Heaphy Track- Jan 18-22 2010
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
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Heaphy Track January 18-22.
The Team:Alison Chambers (leader),Sandra Knox,Jean Fryer,Lois Prebble,
Don Turner,Gordan Murray,Ken Wooldridge and Tom Cholmondeley travelled by
mini-bus to the Brown hut where a shared meal was consumed.
The card game "Quiddler" was played by some and was to become a regular evening
pastime. A great swimming hole under the swing-bridge was utilized by
some trampers.
Next morning,under a clear sky,we had a leisurely walk to
the Aorere shelter for lunch,noting how dry the bush was so far. The
Perry Saddle hut signalled the end of the day's exercise with the
exception of one over enthusiastic party member who nipped up Mt. Perry
for a look around. A stream adjacent to the hut offered a chance for a
clean up. We yarned with a group from Wellington, who's company we
enjoyed enjoyed for the remainder of the the tramp.
The next day we crossed mainly wide open country with pockets of bush.
We had a short break beside the quaint Gouland Downs hut, then onward
to the relatively new Saxton hut to have a brew up.
The James McKay hut provided us with a distant view of the sea in the
evening and later shelter from the heavy rain. We had been fortunate to
have seen so much bird life, well spotted by Sandra. Native snails,worms and
flora and fauna were drawn to our attention by Alison.
Our two nurses (Lois and Sandra) held the first of three drugs (medicinal!) administering/blister
clinics, with no shortage of patients in huts full of trampers.
With weather clearing throughout the next day we reached the Lewis hut
for lunch.After following the track through changing vegetation the
Heaphy hut and river mouth came into view. A yarn with the DOC ranger in
the hut revealed funds would hopefully soon be available to improve hut
capacities on the track.
The last morning was spent wandering down the scenic coastline to
Kohaihai. We were grateful for the swing-bridges spanning creeks,swollen
after the heavy rain.
Showers at the Karamea camping ground, along with real food
and clear drinking water preceded the van trip home .
In essence, great company and a wonderful tramp.
Tom.
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