Wangapeka Walk-About

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WANGAPEKA WALK-ABOUT This year I got lumbered with leading a club Easter trip to the Owen Mountains as a result of some loose talk. Few trampers seem to know about this tremendously interesting area comprising a 10 square mile (at a guess) block of marble and limestone highlands just south of the Wangapeka Valley in North West Nelson. I'm pleased to say that interest in this trip was high right from the beginning, and this augurs well for future trips into a fascinating area. We flew to Nelson on Thursday night, picked up Paul Williams and a minibus then motored into Courthouse Flat up the Rolling River to hit our pits well before midnight in the commodious roadend hut. Friday dawned fine and cool and we got away reasonably early for the long slog up Billies Knob track to Granity Pass Hut, although I was a bit late arriving as I'd started from the Ranger's house. After lunch in the sun we made our way over easy ground and a few sinkholes towards a bush saddle at the head of Nuggetty Creek from where we sidled into Turks Cap basin and camped. A cold clear evening had given way to a mild mist and drizzle by morning but visibility wasn't too bad as we climbed steep tussock slopes to Turks Cap, a distinctive peak of 5200 feet. Our descent directly west of this peak was initially very steep but it soon eased off onto an easy tussock sour down to the bushline. A bunch of expert bushmen then led us down to the scungy South Wangapeka on a devious twisty spur through interesting bush ranging from pure beech to typical Westland rain forest. The Wangapeka was all slime so after lunch we wandered up into the head of Boyd Stream where camp was pitched. Conditions on the tops were none too friendly next morning when we reached the broad saddle just south of Peak W. on the Marino Range. A distinguished companion said "Seriously chap, have we any alternative to this (foul weather)?" As it was a good suffering trip I had to say no.

We were committed to the tops and SO after donning storm gear - all except for "King Kong", we charged up to W (panted anyway) and with map and compass in many hands took off along the Marino Range towards Wangapeka Saddle. After a while Huey relented a little as he knew he couldn't beat us So we enjoyed lunch, brew and a view in calm conditions just beyond a beautiful and large tarn before the range does a 'hang right' in Kennedy slang. After the brew it was an afternoon of UOS and downs and a few marvellous views to Nugget Knob. By this time Huey had turned nasty again and sent down tons of rain but she's all downhill from here as we bambed down to the saddle and off to Stone Creek Hut for the night. Next day we followed a reasonable track up into Stone Creek's trssock basin below Mt. Luna. Alas, there were no views, but after a feed of succulent snowberries we carried on regardless climbing to Saddle Hut. There was quite a steep climb from here E0 onto the Arthur Range, but it's amazing what a lot of grunting and groaning can achieve. Good views were sadly lacking on the next section to John Reid hut So it was good to get here, chop some wood, and bolt the door. Considerable suffering occurred that night as we tried to digest some of Woodrow's dehy which must have come from the Firestone factory. It was terrible! No wonder he dropped out just before the trip and fled to Australia. You should have heard the torrent of abuse fram Pete and Dennis 1 worse than the smells. Next day was good though. The heat was off and we all enjoyed a leisurely stroll down Chummies track to the Wangapeka Valley where we lunched by the river to complete a good trip in a really beautiful area. And thanks to those who made it SO good - Brian Hunt, Tony Gazley, Paul Williams, Peter Goodwin, Kevin Thompson, Denis Gazley, Trevor Bissell, Gerry Kennedy, Kevin Pearce, Paul Aubrey. PAUL RICHARDSON