Monday 17th February - note this week will meet at 9am at the usual place

We are heading over to Queenstown to do the Fernhill Loop.
This is a combined walker/bike track so care needs to be taken to be on the right track but other than that a straightforward hill climb for an hour and a half through pine and beech.
We pop out onto the top and a few minutes to the knoll takes us to a thoughtfully provided picnic table with views up to Bowen Saddle and Ben Lomond one way and out over Lake Wakitipu the other.
The other half of the loop is predominantly downhill through more trees to return to the cars.
Leader: Ruth Harrison

Ruth Harrison

Monday 10th February

This week is rather more challenging than last week so a good sole on your shoes, long gaiters or long pants and poles are recommended.
The walk follows a DOC poled route and there is no track - we will be crossing the tops with low shrubby bushes, some tussock and the occasional Spaniard.
The route goes off the Cardrona ski field road, we sidle around a couple of low slopes then onto the route towards Mount Sale. The route follows up and down a fence line so some climbing will be involved. The walk is about 10kms total return trip. Our lunch spot has lovely views of Mt Sale and Crown Peak.
Leader: Ruth Harrison

Monday 3 February

A return to the standard meeting time of 9.30am at the usual meeting place down on the waterfront at the end of McDougall St. Walk start times can be varied by the trip leader so don't forget to check.
The weather forecast doesn't look particularly promising so the most likely option is close to home:-
Bremner Bay around Beacon Point and the Outlet track and return.
There will be another option should the forecast dramatically improve.
Trip Leader Ruth Harrison

Ruth Harrison

Monday 27th January

The last unofficial expedition for this Christmas is to Crystal Battery Track. Meet Brian & Marjon at 9:00am.
This is a one hour walk to lunch near the Crystal Mine, returning the same way. A major part of the adventure is the drive - turn off Coronet Peak Road onto an unsealed road - this leads to a winding 13km drive on Gorge Road to Skippers - one and a half to two hours each way - for confident 4WD drivers only. We will also make time to visit the Mt.Aurum Homestead, Skippers Point School and look down on the Shotover River from Skippers Bridge.

Monday 20th January

Meet Brian & Marjon at 9:00am for a trip to Glacier Burn in the East Matukituki. We park at the Otago Boys Bridge. Although we will be in the bush much of the time, the flats will be at gas mark five - so bring plenty of sun screen and water.

Monday 13th January

Meet Brian and Marjon at 9:00am for an expedition to Moonlight Track and Moke Lake. The plan is to divide the party in two - half starting at Moke Lake camp site, the other half starts at the Moonlight Track car park above Arthur's Point. We meet in the middle and swap car keys. At the beginning we drive to Arthur's Point Road, opposite Shotover Lodge, then swap cars before continuing on to our start points. Thus the drivers will get their own keys back at the middle and will be looking for their own car at the end. As an experiment each half will carry a radio - it will be interesting to find out where we have radio contact. We will probably meet at lunch by the buildings near the track down to the Old Schoolhouse.

Monday 6th January

Meet Brian & Marjon at 9:00am: going to McPhies Ridge. We go down Cluden Creek Road, cross the Lindis River bridge and park. Hopefully we will avoid the rain, but it will be windy and cool.