Visiting Bushline Hut I went for a flying visit to Nelson Lakes NP in the first week of November with the intention of doing a series of day walks in the area. I was using St Arnaud as a base and walking some tracks around both Lake Rotoiti and also Lake Rotoroa.  I managed to walk the Mt Robert Circuit track which is the circuit around Mt Robert.  High of Mt Robert heading for Relax Shelter I have previously walked the Mt Robert Circuit via Pinchgut and Paddy's Tracks but decided I would revisit them as I am scouting out a possible trip to Lake Angelus later this year. I ..read more

The Retreat 150 Karen and I have brought a new tent...it is the Retreat 150 from Kathmandu....it cost us $600 dollars when you took the club member savings into account. Added to this the tent was on sale with 40% off...  The Kathmandu Retreat 150 We found my Coleman tent was just too small for use. You couldn't stand up inside it and while it is fine for one person it just isn't going to cut the mustard for two people. The new tent is so much bigger and it can be configured so that you can spend some time inside on a foul weather day. You can stand upright in it.  I will ..read more

  As you are not doubt aware (because I mention it so often) I am going to walk the Milford Track in January. I am going the guided way and Karen and myself will be gathering gear to specificllay walk the track. This time around I will not require so much gear as Ultimate Hikes is providing us with meals and accommodation. What I will need to take is basically my own personal gear... Sutherland Falls from the Arthur River First lets look at the gear that I don't need...I don't need my sleeping bag, cooker, or food because all these are supplied. These will save a good deal of we ..read more

At Lake Daniells I went for an adventure this past weekend....the destination was Manson-Nichols Hut at Lake Daniell. From the carpark at Marble Hill campsite (five kilometers from Springs Junction) you walk on an easy track for 8.4 kilometers or 1.5 to 3 hours walk. Despite its closeness to the road Lake Daniell's has a lovely remote feeling about it..it seems like you are a lot further away from civilization than you really are. The Silver Surfer parked at Marble Hill I will be going to Lake Daniell every year for the first tramp of the new winter season as it is a cool hut with a ..read more

a short camping adventure... Karen and I went camping over the Labour Day holiday...we went out to Spencer Park and set up our tent and stayed for a night. It was meant to be for two nights but it rained quite a bit and we decided to pull pin and go after the first day. The tent set up at Spencer Park We set up our tent (a three man Coleman tent) in the camping area and then proceeded to go for a walk on nearby Spencer Beach. We walked down the beach towards the Brooklands Spit and walked back on the trail that runs down the back of the dunes.  Walking on Brookland's Sp ..read more

 Hidden Valley...a restoration project A local group of citizens have cobble together to by a parcel of land next to the covenanted land in the new Te Ara Pataka reserve on Banks Peninsula. Called Hidden Valley it is a 72 hectare block between Mt Evans and Purau and the trustees hope to re forest the area with native bush.  The view from the bottom of Hidden Valley over Purau Bay and Lyttelton Harbour. With an eye to returning its ecology to what it once was a group of 20 citizens has brought the block between the Purau settlement and Mt Evans naming it Hidden Valley. After ..read more

on the Coastal Track.... The second  morning of my walk was bright and sun shiny and I was looking forward to waking out to Marahau. It was due to be about four hour all up and I was travelling around 13 kilometers to the end of the track. Anchorage Hut in the morning I quickly packed up and was on my way by 8 o'clock in the morning. I took some photos of Anchorage Hut as I was leaving.  Another view or Anchorage Hut The dinning area at Anchorage A sideview of Anchorage, Abel Tasman Coastal Track I was rearing to go but 8 o clock and I di ..read more

Rod Donald Hut again... I visited Rod Donald Hut on the weekend...I was meaning to visit Woolshed Creek but I cancelled it as I was the only person visiting that hut and I felt awkward. Rod Donald was available so I decided to visit it instead.  Ships off Port Levy in the rain on day one I started out at my normal spot up on Waipuna Saddle and walked into the hut in the light rain that was falling, The traveling time was much quicker than previously as I was more prepared for the walk. My walking style has improved with me no longer needing my walking stick to visit the hut ..read more

A overnight trip to Lakehead Hut  I went up to Lakehead Hut in late May to visit one my old stomping grounds. I like Nelson Lakes National Park as it is a good place to adventure to with its many good huts and clear to follow tracks. I was visiting Lakehead Hut which is there at the end of Lake Rotoiti approximately 2.5 hours from my start point.  Lake Rotoiti seen from Kerr Bay   I started from Kerr Bay with the intention of visiting the early part of the Travers Valley...at this time of the year Lakehead Hut is clear of avalanche danger and is easily reached by tramp ..read more

 Orson Raider XL-A better 1 man tent? Over the break I managed to by another tent for using it is the Orson Raider XL tent and this one is in the orange. You can get this tent in orange and green. I thought the orange would be a better color to buy. The tent is easier to see as well as looking different... ..the Orson Raider 1 in orange... Designed with tall individuals in mind this tent provides plenty of length with a size of 230cm reaching even the tallest of trampers. Often this is a problem as taller trampers find it impossible to fit inside the more shorter offerings from ..read more