Hakatere Basin

We had a cracking trip today to Mt Barrosa (yes, that is Barrosa with 2 r's) in the Clent Hills west of Mt Sommers. Stunning views of the Arrowsmiths, Mt Somers, Mt Hutt, Lake Heron and virtually the whole Hakatere Conservation Park.

It was cold enough up there for a hoar frost.

Colder large

That's Lake Clearwater in the distance. It's huge country and as you might have guessed there are fewer Matagouri barbs up there and quite a few more in us ;-)

The ascent is moderate and straightforward. If we'd returned down any of the ridges we'd have been back at the Staveley Store for afternoon tea. That would have been too easy!

Instead we descended into Waterfall Creek. The name suggests it all. But what a time. Hands and knees stuff in some of the thickest Matagouri and scrub I've encountered. The stream wasn't a lot better so upwards it was. A rather long and relentless upwards. Real mountain goat stuff and I wouldn't have my Sunday afternoon any other way ;-)

It was magnificent. Sunny but not overly warm. I think the brisk southerly has blown any last vestiges of yesterday's rugby experience from my system :-)