Day 1: Friday 3 March
Friday, 6 pm arrived and 12 souls gathered at the clubrooms for the long awaited trip to Green Lake. At 6.05, surprise, surprise, Robyn Bell arrived and off we went in high spirits, driven by the gazelle (Paul van Kampen, for those of you who did not know). Good time was made and tea comprised of burgers etc in Gore. We then set off to Borland lodge via SH94 the long way (Ron missed the short cuts) and arrived 30 minutes after Fee, Vanessa and Robyn! However, we arrive safe and sound and we duly erected our tents in fine weather in an area where we couldn't disturb anyone. Rule No. 1: Keep the noise down when you go to bed!
Day 2: Saturday 4 March.
7.10 am we were all up and a hive of activity. Andrew and Vanessa dropped the van off at the end of the track, saving us walking a couple of km between the end of the track and the lodge. We didn't realise at the time how much this would be appreciated later. At 9 am sharp, off we went for a 3 hr walk up the road with beautiful fine weather, a gentle grade ? what more could one ask for? Well a road a little shorter! 3 hours stretched to 4, and then 5, but who cares??? We had great views to the northeast with examples of limestone cliffs and power lines going towards Manapouri. Even the odd vehicle, which would not give us a lift. Margarita (Bushcraft 2000) had to undertake some fine tuning to her feet, Vanessa walked in sandles. Liz tried to knock herself out by stumbling on a culvert and nearly ending up in the strearn. We patched her up.
Lunch was around 1.30 pm near the road saddle. A well?earned rest! The rain arrived just as we hit the pass. A few photos and poses then down the steep zigzag to the Borland shelter. At the shelter we regrouped and headed cross?country. Up, down and across some beautiful tussock. We had been tramping for 6 ? 7 hours at this stage and Fee's quotes of "I'm going tramping this
weekend....yeeab", supplemented by, 'Ye could be on the wrong track, and "Are you being served ?' impersonations were wearing thin. We were about to hit the wall going up what seemed like another steep incline (walking speed had dropped to such an extent that ifwe had gone any faster we would have gone backwards). When things couldn't get any worse a mirage appeared (according to Jacqui) comprising a hut and a lake. Thank god! By this time it was around 6 pm and we were shattered (well, not quite everyone). Billies were fired up and a good hot brew brought us back to life. Liz was helpful with her handy hints, and. seemed to have everything but the kitchen sink. Paul was very useful ? he got his torch '"in case it gets dark!" Then came the rain. It put a damper on things but some of us were so tired it was a good excuse to hit the sack. Unfortunately Vanessa's tent fly had suffered a tear, so she and Fee were relocated under some trees. I am not sure whether it was so we could get some sleep or keep them dry! Biceps seemed to hold their interest, and quotes such as "Zips go up and then down." Needless to say their endless laughter helped us all drift off to sleep. Must have been a good night because when Fee woke up her eyes were still half closed (or is it open?).
Day 3: Judgement Day
We woke to fine weather and hung around to get some photos of the sun rising over the mountains and lake. Green Lake is surrounded by bush and mountains and very picturesque ? it would have been an ideal place to stay for a day, blobbing out, then returning the way we came. Alas, it was not to be. The sign said 6 1/2 hours to Lake Monowai Road and was not too far off the mark. We scrambled around the side of the lake up a reasonably gentle track. Once again the group spread out. Hilda was with the "C" Team (Ron, Jonette, Jacquie and Margarita). The pace was too slow so Hilda politely excused herself and was not seen until the next stop. Did Jacqui see the cliff the path traversed around? We, the "C" team, arrived at Borland Saddle (980 m) around 12.30. More photos, food again. Sarah rang Jeff.... she was really after a helicopter.... so she isn't invincible. Paul had energy to burn and wanted to climb a nearby peak. Just as well he didn't ? even he got a blister! Then down to our lunch stop. Andrew was a little concerned about how long Jacqui and Liz were taking so he back tracked a bit, but needn't have worried, they were not too far behind. Off we went. Fiona tripped over yet again. Makes me wonder what is she like on a bike?!!! The 6 1/2 hours seemed to drag on forever! Jacqui saw a sign saying 1 hour, ate something special, and almost burst into a run without waiting for anyone! By now most of us were suffering blisters, but even Jonette's Lekis were put aside as we all took off for the end. We all finally arrived at Lake Monowai Road around 5pm to a scene of tranquillity. Sarah and Paul had been for a swim, Andrew had the van. What else could go wrong? Did you know that a van can travel about 70 km on the reserve tank?. We travelled to Mossburn and then to Lumsden ? were we going to run out of gas ???. NO!!!! $62.50 filled the tank to the brim, then we farewelled Vanessa who had dutifully followed us in case we came to a spluttering halt in the middle of nowhere, and put our faith in Robyn. She drove us home in good time, arriving round 10. 15 pm.
Thanks, Andrew, for an interesting weekend, and for the good company. When do we get our certificate?!! All in all score 8 out of 10. We can look back and feel that 35 km in two days is pretty good in anyone's book. Something however I do not wish to repeat in a hurry!
Greenstone - Caples Track here we come!
Ron for (in no particular order) Paul, Andrew, Jacqui, Sarah, Fee, Vanessa, Hilda, Liz,
Margarita, Jonette and Robyn.
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