Blue Lake. Organiser: Uta Purcell

Is it worth it to go for just 2 days to Blue Lake? Mary Honey and Uta thought so, but the trip was only made possible by 7 more trampers going for 3 days, joining us and sharing the boat fare. They were: David Blunt, Christine Hoy, Lindsay Twiname, Ian Pavitt, Mark Graesser, Rosemary Weir, and Mike Daly (visitor). The weather was settled and the group of 7 had a chance to venture beyond Blue Lake. A good level of fitness took us to Blue Lake Hut in 8 1/2 hours. The hut was almost full and the floor had to be bearable for some of us. A big group of well organised trampers came from the Forty Plus Tramping Club in Christchurch. We enjoyed their company. What a surprise we had when we spotted also Harry Hancock, one of New Zealand's legendary and very senior trampers. He and his 3 senior companions had just arrived from a roundtrip over Thompson and Waiau Passes. The tramp up the Sabine River is now bisected by many evident avalanche paths, well signed by DOC. Of interest and stirring up some excitement was the event of walking on and eventually diverting from the rock-solid avalanche, still sitting on both sides of the river, filling the lower part of a ravine, one ice bridge still intact, another opened up, and numerous ice caves visible. The rivers were high, the waterfalls abundant, the scenery spectacular. On our way out on Sunday, Mary and I had a chance to compliment a DOC Ranger on the new exterior and interior paint work and other improvements at Blue Lake Hut. The inside is much lighter now.

The Waiau Pass Team: It was a perfect morning when we headed up the terminal moraine beyond the hut to view Lake Constance with its wonderful reflections of the mountain peaks. Lots of gentians were in flower in the valley as we walked up to the base of the pass route. A not difficult climb up over the more stable grass (the downhill trip was predominantly a scree slide). At the top it was a bit breezy so we dropped over the other side to admire Lake Thompson in the distance. Very bleak and rugged territory up top, but great views. We were back quite early at the hut, so many took advantage of the still sunny day to wander around and photograph Blue Lake with its beautiful colour and varied backdrops: definitely a photographers paradise.