Around Mt Bruce - 30 August 2020

 Uncle Roddus Tramping Diary: Tramp No. 175

Mt Bruce - 30 August 2020

The vagaries of spring weather dictated the location of this weekends trek, the original destination was Mt O'Malley in Arthurs Pass National Park but with some weather sites predicting rather strong winds upon the tops at our destination and the possible avalanche risk stated as rather high, the trip leader wisely decided to have a go at Mt Bruce instead.

11 keen trampers arrived at Cora Lynn station in bright sunshine and light winds and set off on the usual track to Lagoon Saddle Hut. As we sidled across the  North face of Mt Bruce, we could see the clag hovering over Mt O'Malley,  although conditions didn't appear to get as bad as some predicted. Lunch was had at the hut and there it was decided by the leader to head up to the saddle south of Mt Bruce and from there assault the mountain.It was a nice creak bash up to the saddle and then rest and enjoy the views while the party regrouped. Everyone was keen to head up onto the top but one of the party was struggling and it was now after 3pm. I decided I also might not have enough fitness to storm up to the summit in time before dark and so offered to stay with the struggling member and guide them back to the road via Broad stream. The track down Broad Stream was well formed and very pleasant, through lovely beech forest. We made it back to the road to find one of the fast team there to take us back to the cars and found the rest of the crew not long arrived off the hill.