Lees Creek. Organiser: Ruth Hesselyn

As predicted, the atmosphere was a little miserable as we watched the rain from St Arnauds coffee shop. My last minute decision to sneak up Hellfire Creek in a possible weather break hadn't panned out! So, plan B was put in place. To meet in two days time for a trip up Lees Creek and return via the Mangerton Ridge. In the meantime, Pam (a friend from Dunedin) opted to visit Cupola Hut and Dion made a four wheel drive detour via Hanmer Springs. The rest of us returned to home duties.

10am Sunday morning saw the same eight, plus one small dog meet at Six Mile Creek. Strangely, I was greeted with yuk, horror, look at those shorts! I hadn't realised my American styled red, white and blue outfit would get such a reaction!

Travel up Lees Creek was initially slowed by numerous detours over and under windfalls then it was easy going on a well-formed track to the hut. From here it was another two hours, initially on a rough track then over open river flats to our campsite. My visions of it being bathed in sunshine and carpeted with flowers (as in the previous visit) were shattered by the reality of a snow covered spot, overhung with dripping branches. Oh well, once the tents were up, a fire started and a fly hung over the seating area, it was almost cosy. Then the indulgences started. There were marshmallow santas, chocolate truffles, sweets and biscuits galore, plus a dessert of steam pudding, ice-cream and chocolate mousse flavoured with Baileys. But then, it was nearly Christmas and a white one at that. It was still snowing as we wobbled off to bed.

The following morning, we awoke to brilliant clear skies so there was no turning back! The climbing started straight away and we were soon into snow-covered scrub and tussock, quite hard going for a while. But, there were enough step plodders in the group (namely Dion, Ian and Mike) to make it easier for the rest of us. We reached the saddle around midday, a quick pause to capture the views on camera, then it was a rapid descent down a 1000m snow and scree slide to the bush line. Next, a spot of bush bashing took us to Lees Creek where we enjoyed a cup of tea and a late lunch by the river. Another two hours of walking, or thereabouts, saw us back at the cars and homeward bound. Thanks to the following for their good-humoured company.

Carole Crocker, Dion Pont, Grahame Harris, Ian Pavitt, Mike Drake, Pam Mckelvey (visitor), Uta Purcell and Skye Hesselyn.