Sunday, August 28, 2011

How do you save Hut?

Recently Back Country Live was up in the 1000 acre plateau in the Kahurangi National Park. While up there I came across this cute hut called Poor Petes Hut as I found out it is secluded to be removed. This has frustrated me as it seems that DOC is prepared to pump money into our Great Walks which many of us avoid because of overcrowding. Have attached a letter that I wrote to the editor of FMC. Next thing is to get in touch with local tramping clubs. Walk on Gilby


letter to FMC editor
Dear Editor
How does one go about saving a hut?
Just last weekend I decided to do a winter trip up onto the 1000 acre plateau in the Matiri Valley. Now I would recommend a trip up here winter or summer as the scenery is absolutely spectacular. A beautiful plateau surrounded by great mountains and cliffs. As you get up onto the plateau you are greeted by a cute little hut could Poor Pete’s hut. Now Poor Pete’s is run down and in need of some T.L.C. As I sit down for lunch and good read of the log book I find it is scheduled to be removed. What a shame as it obviously has a long history and probably has Historical value as well. It gets me thinking of how much money D.O.C are prepared to throw at our huts in our National parks eg The third Angelus Hut in as many years which in my opinion didn’t need replacing. Poor Pete’s is placed between Lake Matiri and Larrikins Hut. Reading on in the hut book I noticed that lot’s of party’s were pleased to see Poor Pete’s to take a break or stay the night after spending time on being lashed by weather on the Plateau. Others commentated they wouldn’t make the climb up if Poor Pete’s wasn’t there. What a shame to see it removed when it seems to be doing a great job up on the plateau Well you have it how do we Save Poor Pete’s Hut
 


Wednesday, August 24, 2011

The Mighty Tararua's.....The spiritual home


Well this is my home mountain range. From the early cub tramps through to the many tramps at school, the tararuas got a hammering. It was always good tramping with Mum for the first 6 Years before I went boarding school. We had some fun and went to some very cool places. Mum was looking after Scott, Derek and I as we had lots of adventures. It was at boarding school that my tramping really developed where I met Simon Gorman who took me under his wing. He is a mentor and a great friend. By the time I was 16 I was doing trips in the Tararua's by myself.
One thing you can guarantee about the tararua's is you are bound to get some crap weather at some stage but a fine day makes all those crappy days worth it. Have completed several trips up there in the last few years and always ask mum how they are looking when I phone. B.C.L wil get back up there soon. Walk on. Gilby

Sunday, August 21, 2011

How back Country Live was Born.......

B.C.L came about from one video that I made on a peak called Chrome in the Richmond Ranges. It was on this trip that I decided to bag all the huts and peaks over 1500m in the range before the end of my contract Outward Bound contract(roughly a year). I was half way there already but it was still big ask to complete in a year. The more I got into bagging huts and peaks that sort of became irrelevant because I was using it more as excuse to get into the back country and live the dream. This just gave me a vechile to go exploring places in the richmonds. Another thing that fuelled this goal was having this range right on the doorstep, but always travelling long distances to have adventures. Rock on Gilby

Thursday, August 18, 2011

This is where It all started......

This is taken from my Mum's Tramp diary. Basically I had been on one tramp and then begged my mum to take me tramping. Thanks Mum for taking that gamble of going into the hills. It has led to passion for outdoor adventure.

24th and 25th January 1988
24th January
Having done quite a few day trips with cubs and scouts Chris and I decided it was time to take the big plunge and do an overnight tramp. A big decision but it was great fun even if the B.N.Z. guys didn't think so.

We left Holdsworth in sweltering heat, it was extremely hot, especially the big hill beyond Donnelly Flat. But after that it was good as was mainly under the trees and in the river. The track was reasonably easy to follow. Just after the last river crossing we got a bit bamboozled, but found the hut easily. The tramp took four hours and there was no one there when we arrived, but soon after seven guys from the B.N.Z. computer centre arrived. Fortunately some of them had tents so we didn't have a sardine squash in the hut and the weather was good for sleeping under canvas. We had thick comfortable mattresses to sleep on. Chris and I slept on the bottom bunk. I hardly slept a wink all night.

We learnt plenty on this tramp - Chris's boots were far too big. Must buy a cooker as it is hard cooking over the open fire place.

25th January
We left the hut at 9.00 a.m, before the other guys. They caught us up - easily. They passed us when we were swimming in the river just before Donnelly Flat. We were out and home by 2.30 p.m. A great experience. No photographs as I forgot the camera. I was pretty tired and sore after this tramp.