Otoko - Landsborough - Hunter - Huxley, Xmas 1976

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OTOKO - LANDSBOROUGH HUNTER - HUXLEY XMAS - 1976 Nine people set out on a Hunty trip up the Otoko River, over Lower Otoki Pass to Marks Flat, over the Solution Range to the Landsborough, Down this,then over the main divide at Watkins Dome into the Hunter. Down to Forbes Flat, over Snake ulch into the Ahuriri and over Hunts notch into the South Huxley. Down. to the Hopkins and out at Lake Ohau. Day 0 We flew down to Hokitika and there discovered N.A.C. had bent the pick on Jacks axe in a neat right angle. The ever resourceful air traffic controller, taxi driver and caretaker soon had the offending article in line again and wished us good luck as we hopped into Steve Radies mini bus which took us to the Paringa River. We had a stop on the way to pick up an ice axe for Jeff who had unfortunately forgotten his. En route we consumed a very nice salad lunch with the compliments of Mr. & Mrs Thompson. At about 4.00 p.m. we were dropped off at the Paringa and after an official photo we sèt off up the true left. There followed a coule of hours of mad cow country before we arrived at the confluence of the Otoko and the Paringa where we pitched our tents for the first time. Day 1 Up the Otoko keeping to the true right of the river we made our way to an old airstrip midway up the river. We camped on the flats as the rain set in and admired the waterfalls pouring down the ice-smoothed valley walls. Day 2 The river had risen after the rain so the first thing to do was find a deep place and cross it. Sol had a. friend who overheard a conversation in a bus to the effect that by sidling high through op en bush on the true left good travel was to be had, (Naughty to say nothing till the river rose). Kev and Jeff S.

leapt into the river and retreated aftera couple of nasty moments during which Kev lost his ice axe. Unfortunately it is still there as we couldn't retrieve it. - We crossed at a good crossing further up and proceeded through op en bush and heavy rain to an unusual lunch spot. We huddled almost under an overhanging rock and ate our bikkies and drank our brew enjoying the wet bush, packs and parkas. We continued until we came to the lake at the head of the valley and set up camp in clearing weather. Graham went for a walk around the lake but when he got to the outflow, a few yards from camp - Oh no a trap for young players, as it was swift and deep. The happy wanderer was hauled unceremoniously through the water by Huntalong Chastity who lassoed him from 20 yards. Day 3 We climbed up towards the lower Otoko pass and trevelled up a stream, across the snout of the morraine from the Otoko glacier, pausing only to despatch a gooley (loose rock) into a small lake on the way. Light snow was falling when we reached the pass so we pressed on for the promised land of Marks Flat where the sky was not cloudy all day. After some tricky navigating we descended to the flats where we found a welcoming bivvy rock of 5 star class for 5 of us and with some work another rock gave 4 star accommodation. We looked forward to tea as we had picked up 3 days food which included a canned salad meal. This was food to be consumed while languishing in the sun on the beautiful flats. There was no sun that evening but tomorrow was another day. Day 4 Heavy rain greeted us and we amused ourselves in the bivvy redecorating, reading, playing cards etc. After lunch we heard a story from some climbers in the area, of the pilot who flew them in. He was married on the flats and all the guests flew in for the celebrations at this idyllic spot. This afternoon it snowed heavily for 3 or 4 hours - nice to look at from under our rocks. -

Day 5 Preparations of an early start for climbs of Hooker, Jack and Victoria were upset by inclement weather, however most people climbed up the ridge to the snout of a small glacier on Hooker where good views were had of the mist swirling around, After lunch,a clean-the- flats parade was conducted, collecting tins from past airdrops and stacking them by the airstrip - to be flown out along with the climbers. That evening a hare hunt was organised with 7 beaters sweeping the flats with military precision. An A interesting variety of beating methods were designed to drive the hares into an ever-tightening ring of people where they would be despatched to the land of nod. As the hares ran round, past and e between us one was heard to mutter something about "this mob is as mad as march humans". Day 6 Dawned fine, a beautiful day and we crossed the flats and climbed a 10 minute saddle and from there we had magnificent views of Hooker, the flats, the Solution Range etc. etc. It was here that Hunty was seen perched on Jeffs shoulders trying to capture the scene and its perfect reflection in a large tarn. Gerry cut his knee on a rock and was heard to mutter his first words of the trip (I've cut my knee). A lad of few words, hard looks and always good value, Ross and Sol bravely pressed on while the rest detoured up Kea cliffs to see the views (most impressive) then followed on to meet up in the sun on top of the Solution Range (less than 5000'). We wandered along, interested to see how erosion had taken over stream heads turning the area into a gooley bowlers paradise. Jeff offered a row of chocolate to anybody who could bowl a gooley down a chute, across a tussock bench and down into the bush. We tried in vain with Jeff urging us on with tales of 3 years ago when one of the greats of gooley bowling put one down this very place, but kids these days - oh dear! We headed down to the Landsborough, picked up our food on ToeToe Flat and crossed the river at the crossing marked on the map. We crossed in a 6 and a 3 after Hunty had checked the crossing on a rope and we made camp on the true left of the river.

Day 7 We continued down the river and after 20 minutes the going became pretty rough with the river cutting in hard against the bank, leaving little room to manoeuvre. Suddenly some rocks came tumbling down behind and as we stopped and turned,Kev came tumbling and bouncing out of the bush to land splat in the river, He had general cuts and bruises, with a nasty one on his lower back. Wehad a brew and Dr. Hunt got on the job doing excellent work. We continued and eventually arrived at Creswick Flats after some hairy' and time-consuming sidling. We pitched camp and made the patient as comfortable as possible (he couldn't lie on his back, front or side so he lay down in an upright position where the pain was bearable.) P.M. the rain started, We found out from an ex meat shooter who had shot the area for several years that the crossing marked on the map is wrong as is the position of MacKenzie Creek. Check with Hunty if going into the area. Day 8 Rain a cards, books, sweets, sweaty pits, the land of nod - a good day. Day 9 Less rain and now the greyhounds were getting restless but the piking spirit was running rife through the troops and after some discussion - another pit day. Over numerous brews with our shooter friend who had been in the area during the golden days of the early 60's and who now flew in for a holiday with his elderly father and a shooting friend, we listened to tales of the deer, I rivers, planes, gold etc., retiring to the pits early as drizzle continued. Day 10 Kev had altered his pack and he found by balancing it on his head it didn't hurt his back,so we ate his food and shared out the party gear and pressed on. Three hours down the Landsborough to the ridge before Larson Creek. We ate lunch then raced,climbed or crawled up the ridge to eventually arrive at a tarn and possible campsite near the bush edge. We stayed there that night waiting for the mist to clear from the tops to give us à view ofour intended route. bt à a a Day 11 nna to abt Weclimbed and sidled, climbed.and sidled to a cold lunch spot. Then on climbing and sidling to eventually reach Watkins Dome as the weather cleared on the eastern side of the divide. Ross was well prepared for this sidling and had actually gone to the extent - of having one of his boots built up an inch to make it easier to walk on the side of a hill. This worked extremely well going up but descending the other side he kept spinning out into ever- A decreasing circles. This problem was overcome" by walking on one foot (No mean feet). From Watkins Dome we dropped down an easy route to a Forest Service bivvy at the bush edge in the West branch of_the Hunter. Day 12 FINE WEATHER. We had a little trouble finding the start of the track down the Hunter but once on it we raced along. Down to the confluence of the East and West branches and then down to Forbes Flat a a beautiful place to sunbathe, dry gear,. have a leisurely lunch and generally feel good. There was a family staying on the flats who had flown in for the holidays. That afternoon Hunty got the whip out - drove us off the flats up a fairly gentle ridge through open bush: to the bushline where we dropped into a creek and made a good camp. Jack, Victoria, Gerry, Graeme (the greyhounds) streaked off up the ridge and along to work up an appetite for tea. PE Day 13 of - Up to the head'of the creek and on up until we reached the pass and could look down into the Ahuriri. We looked straight down in the Ahuriri as the route was over steep rotten rock. Hunty described it as an easy staircase,however, it took us 5 hours to get down the 700" - We eventually were able to stand on the sow and look back and'wonder why, we did. these things, Keeping high in the valley we sidled out and round' heading for Hunts notchad We stopped ir for lunch about 4.00 p.m. - it was most welcome. We trudged off into the snow basin which gave access to the notch and the Sth Huxley. Warm work in the sun and when we did get to the notch we looked down over a short stretch of steep snow to a reasonable route lower down. We negotiated the 300' of snow in a couple of hours and proceeded down onto a campsite on the snowgrass beside a tributary of the Sth Huxley. A late night for the troops and we were well pleased to get the tents up and tea on by 10 p.m. Day 14 We had a little trouble with primuses this morning but we managed a late breakfast about 11.00 a.m. We then picked our way down the only scoungy, scrubby spur thrusting through under and over to emerge scratched and sore at the South Huxley River. We wandered down this at a leisurely pace to the confluence of the north and south branches where the Forest-. Service have put in a 6 bunk hut - decromastic roof, large wood range and all the gears. Those opposed to huts pitched tent while others slept on the matresses. Day 15 A rest day. Most went up the North Huxley and ônto Broderick Pass where some time was spent waiting for the weather to clearo Meanwhile Jeff had a loaf of bread in the oven at the hut and this' was eaten with great relish when all were assembled. Later in the day a frizbee competition was held using number 8, 6 and 4 frizbees. When the excitement died down it was found a No. 8 was missing so a search was mounted. Graham found the missing article but on checking a No. 6. was missing. We all looked but Graham found it again. Finally another No. 6. couldn't be found so we sent hawkeye out and he soon returned with the frizbee. Final Day Hunty left early in the rain to walk the 20 miles to a phone to confirm transport. We ambled down the Huxley to the Hopkins and down this to meet our transport. After a warm shower at Lake Ohau Lodge we felt ready to face civilisation.

a - We had a meal and drinks at -the todge-then wandered glassy eyed two miles down the road (in pitch. dark) to our accommodation A for the night. The following day we went our separate ways, most going by bus to ChCh and flyingito Wellingtondo svissods nL a - 0 A t 2% mudT biTa bas b. dosy Thanks to Hunty for' organising a agood Erspyo-Those'on the trip a Brian Hunt, Ross Leggett, Jack McConchie; Victoria Froude, Cérry 1: Kennedy, Graham Dommett, Jeff.Bryanty-Kev Thompson; Brian Solomon. 3 +NOD Gmbiz : FTT vebr Iins NuT 3801 9u3 à ars P à - - a,l3 JE TLO wod -000000000iS. CE - At - sald ban thy Sihedis: 3n for 31 bme dnst sely vtav A Jr Tasti 0973 - tig-ta taew vebnoli no Has 33 moononit 3s 19dsW no ois fro' 51 oj Juo gntog OT te a6 Ie YUa - - - Fri st 200T intre : Micraier dountre TEAV A TLoair : n01: 21r 302 Lns reidosta