Three pyramidal peaks are visible above Jones Ridge from our dining table. The middle peak is Mt Gomorrah, I thought this would be a pleasant day trip from John Reid Hut. However one week before the trip a weather system started heading up the West Coast, due to meet us on the Sunday.
With a band-aid applied to the Dart Ford and having to cross the Wangapeka river, a last minute decision was taken to cram three days into two and leave the ‘beyond’ part for another day.
Scones and coffee at Mike’s place, then change to 4WD and head for Chummies Track. The Wangapeka River was crossed after negotiating a very overgrown river bank; this was indicative of the lower part of the track.
The team at the start with Mt Gomorrah behind
The track was lost a few times, but after gaining a few hundred metres of altitude the track cleared up.
One forgets that a thousand metre climb, does entail a lot of uphill walking! Finally the long sidle and then the hut.
Through the bushes to John Reid hut
I have been here a few times and it truly is a great spot for a hut. During one dry period the only flowing water was in the largest creek on the sidle, about 10 minutes from the hut. Settling in involved drinks, tents pitched, and for Mike to check out the plunge pool, then dinner. During dinner preparation Christine was seen peering at the contents of her meal, looking less than enthusiastic, wondering what on earth she had randomly plucked from the freezer.
John Reid hut at dusk
At 06:20 the next day we left the hut, reaching the ridge 20 minutes later. A sea of cloud filled the Taylor Stream Valley.
Mountains above the cloud
Walking along the ridge was straightforward, making sure in the forested sections to keep high and not far from the ridge line. Mt Baldy (1542m) is very imposing, and to be climbed another day, then into the final forested section.
Along the ridgeline past imposing Mt. Baldy
Four hours from leaving the hut we arrived at Mt Gomorrah (1592m).
Made it to the trig station on Mt Gomorrah
At this point we studied the ‘beyond’ part of the trip following a line to Pt 1541, into the saddle with Mt Sodom, then contouring round to the North-East Ridge. This will be part of a future four-day trip from Chummies to Cowin Spur.
The ridgeline view to Mt Gomorrah and beyond
We had an early lunch on the shoulder of Mt Gomorrah, facing east out of the strong wind and then headed back to base. This time we managed to stick to the ridge through the forested sections. The wind was forecast to reach 77 km per hour but fortunately it didn’t get anywhere near this level.
On the way back down to the John Reid hut
Arriving back at John Reid around 14:00. A second lunch and further hot drinks (for some), pack tents and then regretfully headed back down Chummies, arriving at the Wangapeka River after a twelve hour day. My camera that I had left at the river edge was quickly located - phew!.
The trip report would not be complete without mentioning ‘The Dog’. On the way out, after crossing the Dart Ford we came across a small bedraggled looking curly haired dog, dragging its lead, in the middle of the road, looking lost. Tessa exercised her dog whispering skills and soon had the dog on her lap in the truck. We swung into the next house, but there was no sign of life. After doing a 12 hour day, driving around searching for the owner was not a high priority. After dinner I called the Buller District (name on tag) Dog Control. A chain of people were contacted, resulting in the owner finally calling, accusing me of stealing her dog! The next day her contrastingly pleasant husband picked up a fed and watered dog. We had a very productive long chat about the Dart Ford, which was a very positive outcome from ‘The Dog’ episode.
However, it didn’t stop there! Our neighbour, a farmer, called in the following day mentioning I was targeted on Facebook, described as ’Dog Thief!’. Over a cup of tea I gave him the true story. It didn’t stop there! Heather came home from a native tree propagating workshop saying all present had read the Facebook post and that several locals had responded with positive character endorsements for me. The end result was that the original post was taken down.
As I mentioned to Jack (the farmer) I don’t use Facebook and I have no interest in entering into discussions in a public forum. However, if anyone who posted positive things about me on Facebook and reads this report - thank you.
Finally, thank you to Christine, Penny and Tessa for so easily accommodating the plan change and making for an enjoyable trip. The medium-fit trip became a decidedly fit trip. We all managed, but I am sure, like myself, muscles provided some feedback in the following days. My muscles didn’t wait a few days, but complained during the final stages of the descent, indicating that they need more exercise.
The team: Christine, Penny, Tessa, and Mike (leader and scribe).
Photos: https://tinyurl.com/mt-gomorrah