Please note — address all correspondence pertaining to Club business to the Secretary

NEWSLETTER 416 JUNE 2016

Over Forties Tramping Club, PO Box 6505, Upper Riccarton, Christchurch 8442

Established 1978 Affiliated to the Federated Mountain Clubs of NZ www.oftc.org.nz

Note the deadline for Newsletter items to the Editor is the 20th of every month for the following month’s Newsletter—send to Mavis Airey at mavis.airey@xtra.co.nz and David Lloyd at oddlyvalid@xtra.co.nz

Trip details by the 15th of every month to Trip Collators: Saturday and Sunday trips to Karyn Brookes—354 0113

karynbrookes@xtra.co.nz Wednesday trips to Barbro Guard—980 2792 allanguard@clear.net.nz

OVER FORTIES TRAMPING CLUB INC

OFTC

CLUB NIGHT

When: Tuesday, July 5 Where: Knox Lounge, Corner of Bealey Avenue and Victoria Street

Time: 7.30pm

Guest speaker: Club member Joanna Orwin will talk about her recently published book Riccarton and the Deans Family (highly recommended)

DON’T MISS THIS!

SEE YOU THERE

MID-WINTER GET TOGETHER

Wednesday, June 22, 12 noon At the lovely new Sumner Surf Life Saving Club. Our booking is 12-3pm. Food and soup can be left at the seaside entrance before tramps

Mt Cassidy trip May 8 Photos: Neil Helson

2

OFTC

MEMBERSHIP REPORT – JUNE 2016 Changes of address or phone number Karyn Brookes 377 5699 152 Holly Road, St Albans, Christchurch 8014 karynbrookes@xtra.co.nz Don Mee 352 5473 Ian Beale 027 628 0628 Susanne Fenwick 021 112 8776 Ian and Sue have individual cell phones Resignations Sheila Batchelor 355 6238 170 Weston Road, St Albans, Christchurch 8052 Sheila has been a member for 34 years and has been Club Secretary Karen Johnston 338 8520 3 Barossa Lane, Hoon Hay, Chch 8025 karen.zak@xtra.co.nz Gill Latimer 351 4346 2/9 Bryndwr Road, Fendalton, Christchurch 8042 Gill is taking a break and may rejoin later Tom Mitchell 338 9837 5 Caldbeck Lane, Westmorland, Christchurch 8025 t.mitchell@snap.net.nz Tom has been a member for 29 years and has been Club Chairman Beverley Ruddick 09 902 9045 Summerset Falls, 20/31 Mansel Drive, Warkworth 0910 baruddick@gmail.com Ted Shields 384 3403 15 Horotane Valley Rd, Heathcote Valley, Christchurch 8022 ted.dawnshields@xtra.co.nz During his 14 years of membership Ted has been Club Secretary and has led many day and overnight trips Fangping Su 343 4228 31 Corsair Drive, Hornby, Christchurch 8042 craigmason@xtra.co.nz Fay Jackson

CHAIR’S REPORT

It’s a pleasure to welcome new and rejoining members to the Club and special thanks to Dean Stewart and others who have led overnight trips as part of the qualifying process. Having new folk joining is important for maintaining the vitality of the club. In my experience, the best advertisement is the enthusiasm of members. Do pass on the informative newsletter to anyone who is interested. The exceptional autumnal weather that has persisted in Canterbury at least to mid-May has made for good tramping conditions. At the time of writing, a sequence of strong westerly wind conditions has developed: this prompted the cancellation of day trips into the inland areas where gale-force nor-westerly conditions were expected. Its good to see that the system for issuing cancellations via the Club web pages is working well: a vote of thanks to all concerned. With the advance of winter, wet and icy conditions will occur over the next few months. Please ensure that your equipment is serviceable and that you have extras to cope with emergencies. The winter solstice, the shortest day of the year, is on June 21. Please see the notice on the front page about the club’s Mid-Winter Lunch scheduled for Wednesday, June 22 from 12 noon to 3pm at the new Sumner Surf Lifesaving Club. Enjoy your tramping Alistair McKerchar

DAY TRIP PROGRAMME The tramps are listed in order of difficulty, with the easiest first, then moderate, then harder.

If you are unsure of a tramp please check with the tramp leader.

NQ means that this tramp is not a qualifying tramp for prospective new members. All other day tramps grade 2 and above are qualifying tramps.

Travel costs for trips are calculated at three passengers per car.

Please note: It is club policy that these day tramps and the tramping programmes detailed in the newsletter are for members only.

CANCELLATIONSCANCELLATIONS

Go to the OFTC website home page - Cancellation Notices.

TO CANCEL A DAY TRAMP

Go to OFTC website and log in. Click on Members section, then click on Cancellations on the left hand side list. Type your message into the dialog box then click save. CANCELLATIONS MUST BE DONE 1½ HOURS BEFORE DEPARTURE. Any changes to your trip or equipment requirements should be placed 12 hours in advance. Leaders are no longer required to go to the start meeting place provided this has been notified earlier

LOCATOR BEACONS

Collect and carry these. Please note — they are collected from the Shell Petrol Stations at Belfast or Yaldhurst or at Princess Margaret Hospital — at front vestibule desk. For any private use of these beacons please contact Stu McHugh to arrange (323 6333).

AT THE END OF THE TRAMP

Please send the number of participants to: Gavin Hampton salgav@xtra.co.nz)

Reminders to Tramp Leaders TRAMP PLANNERSTRAMP PLANNERS Note — Please forward your draft list to the Club Captain

by the 20th of each month

Saturday Colin Garthwaite 360 3770

Wednesday Veterans Heather Spence 03 261 2002

Middle Vicky Samson Yvonne Cargill

342 7962 358 2129

Russell Hignett 355 5670

Brian Meadows 337 4423 Hard Bridget Barclay 027 2529953 John Allan 326-4966 Sunday Easier Sheila Downard 337 4201 Mary Clark 348 6621

Middle Claire Matoe 388 6427 Wendy Hughes 388 3295 Peter Moore 348 0765 Hard Ian Fussell 358 3724

Gaye Morton 332 2284

JUNE 5

OVER FORTIES TRAMPING CLUB INC 3

SUNDAY TRAMPS

Kaituna Valley – Port Levy Spur NQ BP54 Cost: $8 From topmost homestead in Kaituna Valley, walk up old farm track to the top. Continue along spur on paper road looking down on Port Levy towards Western Valley Road. Return by same route. Grade: 1-2 Depart: Car park opposite PMH (river west) at 9am Time: 4-5 hours Leader: Sheila Downard 337 4201 Middle Group - Queen’s Birthday Tramp If you can lead a tramp this weekend, please advise members via the club notice board the week before.

Worsley Spur and Beyond PH86 Cost: Nil A pleasant walk from PMH via Worsley Forest Lookout to the final destination, Hoon Hay Reserve. Return via different track to Worsleys Road. Grade: 2 Depart: Car park opposite PMH (river west) at 9am Time: 4-5 hours Leader: Qingyi Ma 343 2142

JUNE 12 CONTINUED

Mount Oxford NW 05 Cost: $11 From Coopers Creek car park follow undulating track through beech forest to a steep ridge line to summit (1364m) from here great views of Puketeraki Range and Canterbury Plains. Return same way. Grade: 3+ Depart: Belfast Hotel car park at 8.30am Time: 5-6 hours Leader: Ian Beale 376 5026 or 027 628 0628

Governors Bay, CRW, Bellbird PH65 Cost: $2 From Governors Bay Fire Station car park up Titoki Track to CRW and on to the Bellbird – and beyond. Return via different track. Grade: 2 Depart: Car park opposite PMH (river west) at 9am Time: 4-5 hours Leader: Vicki Stevens 022 130 4342 Sugar Loaf – Benmore Circuit W54 K35/L Cost: $13 From the entrance to Annavale Farm follow driveway to car park. Then well defined track to Benmore Hut (800m), gradual ascent along less defined track to ridge line of Sugar Loaf (1211m). Open tops give great views. Descend down fence line to Thirteen Mile Stream and cars. Depending on group and conditions on

A leader has the responsibility and right to refuse anybody they consider for any reason may not be able to cope with the conditions.

OFTC

JUNE 19

JUNE 12

4

day top group could go on towards Benmore from Benmore Hut and return the same way. Grade: 3 Depart: Yaldhurst Hotel car park at 8.30am Time: 5–6 hours Leader: Evelyn Sheridan 383 0891 Co-leader: Heather Pearce 021 340 774

Templeman Farm, Teddington PH88 Cost: $3 A lovely walk on farm tracks over rolling countryside with wonderful views down the harbour. NOTE: There is a steepish section. Grade: 2 Depart: Car park opposite PMH (river west) at 9am Time: 4+ hours Leader: Bruce Stanton 338 1909 Awa Awa Reserve – Scott’s Saddle SW 05 K35/36 Cost: $17 From McLennan’s Bush car park follow a well defined track through bush and forest with views along the way to Scott’s Saddle. From here great views of Mount Hutt and surrounding area. Return same way or on different tracks. Grade: 2-3 Depart: Yaldhurst Hotel car park at 8.30am Time: 5 hours Leader: If you can lead this tramp, put details on notice board the week before. Carn Brea with Mt Enys Option W53A Cost: $15 To Carn Brea from the Porter Heights Ski Field road. Park at the Quarry. Route up will depend on the group on the day. If weather and time permits we can also ascend Mt Enys. Return is via Mt Enys stream. Ice axe and crampons essential. Grade: 4 Depart: Yaldhurst Hotel car park at 7.30am. Pick up beacon at Yaldhurst and meet Neil in Springfield Time: 6-7 hours Leader: Neil Helson. Please contact Neil on 03 318 7335 if coming.

Allandale to Sandy Bay NQ Cost: $3 Walk along the Coastal Track through Governor’s Bay to Sandy Bay and beyond. Depart: Ashgrove Tce (by Reserve) at 9.30am Time: 3-4 hours Leader: Clive Morriss 358 2753

JUNE 19 CONTINUED

OFTC

JUNE 1 CONTINUED

WEDNESDAY TRAMPS

JUNE 26

Big Ben & Ashley Saddles, east of Mt Oxford NW10 Cost: $11 Short steep climb from Adams Hut to 720m and Big Ben Saddle. A further climb to ridge line and Ashley Saddle 900m. Return by farm tracks. Great views of Ashley Gorge and Oxford area. Panoramic views. Exposed conditions, so sun-block, hats and heaps of water. (In winter warm clothing.) Car shuttle required. Grade: 2 extended to 2+ if Ashley Saddle included Depart: Belfast Hotel car park 8.30am Time: 4-5hours Leader: Howard Harvey 342 9377 Akaroa Skyline via Purple Peak, Curry Reserve Cost: $15 From Heritage Park up the Curry Track to Purple Peak and then on to Taraterehu. Back via Paripai Track and Woodhills south to the cars. Grade: 3 Depart: Ashgrove Terrace (opp Reserve) 8.30 am Time: 5 hours Leader: Gavin Hampton 343 1291 Mt Aicken-O’Malley Circuit W44 Cost: $28 From Arthurs Pass climb 1100m to the Twin Peaks (1860m) for spectacular views of other peaks in the park. Return via Mt O’Malley depending on the conditions on the day. Grade: 4 Depart: Yaldhurst Hotel car park 7.30am NOTE EARLY START Time: 7 hours Leader: Bridget Barclay 027 252 9953. Please contact Bridget if you intend coming on this trip.

Botanic Gardens and Hagley Park NQ Cost: Nil A pleasant walk through the Gardens and Hagley Park. Depart: Gardens car park Armagh St entrance at 9.30am Time : 3-4 hours Leader: Pauline Timms 351 5161 Mt Pearce BP 52 Cost: $13 Follow farm tracks from the Summit Road through the reserve and on to ridge and summit (737m.) Descend via Pigeon Bay Peak. Good views all round. Grade: 2 Depart: Ashgrove Tce (opp Reserve) 8.30am Time: 4-5 hours Leader: Bruce Stanton 338 1909 Craigieburn Tracks Cost: $18 From car park near Parapet Rock (SH73), tramp to Broken Hill Conference Centre, then on to upper Lyndon Saddle Track. Continue to Craigieburn Ski Road, cross and follow track to Flock Hill car park. Excellent sheltered bush walk with views of surrounding peaks. Ideal winter tramp. Short car shuttle required.

JUNE 8

JUNE 1

OVER FORTIES TRAMPING CLUB INC 5

Grade: 3 Time: 5+ hours Depart: Yaldhurst Hotel car park at 8.30am Leader: Elspeth Jeet 384 1331 Co-leader : Stu McHugh 323 6333 Mt Ida W69 Cost: $22 Park at Lake Selfe and take the route up from the walking track and head up high along the terrace to avoid matagouri to the stream. Good scree in places when dropping back down. Get onto track around Lake Ida and return on DOC track to cars. Grade: 4 Depart: Yaldhurst Hotel car park 7.30am NOTE EARLY START Time: 6+ hours Leader: TBA

Waikuku Beach Walkway NQ Cost: $4 A short walk along the beach and then inland on tracks beside the Rakahuri and Ashley rivers. Depart: Belfast Hotel car park at 9.30am Time: 3-4 hours Leader: Lois Watson 03 313 3491 Mt Pleasant Ramble Cost: Nil A wander around the Mt Pleasant area led by a well-known local. Grade: 2 Depart: 9am McCormick’s Bay east side by playing fields. Time: 5 hours Leader: Judy Eden 384 4857 Montgomery Reserve to Mt Fitzgerald BP32 Cost: $10 From Montgomery Reserve at Hilltop, climb through bush to ridge then along to Mt Sinclair and Mt Fitzgerald. Return by same route. Great views of Peninsular. Grade: 3 Time: 5 hours Depart: Ashgrove Tce (opp Reserve) 8.30am Leader: Brian Meadows 337 4423 Red Hill via Coleridge Pass W28 Cost: $17 Start from Porter Heights Ski-field Road (lower car park). Tramp to the Pass and then up to Red Hill along ridge and descend for a round trip back to the cars. Grade: 3+ Depart: Yaldhurst car park 8am Time: 5 hours Leader: Tony Oliver 027 344 1523. Please call or email if you intend coming on this trip.

OFTC

JUNE 8 CONTINUED

Mid Winter Nosh at Sumner Surf Club NQ Cost: Nil Walk along the Esplanade and Scarborough Tracks. Depart: Sumner Surf Lifesaving Club car park at 9.30am Time: 2-3 hours Leader: Norma Powell 384 1397 Tramp for Middle Groups preceding Mid Winter Nosh at Sumner Surf Lifesaving Club. Cost: Nil Walk around Sumner before Nosh. Depart: Sumner Surf Lifesaving Club on the beach at 9.30am Time : 2-3 hours Leader: Alan Morgan 384 9976 Mid Winter Nosh Cost: Nil Come join John for a scenic wander over the hill to Lyttelton for coffee before heading to the new Surf Life Saving Club in Sumner for the annual Mid Winter Nosh 12-3pm. Grade: 4 Depart: Car park at the foot of the Bridle Path at 8.30am. Time: 3 hours plus coffee Leader: John Allan 326-4966 REMINDER: Vets please bring soup. Groups 2, 3 & 4—finger food. There will be someone at Club from 8.30am to accept food.

360 Degree Trail – Estuary Marshes NQ Cost: Nil Continuing the interesting walk on the 360 Degrees Trail through the Estuary Marshes. Depart: Wetlands Grove off Bexley Rd (off Pages Rd) car park at 9.30am Time: 3-4 hours Leader: Valda and Brian Woods 358 9250 Tiromoana Bush Walkway and Ella Peak N56 Cost: $10 From car park, walk through wetlands. Then short steep climb to Ella Peak (348m) for lunch. Proceed down to beach, then lookout and walkway to car park. Tramp may be reversed. Grade: 2 Depart: Belfast Hotel car park 8.30am Time: 4-5 hours Leader: Jill Lyall 358 1115 Co-leader: Appoint on the day Old Coach Road, Porters Pass W04 Cost: $13 Leave cars at Kowhai Stream car park – enter DOC land at U bend at foot of Porters Pass Rd. Climb old coaching track then head south along ridge following fence line. Track soon opens out. Follow ridges to Trig M for lunch

JUNE 22

JUNE 15

JUNE 29

OFTC

Club Equipment

The following items are available for members to borrow: Emergency tents (two) John Hayman 3350984 Stu McHugh 3236333 (These tents may be useful for backpacking trips)

Books and tapes: Ian Fussell 3583724

then return to cars on opposite side of valley. A very pleasant tramp with good all around views. Grade: 3 Depart: Yaldhurst Hotel car park at 8:30am Time: 5 hours Leader: Russell Hignett 355 5670 No Grade 4 tramp listed for June 29

Cass Saddle (1326m) W20 K34 Cost: $20 The Cass Saddle Track follows DOC markers through scrub land to the riverbed, then up the river for approximately 45 minutes to a marked track on the true right bank. Track enters bush and there’s a steady climb for about two hours to the Cass Hut. Continue above bush line in alpine meadows to Cass Saddle. Good views of Craigieburns and Hamilton Hut below. Grade: 3 Depart: Yaldhurst Hotel car park at 8am Time: 6 hours Leader: Colin Garthwaite 360 3770

JUNE 29 CONTINUED

SATURDAY TRAMP

JUNE 25

JUNE OVERNIGHTER

Ces Clark Hut Croseus Track, West Coast

Sleeps: 16 June 25-26, 2016 Distance: 4 hours Leader: Dean Stewart Ph. 03 960 3558 Transport: $40 per person Croseus Track is one of the finest surviving examples of a miners’ track (1881) on the West Coast. Visitors can also experience what life was like for miners by staying in historic Croseus Top Hut, or by visiting the Garden Gully Hut. This annual pilgimage to this magical hut is loved by all.

ATTENTION!! Reminder that subscriptions are due.If you have not paid, subscriptions were set at the AGM March 1 and remain unchanged. Invoices were enclosed with April’s printed edition of Going Places. If you receive the electronic version of the newsletter then you would have a received a separate electronic invoice. Peter Street Treasurer

Club members have lunch at a former quarry on Latters Spur Track Trip, May 11. Photo: Cathy Graves

Club members enjoy an invigorating tramp with glorious views of Woodstock and beyond. Photo: Cathy Graves

7 THE OVER FORTIES TRAMPING CLUB INC

OFTC

Travels in Japan with Russell Moffitt (130km in 13 days) Russell Moffitt, a well-known member of OFTC, took a group of 10 travellers to Japan for a fortnight. Six of the group were members of OFTC (Alan and Jean Morgan, Diana Arbon, Shirley Young, Kelvin and Carolyn Lynn). Russell has a small travel company to organise and accompany tours to Japan, usually during the Cherry Blossom season. This was the third such trip that Russell has taken – 18 OFTC members in all. Again, the visit coincided with the arrival of the cherry blossom (sakura). Predictions of the timing of the first cherry blossom have become more complicated with global warming. The group visited Tokyo (five days), Hamamatsu (en route), Kobe (five days), Hiroshima (en route) and Hakata (Fukuoka) (three days). From our base in Kobe we visited Kyoto and Nagoya. We also had a day trip to a traditional spa in Beppu from Hakata. During our trip we sampled gardens, shrines, temples, museums, art galleries and shopping districts. The food was surprisingly varied, cheap and delicious. The weather was similar to autumn in Christchurch. These tours are very good value for money and Russell’s knowledge of the language, local contacts and

JOURNEY TO JAPAN understanding of Kiwi needs make for an enjoyable, hassle-free trip. The cost of the recent April tour of 13 nights was about $4,400. This included the deposit, the return air fare, a two week rail pass and 13 nights bed and breakfast accommodation at three mid-range hotels (single rooms with your own bathroom). The tour cost will vary with the exchange rate. In 2015, another tour company charged over $8,600 for a similar 12 night tour. Unlike most overseas tours, only three hotels were used. The rail pass allowed us to stay at one central hotel and use the fast and convenient bullet train (shinkansen) to travel to and from different scenic highlights. Travel by train, subway, bus or on foot was convenient and pleasant. Not all travel was done seated! One of our group had a Fitbit watch that recorded 130 km walked in 13 days – hence the subtitle. During the tour we met three local Japanese people, known to Russell, who acted as local guides and helped explain some of the cultural and lifestyle differences that exist in Japan. Russell is already planning his 2017 trip. Anybody who is interested should contact Russell Moffitt russellm357@gmail.com Photos of the trip can be found at www.flickr.com/gp/46084875@N08/98p96u

Paul Knox, Ian Fussell and Charlie Ledbrook saw many amazing gorges like this on the Serpentine Hut trip.

THE OVER FORTIES TRAMPING CLUB INC 8

OFTC

Your OFTC Committee Chairman Alistair McKerchar 384 4788 aim@clear.net.nz Vice-Chair: TBA Secretary: Jack Watt 331 7951 jack.watt@xtra.co.nz Treasurer: Peter Street 352 5526 peterstreet@paradise.net.nz Club Captain: TBA Editor: Mavis Airey 0275 293 631 mavis.airey@xtra.co.nz Back-up Editor: David Lloyd 332 8238 oddlyvalid@xtra.co.nz Membership: Fay Jackson 348 9276 fhjackson@xtra.co.nz Committee: Graeme Brown 355 4743 graemebrown1@xtra.co.nz Colin Garthwaite 360 3770 colmarin@xtra.co.nz Sandra Hawkins 337 4219 sfjhawkins@gmail.com Prue Taylor 355 9994 prue4744@gmail Sue Weller 027 336 3755 suzmweller@hotmail.com

Ex Officio

Health & Safety: TBA DOC liaison: Ian Fussell and Colin Mackie Web editor: The Webteam webteam@oftc.org.nz Beacon co-ordinator: Stu McHugh 323 6333 samchugh@xtra.co.nz Welfare: Pauline Timms 351 5161

FIRST AID COURSES The Club is still refunding 80 percent of the cost of approved First Aid Courses. The committee are keen to encourage more members to sign up for a course. Currently, the recommended courses are run by City First Aid—they run a two-day Comprehensive Workplace First Aid Course for $150 on numerous dates monthly. This course is for members who have no current first aid qualification. City First Aid also offer Refresher One-Day First Aid courses designed to keep your current certificate valid (every two years). Please access their website for more information and to book www.cityfirstaid.co.nz

TRAMP NUMBERS Just a reminder that after many years of recording the Tramp Numbers, Mary Brinsdon has honourably retired from the job. Numbers should now be sent to Gavin Hampton. salgav@xtra.co.nz Phone 343 1291

Serpentine Hut: Charlie Ledbrook bags another hut on the Serpentine Hut trip.