Travers Range Cloud Study

The Nelson area is well known for its good weather and high sunshine hours. So when we saw that the Nelson Lakes Travers range would have several days of cloud with the associated precipitation and winds, Carl, and I headed off to St Arnaud. We aimed to meet up with Anthony at Hopeless hut on Tuesday.

As experienced Tararua trampers we know that the best tramping and climbing is done when there is wet windy cold weather and minimal visibility. None of that sunshine and easy climbing weather for us.

So over the following six days we tested our outer shells, navigation, stamina, and hut etiquette. And this was my first long wander with the sturdy Macpac belay; a roomy 35 liter pack. Awesome sums it up. Just missing out on awesome plus due to the ice axe attachment straps being wrong. Will have too find someone to redo them as the axe sticks out to the sides and when in the bush catches on trees.

Monday 20/02/2012
This was a late start as otherwise we would have had a really fine day that would have required the use of sun block. We left the top Robert Ridge car park around five pm and walked to Speargrass hut for the night. When we arrived Team Israel had the hut nice and warm; so in keeping with our aims we wandered aimlessly in a swamp behind the hut to ensure we had nice wet feet.

Speargrass Hut

Forest just a wee way away

We then returned to the hut and drank our 1.3 liters of beer on the veranda as it was still nice and warm inside. Food and crash completed the evening.

Tuesday 21/02/2012
An early start to the day as we where walking just after eight. Heading into the changing weather for a lunch stop at Angelus Hut. Spooked one shami on the scree about 90 minutes from Speargrass hut.

Shami

Got views of the area as we approached Angelus hut.

Lake Angelus

Angelus Hut

And on up Angelus via the most interesting way we could find, that being the split buttress rock.

Interesting way up Angelus

Hinapouri Tarn and Lake Angelus

The cloud cleared when we where on Angelus, so got a view of the lake.

Top of Angelus

Carl found some snow, it was tucked away out of the sun light just waiting for him.

Sunset Saddle area

Green stuff on rocks

Close to Hopeless hut there was a bumper crop of snow berries, with a wee mushroom popping up amongst them.

Snow berries and fungi

And Anthony was there at Hopeless, it had all worked out. Also we meet Ron, an American who had been in the Antarctic.

Wednesday 22/02/2012
Weather changed and it cloudy and wet, Carl and I left last to head out to the Travers track and on up to Cupola where we would meet up with Anthony and Ron.

Hopeless Hut

John Tait Hut

Cupola Hut

Got settled in and cranked up the fire. Food and relaxing in the rain. Not to sure about climbing a mountain or two.

Thursday 23/02/2012
In the afternoon there seemed to be a gap in the weather so Anthony, Carl, and I went for a walk heading toward Hopeless.

Cupola

Carl and Anthony

Weather outside

Mt Hopeless in the evening

Friday 24/02/2012
Anthony, Carl, and I headed for Upper Travers hut via Gunsight Pass.

Above Cupola Hut

Looking toward Hopeless

Anthony and Carl

Looking towards our destination

Puff fungi

Cupola direction

Bivvy Rock

Looking up to Gunsight

Car and Anthony on Gunsight Pass

East Sabine, Franklin Ridge, West Sabine

We got to Upper Travers hut not too late.

Saturday 25/02/2012
Walking out and heading home, just as the weather is getting sorted.

Upper Travers Hut

Travers

Upper Traver Hut

Clearer day

One of the wee bridges

Fungi?

Last views heading back to Kerr Bay

Walking Times

20/02/2012
1716 Left car at top Robert Ridge car park
1904 At Speargrass Hut

21/02/2012
0812 Left Speargrass Hut
1030 At Angelus Hut
1201 Left Angelus Hut
1345 Top of Angelus
1420 On the way to the Sunset Saddle
1624 At Hopeless hut

22/02/2012
1212 Left Hopeless hut
1303 Onto Travers valley track
1358 John Tait hut
1522 Left John Tait hut
1657 At Cupola hut 
 
23/02/2012
A hut day, with a wee walk in the afternoon.

24/02/2012
Left Cupola Hut
Gunsight Pass
Onto the track
Travers Saddle
Upper Travers Hut

25/02/2012
Left Upper Travers Hut
At John Tait Hut
Left John Tait Hut
At Coldwater Hut


Map of Wander

Starting at Speargrass Hut:

View Larger Topographic Map

And we wandered onto Cupola and then thru Gunsight to Travers:

View Larger Topographic Map

Snowy Hut and Ridge 666

A solitary trip to the hut that exists yet is not in DOC publications. So how is it there and might there be more of them? A great weekend with very nice settled weather in the Tararuas.

Saturday 11/02/2012
A nice late start to the whole day by not even getting out of bed until near lunchtime. Wandered off to Otaki and visited my parents before heading off up to the Waiotauru Forks and then off up Snowy River. Its a great wander in the fine weather with warm water to wade thru, only one deep pool avoidance on the trip and eventually found the Snowy Hut. For some reason not known to me I assumed it was on the true right so I spent a half hour checking the flats on that side before crossing over and finding it. Really surprised me to find it so quickly, the well worn path to the hut (and helipad) helped. Took a snapshot of the location using GPS. (NB find it for yourself).

A great hut to spend a night in with the fire going.

Sunday 12/02/2012
Leaving was pretty tricky as its a nice spot and there was no reason to rush as had a spare set of new bateries for my torch. So left Snowy Hut at 1043 anticipating a day of uncertainty and damn fine weather.  And Snowy Hut it is; not Snowy River Hut.

The helipad that tells you a hut is here!

The wander up Ridge 666 was great as it is often walked and there is sign at the start and most of the way up it. Only part where I had to stop and check was on the downside of point 666.

Trip Times
11/02/2012
1425 Left car at Otaki Forks Ranger station car park.
1441 At start of Waiotauru track.
1448 Crossed wee slip.
1602 Bridge at Waiotauru forks.
1633 Into the East Branch.
1850 At Snowy Hut.
12/02/2012
1107 Left Snowy Hut.
1122 On way up hill with view of helipad.
1151 On the Ridge leading to 666.
1446 On Elder Track.
1457 At Elder Hut.
1608 Left Elder hut.
1653 Out of bush.
1722 At Junction.
1844 At Mt Hector.
1918 At Kime Hut.
1940 Left Kime Hut.
2022 Penn Creek turnoff.
2041 Field Hut.
2047 Left Field Hut.
2203 At car.


Map View

References
Waiotauru River trip
Topomap ref for Ridge 666