Christmas 1973/74 - From the Burke to Matukituki Rivers

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CHRISTMAS 1973/74 FROM THE BURKE TO MATUKITUKI RIVERS The trip started Friday, 21 December when we left, a party of six, for Christchurch, by boat. A pleasant trip down was had by all;an interesting stop was made at Twizle for lunch. After lunch the bus carried on South to Wanaka, picking up a couple of people and dropping a trip off on the way. On our arrival at Wanaka we confirmed our transport to the Burke River and after a 3 hour wait we left. The trip over the Haast Pass was livened upby the bus driver giving out bits oflocal knowledge about the area. It was a beautiful evening as we left the bus to cross the Haast River. We crossed the river twice to camp at the mouth of the Burke. Next morning we arose to a clear sky and a well cooked breakfast. We left camp late that morning to follow a blaze up the true left of the Burke. This track climbs high as in the lower reaches the river runs through a mighty gorge. We sidled all day in boiling hot sun to a camp site half way the Burke. Awoke next morning to light rain; this rain followed us for the next Cuhthe days. In this time we travelled over Muellar Pass and down the boulder strewn Princess and Okuru Rivers. Dave shot his first deer of the trip in the Okuru while the rest of us saw the animals running through the bush. One item of party gear was left out by the trip leader, this was a mug. So what does Chris find as we wander down the Okuru looking for the junction with the Ngatau but one enamel mug. This was later dropped in the Ngatau while it was in flood; luckily Chris saw where it fell SO he went for a swim the next day to retrieve it. The campsite of the Ngatau and Okuru junctions was pleasant except for the sandflies. Up the Ngatau with Dave shooting a stag in the river and Mike a Chamois. In the only camp site we could find in the headwaters, we spent four nights and three days waiting. It rained, snowed and the sun shone, but Siberia Saddle remained in the cloud with the weather doubtful. The day dawned at 6 a.m. with a chopper beating the valley. This was our signal, we packed and left. Up the track certain trip members had blazed on the doubtful days. Wed climbed all morning, first in low bush then snow grass, rock and a light covering of snow. We arrived on the top Siberia Stream, and a sixty foot drop. We climbed down around the overhang without packs, the packs were lowered on a climbing rope to those below. Dave had troubles as those before shifted all the snow off the rocks leaving him with inadequate footholds. Also he was on a bottom rope. After an easy climb down a snow grass covered spur we arrived in the basin to have a late lunch in the top basin of the Siberia. We camped that night at a small creek half way down the main Siberia Flats. Next morning was overcast SO we left for Kerin Forks in the Wilkin Valley and our food drop. That night a royal feed was had as we opened our food drop. We camped over looking the Forks. With a light drizzle coming through the trees and heavy packs we left Kerin Forks for Jumbo Land Hut some six hours up river. On route we met Brian Solomon and party from the Teachers Training College. This meeting called for a halt and lunch was had while news floated backwards and forwards. We left Brian's party in their pits and wandered on to the hut. The hut and surrounding area looked like a tent town, with people and tents everywhere. Here we met Jill Taylor and Tim Stern who were going out owing to the bad weather. That night and next morning it rained with the Wilkin rising some 4 feet. That afternoon the sun came out SO all bar one had a wash and swim in the Wilkin. The days passed rapidly as we moved up the Wilkin and over Rabbit Pass to the Matukituki. Two fine rest days were spent in the Matukituki doing day trips or nothing at all. Down the Matukituki and a high sidle over the Blidislow Gorge to Junction

Flats. Another rest day and side trip up the Ketehiner River to the flats and bivy rock. The next day was our last SO after a late breakfast we left Junction Flats. Some two hours later after walking across farm land we arrived at the Matukituki Forks. Dann's transport arrived just after midday to take us to Wanaka. A pleasant night was spent in Wanaka's Motor Camp. The next morning saw us climbing onto the Mount Cook Coach-for Christchurch and home. When we got onto the Coach it ended a very enjoyable and pleasant trip, even 11 three of us were thinking of our next trip which was to start the day after next at the other end of the country. Those on the trip - Trip Leader - Murray Taylor Mike McConchie Dave Forbes Grant Richards Chris Garton Steven Healy.