French Ridge Hut

YIC has just returned from an excellent 2 day walk to French Ridge Hut. The hut takes the prize for the most spectacular setting to date. It's high on Mt French's ridge (as the name suggests) with wonderful views of the surrounding peaks and glaciers. YIC was the only tramper in the hut. The only other folks there were Rolf & Karina who had just walked in for a week as volunteer wardens. For those who like to commune with nature, YIC recommends a visit to the Mt French toilet. Check out the photo below - it is most commodious.

Mt French hut with Rob Roy Peak in the background

Rolf & Karina, volunteer wardens

peering down into the abyss below the Maud Francis glacier

Mt French ridge and glacier

a loo with a view

a refreshing target

For those who have had their tea and fancy something a little stronger, YIC recommends Cardrona Gold from Wanaka Beerworks. It's a 4% ABV copper coloured refreshing ale that is preservative free and available from the Kai cafe. And what's more, you can stamp your Brewski card everytime you have a pint. After 9 pints (not necessarily on the same night readers will be relieved to hear) the 10th is free. YIC is currently 50% there.

And after a night in the pleasant company of Claire & Smithy from the UK, YIC is there! Being a generous soul, he gave the card for his free pint to Paul who gave him a lift back from the French Ridge walk. YIC has now embarked on his quest for another free pint. Last night he enjoyed a few drinks in the company of Barry from Wanaka and Dawn & Jim from Napier, whilst some local musicians played some mellow blue grass tunes. It's a tough life if you don't weaken...

Barry with the musicians in the background


Dawn & Jim & YIC's rucksack

Cascade Saddle

YIC has just returned from an excellent 3 day tramp over the Cascade Saddle, a stunning alpine crossing between Raspberry Creek and the Dart Valley. The tramp involved a very steep climb up Pylon (1835m) before traversing to the saddle which had fantastic views over Mount Aspiring and the Dart Glacier. After dropping down to Dart Hut, YIC walked over the Rees Saddle and descended the Rees Valley. He had to camp for a night at a remote car park (Muddy Creek) before the bus arrived on the last day (he knows how to live). But just in case readers thought YIC undertook odd adventures, spare a thought for Nadine: she ran round the whole Rees Dart Track (90k) which took 18 hours. YIC met her just after the start of her run, then again at the car park.

on Cascade Saddle

the Dart Glacier from Cascade Saddle

Snowy Creek from Rees Saddle

the bivvy at Muddy Creek with just the sandflies for company

Nadine, fresh from running 90k

Wanaka arrival

YIC has now arrived in Wanaka where he is staying at the friendly and relaxed YHA. For those whose NZ geography is not top notch, Wanaka is in the southern part of the South Island, near Queenstown. YIC flew to Wanaka via Christchurch. The plane was tiny (just a 20 seater) but there were great views over the Southern Alps and of Mount Cook in particular.


Today YIC has recced the Wanaka Skyline race which he has entered. This is in 2 weeks time and goes over the local peaks of Mt Roy (1578 m) and Mt Alpha (1630m). This was an enjoyable ridge between them, then a grassy/track descent. After this, YIC felt rather tired and slightly dehydrated, so he restored the spirits with several cups of redbush tea. And now that he has had his tea...

Mt Roy from the lake shore where YIC swam yesterday

Lake Wanaka from Mt Roy

Mt Roy from the ridge route to Mt Alpha

Mt Aspiring from Mt Roy

the 20 seater Wanaka plane

Nelson cathedral

YIC has attended several services at Nelson cathedral. Known as Christ Church, the cathedral is also the local parish church. The parishioners are welcoming and have even started to recognise YIC as a "regular". This task is made slightly easier for them as YIC always wears the same T-shirt and pair of trousers (as the rest of his gear is reserved for tramping). The dean (Charles Tyrrel) hails from Liverpool, and as is often the case down under, many of the congregation are either ex-pats or can trace their roots back to the UK. This morning was the festival of Candlemas (the presentation of Christ in the temple) where the aged Simeon and Anna feature prominently: Simeon utters the prayer we know as the Nunc Dimittis. The dean used this to emphasise how valued the older members of the congregation were.

Holy Saviours 2009 ceilidh

Word reaches YIC via the ether that the 2009 ceilidh in the Parish Hall was a resounding success. The music was provided by Holy Saviours' multi-talented music group, who once again played for their supper. Such was the popularity of the event, that all the tickets were taken as soon as they went on sale. YIC's source (Chris Smith) was fairly brief in his report (it was sent just 1 hour after the event), but further details will follow when known.

Emma reports that the music group was swelled to 10 in number and attempted several more complicated dances this time including the Cumberland Square 8. All the dances went down well and everyone had a great time: job done.

An Old Codger gets even older

Congratulations to Timothy Duff who has now lived longer than his father. What's more, it's his birthday tomorrow (21 again, plus 48). So if you happen to be in The Grand/Tynemouth Lodge and see a white-haired chap looking wistfully at the handpumps on the bar, why not make his day and buy him a glass of the finest.