MOTHER MILLER’S SPRING – 28th
OCTOBER 2009
Party-Rod
and Carol Lewis, Mary Miller, Stephen Sheen, Ray Twist, Neil Helson, Colin
Garthwaite, Paul Tayler, Gerry Burgess and Bernadette Bardoul
This
trip was selected from Brabyn & Bryant’s guide-book in response to Diana
K’s request that I lead a Wednesday “hard” group to somewhere not usually
visited – a new tramp. The word “curiosity” in B & B’s description piqued
mine, and after talking to the owner of Double Hill Station, Tim Hutchinson,
this tramp was scheduled.
After
a long drive in along the south side of the Rakaia, I met with Tim at his home
and he suggested a better way up onto the Palmer Range than the Homestead Hill
Ridge route as in B & B. Just as well because even this climb was long,
steep and continuous.
We
ascended a wide open face easily avoiding some steep-side gullies and lunched
near Pt. 1593 (on Topomap K35). By this time the skies to the West further up
the valley looked threatening and a few spots of rain were felt so after
discussion 6 members decided to go no higher and would descend at a gentle pace
whilst 4 of us would press on to Pt. 1871. This soon became 3 as one turned
back and re-joined the party going down leaving Stephen, Mary and myself to
climb on passing through some patches of soft snow until reaching the summit.
The wind was strong enough here to deter any further exploration towards Pt.
2010 in a search for the “curiosity” of the spring, which was surely under snow
anyway.
After
the obligatory shots of the summiteers and views around we sped down nearly
catching the main party at the vehicles.
Thus,
this tramp joins the list of yet “to-dos” for the club and any future attempt should
feature an earlier than usual start (i.e. 0700 or 0730 at the latest), especially if the full circuit described
in B. & B is to be contemplated.
On the map associated with this report Mother Miller's Spring is in the position of the letter "e" in Moorhouse Peak on the Palmer range. Slighlty left, lower centre of map.
-
Rod Lewis.
PS Keen types can view all of Rod's photos at