Griffin Creek Hut

Tom and I decided to head to the West Coast for the weekend in search for the hut with the bath tub... The weather was looking good, so after a brief stop in Arthur's Pass for coffee we were on our way. The track up Harrington Creek through the bush was pretty well marked and not too overgrown for the West Coast. It was fairly steep, but after 2 hours of climbing through the bush we'd reached the high point (934m-an 800m climb from the car). An old, corroded barrel marked the turnoff down into Griffin Creek, but before making the descent we decided lunch (and Jelly Babies) were in order.

Heading up Harrington Creek

West Coast bush

The track down into Griffin Creek was steeper and more overgrown than the track we'd taken up. It was more about parting the thick bush to see where to tread rather than proper West Coast bush bashing, so was actually quite fun. I did fall over many times, but what do you expect when the ground is covered in slippery grass. After an hour descent we'd reached Griffin Creek, and it was only another 45 minute amble upstream to the hut. The river was an awesome greeny/blue colour, and there was plenty of greenstone around. We also saw a couple of blue ducks, which didn't seem too bothered about us being there.

Blue Ducks

Griffin Creek Hut

We reached Griffin Creek Hut at about 3pm, and after dumping our packs we headed 100m towards the river to find the bath tub. The only problem was that there wasn't a tap for the bath, so we had to use a bucket to carry the water from the river to the bath, and there wasn't actually a plug... Tom solved that problem by making one out of wood. The piece of cloth that was sitting on the bath obviously wasn't good enough. It took him an hour to find a piece of wood that didn't have a hole down the middle, and then when he did find something suitable he got out his penknife and began sawing and shaping the wood into a plug. Meanwhile, I was sipping on the bottle of wine that I'd carried up and over the hill. Perfect! Eventually the plug was finished, so I got to work carrying the water from the river to the bath, while Tom started the fire. By the time the plug was finished and the fire was going it was dinner time. So we got the food from the hut and started cooking dinner by the bath while it was heating up.

By the time we'd eaten dinner, the water in the bath had got hot enough for a good soak. What a great way to end the day! We headed back out from Griffin Hut the same way, and made it out in time for a pint at Jacksons, a drive around Otira looking for Chris (whom we didn't find!) and an ice cream in Arthur's Pass.

Tom and his Wooden Plug

Yey, finally a hot bath

Avoca Hut

The Canterbury University Tramping Club (CUTC) own a 6 bunk hut (Avoca Hut) in Arthur's Pass, which means the club is in charge of looking after and maintaining the hut. Volker is the new Avoca Hut officer for the club, and he wanted to go and inspect it to see what needed doing. We decided to head into Anti Crow Hut on Friday night, so Saturday wouldn't be such a long day. We set off after work, and began walking along the Waimak River at about 7pm. By 9pm we'd reached Anti Crow Hut; just as it was getting dark.

On Saturday we left Anti Crow Hut and made our way up the Anti Crow River towards Sphinx Saddle. We were going to attempt Gizeh Col, but we took one look at it, decided it looked way too steep, especially as we had one person with us who'd never been tramping before, and decided to head up Sphinx Saddle instead. This was a steep enough climb, mainly up scree, but it was worth it for the views from the top. We had lunch at the saddle, then made our way down the scree into the Avoca River. 

Heading up Sphinx Saddle

Lunch on Sphinx Saddle

After a short break to enjoy the views in the valley, we continued walking up stream until we reached the turn off to Avoca Hut. Volker and Tom began some track maintenance using Volker's new saw, while the rest of us carried on to the hut. The afternoon was spent chopping some wood, and digging a new hole for the toilet (Tom and Volker, not me!). It wasn't an easy job (apparently). Not only did they dig a new hole, but the boys also moved the old toilet to its new location (and filled in the old hole of course!). Great jobs boys!

Heading up Avoca River towards the hut

Boys digging/moving the toilet

We headed out, after assessing what else needed doing to the hut, back out the Avoca River and this time over Jordan Saddle back into the Waimak. The climb up to Jordan Saddle was also steep - this time up big boulders rather than scree. I think Robert was pleased to get to the top, and vowed never to go tramping with Tom and Volker again because they were too fast. See what I have to put up with! The way down from the saddle involved boulder hopping and was great fun. The walk out of the Waimak wasn't quite as much fun, and we finally got to the car after 7 hours.

Climbing up to Jordan Saddle

 All in all a great trip with a great purpose!

Mt Owen

The original plan was to head to Kahaurangi National Park to the Dragon's Teeth for a 6 day tramp. We'd bought the food, and planned to meet a friend in Motueka for a BBQ on Tuesday evening before starting the tramp early Wednesday morning. As there was no need for an early start, we left Christchurch at a reasonable 11am and began the long drive north. However, our plan was forced to change due to flooding and slip damage pretty much all over the South Island. We managed to get as far as Havelock before being stranded, so the BBQ and our Dragon's Teeth trip was not going to happen. After finding a nice camp spot in Havelock, we cooked the food we'd bought for the BBQ and came up with a plan B, as by the time the roads would be clear in the morning we would no longer have time to complete our 6 day trip.

Camping in Havelock after being stranded by the floods

 

Plan B was to buy a map in St Arnaud and head to Mt Owen. Although only a 3-4 day trip, it was somewhere we all wanted to go within driving distance. We decided to head up Sunrise Peak on to the tops; a steep 3hr climb to the bushline. Once above the bushline, we scrambled up the tussock on to the tops, which were covered in a maze of limestone rock. As we had a limited water supply, we aimed to set up camp by some tarns shown on the map. However, by 7pm we hadn't found the tarns, so made our way to a small patch of snow to set up camp just below Mt Owen summit.

At the bushline of Sunrise Peak Track

Limestone Maze

                            

After a gusty night we awoke to a calm, cloudless day. We made it to the summit of Mt Owen by 11am, and after an hour sitting on the summit and admiring the views finally came to a decision to head to Branch Creek Hut for the night and then walk out down the Fyfe River the next day. The walk to Branch Creek Hut involved more limestone negotiating, plenty of spaniards, and climbing up long grass and tussock. Branch Creek Hut is in a beautiful spot by the river, and we had it all to ourselves until 8pm when 2 other ladies joined us after a 10 hour walk in along the Fyfe River.

Heading from Mt Owen to Branch Creek Hut

We started our walk out along the Fyfe River early(ish) (8:30am) just in case it was going to be a long day, but it actually only took us 6.5hrs to get back to the car. The walk along the Fyfe River was through beautiful bush, crossing the river frequently and then climbing up to avoid the odd gorge. We spotted one blue duck, and could see how high the river had risen only a few days earlier during the flooding.

Gorge along the Fyfe River

Fyfe River

After a quick pint in the pub in Murchison, we decided to head back to Christchurch and celebrate New Year with some cereal and a cup of tea. I definitely wasn't complaining.