Out and about, going for walk to meetup with friends,
It was an early start this morning, making it to the “Sharplin Falls” carpark, the trailhead for my walk today, just after 8am. The group was starting a little later from a different place, walking a shorter route but we all aimed to meet at Woolshed Creek hut in the afternoon. My route started with an immediate climb… for the next 4 hours to the summit of Mount Somers. It will almost be a 1200m vertical climb over the next 5km, tough but rewarding (I hoped).
It turned out to be a beautiful day with great views and set to get very hot (which it did), so I got on with it. It felt so familiar being back on “a” trail and with my backpack being very lightweight I soon made good progress. Absolutely stunning views.
The final bit to the top was challenging with washed out and loose scree bits, but I just kept going, one foot in front of the other. I reached the summit shortly after noon and tried to take some photographs while having my much deserved lunchtime sandwich break. So grateful to have all of “this” 2 hours drive from Christchurch, almost in my backyard.
Avoiding sunburn, I moved on down the other side of the mountain along a very rough (poled) track. There is no official pathway, no track of sorts, just poles here and there suggesting the rough direction to head in. It was a little slow at times, but I liked the challenge and it felt much more like the Te Araroa, something I was use to. Soon I joined the official trail connecting Pinnacle Hut with Woolshed Creek Hut and the going got easy again, making good progress for the remainder of the day.
Soon the hut was in sight and I met up with the rest of the walking group. Really nice to catch up with people that I last seen in March, or May. Time went so fast this year and it was nice to slow down for an evening, worrying about where we are going to pitch our tents later while playing UNO.
At was a very hot day, but super nice to get out of the house and spend a night with friends. Awesome times.
__________
43.5323 – 172.5567
28 December 2024
FP-352
2 responses to “Mount Somers.”
1200m vertical climb over the next 5km – WOW!
Sounds like a good day and some seriously gorgeous views! WOW .. again!
It was good exercise and I was rewarded with stunning views. Such a privilege to call NZ home.