Finn Le Sueur

Waipakihi Hut and Urchin

finn@lesueur.nz (Finn Le Sueur) — Sat, 25 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Sat Apr 25, 2026 Download GPX D1: To Waipakihi Hut	15.49km 4:57:49	3.12km/hr 1208m ⬆️, 717m ⬇️
Sun Apr 26, 2026 Download GPX D2: Out via Urchin	24.36km 9:00:21	2.70km/hr 1072m ⬆️, 1570m ⬇️
Total	39.85km 13:58:10	2.85km/hr 2280m ⬆️, 2287m ⬇️

Day 1: To Waipakihi Hut

The long weekend arrived, and we hit the road after work on Friday evening, taking our as-of-yet-unnamed van off to Waikoko Campsite at the western foot of the Kaimanawa Mountains. After a couple of dog mishaps in the van (💩), we arrived at the campsite in the cold and dark. Unfortunately, we found out at that point that the diesel heater wasn’t working, so we resigned ourselves to a chilly night in the van.

We woke in the morning with a rather cold dog in the van and a hard frost outside. Once we all managed to warm up, we headed off. We left the van at Waikoko Campsite and walked ~1.5 km up the 4WD track to the Umukarikari Track start. From there, the track climbed unrelentingly to the treeline some 600m above us. Jen’s legs weren’t feeling it, so she was having a bit of a suffer-fest. Korra, however, was vibing it. She vibed it even more when we let her off the leash to run around smelling tussocks, having judged that there was little native wildlife that she could damage (as opposed to in the bush).

The views along the track past Sharp Cone and Umukarikari were just magnificent. It was equal parts views of Lakes Taupō and Rotoaira, Mts Tongariro, Ngauruhoe and Ruapehu, and the depths of the Kaimanawa Mountains. It was just gorgeous. We were equally blessed by stunning weather: blue skies and nary a breeze.

After passing the sharp pinch of a climb to the top of Umukarikari, the track eases off and begins its undulating descent toward Waipakihi Hut. We were lucky enough to find a couple of good patches of snow, and Korra was more than willing to play in it while also biting it. So cute. Once the track reached the treeline, it became a good deal steeper, more rutted, and quite rocky. It was interesting how rough this last descent was in comparison to the ascent. Still, it was over relatively quickly, and Korra was very good about waiting for us to manage the leash. Last was a quick hop across the quite shallow Waipakihi headwaters and up to the hut.

We were the second party to arrive that day, upping the count to four. By the end of the night, the 12 beds were full, five people were sleeping on the floor, and there were at least 8 tents outside. It was busy. Korra did as well as could be expected, which was to generally mind her own business, but she did bark at a couple of people who were a little more persistent in wanting to pat her, despite her bared teeth and displeased face.

☕️ Porridge & coffee
🥜 Nut bar x2
🌮 Hummus & cheese wrap
🍴 Baked beans on mash potato
🍫 Hot drinks and gingernut biscuits

Morning light streaming through the forest.
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Jen still wearing a warm layer, not accepting that she is going to get too warm.
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A stunning little corridor of trees.
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Korra looking majestically into the forest.
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Korra admiring the view of Rotoaira.
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Taupō taking up the view. Geothermal power plant steam plumes in the far distance.
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Thankfully our mountains weren’t quite that snowy. Nice to look at, though.
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Hummus wrap with a view.
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Not far from the treeline with Waipakihi Hut in the distance.
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Day 2: Out via Urchin

We woke to a hard frost. The whole area was frozen, including the gas bottle! After what seemed like an eternity, I managed to boil some water for the hot water bottles and then got Korra out to pee before heading back to my sleeping bag for another hour to let a few groups depart. It was much quieter by the time we got out of bed for real, which helped Korra have an easier morning. She mooched around and made some friends while grovelling (unsuccessfully) for pancakes and other breakfast foods.

We were one of the last groups to head out, and by that time, the sun was up, the sky was blue, and we had warmed up quite sufficiently. We hopped across the creek and began the climb back to Umukarikari. It was a fair grunt to reach the tops, although it definitely eased off after we got out of the bush. We were blessed to have stunning weather and to be facing the Central Plateau for the whole day. It was simply stunning, non-stop.

We strongly recommend taking the detour via Urchin. It is a fair bit longer but involves a lovely traverse through a bushed saddle and a simply beautiful outlook from Urchin itself to the plateau. We said hi (from a distance) to a couple who were camping with their dog before sitting down to have a cup of tea. Sunset was soon upon us and Jen was gracious enough to pose with the dog — thanks, love.

From there, it was a relatively short (1:10hrs) descent through the forest to the 4WD road. Korra did great through this section as she was clearly tired, and we were walking by headlight. We spotted an enormous spider, but she didn’t seem interested. We certainly were, though! We didn’t know they came so large in Aotearoa!

Last up was a bit of gravel road-walking back to the van. Unfortunately, I didn’t notice that the track didn’t go all the way to Urchin Campsite, and thus we had almost 5 km of walking left to do. Jen was not impressed. Still, she led us on at quite the pace, and we were back at the van within the hour.

Thanks, Waipakihi, it was stunning, if cold! 🥶

☕️ Porridge & coffee
🥜 Nut bar x2
🌮 Hummus & cheese wrap
🍫 Hot drinks and gingernut biscuits

Frosty morning!
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Ready to go!
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Looking down the Waipakihi River. A trip for another (warmer) day.
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Korra having a great time off-leash on the tops. What a cutie.
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What. A. View.
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Some of the bushed saddle on the way to Urchin.
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Ruapehu looming in the distance.
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Korra taking in the last of the days sunlight while we wait for sunset.
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Scouting photo spots. In hindsight, I quite like this framing.
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Absolutely worth the wait.
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Catching the last light over Ngauruhoe before we get cross the bushline.
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Managed to snap this shot while we stopped for lunch and to read our books on the shoreline of Lake Taupō.
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Te Pua-A-Tāne Circuit

finn@lesueur.nz (Finn Le Sueur) — Tue, 07 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Tue Apr 7, 2026 Download GPX D1: Central Whirinaki Hut	17.46km 3:52:46	4.50km/hr 512m ⬆️, 323m ⬇️
Thu Apr 9, 2026 Download GPX D3: To Upper Te Hoe Hut	21.55km 7:36:13	2.83km/hr 1071m ⬆️, 871m ⬇️
Fri Apr 10, 2026 Download GPX D4: To Mangakahika Hut	18.16km 6:09:28	2.95km/hr 1056m ⬆️, 1068m ⬇️
Sat Apr 11, 2026 Download GPX D5: Out to River Rd	32.34km 7:37:45	4.24km/hr 1029m ⬆️, 1345m ⬇️
Total	89.51km 25:16:12	3.54km/hr 3668m ⬆️, 3607m ⬇️

Day 1: To Central Whirinaki Hut

This is our first big adventure since we moved to Hamilton in January of 2026, and we were ready for a break! Work has been quite busy for both of us, and we needed some time away from it all. Thankfully, the drive was not very long (3hrs) owing to Hamilton’s quite central and reasonable location. Stoked. From the minute we parked the car, we knew the forest was going to be something special; the trees were huge, and the bush verdant.

The track to Central Whirinaki Hut is excellent and well-maintained. This is perhaps owing to its classification as family-friendly, easy tramping. We wandered on, not pushing the pace and taking our time to enjoy it. We even stopped at a nice river bend to watch a couple of blue ducks that Jen spotted. I tried to take a photo here, but couldn’t get it to turn out as I hoped. Alas.

There were a few short ups and downs, but nothing resembling an actual climb. This left us feeling fresh and not sweaty by the time we reached the hut 4hrs later. There were already a number of people there and the fire was going (it was already too warm!). We left the wood-gathering duties to them and spent the afternoon and evening eating and chatting with the other hut-goers. Many of them were heading out the following day due to the incoming rain, while a couple of older men were heading to Upper Whirinaki Hut (not a long walk).

We talked slightly too late into the evening (sorry, other people) and then headed to bed.

🍴 Baked beans on mash potato
🍫 Hot drinks & coconut block chocolate

Jen reading the sign at River Rd carpark.
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Whirinaki Track looking well-groomed.
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Me looking sheepish because I dropped part of my camera clip (again). Sorry, Jen!
📷 Jen

Huuuuuuuge trees.
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Looking up a nice section of rivew while Jen watches Blue Ducks downstream.
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Moody forest.
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Blue Duck outside Central Whirinaki Hut!
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Day 2: Hut Day!

While the other parties got up at a reasonable hour, we were happy to stay in our bunks for another hour before getting up just before they headed out the door. At this point, it was still grey outside, but not actively raining. By the time we headed outside to gather firewood for the day, the rain had properly come in. We did our best to cut wood on the deck and not get too sopping wet. We also left a good deal of wood to dry for future hut-goers. Central Whirinaki is a serviced hut, but it is often low on firewood.

After that, the rest of the day was quite uneventful. Of note, we ate a 6-pack of hot cross buns, which we toasted on the fire and covered generously in butter that I carried in specially for this occasion. The rain came in surges, often dying away to a slight mist before coming roaring back and sounding like it could drown the world, hammering down on the metal roof.

☕️ Porridge & coffee
🥜 Hot cross buns 🌮 Hummus & cheese wrap
🍴 Mexican bean mix on rice
🍫 Hot cross buns, chocolate, hot drinks

Day 3: To Upper Te Hoe Hut

The rain died off in the early hours of the morning, but it left some low mist to ensure we got a little damp in the morning. The absolutely sopping vegetation also meaningfully contributed to our dampness. The track is very well-formed and easy-going until it reaches the Taumutu Stream confluence at the bridge indicated on Topo50. At this point, the track enters the river and crosses it 15 times on the way to the Kakaiti Stream junction. Much of the water comes in from the true right at this point, so not much is left in the Taumutu as you continue on. We wondered if the Taumutu was going to cause us trouble with the rain, but in the end, it was no problem. I only slipped and almost went for a swim once. Ha.

A little further on, we bumped into the two men who had gone to Upper Whirinaki Hut the day before in the rain. The hut turned out to be relatively full (7 out of 9 beds full), and the night rather eventful. The Whirinaki River had changed its course and broken through some earthwork done by DOC, resulting in the erosion of 1/3 of the foundations of the hut! This happened in the small hours of the morning, and the trampers and hunters found themselves pitching bivvies in the rain and dark. Not ideal. One man was headed out to the road end that day to report it to DOC, and since we got home on Saturday, we saw that the hut had been closed. We hope that it survived Cyclone Vaianu, which passed through the area on April 12-13.

From Upper Whirinaki Hut, the track starts to deteriorate. It becomes less well-maintained, has more slips and track diversions, and becomes more overgrown. Still, the bush is beautiful! We heard later that this and the next day of trails had been downgraded to a “route”, hence the lack of maintenance. The track enters the creek as you near the top of the valley. It then takes a sharp turn and climbs steeply up toward the ridgeline. The climb is fairly straightforward and has no navigational challenges. The only thing to keep an eye on is the structure of the soil beneath your feet.

From the Pukahunui Track junction, the track undulates and contours around the hillside for quite some time. We weren’t moving particularly quickly through this section because of the heavily overgrown ferns that made it hard to see our feet. That said, when you get a glimpse through the forest to the surrounding hills, you are certainly rewarded. On descending to Upper Te Hoe Hut, we found it occupied by a son-father-grandfather trio who were enjoying a week of hunting. Shout out to Dylan for giving us a beer each and sharing your chips. What a champ!

☕️ Porridge & coffee
🥜 Nut bar
🌮 Hummus & cheese wrap
🍴 Baked beans on mash potato
🍫 Hot drinks

One of the many small waterfalls along the track.
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Plenty of beautiful mossy treefall.
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Taumutu Stream looking a little brown after the rain!
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Jen looking happy in the forest.
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Lush.
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Jen in the tree-cast spotlight.
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Don’t slip. Don’t slip. Don’t slip.
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Heading down a little gully!
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Dappled light makes for challenging photography conditions.
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Taumutu Stream on the right and a huge log in the foreground.
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Old wood from previous floods.
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Looking up one of the many small side streams of the track.
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Back on the Whirinaki, but it’s much smaller and clearer now. Most of the silt must have been coming down the Taumutu.
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Beautiful travel through and alongside the stream.
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Jen hopping across a little waterfall.
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Jen climbing the Upper Whirinaki Track toward the Pukahunui Track junction.
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Jen following the overgrown track on the way to Upper Te Hoe Hut.
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Getting a little peak through the forest to the surrounding hills.
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Shoulder-height ferns!
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Some stars above Upper Te Hoe Hut
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Day 4: To Mangakahika Hut

We woke early when the hunting trio got up for a morning stalk, but Dylan felt unwell, so they ended up going back to bed. Yuss! A small while later, we rolled out of bed and were soon ready to go. The track drops down to the bridge across the Te Hoe River before crossing on a well-appointed wooden bridge. From there, it climbs fairly gently to around 1000m and undulates across the ridge before dropping steeply toward the Te Hoe River (again). The DOC guide notes that there are some bluffs, and James (from the hut) was talking up how scary it is. We certainly didn’t find it scary, but it is quite an impressive drop-off.

Central Te Hoe Hut is a short out-and-back trip to a nice clearing with plenty of room for camping. Something tells me this would be a great spot to hunt from! We had a quick lunch and coffee before heading off to Mangakahika Hut. The night before, I had asked my dad for a forecast update of Cyclone Vaianu, and he said that it was likely going to arrive Saturday night / Sunday morning, as opposed to Sunday afternoon as per the forecast we got before we headed out. We figured that we would try to get out a day early and might walk all the way to Te Waiora (Roger’s) Hut today, but we would leave that decision for later.

Central Te Hoe Track is all very nice and follows the valley floor, sticking to the true left. It is well-formed and lush. There was even the odd bridge for the sidestreams! Luxury. That is, at least, until we passed Bull Ring Clearing. From there, the track climbs to the low saddle and becomes very overgrown again. At this point, the fog had come in again, and we were getting very damp as we pushed through the ferns. After some steep pinches and plenty of tree-fall, the tracks again reaches the valley floor and a bridge appears to take you across the creek to the hut.

Mangakahika Hut was very tidy, and the nearby forest was excellent for foraging for wood. We chopped a lot, leaving plenty to dry and the hut box full. I did take a stick to the face (twice) when the axe sliced through it and part of the stick jumped back up to clock me. I’m still wearing a bruise and scab a few days later. Whoops!

☕️ Porridge & coffee
🥜 Nut bar
🌮 Hummus & cheese wrap
🍴 Mexican bean mix on drive
🍫 Hot drinks & chocolate rice pudding

Spot the trail! It’s somewhere in that damp forest, I promise.
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Jen looking cute in her matching top and boots.
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Admiring the view.
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One of many beautiful side streams on the way to Mangakahika Hut.
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Mangakahika Hut in the golden hour at dusk.
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The Southern Cross above Mangakahika Hut!
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Day 5: Out to River Rd

With cyclone Vaianu arriving the following day, we joined the last two days together and aimed to walk the 31km out to the road all in one go. We rolled out of bed an extra hour early (🤢) and were on the track at 7:30am. We charged off and generally made excellent time on the track that just got better and better, and we neared Te Waiora (Roger’s) Hut. Te Waiora, itself, is very cool. It’s super old and has since been wrapped in metal. It is hard to see how the hut was ever weatherproof, but Jen reckoned the wood must have shrunk and left all the huge gaps between planks. Still. With some stained glass windows and walls made of giant slabs of wood, it is well worth taking a look around. We had just a short break before heading off toward Moerangi Hut. The track had recently been cut, so there was no overgrowth to deal with. That made the walking very easy (aside from the uphill).

The Moerangi MTB Track means that it is generally well-graded and nice and wide, but there are a few pinches that would be essentially un-bikeable, and some erosion that has left the track extremely rutted. That said, for the most part it is very nice. For its own part, Moerangi Hut is very similar to the others, but its camping area is not as well-appointed. It is very hilly and lumpy, leaving little flat ground to pitch a tent. Goodness knows how a school trip got 32 students here (according to the hut book).

After coffee and lunch, we pushed on, having already covered the same distance as some of our previous days. The track ambles along the valley floor with small climbs and descents before taking you more steeply toward Moerangi. The track does not go to the summit proper, but a helicopter pad and picnic table offer something of a lookout. Not that we could see much over the trees!

Much of the descent is not as well-graded as the ascent, nor as well-maintained. This includes a very steep section of track near the bottom that is sandy and rutted almost 1m deep in places. It is clear that the track needs some work and that the rainforest and cyclone conditions common to the area are not helping with that. We were feeling pretty footsore by the time we neared the Whirinaki Track Junction, but the immense forest was doing its best to distract us, thankfully.

In the end, we clocked almost 32km and were more than a little happy to drink a can of Coke each and eat the pack of salt and vinegar chips we had left in the car. Always a good shout.

Thanks, Whirinaki. It was a beaut.

☕️ Porridge & coffeee
🥜 Nut bar x3 and lollies
🌮 Hummus & cheese wrap & coffee

Well manicured track on the way Moerangi Hut.
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More beautiful track and dappled light.
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The size of the Kahikatea across the track is unreal!
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We later saw a Blue Duck on the little creek along this section of track. So cute.
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Finally heading down toward River Rd Carpark.
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Trodding downhill. Legs and feet are tired.
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Jen looking shorter than usual amongst the ancient forest.
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Mt Herbert from Kaituna Valley

finn@lesueur.nz (Finn Le Sueur) — Wed, 06 Feb 2019 00:00:00 +0000

Wed Feb 6, 2019 Download GPX
2019-02-06 - Mt Bradley

19.72km
5:00:46

3.93km/hr
1112m ⬆️, 1112m ⬇️

Mt Herbert is a beautiful walk on the Banks Peninsula with great views back across Lyttelton Harbour to Christchurch. It is around two hours and 40 minutes to Mt Herbert from Kaituna Valley and around two hours and 20 minutes to get back down.

Stage 1: Kaituna Valley to Packhorse Hut

We climbed from Kaituna Valley to Packhorse hut in 55 minutes, covering a distance of 4km and with a vertical climb of 475m! It starts off nice and gentle through a field and into some bush in the valley. The track is well marked and you soon find yourself on a 4WD track; you can’t go wrong! From there the track steepens and you will probably wonder why you’re doing this. Keep on keeping on and you’ll soon find yourself at Packhorse Hut and it’s much nicer from there on out.

We made some nice cow friends near the hut - they’re very friendly and are used to hikers. There were some nice calves so it pays to be wary of the mothers, but you shouldn’t see any bulls or encounter any trouble!

Seonaid making friends with some local cows!
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Stage 2: Packhorse Hut to Mt Herbert Shelter

We climbed to Mt Herbert Shelter from Packhorse Hut in one hour 25 minutes, covering a distance of 5km and climbing a further 562m! From here you go east to the south side of Mt Bradley. It takes a bit of a turn for the steep as it zigzags up Mt Bradley. It cuts across the south side of Mt Bradley once you reach the bush line and it becomes a great single track through the bush. There’s a good amount of up and down through here but it’s an interesting track.

As you come out of the bush further east there is a (very) small sign pointing to a track to the summit of Mt Bradley. I would highly recommend doing this small diversion if you have the time. It would take perhaps 30 minutes to pop up to the top then back to the track.

Continuing on you reach a saddle and cross over to the north side where you soon join another 4WD track up to the Mt Herbert Shelter.

Seonaid and Phoebe traversing to Mt Herbert Shelter.
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Stage 3: Mt Herbert Shelter to the Summit

We climbed from Mt Herbert Shelter to the summit of Mt Herbert in 18 minutes, covering a distance of 1km and another 117m of climbing! Follow the 4WD track up from the Mt Herbert Shelter for 10 or so minutes before taking the well sign posted turn up to the summit. It’s one last effort but the views at the top are spectacular and well worth all the climbing!

Stage 4: Mt Herbert Summit to Kaituna Valley

People say coming down is the easy part, but with 1,106m of vertical meters to descend, you need to look after you knees! It took us two hours 20 minutes to descend all the way to the carpark at Kaituna Valley, with a rough distance of 9.8km. It’s very consistently downhill so take the time to be sure of your footing and take care of your knees, but also be sure to watch for views that you may have missed on your way up. Going the other direction often gives a perspective you may have missed previously!

All in all, it was a great walk, albiet a little chilly in the breezy southerly wind.

Waitangi Day well spent!

The very green southern face of Mt Bradley.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Collective Bargining in 2022

finn@lesueur.nz (Finn Le Sueur) — Sat, 19 Feb 2022 19:19:39 +1300

When I started teaching in 2019 here in New Zealand our union collective agreement was about to expire. We had Paid Union Meetings, went on strike when things weren’t going well, and ultimately came away with some wins.

We got 9% pay increase over three years; an extra pay step was introduced; management units were increased; addition of gender neutral pronouns in the parental leave clause; Māori immersion teacher allowance; career advisor allowance; one-off gross payment of $1500; and a few other miscellanous things. Read the full list here.

Finn Learns About Inflation

Being new to teaching and a bit naive about the workforce I thought that 9% over three years was a great win - how nice of the Ministry of Education to value teachers with more income! How wrong I was. It turns out that as of 09/02/2022 inflation is raging!

Quarter Inflation (%)

Jun-19 1.7

Sep-19 1.5

Dec-19 1.9

Mar-20 2.5

Jun-20 1.5

Sep-20 1.4

Dec-20 1.4

Mar-21 1.5

Jun-21 3.3

Sep-21 4.9

Dec-21 5.9

Data courtesy of Stats NZ. Retrieved: 09/02/2022.

Quarter	Inflation (%)
Jun-19	1.7
Sep-19	1.5
Dec-19	1.9
Mar-20	2.5
Jun-20	1.5
Sep-20	1.4
Dec-20	1.4
Mar-21	1.5
Jun-21	3.3
Sep-21	4.9
Dec-21	5.9

We can see that it is getting a bit out of hand recently, but what about the total inflation since July 2019 when the collective agreement came into force? Let’s ask the Reserve Bank of New Zealand.

Inflation between Q2 2019 and Q4 2021. Retrieved 09/02/2022.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

The collective agreement doesn’t expire until July 2022, so we should expect even more inflation in the interim. What does this mean for the 9% increase in wages that we won in 2019? It just barely covered inflation. We got no pay rise. We are well on our way to essentially receiving a pay cut.

The Bargining Stage

What does this mean for our next round of collective bargining in 2022? Perhaps that we need to bargin hard for an actual pay rise. We should not just accept a pay rise that matches inflation. The Ministry of Education needs to value our jobs in order to attract more teachers into the future. We need to be attracting the best and brightest around to help support the generations that will come after us.

“The demand for primary teachers is projected to grow marginally until 2023, before dropping year-on-year in the longer term. Whilst the demand for secondary teachers is still projected to grow year-on-year out to 2024.” - Ministry of Education / Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga. Retrieved 09/02/2022.

Okay, so what about inflation into the future? Reading BNZ’s Markets Outlook document published 08/02/2022 (retrieved 09/02/2022) there are a few little points to note.

“…there has been little, if any, sign from various business surveys that the worst of the price increases are behind us.”

and this wonderful excerpt (page 9) of a table with some forecasts, where 2022, 2023 and 2024 are forecasts.

	2020	2021	2022	2023	2024
CPI	2.5	1.5	6.3	2.9	2.4

From this we can see that we are going to need to advocate agressively for a large pay increase to meet inflation, let alone to make the profession more attractive to future teachers.

Potential Objections

Nurses were in negotiations for 15 months and didn’t get that much!

Just because their employers struggled to understand and value nurses and the requirements for safe practice (literally helping to save lives), doesn’t mean that the Ministry of Education Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga can’t do better!

$90,000 at the top of the pay scale sure seems like a lot of money!

It sure does. Especially to myself, as a person without kids. But. Without future pay increases, inflation will ensure that the spending power of that income decreases. Without action we will get a paycut.

Teachers get so many holidays!

We absolutely do, no argument there. Interestingly, our agreement allows for schools to require us to attend up to five days of professional development when the school is not open for instruction (read: holiday). You will also find that a number of schools run meetings and other work-related days over the holidays. One often finds a large stack of marking to do over holidays too, so it’s not one big free-for-all like you can’t imagine.

It’s Not Only Money

As I have written about before, teaching is hard mental and emotional work. It means dealing with 100+ students with the potential for lots of “out of hours” marking and other admin. Money makes you feel better about that prospect, but it doesn’t fix anything. It does however help attract more staff which would make these other ideas more reasonable!

Reduce the number of contact hours (hire more teachers)
Reduce class sizes (hire more teachers)
Put aside actual time with actual resources to train teachers in Te Reo Māori and cultural protocols (something the MOE wants but never actually prioritises)
Increase the number of staff allocated to pastoral care (hire more teachers)

Write to the PPTA

Find your representatives here.


Dear <Your Representatives Here>,
I am writing you today to encourage you to fight hard for a large pay increase in the upcoming collective agreement negotiations.
Since our last agreement where we won 9% over three years, inflation has increased 8.7% (2019 Q2 through 2021 Q4). This means that despite the pay increase, the buying power of our salary has not increased.
BNZ's Market Outlook document released on 08/02/2022 says "...there has been little, if any, sign from various business surveys that the worst of the price increases are behind us.". Therefore in this coming set of negotiations we need to argue for at least a 10% increase in salaries.
Here is an excerpt from the BNZ Market Outlook which shows a Consumer Price Index (inflation) forecast.
| | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|-----|------|------|------|------|------|
| CPI | 2.5 | 1.5 | 6.3 | 2.9 | 2.4 |
The Ministry of Education itself expects "the demand for secondary teachers is still projected to grow year-on-year out to 2024". How do they expect to attract more teachers to the profession if the wages do not keep up with inflation? We need more trainees entering the profession, both directly out of university and from other professions. The easiest way to do that is to make the compensation extremely competitive. If our wages fail to be competitive, then it is possible teachers will even be lost to other professions.
Here are some other considerations that would directly improve the quality of life of teachers:
- Reduce the number of contact hours
- Reduce class sizes
- Increase funding for staff allocated to pastoral care
- Put aside meaningful time/funding/resources to train teachers in Te Reo Māori
References:
- BNZ Market Outlook https://www.bnz.co.nz/assets/markets/research/BNZMO_20220208.pdf
- Ministry of Education Teacher Supply Update (2022) https://www.education.govt.nz/news/teacher-supply-for-the-2022-school-year-update
- Royal Bank of New Zealand Inflation Calculator https://www.rbnz.govt.nz/monetary-policy/inflation-calculator
Thank you for the work you do in representing us!
<Your Name Here>

Write to your Member of Parliment & Education Ministers

Find your member of parliament here.

Chris Hipkins: chris.hipkins@parliament.govt.nz
Jan Tinetti: jan.tinetti@parliament.govt.nz
Kelvin Davis: kelvin.davis@parliament.govt.nz
Aupito William Sio: Aupito.william.sio@parliament.govt.nz


Dear Hon Chris Hipkins, Hon Jan Tinetti, Hon Kelvin Davis, Hon Aupito William Sio and <Your MP Here>,
I am writing you today to encourage you to value teachers; to follow the data; to do the right thing; to make our profession attractive.
Since our last agreement where we won 9% over three years, inflation has increased 8.7% (2019 Q2 through 2021 Q4). This means that despite the pay increase, the buying power of our salary has not increased.
BNZ's Market Outlook document released on 08/02/2022 says "...there has been little, if any, sign from various business surveys that the worst of the price increases are behind us.". Therefore in this coming set of negotiations there needs to be an aggressive plan in place teaching to stay competitive in the marketplace.
Here is an excerpt from the BNZ Market Outlook which shows a Consumer Price Index (inflation) forecast.
| | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|-----|------|------|------|------|------|
| CPI | 2.5 | 1.5 | 6.3 | 2.9 | 2.4 |
The Ministry of Education itself expects "the demand for secondary teachers is still projected to grow year-on-year out to 2024". How do you expect to attract more teachers to the profession if the wages do not keep up with inflation? We need more trainees entering the profession, both directly out of university and from other professions. The easiest way to do that is to make the compensation extremely competitive. If our wages fail to be competitive, then it is possible teachers will even be lost to other professions.
Here are some other considerations that would directly improve the quality of life of teachers:
- Reduce the number of contact hours
- Reduce class sizes
- Increase funding for staff allocated to pastoral care
- Put aside meaningful time/funding/resources to train teachers in Te Reo Māori
References:
- BNZ Market Outlook https://www.bnz.co.nz/assets/markets/research/BNZMO_20220208.pdf
- Ministry of Education Teacher Supply Update (2022) https://www.education.govt.nz/news/teacher-supply-for-the-2022-school-year-update
- Royal Bank of New Zealand Inflation Calculator https://www.rbnz.govt.nz/monetary-policy/inflation-calculator
Thank you for your time today,
<Your Name Here>

The On-X Valve

finn@lesueur.nz (Finn Le Sueur) — Mon, 10 Apr 2023 21:15:27 +1200

When getting a prosthetic valve replacement, one thing to consider is the increased risk of forming a blood clot. The risk is significantly decreased when getting a bioprosthetic valve¹, but those valves have their own downsides when considering their lifespan. For me, a mechanical valve is the way to go. I have many years of active life yet to live (I hope), and to get a new valve every 10-15 years is not something I want to go through. With a mechanical valve, it can be one-and-done – as long as nothing goes wrong.

Blood clots can form in areas of low blood flow (stasis) in and around mechanical valves, although this has been improved with more modern designs. More modern designs also incorporate newer materials which can be more clot-resistant. No matter what mechanical valve you get, you have to manage your haemostatic factors.

Haemostasis: The mechanism that leads to the cessation of bleeding from a blood vessel. This includes platelet clots, the coagulation cascade, and the final clot.²

For most patients, this looks like taking warfarin daily and measuring your INR semi-regularly.

Blood Clots

When you injure yourself, you typically want a clot to form nice and quickly, of course! The less bleeding, the better. Unfortunately, this rapid clotting can lead to a higher risk of clots around the prosthesis.

In the worst case, these clots can lead to a blockage of the blood vessel (embolism). This can be quite severe in cases where an organ (or section of) is fed through one main vessel. If not remedied, this can lead to death (infarction) of the organ/tissue. With the aortic valve, a clot could travel essentially anywhere before lodging in a blood vessel – this includes the brain.² A clot in a vessel that feeds the brain is called a stroke and these are about as bad as you are currently imagining.

Among other things, a valve can be blocked or obstructed by a thrombosis (non-travelling clot), vegetation (irregular cell growth) from endocarditis, or a pannus (abnormal layer of fibrovascular tissue) around the wall.

A diagram showing where a pannus and thrombus may form, and their relative morphology, plus real-life images. Sources 1, 2, 3.

Warfarin

It’s important to get a wide variety of vitamins and minerals in your diet, and of particular importance to this discussion, is Vitamin K. Vitamin K is activated by an enzyme and then used in the formation of clotting factors – the things that help stop bleeding. Warfarin inhibits the enzyme which activates Vitamin K, thereby reducing the number of clotting factors in your blood.³ This helps reduce the incidence rate of clot formation on and around a mechanical valve.

You may have already concluded that this may also make you rather bleedy if you get a cut or sustain internal trauma, and you would be right. People on high doses of warfarin often need to take special care in daily life so that they do not put themselves at increased risk of a bleed. This could also prove a problem for people who like to be outdoors, do extreme sports or be very far away from civilisation and medical help.

International Normalised Ratio

This is measured through a relatively simple finger-prick blood test and can be used to assess the risk of bleeding or coagulation status of a patient.

For example, a normal INR range is from around 0.8–1.2. This means that a patient not on anticoagulation medicines would have a prothrombin time of 9.6–14.4 seconds, given an average of 12 seconds. When you take anticoagulation drugs (e.g. warfarin), your time to form a clot increases – sometimes by a lot! The therapeutic range for most valves is between 2.5–3.5, meaning a prothrombin time of 30–42 seconds.⁴ The higher the INR, the more bleedy you are and the less likely to form a clot on the prosthesis.

Roche CoaguChek INRange System used for patient self-monitoring of INR.

On-X and St Jude

Not all valves are equal. For example, a more modern valve like the On-X has a therapeutic range INR range of 1.5–2⁵. This means that patients with an On-X valve would have to take less warfarin and would be less at risk of adverse bleeding incidents. That is in comparison to, say, the St Jude valve which have a therapeutic range of 2.5-3.5⁶. For me this is great because I like to do sports like rock climbing, trail running, tramping (hiking), moderate mountain climbing and some whitewater kayaking. Being able to take a low warfarin dose and top-up with aspirin (e.g. 80mg)⁵ would be a huge win.

A comparison of valves.[^6]
📷 BMES

That said, because I am getting my valve replaced through the public system here in New Zealand, I have less choice in the valve I will get. In talking to my surgeon, she said that we can aim to use a certain valve, but sometimes when she looks at the heart in the flesh, she doesn’t always feel like she can go ahead with the preferred plan. I am totally cool with that. Of course, I would like an On-X valve over a St Jude (the normal one used at my hospital) due to its lower therapeutic INR range, but I 1000% trust the judgement of my surgeon on the day.

Roudaut, R., Serri, K., & Lafitte, S. (2007). Thrombosis of prosthetic heart valves: diagnosis and therapeutic considerations. Heart (British Cardiac Society), 93(1), 137–142. https://heart.bmj.com/lookup/doi/10.1136/hrt.2005.071183 ↩︎
LaPelusa A, Dave HD (2023). Physiology, Hemostasis. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK545263/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Patel S, Singh R, Preuss CV, et al. Warfarin. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470313/ ↩︎
Shikdar S, Vashisht R, Bhattacharya PT. International Normalized Ratio (INR). Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507707/ ↩︎
Bouhout, I., & El-Hamamsy, I. (2019). The Prospective Randomized On-X Valve Anticoagulation Clinical Trial (PROACT): Lower is better, but is it good enough?. Global cardiology science & practice, 2019(1), 2. https://globalcardiologyscienceandpractice.com/index.php/gcsp/article/view/362 ↩︎ ↩︎
Kazuhiko Kido, Jennifer Ball. (2017) Optimal Intensity of Warfarin Therapy in Patients With Mechanical Aortic Valves. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0897190017734765 ↩︎

Using Garmin's Virtual Run for Bluetooth HR

finn@lesueur.nz (Finn Le Sueur) — Wed, 15 Apr 2020 00:21:12 +1200

Garmin software version 8.10 for the Fenix 6 was released on March 23rd 2020 and bring with it this very exciting addition!

Added support for Virtual Running. (Download the Zwift mobile app and launch the “Virtual Run” activity profile on your Garmin device.) - Garmin Website

This update, in essence, broadcasts over bluetooth your heart rate, cadence and pace to a supported piece of software (Tacx & Zwift)!

Now, it is a little strange how they introduced support for virtual running - which I only image is a rather niche category - before virtual cycling which is extremely popular with the likes of Tacx and Zwift. Historically Garmin watches have been able to broadcast your heart rate but only via ANT+ which requires an ANT+ receiver to be plugged into your computer. While not the worst, it certainly is not that smooth of an experience, especially with the more universally supported Bluetooth hanging around.

This update changes this for running - and as we will see - cycling too (although unofficially supported.

How Does The Workaround Work?

All you need to do is to update your Garmin - start a Virtual Run workout and leave it on the pairing screen. Once on this screen your software should detect your Garmin via Bluetooth - no need for that pesky ANT+ dongle!

Unsupported Garmin HR with Tacx and Zwift Over Bluetooth
📷 Finn Le Sueur

One final note is that because this is just a bit hacky, the watch will time out of this screen after about 30min and go to the main watch face. You can stop this by pressing any button (I recommend the backlight button) as this will delay the timeout.

If it times out and goes to the home screen it will lose the Bluetooth connection. No sweat, simply go back into Virtual Run and it will reconnect after a few seconds.

What it Looks Like

For me, this is extremely sweet because it means I can use my new iPad Pro 12.9 to connect to my Tacx trainer (power, cadence, speed and control as well as my HR via my Garmin Fenix 6 all using Bluetooth! No ANT+ dongle - just a charging cable, my bike trainer and a whole lot of sweat.

Tacx on the iPad Screenshot
📷 Finn Le Sueur

—- Happy sweating 👋

References

Mt Rintoul

finn@lesueur.nz (Finn Le Sueur) — Sat, 24 Oct 2020 00:00:00 +0000

Sat Oct 24, 2020 Download GPX Mt Rintoul Day 1	12.52km 4:52:46	2.57km/hr 1242m ⬆️, 597m ⬇️
Sun Oct 25, 2020 Download GPX Mt Rintoul Day 2	15.99km 7:53:18	2.03km/hr 1594m ⬆️, 1523m ⬇️
Mon Oct 26, 2020 Download GPX Mt Rintoul Day 3	19.66km 6:04:40	3.24km/hr 673m ⬆️, 1376m ⬇️
Total	48.17km 18:50:44	2.56km/hr 3509m ⬆️, 3496m ⬇️

Day 1: To Tarn Hut

With a nice three-day weekend lined up Jen and I wanted to do a three-day tramp. A rare opportunity during the school term for me. We drove to Blenhiem on Friday after work and arrived at a campground quite late. On Saturday we got up quite early and made our way down to the start of the track which is a rather long way down the North Bank of the Wairau River and then upstream of the Goulter River. It’s a lot of gravel driving, but worth it. Carpark Here: https://goo.gl/maps/ND13VQHCxm7MExLy9.

We started walking by 11:35am and it took us almost 5hrs to find our way to Tarn Hut. The track was actually reasonably good quality, so no wayfinding problems. The hard part comes in the 1200m+ of vertical climbing yuou do over those 12.5km. The first part of the track is deceptively nice alongside the Goulter River, but after crossing the river it climbs steeply to gain a ridgeline that will take you to Bushy Top. From there it eases off and you will find a couple of junctions which can take you along the Te Araroa to Mid Wairoa Hut.

Tarn Hut itself is very cute and tidy and sits on the edge of a wonderful Tarn and a nice wide opening in amongst the trees. We enjoyed some afternoon sun there before retiring to the hut for the night.

Some of the lovely foresty ascent to Tarn Hut (after the aggressive first climb).
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Madatory cute hut photo before leaving on Day 2.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Day 2: To Old Man Hut

Overnight some clouds came in and unfortunately they just got worse as the day progressed. We started around 9:30am and made good time to Mt Rintoul Hut via Purple Tops. We spotted some goats around the hut as we arrived - very cute. While sheltering inside for lunch a Te Araroa hiker arrived. He didn’t look like he was having a very good time!

We set off again from Mt Rintoul Hut only to be permanently stuck in the clouds with not a sight to see. The track climbs steeply towards the summit and becomes rocky and screey for a few kilometeres. There is a bit of a rough descent from Rintoul to a small saddle before re-climbing back to Point 1643. The scree here turns into blocky rock and the going was very slow. It was at this point that the cloud started to feel like rain, and the morale was running a bit low. Thankfully we could see from the map that as soon as we gained the bushline from Point 1643 it was only a couple of kilometers to Old Man Hut where we were looking forward to being inside.

As we descended out of the cloud towards the bush the rain actually arrived. Turns out it was just the dampness of the cloud beforehand and now we were getting properly wet. Ah well. We arrived to find a group of four guys at the hut which meant someone was sleeping on the floor (no big deal). Thankfully they had been there for a couple of hours and the hut was toasty. Perfect! We squeezed on in and proceeded to have a very nice warm evening.

A tree graveyard just before Mt Rintoul Hut. Makes you wonder how it all happened.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

It’s a long way up, don’t be deceived!
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Blocky scree up on the way to Point 1643.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Lots of triangles - don’t miss the re-entry to the forest!
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Day 3: Out via Mid Goulter Hut

From Old Man Hut the track descends quite directly through the forest to an unnamed stream. It soon merges with a stream coming down from Lake Chalice and forms the Goulter River. After this confluence the steepness of the track subsides and it undulates alongisde the river for the rest of the (long) hike out. By the time we reached Mid Goulter Hut we had realised that if only we were into packrafting we could be floating down The Goulter having a much nicer time, but instead we continued to plod along this relatively unremarkable section of track. The track passes Lower Goulter Hut and re-traces the same first section of track from Day 1!

Jen crossing the confluence of streams just before Goulter River is formed.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Some nice forest walking on the way down to Mid Goulter Hut.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Overall we had a great time with the track and while the climbing on Day 2 across Mt Rintoul was gruelling it would be worth it on a day with a view! For us, it definitely felt a little less worth it.

Perhaps one day we will be back to do some other part of the Richmond Range in good weather! ☀️

Teaching, Pay and What Matters

finn@lesueur.nz (Finn Le Sueur) — Wed, 21 Apr 2021 22:32:06 +1200

In 2019 the Post Primary Teachers Association (PPTA) / Te Wehengarua signed a new collective agreement with the government, with some highly sought after improvements.

Increase to Trained Teachers base salary scale (get paid more!)
Add a further salary step (get paid more!)
Increase Units from $4000 to $5000
Increase Middle Management Units from $1000 to $2000
$1500 lump sum
And many other things..

This is all well and good - it is important to get recognised, monetarily, for the work you do. However, in the two years since this agreement has come into effect, I have had some enlightening conversations with other teachers (both management, and not). The comments revolved around:

how over-worked they felt,
how there was never enough time in the day to do their best work,
taking work home,
marking in evenings and weekends,
not having time during the day to do anything except tread water.

But the thing that stood out to me most was that the increased pay/units does not improve the culture/systems of teaching. The pay is nice, of course, but it does not:

give you more non-contacts to do better lesson preparation,
give you more time to prepare different resources for extremely diverse learners,
allow you to get marking done during school time,
allow management personal to spend more time working with their staff,
allow management to spend time making things more efficient,
allow teachers time to learn Te Reo Māori to use in the classroom,
and so much more..

The money makes you feel better about taking work home; about the years lost off your life to stress; about the time away from your family and friends; about the time spent working instead of eating healthy, exercising, sleeping well and looking after your mental health.

Makes you wonder - are we asking for the right thing?

Matiri Hut and Lake

finn@lesueur.nz (Finn Le Sueur) — Tue, 13 Jul 2021 00:00:00 +0000

Tue Jul 13, 2021 Download GPX
Matiri Hut

7.95km
1:13:23

6.50km/hr
256m ⬆️, 248m ⬇️

Runners: Finn & Jen (July 13th, 2021)

Jen wanted to break up the drive from St Arnaud to Christchurch with something active, and after much searching and agonising over lunch in Murchison, she found Lake Matiri!

As of July 2021 there is still an alert on the DOC page:

1 May 2021: Matiri valley access restrictions

Construction work on the Matiri hydroelectricity scheme is taking place in the Matiri Valley, affecting public access in the area. Work is expected to be completed later in 2021. See full details on the Pioneer Energy website.

Alright, I hopped over to the Pioneer Energy website and found you should go to the hut at the start of the track and follow the instructions inside to alert the workers to your presence. This will allow them to give you safe passage through, if necessary. That sounds easy enough but we got no response on the radio, and later decided that it was actually turned off. Perhaps construction is complete, or perhaps they are not working over winter. Either way, we decided to go!

It starts as a very well formed 4WD track, and you can see where a large hydroelectric pipe has been buried, or is sometimes above ground. It seems very large, but dwarfs the pipes at the more major hydroelectric facilities!

Jen next to the hydroelectric pipe.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

There are two turn-offs where they have created new track to lay the pipe, both times turn left. At the second junction the track deteriorates and becomes more muddy, but is still totally manageable. The hut is pretty standard, but does smell strongly of smoke. Perhaps the fire is not venting well, or has just seen higher usage than other huts.

Jen blasting along the nice 4WD track.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

The view up the valley and over the lake is beautiful and would be worth a better explore in the future!

Finn looking over Matiri Lake
📷 Jennifer Rouse

Boundary Creek Hut

finn@lesueur.nz (Finn Le Sueur) — Sat, 23 Oct 2021 00:00:00 +0000

Sat Oct 23, 2021 Download GPX To Boundary Creek Hut	12.96km 2:45:58	4.69km/hr 385m ⬆️, 150m ⬇️
Sun Oct 24, 2021 Download GPX Out via Mystery Lake	15.89km 3:54:43	4.06km/hr 583m ⬆️, 896m ⬇️
Sun Oct 24, 2021 Download GPX Picking up the car	22.48km 0:57:56	23.29km/hr 333m ⬆️, 249m ⬇️
Total	51.34km 7:38:37	6.72km/hr 1301m ⬆️, 1295m ⬇️

Day 1: To Boundary Creek Hut

Jen and I were looking for a tramp to take our dog Korra on and we found this one not too far from Christchurch! The drive is a little boring, but Hakatere Conservation Park has lots of great walks and tramps, many of which are dog friendly. You’ve just got to stay off the lakeside tracks and you’re mostly good to go.

Because the tracks we were going to follow do not make a good loop, we drove to the far end of the Potts River tracks where I locked my mountain bike to a fence out of view of the road. We then drove back to the start which was up Hakatere Heron Rd. The sun was out, it was hot and no there are not any trees for the whole trip. Bring a hat, sunscreen and lots of water!

Jen and Korra 🐕 ready to go!
📷 Finn Le Sueur

There is a minor river crossing nearish the start and unfortunately Korra tried to jump it (while leashed to Jen) and they both went for a swim. Entertaining for me, less so for Jen. The track is reasonably good condition and is mostly a 4WD track the whole way. A creek had made its way onto the track halfway to the hut, but no big deal!

Jen and Korra looking down into the South Branch Ashburton River.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

The hut was very cute but it was full. Never to fear, we expected this and had planned to stay in the tent with Korra in any case. It was actually busier than we first noticed, too! In the end the hut was full, there was four tents of people, three dogs and three horses! It was a busy wee campsite and Korra didn’t want to make a single friend - instead proceeding to bark and every person we met 🤦.

The horses at the hut!
📷 Finn Le Sueur

A beautiful, wide, Canterbury highcountry valley.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Day 2: Out via Mystery Lake

To exit via Mystery Lake we started by backtracking approx. 500m on the track from yesterday before turning right up Potts Hut Track which climbs steeply up onto Dogs Range 🐕. It’s a net climb of around 420m to the top and its fairly unrelenting, but is over quickly.

The Dogs Range version of the Windows XP wallpaper.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

From there we turned down the Mystery Lake Link Track which gave us a truly amazing view of the lake. From there, siddle along the south side of the lake, following Mystery Lake Track track which descends alongside Potts River towards the carpark. The track is good condition, and there is still no shelter or much water available along the way. You could drink from Mystery Lake but I’m not sure I’d be game without boiling it.

Mystery Lake and Cloudy Peak Range in the distance.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

At the end I picked up my bike and left Jen and Korra to chill out while I cycled the 22.5km back to the car. Jen ran a 5km around the carpark because she got bored and Korra practiced playing in the water.

Looking up at The Dogs Range and Mt Guy (right) from Mystery Lake Track next to Potts River.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

A Heart Murmur?

finn@lesueur.nz (Finn Le Sueur) — Wed, 11 Jan 2023 00:00:00 +0000

First things first: iamnotadoctorthispostdoesnotconstitudemedicaladvicepleaseseeaprofessionalifyouhaveconcerns. Ta.

Discovery: I’ve Got a Murmur!

In 2019 I found myself with a new partner – Jen. She’s pretty rad, if I do say so myself. She is also a doctor, which leads to many interesting conversations that I love. One evening we were having a bit of a snuggle (cute, I know), and she goes “You have a heart murmur!”. I didn’t know what to make of that and she told me to see “a real doctor”, but I was probably just tachycardic¹. We both promptly forgot about it.

Tachycardia: An increased heart rate (e.g. over 100bpm). Not always a concern; for example during exercise.

Fast forward to 2022 and I’m seeing my GP for an unrelated issue and he asks “Can I listen to your heart?”. So, he puts his stethoscope in his ears and what do you know “You’ve got a heart murmur”. “Oh yeah! My partner picked that up in 2019 but we both forgot about it.” Well, he wanted to investigate it. He referred me to the DHB and a few months later and I got an appointment for an echo-cardiogram².

Heart Murmur: A change in the beat sound of the heart caused by atypical blood flow. See reference for a video.³

My Malformed Aortic Valve

My echo was performed by a lovely technician who let me ask lots of questions. I was mostly interested in the Doppler shift⁴ I could see on the ultrasound screen – very interesting stuff! Turns out, it shows the flow of blood. Super cool. She told me that yep, that’s definitely a “bicuspid aortic valve” and there’s definitely “regurgitation”. To explain:

the aortic valve should have three leaflets not two⁵,
and regurgitation means that some blood is flowing back into the left ventricle due to the malformed leaflets⁶.

In summary, not good.

A bicuspid vs tricuspid aortic valve. [Source]

My Sad Aorta

Later that day I got a call from a very kind cardiologist who explained these things in more detail and also noted that my aorta is dilatated⁷.

Dilated: make or become wider, larger, or more open

Dilatated: make or become wider, larger or more open through active or artificial means, usually beyond natural sizes.

Hmm, what can cause that? In my case, a bicuspid aortic valve. Is it bad? Yes. How bad? Very, if its gets to the point where the aorta dissects.

Aortic dissection: where the inner layer of the aorta sustains a tear which fills with blood and can cause the aorta to split open (potentially fatal).⁸

Time For A MRI!

The cardiologist booked me an MRI before Christmas, but was not clear about why I needed it. Jen told me they can normally tell all they need about a valve from the echo-cardiogram. I figured that I would find out later!

People talk up the claustrophobia of being in an MRI, but I found it totally fine. It’s quite a long process, though. Lots of breathing in, and holding your breath for certain amounts of time (to still the heart) before breathing out and repeating. I think I must have dozed off for a few seconds in the middle and missed an exercise, though, because the technician asked “Just checking you’re still awake” over the headphones. Whoops!

I later found out that the MRI was to look specifically at my aorta. This was to better inform any potential surgery I might need.

So, What’s the Fix?

The overall goal is to:

Reduce risk of aortic dissection
Reduce dilation of my left ventricle

To stop the aorta dilatating any further, pressure needs to be reduced. This can be achieved by replacing the aortic valve. To do this you need to undergo open heart surgery and be put on a bypass machine.⁹ Pretty serious stuff.

The dilatation of my aorta is such that it should be repaired. This reduces the risk of fatal dissection. The repair can be affected with a Dacron graft to replace the section of dilatated aorta.¹⁰ It would be completed at the same time as my valve replacement.

After this, my left ventricle, which is also dilatated, should hopefully return to normal size. This should occur because it will not have to accommodate the regurgitated blood.¹¹ This is important because if it dilatates too much it may not return to normal size/function in the future, which would significantly impact my quality of life (e.g. heart failure).¹²

A dilated aortic root and Dacron graft. [Source]

What Now?

I’ve had an echo, an MRI and an appointment with my cardiologist. Now, my case will be presented to the entire cohort of cardio-thoracic surgeons at Christchurch Public Hospital. At the meeting they will agree on the most appropriate surgical fix. After that, I get an appointment with my surgeon to discuss their recommendations and we go from there.

Mā te wā 👋

15 Days in Ireland

finn@lesueur.nz (Finn Le Sueur) — Wed, 10 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Wed Jul 10, 2024 Download GPX 10/07 Powerscourt Waterfall & Crone Woods	13.89km 2:57:10	4.71km/hr 507m ⬆️, 491m ⬇️
Thu Jul 11, 2024 Download GPX 11/07 Great Sugarloaf & Sugarlump	5.73km 1:35:36	3.59km/hr 383m ⬆️, 379m ⬇️
Fri Jul 12, 2024 Download GPX 11/07 Lough Ouler & Tonelagee	7.73km 2:17:03	3.39km/hr 547m ⬆️, 546m ⬇️
Fri Jul 12, 2024 Download GPX 12/07 Glendalough & The Spinc	10.04km 2:21:00	4.27km/hr 515m ⬆️, 507m ⬇️
Fri Jul 12, 2024 Download GPX 12/07 Glendalough Monastic City	3.14km 0:40:18	4.68km/hr 68m ⬆️, 50m ⬇️
Sat Jul 13, 2024 Download GPX 12/07 Ardmore Explore	4.14km 0:38:08	6.51km/hr 117m ⬆️, 112m ⬇️
Sun Jul 14, 2024 Download GPX 13/07 Blarney	6.28km 2:47:01	2.26km/hr 136m ⬆️, 125m ⬇️
Sun Jul 14, 2024 Download GPX 14/07 Knockomagh & Lough Hyne	3.28km 0:49:33	3.98km/hr 214m ⬆️, 206m ⬇️
Sun Jul 14, 2024 Download GPX 14/07 Spain Tower - WWII remnant	2.74km 0:53:32	3.07km/hr 153m ⬆️, 144m ⬇️
Mon Jul 15, 2024 Download GPX Mizen Head	3.02km 1:13:34	2.47km/hr 157m ⬆️, 148m ⬇️
Tue Jul 16, 2024 Download GPX 15/07 Carrauntoohil, Cnoc na Toinne, and The Bones	15.12km 4:44:46	3.19km/hr 1161m ⬆️, 1158m ⬇️
Wed Jul 17, 2024 Download GPX 16/07 Dunmore Head	3.65km 1:02:41	3.49km/hr 163m ⬆️, 155m ⬇️
Wed Jul 17, 2024 Download GPX 16/07 Clogher Head	1.77km 0:32:48	3.23km/hr 98m ⬆️, 96m ⬇️
Thu Jul 18, 2024 Download GPX 17/07 Cliffs of Moher	9.70km 1:34:41	6.15km/hr 290m ⬆️, 283m ⬇️
Fri Jul 19, 2024 Download GPX 18/07 Mullaghmore & Burren National Park	7.78km 1:55:57	4.03km/hr 238m ⬆️, 239m ⬇️
Sat Jul 20, 2024 Download GPX 19/07 Exploring Portlick Millennium Forest	6.63km 0:49:15	8.08km/hr 92m ⬆️, 86m ⬇️
Sat Jul 20, 2024 Download GPX 20/07 Athlone Explore	5.58km 0:37:27	8.94km/hr 44m ⬆️, 38m ⬇️
Mon Jul 22, 2024 Download GPX 22/07 Inishmore Explore	34.95km 3:46:14	9.27km/hr 628m ⬆️, 630m ⬇️
Tue Jul 23, 2024 Download GPX 23/07 Glencoaghan Horseshoe	18.88km 7:48:33	2.42km/hr 1759m ⬆️, 1752m ⬇️
Total	164.06km 39:05:17	4.20km/hr 7270m ⬆️, 7145m ⬇️

Tuesday 09/07
- Dropped our bags in town at a hostel and got a shower at the local pools. Headed out into the rain to walk around town.
- 🥘Christchurch Inn: fries and jam
- Visited the Guinness Storehouse, drank our first Guinness and learned a lot!
- Pick up our Nomad van from Indie Campers and I got used to driving manual again on some stressfully narrow roads.
- Drive to Jonnie Fox’s for dinner with live music James Hurt.
- 😴 Stayed in their overflow carpark (available when you have a meal there).
Wednesday 10/07
- Drive to Crone Woods and hiked over to and around Powerscourt Waterfall
- Napped at carpark
- Drove to Brae
- Walked on the beach and had dinner beachside in the van
- 😴 Great Sugarloaf carpark
Thursday 11/07
- Walked Great Sugarloaf & Lump
- Drove to Roundwood for brunch & coffee
- Drove to PS I Love You bridge, Sallygap, Lough Tay
- Hiked Lake Ouler & Tonelagee
- Drove Laragh
- 😴 Wicklow Heather & camped in their carpark (available when you have a meal there).
Friday 12/07
- Coffee from Wicklow Heather
- Drove to Glendalough and walked The Spinc & Miners Rd loop
- Walked Monastic City
- Curry cheese fries & taco fries for lunch at a food van at the carpark
- Drove to Waterford & saw the Medieval Museum
- Drove Ardmore & ran the cliff walk and explored town briefly
- 😴 Drove Youghal and parked up on Front Strand by the beach for the night.
- Pasta for dinner in the van.
Saturday 13/07
- Walked Youghal for an explore in the morning.
- Drove Midleton, did van chores (emptying grey/blackwater and getting new water) and went to the market for lunch
- Drove and walked Blarney
- Did washing at a laundromat
- Drove Dromberg Stone Circle
- 😴 Drove Lough Hyne and stayed on a pier. No bioluminescent algae at this time of year, but had a lovely evening by the lake with hot choccy
Sunday 14/07
- Walked up Knockomagh in the morning
- Drove Baltimore had a coffee
- Hiked Spain Tower and Éire 29 sign
- Drove and walked Mizen Head
- I was super tired and a grouchy human this day! Not my best.
- 😴 Drove Trafrask and parked at a road end by the water
Monday 15/07
- Drove Kenmare & Jen bought some pottery!
- Drove into Killarney National Park & took the requisite tourist photos at Ladies View
- Lunched in Killarney at The Shire
- Drove Cronin’s Yard and hiked Carrauntoohil via Brother O’Shea’s Gully
- 😴 Drove Killorglin & parked in town by the river. Ate takeaways in the van (it was late).
Tuesday 16/07
- Picked up coffee from The Mill
- Drove to Penny’s Pottery for mugs & Jen got a bowl and cup
- Drove Bee Hive Huts
- Drove & walked Dunmore Head
- Drove & walked Clogher Head
- Coffee at Tig Áine
- Visited Louis Mulcahy Pottery - Jen got a basalmic bottle + dish
- Drove Dingle
- Jen bough a new gold necklace from Brian de Staic Jewellers with her name in old style engraving on it
- Parked at the beachfront on the way to the lighthouse
- Walked in to town 2km and got ice cream at Murphy’s, then beer at John Benny’s Pub and Marina Inn.
- Dined at Out of the Blue - accidental flash restaurant but extremely delightful
- 😴 Walked back to van to collapse!
Wednesday 17/07
- Slow morning, like usual. Drove in to Dingle to pick up antihistamines from a pharmacy (Jen was a walking rash) and some groceries.
- Drove to pick up Jen’s new gold necklace!
- Drove to Cliffs of Moher
- 😴 Walk-ran the cliffs then drove north and found a spot to park up a road end.
- Rained in the evening so stayed in the van.
Thursday 18/07
- Drove first thing to a campground to empty grey and black water. Toilet had filled up entirely and we didn’t notice (🤮)!
- Breakfasted at Stonewall
- Drove a scenic loop around the peninsula at Burren but was very tired and not super into it
- Drove to Burren National Park trailhead, parked and napped for a few hours. Felt super tired
- Hiked to Mullagh More on a loop trail. Super interesting rock formations!
- Drove towards Athlone and parked up next to a cute lough Jen found.
Friday 19/07
- Woke early to a tractor pulling water from the lake for their farm. We relaxed and coffee’d in the van.
- Drove Athlone to do washing, get wedding clothes ironed and to get lunch. Great food but too large portion!
- Picked up groceries at a shop and more coffee.
- 😴 Drove Lough Ree & Portlick Millenium Forest to stay the night.
- Read books on the lakefront and in the van before going for a run around the head. Jen got stung by nettle but was a nice run otherwise.
- Felt ill so blobbed. Had a nice dinner and felt better (thanks Jen) so ate a whole pack of biscuits (whoops) and had a Guinness.
Saturday 20/07
- Picked up dry cleaning
- Ran a small loop in Athlone
- Wedding!! 💒
- 😴 Paid to park up at the wedding venue by some of the accommodation so we could use the showers and toilets.
Sunday 21/07
- Drove to Galway
- Perused some shops, got food and chilled
- Went to Munroe’s Tavern for the after-event and the national hurling final was on! Go the Rebel County!
- 😴 Stayed in a car park just down the road from the tavern (convenient!).
Monday 22/07
- Ferried to Inismore from Rossaveel Harbour
- Cycled around the island in the rain on hired bikes - very beautiful. Jen’s gears didn’t work properly which she wasn’t totally excited about, but it was a very spectacular day.
- Got fudge from the Fudge Man
- I bought a woollen jersey!
- 😴 Drove to Glencoaghan and parked at the trailhead for the horseshoe hike
Tuesday 23/07
- Hiked the Glencoaghan Horseshoe! Definitely not as hard as described online, nor was it scary at all. All very broad tops.
- Drove Moate and stayed in a carpark near a golf course. Quiet night & ate a lot of food.
Wednesday 24/07
- Drove Dublin to drop off the van and check in to the hotel early.
- Perused many shops in Dublin: got bubble tea, some active wear, a Patagonia jacket, delicious Mexican for dinner, a Guinness and a Corona
- Took some public buses to the hotel + a walk. Much more affordable than a taxi!
- 😴 Hotel
Thursday 25/07
- Woke 6:15am and trundled to the airport - saw Alan in the line for check-in and hung out with him through the process.
- Fly home!

Whanganui Journey

finn@lesueur.nz (Finn Le Sueur) — Mon, 21 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Mon Apr 21, 2025 Download GPX D1: To Poukaria Campsite	33.02km 6:08:26	5.38km/hr 267m ⬆️, 246m ⬇️
Tue Apr 22, 2025 Download GPX D2: To Mangapapa Campsite	35.09km 6:01:01	5.83km/hr 227m ⬆️, 262m ⬇️
Wed Apr 23, 2025 Download GPX D3: To John Coull Campsite	24.45km 3:35:05	6.82km/hr 212m ⬆️, 232m ⬇️
Thu Apr 24, 2025 Download GPX D4.1: To Bridge to Nowhere	21.80km 3:19:40	6.55km/hr 103m ⬆️, 111m ⬇️
Thu Apr 24, 2025 Download GPX D4.2: To Tīeke Campsite	10.59km 1:21:22	7.81km/hr 58m ⬆️, 76m ⬇️
Fri Apr 25, 2025 Download GPX D5: To Pipiriki	22.53km 4:18:23	5.23km/hr 138m ⬆️, 147m ⬇️
Total	147.50km 24:43:57	5.96km/hr 1005m ⬆️, 1074m ⬇️

Our chauffeurs Hayleigh and Tim picked us up from Auckland Airport the afternoon before we were due to start the trip. Together we headed to Taumarunui where Taumarunui Canoe Hire & Jet Boat Tours is located. Hayleigh and Tim had booked some bunks on-site for us to all stay in which was very convenient! After pizza on the BBQ and packing our barrels for an 8am briefing, we headed to bed.

Day 1: To Poukaria Campsite

We rolled out of bed, did the final packing and headed up to the briefing room (attached to their house). We were served espresso coffee and homemade bread (yum!) and learned the basic theory of how to paddle the boat, what to watch out for on the river and what the trip would entail. The whole thing was aptly named: brief. We headed down to the river and were shown how to tie our barrels to the boat. We also had to prove we could steer the boats (e.g., do a U-turn). After that, they waved us goodbye and said they’d see us in five days! That’s a lot of trust, ha.

The first day was actually the trickiest, especially near the start. It was quite windy and there were a lot of rocks in the river. This meant there were numerous hazards to look out for and small rapids to navigate. Tim, Hayleigh and I have our Grade II multisport certificates, and Jen just has packrafting experience from our trips together. Between us all, the rapids shouldn’t pose any real trouble. The Waimakariri Gorge has harder white water, I am sure. I found this section rather fun once I got the hang of steering but Hayleigh reported a quite elevated heart rate!

Thankfully, the river opens out and the rapids diminish. The broad, slow-moving featureless water is more characteristic of the Whanganui, and it allows ample opportunity to admire the views along the way. We stopped at Lauren’s Lavender to get some kai and coffee and also to dry off in the sun. Alas, we had missed the lavender season and it had recently been harvested. We also briefly stopped at Ohinepane Camping Area but were advised to go to Poukaria instead, since Poukaria is not accessible by road and would therefore be less busy.

We arrived at Poukaria to see a couple of other kayakers already set up. They had set off at the same time as us, so we said hello and got camp set up. Some drizzle came in during the evening which was a bummer, but we managed to stay fairly warm and dry in our sleeping bags. Warm, for me, included wearing my beanie, socks and a few extra layers. It was not warm outside!

Also, we did try (unsuccessfully) to kill a possum with a rock, but we won’t get into that here. 🤐

Pizza on the BBQ under a little shelter the night before setting off.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

The barrel storage shed – almost ready to go!
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Practicing our turning skillz before setting off.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Tim and Hayleigh having a great time!
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Gotta watch the boulders!
📷 Finn Le Sueur

LEFT! GO LEFT!
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Admiring the scenery.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

The beautiful trees continue..
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Glassy flat water and some dense bush on the banks.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

That’s camp!
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Awww
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Day 2: To Mangapapa Campsite

Today the river was running slightly high due to the recent rain, but not so much that it would cause any problems. Instead, it would simply smooth out a few rapids and ensure we had a reasonably speedy trip. Ideal! I’m under the impression that the river is always this brown, though.

We hit the river and soon after were greeted with some more rain! On went the jackets we just kept paddling – you get damp in a canoe anyway. When it came to lunch, we paddled up Retaruke River to tie our boats to the banks and take the short track to Whakahoro Campsite. The campsite was rather large with several toilets, bunk rooms (an old school?) and a few shelters with tables. We had also hoped to get some kai and coffee from Blue Duck Station which is sometimes open, but not today. Alas.

As we paddled the rest of the way to Mangapapa Campsite the bush lining the banks became denser and more of a constant. On the upper reaches of the Whanganui, there is a good deal of farmland around, but as you enter Whanganui National Park that definitely changes.

Mangapapa Campsite was not ideal: the rain had come back in and we found the ground really quite boggy. The other downfall was that the shelter was up a steep and muddy track which was rather hard to navigate in sandals/crocs. Also, the toilet was down that muddy track and then up another one. Doh. This was a bit challenging in the dark, but, in the end, I don’t think anyone slipped.

The ladies supervising and me taking photos. Sorry, Tim!
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Paddling slow and enjoying the views.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Having a short breather and still admiring the views!
📷 Finn Le Sueur

A beautiful rainbow above beautiful bush at lunch.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Rain makes for stunning paddling.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

The mooring spot at Whakahoro campsite.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Hayleigh and Tim doing great.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Stunning bush and nice fast moving water.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Oh, no. Rain at camp!
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Day 3: To John Coull Campsite

The morning saw the sun come out (finally!) and we did our best to dry the tents a little before packing them away. We knew the day was going to be a little shorter than the previous ones because we had fewer kms to do and the river was still running fast due to the ongoing rain. In the end, the day only took us just over 3.5 hours. Nice!

One of the things to look out for on this leg of the trip was the Man-of-War Bluff, but I’m convinced it didn’t look like anything at all. Like many of the constellations in the night sky, I reckon you have to be on some perception-altering drugs for it to make sense.

It was very cold on the river this morning and by the time we reached Ohauora Campsite for a morning tea break, my fingers and toes were frozen. We tied up the boats (a bit of a challenge) and got onto the steep track. The campsite is nestled in the trees well above the river and is quite spacious. With the amount of surrounding trees, it could miss out on a good deal of sun, though!

The rest of the paddle was uneventful and we soon reached John Coull Hut and Campsite, which, it turns out, is huuuuge! There are multiple terraces with 26 tent spaces, and also 24 bunks in the hut. It would be a hugely busy campsite in peak season. Even during the off-season, we found it quite busy: most terraces had tents, but it wasn’t quite as cramped as I could imagine it could be. Part of the reason that it was so busy was that groups that are doing the 3-day trip get on the water at Whakahoro Campsite (where we lunched the previous day), and it seems the 3-day trip is very popular, especially with families.

Packing the canoes and feeling thankful for the sun.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Beautiful but could have been warmer!
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Beaut.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Our little camp area at John Coull Campsite
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Admiring the stars over dinner.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Not our tent, but boy it looked cool.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Day 4: To Tīeke Marae & Campsite

It was chilllllly when we woke in the morning, but there was no time to much around waiting for it to warm up, so we packed up and hit the river fairly quickly. As we set off in the morning, mist rose from the water as it was warmed by the sun and the sky beamed blue above us. By this time, we were well into Whanganui National Park and the surroundings were stunning. We had a relaxed paddle down to Mangapurua Landing where we hopped out of our boats (with much difficulty) and walked the short trail to The Bridge to Nowhere. It turns out that with the completion of the bike track, it is now a bridge to somewhere (Whakahoro). Still, it’s a great view and a nice bit of bush to walk through! We were pleased to stretch our legs.

After walking to the Bridge to Nowhere, we hopped across the river to have lunch and dry out our tents in the sun. Just after lunch was a good couple of rapids and a short paddle to Tīeke Campsite and Kāinga. As with John Coull, Tīeke was busy! The hut sounded pretty full and the campsite was rather cramped. It was nice to see so many people out enjoying the Whanganui.

During the peak season, Te Whānau o Tīeke often lives at the marae and there are often pōwhiri to welcome paddlers to the marae and whare. Probably due to being off-season, the whānau was not present, so there was no pōwhiri to be had, and we all stayed off the marae ātea as is tika.

A busy camp means a busy beach!
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Glad for a little bit of sun on that brisk morning.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Glassy flat.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Hayleigh and Tim on the way to The Bridge to Nowhere.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Real mature. Cute, though.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

It’s a pretty cool bridge, not gonna lie.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Some great stratification in the rocks on the track.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Chilly campsite at Tīeke Marae and Campsite
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Day 5: To Pipiriki

Last day! Exciting. As part of this day is Aratira (The Drop Scene) which is equal parts beautiful and terrifying as it has a good rapid running around the outside edge and a big old rock in the middle of the rapid. As we paddled past, we saw a kayak wrapped around the rock. Yikes!

Just around the corner from Aratira are the Ngaporo and Autapu rapids which were great fun. We knew it was coming up but weren’t quite sure when and accidentally blundered into it. Thankfully, we got through unscathed (had to bail out the canoe, though). Next up were Hayleigh and Tim who got fairly swamped partway through but made it through upright. Then, we waited for the couple who started on the same day as us, but they didn’t get through either. I’m fairly certain it was just luck that Jen and I got through!

From there the river was actually quite exciting, with a couple of braids to contend with, a few more rapids, and some undercut rocks on the banks. There were no more unintentional swims and we soon reached the Pipiriki pull out where we found the shuttle waiting for us. We emptied the boats of all our possessions, helped ourselves to a homemade muffin and juice (thanks, Taumarunui Canoe Hire!). After enough people had arrived to fill up the van and canoe trailer, we headed off back to Taumarunui.

This trip was great fun and I was stoked to have done it again. I did it with my family in my early teens, but it was a bit of a hazy memory. I’ll have to ask my parents for some photos!

Last day! Ready to go!
📷 Finn Le Sueur

I loved the sheer cliffs and the ferns.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Hayleigh and Tim paddling through the morning mist.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Hayleigh and Tim about to go for a swim!
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Brass Monkey Bivvy

finn@lesueur.nz (Finn Le Sueur) — Sat, 07 Mar 2020 00:00:00 +0000

Sat Mar 7, 2020 Download GPX Day 1: Brass Monkey Bivvy via Lewis Tops	12.12km 4:35:50	2.64km/hr 1533m ⬆️, 1036m ⬇️
Sun Mar 8, 2020 Download GPX Day 2: Out via Lucretia Bivvy	17.06km 6:53:43	2.47km/hr 574m ⬆️, 1250m ⬇️
Total	29.19km 11:29:33	2.54km/hr 2107m ⬆️, 2286m ⬇️

I was a little nervous (but mostly excited) about this trip because it would be the first time Jen or I had done any tramping through unmarked land, but everyone I spoke to who had done it reassured me that it was really straightforward! I managed to track down a GPX file from Wilderness Mag and loaded it onto the NZ Topo50 South Island iOS app so I could see where we were going. You can download my GPX tracks for both days by clicking the button just below the heading for each day.

Thankfully, even though it was “unmarked”, it was so well walked that there was essentially a track the whole way!

Day 1: Brass Monkey Bivvy via Lewis Tops

I was a real sleepy head on Saturday morning so we didn’t properly hit the road from Christchurch until 10am. After getting fuel and a couple more snacks from the supermarket we didn’t get to the St James Walkway Carpark until 12.45pm! The time estimates were a little wide-ranging so we amping to get started.

Jen started us off by absolutely boosting through the forest and we were out onto the open tops in 45 minutes! From here there was a little track that mostly followed the ridge line, but Jen was nav’ing and we didn’t always stick to it.

Jen on the Lewis Tops
📷 Finn Le Sueur

The climb through the forest is pretty unrelenting, but it is over quickly! From there, the tops undulate (for a loose definition of undulate) before descending steeply down from Point 1580 and then back up and around the south-east side of The Apprentice and across to Lucretia (1643m).

Our route around The Apprentice.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

While we were climbing around The Apprentice we saw a group of five come down from Mt Technical, and knowing Brass Monkey Bivvy was only a 2-bed hut, we picked up the pace! We caught them just after Lucretia only to find that they were friends of Jen and thankfully they were going through to Nina Hut! We joined up and chatted to them as we descended to Brass Monkey Bivvy. We all relaxed at the biv and they warmed up and recharged before heading down to Nina Hut in the dark.

Descending to Brass Monkey Bivvy
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Day 2: Out via Lucretia Bivvy

There are two ways out of Brass Monkey Bivvy via Nina Valley:

Duchess Stream
Lucretia Stream

Duchess Stream takes an unmarked track all the way through to Nina Hut while Lucretia Stream has a much shorter unmarked section through to Lucretia Bivvy and then out via Lucretia Hut Route and onto the Nina Valley Track. To avoid too much rough terrain we opted for Lucretia Stream.

Brass Monkey Bivvy in the morning.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

The day starts by climbing back up towards Lucretia but taking a right hand turn down into Lucretia Stream. There is a little track from the saddle and a series of tarns which will guide you towards a rather narrow looking ridge into the valley. Rest assured this is the right way to go! I couldn’t find when James Broadbent cut the route, but there are references to it back to 2008.

CTC member James Broadbent cut and permolated the trail a few years back and it’s still in a reasonably good condition - Hiking Is Good (2019)

The trail is marked mostly by white rectangles of Venetian blinds made of metal - they and easy to spot and rattle in the wind you shouldn’t get lost!

Once the track reaches the valley it sticks to the true right of the river all the way to the bivvy. From the bivvy the track is quite well marked and crosses Lucretia Stream once to get onto the true left before meandering all the way down to Nina Valley.

A very friendly bird from Lucretia Bivvy.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

We swum at the swing bridge over the Nina River but the sandflies were a bit extreme after a very short dip we headed off! We were looking forward to soaking in the hotpools at Maruria Hot Springs! The track down Nina Valley is extremely gentle and well-formed. We had good weather but in any rain it will get very boggy, so be ware!

Overall, we had an excellent weekend and really enjoyed our first experience of hiking on unmarked tops and getting a little more backcountry than our normal hikes!

– Finn 👋

References

Markdown Table Generator

finn@lesueur.nz (Finn Le Sueur) — Wed, 29 Apr 2020 20:09:12 +1200

Install Apple Shortcut

What was the Problem?

Markdown is a fantastic language to markup plain text in a way that still leaves the source readable - unlike HTML, for example. It has the ability to do tables, but they’re not very fun to work with. The markup is simple but still cumbersome.

| | AR | ER | IR |
|---------------------|------|------|------|
| Yo | o | o | o |
| El/Ella | a | e | e |
| Tu/Usted | as | es | es |
| Nosotros | amos | emos | imos |
| Vosotros | áis | éis | ís |
| Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes | an | en | en |

To deal with this I wrote an Apple Shortcut that can generates a blank Markdown table of dimensions X by Y and conditionally includes a header row. It asks you to input the number of rows and columns you want when it runs and adds the result to your clipboard.

Installation

Go to Settings -> Shortcuts,
Enable Allow Untrusted Shortcuts,
Click this link to install the shortcut,
Run it from the app, the share sheet or the widget.

Feel free to email me if you have any problems!

– Finn 👋

Markdown Table Prettifier

finn@lesueur.nz (Finn Le Sueur) — Thu, 30 Apr 2020 14:03:47 +1200

Gitlab: Markdown Table Prettifier

This is a small Scriptable action (JS) that prettifies Markdown tables for better readability.

Simply highlight the text containing the table(s), open the Share Sheet and run the script from Scriptable. You can highlight your whole document and it will find all the tables within it and prettify them all.

Before

| | AR | ER | IR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yo | o | o | o |
| El/Ella | a | e | e |
| Tu/Usted | as | es | es |
| Nosotros | amos | emos | imos |
| Vosotros | áis | éis | ís |
| Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes | an | en | en |

After

| | AR | ER | IR |
|----------------------|-------|-------|-------|
| Yo | o | o | o |
| El/Ella | a | e | e |
| Tu/Usted | as | es | es |
| Nosotros | amos | emos | imos |
| Vosotros | áis | éis | ís |
| Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes | an | en | en |

Installation

Install Scriptable
Download the script
Place it in the Scriptable folder in your iCloud Drive
Open your text editor, highlight the text and go!

Feel free to open an issue if you encounter any problems!

– Finn 👋

Caples-Kay-Scott Loop

finn@lesueur.nz (Finn Le Sueur) — Thu, 22 Jul 2021 00:00:00 +0000

Thu Jul 22, 2021 Download GPX Day 1: To Upper Caples Hut	17.41km 4:44:01	3.68km/hr 531m ⬆️, 384m ⬇️
Fri Jul 23, 2021 Download GPX Day 2: To Kay Creek Hut	8.36km 2:55:02	2.87km/hr 596m ⬆️, 155m ⬇️
Sat Jul 24, 2021 Download GPX Day 3: Out via Scott Basin & Creek	10.81km 6:14:20	1.73km/hr 675m ⬆️, 1220m ⬇️
Total	36.58km 13:53:23	2.63km/hr 1802m ⬆️, 1759m ⬇️

Day 1: Into Upper Caples Hut

This section of track is very well-formed, well maintained and quite simply follows the Caples Valley up to Upper Caples Hut. Because it was Winter we were a little careful about getting our feet we earlier than necessary, so stuck to the track, but if it were a beautiful Summer day you could very easily walk straight up the riverbed and have a great time.

The track follows the North-East side of the valley and has you climb a surprising 570m, even though the net gain between start and finish is less than 200m. This is another reason to consider the riverbed if you are experienced and it is warm! Due to the track sticking to the North-East side of the valley we found ourselves in shade until Mid Caples Hut. After that, the track switches to the South-West side and there is some more sunlight.

Looking North up a wintry Caples Valley.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Upper Caples Hut is an ex-DOC hut that was given over to the NZ Deer Stalkers Association after the construction of Mid Caples Hut by DOC. The hut is locked to the public, but when you book online you get told where to obtain a key in Queenstown on your way to the track. The hut is still in excellent condition and the NZDSA have fitted it out with some extras like solar lights, gas for cooking, lots of cooking & eating utensils, as well as a couple of USB ports for charging off the solar panels. Very nice!

Finn, Jen, Justin, Francie and Neil outside Upper Caples Hut.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Day 2: Kay Creek Hut

We were pleased to have a nice and short second day, before a bit of an epic 3rd day. It clocked in just under three hours, including a nice food break in the sunny riverbed about halfway up. The forest was beautiful, lush and dense and it made for a very nice gander. Again, another few hundred vertical meters of altitude over the shorter route, but it didn’t feel too strenuous.

Justin and Neil looking up Kay Creek Valley by our lunch spot.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

I had not researched the huts/track very much as we were just tagging along with my parents, but I had real that Kay Creek Hut left a little bit to be desired, but I had also read that the University of Otago Physical Education class had done some work on it in 2016. Still, that left us with a rather draughty, dirt-floored, open-fire, located in the shade, corrugated iron hut.

A very cold Kay Creek Hut. At least the first warmed the left side of the roof!
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Neil managed to find some good firewood back across the stream and we collected about six backpacks worth before lighting the fire in the early afternoon. Through the efforts of Jen and Neil throughout the night, the fire was burning until the next morning. Unfortunately, it didn’t manage to raise the temperature of the hut overly much, barely keeping it above freezing point inside. I suppose that is something though!

Having visited the hut was nice, but Jen will be happy if she never has to visit it again!

Justin, Francie, Finn and Jen cosy inside Kay Creek Hut
📷 Neil Smart

Day 3: Out via Scott Basin and Creek

After a poor night sleep, I was not feeling excellent, and due to the sub-zero temperatures, we were moving very slowly up Kay Creek towards Scott Basin (somewhere in the range of 1-2km/h). I wasn’t enthused about the river crossings, nor the slippery boulders but after an hour or so I got into it.

The route is pretty simple, just follow Kay Creek up, although I did read that the ominously named Death Valley can be a good alternative route to Scott Basin. There was a nice sunny face up to the East near the head of the valley, but we found some cairns to the left. They took us up a face tussocky between the bluffs to the left, and nicely into Scott Basin. We had our crampons and ice axes at the ready, but didn’t feel we needed them here, or even really at the basin. The slopes were gentle and the terrain mostly forgiving.

Jen climbing up to Scott Basin out of Kay Creek.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Down the North side, the snowline is a good deal higher than the Kay Creek side and we soon emerged onto tussocks that were clear of snow, if a little boggy. From here it was just a matter of making your way down towards the head of Scott Creek while travelling East to Scott Basin as to avoid the bluffs. There is a tussocky ridge that will take you right down to the treeline and the first orange triangle of Scott Creek Track.

Jen enjoy the beautiful and snowy tops!
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Descending through tussocks to Scott Creek - the end (almost) in sight.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Scott Creek Track is a quite well-walked track that is easy to follow, however, I don’t think that it sees much maintenance as there were a lot of trees down. There is somewhere in the range of 700m to descend from the first triangle, but it only took us 1hr 45min to reach the carpark. For that we were thankful! I always find that my photo-taking peters out at the end of a tramp - I think I just get tired and want to finish, so I don’t have many/any photos of this last section. The forest was, however, very nice!

CHS Run Club 2021

finn@lesueur.nz (Finn Le Sueur) — Sat, 06 Nov 2021 20:28:26 +1300

Thu Feb 18, 2021 Download GPX Cashmere High Trail Running Club	5.80km 0:51:27	6.77km/hr 264m ⬆️, 259m ⬇️
Thu Feb 25, 2021 Download GPX Cashmere High Trail Running Club	7.31km 1:06:27	6.60km/hr 389m ⬆️, 387m ⬇️
Thu Mar 18, 2021 Download GPX Cashmere High Trail Running Club	5.08km 0:44:43	6.81km/hr 293m ⬆️, 287m ⬇️
Thu Mar 25, 2021 Download GPX Cashmere High Trail Running Club	5.38km 0:52:17	6.17km/hr 319m ⬆️, 329m ⬇️
Thu Apr 1, 2021 Download GPX Cashmere High Trail Running Club	6.02km 0:54:33	6.62km/hr 273m ⬆️, 264m ⬇️
Thu Apr 8, 2021 Download GPX Cashmere High Trail Running Club	5.64km 0:53:55	6.27km/hr 258m ⬆️, 247m ⬇️
Thu Apr 15, 2021 Download GPX Cashmere High Trail Running Club	4.83km 0:44:04	6.58km/hr 243m ⬆️, 241m ⬇️
Thu May 6, 2021 Download GPX CHS Trail Running Club!	5.86km 0:54:20	6.47km/hr 317m ⬆️, 310m ⬇️
Thu Jun 3, 2021 Download GPX CHS Run Club!	7.05km 1:26:16	4.91km/hr 411m ⬆️, 409m ⬇️
Thu Jun 17, 2021 Download GPX CHS Run Club + Commute	8.38km 1:10:10	7.17km/hr 361m ⬆️, 366m ⬇️
Thu Jun 24, 2021 Download GPX CHS Run Club	6.63km 0:54:09	7.35km/hr 229m ⬆️, 227m ⬇️
Thu Jul 1, 2021 Download GPX CHS Run Club	5.46km 0:53:43	6.10km/hr 269m ⬆️, 272m ⬇️
Thu Jul 29, 2021 Download GPX CHS Trail Running Club	7.57km 1:10:29	6.44km/hr 415m ⬆️, 414m ⬇️
Thu Aug 5, 2021 Download GPX CHS Trail Run Club	6.47km 0:55:59	6.93km/hr 303m ⬆️, 311m ⬇️
Thu Aug 12, 2021 Download GPX CHS Trail Run Club	5.84km 1:03:20	5.54km/hr 387m ⬆️, 356m ⬇️
Thu Sep 16, 2021 Download GPX CHS Trail Run Club ⛰	6.48km 0:57:59	6.71km/hr 435m ⬆️, 444m ⬇️
Thu Sep 23, 2021 Download GPX CHS Trail Running Club	7.05km 1:11:29	5.92km/hr 364m ⬆️, 372m ⬇️
Thu Oct 21, 2021 Download GPX CHS Trail Running Club	6.99km 1:02:54	6.66km/hr 331m ⬆️, 341m ⬇️
Thu Oct 28, 2021 Download GPX CHS Trail Running Club	5.43km 0:55:21	5.88km/hr 472m ⬆️, 32m ⬇️
Thu Nov 4, 2021 Download GPX CHS Trail Running Club 🙌	9.11km 1:24:23	6.48km/hr 389m ⬆️, 393m ⬇️
Thu Nov 18, 2021 Download GPX CHS Trail Running Club!	7.43km 1:07:26	6.61km/hr 278m ⬆️, 287m ⬇️
Thu Nov 25, 2021 Download GPX CHS Trail Running Club	8.75km 2:09:24	4.06km/hr 546m ⬆️, 551m ⬇️
Thu Dec 2, 2021 Download GPX CHS Trail Running Club 👌	8.07km 1:08:12	7.10km/hr 389m ⬆️, 391m ⬇️
Thu Dec 9, 2021 Download GPX CHS RUN CLUB - END OF YEAR 💪👌	16.98km 3:45:06	4.53km/hr 720m ⬆️, 997m ⬇️
Total	169.60km 28:18:06	5.99km/hr 8655m ⬆️, 8487m ⬇️

Thanks for an excellent year, Cashmere! Here’s to an epic 2022.

Exit Interview: Apple Watch Series 2

finn@lesueur.nz (Finn Le Sueur) — Sat, 19 Feb 2022 17:10:46 +1300

Prior to buying the Apple Watch I had not really worn a watch daily for a long time, so it was quite the revelation. Being able to control my music, podcasts, see the weather, record sport activities, and see my calendar events was quite amazing. I used the watch daily for almost everything, including hitting the shutter button for my phone camera (cool!).

In 2019 I signed up for Coast to Coast, a multisport event that takes you 243km across New Zealand, and eagerly started training. This is where the Apple Watch fell down for me.

The battery life was abysmal. It would barely get through one day, let alone if I went for a 2hr run! I would end up charging it twice a day, at least.
The HR monitoring wasn’t the most accurate. This was important because I did most of my training via HR zones.
The GPS wasn’t very reliable. When I looked at the GPS tracks later they were often zig-zagy and would occasionally lose connection for a period of time.
The casing and screen weren’t the most resiliant and would easy scratch.

The race was going to take me at least 14hrs and I was doing 10hrs+ training a week, so I started to look around. In end the the Garmin Fēnix 6 won me over with its 30hrs+ GPS recording battery life, and well-renowned durability and solid HR monitor.

I have definitely missed the smartwatch features in the intervening three years, but I have been ultimately pleased with the Garmin.

Exit Interview: Kindle Paperwhite 2 (2013)

finn@lesueur.nz (Finn Le Sueur) — Sat, 19 Feb 2022 18:56:34 +1300

Getting an e-reader was a revolution back when I bought this in 2013. It was small, portable, had a backlight, could store as many books as I wanted, and had a battery life measured in weeks. It used it heavily, but then less as my reading habit fell to the wayside while I was at University.

The device was light and easy to use. However, the OS was extremely slow. The responsiveness of the screen left much to be desired. That didn’t stop it from being good at its job, however.

Then came the pandemic, lockdown and a renewed desire to read and learn. I got the Kindle out of a dusty drawer next to my bed and found it lacking. The input lag, the lack of physical page turning buttons and lack of integration with Libby by Overdrive all grated on me. Meanwhile, my partner was asking to borrow it more and more. I turned to reading books on my phone using the Libby app. I loved being able to just get books out from the library. Frictionless. Perfect.

I also found myself wanting newer hardware and physical page turning buttons. Unfortunately those were only available on the flagship Kindle readers, so I found myself looking at Kobo - specifically the Libra 2 which had just come out. It ticked all the boxes and I picked it up one weekend and love it.

It was time for the Kindle Paperwhite 2 to be given to my partner! Goodbye and thank you for introducing me to the e-reader world, Kindle.

Packrafting the Waimak

finn@lesueur.nz (Finn Le Sueur) — Tue, 19 Apr 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Tue Apr 19, 2022 Download GPX Packrafting on the Waimak	28.64km 3:18:40	8.65km/hr 70m ⬆️, 166m ⬇️
Tue Apr 19, 2022 Download GPX Bike To Car	24.55km 1:30:53	16.21km/hr 137m ⬆️, 35m ⬇️
Total	53.18km 4:49:33	11.02km/hr 207m ⬆️, 201m ⬇️

The Rafting

After a slow start to the morning, we drove out to the Waimakariri and locked our bikes by the boat ramp under the bridges. We then drove up the North Bank of the Waimak only to get stuck at a road closure. After re-assessing the route, we got down to the river via Downs Rd past the Waimak Waterhole.

This was our first outing on our new packraft – a Kokopelli Twain. We had to stop to adjust my seat, but after that things went smoother and we didn’t crash our paddles together too much. The other thing to adjust to was the lack of rudder. Boy do I miss having a rudder. The Twain comes with a fin to help maintain a course, but we couldn’t use it as the river was very low (35m^3/s).

The river itself was a great paddle – not too pushy, nor were the confluences of the various braids too spicy. The sun was out, the wind was fresh (but low), and we had a great time! We stopped at The Pylons for a quick snack before finishing off the paddle.

The boat is not the most hydrodynamic but we managed 9.5-10km/h most of the way which is a very reasonable speed I think.

Jen looking stylish in her very sun-smart hat.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Looking upstream after we did an accidential 180.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

The Cycling

After reaching SH1 Bridge we hopped out onto the grass and pulled out all the gear. I took off some damp clothes and put on some dry ones before rolling up the raft and stuffing all the gear and both paddles into my Osprey Aether tramping pack. It was a bit hefty - probably 10kg+ with PFDs and all, and not very aero with the paddles sticking up into the air, but, it worked.

The ride starts along a good gravel road before reaching a closed (to vehicles) section. This section is the most bumpy part. A bit further down before Madeley’s Rd (~4.7km from start) you can turn right and cycle along the flood stopbanks. This section of cycling is extremely nice and we hit it at the perfect time of the day when the shadows were long and it was all very picturesque.

You can follow the stopbank or parallel gravel road for the rest of the ride until you reach the intersection with Downs Rd and turn off back to the car.

I’d highly recommend a day similar to this as excellent training for Coast to Coast! You can follow the gravel all the way up to the Waimakariri Gorge Bridge at the bottom of the Coast to Coast paddle, so this training day could be as long as you wanted to make it!

Me ready to go on our bike ride!
📷 Jennifer Rouse

Jen on the most picturesque section of the stopbank.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Jen cycling through a small forestry area.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Benmore Hut

finn@lesueur.nz (Finn Le Sueur) — Wed, 06 Feb 2019 00:00:00 +0000

Sun Feb 17, 2019 Download GPX
2019-02-17 - Benmore Hut copy

12.18km
3:14:48

3.75km/hr
455m ⬆️, 455m ⬇️

Benmore Hut is a cute little hut 6km (1hr 45min) from Benmore Station on a farmland and bush track! The track is around 12km return with a total time of 3.25hrs walking. It is nestled in behind Springfield, a mere hour drive from Christchurch. The track is gentle and the scenery beautiful. I’m not sure how I didn’t know about this track before as it makes for a wonderful day-walk for any weekend warriors from Christchurch. The Track

The track starts from a large carparking area in behind Benmore Station and follows a 4WD farm track for 3-4 kilometers before diving into Thirteen Mile Bush (a beech forest). There’s nothing quite like the smell of beech, you can really smell the honeydew. Mmmm honey!

Seonaid and Phoebe convering the relatively boring start to the walk.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

The track crosses Thirteen Mile Bush Stream multiple times during the the farm track section and for the first section of the bush. Make sure to bring some river crossing shoes (if you’re that kind of person). The stream is aptly named; it is not very wide nor very full, so you are likely to find a way across with dry feet during summer.

The track meanders through the bush for a little bit before taking a steep climb up the south face of the valley. It does not climb for too long, so do not fear! The track wanders along the side of the valley going up and down while steadily gaining height.

Seonaid and Phoeve in the beech forest.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

You will continue to climb for the remainder of the 6km until you reach Benmore Hut, a cute four person basic hut (although there were only three mattresses when we were there). It is bright orange so you may spot it through the trees as you approach the small saddle that it sits on!

Happy hiking to this hidden and often forgotten gem of the Canterbury foothills!

Cute wee photo with a cute wee hut.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Mt Herbert via Orton Bradley

finn@lesueur.nz (Finn Le Sueur) — Sun, 17 Nov 2019 00:00:00 +0000

Sun Nov 17, 2019 Download GPX
Mt Herbert via Orton Bradley

18.34km
4:25:31

4.14km/hr
983m ⬆️, 1016m ⬇️

This is yet another route that can take you up to Mt Herbert / Te Ahu Tatiki. It’s a bit interesting in that is a DOC route but you access it via Orton Bradley Park and there is an entry fee to the park.

The entrance fee is $5 per adult, $1 per child, to a maximum of $10 per car load. - Orton Bradley Website

Ah well. The start of the track is quite nice through the trees and there is even a nice detour that you can do to a waterfall! After you leave the park you will see a very overgrown DOC sign which will tell you it’s 2.5hrs to the Mt Herbert Shelter.

Decrepit DOC sign.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

From here the track climbs more steeply through some bush. Take care through here - there was a good deal of ongaonga which is a stinging nettle which has paralytic effects. You certainly don’t want to watch into a patch of it!

…there has been one recorded human death from contact—a lightly clad hunter who died five hours after walking through a dense patch. - Wikipedia

After the track exits the bush you will find yourself back on a 4WD farm track which zigzags up to the saddle between Mt Herbert and Mt Bradley. Take care on this track as it often gets muddly and Jen rolled her ankle really bad here. Fortunately she solidered on and we went for a really nice dinner in Diamond Harbour afterwards to improve morale 🥰

The summit of Mt Herbert with a geodetic marker.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Craigieburn Forest Park

finn@lesueur.nz (Finn Le Sueur) — Wed, 01 Jan 2020 00:00:00 +0000

Wed Jan 1, 2020 Download GPX
Helicopter Hill & Craigieburn Forest Park

7.82km
1:58:02

3.98km/hr
490m ⬆️, 455m ⬇️

Craigieburn Forest Park has a wide range of walks; everything from a 45-minute walk through the forest, to a multi-hour traverse to Castle Hill Village. You can find a lot of information here on the DOC website, but there is a lot more tracks on the sign at Mistletoe Flat!

1: Mistletoe Flat to Lyndon Saddle (Mistletoe Track)

The posted DOC time for this 2.1km (~345m gain) uphill track is 45 minutes, but we managed it in around 35 minutes. It is a steady and unrelenting climb all the way to Lyndon Saddle, but not outside the ability of younger kids or people just getting fit!

2: Lyndon Saddle to Helicopter Hill

The posted DOC time for this 0.5km (~115m gain) is 15min, and due to its steepness, this is actually pretty accurate! A first for DOC, perhaps.

Jen at Helicopter Hill
📷 Finn Le Sueur

3: Lyndon Saddle to Broken River Road (Luge Track)

From Lyndon Saddle to Broke River Road via the Luge Track is signposted as 45min, 2.9km and is downhill the whole way. However, if you are climbing from Broken River Road to Lyndon Saddle, then the time given is 1hr.

This track is slightly more technical than Mistletoe Track for those on their mountain bike. On foot it is a lovely descent and a nice respite from the climb up Mistletoe Track and to Helicopter Hill!

We finished off our walk by cruising down the Broken River Road to Mistletoe Flat. All in all, we walked for about 1hr 45, with 10 or so minutes of mucking about at the top of Helicopter Hill.

Next time: mountain bikes!

Reference

The Heaphy

finn@lesueur.nz (Finn Le Sueur) — Mon, 10 Feb 2020 00:00:00 +0000

Mon Feb 10, 2020 Download GPX The Heaphy - Day 1 🏖	16.68km 4:18:15	3.88km/hr 442m ⬆️, 419m ⬇️
Tue Feb 11, 2020 Download GPX The Heaphy - Day 2 🌲	23.46km 7:02:09	3.33km/hr 810m ⬆️, 134m ⬇️
Wed Feb 12, 2020 Download GPX The Heaphy - Day 3 🌞	24.81km 7:33:31	3.28km/hr 618m ⬆️, 431m ⬇️
Thu Feb 13, 2020 Download GPX The Heaphy - Day 4 🌲	18.21km 4:46:25	3.82km/hr 94m ⬆️, 813m ⬇️
Total	83.16km 23:40:20	3.51km/hr 1964m ⬆️, 1797m ⬇️

Day 1: To Heaphy Hut

On Sunday we travelled from Christchurch to Carter's Beach where we stayed at a cute, clean and affordable AirBnB a mere 5 minutes walk from the beach! We drank some rather tasty wine and Jen and I got our feet wet in the very very cold, West Coast ocean.

The next morning we set off, stopping briefly in Westport for Amy and Sam to buy extra food & to fill up the car. Ready to go, we hit the trail from Kōhaihai Shelter and Campsite. The trail starts by going through a very low lying valley floor that often floods in king tides & wet weather, so take care and take the flood route if needed - we could have avoided wet feet if we took that track!

It then gently climbs up over Kōhaihai Bluffs (100m ⬆️) and down the other side to Scotts Beach. From here the track gently undulates along the beach front all the way to Heaphy Hut which is situated at the mouth of the Heaphy River. You can swim here as long as you swim in the inlet and take care to not get pulled into the main flow and out the river mouth. This was to be the first of our four swims!

Sam get stoked about natura and swing bridges!
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Note!: the track along the beach front has been modified over the pat couple of years to better survive flooding and king tides, so there is a safe path for most weather conditions to Heaphy Hut. But bear in mind that this is not so from Heaphy to Lewis Hut! If there is flooding you may not be able to make it through.

Day 2: To James Mackay Hut

The second day starts off just as relaxed as the end of the first: travelling on almost dead-flat ground for 10km to Lewis Hut. On the way are some glow worm caves if you know where to look! They’re on the right just over a little bridge nestled in the forest, about an hour from Heaphy Hut. Keep an eye out for spiders and their egg sacks hanging from the roof, but they won’t bother you if you don’t bother them!

From Lewis Hut the track climbs gently but steadily for around 13km (~670m ⬆️) all the way to James Mackay Hut. The climb is unrelenting but not challenging - just keep plodding! Take a look behind you down the valley as there is a really nice view down Heaphy River.

Amy after exploring the glow worm caves & avoiding and spiders and their egg sacks!
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Day 3: To Perry Saddle Hut

The sun was out in full force for us today which was unfortunate because less than half the track was in the cover of forest, but the travelling was beautiful! This section of track undulates up and down as it weaves through the plateau, dodging small hills and climbing around others.

Keep an eye out for takahē, a very cute and rare bird as there are a couple that live near Gouland Downs Hut and another between Perry Saddle Hut and Saxon Hut! They’re a bit like big, round, blue chickens. Very cute.

Jena & Amy watching the takahē at Perry Saddle Hut.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

There is a great river for swimming just East to Gouland Downs Hut - we didn’t swim there but would have loved to! Once you reach Perry Saddle Hut and relaxed a little, there is a small pathway that takes you down to a mountain spa. It is very much not a spa, and I’m not sure we had been in colder water before in our lives. I couldn’t feel my legs once I got out but I, surprisingly, would highly recommend it!

Jen, Amy and Sam representing Osprey with their new and very comfortable packs.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Day 4: To Brown Hut (Road-End)

Knowing the last day was super relaxed and all downhill we had a slow morning, drinking a couple of cups of coffee and taking our time to get out the door. The track meanders (and I mean meanders) down hill for essentially all 18.2km to Brown Hut. The decline is extremely gentle, the track well-formed and you are under the cover of forest the entire way.

Aorere Shelter is a nice place to stop for lunch, there is a toilet and water there so recharge or fill up on snacks before wandering out to Brown Hut. Just before you reach Brown Hut you will cross Brown River - head out to Brown Hut to complete the hike before popping back (less than 5min) to the river for a swim! There is a great swimming hole and even a big rock to jump off into the river.

We headed to Takaka that evening for a well-earned shower and some delicious food from Roots Bar on the main street - I think we would all highly recommend it! And with that, The Heaphy gets a big thumbs up from all of us 👍

A little footsore, but happy to have a finished and to be heading to the river to get clean!
📷 Finn Le Sueur

References

iPad Part One

finn@lesueur.nz (Finn Le Sueur) — Fri, 10 Apr 2020 17:02:48 +1200

This post is coming to you from a 2020 iPad Pro 12.9" - a beautiful, huge, iPad. Back in 2010 I owned a iPad 1 (thanks Dad!) - I ostenstably used it for schoolwork, but I think I mostly played the tower defence game, [Sentinel 3][1], while pretending to do work in my Statistics class.

Sentinel 3
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Fast forward a decade and I have finally upgraded! Unlike 16 year old me, I would like to make a good attempt and being productive with it. And also very unlike 16 old me, I am now a Science and Physics teacher at that very high school I sought to avoid work in. So, how can I be productive on this device?

This Blog & Teaching Notes

I have previously written about how I built this website, but all of that was done on my Macbook Pro. How could I do it on my iPad? I need a good Git client and possibly a SSH client, too (for debugging when things break!). I also write all my teaching notes in Markdown and use Pandoc to convert them to HTML slides - so Git is going to be very important.

Git with Working Copy

Working Copy is a truly excellent git client written by Anders Borum. I bought it back when it was much cheaper, but if you are planning on doing actual work on your iPad then $34.99 is surely worth every cent. I could not recommend it enough. I have all my important repos cloned onto it so I can write, make bug fixes and even deploy!

SSH with Terminus

Terminus is another truly great app. I managed to set up SSH to my server with public key authentication which was pretty cool! Now I can SSH into my Linode instances in case I want to do some work in there or kickstart a dead process.

Working Copy & Terminus
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Physics Tutorials with Concepts

As of writing this post, New Zealand is on day 15 of Level 4 lockdown due to Covid-19. This means that everything except essential businesses are closed, including education centres. As a Physics high school teacher this is significant because now I have to teach from home! I thought about setting up a camera and writing on paper to do equations and working, buuut I had my eye on an iPad.

Enter, Concepts & iOS Screen Recording! I use the free version of Concepts, simply importing images of the questions that I am working on before using my Apple Pencil and the built in iOS screen recording tool to record my screen and microphone.

VPN & Remote Desktop

The school I work for, while reasonably tech forward, is very much a Windows-first and MacOS if-it-works kind of place. Because I really like my MacBook Pro I have been using it instead of my work issued laptop so far - the only major issue is that the software that is used to take the roll, do reporting and other administrative tasks is only available on the school laptops or via Remote Desktop. Enter, Microsoft Remote Desktop - a solid, free and workable app. Does the trick on my MacBook, and thankfully, also here on my iPad.

This will work perfectly by itself when I am connected to the school wifi network, but less so when I am elsewhere. Enter, the corporate VPN (yuck). The app designated for use by the school is FortiClientVPN which seems to do the trick - although the MacOS app is a hard to use, hot mess but that is a story for another time.

With these two apps in tow I can happily Remote Desktop into work and do all my usual tasks there. I even tested it out by doing some reporting while on holiday break!

All in all, pretty successful and I can seem to get most of my work done here so far!

—- Finn 👋

References

West Coast Wilderness Trail

finn@lesueur.nz (Finn Le Sueur) — Fri, 19 Mar 2021 00:00:00 +0000

Sat Mar 20, 2021 Download GPX
West Coast Wilderness Trail

54.21km
5:01:06

10.80km/hr
549m ⬆️, 722m ⬇️

For the past three years my partner Jen and I have participated in Biketober Christchurch in which a local organisation hosts a series of bike-related events throughout the city during the month of October. The month culimnates with a bike-orienteering-style event where you visit as many “passport” locations throughout the city on a single day.

The Christchurch 2021 Biketober Passport webapp
📷 Finn Le Sueur

There are prizes up for grabs and one of our friends (Penzy) accompanied us in 2020 and she won bike hire and transport for a section of The West Coast Wilderness Trail.

The map from the offical website
📷 [West Coast Wilderness Trail](https://westcoastwildernesstrail.co.nz/)

We stayed the night in Greymouth and drove down to Hokitika in the morning. We headed into the see the company that was providing the bikes and transport - Cycle Journeys. The company dropped us off where the trail intersects the Old Christchurch Road. From there the trail follows a nice 4WD trail for a few kilometers before turning into more of a 2-abreast width walking/cycling track. Keep an eye out for a small sign indicating an old dam which you can walk 20min down to the river to see. Pretty cool!

The way to the wooden, broken down historic dam.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Some of the early trail in the forest - simply beautiful.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

The trail continues on, climbing gently to Kawhaka Pass which not far off your highpoint for the day. Here there are a couple of information signs on The Southern Alps and the geology below which leads to such dramatic and cool landscapes. This was great - I got to nerd out a little bit and go back to talk to my Year 12 Earth and Space Science class about it!

Climbing towards Kawhaka Pass on some a very well-formed track.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Me with the Alpine Fault Sign. Yes I made my class read it.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

The trail then descends into Cowboy’s Paradise - a place of dubious reputation. You certainly get quite a, uh, vibe when you enter town. Not somewhere I’d choose to stay the night but we indulged in some hot chips before continuing on. There are some great switchbacks as the track descends down to Milltown Road (gravel). It follows Milltown for a number of kilometers and even has a small climb around the side of Pyramid Hill. From there is joins Hans Bay Road around the north end of Lake Kaniere. We took a small break from riding and walked down the little track that looks down from the head of the lake - well worth it!

Love a good bridge.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Jen enjoying the switchbacks and the view of the Arahura River.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Mmm view. Nothing but e-bikes as far as the eye can see.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

From there the road section is brief before the track departs the road in favour of the Kaniere Water Race Walkway (cycleway?) which is a really excellent track which gently undulates alongside the water race. I felt a really interesting what if feeling when looking into the deep dark sections of race as they enter the ground under a hill. Spooky. Enjoy this section as it is the last major bit of trail riding for the trip!

Smile!
📷 Finn Le Sueur

From the end of the race the trail joins the main road back to Hokitika, departing from the road to coast along the Hokitika-Kaniere Tramway before reaching town.

This was an excellent weekend away and we thoroughly enjoyed it. Perhaps in the future we can come back and do the whole thing!

What Would Make a Difference?

finn@lesueur.nz (Finn Le Sueur) — Fri, 23 Apr 2021 15:39:21 +1200

In a previous post I wondered out-loud, what are teachers experiencing and whether we were asking for the right thing, by asking for more money during our collective employment agreement negotiations.

I said:

The money makes you feel better about taking work home; about the years lost off your life to stress; about the time away from your family and friends; about the time spent working instead of eating healthy, exercising, sleeping well and looking after your mental health.

It is clear what I think - money is nice but what many teachers really want is better working conditions. But, what does that look like? First year teachers in New Zealand do no more than 15 contact hours per week, second year teachers do no more than 17.5 hours, and fully qualified & registered teachers, no more than 20 hours.¹

Year	Total Hours	Max. Contact Hours	Non-Contacts
1st (0.8FTE)	25	15.0	10
2nd (0.9FTE)	25	17.5	7.5
3rd (1.0FTE)	25	20.0	5

I hear you say, what about before school, morning tea, lunch and after school? Well, before school is briefing, morning tea can be very short (~15-20min), lunch is often taken up with duty, tutorials, detentions, meetings, and after school has meetings, sports and other commitments too. Not to mention, morning tea and lunch are for the staff to eat too, not just the students.

So, during the school day I have around 5 hours to do marking, preparation, planning, read student reports and give feedback, organise my (unpaid) sporting duties, and the numerous other things that are required of you as a teacher:

Help re-work unit plans (I’m looking at your NZQA review),
contact home,
write reports,
enter data,
mark,
work through the 20+ unnecessary emails I receive every day,
respond to parent emails,
and so much more.

There’s just no way. So, what to do? Instead of paying teachers even more in our next collective agreement negotiations:

Reduce the 1.0FTE hours to 0.8, thereby reducing contact time and increasing non-contact time,
hire more teachers.

https://www.ppta.org.nz/about-ppta/publication-library/document/99https://www.ppta.org.nz/about-ppta/publication-library/document/99 ↩︎

Rakiura North West Circuit

finn@lesueur.nz (Finn Le Sueur) — Sun, 03 Oct 2021 00:00:00 +0000

Sun Oct 3, 2021 Download GPX Rakiura NWC 1/8: Mason Bay to Big Hellfire Hut	18.89km 7:51:36	2.40km/hr 1078m ⬆️, 878m ⬇️
Mon Oct 4, 2021 Download GPX Rakiura NWC 2/8: To East Ruggedy Hut	17.35km 6:23:30	2.71km/hr 1016m ⬆️, 1184m ⬇️
Tue Oct 5, 2021 Download GPX Rakiura NWC 3/8: To Long Harry Hut	10.94km 4:53:05	2.24km/hr 709m ⬆️, 713m ⬇️
Wed Oct 6, 2021 Download GPX Rakiura NWC 4/8: To Yankee River Hut	9.56km 3:44:52	2.55km/hr 581m ⬆️, 603m ⬇️
Thu Oct 7, 2021 Download GPX Rakiura NWC 5/8: To Christmas Village Hut	14.18km 5:16:28	2.69km/hr 739m ⬆️, 723m ⬇️
Fri Oct 8, 2021 Download GPX Rakiura NWC 6/8: Hananui (Mt Anglem)	13.46km 4:54:06	2.75km/hr 1083m ⬆️, 1081m ⬇️
Sat Oct 9, 2021 Download GPX Rakiura NWC 7/8: To Bungaree Hut	12.28km 4:32:17	2.71km/hr 671m ⬆️, 664m ⬇️
Sun Oct 10, 2021 Download GPX Rakiura NWC 8/8: To Lee Bay	17.14km 4:20:41	3.94km/hr 786m ⬆️, 780m ⬇️
Total	113.78km 41:56:35	2.71km/hr 6663m ⬆️, 6626m ⬇️

Hikers: Finn, Jen, Francie, Justin, Henri and Neil

Day 0: Fly to Mason Bay

E koekoe te tūī, e ketekete te kākā, e kūkū te kererū.
The tūī sqwaks, the kākā chatters, the kererū coos.

Our tramping group is made of very different people who look at tramping rather differently and have quite different types of people. It takes all sorts of people to have a good trip; to keep it in balance and find a good middle ground. Some diplomacy will be required but it will be good!

Today Jen, Neil and I flew to Invercargill around 9am, and were joined by Francie, Justin and Henri around midday. We took an afternoon flight to Mason Bay which involved landing on the beach near Martin’s Creek, before swapping pilots and doing a quick hop up the beach to Duck Creek. From there it was a ~15min walk to Mason Bay Hut with one minor creek crossing five minutes before the hut. I recommend taking your boots off and going barefoot the rest of the way - it’s all just grass from there.

We had a lot of debate about the next day to Big Hellfire Hut as there is a tidally affected zone, but the high tide track is steep, poorly marked and most likely involves bush bashing. We have agreed to leave mid-morning and arrive at the zone an hour or so after high tide and see if we can pass.

Searching for Kiwi 🥝

We’re all quite determined to see a kiwi on this trip, after not seeing any last time we were here (over 10 years ago)! A whiteboard reports that the best time to see kiwi is either 6.30-7.30am or 9.00-9.30pm, while a DOC poster says only 30% of visitors see kiwi.

A nighttime walk up to the homestead did not result in any kiwi sightings, but we did see two very cute deer right outside the hut!

Our trusty wee plane that landed us on Mason Bay in some strong winds!
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Jen walking up to Mason Bay Hut.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Day 1: To Big Hellfire Hut

Kia mate ururoa, kei mate wheke.
Fight like a shark, don’t give up like an octopus.

The day starts with us retracing our steps down to the beach before following it along as far as we could. It was windy, misty and cloudy but we trudged on. We had to do the high tide track and despite warnings that it is terrible we found it all good. It’s slow going (but so is this whole tramp) but there is a fun wee sand-scree slope.

After that we climbed off the beach after seeing some Mollymorks and spent most of the rest of the day in the forest. For a coastal hike there sure is a lot of vert throughout this whole hike and today was a rude awakening there. Our packs were at their heaviest, this was the longest day by distance and time, and we were hurting by the time we got to Big Hellfire Hut.

There’s a lot of rubbish on the beaches, all washed up from the Southern Ocean. It’s quite depressing, really, but some people have put some of it good use! For example there are a number of buoys used as track markers - it’s quite cute really.

Throughout this trip we had a few questions which I thought I’d document them here where possible.

Pātai: Where does the pumice come from?

Whakatika: I couldn’t find a single origin but it must be foreign volcanos. Interesting how it’s found there but not so much on The South Island of NZ.

Pātai: What is the origin of tannins in the water?

Whakatika: Tannins are large molecules which can be found bonded to proteins, cellulose, starches and minerals. They are insoluble (in water) and therefore do not break down when plants decompose in peaty soil. This means they leech out into the water causing a brown tea-like colour. - US Forest Service

Pātai: What is the geological origin of Stewart Island and the basin behind Big Hellfire Hut?

Whakatika: The island has a granite base layer from a very ancient volcanic vent. The tarns found on and around Mt Anglem / Hananui are from the last glacial period. There are some volcanic outcropings (e.g. Island Hill) in the low-lying area. - DOC

Heading along Mason Bay in the gloom.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

On the High Tide Track of Mason Bay.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Little Hellfire Beach.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Day 2: To East Ruggedy Hut

Tama tū, tama ora; tama noho, tama mate.
He who stands, lives; he who does nothing, perishes.

Thankfully this day was a tad shorter and the going much easier! The sidetrip to the lookout is well worth it - you get an excellent view! There is also a great lunch spot just before West Ruggedy Beach in the trees. Neil got first known descent (FKD) into a croth-deep mud puddle but there’s always somewhere to wash it off!

We didn’t have to use the high tide route on West Ruggedy Beach - although it looked easier to pass than the one on Mason Bay!

We reached the hut with the sun still out which was wonderful. We used the solar panel to charge my phone briefly we lazed in the sun for the remainder of the afternoon. Delightful ☀️

Overall we found this day much easier - there was a little less height gain and the track seemed less muddy and drier. Onwards!

Some classic Rakiura mud.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Washed up rubbish used as decoration along the track.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Beautiful moody ocean on West Ruggedy Beach.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Climbing out of West Ruggedy Beach to East Ruggedy Hut.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Day 3: To Long Harry Hut

Tini whetū ki te rangi, he iti te pōkēao ka ngaro.
A small cloud overhead will obscure the stars.

The climbing today was mostly easier and the track condition was much better. There were lots of sandflies at the beaches which made stopping there unbearable.

The first beach under Point 360 is very bouldery - so keep your eye on loose stones to keep your ankles intact. The second beach (Long Harry Bay) is not very accessible from the track as it is mostly cliffs. We lunched above the beach in the trees though, and I think I spied a way down through some tussocks.

The last part of the track climbs above some bluffy hillside and traverses. It is suprisingly hard work, with lots more up and down than is obvious from the topo map. The sun had come out at this point so we were sweating hard.

The hut is beautifully situated and there is cellphone reception from the mainland pretty much anywhere with a clear view over to Te Tiriti o te Moana. We swam at the rocky beach below Hut - thankful to have a rinse. The water was bracing.

Fellow trampers Nick and Chaz went fishing and were very blessed with some kai moana in the form of a couple large paua and blue cod. Neil also got a paua and we all enjoyed the buttery and garlicy snack with dinner.

The weather was much nicer today and I was extremely grateful for that. The track was also generally much better condition and there was a lot less vertical meters to be climbed. All of this made for a much better day after having a small cloud over my head on day two. I also use the solar panel today to charge both Jen and I’s watches. Success!

I saw my first roa in the bush near the hut on the final descent, although it didn’t get out on the track in front of us. Very cute. Heard sounds at night but unfortunately also heard one possum and saw another in front of us on the track.

Pātai: What was the old barrel in the ground and the mine-entrance-esque structure in the ground on the east end of Long Harry Bay. Whakatika: According to a fellow tramper it is from the old hut!

Crossing East Ruggedy Beach.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Logs by the ocean near Long Harry Hut
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Day 4: To Yankee River Hut

He au kei uta e taea te karo, he au kei te moana e kore e taea.
You may dodge smoke on land, but you cannot dodge the current at sea.

This day was lovely - it was shorter, there was less climbing and we made good time on some good quality track. The day starts easy with a gentle climb through the bush to Smoky Beach. The beach has golden sand and we couldn’t help but stop for a swim!

From there the track climbs rather directly up to a vague saddle before descending again, directly, to Yankee River Hut. When leaving Smoky Beach don’t cross the little stream as others appear to have done. Instead, turn right at the stream and you will find your way. We accidentally spent 10min bush bashing around before deciding we had done something wrong!

Dad went and caught a fish for some extra dinner - yum! Jen and I were inspired to go foraging ourselves and spent a couple of hours hunting paua. In the end we found two good sized ones! I cut my finger open because I forgot how to use a pocket knife, apparently. Lots of bleeding but it stopped in the end, hah.

The golden sands and beautiful swimming water of Smoky Beach
📷 Finn Le Sueur

The sun going down at Christmas Village Hut.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Day 5: To Christmas Village Hut

Ehara! Ko koe te ringa e huti punga!
Yes! Yours is the arm best suited to pull up the anchor.

This day was longer than the previous two but the track quality was quite good and we kept up a quicker pace than the previous days. There were SO many sandflies at Lucky Beach so we just kept going and ate while we walked. We wanted to stop but it was practically impossible with so much uncovered skin.

Jen and I had thoughts about how to improve the efficiency of our tramping mornings because we were having quite a slow time getting started in the morning with the big group. We thought we could instead bring muesli, buy a jetboil and make coffee in our thermas’ to go! Maybe one day.

Jen and I went to try out hand at fishing again but the sea was quite rough and it was high tide. We couldn’t find many limpets for bait and in the end we lost a hook and gave up.

There wasn’t so much firewood at this hut so we all spent some hours search for wood up and down the beach. Thankfully some fellow trampers had a saw with them and managed to do a good job splitting it up! In the end we got the hut warm.

Day 6: Hananui (Mt Anglem)

E tū te huru mā, haramai e noho. E tū te huru pango, hanatu e haere.
Let the white hair remain here, let the black hair get up and go.

We decided on having a second day at Christmas Village Hut so that we could go summit Mt Anglem / Hananui. We woke up as the sun rose above the ocean and came directly in the front window of the hut. Perhaps the most beautiful thing I’ve seen in a long time.

We got up nice and early and were walking by 8am! The track was pretty variable - often steep, sometimes boggy, sometimes muddy, sometimes very rutted from the rain, and sometimes rocky, but I rated it. It took Jen and I 2:20 to reach the summit and we got down a lot quicker.

On the way down there was a lot of treefall with lots of dry wood available! We decided to take a few large braches/sticks down the last section of track to use as firefood. We also spent another hour scouring the beach for more firewood.

In the afternoon we had some heavy rain and loud waves which made for a really nice aesthetic while holed up in the hut. We also spotted a very curious seal bobbing around out front of the hut - it spent a long time watching everyone who went out to see it. So very cute.

The crew at the top of Hananui - not a sight to be seen.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Day 7: To Bungaree Hut

E kitea ai ngā taonga o te moana, me mākū koe.
If you seek the treasures of the ocean, you better get wet.

Having checked the weather forecast the night before we knew that there was going to be rain in the morning so we had a lazy start which was appreciated. In the end we didn’t really get wet - only mildly damp. We made a good effort to leave the hut nice and clean but it was a bit grubby when we turned up. You should try do the same!

The walking in the forest was nice and gentle - we were due for a low-vert day which our legs were going to appreciate. We reached Murray Beach in good time so decided to have lunch at the far end before re-entering the bush for the last section of climbing. The sun was out and we had a beautiful spot, but the breeze was a little cool today.

The rest of the track was pretty relaxed - there was a good amount of up and down but nothing too sustained, it was all over pretty quicky which was appreciated. It was today that my brain was getting a bit tired - I just wanted to stop and sleep. The many nights of poor sleep in the huts was catching up with me, I think.

The outlook of Bungaree Hut was amazing. It’s the same hut as Yankee River but this time it is situated on a bank above Big Bungaree Beach, looking South East along the bay. Totally stunning. We had a really good swim to freshen up and that made a big difference - for the better - on my mood.

Spent the afternoon in the sun with Jen reading my book. Some suggested reading was The Sixth Extinction which looks really good. I had an idea of writing a book (not a textbook) that explores NZ and the junior Science curriculum at the same time. Who knows?

Mud and roots on the way down to Murray Beach.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Crossing Murray Beach.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

On the last climbing section towards Bungaree Hut.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Pātai: Can burning plastic block a chimney? (graffiti in the hut implied it can)

Whakatika: I could not find any sources to show that it can block the chimney, although it is true that the fumes released from burning plastic can be noxious!

Day 8: To Lee Bay

E kore tātau e mohio ki te waitohu nui o te wai kia mimiti rawa te puna.
We will never know the worth of water unitl the well runs dry.

Today we were on a bit of a mission - the end was in sight! I personally get a bit focussed when I know that a hot shower and a good sleep are waiting for me at the end of a trip and tend to zone out on the day. I do admit that this happened today. I recall making reasonably good time on the first section of the track to Port William Hut, although there were a couple of trees down and a couple of steep climbs in and out of stream gullies.

We had some coffee, food and painkillers at Port William Campsite because I was feeling grotty. Unfortunately there were some bugs in the water tank from the shelter, so we just used our drink bottles for the coffee.

From there on to the end the track is part of the great walk on Rakiura so we made excellent time charging along a nice wide, well-formed track. Excellent. We saw a roa en-route to Maori Beach, and while we were crossing the beach we saw a lot of bubbles in the surf and wondered why..

Pātai: How do the soap bubbles form? (Organic chemistry)

Whakatika: “..Seawater contains dissolved salts, proteins, fats, dead algae, detergents and other pollutants. If you shake this glass of ocean water vigorously, small bubbles will form on the surface of the liquid.” - OceanWatch Australia

We had booked some transport from Lee Bay back to Oban which was a blessing. It was quite a few kms and there was no reason for us to do a bunch of road walking after all of that!

Bungaree Hut at night 😍
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Bungaree Hut in the morning.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Snowy Gorge - Maitland

finn@lesueur.nz (Finn Le Sueur) — Sun, 02 Jan 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Sun Jan 2, 2022 Download GPX Day 1: To Snowy Gorge Hut	11.94km 4:53:50	2.44km/hr 647m ⬆️, 260m ⬇️
Mon Jan 3, 2022 Download GPX Day 2: To Maitland Hut	9.63km 4:42:56	2.04km/hr 374m ⬆️, 518m ⬇️
Tue Jan 4, 2022 Download GPX Day 3: Out to Lake Ohau	12.45km 4:31:42	2.75km/hr 478m ⬆️, 882m ⬇️
Total	34.03km 14:08:28	2.41km/hr 1499m ⬆️, 1660m ⬇️

Along with a large group of Jen’s doctor friends, we had just celebrated New Year’s in Tekapo. Six of us also wanted to go tramping afterwards. I spent quite a while looking at different tramps in the area - weighing up the difficulty, terrain, huts, transport and other variables but ended up settling on this one. It wasn’t the best transport-wise, but it was an otherwise beautiful tramp and had some beautiful landscapes.

We dropped two cars off at the Lake Ōhau Station end (ask permission from the station!) and headed around to the Ahuriri end in a third car. There is a 4WD track which you can use to get right down to the river on - I recommend it.

Day 1: To Snowy Gorge Hut

The track starts by immediately crossing the Ahuriri River. It was around 20m^3/s when we went through, and I was optimistic that this meant crossing would be easy. Unfortunately, it looked more than head-deep right next to the car park. You can find a better crossing point 50m upstream where it is much shallower - knee or thigh only. The river is not pushy and is otherwise safe.

Once across the river, you cross through a marshy area near the pond/lake indicated on the TopoMap under Point 717. The going through here was very slow. The ground was very soft - there was ample chance to get a foot stuck or roll an ankle. Take it slow - you’ll get there fine!

One across the marsh, you will reach an incline - this marks the start of the firm ground which will be with you for the rest of the day. It climbs reasonably gently across some rolling tussocked hills as you head towards Snowy Gorge River. There is some marked track on the true left of Snowy Gorge Creek, but we heard from a hunter that the true right is also a viable option.

The true left varies in landscape from open tussock to bouldery scree, to pointy spaniards and matagouri. If you thought matagouri sucks, you will think it is nought but a nuisance after a spaniard draws blood 🩸! We were all left with many battle scars on our legs after this trip - the spaniards were unrelenting.

“A moraine is material left behind by a moving glacier. This material is usually soil and rock.” - National Geographic

Further up the valley below Point 1797 is a glacial moraine, behind which is the hut. There are two ways you can do this, and it seems that people have opted for both in the past! Option 1. Stick to the river (which we did) and make your way around the moraine Option 2. Climb more directly over the moraine and try a straight line for the hut. This last section of walking is rather slow, and you will find the hut hidden behind yet another little mound once you pass the moraine - don’t be discouraged. It is there!

The hut book goes back a very long time due to its infrequent use - although it is being used more and more as the years progress. It is great fun to read back through the book and see who was using it when it first entered DOC service. It seems it was highly popular with high school outdoor ED trips!

Despite the contradictory DOC information, there is no toilet. Make sure you bring a trowel! There is also a little creek just east of the hut that is a good water source. Saves you climbing over the small hill.

Crossing the Ahuriri.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Heading towards Snowy Gorge Creek.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Jen and Em traversing the undulating valley.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Snowy Gorge Creek.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Em looking towards the hut. Where is it?
📷 Finn Le Sueur

The gang crusing along up Snowy Gorge Creek.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Dinner at Snowy Gorge Hut 🥰
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Day 2: To Maitland Hut

The day starts off gently, meandering along the valley floor. At the second marked stream on Topo50 you can find a pole and some vaguely walked ground leading you up towards the saddle between Points 1690 and 1781. We stayed to the true right of Points 1352 and found a couple more markers along the way. There is not much of a track to speak of, only the occasional orange marker to reassure you.

Once you gain the saddle you are greeted with a beautiful view down both valleys and up to the surrounding mountains! Well worth the climb. The track descending towards Maitland Hut from the top is slightly better formed than the south side, but not by much. It fades in and out of existence, weaving across streams and between clusters of spaniards 🩸🩸. Make sure you look up the valleys to Mt Stafford and Mt Peterson on your west - truly beautiful.

There is an orange marker and a very cute wooden sign to indicate your entry into the forest just before Maitland Hut. As long as you stay on the true left of the creek you should see it on a small bank above a tributary that comes down from Mt Peterson. From the entry to the forest, the track quickly reaches the hut through a well-formed - if overgrown - beech forest. This forest was a relief for us because it was a hot day and we needed a little shade.

Unfortunately, we found the hut full but were glad for a toilet. This wasn’t too much of a problem though because the weather was clear for a few more days yet. We disassembled the tent to use the various pieces as ground mats. That night the six of us slept outside under the stars with nought to disturb us except the a very incessant ruru. Not the best sleep I’ve ever had, but I loved the stars ✨.

Cute photo before we leave!
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Heading up the valley floor before we start climbing to the saddle.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Jen and Em climbing towards the saddle.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Dodging spaniards on the way to Maitland Hut - looking forward to the forest.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Day 3: Out to Lake Ōhau

This day starts by descending into the Maitland Stream valley where it follows the stream for a few kilometres. Only 300m below Maitland Hut is a river crossing which we were warned can become swift and dangerous to cross after rain - thankfully the area hadn’t seen rain in many days and we crossed without a problem.

There are some high river tracks but you should be able to stay low and avoid a lot of climbing if the river is down. That said, stick with what is the most well-formed track! After a short way, the track leaves the stream and starts climbing rather unrelentingly. It crosses a couple of scree slopes before gaining the top of the Ōhau Station 4WD track. From there you simply descend on the track all the way to the station.

My only note of caution is to turn left not long after you see a DOC avalanche zone sign - we missed this turnoff and did a bit of a loop through the farmer’s paddock by accident (evident on the GPS). Otherwise, this last section of track is rather unremarkable. Jen said that she would have been quite sad if we had walked in the other direction and had to climb that farm track on the first day!

We picked up the two cars and went immediately down to Round Bush Campsite for a swim in Lake Ōhau! Very, very refreshing. Amy and Stephen went back to Christchurch while Jen and I took Hayleigh and Em back to their car by the Ahuriri, at which point we also parted ways. It was a first great tramp together and I’m looking forward to the next one!

Maitland Hut - not that we got to sleep inside!
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Crossing Maitland Stream.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Some treefall on the not very maintained Maitland Stream Track.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Amy and Steven climbing the first of two scree slopes. Hard work!
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Group photo at the top of the 4WD track before we descend!
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Lagoon-Cass Track

finn@lesueur.nz (Finn Le Sueur) — Sat, 15 Jan 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Sat Jan 15, 2022 Download GPX
Lagoon-Cass Track

37.17km
6:59:35

5.31km/hr
1639m ⬆️, 1735m ⬇️

We have a couple of friends who are doing Coast to Coast in 2022 and were participating in the Rasdex Classic kayak race down the Waimakariri. I volunteered to shuttle them up to the top of the river in the car and they were to bike back to Christchurch at the end.

We dropped them off and made our way to Cora Lynn Carpark with the intention of hitchhiking around to the Cass Carpark, but unfortunately no one picked us up in the 45min that we tried to hitch in. We gave in and decided to run in the Lagoon –> Cass direction and hitch at the end instead.

The track begins by climbing steeply through the forest above the carpark before exiting the forest and traversing to Lagoon Saddle and A-Frame Hut. It took us just over an hour to reach the hut. From there it descends down into the Harper River, spending time both in the river and on track parallel to it.

Climbing through the forest on the way to Lagoon Saddle.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Out in the open on the way to Lagoon Saddle.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

The track makes a small climb just before West Harper Hut to avoid a gorge, before continuing to follow the river quite closely. The track is all quite reasonable through here but we took it nice and slow as to not burn out - this was going to be Jen’s longest run so we didn’t want to push it too hard.

We reached Hamilton Hut in the heat of the day and had a quick break there. From there the track follows the riverbed of Hamilton Creek before leaving it for the forest. There has been a slip in the forest here so you will need to follow a little side track through the bush to avoid it. It’s not much of a detour.

The wonderful valley of Harper River.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

The valley flats by Hamilton Hut.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Jen was feeling pretty naff through this section and got a bit wheezy for a moment, so we stopped to have some food, water and gels before continuing on towards Cass Saddle. The track description indicates that it “climbs steeply” and boy does it ever. We didn’t run any of this part.

Once we gained the saddle we were glad for some downhill and managed a little jog in amongst some enormous spaniards. We spotted a paraglider above us at Hamilton Peak, and then a couple of guys training to GODZone came past the other way. Looked like they were out for a massive day!

We continued down reaching Cass Saddle Hut quickly. From there we really enjoyed the well formed track through the forest. The gradient is quite nice here and we moved well. Unfortunately the track pops out on the Cass River for >3km where the going was quite slow. Jen was not as confident on the rocks and had very sore feet from running. We mostly walked this section until we found the 4WD trail right at the end.

All in all I really enjoyed this trail - it’s got some great scenery, some great valleys and some fun tracks. It would be nice to go back on a day that isn’t quite so hot!

Spaniard. Jen for scale. 😨
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Descending from Cass Saddle towards Cass Saddle Hut in the trees.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Jen feeling fed up with Cass River.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Thoughts on Racing

finn@lesueur.nz (Finn Le Sueur) — Thu, 07 Apr 2022 15:02:08 +1200

I’ve been avoiding this post for a while now. After Coast to Coast 2022 I was feeling disappointed and unsure of myself. I had DNF’ed and was feeling like perhaps I was basing too much of my self-worth on my sporting achievements.

Self-Worth

It should be clear to both you and I that self-worth is not based on personal wealth, sporting achievements, fame, or anything else like that. My self-worth should be based on my personal ethics and how well I execute them. It should be based on the quality of my character. Understanding that is easy, believing it on the day-to-day is much harder, and I have a hard time remembering it. I find it very easy for my brain to slip into a viscious cycle with these sorts of feelings.

Control

Part of why I was unsuccessful in Coast to Coast 2022 was the change in course due to adverse weather conditions. Could I control the weather and the course change? Absolutely not. Could I control the on-the-day river, wind and rain conditions? Absolutely not. Could I control the performance of other athletes? Absolutely not.

So, what could I control? I could control my own training. Did I train to be able to complete the normal course? Yes, and I was on track to complete it, too. I was a little close to the cut-off, but I was going to make it. For that, I should be proud. I turned up on the day and gave it my best effort, I went out there and tried. I tried even when it seemed futile on the last bike ride.

Responsibilities

Since my first attempt at Coast I have got a long term partner, bought a house and rescued a dog. My day now looks quite different to when I first started training and could spend all my free time training, eating and napping on the couch. It’s not a bad change, but it is definitely a change that needs appreciating.

I have not always done good at navigating these new responsibilities, but thankfully my partner has been foriving and tells me when there is room for improvement.

Fun?

I first got the idea of doing Coast because sport is (was?) fun. I enjoyed being outside doing pretty much anything, so why not focus it a little and do a really cool event?

I the intervening years I strove to do high quality training (and mostly failed), but set myself daily, weekly and monthly goals. In the end it feels like this has ruined the fun, to the point where I find very little fun exercise these days.

It is, I think, time to re-find the fun. To do stuff that I find interesting, exciting and takes me to cool places. That may involve doing fun events, but I should try and stay away from events which require concerted event-specific training. I should stick to capcity training – training which improves my overall base fitness. That kind of exercise is easier to keep fun!

Mentoring Others

At work I take a group of students trail running each week - this is something I really enjoy. I take them new places every week and get to see them grow in their fitness and confidence. As we head towards 2023 I might look at creating a Coast to Coast training group at school; there are a lot of students that are into adventure racing who would be stoked to being training for such an adventure. Things to ponder..

–

I’ll check back later in the year and see if I have re-found the fun.

Jam Hut & The Clarence Packraft

finn@lesueur.nz (Finn Le Sueur) — Sat, 23 Apr 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Sat Apr 23, 2022 Download GPX Jam & Clarence D1: To Jam Hut	16.38km 8:52:32	1.85km/hr 1238m ⬆️, 876m ⬇️
Sun Apr 24, 2022 Download GPX Jam & Clarence D2: To The Clarence	4.61km 1:22:02	3.37km/hr 22m ⬆️, 164m ⬇️
Sun Apr 24, 2022 Download GPX Jam & Clarence D2: The Clarence	14.37km 2:26:11	5.90km/hr 284m ⬆️, 344m ⬇️
Mon Apr 25, 2022 Download GPX Jam & Clarence D3: Clarence Out	39.61km 5:38:51	7.01km/hr 462m ⬆️, 619m ⬇️
Total	74.97km 18:19:36	4.09km/hr 2006m ⬆️, 2003m ⬇️

The night before the trip we stayed in Kāikoura at Alpine Pacific Holiday Park. There are some very cheap and totally acceptable rooms available, and as a bonus, there is very good coffee down the road at The Beach House Cafe. Unfortunately, we are still slack with mornings and didn’t get hiking until 10:10 am.

Day 1: To Jam Hut

The gravel road to the start is in pretty good condition - there’s only one ford of note. The rest is all very reasonable and our Outback had no trouble traversing it. There are a couple of gates to leave as you found them. There is a little carpark on the south side of George Stream under a tree. There is a small DOC sign but it was hidden by overgrown weeds when we got there. With the sun out - bluebird day - and very heavy packs we were good to go!

Access

The 4WD road crosses private property. We didn’t know beforehand because it wasn’t mentioned on the DOC page, so, here you go:

Road crosses private property. 4WD access only. Narrow winding road. Slippery gravel surface. Steep drop-offs. No safety barriers. Rockfall risk. Stock. Sudden flooding after rain. Not suitable for large trucks or towing vehicles.

For access phone Warwick Brown (027 222 0322) or Steve Millard (319 3183 OR 0274 421 042).

You can start on the true right on what appears to be a bad 4WD track. It follows true right for 1.8km (35 min) to where a foresty road fords the river. From here you merge onto the riverbed where you will be for the remainder of the hike. The travel is quite good, but there are no cairns or markers to speak of.

Ascending George Saddle

As the valley narrows it becomes a little more gorge-like and you will find yourself clambering over some rather large boulders. Near the top of the river, it becomes a maze of small tributaries. We turned right at a junction (8.9km, 3 hrs 40 min) as the suggestion from another blog and battled our way up to the saddle via scree and scrub. We suggest turning left at the junction marked on the map. Jen’s hands were pretty battered by eczema so we preferred to use scree over scrub. It took us 1hr 20min to gain the saddle from the junction on the map. Pretty slow going.

Descending George Saddle

I was not able to find much of anything about this trip on the internet, other than a couple of people saying it was a possible trip. We did read that some parties descend directly off the saddle into Doddemeade Stream. We didn’t like the look of the scree, but I imagine it would go.

We met a lone guy at the saddle who suggested crossing to the true left where you can descend the open scree face or through the vegetation on a small spur. This worked for us but wasn’t exactly pleasant.

Another option would be crossing to the scree on the true left and entering Doddemeade Stream via the tributary on the true left.

To The Hut

The rest of the trek to Jam Hut is pretty uneventful. There are more cairns on this side of the saddle to keep you on track - not that there’s anywhere to go wrong! A couple of gorge sections will keep you on your toes, but there are no huge boulders like the George Stream side.

We ran out of daylight about 2.8km from the hut, so trekked the rest of it in the darkness with our headlights. This turned out to be completely awesome as the stars came out and it wasn’t too cold. It is quite fun plodding around in the dark, even if we were quite tired.

Jam Hut has four beds and appears to be quite well maintained. No one had been to the hut in a month, however, and we were only the second group to stay for the year. I’d totally believe that going by the number of cobwebs holding the door closed! The hut book goes back to 2003 and it looks like DOC comes in now and then to do a goat culling.

A hidden gem, I think. 💎

Jen walking up the lower George Stream.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Jen clambering up one of the two rather large boulders!
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Jen crossing some precarious scree on the way to George Saddle.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Not far now, although the scree was still terrible.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Last 15m. Face of pain and grounchiness at the climb.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

The evening sun leaving Doddemeade Stream.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Day 2: The Clarence

Hiking to the Clarence

This section is much like the previous day, except with wider valleys and smaller rocks. It was very easy walking and we made good progress after a night of rest. There are some very impressive cliffs and a lot of erosion going on up above the valley, so take the chance to observe the nature!

Before we left the hut we gave it a really good sweep and Jen foraged some kindling for the next group to use. There’s plenty around so do the right thing and leave the hut stocked for the next people!

Packrafting the Clarence

It took us over half an hour to transition onto the packraft, but we weren’t in any hurry. Just worth noting that it can be a slow process. It was overcast and there were some dark looking clouds above the Inland Kāikoura Range. Pretty menacing-looking mountains, those. It had rained previously but the river was down to about 30m^3/s which seems to be a pretty good level.

Our raft (Kokopelli Twain) has a T-Zip, which is an airtight zip into the inflatable stern of the raft. This allows you to open up the raft and store your gear inside it! An airtight zip doesn’t seem like a thing that should be possible, but it works an absolute charm. We stored all our gear inside the raft, placing only the lunch stuff in a waterproof bag between our legs. To the front of the boat, we strapped our empty backpacks which were in a dry bag. Big success! Plenty of room.

I’ll leave a description of the river to Packrafting Trips NZ - Waiau Toa – Clarence River II/II+ (III), but just below the confluence of Jam Stream is a II+/III rapid, and there are a few more after that. Pretty fun times – we weren’t too worried about the rapids.

Unfortunately, the Twain isn’t the most appropriate boat for these rapids and it frequently fills up like a bathtub in the big wave trains. No worries though, just stop and tip it out (or have me in the back with a pot as a bailer!).

With the overcast cold day and the wetness of the river we got pretty chilly and had to stop to put on some more layers. In the end, we called it a day early, found a good looking beach and parked up for the night. Come tomorrow we would find out that if we had paddled around the corner we would have found a much better spot with some morning sun (marked on the map). The campsite was good though, it was sheltered from the breeze, and there was only a short period of drizzle in the evening.

Jam Hut with water tank, woodshed and dog kennels all right by the porch. An excellent wee hut.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

A view of Jam Stream on the way to the Clarence.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

A u-bend on Jam Stream with epic erosion on the banks.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Jen on the Twain, looking safe and ready to go!
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Our campsite for the night. What a stunner.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Day 3: Out via The Clarence

We slept poorly again and therefore had a bit of a slow start, drinking coffee and packing up camp. We hadn’t decided what the day would look like. We were going to start paddling and see how we got on. If the going was a bit slow, we would happily camp another night, but if we made good progress we were happy to go all the way out to the car.

We swam about 3km downstream of the campsite which didn’t fill me with confidence for the rest of the day. I managed to drop my paddle – duh! Rule one is don’t drop your paddle! – but Jen rescued it while I was rescuing the boat. From there I took us down the chicken chutes more often than not and tried to skirt the inside of some nasty looking bluff turns. This ended up with us getting turned around in big boils, but at least we didn’t swim again.

The river on this day is beautiful and just gets more beautiful the further you go. It has a nice wide open section where, with some consistent paddling, you can cover a lot of ground at a much faster pace than when negotiating rapids. We stopped at Matai Flat for lunch and a coffee. Due to our much-increased pace compared to the previous day we decided to keep paddling and head out to the car.

Once the river opens out into a Canterbury-style braided river there are not any hard rapids left on the way to George Stream. I think there are a couple after that, but we didn’t have to contend with them. The paddling in this section is fast and it is a great opportunity to look at the countryside. Being a braided river you have to take care picking lines - usually, you should choose the lower braid as the rest of the river will join into that braid after a while. That way you don’t run out of deep water!

The George Stream confluence doesn’t look so much like a stream confluence as it looks like a debris fan. I managed to lug the raft (with gear inside) on my shoulder up to the car while Jen took the backpacks in the drybag, plus the two small lunch drybags. Bit of an effort but only about 400m back to the car. We were very glad for some sun on this day as it helped keep us warm and dry off at the end!

Dressed warmly in the morning, ready to go!
📷 Finn Le Sueur

One last look at the epic terrain.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Enjoying some of the more gentle water on the way to Matai Flat.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

The wide open valley out the bottom of the gorge. Beautiful water with fun braids to paddle.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

The Kepler

finn@lesueur.nz (Finn Le Sueur) — Thu, 21 Jul 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Thu Jul 21, 2022 Download GPX Kepler D1: Luxmore Hut	14.20km 3:23:45	4.18km/hr 951m ⬆️, 114m ⬇️
Fri Jul 22, 2022 Download GPX Kepler D2: Iris Burn Hut	16.38km 8:22:27	1.96km/hr 810m ⬆️, 1389m ⬇️
Sat Jul 23, 2022 Download GPX Kepler D3: Out!	26.73km 6:48:02	3.93km/hr 441m ⬆️, 673m ⬇️
Total	57.31km 18:34:14	3.09km/hr 2202m ⬆️, 2176m ⬇️

Day 1: Luxmore Hut

14.20km (951m 🆙, 114m🔻) in 3hr 23min @ 4.18km/hr.

After having burned half our holidays under COVID isolation, and then having to wait out one of the most severe storms the South Island has seen in the last few years, we were amping to get outdoors. We were a little cautious about the avalanche conditions on the Kepler track but were watching the NZ Avalanche Advisory by the Mountain Safety Council closely, and the risk was dropping day-by-day. We hired avalanche gear (probe, transceiver, and shovel) from Small Planet Sports in Queenstown, and with our crampons, axes and plenty of warm clothes, we were ready to go! We decided to go up to Luxmore Hut and see what it was like. If we didn’t enjoy it, we were going to head back down a do a little walk into Hope Arm Hut. Always choose to be safe over getting summit/hut fever.

The trip to Luxmore Hut starts gently with a flat track over to Brod Bay (1hr 5min), at which point it starts to climb. The incline is pretty gentle, with lots of switchbacks. We kept up quite a good pace here and made good time through to the limestone cliffs. There was some treefall at the cliffs, but nothing impassable. The track is steeper just before and just after the cliffs but not unreasonably so. The sign at Brod Bay indicates 4:30 to Luxmore Hut, but “times can be halved” in good weather. We took our overcast drizzle as good weather and powered on, only entering snow once we reached the treeline. In the end, we got to the hut in 2:18 from Brod Bay, which I took as a positive inditement of our fitness, despite our legs feeling “like old people”. The track covers very gently sloping terrain from the treeline to Luxmore Hut, so we didn’t feel the need to get out any snow gear.

Luxmore Hut was positively freezing, and the bunkrooms were even worse. Thankfully there were only three of us there, not including a family staying in the warden’s quarters, so we slept in front of the fire! One of the family members was an avalanche technician who works for the Mountain Safety Council and he gave us some good advice about track sections to take care about, and said the snow was locking up well and that we could be reasonably confident in it. Excellent.

Flat and wide on the way to Brod Bay.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

The incline to Luxmore Hut begins.
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Sneaky view out to Te Anau.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Limestone Cliffs in the clouds.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Very cool light green moss on the trees near the treeline.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Hoar frost above the treeline.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

The view down Lake Te Anau.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Day 2: Iris Burn Hut

16.38km (810m 🆙, 1389m🔻) in 8hr 22min @ 1.96km/hr.

We opted for as much of an alpine start (pre-dawn) as we could manage, which meant walking by 7.30am when the sun was only just coming up. The advantage of this is that you maximise your daylight hours (important during winter) and that you spend more time on the snow before the midday sun causes any instability in the snowpack.

We started in the cloud and rain which was a bit naff, but we soon gained enough elevation for the rain to quit. The snow through the basin north of 1402 was excellent, the terrain was low-gradient and there were lots of footprints to follow. The good conditions continued to Forest Burn Shelter where we had a mid-morning snack and some coffee from the thermos.

The section from Forest Burn Shelter to the saddle below 1528 was our danger area of the day. There are some chutes which are somewhat evident on Topo50 but more visible on satellite imagery map tiles. The chutes form terrain traps where snow can collect and be easily funnelled downwards. The other issue was the warming air temperature was loosening the snow. We took it pretty cautiously through there, going one at a time from island of safety to island of safety. In the end, it was totally fine, but having small pieces of snow rain down on you as the top layer destabilises was quite unnerving.

From the end of the chutes, the walking was very nice past 1401, up 1383 and over to Hanging Valley Shelter. We had intermittent sun through this section, which was quite nice, and we stopped for lunch at the shelter. Unfortunately, it was snowed in! The trudge down the ridgeline to the switchbacks was also gentle and not scary - except for the snow-covered steps which were less fun in crampons! The avalanche technician at Luxmore Hut said that the section from 1528 through to Hanging Valley can be problematic in spring, as the snow doesn’t grip well to the tussocks underneath and it can be avalanche-prone. So, bear that in mind if you trip is during the warmer months.

There is full Spark reception where the track turns off the ridge into the switchbacks, so this is a good opportunity to text your emergency contact and let them know you got through the alpine section alive!

From the treeline there was extensive treefall from the wind and snow which blew through the previous weekend. When I say extensive, I mean a tree/branch that requires clambering over every 20-50m. This lasted the whole way down to Iris Burn Hut, with a tree having fallen on the bridge across the gorge in the valley. The DoC time is 1:30 but it took us over 2hrs to reach the hut - very slow and frustrating walking.

We had Iris Burn to ourselves which was rather nice, and we slept, again, in front of the fire!

Trundling along towards Forest Burn Shelter.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Very curious and friendly green #2 kea at the shelter.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Jen passes through an area with surface snow tumbles.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

The very atmospheric ridge with cornice on the way to 1401.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Looking towards 1383.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Posing for a photo in the brief moments of sun!
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Hanging Valley Shelter - frozen.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Treeeeeeeefall! One of many.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Bridge still felt sturdy - holding up well under the weight.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Day 3: Out to Rainbow Reach

26.73km (441m 🆙, 673m🔻) in 6hr 48min @ 3.93km/hr.

Feeling footsore and tired we trudged off at 9am, happy that we would reach the end of the track before dark and that there were not any life-endangering alpine sections! Almost immediately the treefall began, and it didn’t stop until the workmen’s camp. We even lost the track at one significant section of treefall and ended up bush bashing for a good 20min.

In the end, this day was not very eventful, but the bush was very lush and green and we enjoyed the view back up the valley. Moturau Hut had a very nice situ as well, but we only stopped to snack, drink some water and use the loo before powering on towards Rainbow Reach. We were originally going to walk back to the control gates, but didn’t feel up to it and opted to walk out to SH95 and hitch back.

We got a room for the night in Te Anau and headed down to La Toscana Pizzeria where we got two pastas, two entrees, two house drinks, and a shared dessert for $60! What a bargain. It’s an early bird special, so make sure you get there not long after opening!

The lush green of the valley floor
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Looking back up the valley.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Love a boardwalk.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Peat bog and caniverous plants.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Always a fan of a bridge.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Lake Man Circuit

finn@lesueur.nz (Finn Le Sueur) — Sat, 24 Sep 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Sat Sep 24, 2022 Download GPX Lake Man D1: To St Jacob’s Hut	19.10km 4:38:14	4.12km/hr 639m ⬆️, 477m ⬇️
Sun Sep 25, 2022 Download GPX Lake Man D2: Over to Doubtless Hut	15.49km 6:06:14	2.54km/hr 921m ⬆️, 851m ⬇️
Mon Sep 26, 2022 Download GPX Lake Man D3: Out to Windy Point	18.04km 3:51:33	4.68km/hr 342m ⬆️, 557m ⬇️
Total	52.64km 14:36:01	3.61km/hr 1902m ⬆️, 1885m ⬇️

Day 1: St Jacob’s Hut

19.10km (639m 🆙, 477m🔻) in 4hr 38min @ 4.12km/hr.

Detailed Timings

0:18hrs to Tui Track junction (1.1km)
2:09hrs to Hope Halfway Hut (8.8km)
1:25hrs to Hope River bridge / Hope Pass Tracks (5.3km)
0:46hrs to St Jacob’s Hut (3.6km)

After much agnoising over what trip we were to do, we decided on this very nice looking loop. We liked it because it wasn’t too dependent on river levels and because it was a proper loop - no shuttle needed!

We drove in to Windy Point from Hanmer Springs having stayed the night there and got an extremely good coffee from Powerhouse Cafe & Restaurant. The carpark is large and partially visible from the road. There is also a new looking long drop toilet there, which is super convenient.

The track starts by crossing the Boyle River on a great swingbridge before climbing up to the Tui Track junction. From there it follows the Hope Kiwi Track and climbs well above the river, much high than you might expect or judge from the map. It also undulates more than expected, but nothing challenging. The track still has some windfall leftover from the storms in June/July 2022, but it gets less as the track continues on.

Hope Kiwi Hut is a reasonably sad state of affairs having no fireplace and being thoroughly grubby. However, it has got quite a nice grassy area and I think, a horse pen, as there is horse walking tracks up the valleys.

From Hope Kiwi Hut the track continues on through the forest in which you will find an excellent photo opportunity looking up the valley towards The Nelson Tops and Tawhai Hill. The track then drops down to the true left of Hope River and passes along some grassy flats to the bridge that crosses Hope River. The gorge it crosses is very beautiful and it looks like it would be quite a fun paddle! We’ll have to come back!

Hope Pass Track is an old 4WD track, although it doesn’t look like it has seen much use in quite some time. It also has washed out in a couple of places and looks quite impassable for a vehicle. Nothing too remarkable about this section, although we were quite disturbed by the Canada geese honking like their lives depended on it. Not quite the peaceful backcountry you might wish for.

St Jacob’s Hut is cute, tidy and well looked after. Water can be gained from a nearby creek, there is ample firewood, and there are camping sites a plenty nearby. We had a lovely afternoon relaxing in the hut and hiding from the sandflies.

Jen crusing through the dappled forest above Hope River.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Coming up on Hope Halfway Hut situated in a large clearing.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Quite the view up the valley toward Tawhai Hill.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

St Jacob’s Hut. It’s as cute on the outside as it is inside.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Day 2: Doubtless Hut

15.49km (921m 🆙, 851m🔻) in 6hr 6min @ 2.54km/hr.

Detailed Timings

0:32hrs to Pussy Stream junction (2.6km)
0:21hrs to Pussy Stream (1.32km)
0:39hrs to turnoff onto ridge (1.97km)
1:10hrs to bushline (1.25km)
0:40hrs to cross saddle to north bushline (1.28km)
0:15hrs to Lake Man Hut (0.61km)
1:27hrs to Doubtful junction (3.52km)
0:21hrs to Doubtless Hut (1.92km)

After some confusion about whether our watches had changed for daylight savings or not we headed off alongside Hope River to start our long day. It is a quick trip up to the junction marked by a DOC sign. From there cross the Hope River where you feel appropriate. Hope River at Glynn Wye (ECan) was 0.6m stage height when we crossed and we had no concerns at all with the water level.

From there, follow the poles and cross grassy flats to the forest true left of Pussy Stream. The forest section is short but overgrown. Enter Pussy Stream and follow it up, crossing many times for the next 2km. If you had trouble crossing Hope River you might also have some trouble ascending Pussy Stream.

Finding the right fork and the entry to the track is pretty straightforward as long as you keep your eyes open for a large orange triangle and aim for the true left fork where the ridgeline meets the creek. It climbs extremely steeply immediately and you will find yourself using both hands to ensure your safety! It is very steep for this first section before it eases off somewhat. Jen and I both agreed that we were happy we were going up not down this track. It might feel a little airy going the other direction.

Once you reach the bushline there is some scrub bashing to do before you reach tussocks. It remains steep and slow going here but it gets better as you get into the tussocks above the alpine scrub. The saddle is beautiful and it was about here we realised you could traverse the Doubtful Range as an alternative entry to Lake Man Bivouac. Next time!

The track descends steeply into the forest on the north side of the range before meeting Lake Man Bivouac. Depsite the DOC page saying it has canvas bunks we found that it has been done up and was in fact very tidy and now has new bunks and mattresses! We decided against a trip up to Lake Man as it was quite the detour and still had snow on it. It would, however, be an excellent trip if you were staying at the biv.

The track down to Doubtful River alongside Kendron River was, in a word, rooty. Rooty and steep, if I were to use two. That said, it was really nice forest. With feet starting to get a bit sore we were pleased to reach the junction on the Doubtful River and to know we were close to the hut! Turning upstream the track is very well formed and maintained and we quickly reached the hut, also very tidy! There was essentially no navigation required over this day, with everything thoroughly well marked and cut.

Beautiful vistas up Hope River on our way to Lake Man Biv
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Cruising alongside Hope River, avoiding matagouri/tūmatakuru, but not avoiding the rain.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

A South Island pied oystercatcher / Tōrea which has come inland to nest.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

On our way to Pussy Stream through a short section of picturesque forest.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Jen navigating some fallen trees on Pussy Stream.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Jen right at the start of the climb to Lake Man Biv. It gets better.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Mt Lakeman looking stunning and very summitable. An adventure for another day.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Some of the truly lush forest on the Doubtful Range.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

The view across to the saddle above Lake Man Biv.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

I was enamoured with the fairytale-like forest surrounding Lake Man Biv.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Jen descending alongside Kendron River to Doubtless Hut
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Love a good sign.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Day 3: Out to Windy Point

18.04km (342m 🆙, 557m🔻) in 3hr 51min @ 4.68km/hr.

Detailed Timings

0:26hrs to Kendron River / Lake Man junction (1.9km)
0:46hrs to Doubtful Hut / Devilskin Stream (3.7km)
0:58hrs to Tui Track junction (6.55km)
1:33hrs to Hope Kiwi Track junction (5.24km)
0:08hrs to Boyle River for a swim! (0.6km)

We had bit more of a relaxed start to the day knowning that we didn’t have too far to walk and that our only constraint was being back in town for a birthday dinner. The track is well formed the whole way and we found it very easy and quick walking.

The track down to Doubtful Hut and The Reserve crosses Hoult and Neville streams - neither of which posed any trouble in the low flows. I could imagine Hoult being a little more exciting after some rain. From there the track sidles through some bush to avoid a lovely looking gorge (again, we’ll have to come back for some paddling..) before regaining the flats.

At Tui Track Junction the track becomes more 4WD and travels south on the true right of the Boyle. We chose to cut over the riverbed just for something different before regaining the track just before Engineers Camp and where the track veers up into some low forest.

The track continues along, mostly quite uninterestingly, veering around a deer paddock before undulating up past Point 589 and down to the Hope Kiwi Track junction. From there, a quick descent to the Boyle River sees you at a lovely swimming spot on the true left side of the river.

This was a wonderful three-day trip, requiring little navigational expertise, nor any mastery over a fear of heights or exposure. Highly recommended.

Doubtless Hut. Well maintained and cared for by the Doubtless Conservation & Trapping group
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Looking down at a beautiful glacial valley where the Hope and Boyle Rivers converge.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Lake Morgan

finn@lesueur.nz (Finn Le Sueur) — Mon, 24 Oct 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Sat Oct 22, 2022 Download GPX Lake Morgan D1.1: To Lake Morgan Hut	13.58km 7:30:02	1.81km/hr 1605m ⬆️, 734m ⬇️
Sat Oct 22, 2022 Download GPX Lake Morgan D1.2: Up to the Lake to Camp ⛺️	1.36km 0:37:01	2.21km/hr 176m ⬆️, 35m ⬇️
Sun Oct 23, 2022 Download GPX Lake Morgan D2: Over to Jacko Flat Hut	12.97km 7:09:54	1.81km/hr 599m ⬆️, 1411m ⬇️
Mon Oct 24, 2022 Download GPX Lake Morgan D3: Out the Crooked	15.85km 6:36:54	2.40km/hr 815m ⬆️, 1091m ⬇️
Total	43.76km 21:53:51	2.00km/hr 3195m ⬆️, 3271m ⬇️

Day 1: Lake Morgan

13.58km (1605m 🆙, 734m🔻) in 7hr 30min @ 1.81km/hr.

Detailed Timings

0:28hrs to Brian O’Lynne turnoff (2.46km)
2:10hrs to Lunch spot (3.44km)
3:54hrs to Mt O’Shanessy (5.5km)
1:00hrs to Lake Morgan Hut (2.18km)
0:37hrs to Lake Morgan (2.2km)

Once we signed in at Gloriavale Christian Community we parked the car and got started. The track starts as a 4WD one before taking a sharp right hand turn up the Brian O’Lynne track. This track is very steep with little to no respite until a lunch spot above the treeline. It’s not particularly airy but would be a quad destroyer coming down. The scrub is dense above the treeline but Justin Le Sueur (dad) has done some trimming in 2022. There is much more to be done but the track is well marked through the trees and scrub. After the lunch spot it enters low scrub and the track fades away as people make their own way across the tops. In the distance you can Point 1251 which is very jagged. It is worth getting a closer look here but don’t forget to side underneath the final point to the saddle and Point 1196. If it is cloudy don’t bother heading for the ridgeline for nice walking and views but instead slowly sidle down towards the saddle.

On both sides of P1196 the scrub is very dense and overgrown. Dad talked of camping nearby and spending a couple of days clearing it. From the saddle you climb sleepy towards Mt O’Shanessy. The climb is not as onerous as first thought and you will reach the summit sooner than expected. It’s a bouldery affair, but not scarily so. The very top is extremely nice and not at all exposed. From here you get an excellent panoramic view back the way you came, down to Lake Morgan Hut, Lake Morgan itself and P1489 at the head of the lake.

The descent from O’Shanessy down its south spur is steep and would require care in wet/snowy conditions. The gradient eventually eases off and you soon find the hut. We had bumped into a party of 4 headed to stay at the hut so stopped in for a cup of tea before heading up to Lake Morgan proper to camp. We found a suitable site for two at the north end on a tiny wee peninsula.

Dad climbing the Brian O’Lynne Track.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Jen grovelling up Brian O’Lynne Track - pants rolled because it’s too warm!
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Mt Elizabeth
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Looking over to Point 1251.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Mum and Katherine traversing towards Point 1251.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Climbing along the ridge of 1251 for a look. Didn’t go to the summit!
📷 Finn Le Sueur

A very cute Miromiro / Tomtit with Mt O’Shanessy in the background.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Schist (I think) near the summit of Mt O’Shanessy.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Mum and Katherine looking down at Lake Morgan from Mt O’Shanessy.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Moody mountains. Looking towards Point 1375 and 1250.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Campsite at Lake Morgan with Point 1489 obscured in cloud.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Day 2: Jacko Flat Hut

12.97km (599m 🆙, 1411m🔻) in 7hr 9min @ 1.81km/hr.

Detailed Timings

1:02hrs to Point 1489 (1.4km)
0:45hrs to first/last waratah (1.83km)
0:47hrs to bushline (1.43km)
1:28hrs to Top Crooked (1.34km)
2:37hrs to Jacko Flat Hut (7km)

It is a quick sidle to pass Lake Morgan on the east side and a slow climb to the saddle between P1422 and P1489. The slow climb is mostly due to poor ground visibility through long grass (and spaniards). From there the climb up to 1489 is straightforward. Take the ridge line for a while before moving onto the tussocked faces to gain the top. From here is an excellent view of the surrounding valleys!

The travel along the tops to the first waratah is very straightforward with only a few outcrops of rocks to cross. Once the first waratah is reached the navigation is simple. They are well placed and easy to follow. The gradient becomes rather steep through here, and as before, if in wet/snowy conditions, care would be needed.

The track moves into the shrubs soon enough and orange triangles are plentiful - although you would really have to try to get off “chute”. Clamber slowly and carefully down the well trimmed track to reach Crooked River. Jen found facing into the hill and climbing that way very efficient, while Finn faced out to the valley, moved slower, and did a lot of swearing at slippery rocks and loose ground.

The hut is a couple of minutes from the bush and in quite a nice locale. The hut book goes back to ‘91 and we were the 6th party to visit this year. Pretty neat. Unfortunately Jen took a wee fall in the river and nailed her knee on a rock. Feeling a bit worse for wear we trudged on down towards Jacko Flat Hut. We did not initially find the track and instead meandered down the river. Once we found a triangle and got on the track the going was a bit quicker as the track is relatively well formed. There were only a couple of unclear sections. The track has a number of sharp ups and downs as it climbs in and out of creeks and when it exits the riverbed in a hurry. We were feeling quite pooped and were moving rather slowly through here.

With dark clouds were roiling over the Kaimata Range, with Mt Alexander and Mt Howe well hidden in the grey, we were quite thankful to reach the hut in the mid-afternoon. I chopped a lot of firewood, had a coffee, some chocolate (most of a block) and lay down on a very mouldy mattresses. They need new covers ASAP! The fire is of the open style and vents into hut a bit. Crack a window to help it draw and light the fire as far back as practical in the hearth.

A cute photo in the morning before we part ways.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Climb the rocky gully and the traverse tussocked faces to Point 1489 center left.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Mum, Dad and Katherine on their way to Cone Creek Hut.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Jen navigating more schist.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Working our way down to Top Crooked Hut.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Jen making her way down the chute to Top Crooked Hut.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Some overgrown forest on the way to Jacko Flat Hut.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Day 3: Out to Windy Point

15.85km (815m 🆙, 1091m🔻) in 6hr 36min @ 2.40km/hr.

Detailed Timings

2:30hrs to Morgan River confluence (5.15km)
3:35hrs to old Rotomanu - Kopara Road (7.6km)
0:33hrs to Car (3.1km)

The track on this day is pretty rough, rougher than the section from Top Crooked Hut. It spends time near the riverbed but mostly takes you through the forest above Crooked River. It has no qualms about climbing steeply in and out of stream gullies and away from gorge sections of the Crooked River.

On the odd occasion that it drops you onto the side of the river you should continue to walk downstream while looking carefully at the bush for an orange triangle to indicate your way back up. These are not always obvious! One particularly rude triangle was small and well hidden in the bush. We almost missed it.

As noted on Remote Huts - Jacko Flat, the track is currently very overgrown, the groundtrail is not obvious, and there is a good amount of treefall which at times, obscures very helpful triangles. We wasted a lot of time losing the trail and having to try find it again. With a good trim it would be navigable in closer to five hours as opposed to six plus.

Take every opportunity to look down into Crooked River as the gorge is truly beautiful. We heard from a family friend that some Whio / Blue Duck had been spotted on the river but we didn’t see them. We also read online that some interest in the track and Jacko Flat Hut was expressed by some whitewater kayakers and I can see why - those rapids go hard!

The walk down the old Rotomanu - Kopara Road was very relaxed and in remarkably good condition.

Overall this was a pretty epic trip with stunning scenery, lush bush and wonderful rivers. It was doable as a three-day trip but would be more pleasant if you took it a little slower and perhaps stayed at Top Crooked Hut.

Sore legs, sore feet and pained expressions.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

The track started rather nicely, but it was not to last..
📷 Finn Le Sueur

The track got erroded into the Crooked River at times!
📷 Finn Le Sueur

This photo sums up Jacko Flat Track - overgrown, hard to follow and treefall.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

One of the unclear riverside sections.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Collective Bargining Continues

finn@lesueur.nz (Finn Le Sueur) — Sun, 04 Dec 2022 00:00:00 +0000

This week the Canterbury region of the Post Primary Teachers Association (PPTA) Union had a stopwork meeting to discuss and vote on the collective agreement offer that we had received from the Minstry of Education (MOE). Reccently I had volunteered as the branch representative for my school and after many conversations with teachers, I found myself lying in bed at 12am the night before reading the PPTA Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2022. That reading lead to a statement that I contributed to discussion at the stopwork meeting. Here it is.

Kia Ora koutou,

Ko Finn Le Sueur toku inoga and I am a kaiako at Te Iringa O Kahukura, Cashmere High School.

Many of us here today will feel that this job is hard and asks a lot of you but that you love it. But we are feeling the pressure and it’s not letting off. If anything, it seems to be increasing with every passing term and Ministry of Education proposal.

The pastoral needs of our students are increasing, but the resourcing does not match that need, leaving us teachers to pick up the slack.

NZQA changes - it seems top-down but in the end we are the ones doing an extraordinary amount of work to make it possible. At Cashmere we have it easy, in our Science department alone we have over 20 brains to apply to our curriculum. But what about those kaiako at smaller schools where it is just them? Madness.

What about de-streaming? It will work ONLY if the student:teacher ratio is improved so that we have sufficient bandwidth to individualise our lesson plans, but I do not have faith the Ministry will resource it well enough. Do more with less, I guess.

These are only some of the pressures we all face, and to even consider that we come out of this bargining with a pay cut is completely unacceptable. We are not asking for more money to do the same work we have always done. We are asking, at a bare minimum, to not take a pay cut so that we can can do more than ever.

Since our last agreement in 2019 we have taken a 5% pay cut due to inflation. In 2019 we won 9%, but inflation has been 14%. No more. It’s time to start acting like a 20,000 person union that took in $12.9mil in membership dues for year ended March 2022.

An important fact that can be hard to hold in our minds is that it will sound like teachers are being greedy by asking for so much of a “pay rise”. The repsonse to that knee-jerk reaction is that income must be considered in relation to its buying power – buying power that is decreased by inflation. So, a constant income in the face of quarterly inflation is actually you taking a pay-cut each quarter. When we ask for a “pay rise”, what we actually want is for the buying power of our incomes to not decrease. I hope that the public can keep that in mind if we end up in industrial action in 2023.

Ngā mihi nui ki a koe (a huge gratitude to you), nā,
Finn

Dental Clearance?

finn@lesueur.nz (Finn Le Sueur) — Mon, 16 Jan 2023 00:00:00 +0000

First things first: iamnotadoctorthispostdoesnotconstitudemedicaladvicepleaseseeaprofessionalifyouhaveconcerns. Ta.

TIL: I Need a Dental Check-Up

During my cardiologist appointment in early January, they mentioned that I need a dental check-up. That was news to me!

So, the following day off I went to my dentist and booked an appointment. I got a panoramic dental x-ray (twice) because the machine was set too low and bumped into my shoulder ruining the exposure (whoops). We then encountered some confusion where they thought I had my valve replaced recently, and therefore needed antibiotics before my clean (it has yet to be done).

Panoramic dental x-ray: An x-ray covering the full mouth, both top and bottom.¹

Antibiotics before the clean? Not what I expected either. Let’s dive in!

There is an infection called “endocarditis” which affects the innermost layer of the heart, and it can be quite serious. It “is always fatal unless treated, and even with appropriate treatment it is associated with a one-year mortality rate of nearly 40%”.² Now, as it turns out the gums are the window to the blood (as the saying goes). “Approximately one-third of cases of endocarditis in New Zealand are caused by streptococci that are normal oral flora and are associated with plaque..”³

So, back to the antibiotics. Quite often during a dental clean, the gums may sustain minor lacerations. These can be due to flossing, the dremel (rotary dental tool), and other tools. As plaques etc. are removed a possibility exists that streptococci could enter the bloodstream. Once in the bloodstream, they could cause an infection in the heart (endocarditis).

NZ Dental Guidelines

The guidelines state that these people are at high risk of endocarditis:

A prosthetic heart valve, either biological or mechanical

Rheumatic valvular heart disease

Previous endocarditis

Unrepaired cyanotic congenital heart disease or a repair procedure within the last six months

Cardiac shunts or conduits for palliation

Interestingly, I don’t have any of these. I will soon have a ?mechanical aortic valve, but that has not been done yet. So, technically, I did not need antibiotics before my clean.

Dental Clearance

Just for interest’s sake, I searched for some journal articles about dental hygiene/clearance prior to aortic valve surgery. Here is a selection of what I found.

Dental care before cardiac valve surgery: Is it important to prevent infective endocarditis?

Results: “No significant difference was detected (p = 0.496) in comparing the occurrence of IE in the group with dental preparation (6.4%) and without dental preparation (8.4%). The logistic regression model confirmed that dental treatment did not change the IE risk (p = 0.504) and indicated that age (p < 0.003) and gender (p = 0.013) were significant risk factors for IE.”⁴

Reference: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5454162/

Dental Procedures and the Risk of Infective Endocarditis

Results: “..the risk of IE remained insignificant after adjustment for antibiotic use..”⁵

Reference: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4985400/

Effect of dental treatment before cardiac valve surgery (Systematic review and meta-analysis)

Results: “Very low certainty in the evidence suggested uncertainty as to whether health outcomes for patients undergoing dental treatment before CVS differed from those who did not”⁶

Reference: https://jada.ada.org/article/S0002-8177(19)30333-2/fulltext

and finally,

Dental Workup Before Cardiac Surgery: Must or Risk

A letter to the editor of a journal writes “As a cardiac surgeon and dentist, allow me some remarks”. They then go on to say: “The indication for any dental work before cardiac surgery should be clearly defined and this is especially true for dental extractions. It is not poor dental hygiene with some caries lesions, but it is the periodontal infection and the apical abscess which need special attention.”⁷

Reference: https://www.annalsthoracicsurgery.org/article/S0003-4975(14)01521-5/pdf

Not So Cut and Dry

This is the interesting thing about lots of Science — medicine especially. In some cases, it is not as clear or as certain as you might expect. There is often a bit of an art to it, and general rules need to be flexible and applied patient-by-patient as the situation requires. That said, there are many areas where very solid evidence exists.

I was due for a dental check-up in January anyhow, so was glad to get my teeth cleaned. The removal of plaques will likely not be the make-or-break of my surgery, but every little bit counts. In the end, it is good for medicine to err on the side of conservatism and cautiousness.

“Over 60 years of published data still do not provide evidence on which to make strong recommendations for antibiotic prophylaxis against endocarditis at the time of dental procedures. The 2008 New Zealand guidelines represent a conservative consensus of local expert opinions and seven years after they were written there does not seem to be a good reason to change these recommendations.”³

Still, I didn’t need those antibiotics, even going by the conservative guidelines. Prescribe your antibiotics appropriately and finish your scripts, even if you’re feeling better!⁸

Mā te wā 👋

https://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info/panoramic-xray ↩︎
Nishimura RA, Otto CM, Bonow RO, et al. 2014 AHA/ACC guideline for the management of patients with valvular heart disease: a report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2014;148:e1–132. ↩︎
https://bpac.org.nz/bpj/2015/june/endocarditis.aspx ↩︎ ↩︎
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5454162/ ↩︎
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4985400/ ↩︎
https://jada.ada.org/article/S0002-8177(19)30333-2/fulltext ↩︎
https://www.annalsthoracicsurgery.org/article/S0003-4975(14)01521-5/pdf ↩︎
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/sociology/articles/10.3389/fsoc.2020.00007/full ↩︎

My First PPTA Remit

finn@lesueur.nz (Finn Le Sueur) — Thu, 23 Feb 2023 00:00:00 +0000

At the end of last year, I took over as the Post Primary Teachers Association (PPTA) Representative at my local school Branch. This is an unpaid, voluntary role where you work to disseminate news to branch members and to assist in voting on collective agreements etc. Unsurprisingly, it is actually quite a bit of work, but I love it. Unions feel extremely important to me, and I believe in them quite thoroughly as a concept. You only need to look at countries where unions are being attacked to see how workers (real human people) are taken advantage of, to see why we need them.

In speaking to union members this year while our collective bargaining has stalled, I heard a lot of frustration. Frustration both about the bargaining, the perceived weakness of the PPTA, and the relative costliness of our subscription fees. Interested, I looked up a list of unions in Aotearoa (New Zealand) and hunted around for the fees that each union pays.

PPTA Dues & The Market

I didn’t have time to search up the dues for all 110 registered unions, so instead opted to sort by membership and check the top 20. We were only one of two that calculated dues as a percentage of salary. The rest all used a flat rate that often varied depending on the number of hours you worked.

I attempted to prorate the flat rates to match Step 11 of the PPTA Secondary Teachers Collective Agreement (STCA). This is $90,000 NZD as of March 2022 (the last time it changed).

Union	Membership	Annual Dues
New Zealand Public Service Association Te Pukenga Here Tikanga Mahi Incorporated	75,419	$621.40
The New Zealand Nurses Organisation Incorporated	50,658	$587.76
New Zealand Educational Institute Te Riu Roa Incorporated	50,259	$704.00
E Tū Incorporated	48,624	$445.64
First Union Incorporated	30,554	$452.40
New Zealand Post-Primary Teachers Association Incorporated	19,300	$900.00
New Zealand Meat Workers And Related Trades Union Incorporated	12,312
New Zealand Police Association Incorporated	11,370	$614.64
The New Zealand Tertiary Education Union Te Hautu Kahurangi O Aotearoa Incorporated	9,921	$720.00
New Zealand Dairy Workers Union - Te Runanga Wai U Incorporated	8,211
Te Uniana O Nsnz Incorporated	5,895	$235.00
Unite Incorporated	5,316	$364.00
Association Of Salaried Medical Specialists Incorporated	5,141	$1,200.00
Rail And Maritime Transport Union Incorporated	5,004	$457.60
Association Of Professionals And Executive Employees Incorporated	4,554	$501.60
Amalgamated Workers Union New Zealand Southern Incorporated	3,814
Northern Amalgamated Workers Union Incorporated	3,584
Corrections Association Of New Zealand Incorporated	3,480	$465.00
New Zealand Air Line Pilots Association Industrial Union Of Workers Incorporated	2,655	$810.00

Horrifyingly, you can see that secondary school teachers pay the second most in union fees out of the top 20 in Aotearoa. This is compounded when you realise that many people with higher salaries and more aggressive and successful unions pay far less in subscription fees. The only union that asks for more in dues is ASMS - the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists which is for senior doctors and dentists. Clearly, they are in a salary league of their own (200k+, I’m sure).

Where Does It Go?

Well, you can read the financial statements of the PPTA online and see a detailed breakdown, but, here is a summary.

Over the past three years, the PPTA has made a large surplus, As of March 2022 they have $5,795,094 cash at the bank and $11,185,491 in investments. It, therefore, stands to reason that our dues could be reduced to 0.75%.

If dues were 0.75% in the 2022 financial year ending March 2022 the PPTA would still have received $9,675,190.50 in subscriptions. This would be a decrease of $1,510,300.50. Per the summary table below this would still have left the PPTA with a surplus of $1,196,145.50.

	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022
Subscriptions	9,897,916	10,518,916	11,441,529	12,397,389	12,900,254
Surplus	586,193	26,052	1,121,313	2,539,027	2,706,446
	Reference	Reference	Reference	Reference	Reference

0.75% Dues in the Real World

For someone on Step 11, their annual dues would be reduced from $900 to $675. While this may at first glance seem a small number, to many PPTA members, this could make a large difference. Given the current significant rise in the cost of living this change, even if for a limited time will make a positive material difference for many and show the PPTA is responsive to the needs of its members.

Where To From Here?

I did the only reasonable thing that a representative of my union colleagues would do and drafted a remit to request that our dues be reduced from 1% of annual salary to 0.75%. Now, the PPTA is nothing if not democratic, so it is important that these things are voted on and debated. The first step is for my local branch to decide if a majority are in favour of us even asking the PPTA to change the fees. One Google Form later and we are voting, excellent.

If I am quite honest, I have hopes that this will gain a majority at my branch, but I do not expect it to pass at the Annual Conference. But that is often not the point of these things, the point is for the PPTA to feel the pressure of the membership to be responsive to our needs and our desires. After all, our dues are what employ them. We are their bosses, not the other way around. If the executive of a union does not represent you, you kick them to the curb.

You Want to Participate?

I have good news for you, I have a template of the remit, a template email to send to your branch members, and a template Google Form. Get stuck in, get your members the representation they deserve and fight for your rights!

33C in the Classroom

finn@lesueur.nz (Finn Le Sueur) — Wed, 01 Mar 2023 20:34:45 +1300

Sometimes you can feel like a broken record, but, every February in Christchurch it gets hot. Like 30C and over. Now, that temperature is one thing when you’ve built buildings and lifestyles around it. Here, we have not.

The school I teach at has a wide variety of buildings. Some are brand new, well-insulated and climate controlled, while others get both too hot in summer and too cold in winter, with very little to help them either way. Ultimately, some classrooms end up being over 30C while also filled with 30 students trying to do some work. This is not good for students or teachers. They don’t do their best work, and neither do we.

The temperature in my classroom one afternoon.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

You can ask school management about this, but ultimately they don’t have the budget to fit out each school with heat pumps or other air conditioning. It simply costs too much and the government doesn’t provide enough funds for the installation, the maintenance, or the ongoing electricity costs for 100 heat pumps in a large school.

It’s time for the Government to step up and fund schools adequately. It’s time for them to do the right thing for their rangatahi. It’s time for them to provide a safe and comfortable working environment.

The Letter

Find your member of parliament here.

Chris Hipkins: chris.hipkins@parliament.govt.nz
Jan Tinetti: jan.tinetti@parliament.govt.nz
Kelvin Davis: kelvin.davis@parliament.govt.nz

Then find your local MP. Mine in Christchurch Central are:

(Labour) Hon Duncan Webb: duncan.webb@labour.org.nz
(National) Hon Dale Stephens: dale.stephens@national.org.nz

Dear Hon Chris Hipkins, Hon Jan Tinetti, Hon Kelvin Davis, <Your MPs Here>,

I am writing to you today to encourage you to improve the funding given to schools for capital works such as retrofitting air conditioning units in classrooms.

Many classrooms are old and do not have suitable climate control or insulation. This leads to them becoming both too hot and too cold during the extremes of the year. This year, on at least one occasion, my classroom registered 33.1C on the inside. When I asked my school what they could do about it, they replied that there was not enough funding to fit out all classrooms with air conditioners. Secondary to this, there is not enough funding for schools to pay maintenance or electricity costs for such a large number of air conditioners.

This is simply not good enough. Classrooms with 30 students and a teacher, in a temperature of over 30C is unsafe. Students do not do their best work in those conditions, and neither do teachers. It is time for this to change!

Please, on behalf of the rangatahi who are to be the future of this country, give them the best environment possible to learn and become leaders of the next generation.

Ngā mihi maioha,

Nā, <Your Name Here>

Newton - Three Passes

finn@lesueur.nz (Finn Le Sueur) — Thu, 26 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Thu Dec 26, 2024 Download GPX D1: To Newton Creek Hut	25.84km 7:29:29	3.45km/hr 1423m ⬆️, 849m ⬇️
Fri Dec 27, 2024 Download GPX D2: To Julia Hut	19.93km 11:01:22	1.81km/hr 1229m ⬆️, 1346m ⬇️
Sat Dec 28, 2024 Download GPX D3: To Park Morpeth Hut	18.39km 10:49:25	1.70km/hr 1590m ⬆️, 1302m ⬇️
Sun Dec 29, 2024 Download GPX D4: To Mud Flats Hut	18.85km 8:12:43	2.30km/hr 967m ⬆️, 1304m ⬇️
Mon Dec 30, 2024 Download GPX D5: Out	22.71km 7:40:22	2.96km/hr 575m ⬆️, 964m ⬇️
Total	105.71km 45:13:21	2.34km/hr 5784m ⬆️, 5765m ⬇️

Three Passes is a classic South Island route, but it is somewhat inconvenient being quite an end-to-end trip, probably involving an expensive car relocation. This modification allows you to cross all three passes, as well as the more challenging Newton Saddle and to make it a loop. Ideal.

Day 1: To Newton Creek Hut

There was a good-sized sized carpark at the Arahura and we left the car there with our new steering wheel lock attached. Since it would be there for 4 nights we hoped it would deter any would-be menaces. With the sun blazing and a big trip ahead, we set off!

The track starts as described: across private land. It’s all pretty simple here, although we were already sweating! Once you cross the Cesspool and get a great view of the river (and also a potential swimming spot) the track becomes an old logging road and so is quite wide and well-formed, but often dips down into washed-out creeks and across river fans. There are also a couple of sections of boulder-hopping next to the river but they were nothing to be concerned about.

Having made great time to Lower Arahura Hut (3hrs) where we had a large lunch of Christmas leftovers and topped up on coffee and sunscreen, we powered on, knowing that the harder section was to come.

Speaking of washed-out creeks: there was a short slog up an unnamed washed-out creek which was surprisingly hard work. From there the track climbed quite high above the river - to the point where it was out of sight and almost out of hearing. You cross a completely epic waterfall which comes (near vertical) crashing out of the trees and past you into the forest below. Thankfully, it is not so steep that you can’t sidle through it - although, this would be a less-good time if it had been raining recently.

The turnoff for Newton Creek Hut was obvious and the track descends steeply toward the river. The swing bridge is excellent and the section of track on the true right of the Arahura is picturesque in the extreme. The climb to Newton Creek is unrelenting and probably in the range of 50-70deg at times. It is hard work but over reasonably quickly. From the top, it is a nice sidle and then a quick descent down to the creek before reaching the hut.

We got to the hut just before 7 pm, so still had some sunlight to warm up in after a quick splash in the river to remove some of the day’s dirt and smells. Much too cold for a proper swim, though!

☕️ Cream cheese and jam bagels; watermelon, grapes, and pineapple (leftover from Christmas).
🌮 Ham, tofurkey, and smoked Gouda cheese in a wrap (more leftovers).
🍴 Baked beans (dehydrated at home) and mashed potato (bought dehydrated).
🍫 A hot chocolate and some actual chocolate.

Jen entering some beautiful bush near the start of the track.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Jen admiring the bridge across the Cesspool.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

One of the countless stream crossings of the trip.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Crossing the bridge to climb up to Newton Creek Hut.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Across the creek you have to rock-hop upstream until you find the track.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Day 2: To Julia Hut

The day started nicely and we were out the door before 8 am. What started as a track quickly became river travel, boulder-hopping, waterfall-bouldering and cutty-grass-bashing. This continued until we got out of the scrub and finally followed some markers toward Newton Saddle. The view from the saddle is stunning!😍

One of the other trampers at the hut tried to reach the saddle on her own but didn’t make it. We found a few places where it would be easier to progress with a partner to give you a boost or a hand up certain parts.

The descent from the saddle into Dunns Creek was a bit naff: it was very steep, tussocked, and slippery (it wouldn’t be very fun if it were damp underfoot). The travel down Dunns Creek was much the same as the travel up from the other side, but there were a few extended sections of bush travel when the river became impassable. In the end, we reached Dunns Hut after 5.5 hours and were very pleased to see it. It has recently been done up and looked awesome, even sporting a couple of double-glazed windows.

From Dunns Hut the travel was quite nice (if a bit boggy) to the saddle just below pt. 824. The steep descent down to Mid Taipo Hut was a knee-smasher after having just done Newton Saddle but we made it to Mid Taipo in about 1hr 50min ahead of the 2hrs indicated by the sign. Pretty pleased with that!

The track to Julia Hut starts as a bit of a highway, being 4WD width and well-formed. It becomes slightly less nice after the bridge across the Taipo, but still completely lovely compared to Newton Saddle! I was feeling pretty pooped by this point so ate all my remaining snacks for a bit of a morale boost. In the end, we clocked in at 11hrs door to door (with about 1hr stopping time).

The hut was unfortunately full so we pitched the tent, made some dinner (burned both our tongues) and climbed into bed around 9:15 pm. Big day in the office and probably a bigger one tomorrow!

☕️ Muesli & instant coffee with dehy oat milk.
🌮 Tuna, avocado and smoked Gouda in a wrap.
🍴 Dehydrated bolognese with an avocado that got squished (RIP).
🍫 A hot chocolate and some actual chocolate.

The track to Newton Saddle becomes overgrown almost immediately.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Starting to get warm now that the sun has reached the valley! The track has dissolved into river travel.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Jen avoiding slippery rocks while clambering up the creek.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Looking back at Newton Creek from Newton Saddle.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Making our way down Dunns Creek.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

One of many beautiful waterfalls with bluffs on the side of Tara Tama in the background.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Clambering down the knee-smashing chute to the Taipo River.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Crossing Hura Creek where we saw two whio.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

The track up to Julia Hut was excellent.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Stunning views and Southern Rata in bloom up the Taipo River.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

I think this was our first three-wire bridge, but Jen disagrees! I can’t remember.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Day 3: To Park Morpeth Hut

What a day! We woke early but were slow to break camp, having forgotten about the admin of packing down a tent. We hit the track around 8 am and for the first few kilometres, it was very nice, well-formed and in beautiful bush. We even saw another three whio!

After some time the track enters the creek, but the travel is much easier than anything Newton or Dunns creeks had to offer, so we felt good about that. Also, as with Newton and Dunns creeks, the “markers” are dazed and confused: you should basically ignore them once you are on the river and just go where looks the best to you.

We did, unfortunately, miss the turnoff for the track to Harman Pass. But, we blame the orange triangle on the opposite side of the creek upstream of the turnoff. Crazy! Having backtracked and sent it straight up the hillside to intercept the actual track the rest of the ascent to Harman Pass was totally fine (if steep). The turnoff is somewhere around -42.931793, 171.4153 on the true left.

We cruised along until just above one of Ariels Tarns where we stopped for lunch and also opted to dry out the sopping-wet tent from the morning dew. From there, the travel was pretty straightforward: some boulders hopping up to the snowfields on the East side of White Horn Pass. We put on our microspikes (thanks, Neil and Becky!) and headed on up. We passed a lone hiker whose two friends had absconded to climb a nearby peak. They were intending to meet back up and reach Park Morpeth Hut later (yikes!).

The view was absolutely stunning over both of the passes, and looking down into Cronin Steam was a bit intimidating but the route was actually very reasonable. We didn’t find it at all sketchy and managed to get onto a good trail well above the river (thanks, Remote Huts!). We could tell the route was much better because we powered past a group of three who were battling away down near the creek. We stuck to the true left and kept a lookout for the promised tarn and orange marker to get back onto a track. It came much later than we thought, but we found it in the end. From there it was a straightforward amble to the hut along a well-formed track (as promised).

We claimed our beds for the night, dropped our packs and headed to the Wilberforce for a greatly needed and well-earned clean. We both washed our tops and I washed my shorts, but the sun went down shortly after and they were still damp in the morning (gross).

☕️ Muesli & instant coffee with dehy oat milk.
🌮 Tuna, avocado and smoked Gouda in a wrap.
🍴 Mushroom and cannelloni bean ragu (dehydrated at home) and mashed potato (bought dehydrated).
🍫 A hot chocolate and some actual chocolate.

The track up to Harman Pass is very well-formed and cut near Julia Hut.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Once in the riverbed, the track is no more and you just go wherever works!
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Don’t miss the turnoff out of the riverbed on the true left.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Ariel Tarns and Whitehorn Pass
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Having a great time on the snow field with our loaned microspikes. Much lighter than our proper crampons!
📷 Jen

Jen on the snow field, not far until the top!
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Starting the descent down the west side of Whitehorn Pass.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Jen made a shade attachment on her hat from an empty food bag.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Stunning tarns and bogland near Park Morpeth Hut.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Day 4: To Mud Flats Hut

We started early, having had very poor sleep and being woken early by the other party in the hut. The climbers got in around 11 pm (pitched their tents) and it sounded like their spirits were high, which is impressive given the epic day they must have had! We headed out feeling good and looking forward to the shorter day, slightly cooler temperatures and lots of time to read our books in Mud Flats Hut. The travel was straightforward to the bottom of Browning Pass, and the zig-zags mostly made sense, except for when they didn’t. When we lost them, we tended to go straight up until we could find another snowpole. The last few hundred meters were very steep and would be quite challenging to go down. They are exposed on loose rock and poor visibility of where to go. We later met a party that was going west to east and the weather was not looking good, so we gave them a heads-up about this potentially challenging/dangerous section.

Browning Lake / Whakarewa is super beautiful but I struggled to get a good photo of it (the lens wasn’t wide enough). The trail goes around the west side of the lake and then descends down to the creek below. The track is all really good through here and we didn’t have any problems, which made for a nice change. The river travel was also pretty good - you don’t need to cross the creek until quite near the turnoff. That said, just like the rest of this trip: you can mostly go where works best for you as long as you are going in the right direction.

We hit Harman Hut at midday, perfect timing for an early lunch (compared to previous days). There we met two hunters who were out for a big trip. We soon trucked on but I was having a sad time with my feet - they had swelled and were starting to rub in new places (tops of my toes). Not a fan! The amazing swingbridge across Harman River made for a great interlude to the second half of the day, too. Then, after some morale-boosting snacks at the junction to Styx Saddle I felt a good deal better and distracted myself by looking and listening for deer on the track (three seen). As we neared Mud Flats Hut it started to spit, but thankfully it didn’t start pouring until after we reached the hut. Great success.

We claimed our beds and were thankful to have been there first because a party of 5 turned up shortly after, and then three more who were at Park Morpeth with us the prior night. Two cups of tea, dinner, a hot chocolate and some chocolate later we were ready for sleep.

☕️ Muesli & instant coffee with dehy oat milk.
🌮 Tuna and smoked Gouda in a wrap.
🍴 2x packets of spicy noodles.
🍫 A hot chocolate and some actual chocolate.

Hammer Falls looking stunning in the early morning.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Part way up Browning Pass.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

The Wilberforce!
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Harman River looking lush.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Not too far from Mud Flats Hut now..
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Day 5: Out

The rain blew through (mostly) overnight, so we headed off with grey skies above and sore feet (for me at least) below. The ground was boggy, the forest was damp and there was lots of animal sign throughout the day but we only saw one deer.

The track is super good basically all day except for the same washed-out creeks etc. as mentioned above in Day 1. We powered on, making good time and trying to beat some of the forecast rain. Alas, it was not to be and the rain hit us around 1 pm. We pulled on our jackets (for the first time all trip!) and our backpack rain covers and continued on. The only pitfall of the rain was that the track was definitely more slippery than when we first walked it. This made for slower going in some places and Jen had a good slip on a tree branch, and I was grumpy at a couple of rocks.

By the time we got to the car we were wet and both wished we had invested in a hydrophobia Earth Sea Sky jacket. The colours are not to our liking: they just look old. But, the mid-thigh length would have been a blessing. I, for one, had wet jockeys. Awesome.

We pulled off our wet clothes, struggled into some dry ones and headed home footsore, tired and smelly, but feeling reinvigorated for having had an adventure.

☕️ Muesli & instant coffee with dehy oat milk.
🌮 Tuna and smoked Gouda in a wrap.
🍴 Fish and chips at home!

The lush forest was accentuated by the low light and morning mist.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Back across the very cool waterfall in between Newton Junction and Lower Arahua Hut
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Rain clouds gathering in the distance..
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Jen - properly sodden - crossing the Cesspool, almost back at the car.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Alps2Ocean

finn@lesueur.nz (Finn Le Sueur) — Thu, 09 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Thu Jan 9, 2025 Download GPX D1: To Lake Poaka Campsite	91.17km 10:14:48	8.90km/hr 601m ⬆️, 870m ⬇️
Fri Jan 10, 2025 Download GPX D2: To Ahuriri Bridge Campsite	75.97km 8:55:38	8.51km/hr 676m ⬆️, 769m ⬇️
Sat Jan 11, 2025 Download GPX D3: To Akatarawa Camp Site	45.41km 5:58:14	7.61km/hr 552m ⬆️, 693m ⬇️
Sun Jan 12, 2025 Download GPX D4: To Duntroon Domain	55.10km 5:57:50	9.24km/hr 287m ⬆️, 427m ⬇️
Mon Jan 13, 2025 Download GPX D5: To Ōamaru!	54.82km 6:11:35	8.85km/hr 602m ⬆️, 738m ⬇️
Total	322.47km 37:18:05	8.64km/hr 2718m ⬆️, 3497m ⬇️

Day 1: To Lake Poaka Campsite

The sun was shining and we were excited to head off with our fully laden bikes! After a false start with the vehicle relocation and having our helicopter delayed by 1.5 hours, we finally got to the beginning of the trail!

The first part of the trail is easily the slowest-going and roughest section, probably because it is the least cycled (helicopters are expensive). Still, it is plenty beautiful and we had a nice time cycling in the sun. Our first mechanicals of the trip were my fork bags coming loose, and then Jen’s crank falling off (twice)! With both of those fixed, we trundled on. The track becomes better and better as you go along, coming onto the road for a while before re-joining a dirt track along the bottom of Lake Pukaki and the Pukaki Flats Track. Super beautiful.

We trundled into Twizel for a quick pre-dinner ice cream and then headed off to Lake Poaka Campsite. The campsite was spacious and not very busy. The only water options are the lake (filled with ducks) and the canal. We opted for the canal which was only a short walk up from our tents.

Em looking stoked about getting started.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Team photo before setting off.
📷 Kind Stranger

Waiting (and waiting) for our helicopter ride.
📷 Kind Stranger

Finally at the track start!
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Trundling along Lake Pukaki.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Day 2: To Ahuriri Bridge Campsite

The day started alongside the canal, offering good travel down to Lake Ōhau. From there it meanders around the lakeside on a nice gravel track and joins the road near Lake Middleton. From there it follows the road up to Lake Ōhau Lodge where we happily lunched and drank a lot of coffee (real coffee!). Rain clouds loomed as we headed off up Tarnbrae Track and some thunder boomed in the distance. We had a period of moderate rain reach us but it dissipated before we reached camp, allowing us to dry off a little which was appreciated. Also appreciated was the 24/7 hut with vending machines of drinks and ice cream near the end of Quailburn Road. So good!

But, before we reached the ice cream we passed through Quailburn Campsite which would be a nice place to stay. We found it exceptionally quiet with a good loo and a creek nearby. This would be a great option!

Ahuriri Bridge Campsite is very large and offers many possible camping sites but has the downfall of being near the main road (traffic noise) and lacking a good water source. The only real option is one of the small braids of the Ahuriri River, which has a lot of farming upstream. Not exactly the most enticing. We opted to boil the water for dinner and fill our drink bottles in Ōmarama the next day.

Some nice lines from the campsite.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

The gals ready to go on day two!
📷 Finn Le Sueur

A cute corner on the canal.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

🐅
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Rain clouds looming around Lake Ōhau.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Em cycling into the distance on Tarnbrae Track.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

24/7 snacks!
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Day 3: To Te Akatarawa Campsite

In the morning we trundled into Ōmarama to pick up some cheese and salami for our next few lunches; topped up our water bottles at a tap we found and headed off toward Lake Benmore. The track is very nice for the entirety of this day and it was all very straightforward. The only climbing of significance is a few short sections around the lake after Sailor’s Cutting. From there is a fun descent down to Benmore Dam which is all very impressive. Em was particularly stoked to see it and we spent a good amount of time looking around before heading down the north side of Lake Aviemore to Te Akatarawa Campsite.

The campsite is quite large, although, not as large as Whānganui Campsite just down the road. We found a flat space, pitched our tents, paid our fees, and enjoyed the evening sun. It turned out we were down the more “retired” end of the campground, so it was very relaxed and peaceful.

Everything is stunning through the valley.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Cycling around the little peninsula.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

My (mostly) trusty bikepacking setup ft. a solar panel.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Some picturesque hills and nice downhill around Lake Benmore.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Lake Aviemore in the distance.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Em really excited about Benmore Dam.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Day 4: To Duntroon Domain

We had quite a lazy morning because we knew we had a shorter day of cycling coming up and didn’t leave camp until about 10:30 am. Once we got going we made good time down Te Akatarawa Road to Aviemore Dam. After that, the trail crosses the dam and follows alongside Otematata Kurow Road until Kurow. We stopped there for lunch at Feliz and Sage Cafe, which we enjoyed. They were kind enough to let us eat our packed lunch, but we did order some coffee, slices and scones. Mmmmmmmm.

From Kurow the track follows a mostly 4WD trail in the forest nearer the Waitaki River. It is quite scenic but occasionally rocky, especially when crossing minor tributaries to the Waitaki.

When you come into Duntroon there is a short detour through the Duntroon Wetland which is all very delightful. There are lots of signposts and it would be well worth taking the time to walk through and enjoy once you have parked the bikes for the day.

The Duntroon Domain makes for a great campsite: there are lots of spaces, a kitchen with kettles, power and a fridge as well as hot showers! Wahoo! We all had a good wash and headed out for dinner at the Duntroon Hotel, which we all quite enjoyed.

Jen checking out Aviemore Dam.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Me chillin'.
📷 Jen

Day 5: To Ōamaru

We woke early and were prompt at getting going knowing Katherine and Em had work that night and we had to pick up our car before Cycle Journeys closed. The trail meanders over rolling hills past Elephant Rocks, Māori drawings, whale fossils (which we missed, oops), an old tunnel and cute countryside towns such as Windsor and Enfield.

We lunched at Windsor, sitting on the grass outside their Public Hall (very much closed), enjoying the midday sun which had come out after a cloudy start. The last part of this day had a lot of downhill, which made for easy riding on well-formed trails. In the afternoon, we had coffee at the Fort Enfield Tavern and enjoyed a break from the sun. From there, it was one last climb up to Weston and then a slow descent into Ōamaru and out to the wharf! We got a little turned around as we avoided the Hollywood filming that was going on in town, but eventually made it to the ocean and later our car.

Some beautiful sedimentation layers.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Jen and Em trying to pat the calves.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Made it to the ocean!
📷 Kind Stranger

Tongariro Crossing

finn@lesueur.nz (Finn Le Sueur) — Sat, 26 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Sat Apr 26, 2025 Download GPX
Tongariro Crossing

21.92km
5:29:01

4.00km/hr
980m ⬆️, 1394m ⬇️

After we finished we headed to Ohakune—a ski town near Mount Ruapehu, where we had an Airbnb booked. We did a huge pile of laundry, lit the fire and got into the hot tub, knowing that we had a shuttle booked to do the Tongariro Crossing the next day!

We rolled out of bed early so that we could drive about 1 hour to the Tongariro Crossing Carpark where we were due to get picked up by the shuttle. A bus arrived and a very cheerful driver took us around to the start of the crossing. We shuffled out of the bus and joined a crowd of people waiting to use the loos before hitting the trail.

For the first half of the crossing we were in a fairly consistent line of people, occasionally overtaking others, and occasionally being overtaken. In classic Great Walk style, the trail was incredibly well-formed and all you had to do was turn up with enough fitness to put one foot in front of the other!

The day started nicely with some blue sky peaking through gaps in the clouds, but as we ascended to South Crater, the clouds began to close in. By the time we reached the crater proper, the visibility had dropped dramatically, the wind had picked up, and we were getting damp! The jackets went on and we hiked on. Thankfully, I only spotted a few pairs of jeans that day. I imagine there are far more ill-prepared people during the on-season. At least when it’s starting to get cold, people get the message. Mostly.

We were still in the cloud as we descended to the Emerald Lakes, so we didn’t get to see the classic views of the lakes all laid out before you. I had great fun scree-ing down this section, though. Love a good scree, me. As we continued to descend, the weather eased off. The wind died off and we dried off as we got out of the cloud. By the time we got down to the bushline, we were flying. It was almost tempting to jog it!

At the northern exit of the crossing, there is a carpark in the bush, and it looks like some companies must come and pick you up there (nice for them), but we had to walk down to our car out on the main road. Still, it was only an extra 1km of downhill, so it’s not like it was much to ask.

Overall, we had a great day out, and even though we didn’t get to see some of the classic views due to the weather, we had a nice time chit-chatting and working our muscles.

Hayleigh and Jen in the lead as we set off. Some blue skies peeking through.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Lots of good colours in this group. Outfits well chosen, team!
📷 Finn Le Sueur

The big climb of the day in the distance!
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Hayleigh putting in the hard yards on the climb to South Crater.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Jen laughing at some long-forgotten comment.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Traversing South Crater in the mist.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Heading up the final climb from South Crater.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Jen powering through the crowds in an effort to stay warm.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Jackets on and all wrapped up, except the legs, of course.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Me waiting for the others on the scree slope to the Emerald Lakes.
📷 Tim Hall

Selfie time!
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Stillllll in the cloud.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Some of the ridicously nice track on the way down!
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Back in the lush bush. Track still nice!
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Cuuuuuute, guys.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Old Man-Slaty-Browning-Middy-Fell Circuit

finn@lesueur.nz (Finn Le Sueur) — Fri, 26 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Sat Sep 27, 2025 Download GPX To Old Man Hut	18.39km 8:13:31	2.24km/hr 1735m ⬆️, 895m ⬇️
Sun Sep 28, 2025 Download GPX To Slaty Hut	9.18km 3:49:49	2.40km/hr 903m ⬆️, 622m ⬇️
Mon Sep 29, 2025 Download GPX To Browning Hut	16.16km 6:32:53	2.47km/hr 856m ⬆️, 1740m ⬇️
Tue Sep 30, 2025 Download GPX To Middy Hut	16.54km 5:40:14	2.92km/hr 913m ⬆️, 1216m ⬇️
Wed Oct 1, 2025 Download GPX To Mt Fell Hut	13.91km 6:45:03	2.06km/hr 1998m ⬆️, 890m ⬇️
Fri Oct 3, 2025 Download GPX Out via Mt Richmond	17.55km 7:22:26	2.38km/hr 942m ⬆️, 1914m ⬇️
Total	91.73km 38:23:56	2.39km/hr 7347m ⬆️, 7277m ⬇️

Day 0: Lake Chalice Hut

In the morning, I dropped Korra 🐕 at the kennels before we packed the car and headed north to Blenheim (and beyond!). The weather was looking dicey across much of the island, but the Richmond Ranges looked like they’d escape the worst of it. There might be some rain, but nothing like what was forecast for the West Coast and the divide.

Needing somewhere to stay for the night — and not minding a short side quest — we parked up a very long forestry road and walked the 2.5 km, 400 m descent to Lake Chalice Hut. The track is wide and well-formed, so it was quick going — only about 30 minutes to the hut.

We’d originally considered walking around the lake that evening, but when a bit of drizzle blew in, we opted for a short wander to the lake and then lit the fire in the hut instead.

🍴 Dahl with rice
🍫 Hot chocolate

Jen speeding down the track to Lake Chalice Hut.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Lake Chalice Hut!
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Exploring the lakefront before dinner. It was too late to do a full circuit.
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Back up the trail we go the next day!
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Steeeep but pretty in the morning sun.
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Day 1: To Old Man Hut

18.39km (1735m 🆙, 895m🔻) in 8hr 13min @ 2.24km/hr.

In the morning, we ate a quick breakfast and hiked back up the way we came in about 45 minutes. From there, we drove down to Jackson’s Creek picnic area, where we parked the car and began our main hike. Side quest: completed!

From the picnic area, the track is very relaxed, however, our packs were anything but. We were carrying seven days’ worth of food (with some extra, just in case), along with heavier winter clothes and sleeping bags. About an hour in, we reached the so-called “Forks Route” junction. From there, the track continues fairly reasonably, climbing in and out of creeks and skirting around a slip. We stopped for lunch at a lovely waterfall just over a kilometre from the base of the main climb.

The climb itself is unrelenting and steep — made tougher by our unaccustomed pack weight. Still, we kept plodding on, and things eased up a bit after Point 1056, although there were still some sharp pinches where the gradient kicked up again. The track isn’t particularly well-formed, but it’s very well marked, with plenty of orange triangles to follow.

Once you reach the saddle on the ridgeline between Old Man and Point 1522, the track becomes much more defined — a trend that continues all the way to Old Man. There’s even a water barrel near the summit, which would be ideal during the hotter, drier months.

For us, it was now raining (or maybe we were just in the cloud — it was hard to tell in the wind). We didn’t linger at the summit, quickly heading across to Old Man Hut. The track here is well formed, though there are a few short uphills and a couple of small, partially exposed rock scrambles — probably not much fun if it were snowy!

We found the hut empty — a trend that would continue for the rest of the trip. We quickly lit the fire, changed into dry clothes, scoffed down a pile of food, and climbed into bed. It had been a big first day.

☕️ Muesli & coffee
🥜 Nut bar x2
🌮 Hummus, cheese & salad wrap
🍴 Moroccan couscous with vege mix-ins
🍫 Hot chocolate & some chocolate

Examining the tall looking hills knowing that we’ve got to get up there today with our weighty packs.
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Creek hopping.
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First of many cheese & hummus wraps.
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Grinding up the very steep face with our heavily laden packs.
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Glad to be on the main track to Old Man, now, but it was colder than expected!
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A light dusting of snow really made the aesthetic.
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The uphills never quit.
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Day 2: To Slaty Hut

9.18km (903m 🆙, 622m🔻) in 3hr 49min @ 2.40km/hr.

It was a grey day when we woke, but at least it wasn’t actively raining — always a bonus. We tidied the hut (of course) and headed back up the steep, rooty access trail to rejoin the Alpine Route. At the top, we were back in the wind, so we threw on our jackets and powered along the ridge past Old Man, continuing on toward Slaty Hut.

There’s a sharp, scree-covered descent off Old Man into a nicely forested saddle, followed by the very pleasant Ada Flats. From there, we looked east and spotted the untracked ridgeline I had originally planned for us to take from Mt Richmond to Ada Flats. We were glad not to be doing that this trip. Maybe another time — with smaller packs. In summer.

From Ada Flats, there’s one final climb before the track sidles below Slaty Peak and to the hut, which, by the way, is absolutely adorable. During a short break in the weather, we caught a glimpse of Mt Rintoul to the southwest and were reminded of a previous trip, when we were also stuck in the cloud and missed out on the promised stunning views. Alas.

The hut is in great condition and has a large woodshed — although it looked like some animal had been sleeping in amongst the sticks. We spent an hour or so collecting and cutting wood before heading inside to read our books. It was a very windy night, and more rain came through than we were expecting, so I decided to try to get a weather forecast the next day.

☕️ Muesli & coffee
🥜 Nut bar & some lollies
🌮 Hummus, cheese & salad wrap
🍴 Orzo bologanse
🍫 Hot drinks & chocolate

Heading back up to Old Man after some sleep. Legs still feeling tired!
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Some nice views along the way after the weather broke.
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Dappled sunlight and mossy forest.
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Almost back at Old Man. Would have been a perfect day if not for the howling wind (not pictured).
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Hood up, head down, charging on.
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Grassy Flats looking picturesque.
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Slaty Hut nestled on the bushline.
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Almost there! It wasn’t a long day, today.
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Day 3: To Browning Hut

16.16km (856m 🆙, 1740m🔻) in 6hr 32min @ 2.47km/hr.

We headed off in good spirits, knowing there wouldn’t be quite as much uphill today. Thank goodness! If we had realised how our quads would feel after more than 1100m of descent, we might have felt differently.

I got a quick forecast update when we popped into reception on the north side of Slaty Peak before powering on. We found great resistance to our speed in the form of a blustery headwind, which made it hard to stand or walk in a straight line at times when crossing by Mt Starveall. We were pleased to greet Starveall Hut, which was a tad more sheltered. We discussed the weather forecast and decided we would push on to Browning Hut, 1.25 hours past Hacket Hut (our original destination). This would, we reasoned, allow us to skip Rocks Hut and go straight to Middy Hut, thus gaining us a day.

The descent from Starveall to Hacket Creek is steeper than it looks on topo, and is quite unrelenting. Nothing emphasised this more than the man we passed, who was heading uphill and said it felt “endless”. Sorry, mate, you’ve still got a couple of hours to go.

We travelled along Hacket Creek for some time, crossing frequently and doing our best to not slip on the lichen-covered rocks. We were both feeling a bit sore and grouchy, so we were more than pleased to reach Hacket Hut, situated on a nice big clearing in the sun. Delightful.

From there, we reached Browning Hut in about an hour. The track is well-formed, and the low river route is certainly passable, despite the graffiti on the DOC sign. The last kilometre climbs steadily up a 4WD-width track before reaching the hut.

We had plenty of afternoon left, so foraged and chopped a lot of wood with an excellent hand-saw (not something you can often say about tramping hut saws). The hut itself lost the sun fairly early due to the tree, but we sat on the woodshed edge and read our books in the sun until it was time for dinner.

☕️ Muesli & coffee
🥜 2x nut bars & lollies
🌮 Hummus & cheese wrap
🍴 Taco rice
🍫 Hot drinks & chocolate

Saying goodbye to Slaty Hut in the morning.
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One of a few short climbs today.
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Jen gesturing about something long forgotten. Howling wind.
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Bonus points if you can spot Starveall Hut in the distance.
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Starveall hut! Ready for quick lunch a to figure out where we were going to stop for the night.
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Stunning forest on the way to Hacket Hut.
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More creek hopping.
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The beginning of river travel and rock hopping along Hacket Creek.
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Part of the very nice trail from Hacket to Browning. Delightful.
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The ’low flow’ river track up to Browning.
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More fast-moving track just before Browning Hut.
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Day 4: To Middy Hut

16.54km (913m 🆙, 1216m🔻) in 5hr 40min @ 2.92km/hr.

We were supposed to get up at 7am, but I stuffed up setting an alarm, and we both snoozed until 8:30am. Whoops. We packed and ate quickly and headed off. It was a short but steep climb Tōtara Saddle, where we got yet another forecast update; boy, is it useful to have intermittent cell service when the weather is dicey.

From the saddle, we turned north, sticking to the Te Araroa trail to Rocks Hut. The trail meanders up and down from point to point, often popping out onto rounded and tussocked tops, and dropping down into mature forest. I was struck by the size of the trees in some sections!

Jen was out front setting a punishing pace. She didn’t want to spend 8 hours (DOC time) walking. In the end, it would take us just over 5 hours. Plenty of time for rest! We ate lunch in the sun at a picnic table outside Rocks Hut and drank coffee from the thermos before taking the short and direct trail down to the valley floor.

The trail down is mostly quite nice. It is steep in parts and relatively moderate in others, but is quite rooty the whole way down. I wondered if that was because the ground is easily eroded, leaving the roots visible, or if they grow near the surface to inhibit erosion and thus ensure support for the tree. I’ll have to find a botanist to ask!

Right near the hut is a great swing bridge across the Pelorus River, situated above what looks like an amazing swimming hole. By the time we got settled into the hut and foraged and cut more wood, the day had cooled off and we no longer felt like a dip. Perhaps another time in midsummer!

☕️ Muesli & coffee
🥜 Nut bar & lollies
🌮 Hummus & cheese wrap
🍴 Dahl
🍫 Hot drinks & chocolate

Saying goodbye to Browning Hut in the morning!
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Beautiful bush on the way to Tōtara Saddle.
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Big open tops on the way to Rocks Hut.
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Setting off on a definitely-not-three-hours descent to Middy Hut.
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Some of the pleasant forest on the way to Middy Hut.
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Day 5: To Mt Fell Hut

13.91km (1998m 🆙, 890m🔻) in 6hr 45min @ 2.06km/hr.

5:45am, the alarm goes off. We roll out of bed, inhale breakfast, and coffee we prepared the night before. On go the hiking clothes, coffee for the thermos gets made, the wraps get pre-made.

6:30am, the hut is tidy, headlights are on heads, and backpacks are on. We are off! We trot down the track and quickly find the turn off for the Middy to Mt Fell Route, although not before Jen heads back to the hut to check under the bed for something that fell on the floor.

From the turnoff, the track climbs unrelentingly and very steeply through a series of zig-zags up 700m to point 900. From here, it generally eases off, alternating between beautiful forested saddles and ridges, and sharp pinches of 100-200m climbing. The final climb to Conical Knob was especially steep.

As we approached the chain ladder and point 1496 the westerly wind picked up, and a little bit of rain came in. Simultaneously, the track became more exposed to it. Still, we had plenty of warm clothes left to put on and felt safe continuing. That was until the Westpac Rescue Helicopter turned up and circled nearby us, watched us climb the chain ladder and hovered just west of 1496. We tried to wave hi and give the “ok” symbol, but we’re still unsure what they were doing. It was a little disconcerting, though! I checked my Garmin inReach to ensure I hadn’t bumped the SOS button. Nope, all good.

From there, the track drops to a saddle marked 1411, which was really pretty, in spite of the wind and rain. We found the last climb to Mt Fell scrambly and interminable on our tired legs. The scramble was a little sketchy in the wind and rain, but nothing we were overly concerned about. We continued to be quite exposed to the westerly wind until after the turnoff to the Mt Fell Hut.

In the end, we made great time and beat the worst of the weather. Both were great successes in our books. We had plenty of time to eat a late lunch, forage for wood and chop it up. Previous hut-goers had left nary but a single log and a large pile of smaller sticks. We soon rectified that.

☕️ Muesli & coffee
🥜 Nut bar x2 & lollies
🌮 Hummus & cheese wrap
🍴 Baked beans, mash potato & cheese
🍫 Hot drinks & chocolate

It was an early start to try beat the worst of the weather on the way to Mt Fell Hut.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Steep with lots of treefall to begin with.
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The sun finally came up and boy was it beautiful to see the sun poking through the forest amongst the ferns.
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Some of the ridgeline was nice and wide, offering easy travel.
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Stunning views back toward the Pelorus River.
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More massive treefall in very mature forest. Still very steep!
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Jen climbing the ‘chain ladder’ below point 1496.
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The Westpac Rescue Helicopter came and watched us climb the chain ladder and summit point 1496. It just hung around. Weird.
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Windy and misty tops on the way to Mt Fell.
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Spirits were high despite the inclement weather.
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Amazing looking tussocks not far from the Mt Fell Hut junction.
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Some very open bush near Mt Fell Hut. Lots of opportunities for wood foraging.
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Day 6: Rest Day

We aimed to gain a day earlier in the trip so that we could have a rest day here at Mt Fell Hut. We knew our legs would be tired and, more importantly, that some rain was blowing through on Wednesday and Thursday. We didn’t want to be crossing Mt Richmond in that!

It was fairly cold overnight, with some frost inside the hut and plenty outside of it. We used much of the wood pile we had gathered the previous day and so, we had a slow coffee and breakfast before heading out into the nearby woods to forage for wood. Lots of it. We spent over two hours collecting and chopping wood, although much of it was too wet for immediate use and would need to dry out in the shed.

Jen also took this opportunity to trim the tussocks sticking out onto the track to the toilet and fill in some of the muddy spots with wood-chopping debris. Hopefully, all of this is appreciated by future trampers!

We whiled away the rest of the day in our sleeping bags in front of the fire, reading our books, drinking tea and generally relaxing. Fingers crossed for good weather on the final day out!

☕️ Muesli & coffee
🥜 Nut bar & lollies
🌮 Hummus & cheese wrap, spicy noddles
🍴 Taco rice
🍫 Hot drinks & chocolate

Day 7: Out

17.55km (942m 🆙, 1914m🔻) in 7hr 22min @ 2.38km/hr.

In the evening, two hikers arrived at the hut and were pleased to find the fire lit and the hut nice and warm. They were doing the same loop as us, except starting and ending at a different point, and also over three days instead of 6. Bonkers!

As they were up early for a big day, we were also up promptly. This turned out to be a good thing as searching for the 1942 wreckage of the Kereru took longer than expected.

After climbing up from the hut to the track junction at the saddle, we followed the reasonably well-formed track toward the saddle south-west of point 1613 as per the Topo50 tiles. Around 1480, we sidled off the track and descended to where we thought the wreckage was (according to some quick Googling). Alas, we were much too low and had all but given up and were headed back to the track directly above (west) of us, when we happened upon the wreckage scattered down the hillside.

The plaque commemorating the is at -41.47198, 173.40973 on a medium-sized bluff. Most of the wreckage is scattered directly below the impact zone next to the plaque and should be easily found once at that location. To see how mangled the fuselage was and how there was still metal jammed in the rock face where it impacted was really rather grim.

Once we got back to the track, it was a straightforward rock-hop to the saddle and then a steep but relatively short climb to Mt Richmond. The view was epic—finally! Having been beset by poor weather and clouds during this trip and our prior one in 2020, we were stoked to see some views.

The descent down the west side of Mt Richmond to Richmond Saddle Hut was quite steep and the ground was unstable in sections, but by taking it slow, there is no real problem. That said, the quads were feeling a bit smashed by the time we reached Richmond Saddle Hut and we were pleased to have an early lunch. From there, the track sidles through the bush before reaching a great spur with a wide track that allows for fast travel. I assume the views would have been great if we weren’t in the cloud!

The last variation on this trip was to drop off at point 715 toward Wellington Mine in the bush below. This was because Richmond Saddle Road was closed when we left and because it would save us a little distance (and maybe time?). The bush was passable and there was a nice creek to navigate down for a while, but I really don’t think it saved us that much time. Still, pretty entertaining, even if Jen is covered in scrapes a few days later. Worth it.

☕️ Muesli & coffee
🥜 Nut bar & lollies
🌮 Hummus & cheese wrap

Sunrise on Mt Fell Hut.
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Jen powering along the trail toward Johnston Peak.
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Mt Richmond on the far right, Johnston Peak in the middle and some wreckage of the Kereru somewhere on the face below.
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Mt Fishtail and nearby points like islands in the sky.
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Plaque to the Kereru crash.
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Mt Fell almost swamped in cloud.
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Me looking up toward Mt Richmond
📷 Jen Rouse

Jen taking Mt Richmond one step at a time.
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We were being watched.
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Richmond Saddle Hut! Lunch time.
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History of the Kereru crash.
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Some of the beautiful forest on the way back down.
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Almost back at Top Valley Stream and the car.
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Kōwhai-Fyffe-Hāpuku

finn@lesueur.nz (Finn Le Sueur) — Fri, 14 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Fri Nov 14, 2025 Download GPX D1: To Kōwhai Hut	9.74km 2:46:12	3.52km/hr 368m ⬆️, 74m ⬇️
Sat Nov 15, 2025 Download GPX D2: To Hāpuku Hut	19.16km 7:48:31	2.45km/hr 1608m ⬆️, 1575m ⬇️
Sun Nov 16, 2025 Download GPX D3: Out via Hāpuku River	7.99km 2:36:49	3.06km/hr 237m ⬆️, 649m ⬇️
Sun Nov 16, 2025 Download GPX D3: Bike Shuttle	17.42km 1:30:26	11.56km/hr 287m ⬆️, 230m ⬇️
Total	54.31km 14:41:58	3.69km/hr 2500m ⬆️, 2528m ⬇️

Day 1: To Kōwhai Hut

To make this trip work as a complete loop we dropped our bikes at the Hāpuku road end (locked to a fence, hidden in some bushes) and drove to the Kōwhai road end. The first trick was getting the bikes there, and despite managing to get four bikes on the car for the Alps2Ocean trip, we couldn’t quite manage it this time around. In the end, we took off one of Jen’s pedals and strapped her bike to the roof.

With what felt like the aerodynamic efficiency of a fridge, we made our way to Kaikōura. By the time we stashed the bikes and got our backpacks sorted, the sun was blazing, thus we were glad to walk up the Kōwhai River for a few hours. The river had come up the previous couple of days (according to ECan), but had swiftly fallen back to a normal flow. Which is to say, the river-travel was straightforward, and provided no problems.

After about 6.6km (2hrs), Spainard Spur Track comes down from Mt Fyffe and you can join a well-formed track on the true left of the Kōwhai River all the way to Kōwhai Hut. From the junction, there is only one river crossing left to do immediately below the hut!

We umed-and-ahed about bringing tents, but were very glad to have done so when we reached Kōwhai Hut! The beds were all full (but the hunters were out stalking some prey), and there were already two tents pitched. Three more were to come later in the evening. One of the main goings-on was that Kelly, one of the hunters, had misplaced a jacket the previous weekend on the Hāpuku side of Kōwhai Saddle and was very keen to tell us all about it so that we could find it. After getting some coordinates, we were confident we could!

🥜 Nut bar
🌮 Hummus & cheese wrap
🍴 (I’ve forgotten!)
🍫 Hot drinks & mango rice pudding

Ready to go!
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The beginning of the Kōwhai.
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The Kōwhai above Orange Grove.
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Dreamy track with Kōwhai Saddle visible in the distance.
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Not far now! The hut is on the grass ahead across the river.
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Stunning piece of river near the hut for a wash.
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A couple of hunters did a little al fresco cooking.
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Day 2: To Hāpuku Hut

I woke to wind buffeting the tent in the night, and then again to rain in the morning. Thankfully, it was fairly minimal and by the time I crawled out of bed, it had cleared. On the other hand, Claire and Michael had got up when it started and packed their tent, just in case it got really bad!

We trundled back down the track the way we came yesterday in order to take Spainard Spur Track to My Fyffe Hut. The morning was a little fresh, but we soon warmed up as we got into the sun, and were quickly sweating as we climbed steeply up to Mt Fyffe Hut.

45min to Spainard Spur Track Junction
1hr 40min to Mt Fyffe Hut
1hr 15min to Mt Fyffe summit

This route choice looks rather odd on the map, but Claire and Michael hadn’t been to Fyffe summit, nor over Gable’s End, so we thought we might as well have a big day and tick them all off!

From Fyffe summit (where we lunched), the track follows the ridge with only a couple of short climbs to contend with. It also gives you the first taste of the scree slope that will take you from Gable’s End to Kōwhai Saddle. Claire was a little unsure to begin with, but much more confident by the end. Unfortunately, however, there was one casualty! After >1,000km of hiking, my right boot split open.

We took a short rest just above Kōwhai Saddle before turning off to Hāpuku River. As we were snacking away, a seemingly quite unprepared and uninformed runner came past us. “Is there a hut down there?”, “How far to the road?” We were a little concerned, but heard later on that he got out, so it must have worked out. The track starts with a little more scree before reaching the forest, and soon after, we found Kelly’s jacket on the side of the track where its camouflage had done a great job at blending in with the leaf litter.

At the hut we met two hunters who told us their dog had run off into the bush the day before. They didn’t seem so concerned but asked if we could call out for her on the way down to the car the next day. After they headed out for an evening hunt we attempted to chop some wood for the fire, but the axe was possibly the bluntest we’ve ever seen, and the saw wasn’t much better. Still, it was enough to take the chill off, and then to completely overdo it and make it too warm. Whoops!

☕️ Muesli & coffee
🥜 Nut bar x2
🌮 Hummus & cheese wrap
🍴 Baked beans on mash potato
🍫 Hot drinks &

It’s not often we get a group photo before we leave.
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Heading back down the river toward Spaniard Spur.
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A little bit of boulder-hopping to start the day.
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Climbing steeply through the forest on Spaniard Spur.
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Don’t let the pain show!
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Almost a Mt Fyffe Hut!
📷 Claire B

Into the cloud not far from the summit of Mt Fyffe.
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Wiiiindy!
📷 Claire B

Woooh, scree!
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It looks a long way down to the saddle, but it goes quite quickly.
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Back in the tussock on the way to the Hāpuku River.
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Made it to the creek!
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Some beautiful dappled light captured poorly on camera.
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Some extremely safe wood chopping.
📷 Claire B

Day 3: Out via Hāpuku River

After getting back to the hut very late, the hunters also got up quite early to go for another stalk before heading out. We rolled out of bed not too long after them, but were in much less of a hurry to get out. The hunters told us that taking the river to the Hāpuku road end was a good deal slower than the track, despite the significant detour (visible at the bottom of Raven Spur), so we opted to stay high and follow the track.

Shortly before we reached the slip bypass, we heard some mewing and then found a kitten standing in the middle of the track! It didn’t look to be more than a few months old, and its parent was nowhere to be seen. It was very friendly and wanted to hang out so I decided to try to carry it out to the road end, but it was too fidgety and I ended up leaving it. I know that the correct thing to do (ecologically speaking) would have been to kill it, but none of us could bear to do that. Later, we would also find out that the hunters saw the kitten the day before and also couldn’t kill it. Doh. Sorry, native bird life.

The track is fairly uninteresting once it enters the riverbed after the slip, and you will find yourself at the road end soon enough. We stopped there for a bite to eat, a coffee top-up, and to set up our bikes for the pedal back to the car. While all of this was happening, the hunters also got their dog back! It turned out that she had gone back to the car and someone had reported her to the local animal people and she had been picked up for safekeeping.

With backpacks weighing us down, we set off. The first few kms are all on the road, travel is fairly easy. There is some lovely scenery to look at, too! After you turn down Koura Bay Drive and pass the golf course, you enter the first trail section through the forest. From there is another road section followed by a similar trail section, one more road section and then a longer leg on the true left (east) side of the Kōwhai River through the more mature forest. This section was really nice, although we were all battling in the heat! Jen also found a couple of parts challenging with all the weight on the back of her bike; it very quickly put her off-balance if the bike got tipped over at all. Stressful!

We were all very pleased to reach the car after 90 minutes of cycling, and were even more pleased to buy a lot of food and cold drinks at the Night ’n Day before driving home.

☕️ Muesli & coffee
🥜 Nut bar x2
🌮 Hummus & cheese wrap, coffee

Hāpuku Hut!
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Easy trail next to the hut.
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Feral kitten! Tried to carry it out, but couldn’t. Knew we should have killed it, but couldn’t.
📷 Michael T

Travelling dow the riverbed after passing the big slip on the track.
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Bikes rescued and lunch eaten, we’re ready for the final leg!
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Nothing like a bit of speedy tarmac.
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Onto the very easy single trail.
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Pushing hard to get up every little rise with a heavy backpack on!
📷 Claire B

Lake Daniell

finn@lesueur.nz (Finn Le Sueur) — Sun, 18 Apr 2021 00:00:00 +0000

Sun Apr 18, 2021 Download GPX
Lake Daniell

17.10km
2:02:08

8.40km/hr
337m ⬆️, 329m ⬇️

After being very patient with all the driving I was putting her through to do Loop the Lake we decided to stop in Lewis Pass to do a run on our way home. What better run to do after a race than a nice flat cruise into Lake Daniell!

I had been there some years ago to camp the night but couldn’t really remember much about the track or much about the distance (and I hadn’t done my research) but we turned up ready to go! The track is extremely nice the whole way. It is well formed, good underfoot and not too rocky. There are some small climbs, but it is just a gentle undulation with about 150m gain each way. It took us 1hr to run each direction with a quick break at the hut to cool down and stretch the legs.

It was nice to tick this off as a trail run instead of getting Jen to tramp in - it’s a bit short and easy for a tramp these days!

Highly recommended!

Jen on the little jetty on the lakefront.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Wharfedale Track & Mt Oxford

finn@lesueur.nz (Finn Le Sueur) — Thu, 09 Jan 2020 00:00:00 +0000

Thu Jan 9, 2020 Download GPX Wharfedale Day 1: Wharfedale Track	14.62km 3:36:37	4.05km/hr 424m ⬆️, 479m ⬇️
Fri Jan 10, 2020 Download GPX Wharfedale Day 2: Out via Mt Oxford	14.93km 5:29:06	2.72km/hr 1163m ⬆️, 1157m ⬇️
Total	29.54km 9:05:43	3.25km/hr 1587m ⬆️, 1636m ⬇️

Day 1: Wharfedale Track

Overall, this day is super cruisy. The track is very well-formed, the incline gentle, and the distance not too far. It starts out up a 4WD track and after 1.7km (20min, 34m ⬆️) you will meet the Link Track and the Ryde Falls Track junctions. These routes are for if you are doing the Mt Oxford Loop.

Continue on for another 7.6km (1hr 45min, 152m ⬆️) to reach the Wharfedale Saddle. Somewhere around halfway along this section, you will encounter a nice little clearing by a stream in the bottom of a small hillside valley. This is a perfect place for lunch.

Jen climbing to Wharfedale Saddle
📷 Finn Le Sueur

The descent down from Wharfedale Saddle is as gentle as the climb up. After 1.6km (20min, 95m ⬇️) you will reach the Black Hill junction. Take this turn if you are headed up to Black Hill Hut for the night! If you, like us, are headed for Wharfedale Hut, continue on with the gentle descent for another 3.4km (45min, 147m ⬇️).

Enjoy the hut, it’s cute! But be aware that there is not any water directly at the hut. You need to continue along the track briefly to reach a little stream. The water is generally drinkable, but as always, you may not wish to drink it without first boiling it.

Day 2: Mt Oxford Track

To complete our overnight adventure we decided to make it a loop, instead of hiking back the way we came. To do this we first went up the Mt Oxford Route. This route is a very, very, rude awakening in the morning, so be prepared! It is 3.6km long, and it took us 1hr and 45min with 581m of vertical gain! Be prepared to go slow.

From here it is 2.7km (56min, 229m ⬆️) to the summit of Mt Oxford. It first dips down before climbing back up to above the tree-line and into the tussocks. If the weather is inclement or windy (it is almost always windy), be prepared traverse along the exposed tops for over 1km, to an equally exposed summit. Here you can shelter behind a rock wall to have some snacks before heading back to the junction. The return trip took us 43min!

The last thing to do is to descend back down the View Hill - Mt Oxford Track for 5.05km (1hr 25min, 576m ⬇️). The track is a mix of steep, gravely descent, and some nice flatter forest walking. Take your time and look after your knees! Mine sure were suffering by the time I got back to the car.

Jen secending View Hill - Mt Oxford Track
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Custom Hugo Figure Snippet

finn@lesueur.nz (Finn Le Sueur) — Sat, 11 Apr 2020 10:12:19 +1200

Hugo is a really nice way to write a blog - your writing is stored as plain text and by using Markdown you can introduce some nice basic HTML formatting. Markdown allows you to have HTML inside the same file by adding the following flag to your config.toml file:

[markup.goldmark.renderer]
 unsafe=true

However, if you want to use Hugo’s functions inside HTML which is inside your Markdown file, that is not allowed. Enter, Hugo snippets ! In your theme (mine is called hugo-finn) create the directory layouts/shortcodes/ and inside this directory create a snippet file (mine is called figure.html).

These snippet files are special because any Hugo functions inside the snippet are parsed, before the snippet itself is parsed into the Markdown file. Read the full shortcode documentation here.

Here is how I call my snippet, where src, title, and author are the arguments passed to the figure.html snippet.

{{< figure name="" title="" author="" >}}

And, here is how the snippet works, where the main takeaway is {{ .Get "src" }} is how to get an argument input!

{{ $img := (index (.Page.Resources.Match (print (.Get "name") ".*")) 0) }}
{{ $img512 := (index (.Page.Resources.Match (print (.Get "name") "-512.webp")) 0) }}
{{ $img1024 := (index (.Page.Resources.Match (print (.Get "name") "-1024.webp")) 0) }}
{{ $img2048 := (index (.Page.Resources.Match (print (.Get "name") "-2048.webp")) 0) }}
<figure>
 <a href='{{ $img.Permalink }}' title='Full size image: {{ .Get "title" }}'>
 <img
 srcset='
 {{ $img512.Permalink }} {{ $img512.Width }}w,
 {{ $img1024.Permalink }} {{ $img1024.Width }}w,
 {{ $img2048.Permalink }} {{ $img2048.Width }}w'
 sizes="(min-width: 780px) 584px, calc(100vw - 16px)"
 height="{{ $img.Height }}"
 width="{{ $img.Width }}"
 src='{{ $img.Permalink }}'
 alt='{{ .Get "title" }}'
 loading="lazy"/>
 </a>
 <figcaption>(📷: {{ .Get "author" }}) {{ .Get "title" }}</figcaption>
</figure>

Pretty sweet! I’ve even got :figure mapped as a text expansion shortcut so I don’t have to remember the syntax each time!

Happy developing!

– Finn 👋

References

Comyns-Cookies Circuit

finn@lesueur.nz (Finn Le Sueur) — Fri, 11 Nov 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Fri Nov 11, 2022 Download GPX Comyns-Cookies D1: Comyns Hut	16.28km 4:05:36	3.98km/hr 938m ⬆️, 536m ⬇️
Sat Nov 12, 2022 Download GPX Comyns-Cookies D2: Cookies Hut	15.68km 5:02:27	3.11km/hr 234m ⬆️, 394m ⬇️
Sun Nov 13, 2022 Download GPX Comyns-Cookies D3: Out	14.14km 3:32:20	3.99km/hr 429m ⬆️, 683m ⬇️
Sun Nov 13, 2022 Download GPX Comyns-Cookies D3: Bike Shuttle	12.03km 0:39:44	18.16km/hr 256m ⬆️, 224m ⬇️
Total	58.13km 13:20:07	4.36km/hr 1857m ⬆️, 1837m ⬇️

Day 1: Comyns Hut

16.28km (938m 🆙, 536m🔻) in 4hr 5min @ 3.98km/hr.

Detailed Timings

1:05 to Conservation Area (4km)
0:35 to Turton’s Saddle (1.85km)
0:42 to A Frame Hut for 17min lunch (3.53km)
1:26 to Comyns Hut (6.76km)

The track starts as an overgrown single-track which works its way up an easement on the east side of Glenrock Stream. Some of the trail is eroding into the stream but simply follow it up. The ground trail is obvious and some poles lead the way.

After a short while, it joins a 4WD farm track which you will follow through to Comyns Hut. The track climbs steadily, crossing a couple of tributaries which will dry up during the summer months. At the bottom of the switchbacks, you cross a fenceline out of farmland into Hakatere Conservation Park.

After you gain Turton’s Saddle a nice ridgeline takes you down towards A Frame Hut. We found the saddle infested with flies - we suspect that they hatched from larvae in the mud. The saddle looks like it would be a bit marshy during winter. This is probably a short-lived occurrence, however. A Frame Hut an extremely cute and is located next to Comyn’s Stream which comes down from Black Hill Range. It carries quite a lot of water. We felt that we were far enough from farmland to re-fill our bottles here.

After A Frame Hut, the track merges with Turton’s Stream, which you can meander down, following the easiest-looking route to you. Make sure you move true left onto the 4WD track that climbs to Mutton Gully. A short gorge exists below the gully, although we did hear later that it is passable in low river flows. Perhaps a good adventure for another time! We also spotted three sheep grazing at the top of the gorge on some nice green grass. They were looking pretty shaggy, so I imagine they got out a while ago!

As you round the corner out of Mutton Gully, Comyns Hut will pop into view. It is situated on some lovely tussocked flats just upstream of the confluence with the Hakatere (North Branch Ashburton River).

Jen cruising up towards Turton’s Saddle.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Looking down Glenrock Stream from Turton’s Saddle with the Wilberforce in the distance.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Motoring along Turton’s Saddle being assaulted by flies.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

A Kārearea (New Zealand Falcon) watches us pass by.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Crossing Turton’s Stream on the way downstream.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Day 2: Cookies Hut

15.68km (234m 🆙, 394m🔻) in 5hr 2min @ 3.11km/hr.

Detailed Timings

1:09 to Kings Drive Stream (3.4km)
1:01 to Boundary Creek (4.35km)
1:45 to Cookies Point for 20min lunch (4.85km)
0:47 to Cookies Hut (3.08km)

We woke early due to some kids in the hut and were ready to go by 8 am. The forecast for the day was for rain to arrive in the afternoon, so we were happy to get going. The skies were blue, which was a good omen and we hoped it would last.

The first hour of travel down the Hakatere is delightful. The valley is wide and the river low. Going is easy. There are a number of nice campsites down here, so you could definitely bypass the hut if it’s looking busy. Kings Drive Stream is quite a large tributary and river crossings after that point require a little more care and attention.

Another hour of walking will see you arrive at the Boundary Creek confluence - another large tributary. At this point, the valley narrows significantly and you enter a gorge. The going is more challenging through here, but we did not find it impassable. There is some clambering on rocky banks when crossing is not an appealing option. One particularly sharp horseshoe bend looks like it can be climbed over, but we opted to cross the river and got wet butts instead.

In the last 1.5km to Cookies Point, the gorge slowly starts to open out. The Hakatere still flows fast and deep but the consequences of going for a swim as not as severe. We lunched at Cookies Point in the company of 100+ gulls - possibly Karoro (Souther black-backed gull).

A short 50min walk up Swift River sees you at Cookie’s Hut. Thankfully despite its fast-flowing nature, Swift River doesn’t carry much water and presented no challenges. Interestingly, however, Swift River was a murky white colour. This was a stark contrast to the Hakatere which was a beautiful clear blue. It must be picking up lots of sediment on its way down - but I’m not sure why the Hakatere would not also pick up sediment.

Cookie’s Hut is in a great location and condition, with views up Middle Creek and Swift River towards Tribulation Hut. It also has a fireplace, but the glass pane has fallen out (or been removed?).

Easy-going riverbed and low matagouri on the Hakatere.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

A wide section of riverbed on the Hakatere.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

The Hakatere begins to narrow as you get further down.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Jen looking at me questioningly as we consider clinging to rocks alongside the rapid.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Lots of what I think are Karoro (Souther black-backed gull) at Cookies Point keeping us company over lunch.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Jen looking up Swift River.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

A Tōrea pango (variable oystercatcher) which we accidentally disturbed on Swift River.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Day 3: Out

14.14km (429m 🆙, 683m🔻) in 3hr 32min @ 4.00km/hr.

Detailed Timings

0:54 to Tribulation Hut (3.9km)
1:15 to Redcliffe Stream (5.15km)
1:23 to road (2.98km)
0:40 bike shuttle (12km)

The walking starts very easy by simply following the Siwft riverbed upstream towards Tribulation Hut. The river has eroded the bank away such that there is a 2m cliff only a few meters from the hut. The hut itself is in good condition and has a new longdrop after DOC reported “lots of bombs in the bushes”. Nice.

We found the supposed 4WD track north of Tribulation non-existent in amongst the overgrown matagouri. We did our best to regain the riverbed as soon as possible and meander up to the westernmost 4WD track marked on Topo250. The easternmost track does not appear to exist anymore.

The 4WD track ends on the edge of a very large cloverfield that covers the entirety of Cookies Flat. Equal parts impressive that they managed to grow it, and disgusting that the station felt the need to intensify some beautiful high-country like that.

Follow a single track alongside the cloverfield until you cross into the top of Redcliffe Stream. The track alongside Redcliffe is overgrown, eroding away hard to follow at times. Cross the fence as you feel appropriate. After briefly merging onto the streambed itself it climbs steeply over a ridgeline and into Jack Stream. It’s unclear to me why this is strictly necessary - I think you could continue down Redcliffe Stream if you felt like it!

Bike Shuttle

12.03km (256m 🆙, 224m🔻) in 0hr 39min @ 18.16km/hr.

I had locked a bike to a bush at the track start on Double Hill Run Rd. Jen had some lunch and a dip in the river while I slogged back to the car in the beating sun.

Getting ready to leave Cookies Hut in the morning.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Jen heading up Swift River from Cookies Hut.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Tribulation Hut nestled amongst the matagouri on the riverside.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Contrasting high-country tussock and coverfield 🤢.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Heading down Redcliffe Stream on poor quality track.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Clambering down Jack Stream, almost at the end!
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Hollyford-Pyke Packraft

finn@lesueur.nz (Finn Le Sueur) — Tue, 27 Dec 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Mon Dec 26, 2022 Download GPX HP D0: Humboldt Falls	1.84km 0:29:24	3.76km/hr 80m ⬆️, 95m ⬇️
Tue Dec 27, 2022 Download GPX HP D1: McKerrow Island Hut 🛶	30.55km 4:54:50	6.22km/hr 189m ⬆️, 248m ⬇️
Wed Dec 28, 2022 Download GPX HP D2.1: Afternoon Walk	5.61km 1:27:32	3.84km/hr 110m ⬆️, 114m ⬇️
Wed Dec 28, 2022 Download GPX HP D2: Martin’s Bay Hut 🛶	21.90km 4:23:05	4.99km/hr 115m ⬆️, 128m ⬇️
Thu Dec 29, 2022 Download GPX HP D3: Big Bay Hut	14.11km 4:05:57	3.44km/hr 296m ⬆️, 300m ⬇️
Fri Dec 30, 2022 Download GPX HP D4.1: Hike to the Pike	12.41km 2:55:03	4.26km/hr 263m ⬆️, 214m ⬇️
Fri Dec 30, 2022 Download GPX HP D4.2: Olivine Hut 🛶	18.52km 2:42:28	6.84km/hr 293m ⬆️, 315m ⬇️
Sat Dec 31, 2022 Download GPX HP D5: Alabaster Hut 🛶	15.00km 2:32:34	5.90km/hr 74m ⬆️, 90m ⬇️
Sun Jan 1, 2023 Download GPX HP D6: Hike Out	22.55km 5:11:10	4.35km/hr 440m ⬆️, 387m ⬇️
Total	142.50km 28:42:03	4.96km/hr 1860m ⬆️, 1891m ⬇️

Jen and I had been looking at this circuit on Packrafting Trips NZ for almost a year. We had originally planned to do it earlier in 2022 but the weather told us no. Thankfully, an excellent weather window popped up and we jumped at the chance to do it.

Day 1: Lake McKerrow Hut

30.55km (189m 🆙, 248m🔻) in 4hr 54min @ 6.22km/hr.

On Dec 26th we drove down from Christchurch and camped for the night. There are many places to camp along Milford Rd – take your pick! We were up and ready to go quite early. We had read that the river is filled with trees, many left over from the storm of 2020. This is certainly true; but with care and understanding of the manoeuvrability of your boat, you won’t have any issues with them. Scout any corners that are unclear.

Whakatipu Kā Tuka (Hollyford River) starts with a couple of rapids to warm you up. One of them has trees across essentially the whole river, however, we found a little channel on the true right which saw us safely through. There is lots of flat river paddling in between the rapids, which is lovely as it allows you to gaze in awe at the mountains around you.

The main rapid to be aware of on this day is Little Homer Rapid. It is Class 3+ and not something to go blundering into. Thankfully, it is very obvious. You can hear it coming up and will see the boulder field which marks its start. Move to the true right and exit the river next to the truly humungous boulder. This is where the portage track starts and it is very obvious. We originally stopped at a little beach before that and found a trapline, but no track.

We found the portage track quite a grovel. We have a double raft which is quite heavy when loaded with gear. Jen was in charge of our backpacks and the paddles but wasn’t faring much better in the mud. Still, better than trying to send the Little Homer Rapid!

From the portage, it is pretty easy sailing down to Lake McKerrow Hut. The rapid just above the hut was charging when we went through - the wave train was pretty huge. We skirted to the true right and go through unscathed. One last hike-a-boat through the bush sees you at the hut.

Exited and ready to go!
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Trees from the get go.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Amazing river and wet lens from the rapids.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Looking upstream through the bottom of Little Homer Rapid.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Chillin on the way to McKerrow Hut.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Day 2: Martin’s Bay Hut

21.90km (115m 🆙, 128m🔻) in 4hr 23min @ 4.99km/hr.

This day takes some thinking. Lake McKerrow is ~15km long and if a headwind comes up, you need to walk. You will make very little/no progress in the wind. The tricky part is that an onshore breeze (headwind) comes up around 9:30/10am pretty much every day, so you want to be reaching Martin’s Bay Hut at around that time. The second tricky thing is that ideally, you want to catch the outgoing/slack tide so that the last section of paddling to the river mouth is not going against the incoming tide. We were very lucky that a 5/5:30am start would both see us at Martin’s Bay Hut by 10am and that it would catch the most ideal tide. Make sure you check!

Jackson Bay Tides Timetable (Metservice)

DATE	HIGH	LOW	HIGH	LOW
TUE 27 DEC	02:50 2.3m	08:56 0.2m	15:07 2.3m	21:30 0.1m
WED 28 DEC	03:45 2.2m	09:51 0.3m	16:04 2.2m	22:28 0.2m
THU 29 DEC	04:42 2.1m	10:50 0.4m	17:04 2.1m	23:27 0.3m

We started the day with a 4:10am wake-up call, followed by coffee and avo on bread (you can pack nice food when you don’t have to carry it!). We worked around a guided party of eight who were doing the same loop and were on the water at 5:30am. The weather was perfect, with even a slight tailwind helping us across Whakatipu Waitai (Lake McKerrow). We originally planned to paddle near the side of the lake for safety, but the conditions were so nice we just headed straight up the middle.

If you look carefully you can spot some private baches (cribs) hidden among the forest on the lakeside. Amazing. We kinda want one. There’s no road access; you have to get there by boat. We took it easy down the outlet (no rapids) past the fancy Martin’s Bay Lodge to the river mouth. The surf was pretty huge and the clouds ominous. In 2020 the storm carried so much water that the river blew through the dunes and moved the river mouth almost 3km south. This had the effect of leaving a lovely lagoon between the mouth and Martin’s Bay Hut, all you have to do is drag your boat across a short section of sand and then keep paddling! The wind had whipped up a bit by this point and we had a slow time paddling across the lagoon, but still, faster than carrying the boat!

Martin’s Bay Hut is lovely, but the sandflies are pretty vicious. We found the breeze keeps them off you on the beach, though, which is excellent! We walked down to the river mouth for a bit of a better look in the afternoon.

Jen readying the boat as I take photos.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Looking back towards Lake McKerrow Hut to admire the sunrise.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Looking down Martin’s Bay spit.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Tara (White-fronted Tern) at Martin’s Bay lagoon.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Day 3: Big Bay Hut

14.11km (296m 🆙, 300m🔻) in 4hr 5min @ 3.44km/hr.

Despite our tired heads, we had another early start. Big Bay Hut only has 9 beds and the party of 8 was planning on stopping there, so we wanted to be first in so that we could get a couple of beds. We managed to set off about 15min before them but arrive over an hour before them. Success!

The track is a tad overgrown but better than it used to be according to the internet. The first part around to the beach before Smoky Rock was quite muddly and our long multisport paddles were quite a hindrance for Jen. We ended up carrying them by hand so that she could stop getting caught in trees! Turns out packrafting paddles a short for a good reason. Also, make sure you stop at the seal colony at Long Reef – they are so cute. Don’t bother them, though!

You soon get onto the coastline proper and can follow it for a long time. It is pretty rocky but you make good progress. I have marked two cribs on the map. Just after them, you can find a 4WD track in the bush a couple of meters off the rocks. It’s worth getting onto this track if your feet/ankles are sore from the rocks or you just want to move a little faster. We found this track goes up to McKenzie Creek (and possibly further?) but we opted to walk Three Mile Beach in the sand.

We found one tramper having a rest day at Big Bay Hut – he had walked for 14hrs to get there from Olivine Hut the previous day. Phew! We nabbed a couple of beds near the door and headed down to the Awarua River for a dip and a wash. Much refreshed we spent the afternoon reading, drinking coffee and eating snacks. Delightful.

Jen cruising along the coastal track.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Looking out at the epic coastline and moody sky.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Looking towards Three Mile Beach and Big Bay.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Avoiding some big boulders.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

The 4WD track on the way to Three Mile Beach.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Day 4: Olivine Hut

Hike to the Pyke

12.41km (263m 🆙, 214m🔻) in 2hr 55min @ 4.25km/hr.

The party of 8 was heading through to Lake Alabaster Hut, so we had a nice relaxed start to the morning. No need to race for beds! We had lovely weather again, thankfully. It had rained in the night but cleared for the morning. The track up to the Pyke River is of the 4WD variety and is very well formed. It is also very gentle and not at all hard work. We crossed the Awarua River at mid-tide and only just got wet butts. High tide might be another story!

The forest was looking particularly lush but we found the orange triangles get a little sparse near the top. Thankfully you just enter Paulin Creek and follow it down to the Pyke. We reached the Pyke in 3hrs and had a quick lunch before getting into the raft.

Raft the Pyke

18.52km (293m 🆙, 315m🔻) in 2hr 42min @ 6.84km/hr.

We found the flow good at the top thanks to the rain of the night before and made good time. We later heard that it can get a little bumpy in low flows. As we neared Lake Wilmot a southwest wind (headwind) started to whip up; little whitecaps were forming on the river. Not a good sign. Thankfully Lake Wilmot is short, and despite having our speed cut in half due to the wind, we made it across in around 35min.

The river flow is pretty slow in the outlet of Lake Wilmot, but it gains in speed with the confluences of Barrier and Diorite streams. Barrier is fed by Silver Glacier, the Barrier Ice Stream and other parts of the Olivine Ice Plateau which gives it a wonderful milky-white hue. This makes for a pretty amazing-looking interface where it meets with the clear waters of the Pyke. Also visible in this section are a few pretty epic waterfalls in the distance.

We reached Olivine Hut after 2:45hrs on the river where we found the big party. We had (somehow) gained 2hrs on them during the way, but they were going to head off again after a late lunch. All good. The sun was blisteringly hot, so we dried off and had some more food before heading down to the Pyke for a bit of a bath. Freezing.

Around 8:40pm two hikers turned up from Lake Alabaster Hut. It took them 12hrs! The Pyke sounds like damn hard work by foot. Just before their arrival Jen had read about a mouse in the hut book and it dared to show its face! She tried to block off some more holes in its living quarters, but it was probably in vain. Someone ‘ought to bring in a trap/bait.

About to cross Awarua River.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Heading up to the Pyke in the lush forest.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

The dry riverbed of Paulin Creek.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Trying to spot Olivine River.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Diorite Stream waterfall.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Sunset on the Pyke 😍
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Day 5: Lake Alabaster Hut

15.00km (74m 🆙, 90m🔻) in 2hr 32min @ 5.90km/hr.

We knew we had a short day today so we had a nice relaxed start again. I got on the cableway over Olivine River - amazing fun. So slow, though! The sun was out again and blazingly hot. I didn’t wear my paddle jacket it was so warm. We cruised down the Pyke with Mt Madeline and others in the distance providing a stunning view.

Around 10:30am a north-west tailwind popped up which helped us across Lake Alabaster somewhat. In the end, it took us 2.5hrs to reach Lake Alabaster Hut which was much shorter than expected. No bother: dry the gear, read a book, eat food and relax in the backcountry. What more could you want?

We met a lovely family and their two friends at the hut where we had a nice New Years’ Eve. They had caught a rather large fish in the Pyke River and shared it with us. Delicious.

Finn on the Olivine cableway
📷 Jen

A stunning day on the Pyke.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Mt Madeline (I think) in the distance.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Having a wee rest.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Day 6: Out via Hidden Falls Hut

22.55km (440m 🆙, 387m🔻) in 5hr 11min @ 4.35km/hr.

We had a nice sleep-in this morning, too. All we had to do was walk out and find a campsite on Milford Rd. Easy!

We tried to give the bench and sinks a good clean. The water collection system for the hut was/has been broken for a couple of weeks and people had been leaving food scraps in the sink. Gross.

We got on the trail at 11:30am and Jen set a good pace. The forest is beautiful and lush and the trail is extremely well-formed. On the level of a great walk, almost. I will note that you get a much superior view of the mountains from the river than from the track, however!

We lunched at Hidden Falls Hut before continuing to the car. The afternoon heat had set in and we were feeling much less enthusiastic than the morning. Still, we got out in good time and had a thorough bath in the Whakatipu Kā Tuka (Hollyford) before driving out.

Cruising out of Lake Alabaster Hut.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Rather large bridge over a rather small stream.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Stunning forest.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Another excellent bridge with an excellent view.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Some more lush forest.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Cedar - Kokatahi - Crawford - Boo Boo

finn@lesueur.nz (Finn Le Sueur) — Sun, 29 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Sun Jun 29, 2025 Download GPX D1: To Cedar Flats Hut	10.27km 3:20:39	3.07km/hr 685m ⬆️, 360m ⬇️
Mon Jun 30, 2025 Download GPX D2: To Top Kokatahi Hut	8.30km 5:49:01	1.43km/hr 1422m ⬆️, 811m ⬇️
Tue Jul 1, 2025 Download GPX D3: To Crawford Junction Hut	8.36km 5:33:48	1.50km/hr 316m ⬆️, 923m ⬇️
Wed Jul 2, 2025 Download GPX D4: To Boo Boo Hut	9.86km 5:38:33	1.75km/hr 862m ⬆️, 663m ⬇️
Thu Jul 3, 2025 Download GPX D5: Out	9.78km 2:55:21	3.35km/hr 289m ⬆️, 572m ⬇️
Total	46.56km 23:17:22	2.00km/hr 3574m ⬆️, 3329m ⬇️

Day 1: To Cedar Flat Hut

After spending all of Saturday trying to pack for a trip of unknown length we were about ready to get going. We had a prompt start and dropped Korra 🐕 at the kennels before heading across to the West Coast.

As we got walking the weather was a bit mixed: some sun, some clouds, but overall quite still and calm. I was immediately too warm and regretted wearing pants, having left my shorts in the car. Surely—I thought, it would be too cold for shorts. Surely.

The track starts along a farm track before quickly entering the bush. From there it undulates alongside the Toaroha, occasionally popping out on to the riverbed. The riverbed travel was quite slick, the morning dew and prior rain having moistened the lichen. We were happy to regain the bush around Charles Ridge!

From there the track climbs quite unrelentingly but is always well-formed. There is the occasional mud, but honestly, it was never very bad. The descent from the high point (circa 510m) to the hut is relaxed, posing no real challenge. Once back on the river flats, you are mere minutes from the 6-wire bridge to assist you in crossing the Toaroha.

We found the hut in tidy condition (albeit a bit mouldy), with little firewood and nought but a blunt saw and small axe to chop wood. Sadly the head had snapped off the large axe. We spent the better part of an hour chopping wood but it was all quite wet. With a good deal of patience, Jen managed to get the fire going, and once hot enough it managed to burn some of the damper wood.

After dinner, we headed out to the hot pools and found them completely lovely. 10/10. They are situated on the far bank of Wren Creek - not the near side as marked on the Topo50 tiles. We soaked for some time in the sandfly-less dark before trodding back to the hut. We made the trek in under 15min in the dark while wearing crocs!

☕️ Coffee, cheese scone (Sheffield)
🥜 Afghan cookie (Sheffield) and sour feijoas
🌮 Vege pie (Sheffield)
🍴 Dehydrated homemade dhal
🍫 Mango rice pudding

Vege pie from Sheffield for the road. Delicious.
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Jen in the old tramway track.
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Boardwalk! Too nice.
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The boulder hopping begins in earnest.
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A small agility warmup for the trip.
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Miniature forest.
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Jen didn’t want to go pose on the little point :(
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Almost at the hut!
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Crossing the Toaroha to the hut with the Southern Alps in the background.
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In our crocs heading to the delightful hotpools after dinner.
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Day 2: To Top Kokatahi Hut

After a lazy start (I rolled out of bed after 8am!) we hit the track just before 10am. It rained heavily on and off overnight, so we were dressed for the wet. The track up the valley is well formed but muddier than the first day, and it crosses a beautiful gorge via a well-appointed swing bridge. Super cool.

After about 25min we turned off up the Adventure Ridge track and were not disappointed. It climbs relentlessly through the forest, only flattening out right before Adventure Biv (makes sense). The biv is adorable! I don’t think we had seen such a small one before. We nestled inside to eat our lunch and drink our thermos coffee before starting back up the hill.

From Adventure Biv the track climbs steeply and can be quite indistinct and overgrown. There are markers aplenty, but that doesn’t mean it is obvious how to get to them. There is a very steep section up an erosion gully before you reach the open tussock. I imagine it would be easier if you were 12ft tall with legs of a giant!

The track climbs unrelentingly and Jen felt like she was lacking some leg power, but honestly was doing great (over 1000m vert. and counting!). At around 1200m the drizzle turned into snow and at 1300m it started to settle. Things were much colder from that point since touching icy plants (and making the water melt) makes your hands much colder than wet ones.

Enthalpy of Melting: the energy required to change a certain amount of water from solid into liquid.

To melt 1g of ice (with a constant temperature of 0 °C) takes 333.55J of energy, while to raise water from 0 °C to 1 °C takes 4.18J (specific heat capacity). Thus, melting ice by touching it with your hands takes 79.79x more energy than simply touching cold water and warming it up!

More details can be found on Wikipedia or your favourite Chemistry textbook.

We were also graced with the presence of a couple of kea as we neared the ridge. I didn’t managed to get a photo of either of them flying, alas. Interestingly the east aspect of Zit Saddle had a good deal more snow, but thankfully the terrain was much less steep. I even got to do a small glissade!

After getting into the creek, we picked our way down to the hut. Most of the time we preferred to be in or next to the creek, only going high on the bank when a waterfall presented itself.

The hut is small and tidy and had some wood left outside. I went a foraged a bunch more while Jen cut some up and started the fire. Later in the evening the cloud came back in and we were greeted by the local weka. Cute, but no baked beans for you!

☕️ Coffee and ANZAC slice
🥜 Nut bar
🌮 Wrap with hummus and cheese, and coffee
🍴 Dehydrated baked beans and mashed potato
🍫 Hot raro and chocolate rice pudding

An orange pack cover always makes for good photos.
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Jen on the new looking swing bridge across the Toaroha.
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The rapids above the short gorge upstream of Cedar Flat Hut
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The hard work begins!
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A spiderweb in the morning dew and light mist.
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Adventure Biv nestled on a small terrace just above the bush.
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Adventure Biv looking absolutely adorable.
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Not sure why this sign was necessary!
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Looking ahead to the scrub-filled ridge which we were about to ascend.
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Jen climbing through the low scrub and tussock with the Toaroha river in the distance.
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The lighting during the climb was just wow.
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Mt Reeves looking stunning.
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Jen at the top of Zit Saddle!
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One of two kea friends who joined us near the saddle.
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Beautiful textures.
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Clambering down the creek that becomes Kokatahi River.
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Top Kokatahi Hut! Very tidy and warm, although a previous occupant left it stinking of weed 😒
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Top Kokatahi Hut under the Milky Way.
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Day 3: To Crawford Junction Hut

Well, this day was rougher than anticipated. The West Coast always offers some challenging tracks, but being a DOC maintain route I expected easier going!

The frost came in hard overnight and everything was slippery and crunchy when we headed off around 10am. We had hoped that a later start would allow the sun to reach the valley, but in fact, we didn’t get into the sun until late in the afternoon! The route starts as a very well-formed and well-cut track before smashing any hopes of a good track into smithereens on the icy and slippery riverbed. Two fords of the Kokatahi occur within an hour of the hut (not including the one right by the hut), but neither proved challenging at normal flows.

The track cuts in and out of the bush on the true right before reaching a swing bridge. The bridge looks a little unnecessary because the river is particularly crossable at that point. However, I could very easily imagine this route becoming very challenging after/during rain. Once on the true left it continues to hop in and out of the bush, often leaving you to clamber up and down some rather large boulders and vertical faces. This slowed us down more than anything else, I think. That and all the icy boulders!

Our morale was a bit low (read: very) as we made our way down the valley, but we were buoyed by passing the sign to Clarke’s Pass. This told us we weren’t too far from the cableway! Wahoo. The track generally continues to improve as you get closer to the cableway, too. We did, however, miss a triangle (I’m convinced it was missing) for a re-entry to the bush and got stuck on the riverbed. We ended up bashing through a little bit of bush to find the track we were certain was there.

The cableway was fun and a much smoother experience than the one I tried down at Olivine Hut! The crossing was quick and easy, but I think doing it solo with the odd lever thing would have been hard work! From the cableway, the “track” continues down the true right riverbed for a couple hundred meters before entering the bush and arriving at the hut. We saw two whio just before we left the river! Stoked.

Crawford is a very tidy hut with an excellent view of the river confluence with Mt Reeves, Genoa Peak and pt. 1686 featuring predominantly in the skyline. As of this evening we are considering fording the confluence and picking up the Permolat trail to Boo Boo Hut. This is as opposed to going back up the Kokatahi to use the cableway. We will see…

☕️ Coffee and ANZAC slice
🥜 Nut bar, sour patch kids, sour feijoas, chocolate
🌮 Wrap with hummus and cheese, and coffee
🍴 Taco rice with soy protein
🍫 Hot raro and chocolate rice pudding

A frosty start to the day with a beautiful blue sky overhead.
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A quick initial crossing of the Kokatahi to get the day started.
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We didn’t get into the sun properly for the whole day. Plenty of frost, though!
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Dense bush was always available when not on the riverbed.
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Jen plodding.
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A cool creek that travelled under the screen until appearing to come out of the side of the hill.
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Beautiful moss-covered forest.
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Jen’s first cableway!
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The view upstream from the cableway.
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Trundling down the Kokatahi, not far from the hut now.
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A couple of whio (blue ducks) not far from the hut.
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Crawford Junction has an amazing view and gets amazing sunsets.
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Crawford Junction Hut under the stars.
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Day 4: To Boo Boo Hut

During the night we were visited by two local possums! Their presence, and that of much possum poop on the track, explains the dearth of birdsong over the past few days. We’ve seen perhaps 10 birds and heard not many more. Sad times.

We hit the track a little earlier than prior days just in case the day was a long one. This was supposed to be the roughest of the days, with quite an unformed track on the true left of the Kokatahi. It turned out better than we thought, I think!

We began by crossing the Crawford and ambling down the true right of the Kokatahi to cross just above the Blue Duck Creek confluence (as described on Remote Hut). We ended up going too far and the river looked too deep, so we backtracked a little and crossed at a wider spot. There was an even better spot further upstream if you didn’t want wet undies on a frosty morning 🥶

We found the track very well marked if a bit unstable and scramble-y. There were fewer large boulders to clamber over compared to the route from Top Kokatahi, but still plenty of short uphill grunts. For the most part, travel was in the bush, which was also appreciated.

We were pleased to spot the slip near Druid Creek across the river as it meant we were making good progress and that the final climb to Boo Boo Hut was in our near future. We also spotted the big slip under the hut and the three creeks (Maharry, Alice, Pinnacles) right before it. We lunched in the open with a lovely view of the river shortly before leaving the riverside. It took about 3hrs to reach this point.

From here the terrain is fairly steep, dropping in and out of the three creeks before climbing sharply in fits and starts up to Boo Boo. There was plenty of mud, unstable scree and loose rocks to contend with, but we got up the hill in good time. The main complaints were Jen’s tender quads and sore ankle!

The hut was already occupied when we arrived, but thankfully he had lit the fire! It’s a cosy 4 bunk hut with a rather small fireplace, but it seems to do the trick.

The forecast is for the rain to arrive in the early hours of the morning, so it looks like we will have a damp and slippery walk out!

☕️ Coffee and ANZAC slice
🥜 Nut bar, sour patch kids, chocolate
🌮 Wrap with hummus and cheese, and coffee
🍴 Moroccan couscous
🍫 Hot chocolate and mango rice pudding

Looking back up to Crawford Junction Hut nestled at the bottom of the bush.
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Looking for the best place to cross the Kokatahi.
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Epic river and epic scenery.
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Epicly big (slippery) boulders.
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More big boulders and unstable erosion creeks.
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One of many beautiful glimpses of the Kokatahi River from the bush.
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Jen looking for the way forward along the riverside.
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River so blue it looks like someone put food dye in it.
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Looking back to Crawford Junction in the distance.
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A little rock bivvy and water barrel at the top of the climb to Boo Boo Hut.
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An adorable tūī who blessed us with his song near Boo Boo Hut.
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Day 5: Out!

During the night the rain came early, drat! This meant by the time that we woke the track and forest was sodden. Thankfully, there wasn’t much in terms of river crossings that could stop us. All we had to do was walk downhill in the rain, that’s not so hard!

The track, for the most part, was very straightforward. It was well-formed and well-marked, but there were many slippery rocks and unstable steps due to water-soaked ground. Still, easily passable and we made good time down the hill and across the couple of creeks. We reached the bridge across the stunning Whakarira Gorge in just under two hours. Wowee, that is one nice gorge.

From there the track follows some quite flat and picturesque beech forest on the true right of the Kokatahi River. The forest doesn’t go the whole way out, though, turning into farmland after not too long. At this point, the travel becomes quite boggy and cow-trodden. We were plugging some quite deep steps in mud for a while, here! Once you pass the bend just before Prominent Spur the track quality improves before becoming a sturdy farm track in the last kilometre before the access road.

The rain eased off for the last 45-60min which allowed us to dry off a little and to get changed at the car without becoming drenched. At this point, we learned that Korra had been sent to the vet from the kennels with a fever and an infected foot. We picked up some kai in Hokitiki (mmmmm fish and chips) before heading back to see our poor pooch.

☕️ Coffee and ANZAC slice
🥜 Nut bar x2
🌮 Wrap with hummus and cheese, and coffee

A quick snap of Boo Boo Hut in the rain.
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One of the many lush-looking creeks on the route.
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Looking at the top of the Whakarira Gorge.
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Whakarira Gorge looking absolutely stunning.
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The final exit of Whakarira Gorge.
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Stunning forest on the way out to the road end.
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Korra on the sign at the vets. Poor doggo.
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Kelly - Hunts - Taipo Circuit

finn@lesueur.nz (Finn Le Sueur) — Fri, 17 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Fri Jan 17, 2025 Download GPX D1: To Carroll Hut	4.32km 1:35:15	2.72km/hr 782m ⬆️, 21m ⬇️
Sat Jan 18, 2025 Download GPX D2: To Hunts Creek Hut	11.88km 5:19:50	2.23km/hr 778m ⬆️, 1018m ⬇️
Sun Jan 19, 2025 Download GPX D3: To Mid Taipo Hut via Dry Creek	11.37km 6:21:59	1.79km/hr 805m ⬆️, 1312m ⬇️
Mon Jan 20, 2025 Download GPX D4: Out via Dillon and Carroll Huts	22.12km 8:20:44	2.65km/hr 1535m ⬆️, 1533m ⬇️
Total	49.68km 21:37:48	2.30km/hr 3900m ⬆️, 3884m ⬇️

Day 1: To Carroll Hut

We set off in the afternoon knowing that the hike to Carroll Hut was relatively short and that we would be able to do it reasonably quickly. It was humid and steep, but we were stoked to knock it out in about ~1:30. On our last trip in the area (Newton - Three Passes) we really enjoyed all of the red on the hillsides from the Southern Rata, and we were stoked to see they were still in bloom. Just stunning.

The track climbs unrelentingly through the bush and only relaxes a little bit once you reach the treeline. From there it sidles and climbs towards the hut while putting the most stunning views on offer. You can see Otira and the viaduct. Super cool!

There was only one other person at the hut which was nice. We had a lovely dinner (thanks, Jen!) that included fresh veges and flatbreads from home and then climbed into bed. Just after 11pm a family came into the hut and we found out in the morning that there was kea attacking their tents into the night and that they decided to call it quits and come inside. It was also raining a little bit, so it was probably a good call all around.

🍴 Homemade flatbreads with falafel, cucumber, cherry tomato, and hummus.
🍫 A hot chocolate and some actual chocolate.

Jen climbing the very steep track to Carroll Hut through the bush.
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The track is definitely not as steep out of the bush, but still a good effort.
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Looking up toward Arthur’s Pass and the viaduct in the distance.
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Carroll Hut under the setting sun.
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Day 2: To Hunts Hut

We weren’t in any major hurry to leave today with Remote Huts describing the route via the Kelly Range as taking 4-5 hours. We took it slow and enjoyed the scenery – especially the view up the valley containing Hunts Creek. Just spectacular! We started by following the track that eventually descends to Seven Mile Creek but turned off at the tarns and veered towards Pt. 1411. From there it was a straightforward amble along the tops past Pt. 1313 and then descending to the two tarns. We didn’t find the descent to the tarns very easy to follow – the route is not obvious and the low scrub becomes quite dense and hard to navigate. After the tarns, the route climbs back up the ridge for ~20m before the route down to the marsh reveals itself. We were pleased that it hadn’t rained much in recent days and that the marsh was relatively easy to traverse. It would be a very muddy affair otherwise!

From the marsh the route descends alongside (and sometimes in) a small creek before intersecting with the DOC maintained track to Hunt Saddle and Hunts Creek Hut. Once on the track navigation is much more straightforward, however, we found the track is a bit overgrown and very up-and-down. The Topo50 map seems to imply a track that more or less follows a contour, but that is very much not the case. It drops steep in and out of creeks, and climbs/descends steeply rather frequently. In the heat of the afternoon we battled with this section of track, but it meant that the afternoon spent in the hut was quite delightful.

☕️ Home made granola & instant coffee with dehy oat milk.
🥜 Nut bar, miscellaneous lollies, nuts/M&M/pretzel mix.
🌮 Smoked cheese and hummus in a wrap.
🍴 Dehydrated homemade dhal.
🍫 A hot chocolate and some actual chocolate.

Admiring some of the tarns in the morning!
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Jen trucking along the Kelly Range with Hunts Creek on the left in the distance. The hut is located in the tussocked clearing just above the foreground ridge.
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Definitely wondered whether the bush bashing was worth going down to see the tarn..
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Clambering down the little creek that drains the marsh above Hunt Saddle.
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Navigating head height tussocks (very impressive) at Hunt Saddle.
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Jen crossing some large screen with the Kelly Range and Hunt Saddle in the background.
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Hunts Creek Hut looking stunning!
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Day 3: To Mid-Taipo Hut via Dry Creek

We had the hut to ourselves overnight – something that feels more and more like a rare occurance. Feeling well rested, also owing to the many hours spent lazing in the hut the previous day, we headed off for a bit of an unknown crossing into the Taipo via Dry Creek. There is mention made of it on Remote Huts but I couldn’t find any description of how long it might take, other than a group that took 8 hours to ascend Dry Creek from the Taipo side. It was also mentioned a bunch in the hut book, but no timings. Still, the sun was out, we felt good, and there was some great backcountry travel ahead of us!

The track starts through some tall tussock and then bush before popping out into the scrub and onto a large moraine-like jumble of rocks. From here the track dissolves into the tussocks and scrub. We found the ground very rutted in the tussocks, so instead opted to walk up the creek instead once that was an option. This decision was made easier by the warmth of the day! It was very straightforward to follow the creek up until an actual moraine. After passing through the moraine we took an immediate right, climbing up toward a spur next to the prominent scree slope.

The scree slope had evidence of being walked, but we thought the spur would be easier to climb. Perhaps the scree would be better on the way down? After gaining the basin at the top of the spur we veered south-west, aiming fairly directly for the saddle between pt. 1707 and 1555. The descent of Dry Creek starts with a short section of scree before turning into pleasant tussock and riverbed travel. None of it was particularly challenging, but you had to take care with your footing. Having a single walking pole was definitely of use for this section.

As the creek narrows, make your way down as you see fit. I would say that we stayed mostly to the true left of Dry Creek, but did hop across when a section looked a bit impassable. Where the creek intersects the Taipo River simply hop onto the trail and enjoy the cruisy track to Mid Taipo Hut. It took us about 2:45 to gain the saddle above Dry Creek and another 2:45 to descend Dry Creek (including a lunch break).

We, again, had the hut to ourselves! What a delight. We had a wash in the freezing cold Taipo before cooking ourselves alive in the very toasty sun-warmed hut and reading our books.

☕️ Home made granola & instant coffee with dehy oat milk.
🥜 Nut bar x2, miscellaneous lollies, nuts/M&M/pretzel mix.
🌮 Smoked cheese and hummus in a wrap.
🍴 Dehydrated baked beans and instant mash potato.
🍫 A hot chocolate and some actual chocolate.

The first boulder section just above the main bushline.
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Looking down on Hunts Creek in the valley below
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One of many well-placed but occasionally hard to spot cairns.
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About to hop into Hunts Creek for some easier travel.
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Jen climbing up from Hunts Creek with the eroded moraine in the background.
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Climbing the first spur next to the prominent scree slope to the basin below pt. 1707 and 1555.
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Jen looking epic with the Barron Ridge in the background.
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I asked for a selfie but something tells me Jen wasn’t super stoked.
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Jen taking the intial scree down into Dry Creek.
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Some tikumu (mountain daisies) in Dry Creek before it gets properly steep.
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The cruisy Taipo River track just above Mid Taipo Hut.
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Jen on the bridge just upstream of Mid Taipo Hut.
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Day 4: Out via Carroll Hut

We had a big day—both in terms of kilometers and vertical, lined up, so we hit the track fairly promptly. It was warm already and we got off to a trucking start. Jen was on a mission and I was struggling to keep up (and I kept falling behind while taking photos).

The valley is super beautiful and it was nice to enjoy some flatter walking before turning off to the Kelly Range. We stopped at Dillon Hut and found it very tidy and in good condition. This surprised me a little bit because it is quite accessible from the road end which came sometimes lead to huts being disrespected. I was glad to see this wasn’t the case here!

We also popped into Dillons Homestead for a quick look (smells like open fireplace!) before heading up Seven Mile Creek and onto the obvious spur. The track climbs steeply and unrelentingly toward the Kelly Range with only the shortest of breathers along the way. There is a great view over a slip out to Seven Mile Creek about halfway up. Don’t fall!

Once we reached the tarns we were pleased to get some respite from the uphill. The sun was still blazing and I for one was dripping with sweat. We cruised along to Carroll Hut where we had some food, replenished our water from the creek and headed down to the car. The descent was steep but quick – I think we were looking forward to having a dip in Kellys Creek before driving home.

☕️ Home made granola & instant coffee with dehy oat milk.
🥜 Nut bar x2, miscellaneous lollies, nuts/M&M/pretzel mix.
🌮 Smoked cheese and hummus in a wrap.

Jen crossing Hura Creek just downstream of Mid Taipo Hut. We saw two whio here last trip!
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Jen crusing along the river flats in the morning sun.
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A short section of sparse bush and 4WD-style track.
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Jen in a short section of bush.
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Lichen covered rocks make for wobbly steps! Jen was powering away – I could barely keep up!
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Jen on Scotty’s 3-wire bridge which has replaced the cableway.
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Jen suffering in the heat on the long climb up to Kelly Range above Seven Mile Creek.
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Almost at the top! Camera got all steamed up.
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Thankful for a little downhill on the way back to Carroll Hut before heading out to the car.
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Pinchgut Hut

finn@lesueur.nz (Finn Le Sueur) — Sat, 27 May 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Sat May 27, 2023 Download GPX Pinchgut D1: In via Mt Thomas and Whare Route	12.00km 3:46:59	3.17km/hr 1029m ⬆️, 1009m ⬇️
Sun May 28, 2023 Download GPX Pinchgut D2: Out via Bobs Camp	16.45km 6:00:15	2.74km/hr 1260m ⬆️, 1313m ⬇️
Total	28.45km 9:47:14	2.91km/hr 2289m ⬆️, 2322m ⬇️

Day 1: Pinchgut Hut via Mt Thomas & Whare Route

12.00km (1029m 🆙, 1009m🔻) in 3hr 46min @ 3.17km/hr.

I originally planned for Jen and I to do this trip in 2022 but we never got around to it, so when we were sitting on the couch bored on a Friday night and the weather looked okay, everything was already researched and ready to go!

We started late in the day but were confident that we would make it to Pinchgut Hut in good time, and we were not disappointed. While not at our physical peak, both feeling significantly detrained, here were our times:

Mt Thomas via Summit Track: 1hr 20min
Whare Route Junction: 1hr 10min
Pinchgut Hut: 1hr 15min

Because we started late we didn’t stop for lunch, preferring to snack while we walked. The track starts quite nicely but quickly becomes a direct assault on the ridgeline. It climbs steadily, with only 2-3 flat sections to catch your breath. Near the top you exit the pine forest into a more typical Canterbury high country shrub and forest. Here, the track eases off a little bit so you can regain some composure before reaching the summit.

From the summit the track undulates through some lovely tussocked ground before re-entering the forest just before you reach the Wooded Gully track. From there it climbs to Point 1043, undulating all the while. After Wooded Gully the track also continues to decline in quality, becoming muddier and rootier the further you go along.

The junction for the Whare Route is well signposted and very obvious. It follows the ridge for quite a long time, popping in and out of the trees, giving you some truly beautiful views of the surrounding hills – especially nice on an autumnal afternoon.

You reach some larger clearings around Point 552 before descending sharply to Pinchgut Hut. The track continues to be in good condition, very clear, and well posted with orange-capped snowpoles.

Jen and Korra just before Mt Thomas summit.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Jen descending towards Wooded Gully Track junction.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

On the way to Whare Route junction – sick views.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Korra enjoying a bone and looking adorable in her jumper.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Sunrise at camp while doing the dishes in Pinchgut Stream.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Day 2: Out via Cattle Peak Route & Bob’s Camp Bivouac

16.45km (1260m 🆙, 1313m🔻) in 6hr 0min @ 2.74km/hr.

Bob’s Camp Junction: 2hr 20min
Whare Route Junction: 56min (12:13pm)
Ridge Track Junction: 30min
Out: 1hr 27min

We woke early because Korra was trying to get out of the tent, and standing on our faces in the attempt. After a standard breakfast of oats with an obscene amount of brown sugar, plus a nice aeropress coffee, we headed off!

The track climbs steeply immediately out of camp and does not relent until much further up, around Point 961. We read that the track can be a bit obscured by shrub, and we also found this to be the case, but as long as you keep your eyes up for another snowpole in the distance, you will be fine! It didn’t present any navigational challenges on a good day, but could definitely be a bit more spicy in dense cloud.

Past Point B2MF the track descends quite nicely through some forest and low shrub. It became quite muddy and wet underfoot here, so keep that in mind. It takes about 10 muddy minutes to descend to Bob’s Camp Bivouac, but it’s totally worth the trip. The campsite is very cute, and there’s lots of room to pitch a tent in the beech forest. I might be bias due to sun coming through the trees, but I definitely want to go back for a night. That said, the only water source is a small creek east of the hut. Jen found it to be nothing more than a silty, trickle – so, in summer you will need to bring all your own water!

The track from Bob’s Camp back to the Whare Route junction was also quite muddy, and a surprising amount of work with the ~200m descent to the saddle and then the climb back up the other side. Really great forest, though! We lunched here and Korra even managed to scavange a bun from Jen (I’d have eaten it!).

From there it’s only a short climb past Point 1043 to Ridge Track junction. The track is very well formed, and wide. Near the top it can be quite boggy, and also around Point 865. After that, however, the track is really nice – if a bit of a quad smasher.

You will soon find yourself popping out into a small grassy clearing before entering the pine forest plantation. A very straightforward track takes you to a forestry road which you follow back to the car. Pretty great stuff! We found this day quite a bit longer than the first, owing mostly to the extra 200m climbing, the poorer condition track, and tired legs.

Jen working through some bush on the way up Cattle Peak Route.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Lovely tussocked ridgeline interspersed by matagouri and other shrubbery.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Korra looking stoked to be running free.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Jen being too warm in her pants – a classic Autumn mistake.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Bob’s Camp Bivouac – so cute!
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Some classic beech forest on the way down Ridge Track.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Cameron Hut

finn@lesueur.nz (Finn Le Sueur) — Tue, 31 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Tue Dec 31, 2024 Download GPX Cameron Hut: In	16.72km 6:20:20	2.64km/hr 874m ⬆️, 329m ⬇️
Wed Jan 1, 2025 Download GPX Cameron Hut: Out	16.33km 5:46:56	2.82km/hr 271m ⬆️, 820m ⬇️
Total	33.05km 12:07:16	2.73km/hr 1145m ⬆️, 1149m ⬇️

While Jen and I were hiking our Newton Saddle & Three Passes trip, Hayleigh and Tim were keeping an eye on the weather over New Years. We had discussed wanting to do an overnighter with the doggos and that visiting Cameron Hut would be a good option. When we got out from the trip, the weather was looking a bit unsettled, but probably good enough to go. So, we hurriedly washed all our clothes, re-packed and headed out.

We arrived and the hills were grey, cloudy and looking like they would be drizzly soon. Still, we headed off into the wet grass and slightly overgrown track. The dogs had a great time with lots of things to smell and water to drink. The track is all very straightforward, climbing slowly and steadily up the valley. It sticks to the true right for the duration of the track, too.

The only meaningful climb is about 10.5km from the start, but it only lasts about ~150m vertical over 1km. So, nothing to stress about. The only mistake we made with the trip was trying to stick too close to the waratahs nearer the top of the valley. The “track” becomes overgrown and indistinct and you would find travel much more straightforward by following the riverbank, we think.

When we reached the hut, it was nestled in the cloud and everything was wet, including the dogs! We pitched the tents, dried the dogs off in the boot room of the hut, ate dinner and then hunkered down in our tents and hoped for a clear morning.

Thankfully, the weather gods smiled upon us and we got to see some of the awesome peaks around the hut. There were about nine kea flying around the area, one of which was quite interested in Korra’s breakfast, but she told it to get lost, ha.

We headed back out thankful for an adventure with friends, amazing views, an adorable hut, and our excellent dogs Korra and Ted.

Tim and Ted trudging into the mist.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Everyone standing out with their pack covers.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Following a nice banked track above Cameron River.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Jen having a great time.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Looking back at Cameron River from the only real climb of the day.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Watch out for the matagouri.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Korra enjoying a wee explore off leash.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Cameron River looking picturesque.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

A rare picture of me.
📷 Jen

Hayleigh and Tim making their way.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Enjoying the morning camp in the sun!
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Korra, the mountain dog, still in her PJs.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Gotta get the classic hut photo.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Awww.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Heading back down from Camero Hut – the cloud came back in :(
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Tim’s pack and tent make for great colours in a photo.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Hayleigh with high morale on the way back up the climb.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Ted waiting for his people to catch up. What a good dog!
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Pudding Hill Stream Route

finn@lesueur.nz (Finn Le Sueur) — Tue, 17 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Tue Dec 17, 2024 Download GPX
Pudding Hill Stream & Scott’s Saddle

15.09km
4:18:10

3.51km/hr
883m ⬆️, 888m ⬇️

I never knew this route existed until I saw it on the Hiking With Dogs New Zealand Facebook page and Tim H did it as a Coast to Coast training run. When Dad asked if I wanted to go for a day trip and bring Korra, this came to mind! It turned out to be a hidden gem within a short drive from Christchurch which makes for a great day trip.

We headed first up to Scotts Saddle Track: it climbs steeply at times through bush and exposed tussock. But, it is all very manageable at a walk. Running would be a good deal harder! The forest is super nice and full of natives. It’s damp and dense at the bottom, and more beech-y the closer you get to the treeline. Once you reach Scotts Saddle, you walk up the Mt Hutt access road for a couple hundred metres before entering the bush on Pudding Hill Stream Route and descending steeply toward Pudding Hill Stream.

The travel downstream is all very accessible, with the river not deep or fast enough (at normal flows) to impede crossings or travel. That said, always check the river gauge on Environment Canterbury and a nearby rain gauge to see what the river is doing. It was around 0.8 cumec during our trip.

The last section, Alder Track, is wide and well-formed and makes for easy travel back to the carpark. Overall, this is a great dog-friendly day trip and I’m sure I’ll be back to do it again!

Timings:

1:25hrs to Scotts Saddle
0:25hrs to Pudding Hill Stream
1:30hrs downstream travel
0:25hrs Alder Track back to car

Korra ready to get going up the hill!
📷 Finn Le Sueur

I reckon you could have hit the slopes after that storm! Skiing in December!
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Korra – an originally very water-hesitant dog – got some good practice at crossing the river.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Sometimes she tried to jump the stream. It never worked out very well.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

A very beautiful little pool that Korra had to jump into! No other way through. So proud.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Korra noticing some cows mooing in the distance.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Lake Christabel

finn@lesueur.nz (Finn Le Sueur) — Sat, 18 Nov 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Sat Nov 18, 2023 Download GPX Lake Christabel - In	18.84km 7:38:20	2.47km/hr 883m ⬆️, 606m ⬇️
Sun Nov 19, 2023 Download GPX Lake Christabel - In	18.63km 7:23:55	2.52km/hr 575m ⬆️, 850m ⬇️
Total	37.46km 15:02:15	2.49km/hr 1458m ⬆️, 1456m ⬇️

Day 1: Lake Christabel Hut

Tim and I set out from Christchurch pretty promptly with two dogs in tow: Korra and Ted. Korra gets overstimulated in the car and I have not yet figured out how to calm her down, so Tim did very well during his first long car trip with her. Lots of panting, drooling and yelping at cars through the window.

There isn’t much of a car park at the trailhead but I managed to partially park under some trees – not that it made much difference in the end. Dogs leashed up, and our entirely too heavy packs on our backs, we set off. Neither of us had done much tramping in recent months, and it was my first trip since heart surgery about 6 months prior so we were feeling a little apprehensive about it. Committed but apprehensive.

The track was all quite well-formed (if overgrown) except for a couple of points when you cross some unnamed tributaries to the Blue Grey River. Hunt around and you will find it again! There was only three challenging (for humans) sections:

A tree had fallen down, the track that sidles past the river a little challenging to traverse.
A landslide had taken out some of the track and also caused a very large tree to fall across the track. We managed to clamber over, although Ted did slip on the trunk and go for a bit of a slide down the hill!
Lastly, there is a well-known tree down across the track alongside Lake Christabel. There is a rather small gap to climb through and it required taking off our packs and pushing them through.

We were pretty knackered at the end of this day, although not as tired as Ted who fell asleep on his mat with his paws over his face. What a good dog.

Day 2: Out

Having realised we didn’t really communicate our packing, we made breakfast with separate cookers and coffee with separate Aeropresses. Whoops. Feeling a little worse for wear in the hips, shoulders and definitely feet, we trudged back to the car the way we came. The whole loop around and down the Robinson River is supposed to be a pretty awesome trip, but we didn’t have the fitness, time, or the dogs that would find a walkwire acceptable. One day..

The weather was pretty ideal both days, plenty of sunshine, but also plenty of lush forest cover so we didn’t spend too many hours in direct sunlight. We got back to the car not much faster than we walked the day before. I’m not sure if that says the most about our fitness or the track. The dogs were pretty tired when we got back to the car but unfortunately, Korra being Korra didn’t settle the entire drive home. Instead, she opted to pant on Tim’s shoulder which I’m sure was incredibly plesant.

Overall, it was a great trip and I’m looking forward to going back to the area for some more dog friendly hiking in the future!p

Tim alongside the Blue Grey River with an excellently coloured backpack.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Tim and some beautiful ferns.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Camp with unnamed peaks in the background.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

The dogs weren’t completely stoked about the bridge. Korra ran across it very quickly when it started swaying.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Tim in some more lush forest.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Being guided by the reliable DOC orange trianges through an overgrown track.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Mānuka Hut and Emily Hill

finn@lesueur.nz (Finn Le Sueur) — Sat, 30 Nov 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Sat Nov 30, 2024 Download GPX D1: Mānuka Hut	16.69km 3:27:18	4.83km/hr 416m ⬆️, 127m ⬇️
Sun Dec 1, 2024 Download GPX D2: Emily Hill & Lake Emily	20.23km 6:21:03	3.18km/hr 617m ⬆️, 914m ⬇️
Total	36.92km 9:48:21	3.76km/hr 1033m ⬆️, 1041m ⬇️

Day 1: To Mānuka Hut

We had a leisurely start after deciding late on Friday evening to do something this weekend. We picked Em up on our way out of town and headed to the track start via the Darfield Bakery – always a reliable source of hiking snacks and lunch. Most of the hilltops were covered in clouds, but we were glad for some protection from the sun!

The track is very relaxed, there are no hills to speak of and it is very well-formed. It would make a good cross-country mountain bike, I’m sure. A good area to practice some bike-packing. We walked pretty fast, keen to not get to the hut too late in the evening.

Thankfully, the hut was not busy. There were only two other people there (two women with their dogs), so that was nice (Tala the Terror was very cute). As we snacked on cheese and crackers in the sun and read some of our books the wind died off and the skies began to clear. It made for a very pleasant night, if slightly chilly for me in my very lightweight sleeping bag (8C comfort rating).

Day 2: Out via Emily Hill & Lake Emily

After a shockingly bad sleep, I ended up dozing until about 8:30am – that’s a huge sleep-in as far as tramping is usually concerned! We had a slow breakfast with lots of coffee and then hit the track. The sun was unrelenting from the moment it rose above The Fingers on Mt Somers Range and we had to pay careful attention to Korra to ensure she drank water at each creek and got splashed to cool her down.

We started by heading up Emily Hill, a steep but short climb to a flat top. The view is stunning in all directions, and you can even see Lake Emily in the distance between there and the Clent Hills (which contain Mt Barrosa). After dodging spaniards and matagouri on the way down to Lake Emily we headed back down the Stour River West Branch, intending to take the track up Markham’s Stream and cross Barrosa to Ashburton Gorge Road. After reaching Markham’s Stream we decided it was too hot and we couldn’t carry enough water to keep ourselves and Korra (the main concern) safe. We decided instead to go back to the car the way we came. There was much more water available, it was much shorter, and in the end, we were plenty tired and sore of foot by the time we reached the car.

Cruising up the Stour River West Branch.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Pre-dinner cheese and crackers in the sun. What a dream!
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Mānuka Hut under a beautiful, gentle sunset.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Jen and Em hiking up Emily Hill.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Emily Hill at the summit of Emily Hill
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Heading down to Lake Emily (out of sight) to water Korra before heading back towards the car.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

CHS Run Club 2024

finn@lesueur.nz (Finn Le Sueur) — Sun, 24 Nov 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Thu Feb 15, 2024 Download GPX CHSRC - T1W3 - Bowenvale	4.77km 1:00:04	4.77km/hr 253m ⬆️, 242m ⬇️
Thu Mar 7, 2024 Download GPX CHSRC - T1W6 - Harry Ell	5.02km 0:48:47	6.17km/hr 141m ⬆️, 129m ⬇️
Thu Mar 14, 2024 Download GPX CHSRC - T1W7 - Ferrymead	5.87km 0:45:12	7.79km/hr 51m ⬆️, 45m ⬇️
Thu Apr 4, 2024 Download GPX CHSRC - T1W10 - The Quarry	6.42km 1:02:19	6.18km/hr 272m ⬆️, 266m ⬇️
Thu Apr 11, 2024 Download GPX CHSRC - T1W11 - Mt Vernon	5.84km 0:54:59	6.38km/hr 297m ⬆️, 283m ⬇️
Thu May 9, 2024 Download GPX CHSRC - T2W2 - Taramea	8.00km 1:09:03	6.95km/hr 292m ⬆️, 295m ⬇️
Thu May 16, 2024 Download GPX CHSRC - T2W3 - Ōpāwaho	6.03km 0:44:28	8.13km/hr 57m ⬆️, 53m ⬇️
Thu May 23, 2024 Download GPX CHSRC - T2W4 - Lyttelton 🔦	4.66km 0:48:56	5.71km/hr 210m ⬆️, 198m ⬇️
Thu May 30, 2024 Download GPX CHSRC - T2W5 - Sign of the (Closed) Bellbird	6.51km 1:06:23	5.88km/hr 287m ⬆️, 277m ⬇️
Thu Jun 20, 2024 Download GPX CHSRC - T2W8 - Scarborough	7.81km 1:13:00	6.42km/hr 306m ⬆️, 304m ⬇️
Thu Aug 1, 2024 Download GPX CHSRC - T3W2 - Allandale	6.68km 0:54:32	7.35km/hr 65m ⬆️, 73m ⬇️
Thu Aug 8, 2024 Download GPX CHSRC - T3W3 - Vernon Valley Cut Short	8.50km 1:06:51	7.63km/hr 380m ⬆️, 384m ⬇️
Thu Aug 15, 2024 Download GPX CHSRC - T3W4 - Sign of the Takahē	5.83km 0:53:59	6.48km/hr 218m ⬆️, 205m ⬇️
Thu Aug 29, 2024 Download GPX CHSRC - T3W6 - Pipeline, Stan Helms, Bridle	5.74km 1:06:12	5.20km/hr 536m ⬆️, 521m ⬇️
Thu Jul 4, 2024 Download GPX CHSRC - T3W10 - CAP Uphill	5.42km 0:49:32	6.56km/hr 479m ⬆️, 34m ⬇️
Thu Oct 17, 2024 Download GPX CHSRC - T4W1 - Bowenvale	6.12km 0:58:50	6.24km/hr 317m ⬆️, 300m ⬇️
Total	99.22km 15:23:07	6.45km/hr 4161m ⬆️, 3609m ⬇️

Nina Hut Day Trip

finn@lesueur.nz (Finn Le Sueur) — Sat, 02 Dec 2017 00:00:00 +0000

Sat Dec 2, 2017 Download GPX
Nina Hut day trip

16.33km
5:55:43

2.75km/hr
460m ⬆️, 464m ⬇️

This trip is from the what feels like the depths of time. In search of some good day hikes we ended up in Lewis Pass. Overall we felt like we spent too long driving for the length of the hike, but ah well, it’s a very nice track!

The track starts nearby Palmer Lodge and it is rather obscured on the West side of the road. There is sometimes a homemade wood sign to show you the way because the DOC one is not the most visible. The track starts by crossing the Lewis River on a great wee bridge before climbing gently around the corner of the Nina Valley. The ground through here is very marshy and boggy so take care - it does get better!

The track crosses Nina River on another great bridge - make sure you look down! The river around the bridge makes a great swimming hole if you can stand the sandflies!

From there the track climbs reasonably gently along the true right of the river to the hut. It can be quite wet through here but the track was quite well formed at the time of this hike. There was a little bit of tree fall but not too bad.

The hut was really nice and has a great outlook up the valley and the surrounding mountains. I’d love to go back as part of a longer tramp - perhaps to Devils Den Bivs and the Sylvia Tops.

The lovely flat forest by Lewis River.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Crossing a creek just before Nina Valley Campsite.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Nina River just below the swing bridge.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Some of the beautiful open valley on the lower track.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Double Hut

finn@lesueur.nz (Finn Le Sueur) — Tue, 01 Jan 2019 00:00:00 +0000

Tue Jan 1, 2019 Download GPX
2019-01-01 - Double Hut #1

10.56km
2:20:08

4.52km/hr
248m ⬆️, 57m ⬇️

Double Hut is a very relaxed 10.5 km, 2 hr 15 min walk from the carpark by Lake Heron situated in the Ashburton Lakes District. It is a gentle incline on a well formed track and makes for a nice day trip; extra suitable for families!

We started our walk from the first carpark we found but later realised we could have saved 15-20 minutes walking if we had followed the gravel road a bit further, so write that down! The track generally follows the edge of Lake Heron for a while before heading inland a little towards the hills. Never fear, you don’t actually go up them though! Double Hut is situated in a little valley near the valley floor, so there is no significant climbing to be done.

Lake Heron on the way to Double Hut.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

None of us would describe this walk as particularly exciting or interesting, but seeing as we were just getting back into the hiking in the new year it suited us perfectly. We needed to work on our fitness a little bit!

Being a long drive from Christchurch (circa 2 hours), you will spend as much time driving as you will walking, so take that into account if you dislike being in the car!

Seonaid and Jay cruising along the well-formed track.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Bealey Spur

finn@lesueur.nz (Finn Le Sueur) — Sat, 12 Jan 2019 00:00:00 +0000

Sat Jan 12, 2019 Download GPX
Bealey Test

16.26km
4:49:17

3.37km/hr
989m ⬆️, 989m ⬇️

Bealey Spur is a beautiful day walk in the Arthur’s Pass area. The DOC time to Bealey Spur Hut is 2hr 30min hours and around 6.4km (615m climb), but we made there in 1hr 45min. Up to the ridge was another 55min for a total of 8.35km and 906m climbed!

There is a carpark at the bottom of the hill in a small field - the track is popular so don’t go and park on the road, you’ll just get in everyone’s way! Google Maps says that there is a carpark up the road, but it’s lying. There’s a portaloo at the carpark, a long drop toilet at the start of the track, and also a long drop at Bealey Spur Hut so plenty of options for when nature calls.

Andrea, Seonaid and Mylène on the way up.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Starting from the bottom there’s a 600m walk up the road to the start of the track, and then you’ll mostly be in the bush, but there’s a wonderful viewpoint at around 4km where you can see out over the valley! We saw a paraglider start his flight here, and later on, we saw him crest the mountains and pass into one of the adjoining valleys. Super impressive.

From here you’ll walk through a mixture of bush and tussocks up to Bealey Spur Hut which you’ll reach around 6.4km. Here’s a great place for a rest in the shade if it’s a sunny day (it was) or to huddle inside the very cosy looking Bealey Spur Hut. From here you can see the ridgeline of the aptly named, Bealey Spur. It continues up to a couple of peaks at 1875m and 1907m but it’s a long walk, so just take it easy and cruise along the spur until you find a nice place to stop. We found a large cairn and decided that made a great place to bathe in the sun and eat our lunch.

Following the ridge up, up and away!
📷 Finn Le Sueur

The way down follows the same track as the way up, but definitely offers some stunning views which you might not have noticed on the way up if you were busy focusing on the climb ahead! If you look south-east from the track you can see another saddle - this is Lagoon Saddle of the Cass Lagoon Saddle Track which is a wonderful weekend trip for another day. Lagoon Saddle Hut and Lagoon Saddle A-Frame are both nestled in the bush just behind the small lagoon visible on the saddle.

Looking down on the spur.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

All in all, this is a great walk, not too steep, not too long, and the track is well formed. It would make a great walk for anyone just getting into it, or needing to work on their fitness!

Pinnacles Hut

finn@lesueur.nz (Finn Le Sueur) — Sat, 30 Nov 2019 00:00:00 +0000

Sat Nov 30, 2019 Download GPX To Pinnacles Hut 🏕 🧗‍♂️	6.73km 4:06:22	1.64km/hr 702m ⬆️, 261m ⬇️
Sun Dec 1, 2019 Download GPX Pinnacles Hut Out 🏕🧗‍♂️	6.08km 2:56:23	2.07km/hr 330m ⬆️, 754m ⬇️
Total	12.81km 7:02:45	1.82km/hr 1032m ⬆️, 1015m ⬇️

We set off for this trip excited for a nice ovrenighter near Christchurch. I had convinced the others that we should consider putting the tents into the car in case there are lots of cars at the carpark and we feel like we should bring them. Once we arrived at the carpark someone asked “Did we have to book the hut?”, and it turns out, yes we did have to book the hut, and no I didn’t do that. It had been a few years since I did this track and I hadn’t thought about that! We checked the DOC website for Pinnacles Hut and turns out it was full! We packed both the tents along with all our climbing gear and were fully laden.

The track starts in some beautiful dense bush where it climbs steeply up from Sharplin Falls Carkpark to Duke Knob. Later on the track will spend some time in the river, but for now it has to go around Sharplin Falls and Gold Smith Rapids.

Tessa climbing towards Duke Knob.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

After passing Duke’s Knob the track takes on a more sedate gradient but does vary in quality as it weaves across Bowyers Stream a few times before sidling along the true right. We were carrying a lot and moving pretty slow so the first day took some time.

We were pleased to find a number of camping spots upon arrival at the hut, and we managed to get two close together so we could hang out. We set up camp and then went to go and look at The Pinnacles for some rock climbing 🧗🏻‍♂️! The route we attempted to take up to them was not ideal but we did find a nice single-pitch route to have a climb on that evening. We decided that we would leave The Pinnacles until tomorrow. Tom and I did Strong and Silent on The Hut Pinnacle, but we were just happy to practice our rope work before our first multi-pitch tomorrow.

Pinncales Hut visible from The Pinnacales themselves.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Finn climbing a nice warmup on Saturday.
📷 Jennifer Rouse

Tom following on the same route.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

On Sunday Tom and I headed out to try a multipitch climb on the West Pinnacle - Zephyr. It’s a breeze, climbing wise, but we want to be able to focus on the ropework so that was perfect. In the end we sent it pretty quickly and had a fun abseil down. While we were climbing that route some other guys were climbing Central Pinnacle - we were tempted but were a bit nervous about trying to send a 20 on lead and getting suck half way up the pinnacle. In the end we decided to leave it for another time!

On the right is Finn and Tom doing an easy multipitch, and some other hikers sending a more strenuous route on the left pinnacle.
📷 Jennifer Rouse

Jen and Tessa hung out at camp and packed up while we were climbing, so by the time we got back we were mostly ready to go! Tessa’s pack got divvied up to the rest of us to make her walk back easier. Cute photo at the hut taken we were ready to head back!

Cute hut photo before heading out!
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Tom keeping his feet dry.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Jen on a good bridge!
📷 Finn Le Sueur

The trip back was faster - aided both by the downhill and Tessa with a slightly lighter pack. All in all, a fun overnighter with some climbing. A rare treat!

Tarn Hut

finn@lesueur.nz (Finn Le Sueur) — Sat, 25 Jan 2020 00:00:00 +0000

Sat Jan 25, 2020 Download GPX Day 1: Tarn Hut	10.57km 3:06:02	3.41km/hr 920m ⬆️, 152m ⬇️
Sun Jan 26, 2020 Download GPX Day 2: Out via Youngman’s Stream Hut	15.35km 5:02:05	3.05km/hr 511m ⬆️, 1260m ⬇️
Total	25.93km 8:08:07	3.19km/hr 1431m ⬆️, 1412m ⬇️

Day 1: Tarn Hut

To start the day you head down towards the stream, cross a style and I recommend you head back up to the 4WD track instead of following the single track. The walking is easier! Follow the 4WD track for 4km (53min, 42m ⬆️) before crossing a stream. This is your only crossing for the day, so perhaps take off your shoes and cross if you’d prefer to keep them dry!

From here, the track becomes less well-formed and climbs steeply up to the hut. While the track levels off near the top, it is very consistently steep, so take it slow and steady for this next 6.4km (1hr 47min, 726m ⬆️). Be sure to turn around and admire the view behind you looking back towards Lee’s Valley!

Tarn Hut
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Tarn Hut has 4 beds (2 bunks), a fireplace and a tarn for a water source. I would recommend boiling the water as it is not flowing, tends to be an off-colour and has floaties in it!

The view from Tarn Hut
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Day 2: Out via Youngman Stream Hut

This day starts by completing your ascent of Lilburne Hill over 1.3km (24min, 126m ⬆️) - the track is not very well defined due to the hardiness of the tussocks, but just keep you eye on the next pole and you’ll get there no problem!

The view from Lilburne Hill
📷 Finn Le Sueur

For the next 2.5km (1hr, 683m ⬇️) you will descend steeply towards the Ashley River where Youngman Stream Hut is located. Be-ware the sandfies! The track climbs back steeply out of the valley to avoid river-travel, but over time it flattens back out in the valley. It is 6.7km from Youngman Stream Hut to the junction from Day 1 (2hrs 15min, 131m ⬇️), and from there another 4.2km (53min, 62m ⬇️)! All in all, this is a really nice day, travelling through a really varied landscape but we found it pretty gruelling work in 25℃ and over!

Be sure to take the time to have a dip in the stream to cool down, enjoy the landscape and take it all in. We swum at the tarn, at Youngman Stream Hut, at the river crossing and at the carpark!

References:

Tarn Hut: https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/canterbury/places/puketeraki-forest-conservation-area/things-to-do/tarn-hut/

Edwards-Hawdon

finn@lesueur.nz (Finn Le Sueur) — Sat, 30 May 2020 00:00:00 +0000

Sat May 30, 2020 Download GPX Edwards-Hawdon: Day 1 - Edwards Hut	10.18km 4:04:35	2.50km/hr 748m ⬆️, 304m ⬇️
Sun May 31, 2020 Download GPX Edwards-Hawdon: Day 2 - Hawdon Hut	14.84km 8:06:35	1.83km/hr 658m ⬆️, 929m ⬇️
Mon Jun 1, 2020 Download GPX Edwards-Hawdon: Day 3 - Out	13.28km 3:06:37	4.27km/hr 130m ⬆️, 305m ⬇️
Total	38.31km 15:17:47	2.50km/hr 1536m ⬆️, 1538m ⬇️

Day 1: Greyneys Shelter to Edwards Hut

Start the hike by sneaking across State Highway 73 and through the pedestrian tunnel under the train tracks. From here follow the gravel track westward until the road starts to bend away. Here you can cross the Bealey River and follow the trail heading up The Mingha River in the short grass for a short while.

You should take a right turn, crossing The Mingha River just before the Edwards River joins. There is a trail in the bush on the south side of the Edwards Valley - hopefully, you can spot the large orange triangle across the river!

The Bealey River can be formidable in high flows, but we encountered it after a significant dry period, measuring approximately 60 cubic meters per second (cumecs) at the Waimakariri Bridge. You should not have any trouble crossing at this flow. Nor should you with the Edwards River East Branch crossing further up bother you.

Frosty shrooms on the way to Edwards Hut.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

From here the track is well-marked, with some riverbed travel indicated by the ever-trusty cairns and a couple of arrows. You should not at any point have to cross the river, preferring to stay on the south-east side at all times.

Shortly before the Edwards River East Branch merges with the main river there is a section of track on the bank to avoid the river which is hard up against the true left (facing downstream) bank of the valley, so keep an eye out!

Immediately after crossing the Edwards River East Branch, the track climbs steeply, save for short sharp descents for most of the way to Edwards Hut. We found this hard and warm work, even in the winter temperatures.

Keep an eye out for great views up and down the valley, some large landslides and a great waterfall!

Edwards Hut is a well fitted out 16-bunk hut with fire, two tables and some triple-bunks! Enjoy it.

Day 2: Edwards Hut to Hawdon Hut

To Taruahuna Pass

The day starts with a very gentle climb, following a generally well-formed path through the tussocks. It is occasionally hard to find the path but just keep heading up the valley and stay on the true left of Edwards River.

If the weather is warm, or the river very low, you can follow the orange markers. This would have you make unnecessary crossings which can be avoided!

I forgot how to walk, kicked a rock and went down. Dosed up on painkillers but feeling pretty stupid, we plodded on.

Tommy the French physio strapping my ankle at Edwards Hut.
📷 Jennifer Rouse

To Tarn Col

We lost the trail as we came up to the pass, so instead we chose to stick to the east side of the valley heading towards the climb Tarn Col.

This was Jen’s favourite part of the day, hopping across the boulders like a bit of a mountain goat. The frost was yielding to the sun but the rocks were very treacherous if you weren’t careful!

The climb to Tarn Col is very steep but there are a few good options to get up there.

The left: Jen and I went this way, it was unrelenting but there were many tussocks to grab onto and it always feels pretty sturdy.
Middle: Tom took this one and it is probably the most walked route. It goes up the waterfall (not so good in the rain?), lots of tussocks to hold onto and there are some steps kicked into the hillside.
Right: Dry all the way, some steps kicked into the dirt and seemed pretty good according to some fellow trampers.

Tom and Jen on Tern Col.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

To Walker Pass

The descent to Otehake River East Branch is very steep but extremely beautiful. It was especially slow-moving for us as there was snow and ice up at Tarn Col and it was very frosty the whole way down. It’s worth taking your time. You will have to cross the river a few times but we avoided wet feet through this section!

At the bottom of the descent you will meet the Otehake River and will have to cross it a few times during the climb up to Walker Pass.

To Hawdon Hut

From the pass the track makes its way through the valley floor, crossing the Twin Fall Stream many times and it is generally very boggy. Wet feet is probably unavoidable!

The tarn at Walker Pass is amazing. A great place for a break and snack. The track climbs steeply and briefly before descending steeply into Hawdon Valley. This section was very slow going due to the permafrost on the rocks and dirt, not to mention my severely sprained ankle (again! 🚑).

Thankfully the track flattens out in the last 10 minutes and is extremely beautiful in the dense forest.

Day 3: Hawdon Hut to Hawdon Shelter

This day is short and relatively unremarkable. The leg to Hawdon Shelter is downhill, with only a small climb back up to State Highway 73, if you have to hitch-hike back to your car. Shortly after leaving the hut, you cross Discovery Stream, which is one of the more ~~major~~ minor crossings of the day. You cross The Hawdon and the East Hawdon about one third of the way down, before meandering down the grassy areas which were once riverbed, all the way to the shelter.

When the river levels are low, this section of the trip will pose no problem, but it would be worth being cautious, as always, if it has rained recently.

Hiking out with Tommy, Chloe, Niko and Irina!
📷 Finn Le Sueur

It is also worth noting that most traffic is east-bound at the end of a weekend, which makes it a little more difficult to hitch-hike westwards towards Greyney’s Shelter to pick up your car. More difficult, but not impossible! If you were feeling brave you could leave a bike, or go for a bit of a run. If I hadn’t sprained my ankle, Jen and I were going to jog it, but alas.

🏃‍♂️

Camp Creek Hut

finn@lesueur.nz (Finn Le Sueur) — Sun, 05 Jul 2020 00:00:00 +0000

Sun Jul 5, 2020 Download GPX Camp Creek Hut - In	4.67km 2:00:05	2.33km/hr 693m ⬆️, 74m ⬇️
Mon Jul 6, 2020 Download GPX Camp Creek Hut - Out	4.90km 2:09:46	2.27km/hr 177m ⬆️, 768m ⬇️
Total	9.57km 4:09:51	2.30km/hr 870m ⬆️, 842m ⬇️

Day 1: To Camp Creek Hut

It’s winter, lockdown has ended and Jen and I are off on a South Island West-Coast roadtrip! First stop, Moana township which sits on the edge of Lake Brunner (Moana). After a gentle run in the town the night before we are off to hike up to Camp Creek which we heard has a bath (with fire) outside!

It’s winter, it’s the West Coast, it’s raining. No problem, the track isn’t very long - although it is steep! Crack out the rain jacket, the pack cover and brave the river crossings. Nothing dangerous, just a bit wet. We took our time but arrived at the hut after walking in the rain most of the way. The track climbs quite steeply at times but is all very manageable in the end.

The hut is in really nice condition, it’s got six beds and it’s free and there was a bath outside like promised! There is a huge woodshed but unfortunately it was rather empty as prior trampers had not made much of an effort to keep it stocked up. The sun came out so Jen and I spent two hours foraging around the hut for wood. Most of it was damp, but we left a sizable stack in the shed to dry.

It took a couple of hours but I managed to get the fire going under the bath, and we had a nice hot bath in the dark. Just wonderful.

Some more gentle ascent near the hut.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

River + rain = wet++
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Muddy, steep and treefall!
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Camp Creek Hut.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Ascending to Camp Creek Hut on some of the more gentle lower track.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Day 2: Out the Same Way

The trek out was quick and straightforward. It descends quite steeply back the way you came and we found it a little slippery, especially as it had started raining again. Nevertheless, we made it out in good spirits and were ready to continue our holiday roadtrip!

Ready to get wet on the walk out!
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Exploring Lake Kaniere

finn@lesueur.nz (Finn Le Sueur) — Tue, 07 Jul 2020 00:00:00 +0000

Tue Jul 7, 2020 Download GPX
Exploring Lake Kaniere 🏃‍♂️

12.68km
1:44:35

7.27km/hr
253m ⬆️, 255m ⬇️

Runners: Finn + Jen

After our trip to Camp Creek Hut we stayed the night in Hokitika and had a nice time exploring the area. Part of that explore was to go to Lake Kaniere for a run! We knew there was lots of other stuff to do like run the water race, tramp to Mt Brown Hut, climb Tuhua etc. but we figured we could do with a relatively flat stretch of the legs.

We parked at the north west end of the road and headed off along the track, aiming to go about 5-6km out and then back the same way. The track was good - pretty well formed and good underfoot. There are some rocky sections through a few rivers, and being The West Coast, it was also muddy from time to time.

All in all, a solid, easy going trail run! Highly recommended. Next time we go back we’ll try do a full loop of the lake, plus some of the other trails in the area! 🏔

A quick breather and opportunity to admire the view!
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Love a good bridge, and a good view!
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Follow the orange triangles!
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Motatapu Track

finn@lesueur.nz (Finn Le Sueur) — Fri, 10 Jul 2020 00:00:00 +0000

Fri Jul 10, 2020 Download GPX Motatapu Day 1: To Highland Creek Hut	14.31km 6:17:32	2.27km/hr 1383m ⬆️, 842m ⬇️
Sat Jul 11, 2020 Download GPX Motatapu Day 2: Roses Hut	11.97km 5:54:01	2.03km/hr 1121m ⬆️, 1249m ⬇️
Sun Jul 12, 2020 Download GPX Motatapu Day 3: Abort to Glendhu Bay	20.87km 3:21:03	6.23km/hr 472m ⬆️, 853m ⬇️
Total	47.15km 15:32:36	3.03km/hr 2976m ⬆️, 2944m ⬇️

Day 1: To Highland Creek Hut

The thing about this trip is that once you reach Macetown at the South end you need to have a plan, are you going to do an extra long day and walk all the way from Roses Hut to Arrowtown? Are you going to take a tent and stay? Are you going to book a 4WD to come and get you? We opted for the 4WD. This will become important later..

It’s mid-winter, it’s cold and there’s snow up on the hills. This day however was sunny and once we got going, we soon warmed up. The track climbs very steadily for the majority of the day, until after about 11km you reach pt. 1267. Before that, however, you will pass Fern Bern Hut at approximately 7.15km. This is a potential first night, but we were planning to skip it. It is single-person-wide walking track the whole way, essentially, but the track is very good condition.

The landscape is pretty awesome through here, and it is well worth remembering to turn around and look down the valley to Glendhu Bay and Lake Wānaka. The descent from pt. 1267 is steep and for us, snowy/icy. We had to go pretty slow as we didn’t pack any crampons!

Climbing to Fern Bern Hut.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Looking towards Glendhu Bay.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Jack Hall’s Saddle by Point 1267. Ready for a slippery descent!
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Taking care on the icy terrain!
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Looking down towards Highland Creek Hut (out of sight).
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Highland Creek Hut finally in view!
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Day 2: To Roses Hut

For me this day was equal parts beautiful, and completely and utterly frustrating. There is some pretty epic ridgeline travel and some stunning views up and down the valley. However.. the track felt a bit manufactured. After reaching a saddle between pt. 1540 and pt. 1261 it descends 450m steeply into a valley, before climbing straight back up the other side. A lot of gruelling climbing have been could be avoided if the track had chosen to sidle across. Ah well, not our decision to make!

Back on the positive side, the views are completely unreal. Especially in winter with a dusting of snow on the tops and underfoot.

Climbing towards Point 1245 on the way to Roses Hut.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Roses Hut visible on the far side of the valley - still a lot of descent to go!
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Watching Neil and Becky descend down to Roses Hut.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Day 3: Abort to Glendhu Bay

This is where it gets a little unfortunate. Yesterday while on the tops around pt. 1245 we got a weather forecast and it was not good. Lots of rain, possibly some snow. This isn’t our first winter trip and we could have all handled the cold and wet, especially since we only had one day left. The problem is that for the 4WD to pick us up from Macetown he has to ford the Arrow River many times on the way from Arrowtown, and it’s not a shallow river. If as much rain comes in as we think, we might find ourselves at Macetown without a ride - and therefore having to walk ourselves out! Another 10km+ in the cold and wet!

So, after hours of discussing we went to bed and woke up none the wiser and with no decision made. In the end we decided that Jen and I would run down the Motutapu Station 4WD road (with our tramping packs) back towards Glendhu Bay until we got reception, at which point we would cancel the 4WD. Great, it’s dark, raining and cold. Off we go! Mum, Dad, Becky and Neil finish packing up the hut and follow us down the track a short time later.

Jen and I managed to get reception about halfway down the road and the 4WD operator was very thankful as he was not going to be able to get up to Macetown anyway! Phew. We made the right decision. From that point we just walked, aware that we were on private property. The 4WD station road is not open to the public. We didn’t see anyone and therefore weren’t stopped, but were glad to get back to the car and rest some weary feet and legs.

Mt Fyffe Loop

finn@lesueur.nz (Finn Le Sueur) — Wed, 30 Sep 2020 00:00:00 +0000

Wed Sep 30, 2020 Download GPX Mt Fyffe Day 1 - To Fyffe Hut	5.86km 1:46:52	3.29km/hr 921m ⬆️, 22m ⬇️
Thu Oct 1, 2020 Download GPX Mt Fyffe Day 2 - To Kowhai Saddle vía Kowhai Hut	11.34km 5:27:30	2.08km/hr 891m ⬆️, 825m ⬇️
Fri Oct 2, 2020 Download GPX Mt Fyffe Day 3 - Out via Gables End & Mt Fyffe Summit 🏔	13.79km 4:59:33	2.76km/hr 696m ⬆️, 1680m ⬇️
Total	31.00km 12:13:55	2.53km/hr 2508m ⬆️, 2527m ⬇️

Day 1: To Mt Fyffe Hut

Jen and I drove up to Kaikoura after a bit of a of a leisurely start to the day. After a quick pee break in town we headed out to the Mt Fyffe Carpark up Chapmans Rd. The last section is a gravel road and it can be bumpy, so bear that in mind!

There was plenty of space to park and a nice big sign detailing the trails over and around Mt Fyffe. We headed off just after 2pm knowing we only had a short day up to Mt Fyffe Hut. It is a 4WD track all the way to the hut and it climbs steeply and unrelentingly (16% gradient average!). But all good, we reached the hut in just over 1:45. Success!

The views are truly stunning, with a brilliant vista looking up and down the coast. We sat on the seat outside and enjoyed the sun before it got too cold and then migrated inside. The hut looks like it gets lots of visitors but not as many overnighters so we were by ourselves - nice.

Jen enjoying the view!
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Jen and I at Mt Fyffe Hut 🥰
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Day 2: To Kowhai Saddle

We were both regretting not bringing a pair of shorts - instead opting for just the hiking pants. What a mistake! It was very nice and warm. My original plan was for us to descend down Spaniard Spur Track to the Kowhai River, and from there to climb Kowhai Saddle and down to Hapuku Hut. This was not be be!

Jen beginning the descent to Kowhai River.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

The descent to Kowhai River is good (if steep) and the track from there to Kowhai Hut is also good. We were making good time (2:10). From there the track condition quickly deteoriates and we found ourselves plodding rather slowly. By the time we reached Kowhai Saddle we had rethought our plan and decided to camp there for the night! Excellent. We relaxed in the tent and enjoyed the views and sunset and as the sun went down we heard some bats flapping past 🦇!

Jen climbing up to Kowhai Saddle - plodding.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Kowhai Saddle campsite ⛺️
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Day 3: Out via Mt Fyffe

We (somehow) managed to doze and take it chill in the morning despite the sun and sweltering temperatures in the hut, but by 10:45 (ha) we were off. We started by climbing rather directly up to Gables End via a delightful scree slope. This was, as Jen likes to remind me, not her favourite. It only took us 1:05 to reach the ridgeline and from there the going was much easier. There is a descent of 80-100m down from Gables End and then a climb straight back up to Gable, but it’s nothing major. Another small scree slope.

Jen traversing towards Mt Fyffe.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

From there the going is even better, simply following the ridgeline, enjoying the views and taking some nice photos along the way. After we passed the summit the track returned to being suitable for a 4WD and spent a short time passing through a stand of pines. After the track reaches Mt Fyffe Hut it simply followed the 4WD track back down to Mt Fyffe Carpark.

Posing for one photo - allowed.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Overall we enjoyed this trip quite a lot - the weather was great and the views were stunning. We are always happy for a good night camping in the wilderness too!

Mt Herbert via Diamond Harbour

finn@lesueur.nz (Finn Le Sueur) — Sat, 12 Dec 2020 00:00:00 +0000

Sat Dec 12, 2020 Download GPX
Mt Herbert

16.39km
5:36:18

2.92km/hr
999m ⬆️, 952m ⬇️

After a lovely brunch at Corsiar Bay for Em’s birthday we headed to the Lyttelton Ferry Terminal to catch the ferry across to Diamond Harbour. Right at the beachfront where the ferry lands a track begins - this track will take you all the way to the summit of Mt Herbert / Te Ahu Patiki (919m). This is the highest point on the Banks Peninsula and it gives some pretty epic views of the habour and up the coast all the way to Kaikoura if the seeing is good!

It’s about 8km each way with a good deal of elevation (about 1000m) once you add in some undulation in a couple of sections. Phew. There is only a little bit of tree cover near the ocean and you soon lose it to open farmland. Being summer it was blisteringly hot and that added a bit of an extra challenge to those of us who weren’t feeling at fit as we could have been!

The track is well formed the whole way - mostly being 4WD farm track. Be ware of the cows and other stock! It does, however, climb steeply in a number of sections, but does always ease off again for a time.

It’s well worth it as a trip, and it’s even better if you can walk through to Port Levvy Saddle or Gebbies Pass, but those trips require someone to very nicely shuttle your car around.

Group photo at the top 😀
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Mt Barossa

finn@lesueur.nz (Finn Le Sueur) — Sun, 07 Feb 2021 00:00:00 +0000

Sun Feb 7, 2021 Download GPX
Mt Barossa ft. Korra

7.16km
3:06:34

2.30km/hr
830m ⬆️, 819m ⬇️

This was my second time up Mt Barrossa in a few months. The first time I went with Jen and Tessa and we took Lexi 🐕, and this time Jen was at work and we had since recused a dog (!!) so I took Korra 🐕.

It was, both times, blisteringly hot and we sweated up a storm. The track starts gently - it’s a trick though! About 1km in it starts to climb up a ridgeline and it doesn’t really stop until it gets to the top. It’s not unmanagably steep at all though.

Korra didn’t vibe with the stream at the bottom and tried to jump it - she failed. We also jogged part of the way down in an effort to get Korra out of the sun a little sooner. She had a real good lie down in the shade of the car at the end. Oh, there’s not a single piece of shade on the whole route.

A great walk, although it’s a bit far from Chrsitchurch for such a short daywalk though! Might be nicer if you were staying in the area and were doing a fiew different trips.

Jen me and Lexi!
📷 Tessa Hobbs

Ruru and Amy on the way up!
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Korra being affectionate at the top.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Heading back down, still blisteringly hot!
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Loop the Lake 2021

finn@lesueur.nz (Finn Le Sueur) — Sat, 17 Apr 2021 00:00:00 +0000

Sat Apr 17, 2021 Download GPX
Loop the Lake 2021

23.93km
2:35:43

9.22km/hr
504m ⬆️, 498m ⬇️

A couple of friends had mentioned that they wanted to do this race up by St Arnaud, and my parents had done it a few times so I was keen. We booked a house, but in the intervening weeks everyone else pulled out and it just ended up that Jen and I were going to go up for the weekend. We drove up on Friday after work and arrived quite late. On Saturday morning I got up early to go register for the race and Jen was exhaused so slept in.

The race goes in the anti-clockwise direction around Lake Rotoiti, and both starts and finishes by the boat ramps near Kerr Bay Campsite. It was a frosty and cold morning but I took my layers off just before starting because I am always too warm while running.

The race starts on Mt Robert Road where it does a suprising amount of climbing and undulating around the side of the lake. From there it turns off onto Lakeside Track where it descends right down to the lakefront which it then follows all the way to Coldwater Hut. This section of track was really nice - the track is pretty good and the going is quite easy.

Maybe 1km upstream of Coldwater Hut the competitors cross Travers River, arriving on the far shore in front of Lakehead Hut. It had been raining in the previous few days so the river was up higher than the race directors would have liked. For that reason a rope was strung across the river and we had volunteer assisstance to make sure that we didn’t get into trouble.

Heading back towards St Arnaud on Lakehead Track the footing was better, the track was more well formed and there were a number of little bridges to help with minor creeks and the like. My legs were starting to get a little heavy on this last section but the pace didn’t drop too much. There is a minor hill right before the end - read: sub 20m of climbing - but I feel like that hill would be hard if you were completely pooped.

I cruised over the line in 2:35:43 and was pretty happy with that time. In the future I think I’ll aim for sub 2:30 but who knows!

Lake Rotoiti from Travers Range.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Tautuku Hut

finn@lesueur.nz (Finn Le Sueur) — Fri, 23 Apr 2021 00:00:00 +0000

Fri Apr 23, 2021 Download GPX
Tautuku Hut 🛖

8.12km
1:45:16

4.63km/hr
393m ⬆️, 386m ⬇️

We’ve been enjoying a little holiday to The Catlins during these school holidays - visiting many (many) waterfalls, a little rock climbing, cycling walking and running. But, we had wanted to do something a little longer to turned our eyes towards Tautuku Hut.

Tautuku Hut is one of the few huts in the region, and being just off the main road, and about 4km from the road-end, it is an excellent day walk or overnighter. It is free to stay at, and maintained by Permolat Southland

The quirky Tautuku Hut.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

The track has an elevation gain of around ~365m on the round trip, making it not too strenuous for the less-fit people out there. The track is extremely well marked, with plentiful orange triangles. It is however, quite muddy. I think this is expected for Southland, though! If you know that going in, you’ll have quite a nice time. It took us ~45min to run in, and about ~40min to run out. So, all in all, a great wee-trip!

Muddy but well-formed.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Some resources for planning your trip:

Lake Angelus Hut

finn@lesueur.nz (Finn Le Sueur) — Sun, 11 Jul 2021 00:00:00 +0000

Sun Jul 11, 2021 Download GPX Lake Angelus - Day 1	11.70km 4:38:24	2.52km/hr 1027m ⬆️, 274m ⬇️
Mon Jul 12, 2021 Download GPX Lake Angelus - Day 2	11.55km 5:09:23	2.24km/hr 219m ⬆️, 965m ⬇️
Total	23.25km 9:47:47	2.37km/hr 1246m ⬆️, 1239m ⬇️

Day 1: Lake Angelus Hut via Robert Ridge

11.70km (1027m 🆙, 274m🔻) in 4hr 38min @ 2.52km/hr.

Lake Angelus had been on my (Finn) to-do list for a long time, and Jen was happy to do it too! Sporting brand new crampons and ice axes, plenty of extra food, warm clothes, and a bottle of wine we were ready to go.

The climb to Relax Shelter is well, steep and unrelenting. That said, it was over shortly! We reached Relax Shelter after about 65min of walking. From there the incline eases off immensely, and the walking becomes easier. We found some icy patches around Relax Shelter due to the slightly warmer clime. It must melt and re-freeze more here.

The landscape is not at all intimidating at this point, so we were happy to walk on the soft snow without crampons or axes. Jen did opt for a single walking/ski pole, just in case though.

Jen on Robert Ridge
📷 Finn Le Sueur

We put on our crampons not long after Flagtop (1690m) because the track started to sidle across some faces instead of staying on the ridge. The snow conditions continued to be nice, and the terrain was still good. We were blessed by perhaps the best possible weather, on this trip. Not a cloud above us, barely a breeze, so we were feeling great! It took us about two hours to reach Flagtop, which was the midpoint (by distance) for the day.

Jen on Robert Ridge as the track starts to sidle and crampons added a nice layer of safety.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

From here the route continues on with much of the same, beautiful views of the valleys below and of mountain ridges in the far distance. We even spotted Speargrass Hut down on the west side of the range. The junction for Speargrass Hut is about 20-30min before Angelus Hut, and in the end, we arrived just after 2pm, just in time for a late lunch in the sun-heated hut.

The frankly amazing view from Angelus Hut.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

The Large Magellanic Cloud over Maniniaro/Angelus Peak, and the star Canopus glowing brightly to the right of Sunset Saddle.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Day 2: Out via Speargrass Hut

11.55km (219m 🆙, 965m🔻) in 5hr 9min @ 2.24km/hr.

This day is about 1km longer than Robert Ridge, but with over 1000m of descent, it can be just as hard work on the knees. We found that Speargrass Creek Route was very icy due to all the snow-melt which then re-freezes, especially around the river crossings. We definitely took our time down here were pleased to make it down without any slips or injuries. We took off our crampons about halfway down at the obvious snowline.

From here the track crosses Speargrass Creek a number of times. All the while, the trail gets rather muddy but enters some rather beautiful forest. In the end it took us 2:25 to reach Speargrass Hut from Lake Angelus Hut.

Speargrass Hut
📷 Finn Le Sueur

From there, the track mainly sidles along the valley towards Mt Robert Carpark. While very beautiful, we were running out of legs and motivation and were mostly powered by the occasional grumble. Nevertheless, we made it out after another 2:45, taking the day total to around 5:10.

All in all, a beautiful trip that we would highly recommend, and one that could easily be turned into a longer trip if you so desired!

Paparoa

finn@lesueur.nz (Finn Le Sueur) — Sun, 19 Dec 2021 00:00:00 +0000

Sun Dec 19, 2021 Download GPX
Paparoa

56.03km
8:28:48

6.61km/hr
2000m ⬆️, 1683m ⬇️

Runners: Finn and Tim

A friend from work is moving to Australia for a year and has entered an ultramarathon (!) there. To enter the race he needed to prove that he could run 50km+ at a pace greater than 11:30/km with elevation > 1500m (I think). The Paparoa ticked all the boxes and I managed to back myself enough to give it a shot!

We headed off from Christchurch rather early in the morning with the aim to run West to East. This is the more difficult direction because the West (coast) is lower in elevation than the East so we had more hill climbing to do. The track starts off really nicely and we hit a quite reasonable 5min pace. It soon starts climbing, however, and we really dialed it back.

Tim on an early bridge!
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Lovely forest visible from Pororari Hut.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

The first hut we reached was Pororari - it took us 1:55. From there the track climbs even more steeply so we ended up simply power hiking most of the uphills and running the flats and the downs. This is quite an effective technique! The traverse along the tops to is beautiful and we reached Moonlight Tops Hut at 4:40.

Beautiful waterfall on the climb up from Pororari Hut!
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Moonlight Tops Hut here we go!
📷 Finn Le Sueur

The track carries on undulating its way to Ces Clark Hut, although I think this section is technically downhill. It was in this section that I hit my longest run ever - and I was feeling okay! Some butt chafe arrived and my legs were tired but we kept plodding along, ticking off the kms.

The descent from Ces Clark Hut seems like it would be a killer but I found it amazing on the legs. It’s gentle enough that you won’t smash your quads, but not so gentle that it doesn’t assist in keeping the kms ticking over.

I didn’t eat all the food I expected I would - I’m always trying to eat more on every run because I know it’s a nutrition game! In the end we finished in almost 8:30hrs with a 9min pace! Totally smashed Tim’s qualifying time out of the park. Best luck, mate!

I loved having run a Great Walk and find myself inspired to run more (all) Great Walks in the coming year or two!

Spurs Hut

finn@lesueur.nz (Finn Le Sueur) — Fri, 31 Dec 2021 00:00:00 +0000

Fri Dec 31, 2021 Download GPX
Spurs Hut 🛖

14.42km
1:44:24

8.29km/hr
400m ⬆️, 397m ⬇️

Runners Finn and Jen

We went away over New Years with a bunch of Jens doctor friends and on our way down to Tekapo we wanted to stop and do something sporty. I originally planned for us to hike into this hut for the night but we didn’t have the time in the end. No worries though, this hut is excellent as a trail run and might have been too small for an overnight hike!

The start of the track can be found down the access road to Fox Peak Ski Field. The road is closed at the North Opuha River out of ski season and it is private access. This is not noted on the DOC website, but you should call ahead and leave a message if no one picks up.

DOC: 7km to the hut. Walking, mountain biking and horse treking allowed. Please keep to 10m easement. Close the gates. No public access to Fox Peak Ski Field.

Lillydale Farm: Private property. Permission must be gained to enter. Contact Warrick Day at w.wday.@xtra.co.nz or 03 249 8025.

Access information!
📷 Finn Le Sueur

It was quite a humid day and neither of us had done much high intensity exercise in a couple of weeks so we were feeling a bit out of practice. That feeling only intensified when we started running - we both felt pretty terrible despite the gentle (if muddy) gradient.

There were some little creeks to splash our feet in which was nice, and there was a couple of climbs as you enter DOC land on the North Opuha Track near Spurs Hut. The hut itself is located at the bottom of a spur (funny that) in a rather marshy area. For that reason it is propped up off the ground to keep it dry, and it has a little porch which you could conceivably put a small tent on if needed.

Overall, it is a beautiful area that deserves for some future exploring!

Jen following the 4WD track alongside the deer fence at the start of the track.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

The 4WD track falls apart for a while where the North Opuha River has erroded it.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Looking across the valley to the Sherwood Range.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Spurs Hut
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Pakituhi - Stody's - Moonlight and Roses

finn@lesueur.nz (Finn Le Sueur) — Wed, 05 Jan 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Wed Jan 5, 2022 Download GPX Day 1.1: Shuttle The Car	5.88km 1:01:16	5.76km/hr 118m ⬆️, 119m ⬇️
Wed Jan 5, 2022 Download GPX Day 1.2: Up to Pakituhi Hut	4.56km 2:36:31	1.75km/hr 966m ⬆️, 85m ⬇️
Thu Jan 6, 2022 Download GPX Day 2: To Stody’s Hut	11.36km 2:47:03	4.08km/hr 570m ⬆️, 765m ⬇️
Fri Jan 7, 2022 Download GPX Day 3: To Moonlight and Roses Hut	16.07km 6:23:21	2.52km/hr 889m ⬆️, 962m ⬇️
Sat Jan 8, 2022 Download GPX Day 4: Out via Dingle Peak ⛰	15.95km 8:55:19	1.79km/hr 1011m ⬆️, 1649m ⬇️
Total	53.82km 21:43:30	2.48km/hr 3554m ⬆️, 3580m ⬇️

The day we got out from the Snowy Gorge - Maitland trip, Jen and I stayed the night in Omarama - very happy to have a shower and eat some vegetables!

The next day we drove through Lindis Pass to Lake Hawea and Timaru River. We were going to do a four day trip that was potentially going to culminate in summiting Dingle and Corner Peaks.

Day 1: To Pakituhi Hut

We knew that we were going to finish the tramp at the bottom of Timaru River and that it was going to be a long last day, so we opted to drop the car at the Peter Muir Bridge carkpark and walk back to the start of the track to Pakituhi Hut. We thought about running but it was exceptionally hot so I vetoed. It took us an hour to walk back to the track start and then another 2.5hrs to climb to Pakituhi Hut, where 36 of those minutes was us completing the zig-zags at the start. There is no shade the whole way and it is very steep. We drank a lot of water, but still not as much as we should have! We were very pleased to reach the hut and be able to cool off a little bit. We were even more pleased to have the hut to ourselves given that it is part of Te Araroa!

Look back to Hawea.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Jen enduring the heat and the steep climb.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Hot.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Day 2: To Stody’s Hut

After a quick climb past Point 1359 onto the ridgeline, the track climbs quite reasonably along to Breast Hill. There are some great cliffs here so take the time to check out the views! The track is well marked and walked along to Breast Hill (1hr).

After Breast Hill the track becomes a 4WD one - rather boring - but makes for fast walking. The ascents and descents are of a nice gradient and we made excellent time along here. While we walked this section of trail we investigating Dingle and Corner Peaks to assess the route that we might want to take. I hadn’t been able to find any GPX tracks online, so we were just going to make it up.

The track turns off to Stody’s Hut between Points 1409 and 1418 and quickly descends the last 2km down to the hut. Stody’s Hut is a dirt floor, although it is decked out with a tarp. It has one south-facing window and a fireplace. There is a small stream for water and a long drop for a toilet.

We arrived at 12:30pm and spent the next 10 hours lying in the sun, reading and eating. It was completely delightful. Perhaps our favourite day of the whole trip.

Looking down at some goats she spotted!
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Bit cloudy at Breast Hill - nice flowers though.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

The 4WD track leading towards Stody’s Hut.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Adorable and inquisitive bird at Stody’s Hut.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Day 3: To Moonlight and Roses Hut

This day is where the walking got a little more adventurous which was nice! The day starts by descending steeply down to the Lower Timaru Rive rTrack whcih we followed until it met the river itself. From there we followed the riverbed until we found the tributary creek that would take us up to Moonlight and Roses Hut. This creek is unnamed but I believe it is referred to as Chamois Creek in other blog posts (it’s very unclear).

We had a quick lunch at the confluence before heading up the stream - it was swelteringly hot and we were glad for some more river walking. The going is very straightforward and it never got so gorgy as to pose any trouble. That might be a different matter after lots of rain in which case you can gain the hut via the spur above Junction Hut.

The valley opens out a few km up the river and a track is marked there on Topo50. We could not find any indications of that track - it is unclear whether it still exists. I doubt that is does as do other hikers from 20+ years ago in the hut book.

Moir’s Guide said to leave the stream a steep, slightly sketchy scramble up a frozen scree bank took us onto easy deer trails up the spur. - Waitak Athlete

Having not read Moir’s Guide, we estimated that this meant the spur where the creek splits (you can see it on the GPS map). It was okay - we managed to gain the spur up some terrible scree and treefall before doing our best to get out into the open above the treeline. The going was slow through here as the terrain was not good, no track could be found and there were some spaniards to content with. Not to mention, we were both a bit tired! This was our 6th day of consecutive tramping.

We finally found the hut nestled on the end of the forest and boy is it a cute wee site for a hut. There is no loo (at least not that we could see) despite the DOC website saying otherwise. We had a few daylight hours left so made the most of them by reading our books and eating in the sun. I loved it there.

Descending to Timaru River.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Heading downstream to the unnamed junction.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Heading up the unnamed creek towards Moonlight and Roses Hut.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

The unnamed creek opens out after a time to a lovely highcountry valley.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Day 4: Out via Dingle Peak

We were feeling a bit worse for wear on this last day but started off with our original plan of both Dingle and Corner Peaks in mind. We gained the saddle just above Point 1414 quickly and were soon confronted with Dingle Peak looming over us. We cut straight off the saddle down into the valley before heading straight by up, taking a beeline for the peak. We saw that we could be on tussock almost the whole way to the top, which was a relief. We climbed steadily, but Jen was feeling rather tired in her legs and lost a good deal of morale on the way up.

In the end we gained Dingle Peak but Jen didn’t feel like doing Corner Peak as well. Instead, we opted to scree off the west side of the peak and take a ridgeline down into Deer Creek. This was an okay plan except Jen rolled her ankle on the scree and didn’t enjoy herself for the next couple of hours. We finally gained a ridgeline which took us towards the treeline - this was where I made a foolish error. We tried to bush bash through the spur to the river when we should have dropped down to the creek on the tussocks when we had the chance. Do not bash through the trees. We got a bit bluffed out and ended up making a real sketchy descent through some bluffs to the stream. Not recommended at all.

We managed to reach the valley floor and follow the stream for the next few kilometers to Junction Hut which was, actually, quite a lovely section of walking. It was convenient for Jen too because she got to ice her ankle!

We had a quick rest and snack at Junction Hut before doing our best to blast down the Lower Timaru River Track to the carpark, knocking it out in about an hour.

All in all this was an epic trip with a good deal of variety. I don’t think we made the wrong decision trying to summit Dingle Peak, but I think a more sane way to exit would have been to get into a stream ASAP or even to backtrack to the ridgeline above Moonlight and Roses Hut and to follow that down to Junction Hut.

Cute photo before we leave Moonlight and Roses in the morning (coffee in hand).
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Dingle Peak 🏔
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Traversing some scree on the way up to Dingle Peak.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Looking across to Maungatika and the rest of the range.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Descending towards Timaru Deer Spur Creek for a ‘quick’ exit.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Coast to Coast 2022

finn@lesueur.nz (Finn Le Sueur) — Sat, 12 Feb 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Sat Feb 8, 2020 Download GPX Longest Day 2020	246.69km 16:10:47	15.25km/hr 2049m ⬆️, 2056m ⬇️
Sat Feb 12, 2022 Download GPX Longest Day 2022 - Run #1	2.23km 0:10:49	12.37km/hr 33m ⬆️, 3m ⬇️
Sat Feb 12, 2022 Download GPX Longest Day 2022 - Bike #1	54.92km 1:47:54	30.54km/hr 586m ⬆️, 344m ⬇️
Sat Feb 12, 2022 Download GPX Longest Day 2022 - Goats Pass	31.96km 5:43:42	5.58km/hr 1131m ⬆️, 757m ⬇️
Sat Feb 12, 2022 Download GPX Longest Day 2022 - Ride 2 (Plan B)	113.67km 5:08:03	22.14km/hr 1170m ⬆️, 1689m ⬇️
Total	449.47km 29:01:15	15.49km/hr 4969m ⬆️, 4849m ⬇️

After a successful Longest Day in 2020, I thought that I would try again! The first time around I had an excellent coach help me along. He taught me a lot about training, and how to achieve the many challenges associated with such a race. This time I was fending for myself, although I had my partner Jen helping me along with a copious amount of snacks from The Great Escape and motivation (in the form of insults about my laziness).

Training Data

The below includes race day of 2022. Comparing this to my data from my 2020 effort I can see that I halved the time that I spent cycling (-100hrs) and put about 130hrs extra into running. I thought that this was a smart move because I really wanted to save some time on the run, but in the end, I was no better off having done so. Still not sure what is a good race strategy there! I did enjoy all the running I did, though. It was nice to get out and do some different running adventures!

	# Activities		Elapsed Duration		Distance		Elevation
	2020	2022	2020	2022	2020	2022	2020	2022
Hike	19	23	46:06	108:10	159.2	275.23	7,007	14,342
Kayaking	48	9	65:00	16:39	425.42	169.45	1,287	2,120
Ride	529	256	200:58	94:02	4,387.86	1,629.5	28,868	10,398
Ride (Virtual)	18	21	17:05	23:58	523.69	705.28	5,216	6,454
Rock Climbing	0	1	0:00	0:59	0	0.0	0	0
Run	112	207	135:13	276:4	1,076.69	2,025.04	26,979	52,409
Skiing	1	1	1:00	4:27	0.0	17.99	0	1,671
Swim	0	2	0	0:44	0	0.2	0	0
Walk	30	48	35:45	52:44	163.13	120.34	4,694	3,487
Workout	17	2	2 :22	12 :31	1.94	85.08	19	2562
Yoga	15	12	6:55	5:18	0.0	0.0	0	0
Total	789	583	510:27	596:47	6,737.93	5,037.73	74,070	93,513.4

The Race!

For what was supposed to be summer, February had been a miserable month. We had two major rain events within 10 days, and a third occurred three days before the race. The Waimakariri Gorge, which is usually the 70km kayak leg, was in full flood and Goats Pass was full of water.

On Friday evening, mere hours before race-start, they announced that we would be going to Plan B kayak which would start at The Willows and be 30km long. They also announced that we would be cycling from Klondyke Corner to The Willows (115km and HILLY). This would in effect substitute a large amount of paddling and flat cycling for hilly cycling and unfortunately, this was not what I had trained a lot for.

Run 1: Off The Beach

This leg is 2.2km and I was doing a 4:30min/km pace up the slight incline. Unfortunately, I didn’t feel I could go faster and was dropped by Red Pod (my starting wave). I was the last to reach the transition and the last to get on my bike. Damnit.

Bike 1: To Aicken’s Corner

This leg is 55km with 500m+ of elevation gain, mostly due to undulating terrain. It is really beautiful lots of locals come and cheer you on as you cycle past in the dark.

Being last on my bike I was cycling by myself which was soul crushing. The rest of the pod would have formed into bunches and would be having a much easier time. I honestly felt like crying and giving up. Still, I cycled on (if not very fast) and after a while a bunch from the next wave caught me. They were going a bit too fast and I couldn’t hold them, though. No worries though because the middle-of-the-road bunch soon arrived (30km in) and I managed to stick with them through to the run transition.

I felt too tired, too nauseous, and too low in morale for so early in the race and was not in good spirits.

Run 2: Goats Pass

This leg is ~32km with 1000m+ of elevation gain (and loss) as it crosses a mountain pass. It took me a couple of kms for my heart rate to settle from 180+ to around 165, and boy was I thankful once it did. The track starts good but progressively gets more rough and steep as it climbs towards Goats Pass.

I had been wanting to do a much better time over Goats Pass than 2020 - something around 5hrs would have been nice. Unfortunately, the river was high which slowed me down a lot, and I was tired from 30km of solo cycling off the coast.

I also have this idealised idea of the Mingha River: that the track is much better. But in all honesty, it’s not. It’s still steep and rough and the going isn’t much faster, especially when your feet, your legs and your stride all hurt.

Bike 2: To The Willows

This leg is 114km with 1100m+ of elevation gain through Porters Pass. This is where the going got tough. I got on the bike with 4hrs to reach The Willows before the kayaking cutoff, and I knew that I couldn’t do 28.5km/hr through such hilly terrain but, I tried. It didn’t take me long to lose hope, however, but Jen still insisted that there was a point in doing it!

Jen and Dad stopped a few times to give me food/water and to encourage me onwards, which was very helpful. Around Castle Hill the rain arrived and it didn’t stop for the next 2.5hrs! More and more layers went on until I was nicely bundled up and Jen was feeding me warmed up Powerade on the side of the road. In the end, I decided to stick out the whole cycle leg, knowing I wouldn’t make it.

In the ≈end, I arrived at The Willows an hour late. I was one of only a mere handful of cyclists still on the course sticking it out. I handed in my timing chip, stripped out of my sweaty clothes in the rain, hopped (dirty) into some dry clothes and drove home with Jen.

It was very disappointing not to finish. I feel like I should have been able to. A run that was 30min faster plus a ride that was 30min faster should have been within my fitness. But, they weren’t. Writing this now I feel frustrated that I didn’t finish. Why wasn’t I faster?

Next Time?

I think I’ll try again, but not in 2023. I’d like some time to be more flexible with what I do in the outdoors. Time to do more adventures that are not race-specific. I also want to read a lot about sports physiology and how to get quicker.

Maybe see you here again in two years, Coast to Coast.

😮‍💨

Mt Rolleston Attempt

finn@lesueur.nz (Finn Le Sueur) — Sat, 09 Apr 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Sat Apr 9, 2022 Download GPX Mt Rolleston Adventure	12.96km 7:17:34	1.78km/hr 1236m ⬆️, 1216m ⬇️
Sat Apr 9, 2022 Download GPX Otira —> Arthur’s Pass	5.15km 0:40:12	7.69km/hr 129m ⬆️, 276m ⬇️
Total	18.11km 7:57:46	2.27km/hr 1365m ⬆️, 1492m ⬇️

The day started at 5 am when my alarm went off. I snuck out of bed, crept into some clothes and wandered down the driveway with my backpack to wait for my parents to pick me up. We stopped in Arthur’s Pass to pick up Becky and had another coffee which was much needed!

The sun was coming up, blue sky and no wind. A peak autumnal day. We started off up the Otria Valley Track wearing too many layers, of course and soon paused to shed some clothes. We continued on for about 90min before reaching our turnoff point near the head of the valley. We took a sharp left and picked our way through the tussocks up to Goldney Ridge.

We started the traverse along the ridge but realised we had to dive off it to get around a bit of a gulch. No matter. We continued up the ridge – the face to Point 2212 (Low Peak) looming in front of us. Dad is a mountaineer since his youth and Mum and Becky have done some scrambly peaks but none of us was enjoying the increasing exposure. We continued along a bit further but decided it wasn’t for us today and turned back.

After lunch in the delightful sun we clambered down what looked to be a scree slope, but upon closer inspection was revealed to be more bouldery than anything. No matter. Back to the car.

I decided to run the track back to Arthur’s Pass because I was feeling good and like I wanted to be outside a little bit longer. Mum and Dad too my gaiters and I turned off just before the car. The first part of the track is in severe disrepair but it gets much nicer after passing Temple Basin. It’s got a whole lot much undulation than I expected, but was a totally enjoyable run!

Dad looking up at Otira Face; our route up through the tussocks visible to his left.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Mum and Becky waiting as Dad and I scope out some of the ridgeline.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Picking our way through scree and boulders back down to the valley floor.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Abel Tasman

finn@lesueur.nz (Finn Le Sueur) — Wed, 27 Apr 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Wed Apr 27, 2022 Download GPX Abel Tasman D1: Anapai Campsite 🏕	14.36km 3:27:24	4.15km/hr 570m ⬆️, 571m ⬇️
Thu Apr 28, 2022 Download GPX Abel Tasman D2: Onetahuti Campsite 🏕	19.50km 4:36:42	4.23km/hr 577m ⬆️, 579m ⬇️
Fri Apr 29, 2022 Download GPX Abel Tasman D3: Akersten Campsite 🏕	20.07km 4:45:53	4.21km/hr 673m ⬆️, 670m ⬇️
Sat Apr 30, 2022 Download GPX Abel Tasman D4: Out	8.31km 1:35:47	5.21km/hr 178m ⬆️, 195m ⬇️
Total	62.24km 14:25:46	4.31km/hr 1998m ⬆️, 2015m ⬇️

After our great adventure to Jam Hut and the Clarence, we wanted something a bit quieter. We recuperated for the night in Blenheim before heading to Nelson to catch up with some friends. While there we booked the Abel Tasman! We didn’t look into staying at the huts knowing that they would be busy. We thought we’d enjoy camping more as it would be quieter and closer to nature.

Day 1: To Anapai Campsite

Timing:

1:05 to Whariwharangi Hut & Campsite
2:00 to Separation Point
2:30 to Mutton Cove
3:30 to Anapai Campsite

We got picked up from Mārahau at 11.00 am by Trek Express. I found their website a little inscrutable so just picked up the phone and booked that way. It was $60pp and it took 1.5hrs to reach the Wainui Bay track start.

The track begins by climbing up to the junction with the Inland Track, but the climbing is extremely gentle. It then gently descents into Whariwharangi Hut & Campsite. There, if you read the signs, you will find out the extremely good track is due to the hut being an old homestead!

Once we climbed back out of Whariwharangi we decided to take the slightly extended route to Mutton Cove via Separation Point. Pretty neat little point – think it would make a funky campsite! From there the track descends into Mutton Cove and then sidles around to Anapai Bay. We started walking at 1 pm so by the time we arrived the sun had set behind the hill and it was cooling down, so we didn’t swim, instead opting for hot drinks, food and reading our books.

Wainui Bay
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Whariwharangi Bay
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Looking back towards Golden Bay
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Separation Point
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Mutton Cove
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Day 2: To Onetahui Campsite

Timing:

0:40 to Tōtaranui Campsite
1:20 to Goat Bay
1:45 to Whaiharakeke Bay
2:25 to Awaroa Hut & Campsite
3:30 to Tonga Saddle (+ lunch)
4:35 to Onetahuti Campsite

After going to sleep around 8 pm (man, camping is great) I woke up by accident for the sunrise! Jen was still fast asleep though so I hopped back into bed and finished my book.

We made good time to Tōtaranui Campsite – it’s even bigger than I remember – and kept plodding in the direction of Awaroa. Skinner Point is 5min detour to get a good view back across Tōtaranui!

We reached Awaroa Inlet about 1:40 before low tide and decided to just try it. It was all totally fine except for a small channel near the south side where I almost got my butt wet. No big deal! We turned out to have opened the floodgates when we crossed, as a horde of people came out of Awaroa Hut and headed for the crossing. Most did fine, but some of the small kids needed some help from their parents. Thankfully they were simply heading to Tōtaranui for a water taxi, so they weren’t too far from dry clothes.

The weather got increasingly gloomy during the afternoon as we walked to Tonga Saddle, but it never did quite rain. After pondering getting a coffee at the Awaroa Lodge we found a note at Tonga Saddle saying it was closed until October (reasonable).

We reached Onetahuti Campsite at 3 pm which left plenty of time for tea, coffee, snacks and reading! We weren’t too keen on a swim due to the gloomy weather. We would find out the weka at Onetahuti are particularly sneaky. They managed to get rubbish from each of the three parties that stayed the night there! What a menace.

Sunrise from Anapai Campsite
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Leaving Anapai Campsite in the morning
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Pukatea Walk
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Tōtaranui from Skinner Point
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Crosing Awaroa Inlet
📷 Finn Le Sueur

A gloomy afternoon at Awaroa Bay
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Very cute bridge crossing into Onetahuti
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Day 3: Akersten Campsite

Timing:

0:13 to Tonga Bay
1:10 to Bark Bay Hut
2:40 to Torrent Bay
3:10 to Anchorage Hut & Campsite
4:45 to Akersten (+ lunch)

Had another good sleep despite being in a tent. We set off a little earlier than usual (9.30 am). We made good time in the morning and were too early for the Bark Bay low-tide cross, so took the normal track. This track is almost worth it any time of day! There are some great bridges and streams around the inlet, so go do it! The campsite for Bark Bay also looks awesome, it’s on the spit that crosses the inlet. Very nice.

From Bark Bay, there are a few short but steep climbs out of various bays, but nothing to be concerned about. Torrent Bay is about 1:30 away! We arrived at Torrent Bay at a perfect tide for crossing, almost bang on low tide. After admiring some of the fancy houses in Torrent Bay we trudged across (shoes on!) and headed to Anchorage for lunch.

After lunch, we took the Anchorage Acces Track up to the main track where we could follow it past Watering Cove Campsite, Observation Beach Campsite to Akersten Bay Campsite! A quick and steep descent will see you at the tiny campsite right on the beach!

We both had a little dip and rinse in the bay, but were not enthused to get in too much because we were about to lose the sunlight (damn east coast). But, smelling better, we settled in for another great afternoon of drinking coffee and tea, eating snacks and reading.

Leaving Tonga Bay
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Akersten Campsite
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Day 4: Out to Mārahau

Timings:

0:35 to Apple Tree Bay Campsite
1:00 to Coquille Bay Campsite
1:10 to Tinline Campsite
1:35 to Mārahau

We woke up after another good sleep with the campsite to ourselves, finished our books, drank some tea and coffee, and had our normal breakfast oats. It didn’t take long to pack up after that and we set off, knowing we had to drive back to Christchurch today. We set quite the pace today, urged on by the idea of espresso coffee in Motueka and a hot shower at home. The track is amazingly level and has a few offshoots to little campsites (above). In the end, we didn’t visit any campsites and got out to the car in 1:35. Phew!

With fresh clothes on, we were good to go for the drive home! What a great tramping adventure. Easy walking, lovely beaches and camping, lots of hot drinks, lots of reading, and going to sleep easy! Just perfect.

Sunset over Rangitoto ki te Tonga / D’Urville Island
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Some kayakers enjoying a great morning near Motuareronui / Adele Island
📷 Finn Le Sueur

CHS Run Club 2022

finn@lesueur.nz (Finn Le Sueur) — Thu, 29 Sep 2022 19:19:59 +1300

Thu Feb 17, 2022 Download GPX First CHSRC of 2022 🥳	5.00km 0:37:50	7.93km/hr 119m ⬆️, 116m ⬇️
Thu Feb 24, 2022 Download GPX CHSRC in Bowenvale! 🌲	4.68km 0:43:32	6.45km/hr 235m ⬆️, 226m ⬇️
Thu Mar 3, 2022 Download GPX CHSRC - Huntsbury & Vernon	5.84km 0:54:17	6.45km/hr 277m ⬆️, 273m ⬇️
Thu Mar 10, 2022 Download GPX CHSRC - Tour de Halswell Quarry	5.88km 0:43:59	8.02km/hr 150m ⬆️, 150m ⬇️
Thu Mar 17, 2022 Download GPX CHSRC - Taramea Loop	7.98km 0:58:03	8.25km/hr 273m ⬆️, 271m ⬇️
Thu Mar 24, 2022 Download GPX CHSRC - Sign of the Bellbird	6.30km 1:09:31	5.44km/hr 263m ⬆️, 274m ⬇️
Thu Mar 31, 2022 Download GPX CHSRC - Taylors	7.54km 1:04:25	7.02km/hr 248m ⬆️, 258m ⬇️
Thu Apr 7, 2022 Download GPX CHSRC - Scarborough & Cptn Thomas	8.08km 1:18:54	6.14km/hr 299m ⬆️, 304m ⬇️
Thu Apr 14, 2022 Download GPX CHSRC - Bowenvale	7.96km 1:09:19	6.89km/hr 410m ⬆️, 405m ⬇️
Thu May 5, 2022 Download GPX CHSRC - Governors Bay	7.12km 1:16:22	5.60km/hr 375m ⬆️, 384m ⬇️
Thu May 12, 2022 Download GPX CHSRC - Lyttelton	5.17km 0:55:38	5.58km/hr 243m ⬆️, 236m ⬇️
Thu May 26, 2022 Download GPX CHSRC - Rāpaki-Bridle	7.35km 1:03:22	6.96km/hr 253m ⬆️, 256m ⬇️
Thu Jun 9, 2022 Download GPX CHSRC - Vernon	5.18km 0:57:09	5.44km/hr 377m ⬆️, 383m ⬇️
Thu Jun 16, 2022 Download GPX CHSRC - Bridle Path	5.85km 1:15:50	4.63km/hr 516m ⬆️, 516m ⬇️
Thu Jun 23, 2022 Download GPX CHSRC - Mt Pleasant and Cavendish	7.00km 1:14:42	5.63km/hr 305m ⬆️, 306m ⬇️
Thu Jun 30, 2022 Download GPX CHSRC - South Shore Spit	9.58km 1:18:39	7.31km/hr 47m ⬆️, 47m ⬇️
Thu Jul 7, 2022 Download GPX CHSRC - Packhorse	11.42km 2:00:04	5.71km/hr 558m ⬆️, 556m ⬇️
Thu Aug 4, 2022 Download GPX CHSRC - Bottle Lake Blue Loop	9.92km 1:23:21	7.14km/hr 92m ⬆️, 84m ⬇️
Thu Aug 11, 2022 Download GPX CHSRC - Waimari Beach	7.77km 1:11:55	6.48km/hr 59m ⬆️, 65m ⬇️
Thu Aug 18, 2022 Download GPX CHSRC - Travis Wetland	6.83km 0:50:27	8.12km/hr 49m ⬆️, 47m ⬇️
Thu Aug 25, 2022 Download GPX CHSRC - Marley’s Hill	5.09km 0:50:14	6.08km/hr 242m ⬆️, 239m ⬇️
Thu Sep 22, 2022 Download GPX CHSRC - Allandale	6.59km 0:53:28	7.39km/hr 90m ⬆️, 84m ⬇️
Thu Sep 29, 2022 Download GPX CHSRC - CAP Uphill	5.28km 0:46:57	6.75km/hr 468m ⬆️, 35m ⬇️
Mon Oct 17, 2022 Download GPX CHSRC - Monday Workout Group	6.76km 0:43:41	9.29km/hr 123m ⬆️, 122m ⬇️
Thu Oct 20, 2022 Download GPX CHSRC - Ferrymead	5.88km 0:37:50	9.33km/hr 34m ⬆️, 31m ⬇️
Thu Oct 27, 2022 Download GPX CHSRC - Bowenvale Zig-Zags	6.00km 1:01:42	5.84km/hr 316m ⬆️, 314m ⬇️
Mon Oct 31, 2022 Download GPX CHSRC - River Run	10.11km 0:59:56	10.12km/hr 51m ⬆️, 54m ⬇️
Thu Nov 3, 2022 Download GPX CHSRC - Huia Gilpin	5.88km 0:58:58	5.98km/hr 284m ⬆️, 286m ⬇️
Mon Nov 7, 2022 Download GPX CHSRC - Monday Workout Group	8.71km 0:55:21	9.45km/hr 158m ⬆️, 168m ⬇️
Thu Nov 17, 2022 Download GPX CHSRC - The Quarry	5.62km 0:47:29	7.10km/hr 232m ⬆️, 229m ⬇️
Thu Nov 24, 2022 Download GPX CHSRC - Vernon Valley	7.67km 0:56:52	8.10km/hr 300m ⬆️, 306m ⬇️
Total	216.06km 31:39:47	6.82km/hr 7446m ⬆️, 7025m ⬇️

Lake Marian

finn@lesueur.nz (Finn Le Sueur) — Mon, 02 Jan 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Mon Jan 2, 2023 Download GPX
Lake Marian

6.58km
1:39:58

3.95km/hr
479m ⬆️, 470m ⬇️

Yesterday Jen and I finished the Hollyford-Pyke packraft and this morning we went up Gertrude Saddle. We were due to drive up to Cromwell that afternoon/evening but had just enough time to sneak in a trip to Lake Marian if we walked fast/jogged.

We parked on the Lower Hollyford Road with what seemed like the rest of New Zealand and got on the track at a light jog. It starts off pretty easy before it takes a turn away from the river and onto the true right of Marian Creek. Here the track becomes much steeper, rootier and boggy. The heat of the day was setting in now and our pace slowed a lot.

We made good time to the lake (about 45min) at which point Jen didn’t stop running and went basically straight in for a swim. It was pretty cold but extremely refreshing after the hot, sweaty work of the run/power hike. We had a great time in the water and even bumped into our stranger friend from Gertrude Saddle and his dad.

Unfortunately we couldn’t stay too long so we headed back down in our wet clothes. They did a lot to keep us cool(er) on the descent. Much appreciated. We had a lot of fun dodging roots and trees on the way down; doing our best to imitate mountain goats 🐐.

Overall: This walk is well worth is, especially if it’s hot weather and you can go for a swim! Not to be missed.

Some amazing rapids on Marian Creek. Scary.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Still running just before the steepness begins.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Admiring Lake Marian before jumping in.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

View from in the lake.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Gertrude Saddle

finn@lesueur.nz (Finn Le Sueur) — Mon, 02 Jan 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Mon Jan 2, 2023 Download GPX
Gertrude Saddle

9.34km
2:57:47

3.15km/hr
692m ⬆️, 710m ⬇️

Yesterday Jen and I finished the Hollyford-Pyke packraft and camped on Milford Rd. We had one day left before having to drive home, so we hit up Gertrude Saddle and Lake Marian.

DOC gives a 4-6hrs trip time, so we got there relatively early and did our best to boost along the flat valley. The sun was out and it was very hot again. Perfect.

After about 2.2km you get into the steep section of the hike. It turns to pretty loose rock among tussocks until about 3.4km where you transition onto the slabs. The slabs can be slippery (as warned many times by DOC) in wet weather/snow. Thankfully we had perfect weather and conditions, so continued to power up. We reached Black Lake at 60min and the saddle at 1:19hrs.

The view from the top is immense. It’s truly amazing. We headed up a little further to the northwest to get a wider view of the valley. Worth the scramble! We meandered around for a while before heading down. We made pretty quick time over the rather grippy rocks.

Overall: totally worth the trip; not that scary; not that dangerous in good conditions.

Looking up the valley. Track goes to the left in the sun.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Jen heading up the last of the broken rocks before getting to the slabs.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Heading onto the slabs past the slightly excessive DOC sign.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Slabing it up. There’s a short wire rigged to the rock at the false saddle.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Cute photo at the top taken by a kind stranger.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Jen looking down on the Gulliver River.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Looking back at Black Lake and Mt Crosscut.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Trig M & Rabbit Hill

finn@lesueur.nz (Finn Le Sueur) — Fri, 06 Jan 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Fri Jan 6, 2023 Download GPX
Trig M and Rabbit Hill

12.90km
3:49:33

3.37km/hr
935m ⬆️, 937m ⬇️

We have some excellent neighbours (Liz and Alex) who also have a dog, Alfie. He’s a very energetic and cute German Shorthaired Pointer and is working on doing the Further Faster Mountain Dog Challenge.

One of the peaks is a straightforward tussocked hill called Trig M in Porters Pass. We got invited along but Jen had work so couldn’t come 😢.

We headed off just after 8am and were walking around 9:30am. It took us 52min to reach Trig M up a 4WD track which was very well formed, if a bit steep. From there we followed a worn foot trail south of Trig M towards Rabbit Hill. The foot trail soon disappeared and we were left to find own way through the tussocks. At the final saddle before Rabbit Hill, we encountered a rather marshy area - we couldn’t find a good way through it and mostly just got muddy (especially the dogs).

The view from Rabbit Hill is well worth the trip. You can see out to the Rakaia River, Lake Coleridge and Redcliffe Stream where you can walk into Cookies Hut. Once you’ve admired the view to your hearts content, it’s simple enough to follow your steps back to Trig M and the car. We got rained on at the end, so had a rather damp and doggy-smelling car on the way home. Delightful.

Group selfie at Trig M.
📷 Alex

Korra at Trig M.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Korra at Rabbit Hill (no rabbits seen).
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Looking down at Lake Lyndon and Porter’s Pass.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Lovely lupins adding some colour to the high country browns.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Mueller Hut

finn@lesueur.nz (Finn Le Sueur) — Sat, 07 Jan 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Sat Jan 7, 2023 Download GPX Mueller Hut - Up	5.48km 4:06:48	1.33km/hr 1121m ⬆️, 68m ⬇️
Sun Jan 8, 2023 Download GPX Mueller Hut - Down	5.60km 3:11:38	1.75km/hr 54m ⬆️, 1174m ⬇️
Total	11.08km 7:18:26	1.52km/hr 1175m ⬆️, 1242m ⬇️

Initiated by Hannah, this trip was to be a nice weekend away with a bunch of friends. After futzing around with a couple of cancellations and group food preparation, we were good to go. Except, the weather wasn’t. A front was blowing through on Friday and was not set to clear for Saturday. Ah well, up we go!

We all arrived at Mt Cook Village at different times on Saturday, so decided to start on our own time and meet at Mueller Hut. Jen and I walked up with Louise and Daniel who we carpooled with. Because we started relatively early in the day we got the worst of the weather and faced a lot of rain. That said, without the rain, it would have been much sweatier work!

The track starts nice and gentle through the forest before sending it steeply up the face to Sealey Tarns. This first section is very well formed and has lots (2000+) of steps constructed of rocks and wood. Pretty amazing. The view could be excellent but we saw only cloud. We quickly lunched at Sealy Tarns before continuing – we didn’t want to get too cold.

After Sealy Tarns the track devolves into natural rocks, mud and non-manmade steps, but is still very obvious. It would be hard to go wrong in this section! After grinding uphill some more you reach a scree section where the rocks are quite loose. We also found some snow here – that was unexpected. Thankfully it wasn’t enough to turn us around! I hadn’t thought about snow in January. Whoops!

Once you turn off onto the ridgeline the track crosses a boulder field and then some more snow before reaching the hut. Through here it could be possible to lose your way in the cloud, so it was nice to have a NZ Topo app on my phone to double-check. We reached the hut with no issues and claimed some beds for the 9 of us.

The afternoon and evening were spent chatting with the others as they arrived at different times, eating a lot of food, and drinking wine. Awyis. The rather interesting (and a bit odd) hut warden Eddie told us that he’d be up for stargazing at 1am and sunrise at 5am. Sadly, the clouds hadn’t cleared for stargazing, but they did lift for sunrise!

We grovelled out of bed, put on many layers of clothing and hobbled over to the ridge to get a view of the sunrise over Kā Tiritiri o te Moana (Southern Alps). The colours were truly wonderful and it was worth the early rise.

After that, we slowly had breakfast, cleaned up, and got ready to head back down. Louise and Daniel headed off a little ahead of the rest of us (determined not to slow us down) and the rest of us came a few minutes later. We met up for lunch at Sealy Tarns where the cloud had cleared enough to get a beautiful view up to Mt Cook, The Hooker Valley and surrounding areas.

A short descent later saw us back at the carpark which was packed to the brim. We did some rearranging and squeezed five of us into our car and headed home.

Overall: an amazing trip with great walking, despite the poor visibility and rain on Saturday. A must-do.

Jen, Louise, Daniel and I ready to go!
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Nothin’ but cloud.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

At least the nature is beautiful!
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Wooooo snow!
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Cloudy ridgeline at the top.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Jen in the sunrise.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Jen admiring Aoraki (Mt Cook)
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Cute group photo before leaving in the morning.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Sun’s out, guns out!
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Looking back at Mueller Hut managing to stay out of the cloud.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Heading back down with a bit of a view.
📷 Finn Le Sueur

Aoraki and Lake Hooker 😍
📷 Finn Le Sueur

2019 in Review

finn@lesueur.nz (Finn Le Sueur) — Tue, 07 Jan 2020 18:14:40 +1300

Theme: Choose to be Outside

It has been a big year this year. I finished off 2018 by moving out of home, just in time to start my first real job in late January as a high school Science & Physics teacher. On top of that I signed up to do Coast to Coast in February 2020; a race across the South Island of New Zealand.

Teaching

It has been really exciting and rewarding to be finally in the workforce (and to get paid, if I’m honest). I mucked around at University for 6 years in the end, so it was nice to properly join the adult world.

Teaching, as in all jobs, has its ups and down, its period of stress and periods in the doldrums. But, it has consistently challenged me throughout the year, made me aware of some of my foibles and some of my strengths. There have been more than a few me late nights and early mornings trying to get ready for day, trying to finish marking or to write reports.

It has been hard.

But it’s not all stress and admin, it has also taken me rock climbing with a bunch of really excellent students on a weekly basis; it has taken me out in the Port Hills trail running with students and teachers alike and it has seen me take groups out of school on trips to engineering firms, the local university, and even gain my first aid certificate.

It has been good.

I have learned so much about the job itself, about surviving a full time job and it has also shown me the multitude of ways in which I am not good enough and need to improve in the coming years.

Onwards. Upwards! 👨‍🔬👨‍🏫

Coast to Coast

The One Day race is the World Multisport Championship event and is also referred to as the “Longest Day”. The One Day race is only open to individuals and as the name suggests sees competitors complete the full 243km course in one day. https://www.coasttocoast.co.nz

I’m not entirely sure where my want to do Coast to Coast came from. I know that big endurance events have been of interest to me for a long time, despite never having run further than 21.3km in 2hrs 8min. Nonetheless, in March 2019 I signed up for the race. It cost over $1,000 and I was from there on, committed.

I contacted a local legend of a runner and multisporter, Martin Lukes and managed to get him as a coach for the year. Stoked! He helped me plan my training throughout the year - and what a year it has been.

2019 Year in Sport
📷 Finn Le Sueur

My training played a huge role in my 2019 Year Theme: Choose to be Outside. I would class it as a great success! I did not aim to look different, lose body fat or get an 8-pack, I just wanted to be outside. Outside is where I am happy and it is where I love to be.

I have yet to do my race: I still have 4 weeks to go, but I am feeling good (read: increasingly nervous). The countdown is on, I still have training and a way to go but I am feeling positive!

Yearly Theme

Choose to be outside

As previously mentioned, training for Coast to Coast was a huge part of this theme and getting outside, but I also did my best to make being outside central to my life in other ways:

catch up with friends over a walk,
go tramping (hiking) in the weekend with friends,
go rock climbing outdoors when possible,
go to the beach,
camp in my self-contained van in the mountains or by the seaside,
make friends who like being outside,
be with family outside.

I’m not sure what to say other than that it has been excellent. I have adventured and discovered more in my backyard that I thought possible. I’m stoked to be on such a good path and for it to continue!

As I write, I am not sure what my 2020 theme will be, but I am sure that I will figure it out soon.

👋

How To Initiate Sidecar From iOS

finn@lesueur.nz (Finn Le Sueur) — Wed, 22 Apr 2020 20:57:59 +1200

Sidecar is wonderful and adds a huge amount of functionality to an already awesome iPad Pro 12.9" - but let’s say that I want to connect to a headless Macbook Pro (or Mac Mini) in the future. How can I initiate Sidecar from the iPad end of the equation?

After much searching I concluded that Sidecar does not have a CLI, or at least not one I can find discussed at all.

The Solution - AppleScript & SSH

While old and not overly well maintained, AppleScript has a huge amount to offer with regards to MacOS automation. Simply create a file initiateSidecar.scpt wherever suits you.

activate application "SystemUIServer"
tell application "System Events"
 tell process "SystemUIServer"
 set displayMenu to (menu bar item 1 of menu bar 1 whose description contains "Displays")
 tell displayMenu
 click
 delay 1
 tell (menu item "iPad" of menu 1)
 click
 end tell
 end tell
 end tell
end tell

You can call AppleScript on the commandline with osascript yourScriptName.scpt. Just be aware that the first time you run it you will need to grant some extra permissions, so it will not work on first-run.

Then, from your iPad end, create a Shortcut that runs a SSH command on your Mac and add it to your homescreen widget - download it here! Easy!

Shortcut to initiate Sidecar from iOS
📷 Finn Le Sueur

This has already been a huge improvement for me. Enjoy!

References

Heart Timeline

finn@lesueur.nz (Finn Le Sueur) — Wed, 14 Jun 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Here is an ongoing timeline of my journey for a new heart valve and aortic root.


2022/09/09	My GP detects a heart murmur incidentally.
2022/11/30	Get an echocardiogram at the hospital to look at my heart valve.
2022/12/23	Get an MRI of my aortic root and arch at St George’s.
2023/01/11	Meet my cardiologist, Dr Alison under John Lainchbury.
2023/01/13	Get a dental checkup with my own dentist.
2023/01/16	Get dental clean with my dentist + amoxycilin antibiotic.
2023/01/17	My cardio case is presented at the weekly cardiothoracic meeting.
2023/01/24	Received a phone call to book an appointment with the surgeon.
2023/01/26	Letter received to confirm my meet-the-surgeon appointment.
2023/02/14	Meet my surgeon, Priscilla Beven.
2023/02/16	Receive phone call to book my pre-admission clinic (meet the doctors).
2023/02/21	Receive pre-admission forms in the mail (lots of paperwork).
2023/03/09	See Clinical Psychologist, Sandie.
2023/03/27	Do my pre-admission blood tests.
2023/04/01	Attend my pre-admission clinic to meet the Clinical Nurse Specialist, anaesthetist, house surgeon, and registrar.
2023/04/06	See Clinical Psychologist, Sandie.
2023/05/03	Be a test patient for training doctors to diagnose heart sounds.
2023/05/09	Attent a dental clearance appointment at the hospital.
2023/05/14	Original estimated surgery date passes by.
2023/06/06	Surgery pencilled in for 13/06/2023.
2023/06/12	Receive appointment letter for a Cat Scan for my coronary arteries.
2023/06/13	Surgery delayed to 20/06/2023.
2023/06/14	Surgery “confirmed” for 20/06/2023.
2023/06/15	Do my pre-surgery blood antibody typing test.
2023/06/19	Attend my CT scan and admit to hospital at 3pm for surgery on 20/06/2023!

The (Bentall) Procedure

finn@lesueur.nz (Finn Le Sueur) — Mon, 10 Apr 2023 23:02:11 +1200

So, I’m not really sure that I can advocate for watching the surgery on YouTube before you go through it, but, I did and here we are. I’ll attach below a couple of videos – the first is an animated explainer, and the second is a for-real-no-joke actual Bentall Procedure which is almost the exact one I’ll be having (or have had, depending on when you read this). The animated video doesn’t go into the aortic root replacement that I’ll be getting, but it’s a great video.

Make a skin incision along the full length of the sternum.
Use a bone saw to separate the sternum along its median.
Retract the sternum and lungs.
Open the pericardium (sac around the heart) with a diathermy¹ (an absolutely wild tool).
Cannulate the right atrium and the ascending aorta for cardiopulmonary bypass.
Cool the heart and then temporarily arrest the heart (stop it beating), so surgery can be more easily performed².
Clamp the aorta to prevent backflow.
Transcet (cut) the aorta.
Remove the defective aorta and valve.
Prepare many sutures on the annulus.
In some surgeries the valve may then be attached to the annulus these sutures before being attached to the repalcement aorta. In the video below the valve is pre-attached to the graft. I believe in mine will be the prior.
“Parachute” the valve/graft into place.
Attach the coronary arteries to the graft. These were previously attached to the aorta and are the ones that can get blocked with plaque and cause heart attacks!
Attach the top of the graft to the rest of the ascending aorta.
Remove air from the aorta and graft.
Sometimes an irregular heart rhythm will occur – this can be very serious. Patients may have a pacemaker or temporary pacing-wire inserted at this stage (hopefully not).
Take the patient off the cardiopulmonary bypass machine.
Insert a pericardial drainage tube to let excess fluid from around the heart drain out after the surgery.
Check you didn’t leave any tools inside the patient (it’s happened before)³.
Close the sternum using wires. These can be removed post-recovery if the patient has discomfort from their presence.
Suture the tissue closed, tidy up and take the patient to ICU!
It may take some time (two to four hours) before the team are happy to take you off the ventilator. They will wake you up from the anasthetic and remove the tube once your breathing is returning.
The recovery begins!

TeachMe Surgery. (2023) Diathermy. Retrieved April 10, 2023, from https://teachmesurgery.com/skills/surgical-equipment/diathermy/ ↩︎
Catalina Carvajal; Amandeep Goyal; Prasanna Tadi.. (2023) Cardioplegia - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf. Retrieved April 10, 2023, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK554463/ ↩︎
Retained surgical instruments - Wikipedia. (2023) Retrieved April 10, 2023, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Retained_surgical_instruments ↩︎

Building This Website

finn@lesueur.nz (Finn Le Sueur) — Tue, 15 Oct 2019 19:38:06 +1300

The more I use the internet, the more opinionated I have become with regards to a few things.

Speed
Size
Javascript
Plain Text

Let’s go one at a time!

1. Speed

Like most people, I use the internet on my phone a lot. Speed matters. No one wants to wait for website to load; to have it jump around as different chunks of content load; or to have it take multiple seconds to become interactive.

For this reason I have gone backwards and returned to the world of static web pages. The tool I am using for this is Hugo. It creates static HTML web pages from Markdown and HTML template files. It is wonderfully performant and easy to use.

No more server-side rendering for each request, and no more heavy JS or PHP frameworks. Just simple markdown and some basic templating.

2. Size

This ties into my first point: speed. Actually, all my points tie together. The smaller the assets, the quicker it loads. Thanks to the world of HTTP/2 and QUIC, smaller, split-up assets lead to a very, very quick loading experience.

Currently my average page weight is:

~3-10kb of HTML
1.52kb of CSS
3.19kb favicon

Unfortunately, there is only so much I can do to lower the time to first byte (TTFB) due to my server location. This has to do with the time taken for signals to travel down wires and through networks.

I am located in New Zealand, but no local hosts can compete with Linode for server performance or cost. So, I choose to suffer a slower TTFB from all the way over here in New Zealand for cheaper and better hosting experience.

3. Javascript

I just don’t like it, if I’m honest. The frameworks tend to be large, and we’ve already talked about how much I love a small payload. Javascript is a huge performance hit for any browser and people use it badly. For these reasons and more, I generally avoid it where at all possible. Enough said.

4. Plain Text

Like many people on the internet, I am a little afraid to having my content tied up in proprietary formats which may break, be discontinued or that rely on paid software. Plain text is none of these things. It can be stored and diffed in Git; it can be read in many editors; it is universally supported; and it is easy to read.

Granted, Hugo uses a mixture of plain text and Markdown which is a slight augmentation of plain text. But:

The overriding design goal for Markdown’s formatting syntax is to make it as readable as possible. The idea is that a Markdown-formatted document should be publishable as-is, as plain text, without looking like it’s been marked up with tags or formatting instructions. - John Gruber, author of Markdown

Complexities

In order to live this simpler life, I had to figure out how to initially deploy the website and create a nice continuous integration pipeline so that my updates flow easily.

When I commit to my repository, a Gitlab pipeline is triggered using this .gitlab-ci.yml script.

stages:
- deploy
variables:
GIT_SUBMODULE_STRATEGY: recursive
deploy:
stage: deploy
before_script:
- apt-get update -qq
- apt-get install -qq git
- 'which ssh-agent || ( apt-get install -qq openssh-client )'
- eval $(ssh-agent -s)
- ssh-add <(echo "$SSH_PRIVATE_KEY")
- mkdir -p ~/.ssh
- '[[ -f /.dockerenv ]] && echo -e "Host *\n\tStrictHostKeyChecking no\n\n" > ~/.ssh/config'
script:
- ssh finn@my.private.hidden.ip "cd /srv/finn.lesueur.nz/ && git checkout master && git pull origin master --recurse-submodules && exit"
- ssh finn@my.private.hidden.ip "cd /srv/finn.lesueur.nz/ && rm -rf public/"
- ssh finn@my.private.hidden.ip "cd /srv/finn.lesueur.nz/ && hugo && exit"
only:
- master
artifacts:
paths:
- public

In essence this script says:

Connect to the server & get the latest commits from Git,
remove the public directory to avoid stale content getting left behind,
get Hugo to generate the latest site content.

Not too complex, but also not completely simple. I do love it though.

tooDo

finn@lesueur.nz (Finn Le Sueur) — Sun, 03 Jan 2021 13:20:30 +1300

A simple but effective way to leave comments to your future self, and other programmers is to put stuff like this in code:

</article>
<!-- NOTE: I don't know why this works. Do not touch. -->
...

There are ways to view all of these comments in you code, for example, the Sublime Text Todo Review plugin. But! What if you want to do this for multiple directories and view them all in one window?

Enter: TooDo.

Find the FIX/NOTE/TODO tasks in your source files!

This is a fun weekend project for me, but I am all for learning, so let me know if things don’t work, or you have a feature request.

How to Use

Clone this repository

Install requirements (fswatch, toml)

 python3 -m pip install -r requirements.txt

Open config.toml and define the directories you want to watch, like this:

[directories]
 [directories.tooDo]
 path = "/Users/finnlesueur/Git/tooDo/"
 ignore_paths = [
 "venv"
 ]
 ignore_types = [
 ".html",
 ".png",
 ".jpg",
 ".jpeg",
 ".gif",
 ".gpx",
 ".min.js",
 ]

Run the script!
- python tooDo.py
- I personally made an Automator app which simply calls this script so I can boot it from Alfred.

Customisation

You may wish to customise the FIX/TODO/NOTE/whateveryouwant patterns being searched for. You can do this in config.toml

[patterns]
 [patterns.FIX]
 regex = "FIX:\\s*(.*)"
 [patterns.TODO]
 regex = "TODO:\\s*(.*)"
 [patterns.NOTE]
 regex = "NOTE:\\s*(.*)"

You can also change the font family, font size, font colour, background colour and colour of the currently selected line.

[display]
 background = "#ecf0f1"
 text = "#1e272e"
 current_line = "#badc58"
 font_family = 'Space Mono'
 font_size = 13
 font_size_big = 16

You may also wish to crank up how often changes to the todo list are checked for. It is set by default to 1000ms which seems perfectly good to me. It will use lots more CPU if you make it excessively small.

[settings]
 tk_refresh_rate = 1000

Dependencies

pyfswatch
- MIT License
toml
- MIT License