Monday 8 January 2018

Tramping Equipment: Big Agnes Copper Spur UL 1 tent

2018...a New Year and a new light weight tent


I am starting to swap out some of my normal tramping gear for ultra light (UL) versions more suited to a thru-hiker.

My tent set up in the Totaranui camp grounds, April 2018
My first purchase is a new tent, in this case the well regarded Big Agnes Copper Spur range.

Big Agnes Copper Spur tents

Big Agnes is a well known and respected American outdoor equipment firm specialising in tents, sleeping bags, mats and ancillary equipment. Many of the Te Araroa trail walkers over the past 2 years have been using these tents very successfully. 

The Big Agnes Copper Spur UL 1: 3+ season free standing tent


The Copper Spur UL 1 person is a true 3+ season free standing tent, i.e. they do not need to be pegged to the ground to be erected. This is an advantage in areas where it is rocky or hard to find peg  friendly spots. These tents are also supposed to be stable which is useful in windy old New Zealand. This particular tent design has won multiple international awards over the last 3-4 years. 
Big Agnes Copper Spur: Inner tent and pole system
I brought the one person version of this tent (they range from 1-4 people) so it weighs around 1 kg, that is light for a free standing tent. With my normal plastic groundsheet I'm looking at 1.1 kg total!

It is also very roomy with the same dimensions as my current two person tent but with more headroom. I'm 6'3" tall and I still have ample space at head and foot when prone in this tent.


Dimensions of the Big Agnes Copper Spur UL 1
The vestibule on these tents is very generous...I have room under it for my pack, boots, walking pole and cooking gear with space to spare. The one person version has one entrance/vestibule but all the other sizes have two entrances/vestibules.




This tent was purchased online from Gear Shop, who I believe are the sole distributors for Big Agnes gear in New Zealand. They had a 2017 summer sale so I managed to buy mine for only $450 NZD when the usual retail price is over $700 NZD. That is a stunning price given these tents cost $375 USD in the United States.

A real bargain!


Big Agnes Copper Spur:with the fly sheet closed down

 I have yet to use this 'operationally' but will be sure to post some shots once I do. Next to buy is a new lighter pack, trail shoes and UL down sleeping bag/quilt and I'm ready to go...

That should get my base weight down to around 8-9 kgs total.

Some photos of the Copper Spur in use


The Copper Spur UL 1 set up in the Totaranui camp grounds, April 2018

Sunday 7 January 2018

Tramping Equipment: Lowa Tibet GTX Boots

New tramping boots for a new year...


I recently brought a new pair of boots to eventually replace my current footwear as my La Sportiva's are starting to wear. I would gladly have brought a new pair of La Sportiva Valojets (my currently boots) but unfortunately they are no longer available in New Zealand. It is great pity because they are exactly the right boot for my foot size, foot type and style of tramping.


My trusty La Sportiva boots on the Harpers Pass Track in 2017...

I wanted to buy a really good pair of boots with the potential to last me a long time so I went with the Lowa brand. I have previously owned a pair of Lowa Rangers and they were excellent so I decided to buy some new ones....


Unfortunately they did not have any Rangers in my size (I wear a size 13 UK, 14 US or 48-49 Euro..big feet!) so I brought some Lowa Tibets instead.


My new Lowa Tibet boots...

Lowa Tibet GTX boots


Lowa is a German company that make a wide range of both women and men's boots and trail shoes. They have been making boots since the end of the 19th century so are well versed in designing and manufacturing top quality gear.

My new boots may be top quality but they cost a top price as well...$700 NZD a pair....ouch!

They are now the most expensive piece of tramping gear I have ever purchased. I've been wearing my $400 La Sportiva's for four years now so I figure I need to get at least six-eight years of use out of these boots for them to make financial sense. 


Lowa Tibets....full rand, high length, crampon compatible..
Lowa Tibets are high ankle tramping/hunting boots with a full rubber rand around them and thick and aggressive soles. They can be used for tramping, hunting and easy climbing and will accept most crampon sets.

They are really more boot than I need for most of my trips but they are well known for their comfort and durability once fully worn in.

As you can see in the photo below, even Max the cat approves of my purchase...

Max says...YES Jon...Vibram soles good....dogs bad!!!!!

These were purchased from the Hunting and Fishing store in Tower Junction and came with an extra set of laces, spare inner soles and a jar of leather conditioner. Nice!

Better view of the lacing system on the Lowa Tibet...

Lowa Tibet GTX: German precision!

All good quality tramping boots will have Vibram rubber soles on them. Vibram is the leading sole making company in the world and their products are widely used because of their quality and durability. I will only buy boots with Vibram soles on them.

...deep lugs on those Vibram soles...

I am currently wearing these to work a couple of times a week to wear them in. I will let you know how they work out when I take them for their first tramp.

PS: I wore them up to Packhorse Hut, they were super comfortable and had awesome traction.

Wearing the Lowa's outside the Packhorse Hut wardens biv, January 2018

I recently went up the Waimakiriri River to Carrington hut and the Tibets performed well. This is the kind of terrain these boots were made for... step, muddy and rough travel with plenty of boulder bashing involved.

One of my feet in a Lowa Tibet near Carrington Hut, February 2018


On a side note; I'm 50 in August, so these could quite easily be the last pair of boots I ever buy.


Wednesday 15 November 2017

Fitness Walking: The Harry Ell Walkway, Port Hills

Walking for fitness on the Port Hills...


Some time ago I posted about the routes around Christchurch I use for my fitness walking regime. I try to go for a tramp every second week over the Summer months but in the intervening weeks I usually go for a 2-3 hour walk on Saturday morning.

View from the Sugar Loaf carpark, Port Hills


I either go for a walk along the beach or go for a walk along one of the Port Hills tracks. I live in the shadow of the Port Hills so I am about 5 minutes from some excellent walks.

On the Harry Ell Track:


The Harry Ell track starts near the Sign of the Takahe on the cashmere hills and winds its way all the way out to Gebbies Pass. My most popular day walk is to start at Victoria Park and walk up to and around the back of the TV transmission tower on Sugarloaf Peak. This is approximately 11 kms of 1-2 hours.

I usually park at one of the car parks near Victoria Park, usually the one just down from the playground.

Victoria Park: the car park opposite the dog workout area

The track starts right next to the car park, it winds its way up and along the hills, through native bush until you connect with the main Harry Ell Walkway.

Victoria Park: Start of the track heading to the Sign of the Kiwi

Victoria Park: nice shad provided by the native bush

As you can see there is some thick native bush along the track as well as some remnant beech and Totorara trees. The track surface is well done, usually dry and fairly level.


A shaded viewing platform and seating, Victoria Park

Mature Kahikatea and Miro trees at Victoria Park

Victoria Park: head downhill to access the Harry Ell Track

Just past the viewing platform you take a side track do to the right hand side of the ridge, this connects with the main Harry Ell walkway.

...Harry Ell Track is down there!


The main walkway runs just above the Dyers Pass Road, and gradually climbs up to Dyers Pass and the Sign of the Kiwi rest spot. Back when I was stationed at Addington Barracks we used to run up this track 2-3 times a week, it is a nice walk/run as it is shaded on the lower slopes from the sun.

On the Harry Ell Track near Victoria Park

View of Worseleys Spur and Christchurch from the Harry Ell Track

You cross the uphill entrance to Victoria Park after about a kilometer, the next section is more exposed to the sun especially since the Christchurch Bushfire last year. More about that soon...

Cross the uphill entrance to Victoria Park and keep climbing

Harry Ell Walkway track markings


Start of the burn over zone on the Harry Ell Walkway


Once you break out of the remaining tree cover the full extent of the fire damage becomes obvious. The bush fire last year burned right over Worsleys Spur, across  Hoon Hay Valley and up this side of Dyers Pass Road. It was fairly devastating: most of the mature exotic forest in Hoon Hay Valley was destroyed as well as the upper reaches of Victoria Park. Thankfully the Fire Brigade got it under control before it destroyed all of the native bush.

The Worseley Spur MTB Adventure park from the Harry Ell Walkway

Water fountain on the Harry Ell Walkway

Dyers Pass Road running alongside the Harry Ell Walkway


Here you can see the burn over that occurred on this side of Dyers Pass Road. This used to be mature pine forest and thick native bush, all destroyed by the fire.

Heading into the worst fire devastation on the Harry Ell Walkway

Cut-up fire damaged trees lining the Harry Ell Walkway

There is still a patch of the original forest left near the top of the track, you can see in the photo's below how the bush used to protect you from the sun.

What the bush used to look like on the Harry Ell Walkway


Junction of Harry Ell Walkway and Summit Road

Once you reach Summit Road you turn left and walk up the roadside for about a kilometer to a carpark at the head of the Victoria Park MTB tracks. From here you follow a side track up a ridge which eventually deposits you at the Sugarloaf car park and the next section of the track.

Heading up the Summit Road to Sugarloaf

Turn off for Thompson's Track, Summit Road

At the top of Thompson's track you turn due right and climb the lower slopes of Mt Sugarloaf to the car-park just under the transmission tower itself. There are some really spectacular views from up her, well worth the walk to see them.



Car park before the climb to Sugarloaf begins

Sugarloaf TV tower as seen from the car park on Summit Road

Climbing the Latters Spur Track to the Sugarloaf car park

CCC Latters Spur Track sign near Sugarloaf

View of Canterbury and Christchurch from the Latters Spur Track


The car parking area close to Sugarloaf transmission facilities


Option One/Two: Cedric's Track to the Sign of the Kiwi


Once you get to the Sugarloaf car park you have three options: up, down or around. 

Up is the most obvious, keep walking up the TV transmission tower access road, it is about 15-20 minutes to the top where there are some stunning views of Lyttleton Harbor and the distant Banks Peninsula.

Sugarloaf carpark: head right to access the track to the Sign of the Kiwi


Option two is to go down: Cedric's Track descends from this point downhill on the right of Sugarloaf. This will eventually lead you back to Dyers Pass right next to the Sign of the Kiwi. This option is all downhill and takes about 30 minutes walking or around 1.5 kilometers.


The track from the Sugarloaf car park to distant Sign of the Kiwi


View down to Dyers Pass from Sugarloaf car park



The track junction of Thompson's Track and the main track to Sugarloaf

Option Three: Round Sugarloaf to the Sign of the Kiwi


The third option is my favored one, I keep walking along the Sugarloaf Track on the far side of the car park, this will eventually take you to Thompson's Track which runs around the back of Sugarloaf.
 Thompson's Track is a nice walk as it is an area of mature native bush with a very remote feeling to it. This is as close as you are going to get to real Kiwi bush without driving to the Canterbury Foothills.

Sugarloaf car park: Cedrics Track heads around to the left


View of Christchurch from the northern flank of Sugarloaf

View out to Pegasus Bay from the northern flank of Sugarloaf

Sugarloaf: Cedrics Track, part of the Summit Walkway

On the North West flank of Sugarloaf, the track goes the right of the rocky knoll


You eventually reach a spot with a stunning view of Lyttleton Harbor, Mt Herbert and The rest of Banks Peninsula. The track sidles down to a track junction connecting Cedrics Track, Thompson's Track and the Summit Walkway.



First view down to Lyttleton Harbor from Cedrics Track

Down into the Haratakeke on the Lyttleton side of Sugarloaf

There are two tracks on the Lyttleton side of Sugarloaf: Gilpins and Thompson's Tracks. I alternate which of them I follow. Be aware that the rock fall risk is very much higher on Gilpins as it passes beneath some bluffs at one point.

Turn off to Gilpins Track on rear side of Sugarloaf

View of the native bush on the Lyttleton side of Sugarloaf

View down to Governors Bay from high on Sugarloaf

Car park at the first car park past Sugarloaf

At the car park in the photo above look for the start of Thompson's Track which is just down the Lyttleton side of this saddle. If you continue north on the Summit Walkway you will eventually reach the Bridal Path between Lyttleton and Christchurch.


Crater Rim Walkway /Summit Walkway sign on the Port Hills


Council marker setting out start of Sugarloaf Reserve


Heading onto Thompson's Track with Sugarloaf in the background


Thompson's Track: sometimes muddy but generally easy walking...


Jon walking Thompson's Track


Slow climb on Thompson s Track, Lyttleton side of Sugarloaf



Closer view of Governors Bay from Thompson's Track



Nice set of stone steps on the Lyttleton side of Sugarloaf

Sugarloaf: a side track out to a lookout over Lyttleton Harbour

View down onto the Sign of the Kiwi from Thompsons track

View of the Lyttleton side of Sugarloaf


Mt Herbert and Diamond Harbour as seen from Sugarloaf

Gebbies Pass and Governors Bay as seen from Sugarloaf

Sugarloaf transmission antennae from the Lyttleton side

Just past the lookout spot you arrive at a point with a clear view of the varied goings on down at the Sign of the Kiwi. This tearooms only reopened recently and has a high volume of customers every time I pass by. I hear the scones are particularly nice.


Closer view of the car park and facilities at the Sign of the Kiwi


The downhill MTB adventure park damaged in the wildfires earlier this year


Junction of Thompsons Track and the main track to the Sugarloaf car park

Christchurch 360 marker near the Sign of the Kiwi car park

End of the walkway leading to the Sign of the Kiwi

Trail markers and map of the Port Hills Trail network at Dyers Pass

Heading back up to the Harry Ells Track

Burn over area as result of wild fires next to Harry Ell Walkway



Fire damage on the top end of Woolsley Spur


Regrowth on the fire damaged trees on the Harry Ell walkway

When you reach the uphill road into Victoria Park you can follow the Harry Ell track down to Cashmere of follow the road to Victoria Park. As I normally leave the car at the park I almost always turn right here.



The track way continues on the far side of the Victoria Park access road...

...but I'm going uphill into Victoria Park on the road


The memorial to the 19th, 20th and 22nd Battalions of the 2nd NZEF

The visitor center at Victoria Park used to be the old tearooms. This is the place where famously the teenager murderers Pauline Parker and Juliet Hulme took Parker's mother before murdering her. There was a movie made in the 1990's about this called Heavenly Creatures.


The 1930's era Victoria Park tearooms...


The old Victoria Park tea rooms reconfigured as a visitors centre


Words not to be spoken here are "...would you like another scone mother...."



Victoria Park, near the picnic area and play equipment

The park and playground near the visitor center must have featured in many peoples lives over the years. We often came here as kids to play in the stand of native bush to the right of this photo. An excellent spot for a picnic.


A memorial cairn to Queen Victoria at Victoria Park


The road heading down to Cashmere, the Sign of the Takehe and Christchurch


A really excellent fitness walk, I estimate it would about 12 km's return and takes about 1-2 hours to complete. By far the nicest section is that through the native bush on the Lyttleton side of Sugarloaf.

I recommend you go for a walk there sometime....

Thanks Jon