BOOTPRINTS October 2015 Volume 14 Number 5 P O Box 733, Wanaka 9343 Affiliated to Federated Mountain Clubs of NZ Inc. Opinions expressed or events described in this newsletter might not represent club policy or the view of all club members. Contributions for November 2015 Bootprints should be sent to Charlotte Holmes at [email protected] by the 25th October 2015. Please send photos as a JPEG attachment with less than 1000 KB/1 MG of resolution. Photos do need to be larger than 50KB to be placed in newsletter without being pixilated. Please include a caption so that I know where to properly place the photo amongst the text.

OCTOBER CLUB NIGHT - October 14th - Bob Mclachlan & fellow team mates from Torpedo 7 Adventure Race Team, talking about the last GODZone Race in our back yard. PRESIDENTS REPORT We were given a thought provoking presentation by Derek Grzelewski at this month's club night. Derek is a keen skier, photographer (and contributor to New Zealand Geographical), fishing guide, and writer. He spoke to us of the benefits of the wilderness experience, encouraging us to slow down and appreciate our surroundings. He finished with a slide show on his laptop computer. Fisherman Mike Turner thanked Derek for his presentation. The Wanaka festival of sport at Mount Aspiring College was supported by committee members who were able to promote the club and our activities. For those who have not previously attended this club promotion day, I can highly recommend it. The Saturday morning is a great opportunity to see the depth of coaching provided to young and not so young Wanaka residents throughout the year.

The final winter walk lead by Brian Cleugh was along the Millennium Track from Glendhu Bay to Waterfall Creek. Thanks to Karen (in particular) and Brian for leading the winter series of walks. Karen was again to the fore with organisation of the once postponed snow shoe day at the Snow Farm. See Karen's report and photographs of a most enjoyable outing attended by 17 of us in perfect weather conditions. I had not previously been to the Kirtle Burn Hut so was thrilled to be on this trip and appreciate the wide open Otago hilltops. Finally, please have a look at the summer trip list and plan your summer activities around it. If in doubt about any trip please contact the appointed trip leader for further details. Regards, Rod Macleod

UPCOMING TRIPS FOR OCTOBER 1. Saturday 10th October - Aspiring Hut (E). The first trip of the new season is a day trip to Aspiring Hut in the Matukituki Valley. This is also our club open day for the year, which (as with all our trips) is open to all. Last year on our open day, we had 28 people, of which only 10 were members. It would be great to see more members along this year, so that all the new people get plenty of opportunity to chat to members. It will be an easy walk to the hut, followed by a free lunch supplied by the club. (This year I'm planning to drive in with Jim, so we can have lunch ready when everyone arrives, and to that end I will require some other members to lead and tail end the group). There is the option to walk further up the valley also. We will depart from Dungarvon St car park at 8 am. Remember, we're into the new season now, and it's time to let the leader know in advance if you want to come on the trip. Ph Karen 443 7409 2. Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th October - Mt. Brewster (M). Contact John Glynn if interested. Phone 443 1658 or e-mail [email protected]. 3. Saturday 24th October - Coronet Ski Field to Big Hill (M). Contact Rod MacLeod if interested. Phone 443 4919 or e-mail [email protected]

TRIP REPORTS WINTER WALK: Sunday 20th September was led by Brian Cleugh Walking the Glendhu Bay to Waterfall Creek track was only the second time the club has done this. The first, as a Winter Walk, was done by Karen, Maureen and Brian immediately after the track was completed. We were back at the Pembroke Park carpark in a time of about 4 hrs. The weather this time was perfect for the walk. Only Ruth and Ron joined Maureen and Brian, so it was a simple exercise to drop off a car at Waterfall Creek and drive to the Glendhu Park to begin.

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With the occasional stop to enjoy the changing scenery as we passed round the bays and over the ridges which are a feature of this walk, we reached Waterfall Creek in 2 and a half hours. No-one showed any enthusiasm for a suggested climb of Ironsides Hill on the way. We drove back to the Glendhu Bay carpark and enjoyed a leisurely lunch on the lake shore. Brian Cleugh WINTER WALK: Thursday 24th September SNOWSHOE TRIP ON PISA RANGE Participants: Karen, Ian & Sally, Warren, Rod, Ruth & Jan, Inez, Ian & Jane, Lynn, Angie, Helen, Alan, Ron, Joan, Stephanie. The planned snowshoe trip on the first Saturday of the month was cancelled, and despite the fact that the Snowfarm was officially closed, I was able to arrange another trip. So 17 of us set off from the Snowfarm lodge just before 10 am on a gorgeous spring day with little wind, and ideal snow conditions. It was fantastic to have such a great turnout, and nice to have 4 very recently joined up members along with us.

From the lodge we walked on and off trail to Meadow Hut, where we stopped for a morning tea break.

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From there, we headed to Kirtle Burn Hut, with, again a mixture of on and off trail. The off trail was certainly more interesting, particularly a lovely deep snow-filled valley just before the hut.

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Still masses of snow around the hut, and the toilet had a layer of ice topped with melt-water which meant extra care needed for ablutions!

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After lunch, a climb behind the hut took us up onto the tops, where we had amazing views. The few wispy clouds cleared away to reveal Mt Aspiring, and we were "surrounded by spectacularness"!

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We stayed on the tops for a good hour or so, following a ridge line above the Prince Burn, which lead us back down to the Snowfarm trail system. This was the highlight of the trip - on such a glorious day, this was surely THE place to be in the world!

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The last steep downhill was a challenge, then a leap across the Roaring Meg onto the Snowfarm trail, and a short break before the gradual ascent back to the lodge.

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I've had some excellent days skiing up at the Snowfarm over the years, but this would have to rate as one of the best! It's always amazing to get up on the tops in winter, and we're so lucky to have such easy access so close to where we live. We really should get up there more often! That said, I fully intend to do the same trip next year, but on skis! (consider this an early warning - a little crosscountry skiing/ski touring practice beforehand will make the day easier!). And possibly an overnight trip as well. This was a fabulous trip enjoyed by all, and some of us finished it off with hot drinks back in Wanaka at Patagonia. Thanks to all who came to make it such a great trip! I hope there wasn't too much muscle fatigue afterwards! Report by Karen. Photos by Karen, Rod, and Stephanie.

CLUB EXECUTIVE 2015-2016 President

Rod MacLeod

443 4919 443 7409

[email protected]

Past President

Karen Marinkovic

[email protected]

Trip Coordinator

Brian Cleugh

443 4634

Secretary

Glyn Baker

443 6879

[email protected]

Treasurer

Jane Baker

443 6879

[email protected]

Committee

John Taylor

443 1605

[email protected]

[email protected]

Vice President

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Leo Garmonsway Bootprints Editor

443 5959

[email protected]

Charlotte Holmes 021 079 0785

[email protected]

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