Casey Saddle - Binser Saddle Route – half off-track tramp
I am feeling very heavy and unfit, plus my limbo walking from the wound on my knee which cause by drunk-biking last week lol
It's a slow trip for Cam so I am so grateful your patience and how you looking after me. You are always my hero no matter what.
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Destination been made on the exact morning we decided to go as weather looks terrible everywhere except for Canterbury. I like the way that I purpose where to tramp then he dismissed those ideas for weather and abilities (mainly mine) reasons 🤣 he's right tho. Someone has to check and research before we go, and when I tramp with Cam, it's much easier as it's not my job to keep everyone behave and safe.
We then made the "Advances level" track became half "Expert level" with good weather conditions. We dimensioned the original track but off-track to Andrews stream, followed the stream walk up to Hallelujah flat.
We found there's old track marks which made before D.O.C. I scratched my new sport watch screen in one of the big boulder climbing sense, should have buy a screen protector.
Second day we intended to bag another hut ( Turnbull biv ) after the first hut ( Casey Hut ) so we went up to off-track again. I enjoy so much off-track now more than normal track, although I am still relay on Cam's build-in compass 🧭 in his head. I am likely just totally lost in the bush if I am by my own.
Anyway, on the way out we tried to follow D.O.C's route sign then we found that the track has been washed away. I have to dismissed his idea for jumping to the fallen track, and go back from where we got up as it's out of comfort zone.
It took longer and walk further but I know I still have the ability to keep walking all day all night, even I am heavy and slow 😅 we keep walk for another 5km but this time we walk at 4.5km / hour speed with cows around the flat in the night, their sparking eyes were looking at us, when we left their watch, they started mooo- moo- 🐄🐄 We camp around Pete stream on the night.
Last day doesn't have anything too exciting but great feeling walk in the ancient bush. Walking up to the saddle telling me that I need go back to the gym or something. Library job with study dose improve your brain but not help with your fitness.
Saw some mushrooms that reminds me autumn shouldn't be too far and time for some mushroom hunting 😁😁 🍄 🍄
I am also promising myself for some solo tramp near soon.
Broken River - An off-track tramp
The way in - old coal mine, steep as.
River crossing required. Beautiful river but lots of white water and some were deep, it makes Cam a bit nervous. I was more steadily than him because when we bonding together, he standing on the upstream.
We tried not to cross river when it looks way too dangerous but climb up the sands hill. I was freaking out when I tried to walk on the softness surface, slid down hopelessly no matter how I try🤣 Eventually made it as Cam came back to pick up my pack, reduce the weigh for me so I can walk through it quick and this is the only way to do it.
Hut was with cool character. Months ago someone light a open fire outside and went for a hunt, then fire burn down the bush around Broken river Hut.
On the Hut book someone said : "Hut like this, D.O.C won't try to repair" it's lucky fire didn't burn down the hut as those grass around it just got trimmed before the incident. Please treasure our huts, watch out fire and help to maintain them if we can.
By the way, I am very upset by Te Urewera currently taking down huts in that area, feels like they are taking away the history of the place and destroying lots people's memories.
Anyway, after the fire around Broken river Hut, trees around there were terrible to burn. Cam spend few hours collect woods, he does make great fire for the cold night but smoky as, we both cry like babies 🤣
The way back - we decided no river crossing, no sands hill climbing, just bash into the bush.
All I remember was bloody bush lawyers, annoyed as. 2 hours walk took us nearly 4 hours to get to the junction. Have Cam to lead me bash through bushes, made the path much easier for me 😊😊
Back to coal mine circuit and went back to car park from the other way. It's says "Family friendly" but we don't think it's family friendly at all. Little kids can freak out in those steep slip, only chains connected to two D.O.C pole to support you walk through.
To be honest, it was great fun for me! None-tracks tramp are way more challenging and excited than usual, although I wouldn't do this by myself 😆
Thank you my hero, and keen to do more walk like this!
Jollie Brook Circuit - Solo tramp
While I am waiting for next chapter of my life....
☀ 1st Day
Sister Car park to Cold stream Hut - 4 hour
The most challenge and excited day out of another two. 27 times river crossing according instructor who I met in the first hut....I did tried to count it but gave up on the 16th 🤣
A bit freaking out on the 3rd river crossing, rapid, certain white water with a river level near my heap - short person's disadvantage, haha. Found a good stick ( Bob ) helps me went through it, then have Bob with me rest of the trip. Thanks Bob, you makes river crossing easier 😆👍
Got lost few times like always - assume the old track washed away due the weather and some of the new track doesn't have orange mark. I have emergency shelter ( a.k.a : tent ) in my backpack so pretty much stay calm all the time, then I did what Cam always told me to do - look up, look around. I manage back on track even there's no marks.
Start tramp at 1:40 pm, arrived Cold Stream Hut about 5:30 pm. 7 young girls were tenting around the hut, as 2 cool instructors/teachers took them for a mission.
Sitting in the hut with warm fire and listen those young girls share their tramping experience and one of the instructor share even more cooler stories.
Had only a little bit wine as there's children around.
Also found Cam's signature in the Hut book, his solo trip went up off track to Glenrae Hut & Glenrae Biv even on 2021 😆
🌦 🌧 2nd Day
Cold stream Hut to Jollie Brook Hut - 2 hours
Shit lots photos and selfies has been taken by me until rain starting falling heavily.
Cool ambulance workers couple were my accompanies for the night. Good stories shared from their cool job 🚑
Finished rest of the wine 🍷
⛅️☀️ 3rd Day
Jollie Brook Hut to Sister car park via Gabriel Hut
Easy ( but boring ) long distance walk out of the track. Viva birds life, saw Tui and gets very close to a bell bird.
Overcast / blessing weather for the last day until I jump back to car. Absolutely stunning view from Hurunui river.
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Easy, safe circuit good for a solo tramp.
No big hill so my lower back was doing alright.
The 1st day requires some minimum river crossing experience / way finding skill which add some good flavors of the adventure.
Great experience 💪
