We have discovered that you never go away over the Easter weekend, because this is when the bad weather comes in force. At least that’s what we had come to experience over time. Because of this, this is definitely not the time to go camping – again from experience.
So Easter 2008, with Lauren at Youth Camp, Fiona and I decided to go camping over the weekend
One final time I double checked the weather forecast for the Arthur’s Pass region. I was comfortable that the weather forecast was accurate, simply because so many people go tramping in that area and the weather can change rapidly.
The forecast was to clear up for Saturday and Sunday, with Friday being a little wet. By Friday afternoon we were well on our way to the mountains. Our intentions were to stay at one of the DOC camps (the department of conservation camps are classified as the bare essentials. i.e. long drop toilets, water from the nearest river and that’s it!) As we carved our way through the trees, I remember back to years ago when we went camping in the rain. At least our current tent is a little more water tight in the aspect that it hasn’t got any visible holes in it, but it hasn’t really been tested in the wet. We’ve done ten days in the rain, where the tent has successfully kept the rain in.
The further we headed into the mountains and the rain, the more we realised that a basic DOC camp was probably not going to be that enjoyable. Stopping at the information centre in Arthur’s Pass, we grabbed some brochures and found another “serviced” camp site. By serviced, it meant that not only were there showers there but they were serviced with hot water. And hot water was definitely something that we felt we were going to need after being in the wet for a while. With the rain falling harder, we asked if the camp had any lodges or anything like that. They said yes they only had one, and it was available, part of a large shed like thing. We took it and it was good, even with the kitchen window looking into the garage where the owners parked their boat.
Saturday arrived after a night of hard rain and winds. As “they” had forecast, it started to clear in the morning. We were now looking at a good blue skied day of tramping through the forests of Arthur’s Pass.
Our first tramp was going to take us up to the Devils Punchbowl waterfall. From the information kiosk the day before, we knew that the Devils waterfall was fed from a spring while the second intended walk, to the Bridal waterfalls, came from either rain or snow melting. Even though it had rained the day before, there still wasn’t enough running water to make it a decent viewing. The walk to the Devils waterfall was amazing. A lot of time had been put into making it a safe walk. It must have taken huge amounts of effort to build the steps and walkways to the waterfall. Even with the steps, it was a challenging experience for two unfit people like ourselves. Although watching some young dude (in jandals) running up and then back down the steps again. We have no idea, perhaps he was on a speed tour group or something. You know, one of those tour groups where you race from one place to another, only stopping to take a photo before racing on again. In years to come you settle down and remember the places you visited – briefly.
Next we were going to do a four hour tramp, but based on our fitness it would’ve probably been closer to five or six hours. Not un-doable, but probably not enough time in the day. Our aim for the weekend was enjoyment, not punishment. So we decided to do a shorter track and discovered the chasm walk. The very same walk where I tried a levitate trick which resulted in me landing flat on my back. (check out another entry for more on that).
By the time we got back to the camp site, I realised that as long as I didn’t sit or lay down, I was fine. So I did a little walking around the forest area around the camp site. It was scary to realise that how thick the bush is and how quickly a person can get lost in the thick forest. From what I saw most of the longer tramps are not marked with flags or poles. So you have to get a topography map, compass and really know what you’re doing.
All too soon it was time to head on home again. I knew that the drive was not going to be overly pleasant, having to sit for so long, however there was nothing that could be done about. One thing I do know is the Arthur’s pass area is an amazing area. I can understand why so many people head out there just so they can walk through the mountains and thick bush.
I know that there are going to be a lot more trips out to the mountains. At least I know where to get good weather reports and need to be careful on wet rocks.
Take care
later days
EsP
Filed under: Bita Dis Bita Dat
