6-8th January 2014- Richmond Forest Park

The bus left Nelson Monday morning 8:15 dropping me off at Pelorus Bridge at 9:15. There was a cafe attached to the campsite, so I had coffee and cake before I started. It was very sunny and hot and this lasted all day. I set off down the Maungatapu Road which was about 7-8 miles to the end where the Pelorus Track starts. The tarmac soon gave way to gravel track, a few cars passed in the right direction, but no offer of a lift until I was near the end anyway.


The Pelorus Valley

I came to the road end and started on the Pelorus Track, which took the form of a narrow path with no surfacing but well placed marker arrows on trees. I prefer this to the well surfaced tracks on the great walk tracks. The path followed the Pelorus river and after a few hours walking I came to Emerald Pools a popular swimming spot, where I met 3 guys who we're doing the full Te Araroa Trail (3000km trail from the top to the bottom of New Zealand).

Very Swingy Swing Bridge (1 person only)

After lunch I carried on along the trail, enjoying a few 1 person at a time swing bridges over the river. The trail passed Captains Hut and then I finished for the day at Midday Hut, with 6 beds it was lucky that only 5 other people turned up. The hut was very hot and there were loads of Sandflies around.

Middy Hut

I woke early on Tuesday morning and set off at 6:00, as the weather was meant to turn for the worst in the afternoon. I set off the steep path upto Mount Fell (signs saying it takes 9 hours), following the orange triangle markers.


Chain for the steep bit up Conical Top

The climb was through the forest and went on and on but eventually came to a steep rocky outcrop. The only way was up the steep sides, but there are chain guides to hold onto. I came to the top and I was on a grassy top Conical Top, with the mountain goats. It was clear and I had great views.

On Conical Top looking over towards Mount Fell

After going over the grassy top I followed the markers over a rocky ridge covered in trees, linking Conical Top and Mount Fell, before a steep rocky ascent upto the peak of Mount Fell at 1602m. The views on top were brilliant, but you could see and feel the clouds coming over.

Turn off for Mount Fell

I carried on over the top and down to the junction for Mount Fell Hut but despite the weather turning I carried on to try for Mount Richmond but it soon changed and the lack of visibility meant seeing the markers was so difficult, so using rare common sense, I turned back for the hut.

In Mount Fell Hut

It was still only 12 midday so I had a long time in the Mount Fell Hut at 1280m, luckily I had my book. I hoped the weather might clear after a fews hours but it carried on all night. It was freezing in the hut but I was on my own, so could move around to keep warm.

Poor Visibility on the tops

I woke at 6 Wednesday morning hoping the weather would have changed but it was raining. I got ready and thought I couldn't hang around waiting for the weather as I had a long day ahead. So left at 6:30 and headed up back over Mount Fell, just about following the marker posts.

Brightening Up

It started to clear a little but it didn't make it easier on the steep rocky descents. I followed the markers back down and through the forest but it was very slippy in places especially when crossing over rooty downhill bits. I finally made it back down to Middy Hut at about 11, and had my first lunch and a big drink from the Pelorus River.



Rocks Hut

The weather had improved but there were still occasional showers but with some sun. I carried on back upto Rocks Hut, which took me a couple of hours following the path up through the forest. At Rocks Hut I had lunch 2 and then walked upto a lookout with great views of all the mountains around.

Dun Mountain from The Rocks Hut Lookout

I carried on to Dun Mountain Saddle and then flew upto Dun Mountain as it was sunny and thought there'd be good views from the top. I flew back down as I saw dark clouds coming and hearing thunder. I put a waterproof jacket on and enjoyed some rain including some hail as I descended to Coppermine Saddle. 

Mountain Bikes on the Dun Mountain Trail (Dun Mt in background)

The shower ended and I followed the Dun Mountain Railway path to Windy Point and then went up a steep path upto Wooded Peak where I followed the long path across the ridge before it rejoined the Railway Track and followed it back to Brook Street on the edge of Nelson.


Views from Wooded Peak