Sunday dawned clear in Nelson but the forecast had been dodgy all week. So, it was with some trepidation that we viewed the mist over St Arnaud Range as we trucked past Top House. However, by the time we got up the Rainbow Road to the Rough Creek ford, it was clearing, with patches of blue in the sky big enough for sailor’s trousers.

The unmarked route is directly up the creek. After a kilometre on gentle gravel with some stream crossings, the terrain narrowed and steepened. Ian chose some deer trails through the adjacent forest to avoid small waterfalls and the gorge. We made steady progress with some snack stops.

Time passed. After 2.5 hours we arrived at the headwall of the creek, under a small waterfall. A grunt up through steep bush got us onto the snowgrass, then over a small ridge to the large tarn in the upper basin.

As the trip leader, I was ‘strategically bringing up the rear.’ We had idyllic surroundings for a late lunch. We proceeded on up to a saddle under Point 1787, then up over this onto the St Arnaud ridgeline where there is a rough track and trapping line. Here we met a strong, cold, sou’west wind.

We traveled northwards, past the turn-off down to Parachute Rocks. We then traversed  another two kilometres to Point 1683 overlooking No Catchem Stream.

Here, we began our descent on spur to the bushline, then descended a spur leading sou’east to the road ford at Chinaman Stream. It was awkward travel, pushing through stunted bush and saplings.

Finally, we reached the forrested terrace, then the road. We walked the 2km to the vehicles just as drizzle started. It was a good nine-hour circuit through diverse country, with some grand views from higher up, nothing technical but certainly a workout with 1100m vertical up and down and, aptly, ‘rough’ travel.

Participants were: Pat Holland, Graeme Ferrier, Kelvin Drew, Philip Palmer, Ian Morris, Chris Louth, Kee Yung (guest) & Peter Olorenshaw (guest).