Banks Peninsula, Rod Donald Hut, September 22-23rd

...Rod Donald Hut again...

I visited Rod Donald Hut on the weekend...I was meaning to visit Woolshed Creek but I cancelled it as I was the only person visiting that hut and I felt awkward. Rod Donald was available so I decided to visit it instead. 

Ships off Port Levy in the rain on day one

I started out at my normal spot up on Waipuna Saddle and walked into the hut in the light rain that was falling, The traveling time was much quicker than previously as I was more prepared for the walk. My walking style has improved with me no longer needing my walking stick to visit the hut.

...The track to Rod Donald Hut...

You climb up to the apex of the track, Banks Peninsula

I soon arrived at the Waipuna Saddle and walked to the hut in the gathering gloom.

High point of the Rod Donald Track

Looking to Mt Fitzgerald from the high point

It started raining softly as I headed to the hut...by the time I arrived it was raining hard and the weather continue to deteriorate for the rest of the day.

These three woman passed me on the track, Rod Donald Track

I was passed by three woman waking to the hut...by the time I arrived I was by myself and it continued in this fashion until about 5 when a couple made their way to the hut. I was alone for most of  the day but I put on the fire on so at least  I was not cold.

...they quickly gained on me...

...closer view of three woman that passed me...

I descended to the hut on the track...basically the first part of the track is across farmland and the second part is a gradual drop down to the hut. 

Descending the Rod Donald Track in the rain

Here is the fireplace blazing.. Rod Donald Hut is a backcountry hut with a supply of wood so i was able to have the fire burning. The wood comes from an old stand of Macrocarpa trees that are standing near the hut and slowly being utilised. 

...I soon had a blazing fire burning...

Here is a photo of the interior of the hut showing the main room. It was good once I had the hut warmed up and I enjoyed some 2 minute noodles and some salami sticks I had brought on the way to the hut. 

Interior shots of Rod Donald Hut, Banks Peninsula

...I took that days newspaper with me...

I spent the remainder of the day reading my Kindle and cooking some food before I went off for a sleep for 12 hours. I spent the night with a young couple from Christchurch who arrived at about 5 having come from work.

Day 2: Rod Donald to the road end

On day two I was up and at it from about 7.30 and after I had some breakfast and packed my kit I set off for the carpark. 

..leaving Rod Donald Hut on the second day...

...Rod Donald Hut in the rain..

I was making my way back to the car in the rain that was falling. I got quite wet making my way back up to the car because it was raining a little. I climbed up the track slowly taking care not to slip in the rain.

...Ascending the Rod Donald Track...

Photo taken of the third zig zag, Rod Donald Track

Eventually I made it up to the top of the track were I put on my jacket because the rain was falling more at this stage. Warm in my jacket I continued to climb up the track...

Top of Rod Donald Hut track and I put on my jacket

Upoun reaching the Waipuna Saddle I stopped to take a couple of photos. I took a photo of the signs that mark the apex of the track and ones of the track just past the fences. 

Picture of various signs on Waipuna Saddle

On the way to Port Levy Saddle

A few shots of the down hill section on the way to Port Levy Saddle.... 

Carpark rises out of the gloom...Banks Peninsula

Carpark on Port Levy Saddle in the rain

I walked down to the car thru the mist...it was raining quite strongly and I covered the distance quickly. 

A sign near the start of the track

All up it took me about an hour and a bit to walk to the hut and maybe just over an hour to walk back...pretty good considering it was wet and slippery.

Jon after reaching Port Levy Saddle, Banks Peninsula

I like this hut and though I was planning to walk into Woolshed Creek it was a good tramp to stretch the legs with. I will have to try and visit Woolshed Creek some other time.

Access: Take the road toward Akaroa and turn off Western Valley Road, the hut is situated 2.5 kilometers to the due west along the track.

Hut Details: Rod Donald Hut: 9 bunks, woodbox/woodshed, running water from tanks, fancy composting toilet. 

Miscellaneous: The hut is all season and can be accessed right through the year. 

Tramping Equipment: Orson Raider XL I

 Orson Raider XL-A better 1 man tent?

Over the break I managed to by another tent for using it is the Orson Raider XL tent and this one is in the orange. You can get this tent in orange and green. I thought the orange would be a better color to buy. The tent is easier to see as well as looking different...

..the Orson Raider 1 in orange...

Designed with tall individuals in mind this tent provides plenty of length with a size of 230cm reaching even the tallest of trampers. Often this is a problem as taller trampers find it impossible to fit inside the more shorter offerings from tent manufacturers. 

...the Orson Raider with the fly removed...

The dimensions of the tent are 230x90/50x92 which gives room for the tramper and all of their gear inside. The tent has a fly with a 3000 cu cm's head to it making it heavy enough to handle conditions here. It has a 5ooo cu cm's head on the floor and a bath tub base so it is effectively waterproof. 

..Dimensions of the tent...

The Raider tent offers easy side entry and an extra area opposite the entry for use as gear storage or for cooking in the tent. There is plenty of space in the tent with a wide vestibule providing space to allow you to use it for cooking, gear storage or what ever else you might need it for. 

Interior shot showing the taped interior of the tent

With weight of 1.75kg it is heavier then my Copperspur UL 1 but the added water proof-ness and extra pole has led to compromises with the weight. The second pole has given it added rigidity but it has also added to the weight. The tent is fully seam sealed and has a number of useful storage compartments on it...useful for storage of gear and ancillary's.

I had yet to use it so I don't know how it will perform but I hoping it will be fully water proof. I'm looking at some options for camping to practice set up and tearing it down. I have had a go with setting it up and it looks fairly easy.

Orson Raider: side view of the tent

The tent will become my go to went it is rainy and cold and I'm looking forward to use it to its full potential. I'll put some photos of the tent erected when I have them.

Port Hills, Harry Ell, 9th Septermber 2023

 On the Harry Ell track

I've been working out on walking the Harry Ell track to get my fitness up. The Harry Ell Track is a walkway that climbs the hill just above Dyers Pass Road and goes up to the Sign of the Kiwi on the Port Hills. It good as a fitness track because it forces you to work quite hard to finish it.

Starting on the walkway at the carpark, Harry Ell Walkway

A platform on the lower reaches of the track

I've been walking the track in the weekend as a fitness track and it is very good...you are on an incline to whole way and it is roughly an hour to climb the track and an hour down. It is ok as a track as you are in the sun for 3/4 of the way and it is covered with scrub only for the for the top and bottom of the track.

Cross the road and up the track, Harry Ell Walkway

The lower reaches of Hoon Hay Hill

There are some spectacular views through the middle with the forest park and the Port Hills on view thru the section. There was a tonne of people out walking the track over the weekend although they dint bother me....

The Harry Ell Walkway up on the higher slopes

I walked up to the top of the Walkway and then stopped to have a rest to have a drink of water. Then I walked back to the car on the track I had followed to the top...

Track about 1 kilometer from the end, Harry Ell Walkway

I reach the top of the Harry Ell Walkway

I expect to be walking the track on a regular basis over the next two months as I build my strength and stamina for the Milford Track in early January. I'm hoping that I can build my strength for this trip and I  am doing all I can to work out for this tramp. 

Upper slopes of Christchurch Adventure Park

Awesome views of Canterbury are possible from the Harry Ell

I have tramps planned for the Woolshed Creek and Abel Tasman to build my strength and am looking for some easy to hiking walks for the future. I am slowly building my strength for the walk of the Milford and I happy with my progress so far. The point where I will be able to say will be the point I can walk 20 kms and still feel fine...

The Christchurch Adventure Park

I'm hoping to get back near where I was pre stroke and am getting out amongst it in an attempt to get my fitness up.

Crossing the carpark at Victoria Park

Anyway I look forward to the weekends to get out in the outdoors. 

Banks Peninsula, Rod Donald Hut, 1-2 September 2023

A Mission to Rod Donald

I am working to ease my way back into tramping slowly, as such I went to Rod Donald Hut on Banks Peninsula for a tramp. It is a short trip just 1.5 hours from the carparking area and about 2.5 kilometers. 

Heading for at hut just outside Halswell

I started off by taking the road out of  Christchurch to the hut. It was slow with the 80 km speed limit on the road emposed since July 2022. I cruised around to Western Valley Road then went up Western Valley to the car park up on Port Levy Saddle.

This is the entrance way to the hut and the start of one leg of Te Ara Pataka...

The first bit of Rod Donald Track

It was a lovely fine day with lots of sum and the tempretures in the mid teens,,,there was a cold wind blowing gently which chilled the air. I was going right from the start as a carload of people arrived shortly after I did...they were staying at the hut that night. 

Heading overland towards Rod Donald Hut 

I did not take any photos of me heading to the hut as I was trying to stay ahead of the people. I managed to walk to the hut and stayed  just ahead of them...i got to the hut and managed to select a bunk and get settled in before they arrived. The down hill from the top track was difficult as I could'nt manage a break...I will take it ease from here on and go at the more slow pace. 

...the fancy composting toilet at Rod Donald Hut...

Photo of the woodshed at Rod Donald hut

Rod Donald Hut is an old farm building that has been converted into a hut...a genius idea if you ask me. They have the original size of the hut but it is slightly bigger as it has a number of additions added to it. I made myself comfortable as I was staying the night....I made coffee and had a bit of lunch after I arrived.

I was joined by five South Africans, a French couple and an Indian Kiwi guy that  evening...the hut was full of people as it holds nine people. It is not uncommon to find yourself in a hut full of tourist at this time of the year.

Approaching Rod Donald Hut in Western Valley

Rod Donald Hut, Banks Peninsula

Here is a view of the kitchen on arrival...it is light and airy as you can see it will easily hold nine folks in comfort and style. 

...interior of the Rod Donald Hut...

Outside the hut on day one., Rod Donald Track

I spent the afternoon around the hut...i had started the walk into the hut at 1 pm so I must have got to the hut sometime about 2 pm in the afternoon. I spent the time sitting outside in the sun and sun bathing...

View of Western Valley thru the windows

I manage to spend the day around the hut...I spent the afternoon lying in the grass outside in the sun and contemplated life. Later I had some dinner and spent the remainder of the night in the hut which was warm as I had light the fire.

I got up on the second day and after breakfast made my way to the top of the trail. I like to get going early and this was no exception and I found myself at the crossroad of the track before 8.

Making my way up the Rod Donald Track

I  stopped at Waipua Saddle and had a drink...I pondered which way the prevailing wind blow...           

     

Which way do the prevailing winds blow...

Sign post on the main Te ara Pataka track

Once I reached the high point I just had the down hill section to complete and quickly walked down and to my car. 

...the end of the track comes into view....

    

All up it took me about an hour and a bit to walk to the hut and maybe just over an hour to walk back...pretty good considering it was my first tramp.

The finish of the track, Rod Donald Track

I will head to Woolshed Creek Hut in a couple of weeks to my delight. I want to see if I need multiple hours to reach the hut. Normally it takes me about 3 hours to cover the distance...I'm thinking it could be a bit slower. I will give me a measure to judge if I am going to be able to cover the distance on the Milford Track...

Access: Take the road toward Akaroa and turn off Western Valley Road, the hut is situated 2.5 kilometers to the due west along the track.

Hut Details: Rod Donald Hut: 9 bunks, woodbox/woodshed, running water from tanks, fancy composting toilet. 

Miscellaneous: The hut is all season and can be accessed right through the year.