Wednesday 11 September 2013

Tramping Food: Freezer bag cooking, trail food made simple by Sarah Svien


Freezer Bag Cookery: a book by Sarah Svien

I am always looking for ways to increase the variety and taste of the food I eat while tramping. My general pattern is too take fresh food for the first day or two (steak... yum, yum!) and then rely on dried or freeze dried meals for the remainder of the trip. 
 
Freezer bag cookery by Sarah Svien


Freezer bag cooking : trail food made simple, by Sarah Svien is the title of a book I am currently reading, The book is a collection of quick cook hiking food recipes which are made by adding water to various ingredients. There are recipes for all three meals plus snack and dessert ideas.

The author suggests Asian food markets as a source of ingredients, a recent visit found the following items;
  • dried fish (shrimp/white fish/prawns)
  • dried rice/noodles
  • udon meals
  • dried mushrooms/vegetables/onion/shallots
  • pasta, cous cous, instant mashed potato
  • freeze dried meat (pork/beef)
  • soups, miso, pickles etc
.
With these and other items like fresh vegetables, tinned fish/chicken, bouillon cubes, spices and herbs many tasty meals can be made.

A simple cous cous meal...


A tramping food recipe from the book to try


Here is an example of one of the recipes, this is;

Herbed Tomato Rice

Ingredients
1cinstant rice
1⁄4cfreeze-dried corn
1⁄4csun-dried tomatoes
1Tdiced dried onion
1 1⁄2tlower sodium beef or chicken bouillon
1tgranulated garlic
1⁄4tdried oregano
1Tolive oil
200gm
cheddar cheese

Notes

Find in the cheese sticks in the dairy aisle near the string cheese. Sun-dried tomatoes can be found in the produce department of most grocery stores, dried onion in the spice aisle.

Instructions

At home:
Pack the rice through oregano into a quart freezer bag. Tuck the oil and cheese in with the bag.

In camp:
Freezer Bag Cookery (FBC) method:

Add 1 1/2 cups near boiling water and the oil to the dry ingredients in a quart freezer bag. Seal tightly and tuck in a freezer bag cozy to insulate for 15 minutes.

One pot method:
Bring 1 1/2 cups water and the oil to a boil, add in the dry ingredients. Take off the heat and cover tightly. Let sit for 15 minutes (in cooler temperatures or at altitude use a pot cozy to retain heat).
Dice up the cheese and fold in.





Packhorse Hut: March 2013

A trip to Packhorse Hut: The closest DOC hut to Christchurch

I really liked the look of the hut when I came up here earlier in the year and decided I would come back when I had a chance to stay overnight. 


Kaituna Valley car park- start of the track

I had a Thursday/Friday to spare so set out to re visit the historic hut. 

Day 1: Kaituna Valley car park to Packhorse Hut


The Port Hills - Banks Peninsula are basically in my back yard and I am keen to explore some of the tracks which cross them. Packhorse Hut is one of only three DOC huts on Banks Peninsula, so most trips here are by necessity day trips.


DOC track sign in the Kaituna Valley


Kaituna Valley - Packhorse Hut Track
 
It was misty on the day I set out, I arrived at the Kaituna Valley car park around 11 am and after securing the car set off along the track. The track starts out crossing farm land but then joins an old 4W/D track which sidles up to just near the hut. It is a very easy track to follow.

Kaituna Valley - Packhorse Hut Track: Misty farm track
At a couple of points you move through bush remnants, the mist added a certain spooky nature to the climb. 

Kaituna Valley - Packhorse Hut Track: Moving through bush remnants
The track climbs a spur for most of its length, technically it is very easy, but there are a couple of steep sections that require a bit of exertion. The distance from the parking area to the hut would only be 5 kms. It is a two hour trip to reach the hut.

Kaituna Valley - Packhorse Hut Track: Track ascending hill

View of a mist shrouded Kaituna Valley from the track to Packhorse Hut

 As you gain height your view out to the South improves, eventually you can see the coast in the far distance, although it was mist covered on this day.

View to South West on the Kaituna Valley Track

After about an hour you come into view of the hut perched on the saddle, it is a good location but I imagine the wind could be fierce here in a North Westerly. For those not from Canterbury, a North Westerly wind or Nor' Wester often brings (very) strong winds to the east coast of the South Island. During a recent storm wind gusts of 200kmph were recorded on top of Mt Herbert just to the east of this hut.

Kaituna Saddle: Packhorse Hut in middle

View from the Kaituna Saddle of Lyttleton harbour and the cloud covered Port Hills, The land in the centre of the harbour is Quail Island, an excellent place to go for a day trip on the Lyttleton ferry.

Cloudy Lyttleton from Packhorse Hut

Here are a couple of view's of the distant Southern Alps, not very clear as there was a lot of mist coming up over the saddle and rolling down into Kaituna valley.

Distant Southern Alps from Packhorse Hut


The interior of the hut is quite tidy, being close to Christchurch means it gets its fair share of TLC.
I was the only person here for the afternoon and the evening, I saw one couple coming back from the hut but they were the only people I saw all day. There was a storm predicted for the next day, I imagine this is why I had no company for the night.

Interior of Packhorse Hut, Banks Peninsula in 2013

Packhorse Hut- Dining table and benches

Packhorse Hut- one of the bunk rooms


As it was the end of summer there was no firewood, anticipating this I had dragged an old log up from a nearby patch of bush and proceeded to chop it up, it was needed as it turned quite cold after the sun went down.

I did have the company of "Ralph" the hut mouse who irritated me by rolling a walnut around all night. Unfortunately I could not find the offending nut, only hear it rolling around on the wooden floors.

Lovely!

Interior Packhorse Hut- brewing up on arrival!

Here is a view of the hut from a slight rise next to it, it is a classic early 20th century stone building, there used to be a few stone huts. The only survivors are this one, Mt Aspiring Hut and one on the Tongariro crossing.

Note: Be aware that since February 2016 Packhorse Hut is on the DOC hut booking system. If you intend to stay the night you must book, or you might not have a bunk to sleep on. The positive is that they fill the woodshed regularly and you have a guaranteed bunk for the night. 

Packhorse Hut in 2013

 Sunset from the hut with views over Lyttleton harbour and the Southern Alps in the far distance.


The sun sets over the Port Hills at days end, Packhorse Hut

I had a quiet night at the hut as I was by myself. I lit the fire as the woodshed was full of firewood and read my way through the reading material in the hut. Over night I had a damn rat or mouse rolling a walnut across the floor until I got up and crushed it and then it was quiet enough to sleep.

Day 2: Packhorse Hut to Kaituna Valley


I left early the next morning (6am) as I was interested in trying some easy night tramping, this is a view of Mt Bradley, as dawn rose over it. Mt Bradley is the peak right next to the hut, and an interesting destination in its own right. 


 An hour and a half saw me back at the car park, I went a few kilometres down the road to a nice scenic reserve and stopped to make a hot drink and to have something to eat.


My opinion of Packhorse Hut...

This is not a hard core mountain tramp, but it is a nice hut in a great location, an easy introduction for beginners. I really like this hut, and will be back, possibly as an extended trip taking in the relatively easy ascent of Mt Herbert.

The track leading from Packhorse to Mt Herbert 2014


I would like to do the circuit Gebbies Pass- Packhorse- Mt Herbert-Diamond Harbour (I completed the Summit Walkway in 2016), then catch the ferry back across to Lyttleton. It could be an overnight or a very long day trip, as a day trip it would probably take 6-8 hours total.

 Make sure you check out the report of the day trip I took to the hut earlier in the year for more photos of the track and hut.

Access: On the Aakroa-Christchurch Highway, turn up Kaituna Valley Road, left up Parkinson's Road, then follow Kaituna Valley-Packhorse Hut Track
Track Times: 2 hours to Packhorse Hut, 1.5 hours return to Kaituna
Hut Details: Packhorse Hut: serviced, 12 bunks, wood burner, water tank, wood shed, toilets
Miscellaneous: On DOC Hut booking system, must be booked for overnight visit, some seasonal track closures

Thursday 29 August 2013

Tramping Literature: Beyond backpacking by Ray Jardine

The father of ultra-light: Ray Jardine

I recently received a copy of this book for my birthday. Ray Jardine is one of the original figures in the lightweight and ultra light weight hiking movement.

 A veteran (with his wife) of most of the long distance trails in the United States, this book is an explanation of the methods and equipment he utilised walking long distance trails such as the Pacific Crest Trail and Appalachian Trail.

He has termed this the "Ray Way", a overarching method to travel further while carrying less.

Although this book is older (late 90's) and focused on the American hiking fraternity, I think it still has a lot to say for all trampers/hikers/ramblers regardless of their location. The main message is: travel light, steer clear of hauling the kitchen sink with you in the outdoors. It also has a strong environmental message about minimising our impact on the trail.
Here is a photo of Ray Jardine.
Ray Jardine
Seek out a copy or buy one second hand from Amazon, it makes a fine addition to any collection of hiking literature.

Monday 10 June 2013

East Hawdon River: Arthurs Pass National Park: 22-23 Feb 2013

The East Hawdon Valley: A route less travelled...


In February I went for an overnight trip up to East Hawdon Biv, on a tributary of the Hawdon river. The first part of the trip is the easy 4 W/D track going up the Hawdon valley. Once you reach the East Hawdon confluence the real fun begins. There is no official track up the East Hawdon, it is a route using the riverbed and short sections of bush track cut by members of the Permolat group. 

Mid way up the East Hawdon Valley, Arthurs Pass NP


Permolat are a group of trampers who maintain seldom visited tracks and huts in the South Island. 
The Department of Conservation or DOC is strapped for cash, they lack the  resources to maintain every track and hut in the back country. Individuals and volunteer groups have started to assist with this task.

Hawdon Shelter to the East Hawdon confluence

Day One: Start in the Hawdon Valley

As with all trips here you start at the Hawdon Shelter, make sure you sign the intentions book before you go, and for gods sake sign out when you are finished. Don't linger or the sand flies will carry you off!
I'm not kidding......they are HUGH, vicious and love the human flesh...you have been warned!

Hawdon shelter near the campsite
Once over the Hawdon River and Sudden Valley Stream look for the old 4 W/D track for the fastest travel up valley. It really is worthwhile to find this track as it will save you a good 30 minutes.

Over the Hawdon River, Arthurs Pass NP

Approaching Sudden Valley Stream in the Hawdon Valley

Hawdon Valley, 4 W/D track

You eventually pass through a patch of re-generating bush just before the Hawdon - East Hawdon River confluence.

Hawdon Valley, just before confluence with the East Hawdon

 Officially there is no track from this point, this is a route so you set your own course. You follow the river bed from this point, there are some short sections of track mostly on the true right of the valley, keep an eye out for these as they make the travelling much easier.


East Hawdon Route...no marked track, make your own!

View up East Branch Hawdon river, rocky!
After the first shingle flat the valley narrows, you will need to find the best line up the valley. This may be impossible if there has been any rain as the East Hawdon is prone to flooding.

There are several points where you MUST cross the river, they were all easy crossings on this day. I ended up crossing the river 17 times going up, a lot less coming back as I found all the short sections of track.
 Believe me, I wasn't crossing the river just for fun but because I needed to!

East Hawdon gorge..river crossing 1-3...

It is a very beautiful valley, quiet and tranquil, I only saw one hunter the whole day, although there was another woman working her way up the valley ahead of me. I never actually saw her, only her boot prints here and there.

Beautiful East Hawdon Valley
The valley is alternate shingle flats, bush and gorges, with the occasional rock clamber, it is rugged but not too technical.

East Hawdon: river bed travel prevails for most of the day

Because I missed some of the short track sections I ended up climbing over some rocky areas I could have bypassed. The tracks seem to have been cut from the top of the valley down, so are more visible when going down valley.

Look for the tracks- mostly on the true right!

East Hawdon: more boulders, oh joy!
This large shingle flat is just beyond the halfway point, it is the widest part of the valley.
East Hawdon- river flat, half way point


Half way point, East Hawdon..nice camp-site over the river

Break time, and boy did I need it by here as it was HOT.. about 25 degrees on the day. There is a nice river terrace behind me which would make a good camping spot if you only wanted a taste of this valley. Large flat area, well away from the river and some vegetation to protect you from wind.

East Hawdon: Jon says...Howdy!

Below is a scree slope which reaches from the top of the Blackball Ridge (near Pt 1695) all the way down to the river. You must walk on the side nearest to the slide as there is a series of deep pools on the true left. Don't stop here as there is absolutely no cover if a rock decides to come down. I took this photo while moving!

Scree slide East Hawdon, 3/4 way to biv- Don't stop here!

This point is about 1 km from the bivy, there is just the one last gorge before you reach it.

East Hawdon, second gorge near the biv

Look for the sidle track on the true right, it completely avoids this whole second gorge.The biv is about 20 minutes up valley from this gorge.

Second East Hawdon gorge, sidle track on true right of valley
N.B: (2017) I slipped over near here- I landed on my leg and it hurt like hell. I thought it might be broken but was not. It got me to thinking about how long I would be stuck here if I had broken my leg. As a result I first borrowed then brought my own personal locator beacon, I now carry one on every tramp.

View down valley from near East Hawdon Biv
Eventually you will reach the East Hawdon Biv, which is a fine example of the new 2 bunk bivs that DOC are building. Upper Poulter and Sudden Valley are of the exact same design.

East Hawdon Biv (2007)

East Hawdon hut details

East Howden Biv with fire pit to right
East Hawdon biv has two bunks with enough space for another person on the floor. There are no seating benches (use the bed) but there is a cooking bench and a good supply of reading material. There is a toilet- water comes from the nearby river. There are some small tent sites near the biv, but they are rocky and not well protected from the wind.

East Hawdon Biv: Interior, typical 2 person biv
Make sure you open the windows while you are here, especially when cooking. These small spaces build up moisture and carbon monoxide really fast. There are bug screens on the windows so you can open them and not get eaten alive. 

Interior of East Hawdon Biv, quite tidy.

The view out of East Hawdon Biv window
I spent a very quiet night by myself at the bivouac: dinner was steak, spuds, peas with gravy and a can of beer. I heard several kiwi calling during the night, one quite close to the biv so there must be a few in the area.
 
Jon at East Hawdon Biv...tea in hand. Cheers!
I also saw a herd of 4-6 deer on the opposite slope of the valley, they moved back and forth grazing for about an hour in the late afternoon.


Deer were on this slope opposite East Hawdon Biv

Day Two: Heading back to Hawdon Shelter

The next day was also beautifully sunny, I rose early and set off back down the valley to the car. It was a glorious morning and I made excellent time as I discovered all of the sidle tracks I missed on the previous day.

River terrace next to East Hawdon Biv, looking down valley

East Hawdon Biv sitting on its river terrace

There are some big mountain ranges in this area, the surrounding peaks are in the 1600-1800 metre range, this tends to make the valley a bit dark and intimidating.

I have heard it is perishingly cold up here in winter.

Savannah Range, head of East Hawdon

The East Hawdon, a scree slope you have to get past
There is a sidle track to the true right of this gorge that runs through the forest down valley for about 1 km from here, it is worth following it to speed your journey home.
East Hawdon Gorge from above, track to right of picture
 
Eventually you reach the last gorge in the valley, from here there is just the slog down the last shingle flat and then onto the trusty Hawdon Valley 4 W/D track.

View back into East Hawdon Gorge at the valley end

East Hawdon, view down to the Hawdon River confluence


The trusty Hawdon Valley 4 W/D track

Hawdon river looking towards the Pyramid (1608 metres)
I really enjoyed this trip, the valley is beautiful, the route rugged without being dangerous, the biv is excellent. I would totally recommend it for a small group or individual, provided you realise that this is a route, not a track.  I would not go here if it is raining as I can see that several of the river crossings would be difficult if not impossible with any rain.

 I would wear heavier tramping boots next time.  Walking over the rocks will give you sore feet unless you are wearing good boots. I had my light Hi-Tecs on and my feet were feeling the pain by the end of the second day.

My lightweight Hi Tec boots in the Hawdon Valley

I will be back again, this is a great location!

Access: SH73 to the Mt White Road turn off, once over the Mt White bridge head left to Hawdon Shelter. From Hawdon Shelter follow the track crossing the Hawdon River and Sudden Valley Stream, follow the 4 W/D track up valley. Turn right up East Hawdon and make own route.
Track Times: 4-5 hours from the Hawdon Shelter
Hut Details: Hawdon Shelter: day shelter only- no bunks, no water but does have open fireplace. There are plenty of rough camp-sites here: East Hawdon Biv; basic, 2 bunks, space for a third on floor, water from stream, outside fire pit.
Miscellaneous: Hawdon River, East Hawdon and Sudden Valley Stream susceptible to flooding in heavy rain, none of the rivers or side streams are bridged. Numerous required river crossings. This IS NOT a wet weather destination.