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The OTMC meets socially at 3 Young Street every Thursday - doors open at 7.30pm, programme begins at 8.00pm. Any ideas, and contact names in particular, are wel- come for the Thursday evening activities. Please con- tact Fiona Webster (Social Convenor) if you can help - see the Committee member list. 7 October Map making in the 21st century. Antony Hamel will tell how you can make your own maps using modern maps, computer graphics, map design, and GPS. 14 October Our liabilty as trampers, with Tony Bridgeman from the police. 21 October Labour weekend - no club night - happy tramping 28 October BYO - the last one from our Winter trip card, so this may be your last chance to show us your snowy photos! 4 Nov Gary and Heather and the OTMC quiz - bring friends and family too and have some fun! Visit us on the Internet at: www.otmc.co.nz Newsletter of the Otago Tramping and Mountaineering Club (Inc.) P.O. Box 1120, Dunedin. OTMC Bulletin Bulletin Number 645, October 2004
Transcript
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The OTMC meets socially at 3 Young Street every Thursday - doors open at 7.30pm,

programme begins at 8.00pm.

Any ideas, and contact names in particular, are wel-come for the Thursday evening activities. Please con-tact Fiona Webster (Social Convenor) if you can help - see the Committee member list.

7 October

Map making in the 21st century. Antony Hamel will tell how you can make your own maps using modern maps, computer graphics, map design, and GPS.

14 October

Our liabilty as trampers, with Tony Bridgeman from the police.

21 October

Labour weekend - no club night - happy tramping

28 October

BYO - the last one from our Winter trip card, so this may be your last chance to show us your snowy photos!

4 Nov

Gary and Heather and the OTMC quiz - bring friends and family too and have some fun!

Visit us on the Internet at: www.otmc.co.nz

Newsletter of the Otago Tramping and Mountaineering Club (Inc.)

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It’s been a long time between drinks, as they say. A lot has changed within the OTMC since my last stint as President, but a lot of what makes the OTMC a great club still remains. In 1994 the OTMC had around 160 members, we are now approaching 250. This is a great result considering the competing interests that have emerged over the intervening years. Looking back, it is interesting to observe the relatively high turnover of active members within the OTMC, with most current members averaging maybe five years with the club. In contrast, the current committee has become very stable. The continuity within the committee structure means that the OTMC virtually runs itself – a tribute to the high calibre of its members. I would like to offer my thanks to all the current committee members – I could not ask for a more obliging group of people to work with. Finally, I would like to acknowledge the contribution Terry Casey, Mike Brettell and Jonette Service have made to the committee over the years. I know their efforts have been appreciated by the OTMC. Positions were formalized at the first meeting of the new committee, and we created the new position of “Clubrooms Officer” in lieu of the tradi-tional “Property and Maintenance” position. This has come about after the hut meeting in June, where the OTMC decided that Yellow Hut proba-bly won’t receive any future maintenance, while Jubilee has been patched up by DoC and apparently is good until 2012 (through minor maintenance will be required). 25 Mile Hut is in an area undergoing tenure review, hence no decision on this hut has been made. (Interestingly, according to a letter in the Wilderness magazine, the hut belongs to Rees Valley Sta-tion, with use granted to the OTMC). Leaning Lodge will hopefully be looked after by a group of interested bodies (including the OTMC), and Big Hut was sold to the R & P Trust last year. With the club’s main asset being the clubrooms, we have appointed Alan to co-ordinate the use and maintenance of the building. He will identify any work that needs to be done and arrange workparties to carry out the work. Additionally, we hope to revamp some of the interior of the clubrooms. The historical photo corner will be changed to give you something new to look at. A future “nice to do” project will be to replace the imperial maps on the walls to the superior (and updated) metric series. Ann is deter-mined to see the tasteful orange carpet replaced, but that may take a little longer! Wolfgang has been appointed to look after the library. His first job is to identify what we have, and then we will be adding books to our collection – so if you have any long overdue OTMC books/maps at home now is a good time to return them! Finally, Ian Sime has offered to convene the group of people interested in the future of Leaning Lodge. If you are interested in this hut, Ian is the person to talk to. Regards, Antony Pettinger

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An unusual, but very satisfying event has occurred this month; three members of the same family have joined us; Sonia, Erika and Anna Rawlings-Blackmore of 29 Glen-ross St, 476 4133. Sonia and Erika both did Bushcraft 2004. Their mother, Henri-etta Rawlings, is a member of very long standing, and her parents before her be-longed to the Club. It’s great to have this multi-generation membership. Ruth Kibble, 53 Bennett Rd, Ocean View, 481 7203, has also joined as a postal member. Helen Jones of Taieri Rd who is going overseas soon has resigned, and Peter & Mieke van Tuel and Yvonne Wharerimu are not renewing their membership. Eric Bradfield is moving to 57 Riccarton Rd West, RD2, Mosgiel, but hasn’t got a phone connection yet. Congratulations to Joseph Donnelly, our Junior member who was recently presented with an ODT Class Act award by the Prime Minister. He plays three wind instru-ments, says how he loves the outdoors, and mentions his membership of our Club.

OUTDOORS So far I’ve found, or had pointed out, 6 errors in this year’s edition: on p6 where Mark Borrie is called Mike; on p36 where the local name for the Waikoau River, “The Waik” is mistakenly called “The Walk”, on p83 where the first time the YWCA is mentioned it is called the YMCA; on p90 where the photo should be at-tributed to Wolfgang Gerber, and a caption bracket is opened but not closed; and in the Index of Advertisers on p104 where Bridgman St Panelbeaters’ ad is listed as being on p46 when in fact it is on p23. I apologise for these, and invite you to let me know of others you find. Ian Sime

Do you know there are club forms available for day trips? They contain a set of guidelines and suggestions for leaders as well as a trip search and rescue form. Before your trip please collect one from the clubrooms (on the right hand side wall as you enter the main doors), or from the club’s website at “otmc.co.nz”, and leave the completed form un-der the clubroom door. These forms are necessary for safety (especially SAR), and also make compiling statistics easier. For more information contact me on 455 0994. Many thanks and en-joy your day walks, Cathy McKersey

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“PACK-YOUR-BIT-IN” DAY SKYLINE TRACK

SATURDAY, 6 NOVEMBER The action starts at 9.30am just in from the north entrance to Sulli-vans Dam. Stay as long as you want or pop in a bit later. Hot drinks and bickies on ‘tap’. Should be a social and rewarding day. Make YOUR contribution to the board walk construction by carry-ing materials to the construction head and helping establish forward depots. Experience the new concept board walking already com-pleted. Take a break trip to Leith Summit and enjoy the view and the Cloud Forests of Leith. We will wheelbarrow materials around the Sullivans Dam Walk to the track entrance. More heavy duty wheelbarrows are most wel-come. Bring your older tramping gear, gloves and pack. Some ma-terial will be packable, some will need hand carrying from relay station to relay station. An “Indication of Helpers” list will go up in the clubrooms to help with planning. We need a base number of helpers, any more turning up on the day is a blessing. Any enquires to [email protected] or 476 7100. Peter & Ken Mason.

COOKER FUEL

Instone Motors on Castle St just north of Hanover St, will fill your reasonable sized containers for $5/litre with Shellite, one of the named brands of white spirits. Their charge rate would probably be higher if you take them a 600ml fuel can.

WANTED ! ! ! From time to time we receive requests from potential members who are new to tramping and want to hire a pack so that they can experience tramping with the OTMC. Unfortunately we do not have any packs in our Gear Cupboard. So if there are any “retired” trampers out there who have packs gathering dust in the basement that they would be prepared to donate to the club, please call either Greg (ph 454 4828) or Alan (ph 455 7878). Thanks!

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DoC’s Visitor Facilities Review last spring suggested that the Rock & Pillar huts’ days might be numbered. It had been many years since I’d last been there, so a promise was made to get back “this summer”. A day before the winter solstice, we finally made it. We chose the most direct route to Leaning Lodge. It’s a four-wheel drive track that zigzags up from 500m. An hour and a half took us to the boundary of the DoC land, and another hour saw us in the snow and arriving at the hut.. A slow moving slip is the reason for DoC’s concerns about the hut’s future, although my impression was it hadn’t moved noticeably in fifteen or so years. With only an hour of daylight remaining, and a strong, bitterly cold wind blowing, we decided a visit to the top of the range wasn’t really on, so settled in for the eve-ning. The hut is well equipped with windows, so it was quite pleasant admiring the views from within shelter until darkness set in. A couple of drinks may have had something to do with us dozing off during the rugby. The next morning presented us with a stunning red sky and relatively mild condi-tions. A ridge to the south-west of the hut provided good access to the tops, enabling us to avoid some treacherous-looking icy gullies. The summit plateau had a patchy covering of thin, frozen snow. It is dotted with schist tors that provide the range’s name. The views, particularly across the Maniototo Plain to the north, were impres-sive. We spent a pleasant hour meandering around the tops, and visiting the Summit Rock. It’s at 1450m, and marks the north-western boundary of Dunedin City – thus allowing the city to claim to be the highest and largest city in New Zealand. Being there on such a great day has to be city living at its best!! A short decent from the summit brought us to Big Hut. DoC’s stated concern about this hut was asbestos used in the building’s construction, but they must be impressed with the restoration work the Rock & Pillar Hut Trust has done to date (as we were), as they’re now talking to them about a lease to secure its long-term future. We lingered at the hut a bit long, and came out to find that the weather had taken a turn for the worse. A biting, polar wind and driving snow meant that the return to Leaning Lodge to collect our gear was a lot quicker and more direct. David Barnes for Barry Flamank

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30 trampers, 3 vans, the perfect combo. It’s over 390km to the Divide but the time just seemed to fly. The full moon followed us right up the Divide where it disappeared behind some fog and by the time we arrived at the Key Summit turn off, the fog was so thick that visi-bility was poor so the romantic romp in the moonlight was placed on hold. We ar-rived at Lake Howden Hut to find no snow. Bugger! So I raised my arms to the heavens and asked the ultimate question - “Where’s the b*&!#y snow?” Thanks to some holy intervention, we awoke next morning to find 10cm of the white powder stuff. This simple act of nature raised the spirit immensely of the party and after a hearty breaky we powdered off through the snow [pun intended]. (Groan!!! - Ed) By the time we arrived at the Earland Falls the sun had peeked through, and at the Orchard, Lake McKerrow came into view, way down the lower Hollyford Valley. There was a brisk southerly blowing, but when we arrived at the hut it was sheltered. The Fit Lads climbed up to the ridge that leads to Ocean Peak, some walked around Lake MacKenzie (which has a subterranean outlet) and others visited Split Rock. It was just nice soaking up our winter Fiordland. The Quiz was held after tea and this year’s best dressed was won by the Medical Team of; Doctor Love, Doctor Who, Doctor Feelgood, Doctor No and Doctor Phil. All wearing gowns, facemasks, rubber gloves and carrying slimy samples in plastic bags! Yuk! Then afterwards some of us went outside to marvel at our winter wonderland scene with the moonlight reflecting off the snow. There was not a breath of wind and the thermometer outside the warden’s hut showed minus 7oC. Next morning the sunrise was amazing with some great photo opportunities. The trip back to the Divide was a typical Fiordland winter landscape with crystal blue sky and snowy mountaintops. The Earland Falls was dropping more snow than water at times, making them a great spectacle. Lunch was at a snowy Howden Hut and fi-nally up to Key Summit to view Lake Marion, Mt Christina, the Eglinton Valley, the Greenstone Valley, Jean Batton Peak, Emily and Ocean Peaks, Harris Saddle, the Hollyford Valley, the Eastern end of the Darrens …………. and no gondolas. So we came out in good time, had tea in Te Anau, and signed out at DoC. Then, for me, into bed at 11.30pm. I would like to thank the food party leaders, the drivers and, of course, Princess Fiona for being my lovely Quiz Assistant.

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Wolfgang Gerber for Murray Johnson, Christine Rells, Liz Clarke, Tim Crocker, Alan Thompson, Jan Piggot, Jacinta Neilson, Russell Auld, Fiona Webster, Richard and Vincent Pettinger, David and Holly Peacock, Philip Somerville, Rob Lawrence, Ralph Harvey, Andrew Kirby, Terry and Carmel Casey, Stefan Scherbaum, Jill McAliece, Lee-Ann Kostelnik, Kathryn Jeyes, Bruce Bernasconi, Paul Van Kampen, David Palmer, Sandra De Vries, Roy Ward and Christine’s niece. PS. Richard found a dog near Earland Falls which we escorted out of the park and finally dropped off at Te Anau Police Station. As some of you who are on the emailing list will know, a home has been found for the little foxy. It’s all a little bit sad that the dog had not been listed as missing, so it had obviously been abandoned in the National Park. An absolute no-no. It was not a pretty sight that greeted the sixteen of us when we went to check out our accommodation at the Kawarau Holiday Park Lodge. We were met by three youths who had obviously had too much to drink. One was making full use of his cargo pants with bottles being carried in every pocket, causing the “waist” to hang even lower down his backside than is the current teenage fashion. He seemed the one who was worst for wear. Anyway, the intoxicated adolescents were not unfriendly so we chose our shared bunkrooms and settled in – or tried to. Our inebriated friends were going to ensure that things would be going “bump” in the night. However, it seems that this annoyed other young people who were also staying at the lodge and who knew the one with the extremely “lo-rider” cargo pants. They were concerned he would get them thrown out. We heard them give him a couple of warnings, then there were a couple of sickening crunches – then blessed silence. After a good night’s sleep and a hearty breakfast we saw how our friend had been silenced: somebody had whacked him in the lip. His track top was covered in blood and, with difficulty, he was trying to smoke a cigarette. He was still friendly towards us, nevertheless, and made a mumbled attempt to say “Good morning.” Still, thick lips were not our concern as Mike Brettell arrived to give us a hurry-up. Although the cloud was quite low, there was little wind and therefore conditions would be rea-sonable up on the Remarkables ski-field. The first “snowcraft” lesson for some of us was how to put chains on the drive wheels of a car. To some highly competent people, such as Sandra, this was no problem; but to totally impracticable people, such as Tony, it was just a matter of

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standing around and trying to look competent. However, us incompetent types got some comfort when, as we drove up to the ski-field carpark, we saw numerous other vehicles stopped by the side of the road and their occupants trying to re-adjust the previously flailing chains. Once we were parked and kitted out, Mike wasted no time in getting his instruction under way. He found a suitable slope up from the left of the main chairlift. (As the cloud cover was low, we could not move far from the ski-field areas in case we needed to make a quick descent, if the weather deteriorated.) Following his clear instructions, we were all soon expertly hacking steps with our ice-axes up the slope and then sliding down to practice self-arresting. Despite the snow being quite soft, we were able to have a good length of slide before flipping over to self-arrest. Being the hard taskmaster that he is, Mike then had us climb higher to look for firmer snow in which to use our crampons. This done, we then tried to master the intricacies of tying crampons to boots. As with putting chains on car wheels, some showed much more competency than others! We stomped around for a while, get-ting the feel of large spikes attached to the soles of our boots and gaining confidence in their grip. Unfortunately, in the meantime, the weather had started to deteriorate so we made our way back down. Fortunately, however, we were able to use this descent to again have great fun practising sliding and self-arresting – this time having to remember that we were also wearing crampons! Sunday dawned cold and windy, with a sprinkling of snow down to lake level. But by the time we had had breakfast and Mike arrived, the wind had dropped and blue sky appeared. (How does he do it?) This time we were off to Coronet Peak for more of the same. After revising how to put on chains, we soon arrived at the carpark, put on our crampons, and headed once more into the white wilderness. The cloud base was again low, but we were able to find a long slope close to a ski-lift that was not being used. Mike was able to give us further instruction here, and after more prac-tice and then lunch, in clearing weather, we pushed on to look for another slope. Just when we thought we had found one, the previously still ski-lift began to move and a ski-patroller told us we would have to move elsewhere, as fast-moving persons in the form of snowboarders would soon be descending upon us. We decided to make our own unhurried descent, and in doing so found an ideal steep slope with some hard snow and a safe run-off. This gave the more daring of our group the op-portunity to show off their newfound skills. There were some intentional very rapid slides that were expertly self-arrested with deft use of the ice-axe. There were also some unintentional, uncontrolled, very rapid slides! (Dave: 2/10 for “controlled” slide, 10/10 for self-arrest recovery; Roy: 2/10 for “controlled” slide, 3/10 for self-arrest recovery.) Most of us had at least one go on this slope, some had multiple slides. It was a great way to finish the weekend. Our full appreciation and thanks must go to Mike Brettell, who gave of his time when he is obviously very busy. When Mike was not wielding his ice-axe, he was wielding his cellphone, checking with his assistant that a particular venue was being set up with the right equipment. Thanks again, Mike.

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Tony Timperley for Sandra de Vries, Dave Chambers, Roy Ward, Ian Timperley, James Somerville, et al

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OTMC has light weight, quick drying T-shirts for sale. Avail-able in red, navy, forest green, pale blue, and orange; all sizes (small to XXL, others sizes on request). Normal retail = $59, OTMC price = $48. Also baseball caps in navy or bottle green - $18 See and try them at the clubrooms. Order yours now, in time for Christmas

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On Sunday 15 August, we went for a walk up Mt Cargill. At the beginning there was no snow, and we walked through a big forest of pine trees. Then we came to the bush. We stopped for a rest, and then started walking again. Not long after that we came to a bridge that had snow on it. We threw snowballs at each other. There was not much snow in the bush. We followed a scenic view-point. There was lots of snow. Everything was covered in snow and was beautiful. We carried on up the hill. The snow got deeper. There was no wind and it was fun. We stopped at the turn off to the Organ Pipes for a rest. Then we went back down again. It was a fun day. Jade Pettinger (aged 8) The forecast wasn't good and waking to a scattering of snow didn't bode well but the kids were keen to get out into deeper snow so we headed off to Bethune's Gully. There were only two other hardy souls, Poppa, and Shelly, a non-member. The kids were eager to get up the hill into the snow so we headed off up through the pine tree plantation, then into the bush. The mild temperatures and lack of wind made for pleasant walking and it wasn't long before we came to the first lot of snow at the first bridge. Here we stopped for the first, and by no means last, snow fight amid much laughter. As we moved higher the snow grew thicker, coating the ferns and turning them into giant umbrellas. Walking in the front proved dangerous for the unsuspecting when those behind shook the trees, creating small snowstorms. We eventually came to the turn off to the Organ Pipes and, after a short debate as to the merits of going on, decided to turn back. The snow was ankle deep and the children were getting tired. I was surprised they had come this far and were still in good spirits. After a short snack break we headed back down the hill. It was a bit disappointing to return to Bethune's Gully and no snow but by then the children were tired and weren't interested in playing any more. It was a lovely day, the lack of wind and mild temperatures made for a pleasant walk and those that turned up enjoyed the outing. Waking to a major snowfall on Monday morning was a wonderful bonus. Debbie Pettinger for Jade (8), Dylan (5), Poppa (Ken) and Shelley

Mt Cargill Daytrip

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What's up in Conservation & Recreation

Advocacy? As DoC works through the submissions on the Fiordland National Park Management Plan, it lets us know what parts of our submission is being incorporated into it's recommendation to the Conservation Board. This month they did agree with a suggestion that removed restrictions (which may have been inadvertent) on the use of bikes on Wilmot Pass, and they will allow anyone who wants to cart a bike over Percy Saddle to do so. We've registered our interest in the DCC's examination of it's policy on landscape values. The 'city' includes the Silver Peaks, Peninsula, Rock &Pillars, Maungatuas & Lammerlaws. OTMC activism with the Silver-peaks County got the core of the Silver Peaks into a landscape protection zone in the ‘80s. Transit NZ are consulting on proposals to realign the motorway at Leith Saddle. Our prime aim is foot and bicycle access across the motorway to enable the complete Skyline walkway to be used (legally). Botanical and landscape issues are also being considered. The DCC wants to control 4WDs on "unformed" legal roads after firstly identifying all such roads. We've pointed out that many such roads don't comply with legal requirements to have gates and signs where fences cross them, and suggested that when they know where the roads are they will be well placed to uphold the law. The monorail proposal will need to be monitored. I suspect they're relying on the "at least it's not the Caples gondola" reaction, combined with not being in the National Park. However, it’s impacts will still be significant both recreationally and ecologically, and it still does nothing to ease con-gestion at Milford. Mervyn Rogers (a member for 50 years - his name is in the Pollite Hut book) is attending a tenure review meeting in Alexandra later this month. We probably need to keep a close eye on the current crop of tenure reviews, as they include some really key properties - Mt Aspiring, Coronet Peak (which includes the area around Macetown and reaches right up to near Branches), and a whole lot of properties on the NW side of the Rock & Pillars. David Barnes, Conservation & Recreation Advocate for OTMC

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CHIEF GUIDE COMMENT I often look at the first weekend trip in September as being the one that marks the start of another summer tramping season (with the OTMC of course). This trip has just run, being an excellent tramp in Westland (well, it is over the Divide). Although the sun refused to show itself during the weekend trip to the Wills, we had perfectly normal weather for the area. A light rain most of the weekend, with mild tempera-tures, seemed to be quite fitting for this sombre valley. We had a successful snowcraft weekend in August, and I would like to thank Mike Brettell and Sandra de Vries for their contribution to this trip. Sandra stepped in and arranged the Dunedin side of things, and Mike somehow managed to balance his work and Snowcraft to end up with a successful weekend. Looking forward, this Bulletin sees the release of the summer tripcard. Again, I have tried to cater for everyone’s ability, whilst keeping the programme interesting at the same time. With Easter occurring early next year I have taken the opportunity to programme an OTMC 10 day trip by combining Easter with Anniversary weekend. There is already quite a bit of interest in this as most members haven’t had the chance to spend 10 days in the hills. I intend this trip to continue my philosophy of no huts/no tracks (well, some rough tracks maybe!). It will be a great chance to test your bushcraft skills and get to somewhere where you wouldn’t normally go. The downside of having an early Easter is that Bushcraft tends to get crammed in. To this end, the optional weekend is separated from the first part of the course by the Easter break but it should still work out okay. Thank-you to all the members who have offered to lead trips, be they day or week-end trips. The club wouldn’t function without you. A big thanks to Cathy McKersey for compiling another interesting list of day trips. Check out the tripcard and mark your calendars now!

HISTORICAL MACETOWN (ALL) LABOUR WEEKEND 23 - 25 OCTOBER

Wolfgang Gerber wk 477 7443, h 453 1155

Gold was discovered in the Arrow River, upstream from Arrowtown in 1862, and a township called Macetown was established under the shadow of Advance Peak. Having three days available allows more time to visit and explore the area, rather than rushing in and out again in two days. Labour weekend is a popular time for

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4WDs to visit the area, but they will stay mainly around the old town site itself, and the 4WD track stops at the Andersons Battery. There are numerous areas to camp, but further up from Macetown beside the Rich Burn would be ideal. The plan for the weekend is to walk into Macetown via the Arrow river. Along the way there are several significant historical sites en-route we can visit and learn more about the history of the area and marvel at the effort made by the early miners in search of GOLD. The road to Macetown crosses the river several times and, depending what route you take, the river will have to be crossed up 22 times, making this a good time to prac-tice river crossings! To soak up all the sights, allow half a day to get in to Mace-town, where we will spend two nights. As it is too expensive to take vans for the long weekend trip, private cars are the only option. Once there, numerous day trips can be made which I will explain on Thurs-day nights leading up to the trip, and there will also be a display at the clubrooms some time in the future. Advance Peak is one option, and at 1742m, good views will be guaranteed. The outgoing option could be the Big Hill Track, which would make the weekend trip an almost round trip, with some great views of the Wakatipu Basin, the Remarkables and the rest of the surrounding mountains. Some parties might want to leave Dunedin at lunch time on the Friday and walk into Macetown as it can be done in three hours. This would be an option for fitter parties only. If people have any questions about the trip please ring any time.

LEANING LODGE (ROCK AND PILLARS (ALL) 6-7 NOVEMBER

FIONA WEBSTER 487 8176 As Leaning Lodge received much support at the special meeting regarding the future of OTMC huts, we have decided to run a weekend trip to the area. If you have never been to the area, here is a good opportunity to visit the hut as well as explore further along the Rock and Pillar range. It is hoped that a preliminary inspection of the hut structure can be made so we can move forward in line with the OTMC’s decision regarding the future of Leaning Lodge.

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Editor’s Note:- As you can see, I’ve got to squeeeeeze this into a corner, there have been so many contributions for this issue! Thanks for all the di-verse articles, with quite a range in age (8 years old→Ian) and content, they are much appreciated. And, of course, the more people who contribute, the better the Bulletin will represent our club. And I’ve slightly tweeked the for-mat too. Enjoy! Robyn Bell

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MAITLAND/FREEHOLD CREEK AREA (ALL)

20-21 NOVEMBER PETER STEVENSON 454 4118

The destination for this trip is Dumb-bell Lake, located on the western side of the Ohau Range. This is a great area for weekend trips but for some reason the OTMC hasn’t been here much over the years. There is a bit of climbing involved to get to the best bits, but the views are well worth the effort. Once in the sub alpine basins there are numerous tarns, campsites and rock outcrops (and speargrass!) One way to access the lake is to climb up either Sawyers or Freehold Creek, over the top of the Ohau Range, and along to the lake. Travel along the tops here is relatively easy going, with little/no bush and good views. The trip into and out of Dumb-bell Lake via Freehold and Sawyers Creeks is a moderate one and will make a great early summer trip. It is possible to make a round trip for the journey home, either by the creek not visited on Saturday, or perhaps further north via the ski area. There is an option for fit parties to complete a through trip via the Maitland Valley.

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Gear Hire The new price list for weekend gear hire, effective 14/9/2004, is:- $10/Weekend Available to OTMC groups only (free) Crampons Tent flies Iceaxes Snow shovels Cookers (incl billy) First Aid kits Tents (please replace used contents before Packs (when available) returning)

(Note: 50% discount applies to OTMC members)

Please complete the Gear Hire Book and pay with your trip fee to the Secretary. For Gear Hire enquiries please contact either Greg Powell ph. 454 4828 or 0274 330 231 or Alan Thompson ph. 455 7878 or 477 2900

There are a significant number of non club members / organizations that hire our gear and the current charges don’t reflect the true cost of owning, maintaining and replacing the equipment, hence the hire charges have been increased. However, so as to not discourage OTMC members from hiring gear, they will be entitled to a 50% discount off hire charges as part of their annual membership fee. (Thus the hire cost to members is unchanged.) Greg Powell

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Committee Members 2004-2005 President Antony Pettinger 473 7924 Vice President Greg Powell 454 4828 Secretary Jenni Wright 454 5061 Treasurer Ann Burton 476 2360 Imm. Past Pres Terry Casey 454 4592 Chief Guide/Transport Antony Pettinger 473 7924 Membership Secretary Ian Sime 453 6185 Gear Hire Greg Powell 454 4828 Daytrip Convenor Cathy McKersey 455 0994 Funding Greg Powell 454 4828 Publicity/Library Wolfgang Gerber 453 1155 Social Convenor Fiona Webster 487 8176 Clubrooms Officer Alan Thomson 455 7878 Bushcraft Antony Pettinger 473 7924 Committee Sandra de Vries 473 7224 Committee Peter Mason 455 7074 (outside committee) Bulletin Editor Robyn Bell 488 2420 Conservation/Advocacy David Barnes 454 4492 SAR Contact Teresa Wasilewska 477 4987

Contributions (limit of 1000 words) are welcome for the November Bulletin, deadline is 14/10/04, publication 28/10/04. You can submit material on floppy disc (PC not Mac please), email ‘[email protected]’ (without the quotes), or post to Robyn Bell, 8 Roy Crescent, Concord, Dunedin. Thanks.

Last year Richard Waugh, Avian Historian, published a book about the Lockheed Electra. His present research project is a history book about Captain Brian Chadwick and the missing DH90 Dragonfly ZK-AFB. Chadwick was a pioneer small airline pilot from Harewood (Christchurch) during the 1950s and eventually started his own charter business. On 12 February 1962, in the Dragonfly and with four tourist passengers onboard, he went missing on a Christchurch to Milford Sound flight. Nothing was found, despite the largest aerial search ever conducted in New Zealand. Richard is seeking any information from trampers and mountaineers about this incident, or anything unusual they have seen in that area, or about Chadwick and his Dragonfly. He hopes to have his book ready for launch by late 2005, so if you can help, please contact him:- Richard Waugh, 80 Highland Park Drive, Howick, Auckland ph 09 5339400, fax 09 5334957, email: [email protected] website: www.nzairlineresearch.co.nz

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Taieri River track (E/M) October 3

We will walk in from the Taieri river end, lunching at Henley, then return (18 easy kms). Excellent views in all directions. This is a great training start to summer tramping. Good footwear and clothing essential. Leader Olive Neilson ph 464 0090

Unexplored Silverpeaks (F) 10 October

Try something new and different! We'll go to a place none of us have been to be-fore. The destination and route will be decided at the Clubrooms at 9am. This might not be a stroll suitable for the family, as I for one have done most of them already. Richard Pettinger ph 497 9488

Power Ridge-Silverstream (M-F) (The Southern Traverse route)

17 October We’ll blow out the cobwebs with a climb up Powder Ridge, then follow the route of the Southern Traverse adventure race by putting in a short, sharp downhill bushbash followed by a couple of kms in the beautiful Silverstream. When we’ve had enough of that, we’ll be on the Raceman’s Track heading for the cars. If the stream is high, we’ll do something else equally satisfying in that area. Leader David Barnes ph 454 4492

Purakanui & Mapoutahi Beachwalk (E) 31 October

Purakanui, north of Port Chalmers, has a long sandy beach, a private sheltered bay and the headland of Mapoutahi, once the site of a Māori pa. On parking our cars (approx. 25km from town) it's about 10 mins walk along a sandy track to Purakanui Beach, where we turn left along the sand and up the steps to where Mapoutahi pa once stood. We can then wander around this site and the smaller beach beyond, be-fore turning back and winding our way around the estuary. Returning to our cars, we will then drive to the picnic area in Purakanui to have our lunch and explore another track nearby. This track was reopened in 1994 and was the only link between the Osborne Railway Station and Purakanui village. Crib owners would walk from the railway station to Purakanui, carrying food and supplies required for their holidays. Meet at the clubrooms at 9am. Cost $6. Leader is Jacqui Cornelissen 471 9545


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