PTC - 2025MtBruce

Mt Bruce

Sunday 20 July 2025

The trip was initially planned for the Sunday but we moved it to the Saturday some weeks previously to enable Graeme to lead it. Unfortunately, the weather for Saturday proved bleak, and with few people indicating interest in going and a sunny Sunday promised, Graeme changed his plans and we were on again with four takers. The plan was to follow the Lagoon Saddle track to the second stream marked on the map and then ascend Mt Bruce and then traverse down the ridge line back to the track near the first steam crossing the track. We arrived in fog and frost but with the promise of blue sky. The first casualty of the day was Graeme who slipped crossing over the frosty style just past the car park and falling onto the barbed wire fence! Ouch!

Cora Lynn Carpark

Wang at morning tea stop

The fog soon cleared to a perfectly calm blue sky as we climbed up the track through beech forest then pines and then another area of beech and pines again before emerging into the tussock. The track became rather muddy once above the bush line even with much of it being frozen. (When you placed your foot, you did not know if you would encounter Solid, Slippery, Squelchy or Sucked-in-up-to-your-calf - Ed.) Once reaching the second stream we started up through steep tussock aiming for a rock out crop for lunch. From there we could see the summit which had barely enough snow to have a snow ball fight - ice axes carried in vain! The summit was still some distance off so it was decided that we would not have enough day light to make the top and back so we straddled along a marshy plateau running parallel to the ridge line. Spotting the track below from the height we were at was difficult however we spotted some other trampers, including small children, walking below us. Having dropped down to the track the going was much easier, although Karen also had an “ouch” moment when she banged a shin climbing between one of the many fallen trees on the track. We arrived back at the car just on dark. Timing was perfect! We were Graeme N (Leader), Wang, Chris L and Karen F. GN

Graeme & Chris contemplate the ascent

Onwards & Upwards

The fubulous view

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