat and the Arawata. That took care of the second objective. Then it was back to Boys Col for a brew, lunch and Calum’s stand-up comedy. Geoff’s third objective was a recce around the north of Mt Ian to the planned route over O’Leary Pass. Most of the Marion Plateau looked easy travel, but the crevasses on Mt Lydia had been massive. The lost weather day created a problem if we had issues getting to O’Leary. In the end the call was made to descend to Key Dome using the soft afternoon snow. We set what must have been a record for the number of people swimming in a ridge tarn before a delightful alpine meadow camp.
In the morning, Geoff revealed the change of plan. Rather than retracing our steps into Blue Duck with the tussock ascent we had been dreading, Geoff proposed reversing our original plan and drop into the Whitbourn. That involved a narrow ledge we had heard about and then commitment to crossing the Dart. What if it was still in flood? There was no Plan B. Photos of the ledge did not do it justice! It was eye-watering. Geoff and then Raymond went down to cut steps. Then it was our turn. No belay, just support the person in front, help the person behind. Everyone focused, concentrating. What a relief to reach the easier(?) slopes beyond, then down, down, down.
Descending from the benches above the Dart River to the Whitbourn River. Photo/ Chris Leaver
The Whitbourn valley was pleasant by comparison but everyone was still edge. What about the Dart crossing? It was still coloured but only gaiter deep. Another swim and a brew. What a relief before the track bash back to the rock biv.
Day 8 repeated our trip back to Surveyors Flat. It was an anti-climax of a sort, but amazing for the lack of tourists with the Rees-Dart still being closed. A DoC ranger was surprised at our appearance, both in numbers and, possibly, maturity. (Liz calculated our average age at 63).
Our final day completed our journey to the road end and civilized food at Glenorchy. Another great trip, inspired leadership and memorable comradeship.
The trampers were: Raymond Ford, Calum McIntosh, Diane Mellish, Merv Meredith, Tony Lawton, Chris Leaver, Geoff Spearpoint (leader), Liz Stephenson, Aarn Tate, Peter Umbers, Gaylene Wilkinson and Gary Huish.
This was a club trip of the Peninsula Tramping Club, which is based in Christchurch. Visit www.peninsulatrampingclub.org.nz to learn more about the club and their activities.
