Sunrise at Sefton Bivvy

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SUNRISE AT SEFTON BIVVY Claire Silcock s Gary launched heartily into the chorus of a Kevin Bloody Wilson song which was threatening todefoliatetheroadside trees, Iglanced atthe grey, overcast skies and crossed my fingers for some fine weather. With a couple of weeks annual leave and Easter tacked on to the end, rest and relaxation were the top priority. Armed with a fistful of maps ofvarious locations, we had planned a somewhat flexible itinerary which included overnight wanders and mountain biking and now as the Canterbury Plains dwindled away behind us and we headed inland, we peered hopefully at the bleak, grey skies, searching for the slightest trace of blue. Sefton Bivvy and the Footstool Claire Silcock Gary's impressive rendition of "Fair and Just" distracted me momentarily, usually found performing acrobatics diminished markedly as it was hard but as we neared Burkes Pass, I real- and agile cat-like recoveries as he enoughtobreathe, letalonetalk! Gary ised that a faint patch of blue sky had oozes over roots and rock-strewn attempted to cleverly disguise his appeared through a window in the terrain. He soon adjusted to the tour- occasional gasps for breath with a cloudi in the general direction ofwhere ist track however, remarking that he cough but his efforts were futile and I we were heading. An excited shout was looking forward to the marked smugly noted that he was huffing and escaped my lips as my foot simultane- trail, as opposed to granny track, up puffing as much as me. ously floored the gas pedal. Gary's the ridge to the bivvy. startled expression turned to amuse- The top of the ridge appeared to be ment as I attempted to recover my Thecommandingpresencer eofMt Cook just above us so it was with some composure: and with somee embarrass- towering above the Hooker Valley disappointment that I gazed at the ment I commented evenly that it ap- resulted in our cameras getting a good ridge still climbing, but less steeply peared to be clearing. A short time workout. "Stand over there, no, a before us. Mt Sefton and the Footlater we emerged from Burkes Pass little to the right dear, you'rel blocking stool were an imposing sight aboveu us into a gloriously clear, sunny, autumn Mt Cook,' " Gary called, ensuring that and Mt Cook Village already looked day, and leaving the clag behind us he obtained just the shot he wanted like a tiny model far below. The late we sped on towards Mt Cook. and after several more patient poses, afternoon shadows were lengthening I gently reminded the artist at work as we spotted two figures near the A feast of fresh raspberry buns was that time was marching on and a bivvy and as we approached, a thick devoured as we sat in the sun at the steep grunt up to Sefton Bivvy was Aussie accent called out a typical White Horse Hill campground admir- still before us. A pleasant trot up greeting "Ah, gidday mate!" I ing the wonderful scenery surround- Stocking Stream enabledustoadmire couldn't help smiling and then ating us. Some leisurely packing fol- the stunning views as we steadily tempted to suppress my amusement lowed, a sign of things to come, and gained height but soon the blissful ashis companion, a verylankyAmerihaving exhausted every valid reason peace and quiet surrounding us was can, unfolded himself from the confor procrastinating, we set off along drowned outl by my ragged breathing. fined space ofthe 2 person bivvy and the 4' wide highway to the Hooker drawled a greeting, "How're you Valley. This proved to be a bit of a With my primary concern being to doin'?" Ill-concealed relief when we challenge for Gary who iS unaccus- maintain oxygen intake, conversation indicated our intention to sleep out tomed to wide, even tracks and is and exclamations at the views had under the bivvy rock didn't go