This was a social tramp to remember. With 37 trampers the organization
was superb and it was great to see a number of new faces on the tramp.
We left Dunedin promptly at 6pm on Friday night heading for the Te Anau
camping ground and the very nice backpackers quarters. The van was abuzz
with chatter and the anticipation of how much snow we would encounter. A
small problem of not encountered thanks to four members having a change
of mind about tramping in on the Friday night. However Wolfgang took
charge and solved the problem so we could all venture down to the Moose
for a nightcap. We soon had smiles back on the faces of our English
compatriots who seemed to be struggling with the fact that England lost
to Brazil in the soccer quarterfinals.
We started tramping at 9am the next morning in light drizzle, but
despite this it was a nice leisurely stroll around the lakefront to Brod
Bay. There is a small shelter here where we stopped for a bit of
scroggin and a chat before heading uphill. The track upward is well
formed and of a moderate zig zag grade. A little excitement when we
reached the limestone rocks with icicles falling from the top lip of the
rocks. This could be a little hazardous given the size of some of them.
Shortly afterwards we reached the bushline and into the snow. It would
have been quite pleasant but for the drizzly wet snow and the cold windy
conditions. It was certainly a pleasure to arrive at Luxmore Hut to find
the potbelly roaring and a number of native Hawaiians, including one is
a grass skirt.
Wining and dining started at 4.30pm and continued until his world famous
quiz at about 7.30pm. I really have to compliment my food group. Each
course was a real treat and enjoyed thoroughly by all. But why is it
that there is always too much food?
The poor weather conditions persisted throughout Saturday night but was
on the improve by Sunday morning. I left my billy of leftover chocolate
fondue sauce out on the veranda of the hut and had to dig it out in the
morning to find the sauce had transformed into delicious chocolate
yoghurt, which was consumed for breakfast.
By about 9.30am the weather started to clear and our hanging about in
the hut was rewarded with some beautiful clear views of Lake Te Anau and
enabled us to have some fun in the snow. A great way to spend a Sunday
morning. It was with some regret that we entered the bush and the cloud
came in bringing a steady drizzle for the rest of the tramp. However we
all made good time and most were back at the vans by 3pm ready for the
trip home, but with a quick stop at the DoC headquarters in Te Anau to
dry off and get changed under shelter.
All in all an easy tramp but as a social event a huge success (well done
Wolfgang).
Greg Powell for Wofgang Gerber, Jan Piggott, Nicole Bowers and Fiona
Webster.
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