Matiri Valley—gateway to spectacular landscapes

24 February 2010 in Kahurangi, New Zealand wilderness, Tramping/hiking trips | 2 comments

The Matiri Valley Road is the southernmost gateway to Kahurangi National Park. It gives access to some of the park’s most spectacular landscapes: The Hundred and Thousand Acre Plateaux.

In this article I am going to tell you about the first leg of a journey I made in December last year.

Lake Matiri

Overlooking Lake Matiri from Lake Matiri Hut

Lake Matiri Map

Matiri Valley Road

The turnoff to Matiri Valley is on State Highway 6, about 6 km northeast of Murchison by the Buller River bridge. The initial 7 km of road are sealed, the remaining 8 km are unsealed. Across the Matiri River bridge follow the Matiri West Bank Road sign. The last kilometre to the Matiri Carpark is on a badly potholed farm road. After rain the potholes fill up to large puddles and their depth is not always apparent. Drive carefully and leave farm gates as you find them (open or shut).

Beyond the Matiri Carpark the farm road continues for another 2 km to the West Branch Matiri River. This stretch is rugged and crosses several streams, and should only be attempted with a four-wheel drive vehicle.

Matiri Carpark to West Branch Matiri River

Since my car is a two-wheel drive, my tramp began at the Matiri Carpark. About a half-an-hour past the carpark I came across a small herd of cattle. Some of the “ladies” were quite friendly and seemed to enjoy having their photo taken—what made me think so? Well, they followed me, obviously keen to check out their photo on my camera…

The farm road was straightforward to follow, albeit quite mucky in places. It had been raining for a few days, and there was a lot of sodden dung all over the road and the potholes filled to the rim.

Nevertheless, the scenery made up for what was underfoot. The views up the valley and of the Matiri River were pleasant to the eye. It was a hot day and I regretted not having carried some extra water. Because of the ever-present dung I was reluctant to drink any water from the streams that run across the road in a few places.

Yet, I wasn’t far away from the waters of the much cleaner West Branch Matiri River, which I reached just under an hour after leaving the carpark.

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Thank you & Happy New Year!

4 January 2010 in Varia | 2 comments

A big thankyou to you, my readers and followers of my blog. Thank you for your support, comments, suggestions and feedback over the last year!

I have a new series of articles in planning and will publish them along with new photos here soon.

In the meantime I wish everyone a very Happy New Year and happy tramping, hiking, walking, running, cycling, mountain biking, climbing, mountaineering, skiing, ski touring, abseiling, canyoning, kayaking, boating, swimming, sunbathing, botanising, birdwatching, hunting, fishing, river crossing, camping, tenting, hammocking, hut bagging, relaxing, photo shooting, and whatever else you may or like to get up to in the wilderness…

Buttercup

Buttercup–Ranunculus (Hundred Acre Plateau)

Huts might fly—and they do!

1 November 2009 in Backcountry huts, Curiosities, Kahurangi, New Zealand wilderness | 2 comments

The other week when I ventured to Lodestone, I arrived at Flora to find that half of the carpark was cordoned off. A crime scene? Highly unlikely. There, on a trailer behind a DOC ute, sat a wee backcountry hut. A couple of guys wearing hi-vis vests were looking skyward, patiently waiting for something to happen. What was it, I wondered.

Flora Carpark

Flora Carpark taped off.

While I put on my boots and readied myself for my tramp to Lodestone, I heard the crackling noises of radio calls going back and forth. Seeing the ropes draped over the hut, I quickly realised that I was about to witness an aerial hut relocation.

Sure enough, after further radio calls, one of the guys wearing a hard hat asked me to stay behind the line, as a chopper was coming in shortly. Suddenly the peace and quiet was swallowed up by the deep, beating noise of helicopter rotor blades.

Helicopter on the approach to Flora Carpark

Here she comes, straight in over Flora Saddle.

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Lodestone—drive, climb, view—all in a day’s work

20 October 2009 in Kahurangi, New Zealand wilderness, Photography, Tramping/hiking trips | 4 comments

Lodestone is a mountain on Kahurangi National Park’s Arthur Range. At 1462 metres it offers breathtaking views, and from the Nelson region it can be reached and climbed in a single day.

The prospect of climbing and descending more than 1400 metres in one day may sound daunting. However, the good news is that over 60% of it (930 metres) can be done by car. From the Motueka River West Bank Road an unsealed road leads up Graham Valley where it branches off into Graham Valley South Branch Road. This road is narrow and very steep, climbing over 700 metres within four kilometres. As a sign at the bottom of the valley rightly points out: “Drive with extreme caution”. At the end of the road is Flora Carpark, simply referred to as “Flora” by locals.

Shelter at Flora Carpark

Shelter at Flora Carpark.

Lodestone map

Lodestone reference/overview.

Flora is the gateway to a number of fantastic tramps in Kahurangi National Park, one of which is the climb to Lodestone. It can be done as a there-and-back via the south ridge (2 to 3 hours return) or as a loop by returning via the southwest ridge, Flora Hut and Flora Saddle (3 to 4 hours). A good level of fitness, adequate gear (wet weather, wind) and footwear (tramping boots) are essential. Carry water as well, as there are no streams or tarns along the way.

Lodestone southeast face

Lodestone southeast face, viewed from Graham Valley.

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Starveall Hut—an “isolated barn”?

4 October 2009 in Backcountry huts, Mt Richmond, New Zealand wilderness | No comments

About an hour or so from Mt Starveall, 300 metres below the summit, is Starveall Hut. It sits on a small saddle overlooking Tasman Bay to the north, and Lee Valley to the south. As far as the name is concerned, I can’t help but wonder what Starveall means. An ad hoc explanation carved into the hut’s map frame isn’t that convincing.

Starveall Hut

Starveall Hut interior

Starveall Hut and its interior.

Right on the bushline, Starveall Hut is in a perfect location, providing shelter in bad weather, and serving as a base to climb the mountain.

The closest road access is at the Hacket on Aniseed Valley Road, 29 km from Nelson. From the Hacket it’s a six-hour tramp to Starveall Hut, a climb of almost 1100 metres.

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As you may be aware, today is the official launch of the new Topo50 map series by LINZ. What does this mean?

I found answers to my questions and concerns in New Topo50 and Topo250 Maps for New Zealand, a comprehensive article by Mike McGavin of Windy Hilltops.

23 September 2009 | 1 comment

Mt Starveall—views galore!

20 September 2009 in Mt Richmond, New Zealand wilderness, Photography | 6 comments

At 1528 metres, 21 kilometres south of Nelson, Mt Starveall is a superb viewpoint. The Marlborough Sounds, Richmond Range, Inland Kaikouras, Red Hills Ridge, Nelson’s Western Ranges as well as Tasman Bay are all on Mt Starveall’s viewing menu.

Mt Starveall

A cloud drifts across the Lowther Saddle between the Hacket Peaks and Mt Starveall (right, 1528 m). Dominating in the distance are Little Rintoul (left, 1643 m) and Mt Rintoul (1731 m).

Hacket Peaks

Looking back to the Hacket Peaks (1438 m and 1437 m) and Mt Gale (1425 m).

On Mt Starveall

Clouds hover above Mt Starveall summit (1528 m).

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