Trip Reports - Mt Whitnow Station - Mt Lyford Area
North Canterbury Trip Saturday 22nd to Tuesday 25th April 2023
You cant say this trip wasn’t uneventfull
Up at 6 to put last thing in the van ,on the road at 8 ,looks like rain 2 van on the road to timaru to pick up the3rd van , o shit they have a flatty, and there is smoke coming off the van wheel ,lock brakes off and away we go ,heres the rain and more rain ,very wet most of the way . Set up camp at Hawarden.
Saturday was a great day , Sunday was not too bad , Monday a bloody balls up snow on the hills , track wet as one truck had to be pulled back on the track . Tuesday just a bloody disaster trip leader whom we are paying got stuck and stuck he was , no recovery gear, just as well a few trucks had the gear to do the job ,
Just cant help asking where the trailer was, Over all we had great time
Norm Moreton
Mt Whitnow Trip
At 8 a.m. Saturday 22nd April, 7 vehicles left Hawarden and travelled 45 minutes inland to Mount Whitnow where we met up with 4 more vehicles and the station owner, Donald Williamson and his manager Chris, (Jim and Julie Sinclair's son in law).
Donald, an absentee landowner had come up from Ashburton to give us a guided tour of the property.
After Donald had given us a briefing on the station we headed up the Waitohi River, then down the Okuku River, which we followed southwards until reaching Den stream where we walked up to an old farmhouse site of years ago, known as the 'The Den'. We then backtracked where we encountered a slight hitch at a gateway as north Canterbury has had an exceptionally wet season. Following the Waitohi river we drove past forestry, over another ridge and dropping into the Pan Handle.
Up another valley and over the saddle below Mt Meehan, arriving at 'Seldom Inn Hut', then continuing down the valley to a set of new sheep and cattle yards on the boundary with Eskhead.
From there we had it across the valley, climbing up to the 'Wine Bottle Corner', onto the ridge top then descended to the Shearers Quarters.
It was a most enjoyable full days driving with beautiful scenery, native bush and a station and stock to be proud of. Unfortunately the low cloud hampered views at times.
At the debriefing Donald was given a bottle of whisky and Whitestone cheese as a gesture of thanks from the club.
Mt Lyford ski field
After all but one, (he took the wrong road), arriving at Mt Lyford on the Sunday morning the caravanners set themselves up at the lodge with power, toilet and shower facilities available, while the others found the log house they had rented.
We met at 1 p.m. along with our tour guide for the duration, who gave us a briefing and then proceeded to take us up to the ski field. We had instructions to stay close while we headed up past the Lyford village to the ski field but it wasn't long before we had lost each other within the first 5 km.
He wasn't impressed.
Once we had regrouped we continued on the ski field road and had some spectacular views, overlooking Molesworth, Clarence and the Inland Kaikouras. As the tour guide didn't know our capabilities as a four-wheel drive club he then took us down to a stream to practise river crossings, which I must say didn't go down too well with a few members.
Sunday night Russell had organised a buffet for us at the Mount lyford Lodge.
Cloudy Range
Monday 24th we met at 9 a.m. and travelled up the inland road to Cloudy Range.
Things didn't look good as we were going through the yards with water lying and mud losing up through the grass. Within a few hundred metres a couple of vehicles had decided to stay behind while the rest of us continued to the first hill.
The trip leader managed to make it to the top of the hill, followed by Glen, who put on a good show for us at the bottom. Third through the gate was Donald but unfortunately he got caught in a water table and was truly stuck. While he was being winched out through a gateway we decided it was time to call it quits and was great entertainment watching the lead vehicle and Glenn descend the hill.
From there we went into the Conway River to give the vehicles a quick tyre clean. From there we continue on to the Clarence Reserve for lunch. The only option left was to head to Kaikoura for a quick shop and then meet up again at the south Hill, taking a loop back to Mt lyford through Mendip Hills.
Thanks must go to Russell Marr for the time and effort you put into organising the Mt Lyford end of the trip. It certainly was an unforgettable view days. We look forward to your next adventure.
Pam Phaup
Mt Lyford....Day 3
Today saw 10 trucks depart the My Lyford Lodge @ 9am, heading to Hanmer via Barcaldines Station and Emu Plain.
Once again Mike was our leader with Russell and Wendy as ‘Tail-end-Charlie’.
Barcaldines runs cattle, sheep and horses. We stopped on the track for morning tea, where we encouraged our leader to use our clubs method of opening and closing gates, so that the ‘Tail-End-Charlie’ didn’t have to close every gate.
It took a while for the leader to come to terms with that but he finally understood! We continued through the farm and out into the Emu Plain, following the Pylons. Beautiful countryside with many cabbage trees and lance woods all in various stages of maturity. We came to the top of the hill and had an amazing view of the forestry and out to Hanmer.
Unfortunately we ran out of track here! Mike went exploring to find one, to no avail. Owen tried another option, all following, but we found that very muddy, and on our return out, our leader slipped in the mud taking him on a slide to the left!
Owen and Chris went walkabout to find another exit, again to no avail. Four wheel drivers were then in their element to retrieve their trucks from the mud. After a couple of hours, or more, of trial and error, demonstrations including digging trenches, applying chains, using winches and strops and having lunch, all trucks were finally out and on their way back to where we came from. Sorry girls, no shopping in Hanmer!!
With all the events of the day, it shows the importance of doing a recce before heading out and the importance of carrying all the requirements of your recovery kit. In saying that it was still a very enjoyable day out. Most caravanners and house stayers, got together for an indoor barbecue at the log house on the hill. A great way to finish of an eventful day before heading home the next day.
Thank you Russell for organising the trip and making contact with the people who can get us out into places we would never be able to go.
Ron and Julie in the Prado.
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