My first trip to
the Darren Mountains left me longing to go back - quickly! As a splinter
group of the OTMC Bushcraft Weekend Trip, Chris and 1 set off on Saturday
morning up Moraine Creek. We had just spent Friday night at the road
end shelter on the Lower Hollyford Road. A brilliant starry night
was only disturbed momentarily by the arrival of 3 people in the early
hours. It turned out that the late (or early?) arrivals were 6 members
of the NZ Alpine Club, whom we were about to spend the weekend with!
Saturday was a 9
- 10 hour tramping day, starting with beautiful bush to Camp Flat.
Out of the bush and into open tussock and big boulder country, complete
with superb views all round, The back of Lake Adelaide was our destination,
but this remained hidden for a long time. It didn't appear until we
had dropped into a tam, climbed back up and scrambled over boulders
(house sized!). The last hour was a long one, but on reaching Gil's
Biv, it was well worth it. A cave with a view... eight bedrooms,
fully fitted kitchen (cooking shelf) and air-conditioned. The toilet
"cave" was even equipped with a wooden seat!
A sociable evening
was followed by a long lie in on Sunday. A stroll past Lake South
America and some sun soaking on the slabs at the base of Gifford's
Crack. The climb up the Crack was adrenaline pumping and resulted
in the most amazing views. Mitre Peak and Milford Sound to one side
and Sabre to the other. It was a perfect photo opportunity!
The Alpine Club
people went over Barrier Knob, while Chris and I unprepared for snow
and ice, took the alternative Tourist Route. This route - marked by
sporadic cairns - was nonetheless exciting. Not a route for those
scared of heights and maybe not a good one when wet. It took us over
some great slabs and eventually down onto Gertrude Saddle. Again superb
views, this time of Mt Talbot and Crosscut. Lunch was followed by
a relaxed descent to Black Lakes, where Rob (plastic boots) took a
brave dip in the icy water. I was happy just to fill my water bottle.
The walk out was
very beautiful surrounded by typical Fiordland scenery (minus the
rain). We met a lot of day-trippers on the way down - a walk well
recommended. Homer Hut was reached by 5 pm, and from there 8 of us
(plus packs) squeezed into Malcolm's Tardis car. An amazing feat after
an amazing weekend!
Thanks to the folks
from the NZ Alpine Club for looking after us so admirably.
Jenny Lowe for Chris
Wells, Aaron Whitehead, Shelly Graham, Rob Mitchell, Rob "the Boots",
Malcolm "Tardis Car', and Daniel "Rice Bubbles".
Back
to 1999 Trip Report Archive - Back
to OTMC Bulletin Archive