Tag Archives: New Zealand

White Island – NEW ZEALAND

Wednesday 4/03/2015      Whakaari – “White Island”

                                                Bay of Plenty, NEW ZEALND

Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report)

White Island (Whakaari) is an active marine (cone) volcano situated in the Bay of Plenty. To the Maori Whakaari is a treasured ancestor and features in many stories and legends of the region. It is estimated to be between 150,000 and 200,000 years old and is 49km offshore. The closest town is Whakatane, on the North Island of New Zealand. At the time of our trip it was possible to visit the island by helicopter or by boat and guided tour with White Island tours. 

Tragically, on 9th December 2019 White Island erupted while tours were being conducted resulting in numerous deaths and horrific injuries. All tours were immediately suspended. 

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Roy Peak summit

Roys Peak

Friday 5/02/2016   Wanaka Mount Aspiring Road – Roys Peak summit return

                                  Wanaka, NEW ZEALAND           

Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report)

As we were due to head out on a multi day walk (rated as “hard”) the next day we wanted a day walk that would stretch our legs without wearing them out. We had underestimated Roy’s Peak.

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The Outlet – Brod Bay

Tuesday 2/02/2016   The Outlet – Brod Bay return

                                      Te Anau district, NEW ZEALAND

Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report)

As a warm up for the multi-day hikes to come we decided to revisit part of the Kepler track for the afternoon to walk from The Outlet to Brod Bay and back.

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Sharplin Falls – Mount Somers

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

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Sharplin Falls – Pinnacles Hut – Woolshed Creek – Mt Somers South Face

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)

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Freehold Creek – Dumbbell Lake – Lake Ohau

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

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Photo: Sue Davies

Matukituki Valley – Rob Roy Glacier – Aspiring Hut – French Ridge Hut

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)

 

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Young River – Gillespie Pass – Wilkin River – Siberia Hut – Crucible Lake

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

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Mt Ngauruhoe and Red Crater

Whakapapa Village – Waihohonu Hut – Oturere Hut – Mount Ngauruhoe – Mangatepopo Hut – Tongariro Northern Crossing

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

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Crater Lake - Mt Ruapehu

Iwikau Village – Mount Ruapehu chairlift – Mount Ruapehu summit return

22/02/2015   Iwikau Village – Mount Ruapehu chairlift – Mount Ruapehu summit return

                        Tongariro National Park, NEW ZEALND

Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Leader, Report)

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Blue Lake

Robert Ridge – Lake Angelus Hut – Angelus Peak – Mount Cedric – Sabine Hut – Blue Lake – Lake Constance – West Sabine Hut – Nelson Lakes National Park

10/02/2015 – 16/02/2015   Mount Robert – Sabine hut

                                                Nelson Lakes National Park, NEW ZEALAND

Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Leader, Report)

We moved our trip forward one day as the rain cleared and the forecast was for almost a week of sunny weather. Instead of doing two shorter trips we combined them into one longer trip as we were unable to get accommodation in St Arnaud in the interim.  With our backpacks full with seven days worth of dehydrated food we headed out from the Mt Robert car park on a clear and sunny morning.

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Looking up Cass River from Memorial Hut   2/9/1985

Memorial Hut – Mount Lucia – Ailsa Stream – New Zealand

2/09/1985 – 6/09/1985   Memorial Hut based “day” trips

                                          Cass River, Lake Tekapo region, NEW ZEALAND             

Distance: 9km Total Ascent: 800m Total Descent: 800m

Participants: Gottlieb Braun-Elwert, Stephen Davies (Photos, Report), Dave, Stella

 

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