Lake Stream Biv 9-10th April 2011

Uncle Roddus Tramping Diary:Tramp No.101

Lake Stream Biv 9-10th April 2011

It's been a while since my last outing, what with the Earthquake and all, so it was pleasant to finally feel motivated enough to go bush again and I had promised Mrs. Roddus that I would take her on another small expedition on her next full weekend off(Weather Permitting). I had been aware that there were some tracks leading off the main highway on the Rahu Saddle between Springs Junction and Reefton, but I had yet to go bush in this immediate area. Looking at the track on the mapping software and doing a bit of research on the Net, I thought this trip would be a good next step in introducing Mrs. Roddus to the pleasures of Tramping. A small height gain of about 400M and just under 7KM following Lake Stream to the Biv is a fairly easy walk to a spot that has a real remote feel about it.

After a three hour drive and lunch at the car park, we set off up the track on a slightly warm and partly overcast day with little prospect of rain for the weekend. After Crossing the Inangahua river, we followed a typically narrow and winding West coast track through the beautiful Beech forest, crossing  Lake Stream several times before the well marked and maintained track gets a bit rougher as the climb gets slightly steeper for the last half of the journey. Although the stream was very low and easy to cross, there was plenty of evidence of the extreme violence of this water way after heavy rain, with large collections of windfall washed up in several places, even on the track in spots. The present condition of the track at present is excellent with no major obstacles to circumnavigate. After a leisurely trip of about 4 hours, we made the clearing and saw the Biv nestled against the trees at the far end. I had, of course, brought the tent, as you always should, but especially in case Mrs. Roddus didn't like the Biv(some of the small ones like this aren't too inviting to sleep in, especially if your a new tramper). To my surprise this particular 2 person Biv is in very good condition and with good bunks and cooking space and with the interior painted, it was very inviting indeed, and even better that we had the place to our selves.

The site of this lovely shelter is nestled against the trees in a large swampy clearing near the end of the valley, as I mentioned this beautiful spot has a real remote feel to it for such a short journey and does not get all that many visitors, with the hut book over 10 years old. With a small fire place out side the hut and a totally still night, Mrs. Roddus and myself spent a pleasant evening having dinner outside by the fire we lit watching the quite tame Weka foraging very near the hut.

The following day, after a good lyin, we departed the hut on another still warm day and went back the way we came, getting back to the car in just over 3 hours.

With the awesome beauty of the forest and the tranquil picturesque setting of the Biv and the perfect weather, this trip exceeded both our expectations. A highly recommended easy trip.

As usual, the West Coast forest on this trip is stunning and I never tire of it. Below are some shots of the forest we traveled through, but my photography just doesn't do it justice.

The lower part of the track

Some Fungi growing beside the track, especially for my friend Ulrich, the Fungi Fiend.

Moss!

Mrs. Roddus in action

Me on the track

The serene Lake Stream

Hard to believe the violence this water way is capable of

More Moss

Even on the rocks

Wait for me!

A bit of natures devastation

At Last, the hut

Looking back down the clearing from the Biv

Looking towards the end of the valley

Enjoying a small fire

Sunday Morning, about to leave.

The inside of this very tidy Biv. Some one seems to be using it regularly as there were quite a few provisions and books there.

The forest near the clearing on the way back on Sunday

And God said let there be Moss! And There Was.

Posing for the camera

The Track sign on the main Rd. This shot taken at the end of our journey on Sunday.