Mt Misery at the southern end of Lake Rotoroa in the Nelson Lakes National Park has been on the to do list for quite sometime. Being a short but steep climb to get to Mt Misery Hut we thought that it would be great trip for the kids 6 and 8, although some misery was anticipated on the uphill. With an elevation gain of about 1100m, and the with the added weight of the kids gear to lug up as well it was going to be a slow but steady trip, however the luxury of a cosy little hut above bush line was very inviting.
With snow down to around 900m the night before, the climb was very slippery, a combination of wet mud, slick black sooty beech mold and leaf littler. The complaining was vehement and dissolved into a full meltdown (6year old) at 1100m, however this was resolved by a break, a hot brew of two minute noodles and some icicles. With a continuous supply of icicles until the bush line the rest of the climb was much more enjoyable, and we popped out into the open sooner than expected to soak up the warm sun. There were fantastic views the length of Lake Rotoroa and the Travers Ranges towered beside us to the east.
Mt Misery Hut was an easy wander along the ridge, situated next to a small tarn. There were 4 mattresses but only a wide enough sleeping space for 3 mattresses to fit, so I guess the spare is for the floor. The kid’s conked out straight away for a siesta in the warm hut which soaked up the afternoon sun and held the heat surprisingly well overnight.
We took turns venturing along the ridge to the south along the Mahanga Range while they napped, which held huge, distant views of the Travers Range, D’Urville River and Ella Range with the Mole Tops clearly visible. The ridge line was a pleasant stroll past rolling contours (with a step drop into the D’Urville), little tarns, lovely vegetation, and 360 degree views.
I must mention the loo: a round plastic contraption with a toilet seat on it out in the open which was greeted at first with distain, and confusion, then appreciated for the spectacular views.
Friday/Sat just gone was looking like a really nice but short weather window. Husband and kids had taken off on Thursday with their Aunty, and Grandma and Grandad to check out the Molesworth and stay at Saxtons Hut. I had quite a bit of work on so decided to get up early Fri and 4WD up the Leatham Valley and walk in to the hut to meet them. After getting briefly stuck in the river on the way up I set off from Bottom Gordons Hut, up Gordons Stream and over Saxton Saddle and was greeted by the gigantically...
A while ago I explored the Arthurs Pass area with my good friend Dulkara, we walked up the Taramaku River, bush bashed through the thick & steep bush up to the open tops where we spent three days traversing the ridges. On the second afternoon, after lots of up and down ridge-line scrambling we approached Lake Morgan...
Camp Stream Hut, a historic musterers hut on the Te Araroa trail near Tekapo with Roundhill in the background. A magical place to visit, especially in the late afternoon although once the sun falls it becomes bitterly cold. On this particular trip the walk out was sodden with snow melt and my feet lost feeling in the last main river. Brr…