More Old Mens' Mountain Follys - Up the Waimakariri.

 One day at home after the 2024 cycling adventure in Northland - and then off to Christchurch for another return to the Mountains and the old mates.

Jim met me at airport and we took off to Mandeville where we picked up Mike from the long suffering and humane Lyn and travelled up to the Wilson "Rough Creek Shambles" hut at Arthur's Pass. Not too much of a shambles these days and still with a good supply of firewood.

A Little of the RCS Firewood Supply

All the lies were in full swing and next morning we slowly made our way up the Waimakariri from Klondyke Corner in fine weather. There were six walking sticks shared among the three of us and the pace was sedately. We arrived at Anti-Crow hut in time for a late lunch. Later in the afternoon the sprightly Peter Gough (of Mt Cook, Caroline Face fame) and his wife, in their seventies, called in for a yarn on their way up to Barker hut.

Our next day involved getting up to the Crow Valley hut and this was aided by a leisurely lunch and brew-up. We were joined briefly by a solo German youth on his way down valley. He was relieved to find that the smokey smell was not the AP National Park turning into an inferno. The hut was empty and we slumbered peacefully until the next dawn. 

The Mountains of Our Early Youth - Looking Sad

Big Valley or Older Men Shrinking?

Another fine day dawned and Jim and I wandered further up the valley to examine the floral state of the valley and, sadly, the state of the Crow glacier above on Mt Rolleston.  Yes, the glaciers are shrinking. Towards evening a young German couple called in on their way down valley after traversing Mt Avalanche. They too were relieved to find out that the three geriatrics were not burning down the NP with their outdoor brew-ups. They decided to camp outdoors in their new tent (oh, to be that young) and enjoy the ambiance of our campfire - ready made for them. And not be disturbed by the clumping of elderly men emptying their bladders all night.

Leaving the Anti-Crow Hut

Head of the Crow Valley

Crow Glacier About to Become Extinct

Another Campfire

Alive and Well

Crow Hut

Memories were re-lived the following day as we dawdled down valley under the ridges of our youth. These mountains about us were certainly the heydays of our youthful years. But they looked impossibly far away now. We stopped at the grassy Wamak flats where we interviewed a friendly tomtit and brewed yet another cuppa.  What-a-life!

Eight Walking Sticks

Wobbling Along a Bush Path

"Than you for turning the log over for me."

Finally we made it to the car - picked up the young German couple who had passed us in the lower Waimak - returned to the Pass - and told Hughie that he could now do his best. He obliged but not before we had made short work of a tree that had fallen conveniently close to the RCS. And so to Christchurch - and Hamilton for me. But not after another get-to-gether for me in Christchurch with brother John and sister Katie. More lies and reminiscences. And plans for next years adventures too.

Wet Day at the RCS - after the Woodsplitting

A sequel was an item in the Arthur's Pass Newsletter where Jim is known - I was delighted to be described as spritely!

• At the other end of the tramping time scale, Jim Wilson and 2 of his good climbing mates, ventured as far as Crow hut last week. At ages of 89, 87 and a spritely 86, they broke all time records on the return trip from Crow hut to Klondyke corner.

I think the author intended time records for slowness (as indicated in the first phrase)! I thought the real hero was the 89 year old.

Another Boil-up in the Crow Valley