Brumms Ck, Lake Brunner

After a slightly grey/cold day in Arthurs pass, we were very pleased to wake to clear skies. As we drove to the coast, the warm sun melted away all memories of the 4 degree night..



We cruised over to Brumms Creek and after a bit of a recce, we found the farmer to ask for permission to cross his land to reach the forest. He didn't seem to mind at all, or really care what we did provided we didn't bother his stock and left the gates as we found them...







We strolled accross paddocks and waded accross ditches (complete with blackberry bush and electric fences!) to meet the native bush. The final pitch was easily visible as we hiked over, showing the last bluff that seemed to run right around the forest edge. We found a tricky spot to ascend a low section of the bluff, then climbed steeply through moderately thick west coast bush,



We climbed for about an hour from the car, only making 300m of altitude gain before dropping in. I had a flight back to Palmy at 6pm, so we really couldn't afford to mess around.



More canyon lay above the spot that we entered, but we still had plenty to keep amused..

Grant on the first drop

Can be jumped to a good pool (6m)

Lots of nice short drops in the upper section

Past the middle gorge section, that had plenty of nice shortish drops, there was a 10 minute stretch of open bouldery travel before we reached the final steep drop sequence. There were 3 pitches in the low 30's, with a wee strech of escapable stream in between the final and penultimate drop.

Scrambling down to the top of the final drop sequence

R4

Grant and Chucky on R5

The final drop had great views from the slot through to the valley floor. It was an abrupt and spectacular end to a wonderful new canyon!

R6, final drop 35m

Curtis Creek, Arthurs Pass NP

Grant, Toine, David and I joined up for a day's canyoning in Arthurs Pass. The weather looked stable enough, but it wasn't all that warm (even though it was still March). We chose to do one of the smaller projects in the area; Curtis Creek.

Toine, Dave and Grant at Otira Valley Carpark

The trip began with a stroll up the Otira valley, then climbing a scree up towards Warnocks Knob. From there we crossed tussock and scrub covered hillsides to enter the canyon.

At first the stream was bouldery with steep tussock walls, but before long we got our first short secctions of true gorge.

Chucky on the first drop


Nice gorge sections

The stream continued with alternating open and gorgy sections, before a long middle section of open boulder hopping. Beneath that, the lower section of the canyon began with quick fire rappels as the stream descended more steeply and the sides became true canyon walls.

Nice and narrow now

We spotted several old anchor slings throughout the canyon, which meant it wasn't a first descent unfortunately. However it had all the challenge of a first descent, not knowning what was next and having to (re)make all your own anchors anyway

Classic bedrock drops and deep clean pools in the lower canyon

Finally we arrived at the top of the big final drop that can be seen from the Otira Viaduct. We'd only two 60m ropes, so were a little concerned that they weren't going to reach. However they were about 50cm too long for the drop... Efficient use of cordage eh?

The final big drop, 59m

As we pulled the rope from the final drop, it hung up briefly somewhere after it had pulled from the anchor. (on a flake 2/3 the way up the fall). Without hesitation, we pulled harder, trying to make sure it didn't stick totally. Unfortunately this pulled the loose flake off the wall, sending soccer ball sized boulders our way. Grant spotted the rock, and yelled a warning. The pitch and volume of his voice sent us all leaping for cover; Toine got a glancing blow on the knee, whilst Grant was smacked in the wrist with a much smaller rock.. Toines rope was the worst casualty, being sliced cleanly in two places, reducing his 60m rope into a 4om, 14m and 6m set...

After this excitement, it was an easy stroll down to the Otira river, and up to the base of the viaduct and back to the car..

Finders Keepers...

An ice axe found in the stream, perhaps from a mishap on Mt Philistine.

Sawtooth Ridge, Ruahine FP

Pip and I had a fun trip through Sawtooth Ridge with Chris and Kelly from the PNTMC.

After a swift car shuttle, we began up the track to Longview Hut. The skies were clear as we drove toward the range, but as we tramped higher the clouds developed and above Longview the rain, wind and poor vis arrived.. Strange for such a nice forecast...

We strolled along the tops with compass and map, having a few brief glimpses of a view before reaching Howletts Hut mid afternoon.

Next morning, it dawned beautifully clear and we enjoyed a wonderful sunrise. However as we climbed toward Tiraha and the start of Sawtooth, the cloud came in and we sadly began to accept a viewless traverse. At first the lack of vis was handy, as the ridge was pretty thin and moderately exposed in places. But before too long the clouds dissapated again to treat us with great views and hot sunshine!

We paused briefly at Tarn Biv and in the Tukituki river before making it back to the Carpark, tired but satisfied...

Misty Times on Daphne Ridge

Howletts Hut

Dan and Pip

Hawkes Bay Sunrise

Kelly climbs to Tiraha

On Sawtooth Ridge

Getting thinner

Our friends descending Otumore

Tarn Bivvy