Hoary Head. Organisers: Jim Maxwell & Margaret Page
7am, 10 bods met at the church steps and after a briefing from leader Jim piled into 3 4wd vehicles and headed off to pick up the other four starters. The trip to Mt.Campbell (Jim had gained permission and keys to take vehicles to the top, a considerable saving in time and energy) was uneventful if a bit exciting for those not accustomed to 4wdriving.
We were greeted at the top by very strong winds, chilly to say the least. Most people put on a few more layers and we headed off just before 9am. The route is up and down and roughish, not particularly marked but Jim kept us on the straight and narrow. After a short morning tea stop we were underway again with Hoary Head clearly in our sights. The spectacular views all along the ridge make this trip worthwhile. Approx 3 hours later we were as usual undecided which is the true top as there are several possible knobs. We sought shelter over the edge and enjoyed lunch while feasting our eyes on the 360 panoramic views laid out before us. We didn't linger for long before mustering the group and heading back.
The trip back held no problems until the last steep ascent which is a bit of a killer. It looked easier to head left and sidle in more open country than tackle the straight-up-and-at-em ridge before us. The sidle was quite long and I'm not convinced the easiest way but what the heck it got us to where we needed to be. The group ahead of me startled a large, smelly billy goat which nearly landed in my lap before changing direction and careering off down hill at a rapid pace. No other animal life to be seen except the names that appear at the end. Back at the vehicles about 5pm-ish the wind certainly hadn't abated at all.
We all felt glad to have been there and done that, Hoary Head is such a familiar bump on our western skyline. The trip down not without its concerns as the key at the last gate was not at all co-operative and the thought of being stuck there not exciting, but "the chaps" managed to persuade it to co-operate. Where is CRC when you need it?
Definitely a trip for long day light hours but one that comes highly recommended.
Leader Jim Maxwell, Reporter Marg Page and fellow travellers Shirley Gabrielsen, Yvonne Kyle, Shirley DeGroot, Lindsay Twiname, David Blunt, Margaret Edwards, Marianne Hermsen, Dan McGuire, Val Latimer and visitors Noel & Sheryl File, and Bob Hughes.