We started off at Craigieburn Campsite Shelter. Chris was leading us at an easy-going pace while Alan was covering the back. At Helicopter Hill Saddle, a few of us went to check out Helicopter Hill and the rest of the group continued along Craigieburn Edge Track. We had a quick lunch below Camp Saddle.
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Walk Facts Good book about tramping in New Zealand Distance 22 km Ascent ~1500 m Estimated time 9h Hiked on 7th September 2020 Map & GPX files See the online map below (with GPX download)…
Kirwans Hut is probably one of the fanciest huts on the West Coast. It’s located in an area that has been extensively mined. Even the track to the hut was originally built for mining purposes! 6 CTC trampers started off with the intention to reach the hut and hope to not get rained on too much. After having some photography fun at Topffer Creek bridge, we followed Topffer Creek on a very obvious and wide track. We soon split into 2 parties – one was fast, the other one was extra fast.
This was a last minute trip, as I realized a few days before the weekend that there wasn’t a day trip planned for the weekend. There were seven of us including 2 prospective members and Rodney who met us at the Wooden Gully carpark. Wooden Gully Track was closed so we chose the Ridge Track as a suitable replacement. It was the quickest way to get to the tops anyway.
On my first CTC trip about 1.5 years ago there were around 12 trampers and I was quite shocked to find such a big group! I hadn’t tramped in groups of more than 3 people before. Well, in a year and half of being a member of the club I’ve grown to appreciate these bigger groups. So far the biggest group I’ve experienced was on this trip to Bealey Spur Hut where 28 people came to enjoy a beautiful day on the edge of Arthur’s Pass National Park.
As I don’t work Mondays, I decided to organize some Monday trips. The first one was to Mt Somers with only one brave participant, Heidi. We started off at Sharplin Falls Reserve and followed a well marked trail to the start of Mt Somers Summit Track. From there, a steep section of unstable rocks followed.
Mt Brown Hut is a beautiful wee hut on the Western side of Newton Range, just outside of Hokitika. Kupkin and I started off at the car park by Geologist Creek. The way up is pretty steep. I wouldn’t take my mum here, even though I took her to Mueller Hut. It took us 2:15h to get up but we were pushing it quite a bit to make it to the top before sunset as we started relatively late in the day.
After lockdown, a lot of CTC members and prospective members were so much ready for an adventure! To start the tramping season off, I led a trip to Mt Herbert via Gebbies Pass. What I thought would be quite an easy stroll with a few people, turned out to be quite a long tramp of a group of 23 people. The weather was great which probably contributed to good attendance.
What can I say about this trip: There are heaps of glowworms on the way to Cedar Flat Hut which can be a magnificent experience if you decide to hike at night as we did. The tracks around Cedar Flat are in TOP condition. Incredibly well marked and cut thanks to volunteers from Permolat.
Autumn has arrived in Arthur’s Pass. It’s much more gentle than the European autumn. There are no yellow or red coloured leaves falling towards the ground, everything stays green. Yet you do get autumny vibes from nature – the light becomes much more gentle than in the summer, the mornings are chillier and the water is very fresh once again.