They are near the busy Mount Arthur track but have none of Mt Arthur’s busy popularity.

Neglected perhaps, because of their intimidating look, but hidden from view from Mount Arthur, there is a beautiful green ramp to the sky for the pleasure of trampers – the west ridge of the South Twin (1796m) .

It’s accessible from Loveridge or Paddys Ridge in two days with camping or, as we did, a three-day tramp using Ellis Basin Hut as a base.

Six of us set off from Flora car park, up the hill.Descending into the Ellis Basin involves a short, steep section that with mud and wet tussock cannot be underestimated, take care there !

We arrived with no hurry and we were lucky to have the hut for ourselves (for both nights).

I have never seen so little water in the stream.The water doesn’t even form the waterfall below the hut because it disappears in holes along the meadows.

On Saturday, we set off early for what we thought would be the most challenging part of the trip. We got on a lightly-marked track that sidles around the Twins on the south-western side. After approximately one hour on a relatively good track, we emerged from the bush into the karst .

Here we were blessed and cursed by too many cairns marking different routes, so we opted for a low one. However, it was confusing and ended up splitting up the group. On our return we choose a higher option – this was agreed to be better.

After passing through the saddle at 1248m, the slope became steeper. We traversed above cliffs until finally merging into the valley directly south of the peak. We continued on to the main ridge at the start of the west ridge. Feeling summit fever, Andrea sprinted away, while others took it easier After about 15 minutes, we were all on the top of the world on a blue sky day, with endless views.

The return was easier because we knew the tricks of the route but slower because of the intense heat. By the time we reached the hut, all of us had run out of water.

During the night the weather changed to wind and light rain – definitely time to go home.

We were careful in ascending out of the basin. As we reached the ridge, we were hit by the strongest winds I have ever experienced. Suddenly we were thrown to the ground. The wind ripped off my rain cover. So, the real challenge of this trip was escaping the ridge in gale force winds.

We ended up walking four legged, stopping every 50m to regroup, holding each other for support. After a slow battle to gain metres we reached the main track below Mt. Arthur. Here, people were having morning tea in the calm of the bush while we appeared to have come out of a clothes dryer.

We enjoyed the peace and quiet of the bush, returning to our cars and heading home happy after three intense days in the hills shared with a lovely group of people. Thanks.

Participants: Silvano Lorandi (leader & scribe), Andrea Cockerton, Anna Riddiford (new member), Philip Palmer, Gina Andrews (visiting from Wanaka), Myrthe Braam (visitor), and for part of the trip, Liam Sullivan and Brian James.

Times:

Nelson to Flora Saddle car park: 1.5 hours

Carpark to Ellis Basin Hut: 5 hours

Ellis Basin Hut to South Twin: 4.5 hours