Situated between
Mossburn and Wakatipu, these mountains cover a vast area. As we ventured
down the Mossburn-Five Rivers highway, the snow was falling heavily
and after meeting up with Nigel (trip leader) and Vanessa we opted
to stay at the Mossburn Camping Ground rather than attempt to drive
to Acton Hut. They have excellent facilities, including a tanning
bed!
We awoke on Saturday
morning to a bright and chilly aura. After satisfying a hankering
for building a snowman we drove up Acton Forestry Road. We left the
van half way up due to the 12 cm of snow on the road and tramped the
remaining 1 1/2 hours to Acton Hut. This was magical - dark green
pine trees laden with contrasting pristine white snow.
After lunch 5 of
the 13 trampers continued to Cromel Hut (approx. 3 hours). Following
the track, they went up over the saddle and down to the Cromel Stream,
crossed it and tramped the short distance to the hut. Meanwhile the
remaining group took an afternoon walk up the Cromel Branch track.
Observations en route were toppled large beech trees, a result of
the weight of snow.
Normally they would
have shed their leaves before any significant snowfall in winter,
giving less area for the snow to settle on the tree. The leaf weight
plus extra snow weight caused significant obstruction and it was a
saddening sight, especially on the outer 300 metres of bush where
there was no rejuvenation. We sighted the "Derelict Hut", which is
less than 1 km from Acton Hut, but it is hardly derelict because of
recent repairs. There was no hut book so names (including OTMC members)
and dates had been carved into the outside boards. Glissading techniques
were practised en route back to Acton Hut.
On Sunday those
at Acton Hut went for a tramp up a nearby hill. We practised compass
skills, and viewed the Eyre and Livingstone Mountains. We intended
to cross the saddle and descend the Acton-Cromel track, but couldn't
find it so backtracked down the hill.
The Cromel Hut group
had reached the van before us, so we were delighted to see Terry and
the van appear after we had walked for only 20 minutes of the 7 or
so kin back to the trailer. Reunited with the others, we exchanged
stories and returned to Dunedin feeling privileged we had been so
close to the unseasonable pristine snowfield.
Bess Taylor for
Jonette Service, Nigel Boydell, Vanessa Johnson, Olive Neilson, Wilbert
Stokman, Liz Clark, Terry Duffield, Brad Wilson, Zena Roderique, Michele
Coleman, Grant Bernard, and Robyn Bell.
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