Wednesday 24/02/2016 Sharplin Falls Reserve – Mount Somers summit return
Canterbury District, NEW ZEALAND
Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report)
As the weather was favourable we decided to try the summit again. We had done this walk two years ago in thick fog and saw no views at all.
We started the track just after 8:30am with a strong feeling of deja vu as we had walked out from the circuit on this track only two days earlier. Continue reading
19/02/2016 – 22/02/2016 Mount Summers circuit – Sharplin Falls
Canterbury District, NEW ZEALAND
Distance: 31.5km Total Ascent: 2340m Total Descent: 2340m Time: 18 hours
(excluding side trips)
Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report)
Thursday 16/02/2016 Freehold Creek – Dumbbell Lake
Ohau Conservation Reserve, NEW ZEALAND
Distance: 18.7km Ascent: 1200m Descent: 1200m Walking Time: 6 hours 25 minutes
Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report)
We had a slow start from Lake Ohau lodge as Steve needed to let his large breakfast settle. We headed off from the Sawyers creek carpark by 11:00am.
We wandered through the dry grass for what seemed like a long time until we found the Alps to Ocean bike track and then the Freehold creek track. The pleasant trail then followed the creek climbing gradually for three kilometres until we reached the tree line. We passed several scree slopes and the view improved. There was a well positioned water pipe and cup for thirsty trampers. Continue reading
11/02/2016 – 14/02/2016 Raspberry Creek – French Ridge hut return
Mount Aspiring National Park, Otago region, NEW ZEALAND
Distance: 50km Total Ascent: 2610m Total Descent: 2610m Time: 19 hours
Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report)
6/02/2016 – 10/02/2016 Young River – Gillespie Pass – Wilkin River – Siberia Hut – Crucible Lake
Young – Wilkin Circuit, NEW ZEALAND
Distance: 61.4km Total Ascent: 2660m Total Descent: 2300m Time: 26 hours
Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report)
Day 1: Saturday 6/02/2016 Young River – Young Hut
Early on Saturday morning we headed off for our planned trip to visit Aspiring, French Ridge and Liverpool huts in the Matukituki River West Branch Valley. However, before we were to of town we recalled DOC’s advice that this area would be exceptionally busy over the Waitangi long weekend and with this in mind altered course and drove off towards Makarora to do the Gillespie Pass (Young-Wilkin) Circuit instead.
We were a little surprised on arrival to find the car park near the Young River close to full and a party of thirteen trampers heading off just before us. Continue reading
Thursday 25/06/2015 Wodi Wodi Track – Stanwell Park Beach circuit
Illawarra Escarpment, NSW
Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report), Derek Farrell
We picked up Derek from Thirroul and drove to Stanwell Park railway station on a warm winters morning. We were pleased to find an available car spot. We sooner warmed up along the track and Derek even got rid of his beanie, a sure sign he is a Darwin resident. Continue reading
10/06/2015 – 14/06/2015 Kanangra Walls – Narrow Neck
Kanangra Boyd National Park, NSW
Dharug country
Participants: Stephen Davies (Leader, Photos), Sue Davies (Report), Stephen Day, Dave Whitelaw
Tuesday night was spent at the Boyd River campground to allow us to get an early start. Steve was dropped off at the Kanangra Walls Lookout where he was aiming to get an overnight star trail series. By just before dark he had managed to pitch his tent precariously, without pegs on a rock ledge near the cliff edge. Trish had driven up with us and stayed Tuesday night to drive our car back to Katoomba, all so we could avoid the long car drop after the walk – thanks heaps Trish!
Early morning 25/5/2015 – The Castle from Byangee Mountain, the distant glow is Canberra some 100km to the west.
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Stars and shooting star over The Castle and nearby mountains on the evening of 13/5/2015, don’t miss the Aurora Australis at the end! (Click the image for the movie)
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13/05/2015 – 17/05/2015 Sassafras – Folly Point – Munnuldi Falls – Sluice Box Falls – Styles Creek – Sassafras circuit
Morton National Park, NSW
Yuin country
Distance: 52.3km Total Ascent: 2340m Total Descent: 2340m Time: 35 hours
Participants: Stephen Davies (Leader, Photos), Sue Davies (Report), Stuart Murray
Day 1: Wednesday 13/5/2015 Sassafras – Folly Point
We commenced our walk from Sassafras on a crisp clear morning. It was five degrees as we weighed packs and wished yet again that we had packed lighter, except for Stuart who managed to fit five days worth of food and gear into his 11kg pack. This, in the end disadvantaged him as he as he was allocated the climbing rope which added a further two kilograms. Steven won with a total of weight of 23kg including all his camera gear. Sue carried a respectable 15.7kg load.
25/03/2015 – 29/03/2015 Wog Wog – Corang River – Canowie Brook – Mount Tarn – Styles Creek – Hidden Valley – Sassafras
Morton National Park, NSW
Yuin country
Distance: 56.7km Total Ascent: 2160m Total Descent: 2860m Time: 28 hours
Participants: Mel Ardern, Stephen Davies (Leader, Photos), Sue Davies (Report), Stuart Murray, Dave Whitelaw, Fred Zickar
23/02/2015 – 26/02/2015 Whakapapa Village – Waihohonu Hut – Oturere Hut – Mount Ngauruhoe Summit – Mangatepopo Hut – Mangatepopo Hut – Whakapapa
Mount Ngauruhoe Circuit, NEW ZEALAND
Distance: 57.7km Total Ascent: 2760m Total Descent: 2760m Time: 21 hours 30 minutes
Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Leader, Report)
“Three fabulous nights and four glorious days” Lisa from Melbourne