Bush


2022 Bush Log


Bush Personal:





_________________________________
18/09/2022.
Steffan Rolfe.
Fine.
Queenstown Hill Te Tapunui Time Walk – Queenstown. (2 hours).
I went for a short hike up the Te Tapunui Time Walk, Summit Track, and Loop Track on Queenstown Hill in Queenstown.

Queenstown Hill Te Tapunui Time Walk.
18th of September 2022.
Plaque on the Te Tapunui Time Walk.

Queenstown Hill Te Tapunui Time Walk.
18th of September 2022.
Fairy House.



Queenstown Hill Te Tapunui Time Walk.
18th of September 2022.
The Remarkable View from the top of
Queenstown Hill.

Queenstown Hill Te Tapunui Time Walk.
18th of September 2022.
Lake Wakatipu View from the Basket of Dreams.



Queenstown Hill Te Tapunui Time Walk.
18th of September 2022.
The Basket of Dreams in front of
Ben Lomond and Bowen Peak.

Queenstown Hill Te Tapunui Time Walk.
18th of September 2022.
Looking across to Cecil Peak and Walter Peak.




















_________________________________
10/09/2022.
Otago Tramping and Mountaineering Club.
Steffan Rolfe, Gail Sommerville, Debbie Guthrie, and 2 others.
Fine, occasional cloudy patches.
Puketapu – Palmerston, East Otago. (4 hours).
I went for a hike up Puketapu with a group from the OTMC. We bused from Central Dunedin out to Palmerston. From there we hiked up Puketapu to the summit. Two of us headed up the Gut Buster track, while the other took the sidle track to the summit. We explored the Sir John McKenzie Memorial Cairn, and after a break, we headed back down to Palmerston, then bused back to Dunedin.

 

OTMC Puketapu Palmerston Trip.
10th of September 2022.
The Track heading between the two 
Eucalypts.

OTMC Puketapu Palmerston Trip.
10th of September 2022.
Steffan.

OTMC Puketapu Palmerston Trip.
10th of September 2022.
Sir John McKenzie Monument
on Puketapu.

OTMC Puketapu Palmerston Trip.
10th of September 2022.
Looking down on the crew hiking
up the end of the track.

OTMC Puketapu Palmerston Trip.
10th of September 2022.
The OTMC Crew at the Sir John
McKenzie Memorial on Puketapu.

OTMC Puketapu Palmerston Trip.
10th of September 2022.
Sidling around the side of Puketapu.

OTMC Puketapu Palmerston Trip.
10th of September 2022.
Cheeky Gnomes.


















__________________________________
17/07/2022.
Mud Sweat and Tears Dunedin 2022.
Steffan Rolfe, Saskia, and ~200 other competitors.
Fine, with light drizzle developing.
Wingatui Race Course, Mosgiel – Dunedin.
Mud Sweat and Tears Dunedin 2022. (1 hours).
I attended the Mud Sweat and Tears Dunedin Race at the Wingatui Race Course. I did the 5km course. My time was around 35 minutes, and came in about 8th overall.


Mud Sweat and Tears Dunedin 2022.
17th of July 2022.
Steffan arriving at the Finish Line.













___________________________________
26/06/2022.
Otago Tramping and Mountaineering Club.
Steffan Rolfe, Peter Loebeck, Jane Cloete, Debbie Guthrie, Lucy, Gail Sommerville, and 3 others.
Fine.
Macandrew Bay up the Greenacres Track, down to Boulder Beach, and back to Macandrew Bay via the Paradise Track and Greenacres Track – Dunedin. (5 hours).
I went for a day walk with the OTMC. We started in Macandrew Bay, and hiked up the Greenacres Track to the High Road. From there we descended the Highcliff Track, and headed down to Boulder Beach for lunch. After lunch we headed up the Paradise Track to the High Road, and then headed back down the Greenacres Track back to Macandrew Bay.


OTMC Boulder Beach - 26th of June 2022.
Looking down at the Otago Harbour
from the Greenacres Track.

OTMC Boulder Beach - 26th of June 2022.
NZs first Cheese Factory Sign.


OTMC Boulder Beach - 26th of June 2022.
Following Buskin Track down toward 
Boulder Beach.


OTMC Boulder Beach - 26th of June 2022.
Arriving at the Breakers at Boulder Beach.


OTMC Boulder Beach - 26th of June 2022.
Boulder Beach and Highcliff.


OTMC Boulder Beach - 26th of June 2022.
Windswept Tree near the Paradise Track.


OTMC Boulder Beach - 26th of June 2022.
Greenacres Track Descending beside the 
Windbreak.
















____________________________________
19/06/2022.
Otago Tramping and Mountaineering Club.
Steffan Rolfe.
Drizzly, Low Cloud.
Flagstaff Track – Flagstaff Scenic Reserve – Dunedin. (1 hour).
I went for a quick hike up the Flagstaff Track at Sunrise. It was initially meant to be a Sunrise trip with the OTMC, which was cancelled due to poor weather. I decided to head up to the summit anyway.


Drizzly Sunrise Flagstaff Walk.
19th of June 2022.
A damp looking Flagstaff Walk.


Drizzly Sunrise Flagstaff Walk.
19th of June 2022.
Looking back up the Flagstaff Track.






____________________________________

16/05/2022 to 19/05/2022.
Steffan Rolfe
Overcast and Foggy. Overcast and Foggy. Fine. Fine, showers in the afternoon.
Abel Tasman Coastal Track – Abel Tasman National Park. (4 days, 3 nights).
I did a 4 day tramp over the Abel Tasman Coastal Track in the Abel Tasman National Park. I started the tramp with a Water Taxi with Abel Tasman Aqua Taxi’s from Marahau through to Totaranui with a few stops along the way. From there I hiked up the Gibbs Hill Track and down to Wainui to the start of the track. I then headed back up to the Saddle and down to Whariwharangi Hut for the night. The next day I headed along the track to Separation Point, and back through to Totaranui, before carrying on to Awaroa Inlet. I crossed the Inlet at Low Tide, and spent the night at Awaroa Hut (which I had entirely to myself). I had a late start on day 3 as it was a relatively short walk through to Bark Bay Hut for the evening. On the last day I hiked from Bark Bay to Torrent Bay, and then carried on to Marahau. Most of the way the weather was cloudy, overcast, and quite foggy. On day 3 it was mostly sunny. Day 4 after lunch it started raining, which was quite heavy at times, but this cleared before I arrived at Marahau.





Abel Tasman Track - 16th of May 2022.
Split Apple Rock.


Abel Tasman - 16th of May 2022.
Abel Tasman Water Taxi in Torrent Bay.


Abel Tasman Track - 16th of May 2022.
Water Taxi at Totaranui.


Abel Tasman Track - 16th of May 2022.
The Avenue at Totaranui.



Abel Tasman Track -
16th of May 2022.
Totaranui Beach.

Abel Tasman Track.
16th of May 2022.
Crossing Kaikau Stream
on the Gibbs Hill Track.



Abel Tasman Track.
16th of May 2022.
Mamuka towering above
the Gloom.


Abel Tasman Track - 16th of May 2022
Stinking Ground Beetle
(Plocamostethus planiusculus).

Abel Tasman Track - 16th of May 2022.
Wainui Inlet.






Abel Tasman Track - 16th of May 2022
Abel Tasman Coastal Track
Entrance at Wainui.

Abel Tasman Track - 16th of May 2022.
Well Carved Track leading to
Whariwharangi.



Abel Tasman Track - 16th of May 2022
Whariwharangi Hut.




Abel Tasman Track - 17th of May 2022.
Mist over the Separation Point Track.


Abel Tasman Track - 17th of May 2022.
Seperation Point Lighthouse.


Abel Tasman Track - 17th of May 2022.
Anatakapau Bay.





Abel Tasman Track.
 17th of May 2022.
Pied Shag Drying its
Wings on the Beach.

Abel Tasman Track.
17th of May 2022.
Abel Tasman Coastal 
Rain Forest.

Abel Tasman Track - 17th of May 2022.
Following the Road back to
Totaranui.



Abel Tasman Track.
17th of May 2022.
Golden Sands at Goat Bay.

Abel Tasman Track.
17th of May 2022.
The Sandy Track heading
down toward Awaroa Inlet.


Abel Tasman Track.
17th of May 2022.
Crossing Awaroa Inlet at Tow Tide.

Abel Tasman Track - 17th of May 2022.
Awaroa Hut.




Abel Tasman Track - 18th of May 2022.
High Tide outside Awaroa Hut.









Abel Tasman Track - 18th of May 2022
Abel Tasman Coastal Track.
Abel Tasman Track - 18th of May 2022.Awaroa Inlet at Awaroa Campsite.



Abel Tasman Track.
18th of May 2022.
Richardson Stream Outlet at High Tide
at Onetahuti.



Abel Tasman Track - 18th of May 2022.
Fernbird in the Flax.


Abel Tasman Track - 18th of May 2022.
Variable Oyster Catchers.



Abel Tasman Track - 18th of May 2022
Tonga Island from Onetahuti Bay Camp.


Abel Tasman Track - 18th of May 2022
Tonga Quarry Picnic Area DOC Sign.



Abel Tasman Track - 18th of May 2022.
Track above Bark Bay.



Abel Tasman Track - 18th of May 2022.
Bark Bay Inlet near Waterfall Creek.


Abel Tasman Track - 18th of May 2022
Huffam Stream flowing into Bark Bay.

Abel Tasman Track - 18th of May 2022
Bark Bay Campsite.


Abel Tasman Track - 19th of May 2022.
Bark Bay Hut.


Abel Tasman Track - 19th of May 2022
Hohaia Rangiauru.

Abel Tasman Track - 19th of May 2022
Looking down on the Sandfly Bay Inlet.


Abel Tasman Track - 19th of May 2022
Stream flowing below Halfway Pool.


Abel Tasman Track - 19th of May 2022
Rainbow over Torrent Bay.


Abel Tasman Track - 19th of May 2022
The Low Tide Crossing at Torrent Bay at High Tide.


Abel Tasman Track - 19th of May 2022
Torrent River.

Abel Tasman Track - 19th of May 2022.
Anchorage Track Junction at my 
Lunch Stop on the way back to Marahau.


Abel Tasman Track - 19th of May 2022.
Footbridge over Observation Creek.


Abel Tasman Track - 19th of May 2022.
Black Back Gull taking off in front
of Adele Island.


Abel Tasman Track - 19th of May 2022.
Apple Tree Bay Campsite.


Abel Tasman Track - 19th of May 2022
Coquille Bay.


Abel Tasman Track - 19th of May 2022.
Looking over Sandy Bay to Marahau.

Abel Tasman Track - 19th of May 2022.
Carved Arch at the Marahau Startpoint
of the Abel Tasman Coastal Track.



Abel Tasman Track - 18th of May 2022.
Awaroa Bay View from above.














____________________________
25/04/2022.
Steffan Rolfe, Shaun Clayton.
Fine.
Chingford Park and Baldwin Street. (2 hours).
I went for a short hike and explore around Chingford Park with a friend. Later in the day I went for a walk up Baldwin Street.

Chingford Park & Baldwin Street.
25th of April 2022.
The Chingford Stables.



Chingford Park & Baldwin Street.
25th of April 2022.
Street Poem on Baldwin Street.


Chingford Park & Baldwin Street.
25th of April 2022.
Looking down Baldwin Street.

























_________________________________
10/04/2022.
Mark, Steffan, Joe, Sharon, Ricky, Imogen, Gail, and two other tramping club members.
Fine.
Rustlers Ridge to Swampy Summit, down to Racemans Track via Raingauge Track, return to Swampy Summit via Little Coal Creek Track, and down to Carpark via Leith Saddle Track. (7 hours).
I did my first day walk with the OTMC since arriving back in Dunedin. We started on the Pipeline Track, and heading up Rustlers Ridge to Swampy Summit. From there we descended Rain Gauge Spur to the Racemans Track. We returned to Swampy Summit via Little Coal Creek Track, and then headed down the Leith Saddle Track to the Carpark. One party member was struggling with the descents, that were impacting her knees. I offered her some pain medication – assisted by a GP in the party. I then applied some strapping tape, and gave advice on how to setup her poles for descents and ascents. Near the end of the day, descending to the Carpark she relinquished additional weight out of her pack.


OTMC Leith Saddle Rain Gauge Circuit.
10th of April 2022.
OTMC Group at Rustler Burns Track Junction.

OTMC Leith Saddle Rain Gauge Circuit.
10th of April 2022.
Hiking along the Pipeline Track.





OTMC Leith Saddle Rain Gauge Circuit.
10th of April 2022.
Climbing the Coal Creek Spur.
OTMC Leith Saddle Rain Gauge Circuit.
10th of April 2022.
Descending the start of Raingauge Spur.



OTMC Leith Saddle Rain Gauge Circuit.
10th of April 2022.
    Leith Saddle DOC Sign.
OTMC Leith Saddle Rain Gauge Circuit.
10th of April 2022.
OTMC Group walking up Rollinsons Road.




OTMC Leith Saddle Rain Gauge Circuit.
10th of April 2022.
Mountain Cedar above the Track.
























________________________________
02/04/2022.
Steffan Rolfe.
Fine.
Mt Iron Track - Wanaka. (2 hours).
I did a short walk up the Mt Iron Track in Wanaka – after doing a guest transfer back to Queenstown from Wanaka for Adventure South. This was due to both guests on a trip coming down with COVID. Nice views from the top of Mt Iron across Wanaka and Lake Wanaka. 


Mt Iron Track - Wanaka.
2nd of April 2022.
Wanaka and the Mt Roy Skyline.


Mt Iron Track - Wanaka.
2nd of April 2022.
View from the top of Mt Iron.



Mt Iron Track - Wanaka.
2nd of April 2022.
Bluffs on the side of Mt Iron.









__________________________________
27/02/2022.
Steffan Rolfe, Sam Clayton, Shaun Clayton.
Fine.
Mosgiel Rotary Club Saddlehill Hike.
Saddlehill – Dunedin. (2 hours).
I did a fundraiser hike with two friends up to the summit of Saddlehill from McMaster Road. The hike was organized by the Mosgiel Rotary Club, with the funds raised going to K9 Medical Detection.


Mosgiel Rotary Club Saddlehill Hike.
27th of February 2022.
Looking down on Brighton from Saddlehill.


Mosgiel Rotary Club Saddlehill Hike.
27th of February 2022.
Arriving at the Summit of Saddlehill.














____________________
05/02/2022.
Steffan Rolfe.
Overcast.
Tekapo – Mary Burn and Simons Hill Track. (3 hours).
I did an afternoon hike on the Mary Burn and Simons Hill Track on Simons Pass Station. I crossed the Access Track to the Mary Burn Track, and followed the track to the Simons Hill Conservation Area. I returned back along the same track.

Tekapo Mary Burn & Simons Hill Track.
5th of February 2022.
Rabbit Barrier Gate beside the Mary Burn.


Tekapo Mary Burn & Simons Hill Track.
5th of February 2022.
Bend in the Fence Wire.


Tekapo Mary Burn & Simons Hill Track.
5th of February 2022.
Simons Hill Conservation Area.

Tekapo Mary Burn & Simons Hill Track.
5th of February 2022.
Hay Bales beneath Simons Hill.


















_________________________________________
08/01/2022.
Steffan Rolfe.
Fine.
Frasers Gully to Flagstaff – Dunedin. (3 hours).
I went for an afternoon hike up Flagstaff from Kaikorai Valley. I started off at the Carpark at Frasers Gully, and headed up off a side track to Wakari. I then headed through Wakari and up Spiers Road, before heading on to the Spiers Road Track up to the Flagstaff Track and on to Flagstaff Summit. From there I descended the Flagstaff track down to the Bullpen, and then followed the gravel road down to Three Mile Hill Road, and around Dalziel Road to the top of the Frasers Gully Track. I descended the Frasers Gully track to the Carpark at the bottom.


Frasers Gully to Flagstaff.
8th of January 2022.
Frasers Gully Sign.

Frasers Gully to Flagstaff.
8th of January 2022.
Spiers Road Track Sign.

Frasers Gully to Flagstaff.
8th of January 2022.
Saddle Hill View from Flagstaff.


Frasers Gully to Flagstaff.
8th of January 2022.
Track through Native Bush in Frasers Gully.

Frasers Gully to Flagstaff.
8th of January 2022.
Frasers Stream.



























________________________________
02/01/2022 to 03/01/2022
Steffan Rolfe and Kees De Jager.
Fine.
Jubilee Hut, Silverpeaks Track – Silverpeaks Scenic Reserve. (2 days).
I did an overnight hike in to Jubilee Hut in the Silverpeaks Area with a friend from Christchurch to introduce him to the Silverpeaks area. We started at Mountain Road and hiked along the Silverpeaks Track to Green Hill, Pulpit Rock, down the Devils Staircase to Jubilee Hut for the night. The following day we headed along Yellow Ridge down to ABC Cave, along to Philip J Cox Memorial Hut, then to the Waikouaiti River and up to Mountain Road again – before following this to for ~ 6km back to the car.


Silverpeaks Loop - 2nd of January 2022.
The Old Green Hut Site.

Silverpeaks Loop - 2nd of January 2022.
Silverpeaks Track and Green Hill.

Silverpeaks Loop - 2nd of January 2022.
Kees descending the Devils Staircase.

Silverpeaks Loop - 2nd of January 2022.
Kees at the Cave Creek Camp Site.

Silverpeaks Loop - 2nd of January 2022.
Jubilee Hut.

Silverpeaks Loop - 3rd of January 2022.
Hiking along the Yellow Ridge Track.

Silverpeaks Loop - 3rd of January 2022.
Kees at ABC Cave.

Silverpeaks Loop - 3rd of January 2022.
Kees on the Yellow Ridge Track.

Silverpeaks Loop - 3rd of January 2022.
Ferns lining the Yellow Ridge Track.

Silverpeaks Loop - 3rd of January 2022.
Silverpeaks Scenic Reserve DOC Sign.



















































Bush Instruction:


__________________________________________
02/07/2023.
Trip Leader.
Otago Tramping and Mountaineering Club.
Steffan Rolfe, Debbie Guthrie, Megan Dawson, Fliss Hawke, Chris Hawke.
Fine.
Possum Hut to Pulpit Rock – Silverpeaks Scenic Reserve. (5 hours).
I led a trip for the OTMC in the Silverpeaks Scenic Reserve. We had 4 people on the trip, meeting at the Woodhaugh Gardens. We started on the Silverpeaks Track, then headed down Eucalypt Spur to the Waikouaiti River. We then headed to Possum Hut, before rejoining the Silverpeaks Track back to the carpark, before heading to Arc Brewing for a post-trip beer and debrief. We had two OTMC members on the trip, plus 3 prospective members.


OTMC Eucalypt Spur to Pulpit Rock.
2nd of July 2022.
Steffan and Chris looking out the Possum Hut Window.

OTMC Eucalypt Spur to Pulpit Rock.
2nd of July 2022.
Chris and Fliss on Pulpit Rock.



















2021 Bush Log

 

Bush Personal:



29/12/2021 to 30/12/2021.
Steffan Rolfe.
Overcast, with Cloud building over the Range during the afternoon, then clearing the following day.
Big Hut, Glencreag Track – Rock and Pillar Range, Middlemarch. (2 days).
I did an overnight hike up on to the Rock and Pillar Range above Middlemarch. I headed up the Glencreag Track up to Big Hut to spend the night. The cloud built up during the day, and was covering the range by late afternoon. Big Hut is Big in name and big in nature. I descended the same way the next day.


Big Hut Rock & Pillar Range.
29th of December 2021.
Rock and Pillar Conservation
Area DOC Sign.


Big Hut Rock & Pillar Range.
29th of December 2021.
Marker Posts on the Spur.

Big Hut Rock & Pillar Range.
29th of December 2021.
Poled Route leading to Big Hut.


Big Hut Rock & Pillar Range.
29th of December 2021.
Big Hut on the Rock & Pillar Range.

Big Hut Rock & Pillar Range.
30th of December 2021.
Looking down on the Strath Taieri
Plains from Big Hut.

Big Hut Rock & Pillar Range.
30th of December 2021.
Mosses and Lichens on the Rock & Pillar Range.

Big Hut Rock & Pillar Range.
30th of December 2021.
Cloud building over the Rock & Pillar Range.

 

















________________________
23/10/2021 to 24/10/2021.
Steffan Rolfe.
Fine, with light rain overnight.
Inland Pack Track – Paparoa National Park. (2 days).
I did an overnight hike on the Inland Pack Track in the Paparoa National Park over Labour Weekend. I spent the night in Arthurs Pass before starting the hike. I started the hike at the Waikori Road end of the Paparoa Trail in the Punakaiki Valley. I followed the track over to the Porarari River, and then through the cyclone damaged forest to Bullock Creek. I then hiked over the track to Fossil Creek, followed the creek down to Dilemma Creek. From Dilemma Creek I headed to the confluence with Fox River and headed up to the Ballroom Overhang to camp for the night.
The next day I saw two deer and two whio down at the river. I then headed down Fox River back to the Confluence and then along the track down to Tiromoana. From Tiromoana I hitch-hiked back to the Punakaiki River.



Inland Pack Track - 23rd of October 2021.
Paparoa Track DOC Sign.

Inland Pack Track - 23rd of October 2021.
Entry Gateway on the Paparoa Trail.


Inland Pack Track - 23rd of October 2021.
Pororari River from the Footbridge.

Inland Pack Track - 23rd of October 2021.
Grike from the Footbridge.




Inland Pack Track - 23rd of October 2021.
Back in the Old Growth Forest.


Inland Pack Track - 23rd of October 2021.
Plantings at the Bullock Creek River Flats.



Inland Pack Track - 23rd of October 2021.
Stony Riverbed of Bullock Creek.


Inland Pack Track - 23rd of October 2021.
West Coast Forest on the Inland Pack Track.

Inland Pack Track - 23rd of October 2021.
Inland Pack Track Sign at Fossil Creek.


Inland Pack Track - 23rd of October 2021.
Can't go over, Can't go under.


Inland Pack Track - 23rd of October 2021.
Dilemma Creek and Fossil Creek Confluence.


Inland Pack Track - 23rd of October 2021.
Flowing Waters of Dilemma Creek


Inland Pack Track - 23rd of October 2021.
Ships Prow at the Confluence.


Inland Pack Track - 24th of October 2021.
Camping at the Ballroom Overhang.


Inland Pack Track - 24th of October 2021.
Fox River.

Inland Pack Track - 24th of October 2021.
Fox River Gorge.

Inland Pack Track - 24th of October 2021.
Inland Pack Track.

Inland Pack Track - 24th of October 2021.
The Weka Wall.




































____________________________
02/10/2021.
Steffan Rolfe.
Light Rain.
Coal Creek Falls Walk – Runanga, Greymouth. (2 hours).
I went for a short hike up to the Coal Creek Falls along the Coal Creek Falls Walk near Greymouth in Runanga. The Falls were pretty stunning, and the walk goes through nice Kamahi and Rimu Forest along a good track. It was lightly raining along the walk.


Coal Creek Falls Walk - 2nd of October 2021.
Coal Creek.

Coal Creek Falls Walk - 2nd of October 2021.
Coal Creek Falls.

Coal Creek Falls Walk - 2nd of October 2021.
Path through the Kamahi Forest.









_____________________________
25/09/2021 to 26/09/2021.
Steffan Rolfe, Christian Ruegg, Neil Whiteside, Ryan O’Grady, Sarah.
Heavy Rain and Thunderstorm, Clearing overnight.
Arthurs Pass National Park – Casey Binser Circuit. (2 days, 1 night).
I did the Casey Binser Circuit with a group of 4 other friends on a rainy weekend. We started at the Andrews Shelter, following the Andrews Track to Casey Saddle. Then followed the Casey Track down to the Poulter River to Casey Hut for the night. The weather consisted of Heavy Rain, Thunderstorms, and swollen side streams – the majority of crossings were fine – one crossing of Casey Stream was slightly more challenging than I would have liked. Awesome fireplace I Casey Hut – all of our soaking gear dried during the evening. Overnight it continued to rain, and in the morning there was a light dusting of snow on the mountain tops over the Poulter River. We had a mostly fine day down the Poulter River track, and over the Binser Saddle Track to the Carpark. As we were leaving we realized we had been in a little weather window, and the storm had continued east of us. There was snow falling on the road at the Craigburn Cutting, back this cleared as we headed along the highway.



Casey Binser Circuit - 25th of September 2021.
Hiking up the Steep Start to the Andrews Track.


Casey Binser Circuit - 25th of September 2021.
Flooded Side stream on the Andrews Track.

Casey Binser Circuit - 25th of September 2021.
Casey Hut.


Casey Binser Circuit - 26th of September 2021.
Poulter River Track.



Casey Binser Circuit - 26th of September 2021.
Crossing Mt Brown Creek on the Poulter River Track.




Casey Binser Circuit - 26th of September 2021.
Snow on Binser Saddle.



Casey Binser Circuit - 26th of September 2021.
Snow on the Craigeburn Cutting.




Casey Binser Circuit - 26th of September 2021.
View of the Waimakariri River.

























______________________________

01/07/2021 to 31/07/2021.
Steffan Rolfe, Kees De Jager, Fiona Sawers.
Fine, with Cloud building.
Arthurs Pass National Park – Hawdon Valley Track. (2 days, 1 night).
I organized a tramp up the Hawdon Valley, with an overnight stay in the Hawdon Hut with a couple of friends. We started off at the Hawdon Shelter and after a crossing of the main Hawdon River we followed the DOC ATV track up the River Bed to the Confluence of the Hawdon and East Hawdon. From there we followed the markers up the side of the river, crossing over to the true right and continuing on past Discover Stream to the Hut. Spent a while getting the fire going in the Hut, and then had a nice evening in the hut. On the way out the next day we followed much the same route, but turned off to follow the track through the beech forest and alongside the babbling brook toward Sudden Valley Stream. After crossing this we had the main crossing of the Hawdon again before getting back to the Hawdon Shelter. Quite a few minor river crossings throughout the journey.


Hawdon Hut Arthurs Pass National Park.
July-August 2021.
ATV Track up the Hawdon River.

Hawdon Hut Arthurs Pass National Park.
July-August 2021.
Kees and Fiona in the Hawdon Valley.


Hawdon Hut Arthurs Pass National Park.
July-August 2021.
Hawdon River flowing down the Valley.

Hawdon Hut Arthurs Pass National Park.
July-August 2021.
Hawdon Hut.




Hawdon Hut Arthurs Pass National Park.
July-August 2021.
Kees and Fiona at our Lunch Spot beside
the Hawdon River.



Hawdon Hut Arthurs Pass National Park.
July-August 2021.
The Hawdon Valley.



Hawdon Hut Arthurs Pass National Park.
July-August 2021.
Stream flowing out of the Mountains
toward the Hawdon.


-
Hawdon Hut Arthurs Pass National Park.
July-August 2021.
Narrow fast flowing Hawdon River.

















___________________________________
24/07/2021.
Steffan Rolfe.
Fine.
Arthurs Pass National Park – Otira Valley Track. (2 hours).
I went for an afternoon hike up the Otira Valley Track in Arthurs Pass National Park. When I pulled into the carpark, my car had overheated in some way (possibly burning oil off one of the trays near the transmission), and as I couldn’t determine where the smoke was coming from I thought the best bet was to head up the valley to let it cool down. I set a turn-around time of 4:30pm. I walked along the track up the valley to the bridge, and then up the mountaineers track to the lip of the moraine in the Cirque basin. After a brief break, I headed back down the trail and track to the Carpark. Then drove into Arthurs Pass Village for the night – no further car issues.


Arthurs Pass Otira Valley Track 
24th of July 2021
Mt Philistine above the Otira Valley Track.

Arthurs Pass Otira Valley
Track - 24th of July 2021
Otira Valley Track over
the Scree Slope.


Arthurs Pass Otira Valley Track 
24th of July 2021
Otira Valley Track over the Scree Slope.

Arthurs Pass Otira Valley Track 
24th of July 2021.
The Otira River flowing
through the Mountains.


Arthurs Pass Otira Valley Track 
24th of July 2021
Descending the Boardwalk
down the Otira Valley Track.























__________
20/06/21.
Steffan Rolfe.
Foggy, low cloud, occasional light rain.
Arthurs Pass National Park – Arthurs Pass Walking Track and Dobson Nature Trail. (3 hours).
I went for a half day walk along the Arthurs Pass Walking Track starting at the NZAC Alpine Club Lodge. I walked to the Devils Punchbowl Falls Carpark, over the Bealey River Footbridge and along the Arthurs Pass Walking Track to the Bridal Veil Falls Lookout. Then I continued following the track to Jacks Hut, and across the highway, then over the footbridge over Twin Creek to the Dobson Nature Trail. I followed the Dobson Nature Trail to the end, and then headed along the closed section of boardwalk and track to Lake Misery. From Lake Misery I cut across the swamp to head up to the highway and followed this back to the start of the Dobson Nature Trail. I then followed the Arthurs Pass Walking Track back to the Village and headed back up to the Alpine Club Lodge. The day was overcast, with low cloud moving through the Pass and occasional light rain.


Arthurs Pass Walk & Dobson Nature Trail.
20th of June 2021.
Avalanche Creek Cascades.

Arthurs Pass Walk & Dobson Nature Trail.
20th of June 2021.
Bridal Veil Creek.

Arthurs Pass Walk & Dobson Nature Trail.
20th of June 2021.
Arthurs Pass Walking Track DOC Sign.

Arthurs Pass Walk & Dobson Nature Trail.
20th of June 2021.
Cloud sweeping through Arthurs Pass.

Arthurs Pass Walk & Dobson Nature Trail.
20th of June 2021.
Tarn on the Pass.

Arthurs Pass Walk & Dobson Nature Trail.
20th of June 2021.
Lake Misery on Arthurs Pass.

Arthurs Pass Walk & Dobson Nature Trail.
20th of June 2021.
Dobson Memorial.

Arthurs Pass Walk & Dobson Nature Trail.
20th of June 2021.
Arthurs Pass Walking Track.










_________________
05/06/21 to 06/06/21.
Steffan Rolfe, Christian Ruegg, Kees De Jager, Neil Whiteside, Ryan O’Grady, and Charlotte Aronsen.
Light Rain and Overcast.
Lake Sumner Forest Park – Three Mile Stream Circuit. (2 days, 1 night).
We did an overnight trip on the Three Mile Stream Circuit in Lake Sumner Forest Park over a somewhat rainy Queens Birthday Weekend. 6 people in the party. We started at the Gate by Loch Katrine as one of the party had a decent 4WD Ute. From there we made our way to the Hurunui Swingbridge and over to the McMillan Stream Route. Up the Stream and over the saddle had us in Three Mile Stream and we overnighted at Three Mile Stream Hut. The next day we headed over the Three Mile Stream Gorge Route on to the Hope Kiwi Track to the edge of Lake Sumner – we followed the river flats with 4 crossings of the Hurunui River Channels – the last one being slightly more challenging than the others. Then on to the 4wd track back to the ute at Loch Katrine. Not too much rain where we were, however the rivers had come up a little with the heavier rain falling near the Divide.




Three Mile Stream Circuit - June 2021 
Snow covered tops of the Glynn Wye Range.

Three Mile Stream Circuit - June 2021
Walking alongside the Hurunui River.


Three Mile Stream Circuit - June 2021 
McMillan Stream DOC Sign.


Three Mile Stream Circuit - June 2021 
Start of the Little Gorge in McMillan Stream.

Three Mile Stream Circuit - June 2021 
Hiking up McMillan Stream.

Three Mile Stream Circuit - June 2021 
Tarn on the Saddle.

Three Mile Stream Circuit - June 2021 
Three Mile Stream Hut.

Three Mile Stream Circuit - June 2021 
Side Stream coming off Macs Knob.

Three Mile Stream Circuit - June 2021 
Lake Sumner.

Three Mile Stream Circuit - June 2021 
Loch Katrine.




















































____________
02/05/2021.
Steffan Rolfe and Christian Ruegg.
Cold, but Fine.
Arthurs Pass National Park – Bealey Chasm & Valley Track, and the Devils Punchbowl Falls. (2 hours).
I spent the night at the NZAC Alpine Club Lodge in Arthurs Pass Village with a friend. The following morning, we went for a walk up to the head of the Bealey Valley, passing by the Chasm along the way. After returning to the car, we headed to the Devils Punchbowl Falls.
 

Arthurs Pass Bealey Chasm & Devils Punchbowl.
2nd of May 2021.
Bealey River Feeding into the Chasm.


Arthurs Pass Bealey Chasm & Devils Punchbowl.
2nd of May 2021.
Mt Rolleston.

Arthurs Pass Bealey Chasm & Devils Punchbowl.
2nd of May 2021.
On the Boardwalk.

Arthurs Pass Bealey Chasm & Devils Punchbowl.
2nd of May 2021.
Devils Punchbowl Falls.











____________________________
03/04/2021 to 04/04/2021.
Steffan Rolfe and Kees De Jager.
Fine; and then Strong Winds and Rain Developing.
Gunsight Pass – Ruataniwha Conservation Park. (2 days and 2 nights).
I did an overnight hike in the Ruataniwha Conservation Park with a friend from Christchurch. We camped Saturday night at the Temple Stream Campsite, and started off up the North Branch Temple Stream on Sunday. We headed up valley to the old campsite, before climbing the steep rock gut up to Gunsight Pass. From there we descended the scree, and side stream down into the main South Temple Valley. We followed the river down toward the South Temple Hut, but found a small campsite under the beech about 1km from the hut. We camped the night, and woke up just before dawn to strong winds coming down the valley. We broke camp, and headed down the South Branch past the hut, and headed down the track back to the carpark and DOC Campground. By the time we finished the wind was quite strong, and rain was spilling over the divide into the valleys.


Gunsight Pass - April 2021.
Kees on the North Temple Valley Track.

Gunsight Pass - April 2021.
Alpine Cirque in the North Temple Valley.

Gunsight Pass - April 2021.
Scrambling up through the Boulders.

Gunsight Pass - April 2021.
Gunsight Pass in Sight.

Gunsight Pass - April 2021.
Steffan on Gunsight Pass.


Gunsight Pass - April 2021.
Mt Bruce at the head of the Scree Slope.

Gunsight Pass - April 2021.
South Temple Stream.


Gunsight Pass - April 2021.
Kees pitching a tent for the night.

Gunsight Pass - April 2021.
Sunrise on the Barrier Range.

Gunsight Pass - April 2021.
South Temple Stream.

Gunsight Pass - April 2021.
Walking over the River Flats.















__________________________________
21/03/2021.
Steffan Rolfe and Kees De Jager.
Fine.
Mt Vernon Farm Track – Port Hills, Christchurch. (2 hours).
I went for an evening walk with a friend up the Mt Vernon Farm Track in the Port Hills in Christchurch. We started at the Carpark at Hillsborough Terrace, followed the Dry Ridge Track, onto the Farm Track, up to the Mt Vernon Summit, and returned the same way.

Mt Vernon Farm Track - 21st of March 2021.
Sunset over Sugarloaf.







2020 Bush Log:


Bush Personal:



29/11/2020.
Steffan Rolfe.
Fine.
Swampy Ridge Track, Silverpeaks Area – Dunedin. (3 hours).
I went for an afternoon hike up to Swampy Summit from the Mountain Road Carpark in the Silver Peaks Area. I hiked along the Silver Peaks Track, and turned off on to the Swampy Ridge Track. I followed this up to the Summit, and then returned the same way.


Swampy Summit from Mountain Road.
29th of November 2020.
Flowering Harakeke on the Swampy Ridge Track.

Swampy Summit from Mountain Road.
29th of November 2020.
Taramea in Flower on the side of the Swampy Ridge Track.

Swampy Summit from Mountain Road.
29th of November 2020.
Strategic Rocks through the Mud on the Swampy Ridge Track.






_________________________
11/10/2020.
Steffan Rolfe, Seb Thomas, and Seb’s two dogs.
Fine.
Honeycomb Rongamai Loop Track, Careys Creek Conservation Area – Dunedin. (3 hours).
I did a hike with a friend and his two dogs on the Careys Creek Conservation Area. We started at Evansdale Glen and headed up the Careys Creek Track to the Track junction. We then headed up the steep spur on the Honeycomb Track to the link track where we stopped for lunch. We headed across the link track to avoid the exotic forest, and then down the Rongamai Track to the Careys Creek Track junction. We then made our way back to Evansdale Glen.


Honeycomb Rongamai Loop Track
11th of October 2020.
Seb Crossing Careys Creek.

Honeycomb Rongamai Loop Track.
11th of October 2020.
Lunch on the Honeycomb Track.

Honeycomb Rongamai Loop Track.
11th of October 2020.
Clematis Flower.









______________
06/09/2020.
Steffan Rolfe, Seb Thomas, and Seb’s two Dogs.
Overcast, with Light Showers.
Raingauge Spur Track, Silverstream – Dunedin. (5 hours).
I went for an afternoon hike with a friend and his two dogs in the Swampy Summit and Silverstream area. We started at the bottom of the Swampy Summit 4WD Track and followed this up to Swampy Summit. From there we dropped down to the start of the Raingauge Spur Track, and followed this down to the Racemans Track. We stopped for lunch on this track, before heading to the Steve Amies Track and up to Trig Q. From there we returned to the 4WD Track and back to the Carpark.


Raingauge Spur - 6th of September 2020.
Raingauge Spur Sign.

Raingauge Spur - 6th of September 2020.
Racemans Track Sign.


Raingauge Spur - 6th of September 2020.
Woody.

Raingauge Spur - 6th of September 2020.
Woody ready to head back to the car.















__________________

25/05/2020.

Steffan Rolfe & Seb Thomas.

Drizzly and Overcast.

Careys Creek Track & Black Gully Dam – Careys Creek Conservation Area. (4 hours).

I did a half day hike up the Careys Creek Track with a friend on a drizzly Dunedin day. We started at Evansdale Glen and followed Careys Creek up to the Black Gully Dam, stopping for lunch at a flat spot on a spur above the creek along the way. We then headed up to Double Hill Road, where we reshuffled the vehicles at either end of the track, and headed back to Dunedin.



Careys Creek & Black Gully Dam.
25th of May 2020.
Careys Creek Conservation Area DOC Sign.

Careys Creek & Black Gully Dam.
25th of May 2020.
Careys Creek Track.

Careys Creek & Black Gully Dam.
25th of May 2020.
Careys Creek.

Careys Creek & Black Gully Dam.
25th of May 2020.
Seb on the Black Gully Dam.














_________________________________

10/05/2020.

Steffan Rolfe.

Fine.

Possum Hut Track, Silverpeaks – Dunedin. (3 hours).

I went for an afternoon hike in the Silverpeaks. Starting at Mountain Road, I headed to the Green Hut site, then turned off on to the Possum Hut Track. I had a late lunch at Possum Hut, and then dropped down to the Waikouaiti River, before climbing back up to Mountain Road.



Silverpeaks Possum Hut Hike.
10th of May 2020.
Silver Peaks Track.

Silverpeaks Possum Hut Hike.
10th of May 2020.
Track through the Manuka.

Silverpeaks Possum Hut Hike.
10th of May 2020.
Possum Hut.

Silverpeaks Possum Hut Hike.
10th of May 2020.
Possum Hut Access DOC Sign.










_______________________

21/04/2020.

Steffan Rolfe.

Fine.

Jubilee Park – Dunedin. (1 hour).

I went for a short walk around Jubilee Park in Dunedin. In part this was a quick reccy to get my head around the MTB Tracks around the Park.

Jubilee Park - 21st of April 2020.
Jubilee Park Memorial Cairn.

Jubilee Park - 21st of April 2020.
Jubilee Park MTB Track.






__________________________

10/04/2020.

Steffan Rolfe.

Fine.

Cleghorn Street from the Signal Hill Road end and back. (2 hours).

I went for a short walk over Cleghorn Street to stretch my legs. I started at the Signal Hill Road End, walked up to the Signal Hill Trig and then followed the poled farm track to the Cleghorn Street end of the track. I then returned back to the Carpark following the same route.


Cleghorn Street - 10th of April 2020.
View from the Cleghorn Street Trig.

Cleghorn Street - 10th of April 2020.
Rolling Farmland on Cleghorn Street.






________________________________
27/03/2020.
Steffan Rolfe.
Fine.
Signal Hill via Logan Park. (2 hours).
I did a short walk up to the Signal Hill Memorial from Logan Park. I walked up the 4WD Track, to the Plateau and then up the Telecom Track to the Memorial. I then descended down the Watertank Track, and down the Big Easy to the bottom carpark.

Signal Hill from Logan Park
27th of March 2020.
Flowing Curves of the Track.

Signal Hill from Logan Park.
27th of March 2020.
Curves in the Big Easy.

Signal Hill from Logan Park.
27th of March 2020.
View of Dunedin from the
Signal Hill Memorial.
Signal Hill from Logan Park.
27th of March 2020.
View over Dunedin from the Plateau.

Signal Hill from Logan Park.
27th of March 2020.
Signal Hill Reserve Sign.









________________________





















____

15/03/2020 and 16/03/2020.
Steffan Rolfe and Olga.
Fine, and Overcast.
Moeraki Boulders, Dunedin & Surrounds, and the Otago Peninsula. (4 hours).
I spent a couple of days exploring around a few sites, walks, and activities around Dunedin with a friend. We stopped off at the Moeraki Boulders on the 15th. On the 16th we went to the Signal Hill Memorial, and then over to Tunnel Beach. We then went to Larnach’s Castle to explore the Building and the grounds. Then we went to Alans Beach Lookout, then down to the Harbour to do a Cruise on the Monarch. We finished the day with a tour around Penguin Place.




Dunedin & Peninsula Exploring
15th of March 2020.
Moeraki Boulders.

Dunedin & Peninsula Exploring
16th of March 2020.
Dunedin from Signal Hill.


Dunedin & Peninsula Exploring
16th of March 2020.
Fence around the Sea Cliffs at Tunnel Beach.


Dunedin & Peninsula Exploring
16th of March 2020.
Olga at Tunnel Beach.

Dunedin & Peninsula Exploring
16th of March 2020.
Harbour Mouth Molars.


Dunedin & Peninsula Exploring
16th of March 2020.
Larnachs Castle.



Dunedin & Peninsula Exploring
16th of March 2020.
Compass Rose Tiles in the Succulent Room. 





Dunedin & Peninsula Exploring
16th of March 2020.
Ballroom Statue.

Dunedin & Peninsula Exploring
16th of March 2020.
Olga by the Signpost.

Dunedin & Peninsula Exploring
16th of March 2020.
Hoopers Inlet.

Dunedin & Peninsula Exploring
16th of March 2020.
Giant Petrel.

Dunedin & Peninsula Exploring
16th of March 2020.
Yellow Eyed Penguin.

























_____________________________
08/02/2020
Steffan Rolfe and Jono Tye.
Overcast.
Morning Star Beach Track – Queenstown. (1 hour).
I went for a walk along the Morning Star Beach track in Queenstown on my day off from an Exodus Explorer Tour. Jono and I started at the DOC Carpark, and followed the track to the beach by the Shotover River, checking out the Info Panels along the way. We returned the same way.



Morning Star Beach Track - 8th of February 2020.
Shotover River.

Morning Star Beach Track - 8th of February 2020.
Morning Star Beach Panorama.



















_________________________________________
01/01/2020.
Steffan Rolfe.
Foggy due to Smoke from the Australian Bush Fires.
Oxenbridge Tunnel Track - Queenstown. (1 hour).
I went for a walk along the Oxenbridge Tunnel Track on my day off in Queenstown during an REI Hike & Kayak Trip. I took a taxi to the track start, walked the track, explored near the tunnel exit which I accessed via a rafter’s trail. I then walked back into Queenstown.

Oxenbridge Tunnel Track - January 2020.
Oxenbridge Tunnel Track DOC Sign.

Oxenbridge Tunnel Track - January 2020.
Cascade Rapid.













2019 Bush Log:

Bush Personal:


18/12/19 to 19/12/19.
Steffan Rolfe.
Rain, Wind, and Fog. Fine on the second day.
Jubilee Hut – Silverpeaks Forest Park. (2 days).
I did an overnight trip into Jubilee Hut in the Silverpeaks, starting at Mountain Road, descending the Devils Staircase, and then returning the same way. The weather was wet, windy, and foggy over the ridges on the first day, and then fine on the way out.


Silverpeaks Dunedin Jubilee Hut - December 2019.
Swampy Summit Junction DOC Sign.

Silverpeaks Dunedin Jubilee Hut - December 2019.
The track from Pnt777 down to the Devils Staircase.

Silverpeaks Dunedin Jubilee Hut - December 2019.
Heading down the Devils Staircase.

Silverpeaks Dunedin Jubilee Hut - December 2019.
Cave Creek flowing through the Beech Forest.

Silverpeaks Dunedin Jubilee Hut - December 2019.
View from the back of Jubilee Hut.

Silverpeaks Dunedin Jubilee Hut - December 2019.
Manuka flowering in front of Schist Bluffs.

Silverpeaks Dunedin Jubilee Hut - December 2019.
Track descending to Green Hill.

Silverpeaks Dunedin Jubilee Hut - December 2019.
Bellbird.




















































__________________________________
08/11/19.
Steffan Rolfe.
Fine.
Devils Creek Track – Shotover Creek Conservation Area. (5 hours).
I went up Coronet Peak Road on my day off during an REI Hike and Kayak trip. I went up Mt Dewar, and then down the track heading toward the Shotover Conservation Area. At the junction I headed down toward Devils Creek and followed the track alongside the creek before climbing up to the saddle overlooking the Coronet Peak Road. I then dropped down to the road and walked back up to the start of the Skippers Road where I’d parked the van. It was a beautiful sunny day, I was a pretty decent size mob of goats on the side of the track, and generally enjoyed walking somewhere new in the Queenstown hill country.

Devils Creek Track - November 2019.
Looking down into Devils Creek.


Devils Creek Track - November 2019.
DOC Track Sign.

Devils Creek Track - November 2019.
Beech Forest in Devils Creek.

Devils Creek Track - November 2019.
Devils Creek Conservation Area DOC Sign.

Devils Creek Track - November 2019.
Coronet Peak Road.



























____________________________________
10/09/19.
Steffan Rolfe.
Fine.
Signal Hill via Ravensbourne Track – Dunedin. (1 hour).
I went for a hike up to the Signal Hill Pioneers Memorial from the Ravensbourne side of the track. Great views from the Memorial, and some interesting looking Mountain Bike Tracks heading down the hill.


Signal Hill via Ravensbourne Track - October 2019.
Start of the Ravensbourne Signal Hill Track.

Signal Hill via Ravensbourne Track - October 2019.
Dunedin City view from Signal Hill.

Signal Hill via Ravensbourne Track.
October 2019.
Track down through the Bush.



_____________________________________
07/08/19.
Steffan Rolfe.
Fine.
Routeburn Nature Walk – Routeburn Track. (1 hour).
I went for an afternoon drive to Glenorchy, and then carried on to the Routeburn Track. I went for a walk around the Routeburn Nature Walk.



Routeburn Nature Walk - August 2019.
Nature Walk DOC Sign.


Routeburn Nature Walk - August 2019.
DOC Signs at the Sugarloaf Track Junction.

Routeburn Nature Walk - August 2019.
South Island Bush Robin.


_____________________________________________
20/06/19.
Steffan Rolfe.
Overcast, with rain developing.
Sugarloaf Pass – Mt Aspiring National Park. (8 hours).
I hiked over Sugarloaf Pass from Lake Sylvan to the Routeburn Track, and then ran along the road back to the Lake Sylvan Carpark. I made good time over the track as I was attempting to finish before the rain arrived. Saw a Kakariki right beside the track.


Sugarloaf Pass - June 2019
Lake Sylvan.

Sugarloaf Pass - June 2019
Yellow Crested Parakeet.







Sugarloaf Pass - June 2019
Warped Beech Forest.

Sugarloaf Pass - June 2019
Frozen Pool on Sugarloaf Pass

Sugarloaf Pass - June 2019
View from the Pass.

Sugarloaf Pass - June 2019
Routeburn Footbridge



________________________________________
26/05/19 to 27/05/19.
Steffan Rolfe.
Heavy Rain and Thunderstorms.
Routeburn Falls Hut – Mt Aspiring National Park. (2 days, 1 night).
I did an overnight hike into the Routeburn Falls Hut along the Routeburn Track. The weather was interesting, with Heavy Rain and Thunderstorms. I had the hut to myself. I’ve never seen the river, waterfalls, and side streams with so much volume of water in them – it was an impressive sight.



Routeburn Falls Hut - May 2019.
Routeburn Track.


Routeburn Falls Hut - May 2019.
White Water beneath the Routeburn
Flats Footbridge.

Routeburn Falls Hut - May 2019.
Looking down Emily Creek.


Routeburn Falls Hut - May 2019.
Routeburn Falls.

Routeburn Falls Hut - May 2019.
Routeburn Falls Info Book.







Routeburn Falls Hut - May 2019.
Inside Falls Hut.

Routeburn Falls Hut - May 2019.
Routeburn Falls.

Routeburn Falls Hut - May 2019.
Flooding at the Routeburn Flats Hut.

Routeburn Falls Hut - May 2019.
Routeburn Flats Footbridge over the
Floodwaters of the Routeburn.

Routeburn Falls Hut - May 2019.
Waterfall at the side of the Track.

Routeburn Falls Hut - May 2019.
High water at the Sump.

Routeburn Falls Hut - May 2019.
Routeburn.





______________________________________
09/05/09.
Steffan Rolfe.
Cloudy, with light rain arriving in the afternoon.
Atleys Track – Shotover Creek Conservation Area. (5 hours).
I went for a walk along Atleys Track in the Shotover Creek Conservation Area. I started near the Shotover Saddle, climbed Mt Dewar and descended to the Atleys Terrace Huts. Then I made my way around to the Skippers Road, where I caught a ride with a Go Orange Driver back to the carpark.


Atleys Track - May 2019.
Atleys Track and Devils Creek Track DOC Sign.

Atleys Track - May 2019.
Atleys Track DOC Sign.


Atleys Track - May 2019.
Atleys Terrace Huts.

Atleys Track - May 2019.
Shotover Rver.

Atleys Track - May 2019.
Dead Pines above the Skippers Road.






____________________________________________
27/07/19 to 30/04/19.
Tramper.
Steffan Rolfe.
Fine with Rain in the afternoon, Heavy Rain, Light Snow, then Fine with low cloud.
Kepler Track – Fiordland National Park. (4 days).
I did the Kepler Track at the end of April. I changed my plan from going anti-clockwise and went clockwise due to the weather forecast. Essentially walking in three days of rain and snow, and very full huts. Good track, but little bit rougher than the Routeburn.


Kepler Track - April 2019.
Kepler Track Times Sign.

Kepler Track - April 2019.
Waiau River.

Kepler Track - April 2019.
Footbridge over the Forest Burn.


Kepler Track - April 2019.
Moturau and Shallow Bay Junction.

Kepler Track - April 2019.
Moturau Hut.

Kepler Track - April 2019.
Tomtit.

Kepler Track - April 2019.
Rocky Point Shelter.

Kepler Track - April 2019.
Water pouring out of the
Jackson Peaks.

Kepler Track - April 2019.
Iris Burn.

Kepler Track - April 2019.
Waterfall pouring from the Mountain.



Kepler Track - April 2019.
Stream draining Hanging Valley

Kepler Track - April 2019.
Iris Burn Hut.
Kepler Track - April 2019.
Waterfall.
Kepler Track - April 2019.
Looking down on the Footbridge
over Hanging Valley Stream.




Kepler Track - April 2019.
Rifleman.

Kepler Track - April 2019.
Clearance in the Cloud.





Kepler Track - April 2019.
Track around Point 1401.

Kepler Track - April 2019.
South Fiord.

Kepler Track - April 2019.
Forest Burn Shelter.




Kepler Track - April 2019.
Looking down the stream catchment
to the South Fiord.

Kepler Track - April 2019.
Snowy Ridges and track on the Kepler
Track.

Kepler Track - April 2019.
Tarns on the side of Mt Luxmore.


Kepler Track - April 2019.
Snowy Tarn.

Kepler Track - April 2019.
Poled route toward Luxmore Hut.

Kepler Track - April 2019.
Luxmore Hut.

Kepler Track - April 2019.
The Moon and Saturn in the Sky.


Kepler Track - April 2019.
Cloud over Lake Te Anau.

Kepler Track - April 2019.
Luxmore Hut Deck at Sunrise.

Kepler Track - April 2019.
Sun coming up over the
Horizon.



Kepler Track - April 2019.
Luxmore Hut.

Kepler Track - April 2019.
Stairs leading into the Cave.

Kepler Track - April 2019.
Limestone Walls in the Luxmore Cave.



Kepler Track - April 2019.
Luxmore Cave.

Kepler Track - April 2019.
Luxmore Hut.

Kepler Track - April 2019.
Steps descending below the
Limestone Bluffs.

Kepler Track - April 2019.
Track around the Limestone
Bluffs.

Kepler Track - April 2019.
Brod Bay Panorama.

Kepler Track - April 2019.
Dock Bay Panorama.

Kepler Track - April 2019.
Dock Bay.





_______________________________________



13/02/19.
Tramper.
Steffan Rolfe.
Fine.
Mt Dewar – Devils Creek Conservation Area. (2 hours).
I went for a lunch time walk up Mt Dewar in the Devils Creek Conservation Area. Easy walk up a somewhat steep 4WD track to the top. Great views from the Summit, and a nice little mountain tarn, with a small jetty on it for a lunch stop.

Mt Dewar - March 2019.
DOC Track Sign.

Mt Dewar - March 2019.
Bowen Peak & Ben Lomond view from
beside the Mt Dewar Trig.


Mt Dewar - March 2019.
Skippers Canyon.

Mt Dewar - March 2019.
The Curve of the Remarkables.

Mt Dewar - March 2019.
Peaceful Mountain Tarn on the side of
Mt Dewar.


Mt Dewar - March 2019.
Timbers of the Jetty.














































___________________________________________
28/01/19 to 29/01/19.
Tramper.
Steffan Rolfe
Fine.
Routeburn Flats Campsite, Routeburn Track – Mt Aspiring National Park. (5 hours).
I did an overnight camping trip in to the Routeburn Flats Campsite on the Routeburn Track – Mt Aspiring National Park. I left Queenstown mid-afternoon, and started on the track late afternoon, arriving at the campsite by 6pm. After setting up the tent site and having dinner I explored off-track up toward the base of the routeburn falls. After that I gathered up some wild raspberries to go with dessert and breakfast the following morning. I returned back to the carpark the following day.

Routeburn Flats Campsite - January 2019.
Routeburn DOC Sign.

Routeburn Flats Campsite - January 2019.
Prickly Shield Ferns.

Routeburn Flats Campsite - January 2019.
Routeburn Flats Campsite.

Routeburn Flats Campsite - January 2019.
Bush Spur beside the Humboldt Mountains.

Routeburn Flats Campsite - January 2019.
Emily Creek below the Humboldt Mountains.

Routeburn Flats Campsite - January 2019.
Sunset on the Humboldt Mountains.

Routeburn Flats Campsite - January 2019.
Routeburn Flats Campsite below Routeburn Falls.

Routeburn Flats Campsite - January 2019.
Looking down the Boulders
to the Routeburn Flats Footbridge










________________________________________________
01/01/19.
Tramper.
Steffan Rolfe, Alexandra Bensemann.
Fine.
Lake Sylvan – Mt Aspiring National Park (3 hours).
I went for a walk around the Lake Sylvan Track with a friend on New Years Day. We followed the tramway around to the Lake for a picnic lunch, and then back around to the Carpark.




Lake Sylvan - January 2019
Nursery Log in the Beech Forest

Lake Sylvan - January 2019
Lake Sylvan

Lake Sylvan - January 2019
Routeburn
____________________________________________



Bush Training (NZOIA):


06/04/19 to 07/04/19.
Bush One Trainee.
New Zealand Outdoor Instructors Association.
Mark Rayward, Cameron, Dylan, Tanya, Howie, Seb Thomas, Steffan Rolfe.
Fine.
Flora Saddle – Kahurangi National Park. (2 days, 1 night).
I attended a Bush One Instructors Training Course with NZOIA in the Nelson Area. After meeting at Flora Carpark, we did a few off-track navigation sections, then created a small emergency fire, had lunch and discussed weather and a few other things. We then navigated through to our campsite up Quartz Creek where we spent the night. The next morning, we did another few off-track navigation legs, and then setup a lower and raise down through a creek. After lunch we headed to the Motueka River and did a river crossing session.

 


NZOIA Bush One Nelson - April 2019
Flora Saddle DOC Sign
 

NZOIA Bush One Nelson - April 2019
Camp at Quartz Creek

NZOIA Bush One Nelson - April 2019
Sidling above Quartz Creek.



________________________________




Bush Training (Wild Earth Adventures):


04/10/19.
Wild Earth Adventures.
Mt Cargill – Organ Pipes Track – Dunedin.
Steffan Rolfe, Charlotte Cotter, Marina Hanger, and 8 guests.
Fine.
Half Day Observer Trip with Wild Earth Adventures as a Trainee Hike Guide. (3 hours).
I did a half day observer trip with Wild Earth Adventures as a Trainee Hike Guide. We picked up our guests from the cruise ship at Port Chalmers, and took them to the carpark at the track start. We then walked up to Buttars Peak via the Organ Pipes. We dropped the group off at the Octagon in Dunedin.

WEA Hiking Trip - 4th of October 2019.
Buttars Peak view out over Dunedin.





_____________________________________________________
14/09/19.
Wild Earth Adventures.
Mt Cargill – Organ Pipes Track - Dunedin.
Steffan Rolfe, Murray, Brian, Charlotte, Tom, Simon, and Emma.
Fine.
Half Day Training trip with Wild Earth Adventures as a Trainee Hike Guide. (3 hours).
I attended a half training day with Wild Earth Adventures as a trainee hiking guide. We headed over to Sawyers Bay and drove to the start of the Organ Pipes Track on the side of Mt Cargill. We walked up the Organ Pipes Track to the saddle below Buttars Peak and Mt Cargill, and a few of us did the short scramble up Buttars Peak.

Wild Earth Adventures.
Hike Bike Training Day 14th of September 2019.
View from Buttars Peak.




_____________________________________
27/03/19.
Trainee Hiking Guide.
Wild Earth Adventures.
Emma, Thomas, Steffan Rolfe, and a group of 5 guests
Cloud and rain developing by midday.
The Mt Cargill Track – Dunedin. (4 hours).

I did half day sign off trip with Wild Earth Adventures as a trainee hiking guide. We picked up a group of 5 from their cruise ship in Port Chalmers. We drove them up to the carpark on the side of Mt Cargill, briefed them, gave them walking poles and took them for a walk up to Buttars Peak providing them with interp along the way. Once at the saddle between Buttar Peak and Mt Cargill we had morning tea, and then descended back down. The rain started just as we arrived back at the van.

______________________________________


14/01/19.
Trainee Hiking Guide.
Wild Earth Adventures.
Teagan, Thomas, Leigh, Steffan Rolfe, one group of 8 guests, and one group of eleven guests.
Fine, cloud and light rain developing in the afternoon.
The Mt Cargill Track – Dunedin. (8 hours).
I did two half day observer trips with Wild Earth Adventures as a trainee hiking guide. We picked up a group of 8 from their cruise ship in Port Chalmers. We drove them up to the carpark on the side of Mt Cargill, briefed them, gave them walking poles and took them for a walk up to Buttars Peak providing them with interp along the way. Once at the saddle between Buttar Peak and Mt Cargill we had morning tea, and then descended back down. I then waited at the Carpark for the second group to arrive, and then repeated the morning trip.
WEA Hiking Trip - 14th of January 2019.
Tree Fuschias lining the track.







WEA Hiking Trip - 14th of January 2019.
Mt Cargill.






WEA Hiking Trip - 14th of January 2019.
Hounds Tongue (Microsorum pustulatum)
(Kowaowao)








2018 Bush Log:

Bush Personal:


03/12/18.
Tramper.
Steffan Rolfe.
Fine, with rain showers developing.
Rocky Mountain, Diamond Lake Conservation Area – Wanaka. (2 hours).
I did a short hike up to the summit of Rocky Mountain in the Diamond Lake Conservation Area, Wanaka. Originally, I was going to do this hike with a mate from Wanaka, but he bailed out – so I went for a look myself. The weather was starting to close in, so I moved pretty quickly up to the summit and back. Nice little spot to explore.


Rocky Mountain Diamond Lake Conservation Area
December 2018
Diamond Lake Viewing Platform

Rocky Mountain Diamond Lake Conservation Area
December 2018
Mou Tapu, Matukituki River, and Lake Wanaka

Rocky Mountain Diamond Lake Conservation Area
December 2018
Rocky Mountain Summit


_________________________________________
27/11/18.
Tramper.
Steffan Rolfe.
Fine.
Ben Lomond Saddle to Arthurs Point via the Moonlight Track. (5 hours).
I did a hike from the Top of the Gondola, up to the Ben Lomond Saddle. From there I dropped down to the Moonlight Track, and followed this around to Arthurs Point. I then walked back to Queenstown. It was a very sunny day in Queenstown, on an exposed track.


Ben Lomond Saddle to Arthurs Point
November 2018.
Remarkables View from the Ben Lomond Track.

Ben Lomond Saddle to Arthurs Point
November 2018.
Ben Lomond Saddle DOC Sign

Ben Lomond Saddle to Arthurs Point
November 2018.
Bowen Peak, Ben Lomond Saddle, and Ben Lomond Summit

Ben Lomond Saddle to Arthurs Point
November 2018.
Sefferston and Moonlight Creek.

Ben Lomond Saddle to Arthurs Point
November 2018.
Lambs on Ben Lomond Station.

Ben Lomond Saddle to Arthurs Point
November 2018.
Duck Family beside Matakauri Park.





































_________________________________
06/11/18 to 07/11/18.
North Temple Valley & Temple View Track – Ruataniwha Conservation Park.

I did an overnight tramping and camping trip up into the North Temple Valley to an old campsite at the bottom of the Cirque. I travelled from the Temple Campsite up the track to the campsite, and then headed back down 10 minutes to a clearing which was out of the wind. I was kept awake throughout the night by a long-tailed cuckoo calling during the night. The following day I headed back down the track to the carpark, and then did the Temple View Track. (2 days).


North Temple Valley & Temple Viewpoint
November 2018 - Looking up the North Temple Valley

North Temple Valley & Temple Viewpoint
November 2018 - Track alongside the North Temple Stream

North Temple Valley & Temple Viewpoint
November 2018 - Rabbiters Peak View from the Campsite

North Temple Valley & Temple Viewpoint
November 2018 - Out of the Wind Campsite by North Temple

North Temple Valley & Temple Viewpoint
November 2018 - Natural Bridge over North Temple Stream


North Temple Valley & Temple Viewpoint
November 2018 - View down the Lower Temple Stream

North Temple Valley & Temple Viewpoint
November 2018 - Fantail in the Beech Tree



























_______________________________________________________
28/08/18.
Tramper.
Wild Earth Adventures.
Emma, Tom, Georgia, Leigh, Steffan Rolfe, and another guide.
Fine.
Otago Peninsula – The Pyramids and Victory Beach, and the Mt Cargill Track. (7 hours).
I did a hiking/biking guide training day with Wild Earth Adventures in Dunedin on the Otago Peninsula. We started at Base with a run-down on the trips and logistics. Then we went for a drive to check out the mountain bike route, and walked out to Victory Beach and the Pyramids. After that we drove to the other side of the Harbour, and walked up to Butters Peak from above Sawyers Bay.


Otago Peninsula - September 2018.
Pyramids.

Otago Peninsula - September 2018.
Looking South down Victory Beach.

Otago Peninsula - September 2018.
Mountain Cedar standing above the
canopy on the Mt Cargill Track.



________________________________________________
27/08/18 to 28/08/18.
Tramper.
Steffan Rolfe.
Overcast, Light Rain.
Kea Basin, Rees Track – Mt Aspiring National Park. (2 days).

I did a hike up into Kea Basin to spend a night in Earnslaw Hut. I started at the Muddy Creek Carpark and headed up the Rees Track to get to the Kea Basin Track. After overnighting at the hut I headed up to the Basin, and then back down the river to the carpark.


Kea Basin - August 2018.
Sidling the Terrace above the Rees.

Kea Basin - August 2018.
Start of the Kea Basin Track.

Kea Basin - August 2018.
Earnslaw Hut.

Kea Basin - August 2018.
Earnslaw Hut Water Supply
Kea Basin - August 2018.
Cliffs over Kea Basin.
Kea Basin - August 2018.
Overhand on the Kea Basin Bivvy Rock.



Kea Basin - August 2018.
Rees River.

Kea Basin - August 2018.
Looking up the Rees to Hunter Creek.

















__________________________________
13/06/18 to 14/06/18.
Outward Bound Instructor Selection Course Participant.
Steffan Rolfe, Carly, Sharon Nicholas, David, Hamish.
Raining.
Queen Charlotte Track – Davies Bay Campsite. (6 hours).
As part of the Outward Bound Instructor Selection Course we camped overnight at the Davies Bay Campsite and carried out a navigation exercise the following day. We tramped during the night for an hour to the campsite and setup our tents. The following day we navigated west up a spur on to a ridge above the campsite and Te Awa Stream. Once on the Ridge I was tasked with navigating along the ridge and down a split spur to hit the track at a right hand turn before the Davies Bay campsite.

___________________________________
23/05/18.
Tramper.
Steffan Rolfe.
Fine – Cold.
Peninsula Walkway – Lake Tekapo. (2 hours).
I went for a short walk around the Peninsula Walkway beside Lake Tekapo. Cold start to the morning, but it was a beautiful day.
Peninsula Walkway Tekapo - May 2018
High Point on the Peninsula Walkway.













____________________________________________
19/05/18 to 20/05/18.
Tramper.
Steffan Rolfe.
Light Rain.
Aspiring Hut – Mt Aspiring National Park. (2 days).
I did an overnight trip into Aspiring Hut from the Raspberry Creek Carpark. Easy walk in, with light rain falling down the valley, and heavy rain falling on the Southern Alps. Had the hut to myself.


Aspiring Hut - May 2018
Matukituki Valley DOC Sign

Aspiring Hut - May 2018
Rob Roy Glacier from Matukituki Valley

Aspiring Hut - May 2018
West Matukituki River Valley

Aspiring Hut - May 2018
Cascade Hut.

Aspiring Hut - May 2018
Aspiring Hut Kitchen

Aspiring Hut - May 2018
Aspiring Hut.

Aspiring Hut - May 2018
Aspiring Hut in the glowing darkness.

Aspiring Hut - May 2018
West Branch of the Matukituki River.











































______________________________________
07/05/18 to 08/05/18.
Tramper.
Steffan Rolfe.
Fine, then light rain developing on the following day.
Moke Lake via Moonlight Track – Ben Lomond Station. (2 days).

I did an overnight hike from Arthurs Point around to Moke Lake following the Moonlight Track. I camped overnight at Moke Lake campsite, and then followed the Moonlight Track back around to Arthurs Point. It started raining in the afternoon.

Moke Lake via Moonlight Track - May 2018
Moonlight Track Sign

Moke Lake via Moonlight Track - May 2018
Bluffs above the Moonlight Track

Moke Lake via Moonlight Track - May 2018
Sefferstown Sign

Moke Lake via Moonlight Track - May 2018
The Upper Reaches of Moke Creek

Moke Lake via Moonlight Track - May 2018
Moke Lake

Moke Lake via Moonlight Track - May 2018
Moonlight Creek

Moke Lake via Moonlight Track - May 2018
Rainbow over Arthurs Point.




















































____________________________________
27/04/18 to 01/05/18.
Tramper.
Steffan Rolfe.
Rain (first day); Overcast (second day); Fine (other 3 days).
Hollyford Track – Fiordland National Park. (5 days).
At the end of my summer season working for the Hollyford Track Ltd and Guided Walks NZ, I finally managed to tramp the whole of the Hollyford Track. I started out at the road end, and got a lift around to Milford Airport on the Hollyford Coach. Then we helicoptered into Martins Bay Lodge, where I said goodbye to the Lodgies, and headed along the track to spend a rainy night in the Martins Bay DOC Hut. The following morning it was overcast, and I made my way to Hokuri Hut (which I ended up having to myself) – after making a short detour back to the Lodge to have breakfast with the crew staying there. On day three I carried on over the Demon Trail to Demon Trail Hut for the night. Day four, I carried on over the Demon Trail to reach the Pyke Swingbridge, and Alabaster Hut. On the last day I headed into Pyke Lodge to say hi to the crew there, and then carried on out to the road-end, with a detour into Hidden Falls Hut for lunch.
Hollyford Track - April 2018.
Jerusalem Creek flowing down
on to the Track.


Hollyford Track - April 2018.
Martins Bay DOC Hut.


Hollyford Track - April 2018.
Looking across Martins Bay to the May Hills.

Hollyford Track - April 2018.
Breakers at Martins Bay.

Hollyford Track - April 2018.
Keruru at Jerusalem Creek.

Hollyford Track - April 2018.
Tall Trees and Tree Ferns in the Podocarp Forest.

Hollyford Track - April 2018.
Looking down Lake McKerrow into the Hollyford Valley.

Hollyford Track - April 2018.
Jamestown Bay.

Hollyford Track - April 2018.
Hokuri Creek.

Hollyford Track - April 2018.
Hokuri Three Wire

Hollyford Track - April 2018.Big Tree next to Hokuri Hut 

Hollyford Track - April 2018.
Hokuri Hut Woodshed.

Hollyford Track - April 2018.
Sunset at Hokuri Hut.

Hollyford Track - April 2018.
Hokuri Hut.

Hollyford Track - April 2018.
Water over the Demon Trail.

Hollyford Track - April 2018.
Lake McKerrow.

Hollyford Track - April 2018.
Demon Trail.


Hollyford Track - April 2018.
Another Demon Trail Three Wire.

Hollyford Track - April 2018.
Bench view from Demon Trail Hut.

Hollyford Track - April 2018.
Demon Trail Hut.

Hollyford Track - April 2018.
The mighty Darrans from Demon Trail Hut.

Hollyford Track - April 2018.
Keruru across the Three Wire.

Hollyford Track - April 2018.
Cascades under the Footbridge.

Hollyford Track - April 2018.
McKerrow Island.

Hollyford Track - April 2018.
Slip Creek.

Hollyford Track - April 2018.
Mellow looking Demon Trail heading
toward Alabaster Hut.

Hollyford Track - April 2018.
Pyke River Swingbridge.






Hollyford Track - April 2018.
Lake Alabaster Hut.

Hollyford Track - April 2018.
Lake Alabaster.

Hollyford Track - April 2018.
Sunrise over Lake Alabaster.

Hollyford Track - April 2018.
The back of Pyke Lodge.

Hollyford Track - April 2018.
Pyke Lodge.

Hollyford Track - April 2018.
Crown Fern alongside the Track.

Hollyford Track - April 2018.
Mt Tutoko from the Lookout.

Hollyford Track - April 2018.
Hidden Falls Hut.

Hollyford Track - April 2018.
Hidden Falls Hut Poo View.

Hollyford Track - April 2018.
Rainbow over Hidden Falls Creek.

Hollyford Track - April 2018.
Little Cascade beside the Hollyford Track.

Hollyford Track - April 2018.
Footbridge over Swamp Creek.

Hollyford Track - April 2018.
Hollyford Track DOC Sign.



















_______________________________
16/04/18 to 18/04/18.
Tramper.
Steffan Rolfe.
Raining. Snowing. Clearing to Fine.
Routeburn Track – Mt Aspiring National Park. (3 days).
I finally did the whole of the routeburn track after almost a year of guiding on it. I organized a ride around to the Divide and got picked up from the Routeburn Shelter through Go Orange. We stopped off at the Eglinton Valley lookout, Mirror Lakes, and Knob Flat along the way. On the first day I tramped into Howden Hut (1.5 hours walking in the rain), and overnighted there. While I was there I explored down the Greenstone Track to Greenstone Saddle where the Howden Campsite is located. On the second day I tramped to Mackenzie Hut, over Harris Saddle, down to Falls Hut, and down to Flats Hut (9 hours walking in the snow). On the last day I tramped out to the Routeburn Shelter (1.25 hours walking in sunshine). Great trip – funnily enough, Great Walk.


Routeburn Track - April 2018.
Rainy Day Mirror Lakes.

Routeburn Track - April 2018.
Tree Fuschias lining the start of the Routeburn Track.


Routeburn Track - April 2018.
Hawdon Hut and the Wood Shed.

Routeburn Track - April 2018.
Jean Battern Peak from the Lake Hawdon Outlet.

Routeburn Track - April 2018.
Hidden Rifleman on the Branch.

Routeburn Track - April 2018.
Ocean Peak sitting above the Lake Mackenzie Basin.
Routeburn Track - April 2018.
Earland Falls.



Routeburn Track - April 2018.
Ultimate Hikes Lodge at Lake Mackenzie.

Routeburn Track - April 2018.
Inside Mackenzie Hut.

Routeburn Track - April 2018.
DOC Hut near the mouth of Lake Mackenze.

Routeburn Track - April 2018.
Snowy Routeburn leading around to the Hollyford Face.

Routeburn Track - April 2018.
Hollyford Face of the Routeburn Track.

Routeburn Track - April 2018.
Harris Saddle.

Routeburn Track - April 2018.
Snow surrounding Lake Harris.

Routeburn Track - April 2018.
Routeburn Left Branch.

Routeburn Track - April 2018.
Somnus and Momus towering above
the Routeburn Flats.

Routeburn Track - April 2018.
Routeburn Flats Hut.



Routeburn Track - April 2018.
Routeburn Flats dusted in snow overnight.

Routeburn Track - April 2018.
Sunshine hitting the Routeburn Flats
with Snow on the ranges above.

Routeburn Track - April 2018.
Routeburn Shelter underneath Upper Peak.











































































______________________________________________
25/03/18 to 26/03/18.
Tramper.
Steffan Rolfe.
Overcast.
Earnslaw Burn Track – Glenorchy. (2 days).
I did an overnight trip up the Earnslaw Burn track to the Rock Bivvy. The track up through the bush above the Earnslaw Burn was pretty rough and slow, but the Bivvy spot was awesome – sitting under a rather large overhang. I headed further up valley to have a look at the Earnslaw Glacier in the upper basin after I set myself up at the rock biv. I also scoped out alternative river crossing points further upstream from the biv, in case the forecast rain came through overnight (it didn’t). I headed back out the same way the following day.







Earnslaw Burn - March 2018
Muddy Poled part of the track.

Earnslaw Burn - March 2018
Earnslaw Burn Trac


Earnslaw Burn - March 2018
Earnslaw Burn Rock Bivvy

Earnslaw Burn - March 2018
Earnslaw Glacier

Earnslaw Burn - March 2018
Turret Head







_____________________________
12/03/18.
Tramper.
Steffan Rolfe.
Fine, Overcast.
Invincible Mine Track – Rees Valley, Glenorchy. (4 hours).
I did an afternoon walk in the Rees Valley up to the Invincible Mine Site via the Invincible Mine Track. Lots of little birds around in the mountain beech forest.

Invincible Mine Track - March 2018
Invincible Mine Track DOC Sign

Invincible Mine Track - March 2018
Invincible Historic Reserve Sign

Invincible Mine Track - March 2018
Water Wheel

Invincible Mine Track - March 2018
Berdans with Muddy Spur in the
background

Invincible Mine Track - March 2018
Invincible Mine Entrance

Invincible Mine Track - March 2018
Juvenile Fantail

Invincible Mine Track - March 2018
Invincible Mine Concentrator






















_____________________________________
10/02/18.
Tramper.
Steffan Rolfe.
Fine, light rain overnight.
Sam Summers Hut – Mt Crichton Scenic Reserve. (1 night).
I did a quick overnight hike into Sam Summers Hut in the Mt Crichton Scenic Reserve. I took the short track in, in order to get to the hut quickly so that I could find out whether there was anyone else there (if the hut was full it would be quick to walk back out again). I initially had the hut to myself – until I got woken up at 11pm by someone attempting to avoid paying for accommodation in Queenstown. I left early in the morning using the same track, as I started coming down with a major head cold overnight.

Sam Summers Hut - February 2018
Mt Crichton Loop Track DOC Sign

Sam Summers Hut - February 2018
Sam Summers Hut

Sam Summers Hut - February 2018
12 Mile Creek

Sam Summers Hut - February 2018
Bed laid out and ready at Sam Summers Hut





________________________________________________________________
26/01/18.
Tramper.
Steffan Rolfe.
Fine.
Diamond Creek Walkway – Glenorchy. (2 hours).
I did a morning walk up the Diamond Creek Walkway near Glenorchy up to Lake Reid. I hung out at Lake Reid for lunch, and then headed back down the walkway to the Carpark. Saw lots of waterfowl at Lake Reid, and quite a few trout jumping.


Diamond Creek - January 2018
Diamond Creek with the Earnslaw Burn in the background

Diamond Creek - January 2018
The Outlet to Lake Reid

Diamond Creek - January 2018
Mt Earnslaw from the Lake Reid Lakeshore

Diamond Creek - January 2018
Clear Water below the Footbridge










































_____________________________________________________
19/01/18.
Tramper.
Steffan Rolfe, Annie Hay Connelly, Molly Owens.
Fine.
Harris Saddle and Conical Hill, Routeburn Track – Mt Aspiring National Park. (9.5 hours).
I did a day mission up to Harris Saddle and Conical Hill (and back) on the Routeburn Track with two English girls that I met from Queenstown. The weather was perfect, and despite it being a big day, it was actually not too difficult.
Harris Saddle - January 2018
Molly and Annie on the Footbridge
on the way up to Routeburn Falls


Harris Saddle - January 2018
Annie, Molly, and Steffan at the Routeburn Falls

Harris Saddle - January 2018
Lake Harris

Harris Saddle - January 2018
Approaching Harris Saddle and Conical Hill

Harris Saddle - January 2018
Steffan on Conical Hill

Harris Saddle - January 2018
Molly and Annie heading back down the
Routeburn through the Subalpine section

______________________________________________________________
18/01/18.
Tramper.
Steffan Rolfe, Annie Hay Connelly.
Fine.
Moke Lake Track – Mt Crichton Scenic Reserve. (3 hours).
I took a friend for a walk around the Moke Lake Track in the Mt Crichton Scenic Reserve. We walked around from the Carpark out to the Moke Lake Road and back. We then had a picnic lunch at the campground.


_______________________________________________________
13/01/18.
Tramper.
Steffan Rolfe.
Fine.
Lake Dispute to Moke Lake Track – Mt Crichton Scenic Reserve. (4 hours).
I did a day walk over the Lake Dispute Track, over a low saddle to Moke Lake. After having lunch on the lake shore, I returned back the same way.


Lake Dispute to Moke Lake - January 2018
Ian McGregor Memorial Seat

Lake Dispute to Moke Lake - January 2018
DOC Sign at the Moke Lake Junction

Lake Dispute to Moke Lake - January 2018
Moke Lake

Lake Dispute to Moke Lake - January 2018
Following the Track back around Moke Lake

Lake Dispute to Moke Lake - January 2018
Walter Peak from the Lake Dispute Track

_____________________________________
05/01/18 to 06/01/18.
Tramper.
Steffan Rolfe.
Light Drizzle, then Fine.
South Temple Hut – Ruataniwha Conservation Park (2 Days).
I did an overnight trip into South Temple Hut in the Ruataniwha Conservation Park. The track was easy to follow, and I shared the hut with two girls from Christchurch. Easy walk out the following day in good weather.

South Temple Hut - January 2018
South Temple Stream

South Temple Hut - January 2018
Track between the Scree and Stream.

South Temple Hut - January 2018
South Branch of Temple Stream
South Temple Hut - January 2018
South Temple Hut

South Temple Hut - January 2018
Temple Picnic Shelter.







Bush Training (New Zealand Adventure Travel Guides):


16/12/18 to 19/12/18.
National Geographic Guide – NZATG.
Adrian Fogg, Jeremy Martin, Tom Hanchet, Chris Cameron, Marios Gavalas, Steffan Rolfe.
Fine, Fine becoming overcast, Light Rain, Fine.
Te Anau, and the Kepler Track (Rainbow Reach to Moturau Hut; Brod Bay to Control Gates and Te Anau). (4 days).

I attended a guide training session with NZ Adventure Travel Guides in Te Anau. We started in Queenstown, with a supermarket shop, before picking up the remaining guides from the Airport, and heading to the Boat Shed for lunch. We then made our way to Te Anau, where we discussed the company and trips after dinner. On day two, we walked the Kepler from Rainbow Reach, to Shelter Bay hut, around to Moturau hut and back to Rainbow Reach. During the evening we discussed further things associated with the company. On day three we took the water taxi over to Brod Bay, and walked down to the Control Gates and back to Te Anau. We had a BBQ dinner that night and met the two office staff. On the last day we discussed the companies Safety Management System, and then drove back to Queenstown.

NZATG Guide Training - 16th to 19th of December 2018.
Rainbow Reach to Moturau Hut
DOC Track Sign at Track Junction.

NZATG Guide Training - 16th to 19th of December 2018.
Rainbow Reach to Moturau Hut
Crossing the Forest Burn Footbridge.

NZATG Guide Training - 16th to 19th of December 2018.
Rainbow Reach to Moturau Hut
Shallow Bay Panorama.


NZATG Guide Training - 16th to 19th of December 2018.
Rainbow Reach to Moturau Hut
Jeremy, Tom, and AD in front of the Hut.

NZATG Guide Training - 16th to 19th of December 2018.
Rainbow Reach to Moturau Hut
Shallow Bay in front of the Hut.


NZATG Guide Training - 16th to 19th of December 2018.
Brod Bay to Control Gates.
Kepler Water Taxi.

NZATG Guide Training - 16th to 19th of December 2018.
Brod Bay to Control Gates.
The Sandy Shores of Dock Bay.

NZATG Guide Training - 16th to 19th of December 2018.
Brod Bay to Control Gates.
NZATG Guides hanging out at Dock Bay.






2017 Bush Log:

Bush Personal:


07/12/17 to 08/12/17.
Tramper.
Steffan Rolfe.
Raining.
Key Summit and Howden Hut – Routeburn Track. (4 hours).
I did a day walk into Key Summit and Howden Hut from the Divide in the rain. I spent a night at Gunns Camp before and after Key Summit. One of the Ultimate Hikes Guides made me a coffee when I reached Howden Hut – Nice of her J.


Key Summit and Gunns Camp
December 2017
Plaque for Pop

Key Summit and Gunns Camp
December 2017
Mt Christina and Marians Creek






Key Summit and Gunns Camp
December 2017
Routeburn Track DOC Sign

Key Summit and Gunns Camp
December 2017
Routeburn Track
Key Summit and Gunns Camp
December 2017
Little Mountain Daisy


Key Summit and Gunns Camp
December 2017
Tarn on the top of Key Summit,
with the Earl Mountains in the background


Key Summit and Gunns Camp
December 2017
Lookout DOC Sign

Key Summit and Gunns Camp
December 2017
Howden Hut DOC Sign

Key Summit and Gunns Camp
December 2017
Stoat Warnings


Key Summit and Gunns Camp
December 2017
Routeburn Track down to the Divide

Key Summit and Gunns Camp
December 2017
Pops Hut

Key Summit and Gunns Camp
December 2017
The Land of Doing Without

Key Summit and Gunns Camp
December 2017
Gunns Camp















Key Summit and Gunns Camp
December 2017
Sandfly Reserve

Key Summit and Gunns Camp
December 2017
Gunns Museum

Key Summit and Gunns Camp
December 2017
Davey Gunn Photos
Key Summit and Gunns Camp
December 2017
Map to the Glow Worms

Key Summit and Gunns Camp
December 2017
The Hollyford Toast


___________________________________________
01/12/17 to 02/12/17.
Tramper.
Steffan Rolfe.
Fine.
McIntosh Loop Track – Whakaari Conservation Park. (2 days).
I completed an overnight trip over the McIntosh Loop Track, overnighting at the McIntosh Hut. It had been a very sustained dry period, and the water tank at McIntyre Hut had run dry, but luckily there was still water at the McIntosh Huts.

McIntosh Loop Track - December 2017
The Junction DOC Track Sign

McIntosh Loop Track - December 2017
McIntyre Hut

McIntosh Loop Track - December 2017
Track up to Long Gully Saddle.

McIntosh Loop Track - December 2017
Track up 1342

McIntosh Loop Track - December 2017
Head of the Lake from McIntosh Huts

McIntosh Loop Track - December 2017
McIntosh Hut

McIntosh Loop Track - December 2017
The Head of the Lake and the Humboldt Mountains

McIntosh Loop Track - December 2017
Rays of Light over the Ridgeline.


McIntosh Loop Track - December 2017
McIntosh Hut Living Area.

McIntosh Loop Track - December 2017
Long Gully Saddle

McIntosh Loop Track - December 2017
Mt Alfred.

McIntosh Loop Track - December 2017
Mt McIntosh

McIntosh Loop Track - December 2017
Mt McIntosh

McIntosh Loop Track - December 2017
Steep Spur on to Ridge.

McIntosh Loop Track - December 2017
McIntosh Loop DOC Sign

_______________________________________
26/11/17.
Tramper.
Steffan Rolfe.
Fine.
Lake Dispute Walkway to Mt Crichton Loop Track – Mt Crichton Scenic Reserve. (2 hours).
I did an afternoon hike along the Lake Dispute Walkway to the junction with the Mt Crichton Loop Track, which I linked back up with the Glenorchy Road to get me back to the Carpark. Beautiful short walk along an easy track.

Lake Dispute to Mt Crichton Loop - November 2017
Manuka Flowering on the Lake Dispute Walkway

Lake Dispute to Mt Crichton Loop - November 2017
Reeds at the Outlet of Lake Dispute

Lake Dispute to Mt Crichton Loop - November 2017
Lake Wakatipu and Cecil Peak

______________________________________
16/11/17 to 17/11/17.
Tramper.
Steffan Rolfe.
Fine, Light Rain Overnight.
Sugarloaf Pass and the Rockburn Track. (2 days).
I completed an overnight trip over the Sugarloaf Pass and Rockburn Track, overnighting at the Dart River/Rockburn Confluence. I camped overnight, with a light rain occurring during the night. The following day there was a black cloud of sandflies surrounding my tent. I tramping over to Lake Sylvan, joined the Lake Sylvan track, and then made my way back to the Routeburn Carpark.


Sugarloaf Pass and the Rockburn Track
November 2017
Start of the Sugarloaf Track

Sugarloaf Pass and the Rockburn Track
November 2017
Sugarloaf Stream
Sugarloaf Pass and the Rockburn Track
November 2017
Views down Sugarloaf Stream and from the Pass
Sugarloaf Pass and the Rockburn Track
November 2017
Rockburn Track
Sugarloaf Pass and the Rockburn Track
November 2017
Rockburn Chasm from Sugarloaf Pass





Sugarloaf Pass and the Rockburn Track
November 2017
Rockburn Chasm

Sugarloaf Pass and the Rockburn Track
November 2017
Looking through the Beech to my Campsite

Sugarloaf Pass and the Rockburn Track
November 2017
South Island Bush Robin

Sugarloaf Pass and the Rockburn Track
November 2017
Reflections in the Rockburn

Sugarloaf Pass and the Rockburn Track
November 2017
Mountain Reflections in Lake Sylvan


Sugarloaf Pass and the Rockburn Track
November 2017
Lake Sylvan

Sugarloaf Pass and the Rockburn Track
November 2017
Dappled Light in the Beech Forest















___________________________________________________________
02/11/17.
Tramper.
Steffan Rolfe, Doug Cleary.
Fine with cloud building.
Rob Roy Valley Track – Mt Aspiring National Park. (4 hours).
After a kayak trip down the West Matukituki, we headed up the Rob Roy Valley Track with a few girls that we picked up hitch-hiking during the car shuttle.

Rob Roy Valley Track - November 2017
DOC Sig

Rob Roy Valley Track - November 2017
Waterfalls from the Top Lookout

Rob Roy Valley Track - November 2017
Rob Roy Glacier

____________________________________________
26/10/17.
Tramper.
Steffan Rolfe.
Fine.
Mt Crichton Loop Track – Mt Crichton Scenic Reserve. (3 hours).
I went for an afternoon hike around the Mt Crichton Loop Track in the Mt Crichton Scenic Reserve near Queenstown. Interesting history associated with the area in regard to Gold Mining, with some remnants of this era throughout the Reserve including the Sam Summers Hut.

Mt Crichton Loop Track
October 2017
12 Mile Creek

Mt Crichton Loop Track - October 2017
Sluiced Canyon
Mt Crichton Loop Track
October 2017
Tailrace Tunnel



Mt Crichton Loop Track - October 2017
Sam Summer Hut
Mt Crichton Loop Track - October 2017
Beech Tree Swallowing the Track Sign


Mt Crichton Loop Track - October 2017
Mt Hanlon












_________________________________________
08/10/17 to 09/10/17.
Tramper.
Steffan Rolfe.
Fine.
McIntyre Hut – Whakaari Conservation Park – Glenorchy. (2 days).
I hiked into McIntyre Hut in the Whakaari Conservation Park. I followed the Mt Judah Track to the Junction, tramped down the Buckler Burn, and climbed up to McIntyre Hut for the night. I returned the same way.

McIntyre Hut - October 2017
Track up Mount MacIntosh
McIntyre Hut - October 2017
Mt Judah

McIntyre Hut - October 2017
Buckler Burn


McIntyre Hut - October 2017
Inside the Hut

McIntyre Hut - October 2017
McIntyre Hut and Point 1342

McIntyre Hut - October 2017
Sunset on Mt Alaska

McIntyre Hut - October 2017
Sunrise over the Humboldt Mountains

McIntyre Hut - October 2017
Point 1247 on the MacIntosh Loop

McIntyre Hut - October 2017
Steep descent to the Buckler Burn

McIntyre Hut - October 2017
The Junction






































____________________________________
19/08/17.
Tramper.
Steffan Rolfe.
Fine.
Mt Judah Track – Whakaari Conservation Park – Glenorchy. (4 hours).
I did a half day walk in the Whakaari Conservation Park. I started at the Whakaari Carpark and followed the Mt Judah Track up to Bonnie Jean Hut for lunch. I returned back the same way.


Mt Judah Track - August 2017
Mount MacIntosh

Mt Judah Track - August 2017
Boozer Hut

Mt Judah Track - August 2017
Bonnie Jean Hut
Mt Judah Track - August 2017
Side Stream Waterfall off the Mt Judah Track
Mt Judah Track - August 2017
Humboldt Mountains










__________________________________
28/06/17.
Tramper.
Steffan Rolfe.
Fine.
Bobs Cove Bridle Track – Queenstown. (2.5 hours).
Went for a walk along the Bridle Track at Bobs Cove. Started at the Bobs Cove Carpark, followed the Bridle Track to its end on the Glenorchy Road. On the way back I detoured along a side track up to the road, and a loop track back to the Bobs Cove Track.



Bobs Cove Bridle Track - June 2017
Picnic Point

Bobs Cove Bridle Track - June 2017
Bridle Track


Bobs Cove Bridle Track - June 2017
Welcome to the Forest


________________________________
21/06/17 to 22/06/17.
Tramper.
Steffan Rolfe.
Fine.
Heather Jock Track – Whakaari Conservation Park. (2 days).
I did an overnight trip into the Whakaari Conservation Park. I spent the night in the Heather Jock Hut. I left later in the afternoon than what I should have, became benighted close to the hut and my head-torch went dead. I then missed one of the zig-zag turns, ended up on the other side of the ridge, and then had to climb up over the ridge to reach the hut.


Heather Jock Track - June 2017
DOC Track Time Sign

Heather Jock Track - June 2017
Mount MacIntosh from the Mt Judah Trac

Heather Jock Track - June 2017
Mt MacIntosh from Jean Hut

Heather Jock Track - June 2017
Bonnie Jean Hut
Heather Jock Track - June 2017
Heather Jock Hut in the morning mist

Heather Jock Track - June 2017
Boozer Hut

Heather Jock Hut - June 2017
State Mine Tracks

Heather Jock Hut - June 2017
Looking down over the Head of the Lake

Heather Jock Track - June 2017
Glenorchy Geological Map.
















____________________________________________
15/06/17.
Tramper.
Steffan Rolfe
Fine.
Glenorchy Walkway (2 hours).
Went for a walk around the Glenorchy Walkway. Well constructed board walk with good views of the Humboldt Mountains, Mt Alfred/Ari, and Mt Earnslaw. Good views of bird life in the Lagoon too.


Glenorchy Walkway - June 2017
Glenorchy Walkway

Glenorchy Walkway - June 2017
Mt Alfred and the Glenorchy Lagoon

Glenorchy Walkway - June 2017
Cloud on the Water

Glenorchy Walkway - June 2017
NZ Scaup

Glenorchy Walkway - June 2017
Wharf Shed and Railway Trolleys

__________________________________________________
14/06/17.
Tramper.
Steffan Rolfe.
Fine.
Bobs Cove Track to Twelve Mile Delta – Queenstown (3.5 hours).
Went for a walk from Bobs Cove down to the Twelve Mile Delta Campsite via the Picnic Point loop. Nice amount of historical sites with good info panels along the way.


Bobs Cove Track to Twelve Mile Delta
June 2017 - Mount Nicholas
Bobs Cove Track to Twelve Mile Delta
June 2017 - Bobs Cove

Bobs Cove Track to Twelve Mile Delta
June 2017 - Old Stone Hut Ruins

Bobs Cove Track to Twelve Mile Delta
June 2017 - Walter Peak Panorama

Bobs Cove Track to Twelve Mile Delta
June 2017 - Twelve Mile Delta Campground

____________________________________
06/05/17 to 07/05/17.
Tramper.
Steffan Rolfe, Christian Ruegg, Odelious Ruegg, Johanna Wilson, Fiona Sawyer.
Fine, with low cloud & fog on the morning of the second day.
Double Hut – Hakatere Conservation Park – South Canterbury (2 days).
I went for an overnight tramp into Double Hut below Mt Taylor, in the Hakatere Conservation Park. Met up with several mate at the hut, and we headed back out to the Lake Heron Carpark with them the following day.


Double Hut - May 2017
Hakatere Conservation Park

Double Hut - May 2017
The Taylor Range

Double Hut - May 2017
Ridgeline

Double Hut - May 2017
Fading Light on the Track to
Double Hut

Double Hut - May 2017
Fireplace in Double Hut

Double Hut - May 2017
Pretty sure this is my Hat

Double Hut - May 2017
Following the fenceline down to Lake Heron

Double Hut - May 2017
Lake Heron

Double Hut - May 2017 - Swin River Flood Plains





_________________________________________________________
28/01/17.
Tramper.
Steffan Rolfe.
Fine.
Richmond Trail – Te Kahui Kaupeka Conservation Park – Lake Tekapo. (5 hours).
I tramped over the Richmond Trail from Lilybank Road to the Roundhill Skifield Road on a hot summers days in January. In order to stop having to walk the track both ways, I setup a Mountain Bike at the Skifield Road end. The walk was 4 hours long, and the MTB ride back to my car took approximately 1 hour.

Richmond Trail Tekapo - January 2017
Richmond Trail and Richmond Range

Richmond Trail Tekapo - January 2017
Godley River Valley

Richmond Trail Tekapo - January 2017
Round Hill Skifield in the summer
Richmond Trail Tekapo - January 2017
Preset Shuttle Vehicle - AKA Mountain Bike























____________________________________
15/01/17.
Tramper.
Steffan Rolfe.
Fine, with Strong NW Winds.
Sawyers Creek Track, and Parsons Creek Track – Lake Ohau – Ruataniwha Conservation Park. (3 hours).
On a windy afternoon I went down to Lake Ohau to explore a couple of short walks in the area. I walked from the Glen Mary Ski Club Huts up to the footbridge over Sawyers Creek on the Tarnbrae Track, and then back. Then I walked up the Parsons Creek Track up to the Tarnbrae Track and back.

Sawyers Creek Track & Parsons Creek Track
January 2017
Pinnacle at the head of Sawyers Creek

Sawyers Creek Track & Parsons Creek Track
January 2017
Parsons Creek Track

 
Sawyers Creek Track & Parsons Creek Track
January 2017
Ben Ohau and Flanagan Pass
_________________________


2016 Bush Log

Bush Instruction:


24/11/2016.
Instructor.
Steffan Rolfe, Katrina Cousins.
Raining.
Aoraki/Mount Cook Village. (2 hours).
I ran a basic maps theory session for one of the girls at the Hermitage Hotel. I covered: scales and measurements; map features; grid references; and contour interpretation.


Bush Personal:


18/12/16.
Tramper.
Steffan Rolfe.
Fine.
Cowans Hill Walkway – Lake Tekapo. (1.5 hours).
I went for a drive from Aoraki/Mt Cook Village to Tekapo, and went for a walk over the Cowans Hill Walkway from Tekapo to the highway and back. Easy walk over a single trail Mountain Bike Track, with decent views over Tekapo.


Cowans Hill Tekapo - December 2016
Lupins on the Hillside

Cowans Hill Tekapo - December 2016
Cowans Observatory and Mt Edwards













_________________________________________________________
12/11/16 to 13/11/16.
Tramper.
Steffan Rolfe
Light Rain and Wind, Fine.
Monument Hut – Hopkins River – Ruataniwha Conservation Park. (2 days, 1 night).
I decided to do a quick overnight mission into Monument Hut in the Hopkins Valley. I started at Ram Hill and followed the 4WD track up to Monument Hut. Then I followed the 4wd track back out to the Carpark on the following day.

Monument Hut - November 2016
Hopkins Valley Track

Monument Hut - November 2016
Oyster Catcher

Monument Hut - November 2016
Teawapuhe Bush

Monument Hut - November 2016
Picnic Table Near Monument Hut

Monument Hut - November 2016
Monument Hut and the monument cairn





























_____________________________________




28/06/16 to 29/06/2016.
Tramper.           
Steffan Rolfe.
Fine.
Ball Hut – Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park. (2 days, 1 night).
I went for an overnight at Ball Hut in Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park. I walked up the Ball Hut 4wd track to the hut in the evening, and did some stargazing at the hut. I walked out the following day. It was a cold, clear night, and a good couple of days for a walk in the mountains.


Ball Hut - June 2016
Blue Stream
Ball Hut - June 2016
Crevasses on the Lower Tasman Glacier
Ball Hut - June 2016
Ball Hut




Ball Hut - June 2016
Tasman Glacier Lake

















_________________________________________________________

03/05/16.
Tramper.
Steffan Rolfe, Jess Waterworth, Natalie Zieltjes, Lance Zieltjes.
Fine, wind building throughout the day.
Mueller Hut – Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park. (8 hours).
I did a day trip up to Mueller Hut and back from Mt Cook Village in Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park with three other people. It was a pretty cruisy trip at a relaxed pace on a nice autumn day.
Mueller Hut - May 2016
Boardwalk to Kea Point
Mueller Hut - May 2016
The last slope up the ridge

Mueller Hut - May 2016
Mueller Hut

Mueller Hut - May 2016
Natalie

Mueller Hut - May 2016
Mueller Glacier Lake

__________________________________________________________
23/01/16.
Tramper.
Steffan Rolfe, Jenna McCarthy.
Fine, high cloud.
Red Tarns and Sebastopol Bluffs – Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park. (3 hours). 
I did a short walk up the Red Tarns Tack, and up the scree slope to the Tarns above Sebastopol Bluffs. Cruisy walk, with a bit of exploring around the tarns above the bluffs.

Tarns above Sebastopol Bluffs - January 2016
Norwest Arch over the Southern Alps
Tarns above Sebastopol Bluffs - January 2016
Ripples across the Tarn










________________________________________________________
03/01/16.
Tramper.
Steffan Rolfe.
Raining.
Hooker Valley Track – Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park. (2 hours).
I did a rainy day walk up the Hooker Valley Track from the White Horse Hill Carpark up to the Hooker Glacier Lake. The lake had a large number of small ice-bergs at the southern end of it, and at the outlet.



Hooker Valley Walk - January 2016
Mueller Glacier Lake
Hooker Valley Walk - January 2016
Shelter beside Stocking Stream

Hooker Valley Walk - January 2016
Hooker Glacier Lake

Hooker Valley Walk - January 2016
Speargrass




















2015 Bush Log:

________________________________________________________________
12/12/15 to 13/12/15
Tramper.
Steffan Rolfe.
Heavy Rain Showers, strong NW winds.
Baikie Hut – Ruataniwha Conservation Park. (2 days).
I did an overnight trip in the Ruataniwha Conservation Park in to Baikie Hut. This trip was an alternative to Mueller Hut, as the weather in Mt Cook Village was very heavy rain and strong NW winds. The track was along a 4WD track with a public easement over farm land to get to the conservation park boundary. It started at a carpark off the Mt Cook highway. Very open terrain with great views of the Ben Ohau Range.
Baikie Hut - December 2015
Rain on the Ben Ohau Range
Baikie Hut - December 2015
View through the Baikie Hut Window
Baikie Hut - December 2015
Baikie Hut
Baikie Hut - December 2015
Rock in the field
Baikie Hut - December 2015
Flanagan Pass
Baikie Hut - December 2015
Rosehip Flower
_______________________________________________________________
06/12/15.
Tramper.
Steffan Rolfe.
Fine.
Sealey Tarns Track – Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park. (2 hours).
I did a tramp up the Sealey Tarns Track in the Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park after work one afternoon. The track took approximately two hours. The track started at the White Horse Hill Carpark, and finished at the Sealey Tarns. Lots of steps and the track was quite steep, but this made for a quick ascent and descent.
Sealey Tarns - December 2015
Track Junction
Sealey Tarns - December 2015
Steffan
Sealey Tarns - December 2015
Sealey Tarns




Sealey Tarns - December 2015
Aoraki/Mt Cook & the Hooker &
Mueller Glacier Lakes
_________________________________________________________________________
27/11/15.
Tramper.
Steffan Rolfe.
Light Rain.
Red Tarns Track – Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park. (2 hours).
I did a tramp up the Red Tarns Track in the Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park. The track took just under two hours. The track started at the Black Birch Stream, and ended at the Red Tarns below Mt Sebastapol. The stream and side-stream had a lot of water in them as 86mm of rain fell during the morning.


Red Tarns - November 2015
Blackbirch Stream running high
Red Tarns - November 2015
Water cascading down the mountain
Red Tarns - November 2015
The headwaters of Blackbirch Stream

Red Tarns - November 2015
Mt Sebastopol

Red Tarns - November 2015
Mt Wakefield and the mountain compass
Red Tarns - November 2015
The Tarn 
Red Tarns - November 2015
Mt Cook Alpine Village






______________________________________________________________
02/11/15.
Tramper.
Steffan Rolfe.
Fine, with moderate NW winds.
Twizel Walkway – Twizel. (2 hours).
I went for a walk around the Twizel Walkway, which follows tracks around the outer edge of the Twizel township. It was a cruisy walk around 9km of track, although the track does get a little less distinct through the pine planation, due to lots of crossroads, and some civil construction work going on.
Twizel Walkway - November 2015
Twizel River.
Twizel Walkway - November 2015
Track up to the Observation Point.

















___________________________________________________________
08/06/15 to 09/06/15.
Party Leader.
Steffan Rolfe, Johanna Molitor.
Fine, with occasional light rain.
Kohaihai and the Oparara Basin in the Karamea Area. (2 days).
We did a road trip up to Karamea to explore some of the short walks in the Oparara Basin and at Kohaihai at the start of the Heaphy Track. The walks we did were the Moria Arch, and the Oparara Arch on the first day, and then the Nikau Walk and Zigzag lookout at Kohaihai, and the Crazy Paving Cave, Box Canyon Cave, and Mirror Tarn on the second day.
Karamea Exploring - June 2015
Inside the Moria Gate Arch
Karamea Exploring - June 2015
Fantail at Kohaihai
Karamea Exploring - June 2015
Johanna at the Zigzag Lookout

Karamea Exploring - June 2015
Steffan on the Kohaihai Swingbridge




Karamea Exploring - June 2015
Crazy Paving


Karamea Exploring - June 2015
Mirror Tarn


________________________________________________________________________
06/06/15 to 07/06/15.
Party Leader.
Steffan Rolfe, Johanna Molitor, Thomas Campbell.
Raining on the first day, then clearing overnight, and showers developing again on the second day.
Blackball carpark on the Croesus Track up to Ces Clark Hut. Returned the same way, with a detour to Garden Gully. (2 days).
Did an overnight tramp up to Ces Clark Hut from Blackball. We tramped up the Croesus Track in the rain to stay at the hut overnight. We then returned down the Croesus Track to the Carpark with a detour to the Garden Gully Battery, and the Garden Gully Hut. Our original intentions had been to carry on over to Barrytown, however the track had been closed due to a slip.
Ces Clark Hut - June 2015
Johanna & Tom heading
off down the Croesus Track



Ces Clark Hut - June 2015
Ghost Tree on the Croesus Track
Ces Clark Hut - June 2015
Steffan, Johanna & Tom on the Paparoas




Ces Clark Hut - June 2015
Johanna & Steffan having lunch
under the Rimu Tree
Ces Clark Hut - June 2015
Garden Gully Hut
























__________________________________________________________________________
09/05/15 to 10/05/15.
Craigeburn Station.
Steffan Rolfe, Christian Ruegg, James McLean, Zhane Harvey, Sarah Chadderton.
Overcast with High Winds and patchy rain, clearing the following day.
Competed in the CUTC 24 hour Rogaine TWALK (2 days).
Competed in the Canterbury University Tramping Clubs 24 hour Rogaine event – TWALK. We did the rogaine with 4 people from the Tai Poutini Polytechnic Certificate in Outdoor Education Programme and one person from Christchurch. Tai Poutini sponsored the 4 of us from the COE programme. The Rogaine itself was held at Craigeburn Station. I competed in Legs 1 and 2, and as a team we competed in 4 legs out of the 5 legs available, with one of our team members going for the full 24 hours.
TWALK 2015 - May 2015
Poutini Panthers
TWALK 2015 - May 2015
Strolling across Flock Hill Station


TWALK 2015 - May 2015
Lake Marymere
TWALK 2015 - May 2015
Christian having a braveheart moment
TWALK 2015 - May 2015
Craigeburn Station Entrance



TWALK 2015 - May 2015
Descending through Darkness


TWALK 2015 - May 2015
Crazy Photo.... kinda

_______________________________________________________________________
04/04/15 to 05/04/15.
Edwards Valley – Arthurs Pass National Park.
Steffan Rolfe, Sarah Chadderton, Christian Ruegg, Adrianna Muntz-Gardner.
Shower clearing at midday, and fine for the rest of the trip.
Greyneys Shelter to the confluence of the Mingha and Edwards, up the Edwards Valley to Edwards Hut. Returned the same way. (2 days).
Did an overnight tramp up the Edwards Valley over Easter Weekend. Tramped from Greyneys Shelter to the Confluence of the Mingha and Edwards, and up the Edwards Valley to the Edwards Hut. We returned the same way.
Edwards Hut - April 2015
Foot of the Polar Range
Edwards Hut - April 2015
Blue Ducks on the Edwards River

Edwards Hut - April 2015
The Edwards River and Mt Williams
Edwards Hut - April 2015
Getting Ready to go

Edwards Hut - April 2015
Emerging at the Hut
Edwards Hut - April 2015
Cairns on the Riverbed
Edwards Hut - April 2015
Sarah climbing the old chain path
________________________________________________________________________
28/03/15 to 29/03/15.
Party Leader.
Carol Hut, Kelly Range – Arthurs Pass National Park.
Steffan Rolfe, Johanna Molitor.
Heavy Rain, with Thunderstorms overnight. Patchy Rain.
Kellys Creek up the track to Carol Hut. Returned the same way. (2 days).
Did an overnight trip to Carol Hut on the Kelly Range with a rainy forecast. Started at Kellys Creek, up the track to Carol Hut. A Thunderstorm overnight rattled the hut, but the weather cleared sufficiently at times during the day to allow for some great views.
Carol Hut - March 2015
Patch of Sunshine near Goat Hill
Carol Hut - March 2015
Carol Hut


Carol Hut - March 2015
Rainbow viewed from Carol Hut
Carol Hut - March 2015
Johanna descending the Carol Hut Track


__________________________________________________________________________
07/03/15 to 08/03/15.
Party Leader.
Dun Mountain Walkway – Mt Richmond Forest Park.
Steffan Rolfe, Johanna Molitor, Mac Beamish, Sarah Chadderton.
Heavy Showers during the day, clearing overnight, and then fine but windy.
Brook Valley to Dun Saddle and on to Rocks Hut. Hut back to Dun Saddle and up Dun Mountain. Then down the Dun Mountain Walkway back to Brook Valley. (2 days).
Dun Mountain - March 2015
Rocks on Dun Mountain
Dun Mountain - March 2015
Tramping over to Coppermine Saddle.
Dun Mountain - March 2015
Scree Saddle on the way to Rocks Hut
I organised a tramp on Dun Mountain Walkway for four people. We travelled from Greymouth to Nelson, and overnighted at the Matai Valley Campground. We then walked from Brook Valley up to Dun Saddle, and overnighted at Rocks Hut. Then we walked up Dun Mountain, and returned to the Car in Brook Valley. On the way back down we encountered a small section of tramp that had slumped quite dramatically overnight.
Dun Mountain - March 2015
Rocks Hut
Dun Mountain - March 2015
Track Slip that occurred overnight

Dun Mountain - March 2015
First sight of Dun Hut





___________________________________________________________________________
23/01/15.
Party Leader.
Hooker Valley Track – Mt Cook National Park.
Steffan Rolfe, Johanna Molitor.
Fine weather, intense sunshine.
White Horse Hill to the Hooker Glacier Lake, and return. Then a short walk to the Tasman Glacier Lake Jetty (5 hours).
Hooker Lake - January 2015
Aoraki Mt Cook and the Hooker
Glacier Lake
Hooker Lake - January 2015
Mt Sefton and Mueller Lake

 Did a tramp along the Hooker Valley Track in Mt Cook National Park, from White Horse Hill to the Hooker Glacier Lake. Awesome view of Aoraki/Mt Cook from the track and the lake. Then did a short walk to the Tasman Glacier Lake Jetty. Johanna decided to take a swim in the lake – 2oc.

Tasman Valley - January 2015
Track Junction in the Tasman Valley
Tasman Valley - January 2015
Tasman Valley Carpark















_________________________________________________________________________
11/01/15 to 13/01/15.
Banks Peninsula Trust Track – Akaroa Harbour.
Steffan Rolfe, Laura Warren.
Fine weather but misty over the tops, and fine for the rest of trip.
Onuku Farm to Flea Bay, and Stony Bay. Stony Bay to Otanerito Bay and back to Akaroa via Hinewai Reserve. (2 days).
Did a private tramp run by the Banks Peninsula Trust. We overnighted at Onuku Farm. Then tramped from Onuku over to Flea Bay, and on to Stony Bay, were we stayed the night. Then we tramped to Otanerito Bay, and back to Akaroa via the Hinewai Reserve.

 
Banks Peninsula Track - January 2015
Little Blue Penguins under the Hut at
Stony Bay Lodge
Banks Peninsula Track - January 2015
Laura enjoying the Hinewai Reserve

















____________________________________________________________

Bush Training (NZOIA):


02/10/15.
New Zealand Outdoor Instructors Association – Bush Walking Leader Refresher.
Instructor/Assessor: Mark Jones.
Students: Steffan Rolfe, Tania Seward, Sam Brown.
Fine.
Bush Walking Leader Refresher at the NZOIA Symposium at Peel Forest (1 day).
I attended a Bush Walking Leader Refresher held at Peel Forest at the NZOIA Symposium. This was the last part of the qualification transfer process from MSC to NZOIA. Mark Jones from AUT was the Assessor. He made the process interesting and even demonstrated how to make fire husing a bow drill, and taught us some flax weaving.
NZOIA Bush Walking Leader Refresher
October 2015
Mark discussing our location
NZOIA Bush Walking Leader Refresher
October 2015
Success
NZOIA Bush Walking Leader Refresher
October 2015
Mark demonstrating how to start fire
_______________________________________________________________

Bush Training (TPP):


13/07/15 to 14/07/15 & 16/07/15 to 17/07/15.
Tai Poutini Polytechnic – Certificate in Outdoor Education.
Tai Poutini Polytechnic Greymouth Campus & Ianthe Conservation Area – Greens Beach.
Instructors: Zac Shaw, Rebecca Dryland.
Students: Lochy, Mac, Toby, James, Ariel, Wade, Eigil, Arianna, Sara, Katrina, Curtis, Sam, Zhane, Kate, Sean, Henry, Jordan, Simon, Hazel, Kit, Tom, Ray, Josh, Alex, Reuben, Sarah, Lyon, Zach, Steffan, Ryan.
Rain for the first two days, then fine with light rain overnight and light showers during the day on the survival overnighter.
Bushcraft/Survival week held at the TPP campus at Greymouth and Survival Overnighter at Greens beach in the Ianthe Conservation Area. (4 days).
I attended a Bushcraft/Survival Week as part of the TPP Certificate in Outdoor Education. We had a theory session on survival on Monday afternoon, and then we had presentations to deliver on improvised Bushcraft/survival topics on Tuesday – I delivered a presentation on creating a milk bottle lantern. On Thursday we drove down to Ianthe Conservation Area, and did an overnight survival session at Greens Beach. We had to construct a shelter, and spend the night in it without a sleeping mat.
Survival Week - July 2015
Roycroft Pack

 __________________________________________________________________________
02/07/15 to 03/07/15 & 06/07/15.
Tai Poutini Polytechnic – Certificate in Outdoor Education.
Lake Kaniere Lodge, and Omotumotu Reserve.
Instructors: Rebecca Dryland, Phil Johnston-Coates, Roo Riley.
Students: Lochy, Mac, Toby, James, Ariel, Wade, Eigil, Ariana, Sara, Katrina, Curtis, Michelle, Demi, Sam, Zhane, Kate, Sean, Henry, Jordan, Simon, Hazel, Kit, Ryan, Tom, Ray, Josh, Alex, Reuben, Sarah, Lyon, Zach, Steffan, Ryan.
Rain all three days.
Outdoor First Aid Course held at Lake Kaniere Lodge, and Omotumotu Reserve. (3 days).
I attended an Outdoor First Aid Course as part of the Tai Poutini Polytechnic Certificate in Outdoor Education. We spent two days and one night at Kaniere Lodge, and one day at Omotumotu Reserve. The course was mostly scenario based, focussed on outdoor first aid and managing emergencies in the outdoors. There was also a small amount of practical instruction in terms of DRSABC, Fracture management, casualty movement, spinal management, and immobilisation of limbs.
__________________________________________________________________________
23/06/15 to 26/06/15.
Tai Poutini Polytechnic – Certificate in Outdoor Education.
Mole Tops – Nelson Lakes National Park.
Instructor: Chris Gilbertson.
Students: Steffan Rolfe, Josh Bougen, Hazel McAlister, Sarah Hartstone, Zach Colligan, Alex Hill, Ryan Morris.
Fine for the Week, with snow on the ground.
Mataki Lodge to Jamison Ridge. Jamison Ridge to Mole Saddle, Point 1340, Point 1216, Tiraumea Saddle, and Tiraumea Hut. Tiraumea Hut up the track to Mole Saddle, and back to Jamison Ridge. Jamison Ridge down to Mataki Lodge. (4 days).
We did a tramping assessment week as part of the TPP Certificate in Outdoor Education. On the first day we tramped from Mataki Lodge up the Jamison Ridge Track. We camped above the snowline at around the 1200m contour. The next day we followed the track up to Mole Saddle, and then over to Point 1340. We then went off-track into bush and followed the ridgeline down to Point 1216, and then over to a saddle between two knolls. We then descended steeply to the track to the west of Tiraumea Saddle and followed the Tiraumea track to the Tiraumea Hut and camped in the trees beside the hut. On the third day we followed the track back up to Mole Saddle, on to the Jamison Ridge Track to return to our first campsite for the evening. On the last day we followed the Jamison Ridge Track back down to Mataki Lodge. Awesome tramp, with quite cool temperatures overnight, and incredible sunrises and sunsets.
Mole Tops Tramping Trip
June 2015
Alex and Hazel on the snowy track
Mole Tops Tramping Trip - June 2015
Ready to go before the Sun comes up
Mole Tops Tramping Trip - June 2015
Sunrise over the Mole Tops


Mole Tops Tramping Trip
June 2015
Off Track Nav through the
snowy beech forest


Mole Tops Tramping Trip - June 2015
COE Tramp 3 Crew

Mole Tops Tramping Trip - June 2015
Climbing through the clearing back to
Mole Saddle
Mole Tops Tramping Trip - June 2015
Tiraumea Hut
Mole Tops Tramping Trip - June 2015
Mole Tops Tramp No 3 Crew at the end of the tramp









































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26/05/15 to 29/05/15.
Tai Poutini Polytechnic – Certificate in Outdoor Education.
Gem & Mineral Hall at Shantytown. Woods Creek Track. Punakaiki & Denniston. TPP Campus Greymouth.
Instructors: Rebecca Dryland, Zac Shaw, John Caygill, Gary James, Kerry-Jayne Wilson.
Students: Lochy, Mac, Toby, James, Ariel, Wade, Eigil, Ariana, Sara, Katrina, Curtis, Michelle, Demi, Sam, Zhane, Kate, Sean, Henry, Jordan, Simon, Hazel, Kit, Ryan, Tom, Ray, Josh, Alex, Reuben, Sarah, Lyon, Zach, Steffan, Ryan.
Fine for the week.
Shantytown – Geology, Minerals & Gems. Wood Creek – History & Ecology. Punakaiki (Truman Track) – Ecology. Denniston – History and Geology. Conservation Volunteers Shed Punakaiki – Ecology and Westland Petrels. TPP Campus Greymouth – Ecological Principles. (4 days).
We did four days of Geology and Ecology training as part of the Certificate in Outdoor Education at Tai Poutini Polytechnic. Our tutor was Rebecca Dryland with support from Zac Shaw. On the first day we did a Geology and Gems & Minerals session at Shantytown with John Caygill. Then we did an Ecology and Geography session at Woods Creek focussing on Succession Principles and some Geology and History. On the second day we did the Truman Track at Punakaiki looking at Ecology, a trip to Denniston looking at the history of the area with Gary James, and then to the Conservation Volunteers for a talk on Ecology by Kerry-Jayne Wilson, and to watch the Westland Petrels fly in to their Colony on the hills behind the shed. On the last two days we were at the TPP Campus in Greymouth focussing on Ecological Principles.


Geology & Biology Field Trip
May 2015
Start of the Woods Creek Track


Geology & Biology Field Trip
May 2015
Matai wrapped in Northern Rata

Geology & Biology Field Trip
May 2015
Alex on the Beach with the girls in the
background
Geology & Biology Field Trip
May 2015
Creek on the Woods Creek Track

Geology & Biology Field Trip
May 2015
Hanging out at the top of the
Denniston Incline



Geology & Biology Field Trip
May 2015
Sunset over the Conservation Volunteers Shed



















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08/05/15.
Tai Poutini Polytechnic – Certificate in Outdoor Education.
TPP Campus Hokikika & Serpentine Beach.
Instructors: Rebecca Dryland, and Kevin England.
Students: Lochy, Mac, Toby, James, Ariel, Wade, Eigil, Ariana, Sara, Katrina, Curtis, Michelle, Demi, Sam, Zhane, Kate, Sean, Henry, Jordan, Simon, Hazel, Kit, Ryan, Tom, Ray, Josh, Alex, Reuben, Sarah, Lyon, Zach, Steffan, Ryan.
Occasional Showers during the day.
Visit to Serpentine Beach, and then basic rock types and geological principles. (1 day).
We did one day focussing on geology with Tai Poutini Polytechnic as part of the Certificate in Outdoor Education. As part of this we did a trip down to the Hokitika Campus with a stop at Serpentine Creek near Kumara Junction. Then we had an introductory geology session run by Kevin England, which focussed on some basic geological principles and then focussing on different rock types.
Geology Field Trip - May 2015
Circling up on Serpentine Beach
Geology Field Trip - May 2015
Foam from Organic Sediment in Serpentine Creek
meeting the Tasman Sea












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29/04/15 to 01/05/15.
Tai Poutini Polytechnic – Certificate in Outdoor Education.
TPP Greymouth Campus. Hokitika Airport, & TPP Hokitika Campus. TPP Greymouth Campus.
Instructors: Mark Compton (NIWA), and Rebecca Dryland.
Students: Lochy, Mac, Toby, James, Ariel, Wade, Eigil, Ariana, Sara, Katrina, Curtis, Michelle, Demi, Sam, Zhane, Kate, Sean, Henry, Jordan, Simon, Hazel, Kit, Ryan, Tom, Ray, Josh, Alex, Reuben, Sarah, Lyon, Zach, Steffan, Ryan.
Raining on the 29th of April, Fine on the 30th of April, and Overcast on the 1st of May 2015.
TPP Greymouth Campus – Big Picture Weather and other weather related theory. Hokitika Airport – Weather Instruments (Manual and Automated). TPP Hokitika Campus – Weather Maps and forecasts. Greymouth TPP Campus – Wind and Cloud formation. (3 days).
We did 3 days of meteorology training as part of the Certificate in Outdoor Education. Our tutor was Rebecca Dryland. During the first day we focussed on some of the Big Picture Factors associated to weather, as well as some other weather related theory. On the second day we went down to Hokitika to learn about some of the reading taken by Metservice and manual readings utilised by NIWA. Then we did a theory session on weather maps. On the last day we focussed on Wind and Clouds.

Meteorology Module - April 2015
Heading to the Weather Station at
Hokitika Airport
Meteorology Module - April 2015
GNS Ground Position Measurements
Meteorology Module - April 2015
Weather Instruments at Hokitika Airport







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21/04/15 to 22/04/15.
Tai Poutini Polytechnic – Certificate in Outdoor Education.
Greymouth – Omotumotu Reserve. Cobden. Arahura River.
Instructors: Hank (DOC), Rebecca Dryland, Zac Shaw.
Students: Lochy, Mac, Toby, James, Ariel, Wade, Eigil, Ariana, Sara, Katrina, Curtis, Michelle, Demi, Sam, Zhane, Kate, Sean, Henry, Jordan, Simon, Hazel, Kit, Ryan, Tom, Ray, Josh, Alex, Reuben, Sarah, Lyon, Zach, Steffan, Ryan.
Showers during the 21st of April. Overcast on the 22nd of April.
Bush Training – Plant Identification at Omotumotu Reserve. Wetland Restoration at Cobden.
River Crossing and Navigation Session at Arahura River – focusing on: Map Orientation, Location Awareness, Compass Bearings, Mutual Support River Crossing Methods, Individual River Crossing Methods. (2 days).
Did some Bush training as part of the Navigation/River crossing Module at TPP. At the Omotumotu Reserve, we focussed on Plant Identification and Edible Plants. Then we worked on a wetland restoration project in Cobden.
River Crossing day had a short navigation component on orientating a map, taking bearings, and location awareness. River Crossing focussed on individual crossings – pole, river running – and Mutual Support – Pack strap, poles, and caterpillar turns.
Plant Identification Omotumotu Reserve
April 2015
Picking Coprosma Berries
Plant Identification Omotumotu Reserve
April 2015
Kie Kie

Plant Identification Omotumotu Reserve
April 2015
Hank discussing Miro

Cobden Wetland Restoration Project
April 2015
Heading out into the Wetlands

Cobden Wetland Restoration Project
April 2015
Crossing the Channels in the Wetlands

 __________________________________________________________________________

17/02/15 to 19/02/15.
Tai Poutini Polytechnic – Certificate in Outdoor Education.
Moonlight Croesus Track – Paparoa Range.
Instructor: Phil Johnston-Coates
Students: Steffan Rolfe, Toby Johnston, Jordan Rose, Kit Blackwood, Mac Beamish, Sam MacTaggart, Thomas Campbell, Zhane Harvey, Curtis Anderson.
Fine, with cloud building on the tops, which would burn off during the day.
Topics covered over the tramp included: Leave no trace philosophy, navigation – location awareness, map orientation, map and compass, camp-craft.
Anderson Flat up the Moonlight Track to Moonlight Tops. Croesus Tops to Croesus Knob down to Ces Clark Hut, and camping on Croesus Tops. Croesus Track down to Barrytown. (3 days).
We did a 3 day tramping trip with Tai Poutini Polytechnic starting at Andersons flat, up the Moonlight track, and then two nights camping on the tops. We did a side trip up Croesus Knob, dropping down to Ces Clark Hut to top up on water. After the second night on the tops we descended down to Barrytown via the Croesus Track.


Moonlight Croesus Track - February 2015
Moonlight Creek
Moonlight Croesus Track - February 2015
Curtis crossing the Footbridge
Moonlight Croesus Track - February 2015
Mist and Light over the campsite
Moonlight Croesus Track - February 2015
Sunset
Moonlight Croesus Track - February 2015
The team up the tree



Moonlight Croesus Track - February 2015
Approaching Point 1216
Moonlight Croesus Track - February 2015
Mac and Curtis at Dinner time

Moonlight Croesus Track - February 2015
The Crew on top of Croesus Knob
Moonlight Croesus Track - February 2015
Ces Clark Hut

Moonlight Croesus Track - February 2015
Descending the Croesus Track to Barrytown

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11/02/15 to 12/02/15.
Tai Poutini Polytechnic – Certificate in Outdoor Education.
Lake Mahinapua – Hokitika.
Instructors: Phil Johnston-Coates, Rebecca Dryland, Zach Shaw.
Students: Lochy, Mac, Toby, James, Ariel, Wade, Eigil, Arianna, Sara, Katrina, Curtis, Michelle, Demi, Sam, Zhane, Kate, Sean, Henry, Jordan, Simon, Hazel, Kit, Ryan, Tom, Ray, Josh, Alex, Reuben, Sarah, Lyon, Zach, Steffan, Ryan and the DOIG Students.
Fine weather over the two days.
Overnight camping and team building exercises. (2 days).
We did an overnight camping and team building trip down to Lake Mahinapua with Tai Poutini Polytechnic. The trip also consisted of a 500m group swim on the Lake, and a cooking competition.
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