On top of Bealey Spur
Resting at Bealey Hut (Left to right : Matthias, Marlene, Naomi, Anna)
Admiring the View
The view from up there
Breathtaking Panoramic View On Saturday morning, we woke up to an overcast sky. Fearing the worst but hoping for the best, 5 trampers from non-kiwi countries met at the UCSA carpark at 8.30 am and left at 8.45am. We stopped along the way in Darfield for a quick energy boost (muffins, coffee, smoothie).
Arriving at the Bealey Spur carpark at about 10.45am, we geared ourselves up (or rather, we degeared by removing as much warm clothing as possible since the skies were clear blue. And then the tramp began. It was a relatively gentle climb, with clear signs and clear paths. Getting lost there is almost impossible; even though we did consider taking a less well-marked route but turned back after 150metres. Climbing from 700metres to 1200metres within 4kilometres in 1.5 hours, we arrived at Bealey hut by 12.30 pm and had lunch there. It was too early to head back down so we decided to forge ahead and climb to the top of the spur which was an unmarked but quite distinct pathway. Arriving at the top (1545metres), it was only 1.15pm. So we went further along the ridgeline to another spot height. Finally, persuading Marlene (she wanted to keep going) that we should not go any further as we had to spend an equal amount of time getting back, we left the ridgeline at 2pm. It took us 2 hours to get back to the Bealey Spur carpark, done without any stops during the descent (unless you consider Matthias offering chocolate to some other trampers a stop). We overtook a few groups on our way down and one lady even called us “the fast pack” as we skipped past. On our way back to Christchurch, we shared experiences of getting lost on past tramping trips and how we eventually found our way. We also debated the issue of whether it was worth it to get lost and get a free helicopter ride at the expense of having our faces splashed on the front of newspapers the next day.
Arriving at the Bealey Spur carpark at about 10.45am, we geared ourselves up (or rather, we degeared by removing as much warm clothing as possible since the skies were clear blue. And then the tramp began. It was a relatively gentle climb, with clear signs and clear paths. Getting lost there is almost impossible; even though we did consider taking a less well-marked route but turned back after 150metres. Climbing from 700metres to 1200metres within 4kilometres in 1.5 hours, we arrived at Bealey hut by 12.30 pm and had lunch there. It was too early to head back down so we decided to forge ahead and climb to the top of the spur which was an unmarked but quite distinct pathway. Arriving at the top (1545metres), it was only 1.15pm. So we went further along the ridgeline to another spot height. Finally, persuading Marlene (she wanted to keep going) that we should not go any further as we had to spend an equal amount of time getting back, we left the ridgeline at 2pm. It took us 2 hours to get back to the Bealey Spur carpark, done without any stops during the descent (unless you consider Matthias offering chocolate to some other trampers a stop). We overtook a few groups on our way down and one lady even called us “the fast pack” as we skipped past. On our way back to Christchurch, we shared experiences of getting lost on past tramping trips and how we eventually found our way. We also debated the issue of whether it was worth it to get lost and get a free helicopter ride at the expense of having our faces splashed on the front of newspapers the next day.
Apparently the tramp was considered easy but my muscles are sore from all the walking and climbing. Was constantly lagging behind trying to catch up with them.
1 comment:
all your fotos are super duper nice!
alvin
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