Autumn Sunshine and Epic Views

Sunday 27 April

Another glorious autumnal day - we pottered about for a couple of hours then headed off up the pass to tackle a section of the Bealey Spur Track which DOC had said was “more gradual than most Alpine tracks” that “climbs gently up the spur”…I’d say they were not entirely truthful! They first 600m wasn't too bad as we wound our way uphill on a tar sealed road through assorted Alpine huts & chalets until we entered the woods at the top - then it all went a bit Pete Tong...

It was a beautiful but gnarly track - quite steep in places with big rocky steps and trippy uppy roots, swampy patches and stony, slippy bits. There were a couple of narrow boardwalks and also a boggy bit where the boards just sat squelchily in the mud! We climbed up and up through the beech woods, before emerging into some sunshine on a lower ridge line, surrounded by mānuka and kanuka shrub, and with lovely views out to the Bruce Stream valley on our left - though tantalisingly nothing out to the Waimakariri valley which we knew was laid out in all its glory to our right.

Eventually, and we finally reached a tussocky grass area with a few glimpses out to the valley below, and it already looked pretty stunning!

We were tired, sat down to have a drink of water and a snack and were about to turn back but asked a fellow walker heading our way, how far was it to the view point. It was only about ten minutes so we pushed on and were rewarded by epic views in all directions, but particularly out over the Waimakariri River valley - wow!!!🤩

We took the opportunity of these epic views to record a birthday message for Natalie as the twins were turning 21 in just a few days time and Hannah was collating birthday messages for her from the family. And then turned my canon on ourselves to snap a couple of profile pics.

The walk back down was pretty tough on my knees but my walking pole saved a lot of pressure and I survived! Despite the fact that nature had put some pretty bumpy and ankle grabby obstacles in our way we made our way down slightly faster than going up. Paused at the hamlet on the way down to the road - fascinated by the little green Alpine hut at the top which appeared to be suspended off roof gables which were anchored to the ground on both ends of the A!

Heading up to Arthur’s Pass village to get some diesel we picked up a couple of Aussie hitchhikers - Grace & Julian from Sydney & Canberra respectively - who’d just finished a 4 day hike and were taking the train back to Christchurch. Love returning these hitching favours 30+ years down the line! We picked up 2 more on the way back to Cass who had just completed the Cass Lagoon Track at the Arthur's Pass Wilderness Lodge - but one of them had been overdoing it and was in dire need of a shower - stinky!

Back at Banjo for a late lunch and a siesta before another happy hour 🍻 Barrie stopped by with some eggs as requested - they were huge and so fresh, and only cost $4 for 6 which is an absolute bargain! Louis also made friends with the chooks who were very curious and friendly.Loving our time at Cass ❤️