24-25 July 2021

Leader: Owen Cox

Our winter trip to Kime and Mt Hector was done in very mild, sunny weather. Due to the Blue Slip losing a bit of road we had a bit of a walk into Otaki Forks before we started the climb to Field Hut. This was done at varying speeds. After lunch we carried on up to Bridge Peak and arrived at Kime Hut in warm, still conditions.

After a quick brew we enjoyed an amazing sunset and simultaneous moon rise in the east. We stopped on Field Peak to enjoy the views. Hector was very impressive with a small cloud cap in the moonlight. Once it got dark the breeze was bit frigid on Field Peak so we headed back to dinner in Kime Hut. The evening was surprisingly warm and well above freezing. It is unusual not to have frost or ice outside of Kime Hut in July. The hut was warm even though there were only six of us.

In the morning there were patches of mist but these soon cleared giving us a good day. We walked to Mt Hector and enjoyed the sun, the views and the fly past of a falcon. From here we headed back down for a snack before returning to Otaki Forks. We made a quick check on Parawai Lodge, which was looking very tidy, before going back down to the cars and home.

Those on the trip were:

Marcia Goode, Marian Cox, Niamh Dunne, Owen Cox, Paula Richardson, Rob Dey