tramping new zealand

Much as I enjoy staying on a comfortable bed in a cabin, out of the weather, it was time to move on. More territory to explore.

The Old Man Range called.

An unsealed road goes up to the top of the range, and I managed to drive up about halfway.

First, I loaded some fresh food at Alexandra, and diverted to look at the Illustrious Energy Hut in the Aldinga Conservation area in a rock overhang that has had stone walls added to make a cozy shelter, complete with chimney.

That investigated, as well as some mining earthworks, it was time to look at the historic Mitchell House, where two brothers, one unmarried, the other with wife and 10 children, built a lovely stone house with a magnificent view. It took 20 years to build.

Plenty of wind today, but it would be incredibly cold in winter.

The car got me to the Kopuwai Conservation Area boundary, at around 950 m. Just as I locked the car, a four-wheel-drive vehicle cruised up, and Jack and Pedro asked if I needed a lift to the top. I’d stopped at the appropriate place because the road and weather conditions had seriously deteriorated.

A few minutes later, I was let out at my track turnoff into a whiteout. Now at 1630 m, or thereabouts. The wind was fierce, but I had less than an hour to drop down the other side of the range to Nicholsons Hut.

Another 70+-year-old musterers’ hut, but in reasonable and tidy condition. It was warmer off the ridge, but I was wet.

On with warm clothes, dinner eaten in my sleeping bag.

That’s not exactly a first.