Leader: Kate Krawczyk
We set off from Nelson with five keen trampers on a beautiful April morning. The goal was to walk along the Robert Ridge to Julius Summit ascending the Pinchgut Track, then descending Paddy’s Track to compete a circuit of Mount Robert.
It was a stunning April Day with very little wind and the views were spectacular. The Pinchgut Track starts at Mount Robert car park and is aptly-named as the relentless switchbacks seem never ending.
Eventually, we popped out of the bush line onto the ridge and took a break at the summit of Mount Robert which Ian pointed out he had walked past many times on his way to Angelus Hut but had never actually stood on top of.
It was great to see so many walkers and families out enjoying the day. Looking down on the Pinchgut Track, it looked like an ant trail – there were so many people out making the most of the beautiful day on this popular track.
We carried on along Robert Ridge and reached the saddle at Julius Summit around 12:30pm. Here, we enjoyed a leisurely lunch, after which a few adventurous and keen trip members decided to scramble up to the top.
On our return we did not reach the junction with Bushline Hut / Paddy’s Track until after 3:00pm. This meant that there was no time to complete the circuit – the trip down Paddy’s Track is an hour longer than the descent down Pinchgut. So, we descended the way we came and reached the cars just after 4:00pm.
Participants were: Jacqui Bozoky, Ian Morris, Kath Ballantine, Mary Honey & Kate Krawczyk (scribe).