Trip Photos

Arriving at the 3rd Dean

Malcolm

Snakes Head Rock

Trip Report

As we drew up to the Deans car park our attention was immediately caught by the pitiful baa-ing of three cute black headed lambs in an adjacent enclosure. We could see more flocks of these black headed sheep on the hillsides. We commented on how unusual they were, even speculating as to whether they were part goat. Liz found out later that they were Dorper sheep – from South Africa.

Malcolm and Bruce were lucky enough to be escorting 12 women over the Three Deans and Bruce proved his worth by being perfectly placed to catch Milanda as she toppled midway over a barbed wire fence. Unfortunately he could not sustain his ‘knight in white shining armour’ role, missing both the opportunity to save Lindsey from sliding into a mud puddle and to rugby tackle Yani’s pack when it rolled some way down the hillside.

Malcolm on the other hand, did not distinguish himself with even one act of gallantry, preferring to get points for eccentricity by offering nuts and bolts scroggin and dehydrated water at tea time. Indeed he joined in with the slipping and sliding by almost disappearing down a hole at one point which might have been better suited to Alix…..

The sun fought a battle with the mist and drizzle for most of the day, winning a bit and then losing a bit, then winning out again. Lack of wind though meant no one got too cold or wet so we were a happy enough group of trampers.

Our tramp took us over a rickety bridge, which was just as well since the Waipara was swollen, swift and muddy. We then climbed up through paddocks to the ridgeline leading to South Dean. We dropped off this and then climbed up to Middle Dean then down this and up to North Dean. We caught a few tantalizing glimpses of snowy peaks to the East, but by and large the cloud base was too low to see more than the immediate views of the swollen Waipara river, gorge and lakes to the east and across to vineyards to the Cass-Totara ridge line to the west.

After conquering the Three Deans we circled back to the north initially along a limestone backbone with interesting rock formations and slabs of slimy rock waiting to slip up the unwary tramper. We then descended to the farm track below and walked happily back to the rickety bridge and the car park.

The group was truly international with representatives from China, France, Russia, Scotland, England, Australia and a few token kiwis. Thank you to all for coming with me on a very pleasant social trip. Milanda, Sheree, Lindsey, Kerrie M, Kerrie S, Jenny, Elena, Liz, Pat, Alix, Yani, Bruce, Malcolm and Susan – leader and scribe.

-- Uploaded by Susan Pearson on 25 July, 2010