Trip Leader: Will Griffiths
Writer: Aidan Kozyniak
Do you ever find yourself in a situation that forces you to ask yourself, how did I get here? Well, that’s exactly the question I was asking myself as I stood half way up a snow slope in the Macauly Valley. I was in the midst of a South Island trip that started as a mere 2-minute conversation at AURAC club night. Then 4 months, the odd passing mention and a fairly stagnant group chat later, I landed in Christchurch ready to explore. The crew consisted of William ‘I’m Bored’ Griffiths, Riley ‘I have a Blister’ Smith and Isaac ‘The Kid’ Hook. We all congregated in Will’s Toyota Fielder in the pickup zone at Christchurch Airport. Armed with a basic plan, enough food to feed a family for a month and of course a great attitude, we made the executive decision to head straight for the hills. Planning to take on the Macauly Valley the next day.
As we made our way through the driving rain and the windy roads on route to Lake Tekapo, we came to the sudden realisation that we hadn’t given much thought to our accommodation for the night. But thanks to some extensive research of the Topo50 map we located our saving grace. The most glorious hut in the entirety of these great islands, Irishman’s Creek Roadman’s Hut. Built in the early 1900’s it had all the requirements of a good hut. Beds, a table and of course enough room on the floor for a couple sleeping mats.
The next morning, we arose in paradise surrounded by snowy landscapes, we were ready to explore the hills. However, despite his progress in his electrical engineering degree and the fact he took MM1 while still in High School, Will was unable to start the car. But after flagging down a kind local and an intense moment of embarrassment for dear William, the car started and we began our journey to Macauly Hut. Once at the road end, 18km stood between us and our base for the next 4 days. Fitting as much equipment to our bodies as we could muster, we began the journey. Surrounded by a mountainous landscape that puts Mt Eden to shame, the kms seemed to fly by for most of us. Will however, despite the fact he spends every weekend tramping in the North Island, still managed to find a way to complain. Enduring this and a few ticks of the clock later we made it to Macauly Hut and set up base.
The next three days were spent exploring the hills that surround the hut. Day one consisted of exploring the west of the hut. Absorbed by the beautiful surroundings we used our ‘start of the trip’ energy to make some swift progress into the back country. From ridges to scrambles, we got ourselves right into the swing of things. All donning new alpine boots the odd discussion of a bit of rubbing was dismissed as we continued to explore. The ice axes and crampons eventually came into play as we made our way towards our first peak, pt 1905. After arrival at the top, further appreciation of our surroundings and of course a few photos, we began our decent. Upon arriving at the hut, the boots came off, the fired roared and the cards came out. However, our naïve dismissal of ‘rubbing’ came home to roost. As Riley’s boot had done a great job at chewing away at the skin of his heel. A pivotal moment.
The next two days consisted of more exploration. Reaching pt 2180 and Tindall Basin, in two great feets of deep snow plugging. Our exploration was revolutionised when we gave bum sliding a first attempt coming down from pt 2180. The third day saw us find a great slope surrounding the basin and spend an hour or so attempting the break the land speed record on our shovels. Creating what can only be described as New Zealand’s best alpine slide as we tested our pelvic strength sliding down the at times rocky surface.
After three great days in the mountains we arose the next morning, looking to get out of the valley before 4x4 clubs arrived to celebrate Matariki. Our blistered soldier Riley managed a ride out with a kind hunter, but for Will, Issac and I we had to brave another 18km. But again, in a place like that the kms flew by. Once back in the car we reunited with Riley and headed straight for Tekapo Springs Hot Pools to cleanse ourselves. Then feeling almost too clean we headed back to NZ’s best hut for another night in luxury. The group was rocked by scandal however, after the damming revelation that Isaac was 19. But after a bit of soul searching, some goon and the acceptance that age is just a number we still managed a ripper night. Eventually braving the smoke bellowing out of the hole in the wall called a fire to fall into a deep sleep.
The next morning, we headed to Mt Cook National Park for some sightseeing. Feeling very much like tourists we managed to see Tasman Glacier and Mt Cook dragging a demon battling Riley Smith with us everywhere we went. After some Sir Edmund Hillary worship at the Hermitage and a Powerade for Riley we took on our next challenge, a multipitch amongst the alps. With a revived Riley and the AURAC Gear Officer Issac leading the way we rose our way up the historic climb. Gaining great views from the top that left us feeling very privileged. An extended repel down gave Will the great opportunity to watch some Instagram reels. This Generation… Once down feeling very accomplished we headed back to the Palace in Irishman’s creek and headed straight to bed. Braving a fireless night at -4 degrees to fall into a peaceful sleep. From there we headed back to Christchurch and turned our backs on Paradise as a storm rolled through. Much to everyone’s disappointment.
It’s been difficult to summarise such a great trip into a few paragraphs and if you manage to come across one of the members of the group there a lot more to tell. But three phrases sum it up pretty well for me. Great People, Great Places and Great Adventure. Round two is already in the works…
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