Trip Reports, June-September 2019

INDEX of TRIP REPORTS:

  1. Kirwans Hut, Victoria Forest Park
  2. Snow Skills Trip at Mount Robert Lodge by Sibylle
  3. Snow Skills Weekend Trip at Mt Robert Basin by Angela
  4. Takaka Hill Walkway, 

1. 29 Aug/1 Sept. 2019   Kirwans Hut, Victoria Forest Park

An early 7 am start got us going to Murchison where we enjoyed morning tea and then drove on to Capleston car park, close to Reefton. What a lovely and mild end of winter day. We followed the nice track along Topffer Creek through the bush which soon started to climb. A short stop for lunch and on we went chatting and climbing steadily until we finally got out of the bush and were greeted with sunshine and blue sky and a thick layer of snow around Kirwans Hut, 12 bunks (1294m). As we brought some kindling and wood we soon had a fire roaring and the coal glowing. Steve and Jane were already there, they had been walking up from Montgomerie Hut and joined us for the night as well as Andrea and Chris who took their bikes along the track for a while. With 9 people in the hut it was a cosy atmosphere.

The beautiful weather continued the next morning and we enjoyed the nice walk to Kirwans Hill (1315m) with good snow conditions and spectacular views. Then we walked back the same way we came in and sat down for a lazy lunch in a clearing. It was a great trip and a good start into spring.

Participants: Kate Krawczyk, Mike Drake, Dion Pont, Barry James and Madeleine Rohrer (Leader/Scribe)

 


2. 7/8 September Snow Skills Trip at Mount Robert Lodge by Sibylle

6.40am on Saturday: Ian is picking me up AT THE DOOR and the adventure begins. 29 people of three different clubs of the area (Nelson, Marlborough and Golden Bay clubs) will meet to train their snow skills around Mount Robert Lodge. I feel a bit nervous and shy as it is my first trip with Nelson Tramping Club, but everybody in the car soon put me at ease.

Early at the car park, we have time to pick up the snow gear: ice axes and crampons. Helped by the more experienced ones, we check that our crampons fit on the boots. Then there we go, in small groups of four to five, each led by an instructor of one of the three clubs. My back pack is heavy, but it is obviously the smallest one of all… How do they manage to carry those 50-80 litre bags so easily??? My European standards have to adapt to New-Zealand reality where huts are not like European “cabanes” that most of the time provide food, heat and sleeping material.

After a 40-minute climb on an easy and dry path (dryer than my back: it’s warm and I’m sweating in my winter cloths), snow begins close to the Relax Shelter. We all stop there to put on our crampons. Snow is soft and we would not really need them, but it is good to try our new gear in safe conditions. First discovery: walk with legs apart, if you don’t want your pants or gaiters to be quickly torn.

Arriving at the Second Basin, in view of the hut, serious work begins. Each group heads for a different place to start the training part. Brian, my instructor, suggests beginning with learning how to stop a slip (the “self-arrest technique”). Crampons on the feet, ice axe in a hand, we carefully slide on our bottom before turning on the belly to drive the ice axe pick into the snow. Brian attentively checks out our position and provides advice: “Lift up your feet!” (essential if you don’t want to be thrown willy-nilly on the slope); “Avoid pointing the pick towards your belly!” (obvious? Just try it first!); “Lower your right arm!” etc. After a few attempts, we all slide down and stop, covered with snow, laughing like kids. 

The rest of the day is dedicated to various techniques of the crampon use: German, French and American techniques have no more secrets for us at the end of the day. We walk up and down the hills, with or without crampons, also traversing steep slopes that would have scared us yesterday. Everyone goes at their rhythm, no pressure, just pleasure to progress and to feel more and more secure. Sunday morning training is on a more icy snow, in another small group, with another instructor, will strengthen our new skills and give us more tricks to use. Deborah is now climbing a 60° slope with a smile, Mary is nearly running down the slope without any fear.

Early Sunday afternoon, it is time for theory. Brian has carefully prepared a list of useful subjects that will informally be presented by different instructors, each one modestly offering their experience and launching a discussion where everybody can take part. We hence go through the issues of building a shelter, bringing the appropriate gear, dealing with injuries or health problems, and – definitely important – managing leadership and partnership.

The way to the car is joyful: no rain at all, unlike what the weather forecast and the threatening shape of some clouds could lead us to expect. We are very lucky with the weather, very happy of what we learned and express that in lively conversations.

It is impossible to say everything in a small text, especially after such a rich week end, but I need to express my gratitude to the whole group where I felt so nicely welcomed, despite of my language limitations particularly obvious in the noisy dining room of the hut. I am admiring all the energy invested in the trip preparation: the long and precise emails written by Brian were a precious help. And I definitely want to greet the patience and the generosity of the instructors who gave all their best to improve our snow skills… and to make us feel secure and comfortable. 

3. Snow Skills Weekend Trip at Mt Robert Basin by Angela

For the 29 trampers from Nelson, Marlborough and Golden Bay tramping clubs who gathered at Mt Robert carpark on Saturday morning, we had two objectives: (1) learn/enhance our snow techniques and knowledge, and (2) have fun. After checking our equipment, we set off at 9 am in groups of four or five, including a team leader assigned to each group. As we weaved our way up Pinchgut Track, peeling off layers under the warming spring sun, we caught clear views of Lake Rotoiti and the landscape below. My group was re-shuffled partway up the track and for the rest of the day, I was with Mary, Sybille, Gordon and team leader Brian. We reached the rest of the crew at Relax Shelter, had a snack and strapped on our crampons.

 As we continued up the snow-covered ridgeline, we followed in the footsteps left by earlier trampers. Brian gave some tips, such as kicking snow into the footsteps before stepping on it, to help form a hardened path. We passed a collapsed snow cave that had been built the week before, and imagined it as it once was while Brian pointed out features like the sleeping platform and cooking area. We continued trekking and Brian challenged us to look for evidence of avalanches. We discussed the different factors that caused them, like sun melt, wind, rain and snow buildup.

As we passed over the ridgeline, Robert Lodge came into view in the basin below. We settled at safe places in the basin to practice our techniques. Self-arrest with crampons took a few practice falls to understand how to do it safely, such as holding the top of the axe head, getting the axe head under the shoulder, not pointing the axe end into our bellies, digging the axe head in gradually not suddenly, and keeping our feet lifted. We walked in a zig zag formation with the sides of our feet and learned how to place our ice axes while stepping (on the higher slope and always having two points of contact with the ground for stability). We also practiced pigeon holing up and down the slope, which is kicking a hole in the snow with the toes/heels of the boot as you ascend/descend with only your toes/heels touching the ground. It wasn’t until our tummies rumbled when we finally realised that it was 1.40 pm, so we stopped to eat a late lunch. After re-fueling, we practiced similar snow trekking techniques without crampons on, and self-arrest without an ice axe or crampons (turn over onto your belly and get onto you claws, knees and then toes). Good to know, if you ever get caught falling on soft snow without equipment.

After gaining some confidence with basic techniques, we decided to call it a day and headed to the lodge around 4.30 pm. The snow was soft and our footprints fell deep above our knees. Upon reaching the lodge, we unpacked our gear in the locker area and warmed ourselves in the heated kitchen/dining area. It seated all 29 of us across three tables and a couch section. Some of us played cards and the rest chatted away or relaxed, complimented with Debbie’s delicious mulled wine – the perfect hot drink in a cosy hut after a day out in the snow. A few outback chefs got together and made us a hearty beef, lamb and vegetable stew in the common pot, paired with pasta and dough dumplings. Leah topped it off by sharing date cake with freshly made custard and butterscotch sauce. Gradually, we all found our beds for a restful night, including Brian who slept in his light tent until 5 am before giving up and coming inside.On Sunday morning around 8.30 am after breakfast, Steve (team leader), Leah, Joe and I headed towards Julius Summit. On the way, we chose some steep slopes to practice our skills. The snow was icier as the sun hadn’t yet had the chance to soften it, which gave us a practical understanding of working our skills under different environmental conditions. We practiced front pointing (using front crampon teeth to stabilize your foot in the snow as you ascend/descend), French technique (simultaneously stamping all crampon teeth into the snow as you take each step) and self-arrest using our non-dominant arm and sliding down head first. As we continued across the ridgeline, we decided to abandon our trip to Julius Summit to avoid the icy alpine wind that blasted our faces and cut through our layers.

Instead, we did more practice across large steep slopes, including cutting out footsteps with our ice axes. We found ourselves some picturesque rocks and each took a turn modelling for an intrepid photoshoot. We then headed down to a frozen pond and Joe gave it a few whacks, finding a 20 cm layer of ice at its visible edge. Finally, we wanted to check out a snowball at the bottom of the basin. It had formed by rolling down the slope, growing in size as it gathered snow, evident by the track that it left behind. We had fun bum sliding down to it, using the bottom of our ice axe to steer our direction. Upon reaching the snowball which was over 2 m tall, we thought that someone had lost their ice axe, only to discover that it was just a large carrot.

We walked back to the lodge around 11.30 am to have lunch and clean up so that we could be well focused for our theory lessons. For our lessons, we talked about trip planning, proper gear, first aid, injuries, keeping warm and dry, team/club culture and how to navigate different types of terrain. People chipped in their thoughts and personal experiences for an engaging discussion. We were ready to leave by 2.30 pm, said our goodbyes to Robert Lodge and headed out. All 29 of us were back at the carpark by 4.30 pm.

Both days ended up being partly sunny, cloudy at worst and windy upon the ridgeline, even though a snow storm was predicted for the Sunday. It was a fantastic landscape to be practicing our snow skills. It was so easy to appreciate the stunning views and great to be spending time with friendly, supportive people. Back to the two objectives. Did we learn/enhance our snow techniques and knowledge? Certainly. Did we have fun? Most definitely.

 


4. 22 Sept. 2019 Takaka Hill Walkway

A bright, warm day made for a good start. Eleven trampers, old and new, some with extensive experience, gathered punctually, showing eager attitude.

To walk on a marble mountain promises something special. Though this was once farmland, it’s now a fenced off QEII Covenant. I had promised evidence of farming, and this we found on the small bush track at the beginning. The mummified cow, trapped in a small hut, which has now collapsed, came as a big surprise to some. We followed the stream, leading to a cave. There were some keen explorers, even wanting to exit at the far end. Luckily they had left their packs behind and we continued as one group. To regain a 4 x 4 track, we scrambled up through Beech forest and Karst formations, had morning tea and found delight in hearing superb bird song, and this not far from the main road.

From now on we also saw a few other visitors to the hill. What I thought was the track, finished at a view point high above the Takaka Valley. Luckily nobody jumped. Great were the views to the Western Ranges, still glittering in snow. With the track turning east, we crossed heavy Karst landscape, following plenty of markers. Lunch in a clearing was rather relaxed, some stretched out. The second part of the loop showed how much gorse had encroached, apart from that, Beech forest and heavy Karst landscape again, also well marked Tomos.

After nearly 4 hours we reassembled at the car park. I appreciated the happy participation of:

Participants: Jane Solly, Caitlin Solly (11), David Cook, Lou and Chrissy Kolff, Marie Firth, Steve McGlone, and visitors Martina Könnecke, Christine Wanke, and Gareth Gilbert. Uta Purcell (Leader & scribe)

 

2 December | Tour de Grampians, Nelson 

Leader: Ray Salisbury

 

Starting out from the point of least resistance, in The Brook valley, our humble crew of six Sunday morning ramblers set off up the Access Road.

While the Grampians reserve was not new to the men-folk, it was a great introduction to Nally and Corrina. Our intention was to complete a full circumnavigation of Mount Flaxmore, utilising eight of the numerous tracks.

The summit road was used as a warm-up; this was abandoned for an overgrown, grassy path to gain the saddle with Sugarloaf. A lower section of the Kanuka Track took us up to a higher elevation, whereby we could sidle around the back of Mt Flaxmore. The Kahikatea Track was climbed to top out on the main summit ridgeline. Corrina and Nally were escorted by Kerry to the TV tower and actual summit, while the oldies drank flasks of warm tea at the lookout platform, also drinking in views of Nelson South and the Waimea Plains.

Dropping off down the Mamaku Track, David balanced on his twin trekking poles – recent rain had made the earthen path slippery, but there were no incidents. Philip indicated the junction which joined up with the pleasant Tawa Track, which descended gently towards Nelson city, with glimpses of the Hospital and Boys’ College.

Ronaki Track was a rude awakening, zig-zagging up to regain the main ridgeline. After Ray recovered with more tea-drinking, the Walkway was followed along to the top of the Access Road. This delivered the team back to Blick Terrace in exactly three hours. 

The forecast rain mostly held off, and sunhats were more necessary than raincoats. Members were: David Cook, Philip Palmer & Ray Salisbury (scribe), with guests Nally Yi, Corrina Kagaya & Kerry Jones.

 

16 December 2018 | Maitai Caves, Nelson 

Leader: Sue Henley

 

The weather for Sunday looked promising, my list of participants grew and grew as the week progressed. By Sunday I had 18 names on the list. After initially meeting at Millers Acre, we pooled vehicles and regrouped at the footbridge just before the Maitai Dam.

We meandered along the track for a few minutes before coming to an abrupt stop as some mountain bikers skidded to a halt. After warning the bikers about our rather large group we continued, making our way up and down some gentle inclines, crossed creeks and negotiated mud holes before reaching the caves. We then enjoyed a long, leisurely lunch, including some home baking and Japanese cuisine kindly donated by some of our group. We then made our way back to the cars, stopping along the way for a photo shoot.

  It was a good day with a pleasant easy walk, and a gentle introduction for those wanting to get into tramping.

Participants were: Corrina Kagaya, David Cook  Michele Cunningham, Kelvin Drew, Greg Roe, Kung Gay Cano, Ana Aceves, Karen Wardell, Annette Vartha, Glen Vartha, Emily Vartha, Penny McLeroth, Donna McLeroth, Kate Krawczyk, John Whibley (senior), Clair Quested & Sue Henley (scribe).

 

6 January | Billies Knob, Kahurangi National Park

Leader: Andrea Smith

 

Finally, after several attempts, the weather gods blessed and gave us access to this stunningly beautiful area. The road and ford were easily driven and by all accounts of passing foot traffic, Granity Pass Hut was the des res for the festive season.

As we drove up the road it was difficult to imagine the once bustling Wangapaka Township of 250 residents at Courthouse Flat that sprung up during the gold mining era. Complete, of course, with courthouse and jail –still not a bad view. Maybe those miners were a rowdy lot; they certainly would have been dissatisfied with the pitifully low yields in the area.

We were on official cub business of course, that of tramping. Two hundred metres shy of the altitude of the impressive Mt Owen massif, we still got a grunty workout, with a 1200m climb. It was a beautiful day and the cooling breeze was welcomed. Some of us rekindled the memories of the horrendous bash up  Cullifords Hill a somewhat epic adventure. Today was a garden stroll in comparison!

Some chose different options, so four of us arrived at the summit after around three hours. Grant declared it more of a mountain than a knob. (I recall similar discussions pertaining to Cullifords ‘Hill’ and on descent from Gordons ‘Knob’ (the birth of Knob Bagging) conversation turned  to what constitutes a knob. I muse that NTC members are quite an intellectual group.)

Thank you everyone for your lovely, high-spirited company. Those cheerful souls were: Sue Henley, Grant Derecourt, Graeme Ferrier, Chris Louth, Kath Ballantine and guest Sam Beale

(Scribbled by Andrea.)

 

6 January | Beebys Hut  | Mt Richmond FP

Leader: Kath Ballantine

 

Four trampers set off from the Church steps at 8am on what turned out to be a very hot day in town. 

We arrived at the Beeby’s  Knob car park on the KorereTophouse Rd at 9.15am. It was pleasant walking in the bush in slightly cooler overcast conditions. We reached the ridge track at 12.30pm having had a morning tea stop half way up. We decided to press on to the hut, rather than to Beeby’s Knob as it was very windy at the top. We envisioned having a more pleasant lunch in the hut rather than on the knob.

Situated in a pleasant spot, the hut was a welcome respite from the win. Starting at 1.30pm, we returned, Theresa and Ian making a side trip to the top of Beeby’s  Knob. We arrived back at the car at 4.30pm then returned to Nelson.

Trampers were: Kath Ballantine (scribe), Ian Dohoo, with visitors Theresa Magrane & Kim Eunhee. 

9 January | Pelorus Sound Sail, Marlborough
Skipper: Brian Renwick

 

On a warm, sunny, Wednesday morning, Rod and Carole-Ann Lewis, and Susan and Ian Dohoo joined Brian Renwick aboard his catamaran Canopus for a sail in the Pelorus Sound. Clear skies and light winds saw them using a combination of motor and sail to get out to Waiona Bay (opposite Maud Island). The bay provided a beautiful anchorage as a spot for a communal lunch based on some delicious fried Kahawai that Brian had caught the day before.

Breezes definitely picked up after lunch as the group headed back up the inlet. After clearing the marine reserve around Maud Island, the fishing line was one again put out – netting two more good sized Kahawai for the larder. Really good breezes made for some great sailing in Tawhitinui Reach.

We got back to the the Penzance Bay jetty about 6:00pm. Susan and Ian headed back into town while Rod and Carol-Anne remained on board for the night. All-in-all, it was a beautiful day on Pelorus Sound. (Penned by Ian Dohoo.)

 

21–29 January | Seven Pass trip | Nelson Lakes National Park | Leader: Brian Renwick

 

“This looks a lot easier than I remember!” Two seconds later, the guardian of Moss Pass punished Brian for his rash remark. With perfect Monty Pythonesque timing, he took one step down and promptly arsed over, sliding a few metres down the steep, loose gut amid a shower of rubble; the guardian exacting a tribute of a little skin and blood. After establishing Brian was ok, they all had a big laugh about it. Talk about cockiness coming before a fall…

Some trampers bag peaks; others bag huts. This was to be a pass-bagging trip: seven passes between 1785 and 1870 metres elevation. The first four days we followed Te Araroa from St Arnaud to the Waiau River, knocking off Travers Saddle and Waiau Pass on the way, then hanging a right to ascend to Lake Thompson. We had chosen day three for our first rest day, ambling up from West Sabine Hut to Blue Lake, arriving at the hut before moderate afternoon rain set in, which became heavy in the evening.

Soon after arriving at Lake Thompson and setting up camp, we were joined by three other trampers who had just come over Thompson Pass.

Day five was to be a toughie. We quickly gained Thompson Pass after breaking camp, and climbed the knob to the southeast, our highest elevation of the trip at 1880m, just eclipsing Waiau Pass. From here we dropped down into the D’Urville basin and started our traverse to D’Urville Pass. This went well, sidling across scree, light grass, and the occasional rocky bit. One of these “rocky bits” just kept getting steeper, necessitating removal of packs and passing them down. We finished off by a shortcut up a broad steepish gully and traverse across and up almost to D’Urville Pass, all on good rock, to avoid a boring scree grunt. This was a challenge, and good fun!

After the obligatory photos at D’Urville Pass, we trudged down the scree to the wee tarn for a snack, and checked out the next stage to David Saddle. There really seemed to be only one way to go: an ascending sidle to pass under a near-vertical rock face. Soon after, we picked up a line of cairns, but they seemed to lead across and down to the Matakitaki, perhaps a shortcut to avoid the steep gully below the tarn which we had ascended in September on good cramponing snow. After a bit of scree and rock scrambling we found ourselves at the notch, at the base of the rock face. From here, a direct traverse took us to David Saddle, where we stopped for a late lunch, about 2:15pm.

Up to this point, we had found the day sufficiently challenging to be interesting and mostly enjoyable, but then it took a turn for the worse. We descended the scree, looking for cairns to the left to indicate a route into the West fork of the D’Urville, which I had followed upwards eight years earlier. Nothing sighted, but Ian found a line of cairns that went down some uncomfortably steep ground towards the D’UrvilleForks.

Decision time; which way to go? We opted for the line of cairns, but soon lost them. We could see a route down, albeit steep, so went on and eventually found ourselves among rough vegetation on the terrace above the main creek. All traces of the trail I had followed eight years earlier had disappeared.

After further descent, we spotted a cairn, then a big orange triangle at the bush edge. The track was initially quite challenging and we had to scout around a bit “Does it seriously go down this steep, slippery creek?” Well yes, it did, but then it got into the bush proper and from there it was plain sailing.

After the trip, I found a recent write up of the new route on routeguides.co.nz. Lesson: don’t assume nothing’s changed; do your homework.

We arrived at Upper D’vUrville Biv at 5:40pm, later than expected, but pressed on to George Lyon Hut, arriving just before 9pm, rapidly running out of energy and daylight! After a dip in the D’Urville, Madeleine was rejuvenated and happily cooked her dinner, apparently none the worse for wear. Frankly, I was just about stuffed!

Day six continued fine, climbing up to Moss Pass in the cool of the morning. We had a pleasant break at the creek just before leaving the bush. Then over Moss Pass, where I met my nemesis, and on down to Blue Lake.

Day seven was our second rest day, just a stroll down to West Sabine Hut, also to recharge before attempting Gunsight, our final pass.

We took a shortcut, following the old Travers Saddle Track and then up the avalanche gully to the bush line. This worked well, and we set off across and up heavily grassed slopes, dotted with spaniards to keep it interesting. Madeleine was often lost to sight when the grass was well over her head. As we gained height, the going became easier; scree and light grass, sidling beneath the occasional rocky bluff, before reaching the steepish 200m gully leading to the pass.

The climb to the pass was quite enjoyable. We stuck to the true left, being half on stable scree and half on stable rock, and frequently on both at once. 

After high fives on top, then down on mostly horrible steep scree to a prominent notch close to the Mt Cupola bluffs. We continued down, close under the bluffs, the theory being that the spring avalanches would suppress the spaniards. It went as hoped, but eventually we had to cross a sizable section of spaniard-infested tussock slope which exacted more tribute, and gained Cupola Hut at about 1830. The views of Mt Hopeless in the changing evening light were rewarding, and again in the morning light.

Last day was a pleasant amble down Cupola Creek, followed by hot conditions down the Travers to Coldwater Hut, where we treated ourselves to the 3pm water taxi, having tramped about 130km including over 6000m of climbing (and 6000m of descent!) in nine days.

 

Participants: Ian Morris, Madeleine Rohrer and Brian Renwick (scribe).

25-27 January | South Twin | Kahurangi National 

Park | Leader: Silvano Lorandi

 

The Twins are two rocky waves in the sea of green rolling mountains of the Mt. Arthur Range.

They are near the busy Mount Arthur track but have none of Mt Arthur’s busy popularity.

Neglected perhaps, because of their intimidating look, but hidden from view from Mount Arthur, there is a beautiful green ramp to the sky for the pleasure of trampers – the west ridge of the South Twin (1796m) .

It’s accessible from Loveridge or Paddys Ridge in two days with camping or, as we did, a three-day tramp using Ellis Basin Hut as a base.

Six of us set off from Flora car park, up the hill.Descending into the Ellis Basin involves a short, steep section that with mud and wet tussock cannot be underestimated, take care there !

We arrived with no hurry and we were lucky to have the hut for ourselves (for both nights).

I have never seen so little water in the stream.The water doesn’t even form the waterfall below the hut because it disappears in holes along the meadows. 

On Saturday, we set off early for what we thought would be the most challenging part of the trip. We got on a lightly-marked track that sidles around the Twins on the south-western side. After approximately one hour on a relatively good track, we emerged from the bush into the karst .

Here we were blessed and cursed by too many cairns marking different routes, so we opted for a low one. However, it was confusing and ended up splitting up the group. On our return we choose a higher option – this was agreed to be better.

After passing through the saddle at 1248m, the slope became steeper. We traversed above cliffs until finally merging into the valley directly south of the peak. We continued on to the main ridge at the start of the west ridge. Feeling summit fever, Andrea sprinted away, while others took it easier After about 15 minutes, we were all on the top of the world on a blue sky day, with endless views.

The return was easier because we knew the tricks of the route but slower because of the intense heat. By the time we reached the hut, all of us had run out of water.

During the night the weather changed to wind and light rain – definitely time to go home.

We were careful in ascending out of the basin. As we reached the ridge, we were hit by the strongest winds I have ever experienced. Suddenly we were thrown to the ground. The wind ripped off my rain cover. So, the real challenge of this trip was escaping the ridge in gale force winds.

We ended up walking four legged, stopping every 50m to regroup, holding each other for support. After a slow battle to gain metres we reached the main track below Mt. Arthur. Here, people were having morning tea in the calm of the bush while we appeared to have come out of a clothes dryer. 

We enjoyed the peace and quiet of the bush, returning to our cars and heading home happy after three intense days in the hills shared with a lovely group of people. Thanks.

 

Participants: Silvano Lorandi (leader & scribe), Andrea Cockerton, Anna Riddiford (new member), Philip Palmer, Gina Andrews (visiting from Wanaka), Myrthe Braam (visitor), and for part of the trip, Liam Sullivan and Brian James.

Times:

 Nelson to Flora Saddle car park: 1.5 hours

 Carpark to Ellis Basin Hut: 5 hours

 Ellis Basin Hut to South Twin: 4.5 hours

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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