Trip report by Judy Yuretich & Co
Trip dated: 27 Sunday December1999 - 6 January 2000
Christmas
Trip Memorabilia from the Newton Saddle Septet
Day One
Fond farewells with Liz and Mike's party, then set off at 8.00 am along
the Taipo river. Stopped at 9.00 am for our first cup of tea (Bill insisted).
Bill then begins his wilderness experience by taking an early morning dip in
the Taipo (unplanned).
We cross the river in the luxury of Scotty's cableway, winding each other
across - great fun.
Mid-Taipo Hut - what a welcome sight after a looooooong day - dinner, then the
first of many games of Taranaki gin rummy and so to bed - all keenly anticipating
the next day's tramp to Newton Creek Hut, according to the track description,
just a doddle - luckily we didn't know what was in store for us!
Day Two
Track guides said an 80-metre climb up a dry creek bed then on to Dun's
creek hut - piece of cake, we thought.
After hauling ourselves up a steep 400 metre dry waterfall, we finally arrived
at the hut 3ý hours later. Threw that bit of the guide away.
Fed the weka, lay in the sun - then;
*endless climb up the creek to Newton Saddle
*the 'shortcut'
with a bonus 1 ý hours tramping
*Fons takes on a bush but loses the battle, slides down a steep slope
*keas meet us at the top
*luckily find 2 tent sites on the other side on an otherwise very steep slope
Day Three
On down the creek. The boulder hopping became boulder climbing, abseiling,
acrobatic - the challenge increased dramatically, Ed Hillary would have been
proud of us.
Newton Creek hut - what a delight - an oasis of peace, comfort and spare food,
and no sandflies! Sleeping in the sun, gin rummy on the rocks and the
obligatory weka, the honorary hut warden.
Day Four
The Blair Witch encounter - thanks Gordon!
Losing the track at the Arahura river (why no markers DOC?) and bushcrashing
and stream bashing again up 3rd Gorge creek on to the pack track 'highway'
and markers everywhere.
The stunning Harman gorge and swingbridge, delightful Harman Hut, and mountains
surrounding us. The daily excitement and anticipation of waiting for the radio
schedules each evening.
Day Five - New Years Eve
Lunch at beautiful Lake Browning the best lunch spot on the whole trip surrounded
by spectacular mountains, so majestic yet peaceful. Carried on to the
summit of Browning Pass and were stopped in our tracks at the sheer beauty of
the Wilberforce river valley, and the sheer drop straight down to it!
Looked at each other in horror - 'let's go back to Harman hut"!
Inching our way down and around the sheer mountain face trying not to send the
crumbling rocks down on to someone below - scarey stuff.
Sent 1999 off in fine style, and welcomed the New Year in with some 'resolutions';
Bill's offering the more you know the less the better (go figure!)
Brian's - to create a new world order by becoming Emperor. This
fantasy quickly became factual in his mind, we all became his subjects and lackeys!
Janice's - to drink more water, - as if she hadn't had enough
going over Newton Saddle!
Day Six - New Year's Day
Hut bound: more cards, more food, more sleep, more 'jokes' - cabin fever?
Falafels and pikelets over the fire.
Weather forecast that night promising worsening weather-we hope 'they'
have got it wrong.
Day Seven
Council meeting - over Whitehorn or back over Browning Pass. After looking
longingly and wistfully up at Whitehorn, shrouded in heavy black rain clouds,
we decided to take on Browning Pass again - another hair-raising climb.
Regrets set in as the sun begins to shine on us. Nevertheless, these are
soon forgotten when the weather changes to heavy rain, gales and sleet.
Back at Harman hut and trouble with radio transmission has everyone holding
their breath as we try to give Mike a message to pick us up the next day.
'King Brian' doubles as aerial prop.
Day Eight
We follow the Styx river with many waterfalls.
Gordon has no luck trout fishing with the handline.
A long day ends happily at Hokitika motorcamp hot showers fish and chips and
large ice-creams!
Day Nine
After our intrepid adventures, back in Arthur's Pass we became day trippers
- Temple Col, Avalanche Peak and lunch with an entertaining kea; and coffee
connoisseurs. The Latte Club recommends Oscar's café at Arthur's
Pass - fabulous food and wonderful coffee, absolutely the way to start a day's
tramping.