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.
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| 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...
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| ...the fancy composting toilet at Rod Donald Hut... |
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| 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.
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| Approaching Rod Donald Hut in Western Valley |
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| 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.
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| ...interior of the Rod Donald Hut... |
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| 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...
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| 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.
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| 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...
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| Which way do the prevailing winds blow... |
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| 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.
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| ...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.
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| 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.
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