Boyle Base Camp

6-7 July 2013

Brrr!! It was midwinter, but 9 of us hardy ones stepped up to the mark for a wet, cold but fun weekend. Four of us went Friday night and rattled around a bit in the large Boyle Lodge, but given we'd had takeaways on the way and there was an auto-zip in the lodge, we were well catered for. The Ashburton crew of 3 arrived later on Friday night, with the remaining two on Saturday.

The weather wasn't the flashest, but as it says in the lodge, "You can get wet or walk in the rain." We opted for the latter - just a matter of attitude. We set off for Magdalen Hut, not realising that the wet weather would prevent us from actually reaching it, not that it mattered, as a 5hr tramp in the rain is much better than getting cabin fever in Christchurch! Liz found us a nice open spot for lunch with sun and no rain – a short-lived respite. On return to the lodge some set off for a freebie dip in Silvia hot pools, to find that a slip had taken then out. Maureen and Graham had the better idea and enjoyed Maruia Springs’ hot pools. PTC's pot luck dinners never disappoint, so we were, as usual, a well fed crew.

Sunday's weather was not any better, so Hanmer was the venue, with some walking up Mt Isobel as far as the snow would allow (nearly to the top) while the rest of us had a wet wander in the forest area. Some felt they'd missed out on the hot pools the previous day so were found steaming in Hanmer Pools at the end of the day!

A great weekend. Thanks Liz.

We were: Liz Stephenson, Judith Roper-Linsday, Keith & Marion McQuillan, Shane Wright, Keith Patterson, Madeline Newell, Maureen Thompson and Graham Phipps-Black (MMcQ)