An Inland Kaikoura Traverse: 8 days, 16 unactivated summits on an untracked range?

ZL4NVW · 5 April 2024 23:51

The barren ridgeline of the Seaward Kaikoura Range dominates the view as you travel the New Zealand South Island’s east coast between Chirstchurch and Blenheim. A two-tone palette of jagged peaks of crumbling rock and sparse slopes of dry, sparse vegetation. What most people do not see is what lies beyond. The deep Clarence valley, draining the vast upland basin between Hanmer and the Nelson Lakes National Park, cuts deep, near sea-level; tracking the rear of the Seaward Kaikoura north, before forging its way through the range to the coast. And beyond that,a parellel range – more vast, more remote, peaking at over 2800m: the Inland Kaikoura.

Green: Inland Kaikoura Ridgeline, Pink: Planned route, Red: Actual route

A traverse of this range has long been on my wishlist. Glimpsed from the summits and passes of the coastal range, many sections appear straight forward: rounded ridgelines and conical peaks – arrangements of scree: Dillons Cone, St Bernard. Other sections appear as jagged peaks, ragged ridgelines of deep-cut crumbling rock: Mitre Peak, Mt Alarm – challenging terrain with few visitors and no documented routes. The additional challenge is water: these porous scree piles hold no moisture: many streams flowing only during heavy rain. 2000m+ ridgelines with the nearest water sources a thousand meters below.

Inland Kaikoura Range	Planned Route	Actual Route

ZL3/MB-197	ZL3/MB-197	ZL3/MB-197
Mt Giles - ZL3/MB-065	Mt Giles - ZL3/MB-065	Mt Giles - ZL3/MB-065
ZL3/MB-047	ZL3/MB-047	ZL3/MB-047
ZL3/MB-076	ZL3/MB-076	ZL3/MB-076 #
Dillon Cone - ZL3/MB-014	Dillon Cone - ZL3/MB-014	ZL3/MB-150
ZL3/MB-145	ZL3/MB-145	ZL3/MB-161
Turks Head - ZL3/MB-055	Mt Jackson - ZL3/MB-120	ZL3/MB-145
ZL3/MB-064	ZL3/MB-112	Mt Jackson - ZL3/MB-120
St Bernard – ZL3/MB-009	ZL3/MB-108	ZL3/MB-112
Mt Major - ZL3/MB-008	ZL3/MB-064	ZL3/MB-108
Inland Kaikoura - ZL3/MB-007	ZL3/MB-117	ZL3/MB-159
Mt Cold - ZL3/MB-006	St Bernard – ZL3/MB-009	St Bernard – ZL3/MB-009
Mt Symons - ZL3/MB-004	Mt Major - ZL3/MB-008	Mt Major - ZL3/MB-008
Mitre Peak - ZL3/MB-003	Mt Cold - ZL3/MB-006	Mt Cold - ZL3/MB-006
Mt Alarm - ZL3/MB-002	Mt Symons - ZL3/MB-004	…
Tapuae o Uenuku - ZL3/MB-001	Tapuae o Uenuku - ZL3/MB-001

# - Summited but not activated

Day 1

A mate drops me off at the historic stock bridge near where dirt thread of the summer-only Molesworth Road crosses the Clarence. The season has been dry and the usual put-in point for packrafting the Clarence is dry and bony. This northern end of the range is part of Molesworth Station. New Zealand’s largest farm: through a mixture of over-stocking, burnoffs and introduced wildlife it overgrazed the land to a dustbowl from the 1800s into the early 1900s. Taken back by the crown, the land is now vested as public conservation land under the Dept of Conservation, but run as a commercial farm.

A gentle 13km stroll down the last broad flats of the Clarence River lead to the start of the first gorge, and the southernmost SOTA summit on the Inland Kaikoura Range – an easy start under warm sunshine.

The station-owned, locked, Stoat Stream Hut lies west of the first saddle in the range, providing shelter from a gusting westerly for the first night’s camp; the grey-scree range climbing towards Dillon Cone beyond.

Day 2

The first full day of the trip dawns to low cloud and drizzle. A steep climb back onto the range onto a wind-battered ridgeline and soaking haar: ‘the beast from the east’, rare but reliably unpleasent. The last of the vegetation succumbing to fine grey scree, drenched dark by the rain. On Mt Giles [ZL3/MB-065] the mist riming the night-cold rock in a white icy coat. Body warmth departs rapidly with a stop on the summit, the full set of summer thermal layers required under the rain jacket for even a brief single-band HF activation. I call for 10 minutes, radio tucked away in its dry-bag, voice tremulous with cold. Packing up and moving on as the jaws begins to cease to respond.

Continuing north, a defined ridgeline through the clag and rain; map and compass only needed to pick correct spur off the various intermediate points and summits. The unnamed ZL3/MB-047 is the first 2000m peak of the trip; antenna strung horizontal between two rocky outcrops, howling and snapping in the strong wind; another brief activation limited by increased shivering and numbness; packing up whilst fingers can still manage knots and connectors.

The western spur of ZL3/MB-076: the last of my pre-identified escape routes, taken without even activating the summit. A welcome exit from this icy, rain- and wind-battered ridgeline. The 2173m Dillon Cone [ZL3/MB-014] not even attempted on this bitter, scouring day.

Day 3

A pleasant night camped beside Dillon River 1100m below, dawns sunny – the last of the easterly cloud still clinging to the Inland Kaikoura Range to our east. A low ridgline dotted with four-point summits separates the two forks of the river – seeming preferable to the main range in the still-bitter southerly. Each summit warmer, more pleasant as the heat of the day returns and the southerly fades. Easter Sunday and a good number of people out and about on peaks and parks: bountiful radio under a warming sum.

I rejoin the main Range at Mt Jackson [ZL3/MB-120] for the final summit of the day.

I drop to the comfy DOC hut below the glittering blue of Lake McRae [ZLL/0490] – an earthquake-dammed lake and the sole waterbody in the region.

Throughout all the conical shape of Dillon Cone [ZL3/MB-014] taunts me – dominant, to remain unactivated

Day 4

Day four dawns again to low cloud – proving a thin layer fine mist rather than drenching haar. Leaving overnight gear a Lake McRae Hut [ZLH/MB-024] I amost float to the twin summits of Beattie [ZL3/MB-108] and ZL3/MB-112 carrying only radio gear.

Picking up gear at the hut I pass Lake McRae and climb ZL3/MB-159. The gentle 1400m basin at the head of the Tone would provide a much easier start point for an ascent than Elliott Biv [ZLH/MB-014] at 800m, but the fear of cloud limiting visibility of the unknown SE approach to Mt St Bernard deters me.

What I could see of the route from the Tone Saddle to the summit appeared rocky and impractical without good visibility, and so – with some relief – I drop down the Elliott for another comfy hut-night and an additional 600m climb the next day on the well-documented southern approach to the summit.

Day 5

Day five again dawns to low cloud and drizzle and I am thankful for the dry night in the biv and the straight forward 1600m climb to the summit, sparse damp grass and scrub soon ceding to bare scree. Straight forward - if not easy!

Barren country little-like its name-sake Waterloo Plains

The Inland Kaikoura Range stretches north between oceans of cloud

Thankfully the undocumented ridgeline to Mt Major [ZL3/MB-008] proves passable, with only a couple of airy scrambles across goat-tracked hardpack.

On Mt Major [ZL3/MB-008]. Sadly mist obscured possible routes into the upper basin of the Bluff River, and I am again forced to take to longer, lower route down a safe spur to camp below the gorge.

Day 6

From my 600m campsite, an additional climb over the 2100m peak of Constitution Hill results. Sadly it is not a maralyn!

The resulting views of NZ’s most remote farm – Muzzle Station - are worth it though – well almost!

From Constitution Hill, I can drop back into the upper basins of the Bluff River at around 1500m, diversion complete

A bitter SW wind scours Mt Cold [ZL3/MB-006] as I activate, mast half-extended and wedged between boulders.

Sadly the ridgeline to My Symons [ZL3/MB-004] is interrupted 1km north of Mt Cold and a 400m descent to the basin below is required. Tired after the morning’s unplanned climb over Constitution Hill and battered by the wind I descend to basins below for a safe camp.

More unfortunately the wind swirls and plays overnight, battering the tent from all angles with unpredictable gusts. The main ridgepole is the casualty – snapped in two places – and me carrying just one splint. I mend the second break with a spare tent-peg and strapping tape – and am relieved that the fix survives the night.

Day 7

Dark clouds amass over the Severn/Saxton ranges to the NW as I break-down camp. I regain the ridgeline 1km south of Mt Symons [ZL3/MB-004] the next morning to a solid 70km wind. The day requires just 8km further uncertain travel into the upper Hodder River where known routes, documented in the NZ Alpine Club climbing guides, resume. But I am nervous about the 3km of exposed ridgeline in these conditions. Cloud begins to form on Mt Cold behind me and I make the decision to bail. Three kilometers from the safety of the upper Muzzle Creek, but three kilometers I am not willing to risk in these conditions with decreasing visibility, a broken tent, untested route and few options for shelter. Mt Symons [ZL3/MB-004] and Tupuae o Uenuku [ZL3/MB-001] will remain unactivated: still there for another day.

I make an InReach call to Sim to collect me, descend the Tone River to the Awatere and the rough Molesworth Road. The descent from remote summit to dirt valley road takes me a little over 4 hours. The drive round the range from Christchurch takes Sim over six.

====

Thanks as always to all the chasers. The trip would not be worth it without you. And a special thanks to Stewart, ZL2STR for the evening sched’s and forecasts. DX of the trip was … go on, see if you can guess: …

Answer:

Christian, @F4WBN

Activating Mt St Bernard

====

Logs:

Location:	[ZL3/MB-197] ZL3/MB-197 [ZLP/MB-0001] Molesworth Recreation Reserve [ZLFF-0163] Molesworth Recreation Reserve [NZ-0166] Molesworth Regional Reserve

Callsign:	ZL4NVW	Date:	2024-03-29	QRP	Yes
Timezone:	UTC	Power:	10	Portable?	Yes

Time	Callsign	Mode	Freq	Location	RST Sent	RST Rec’d
02:28	ZL2ATH	SSB	7.090	[NZ-0065] Remutaka Forest Park [ZLP/WL-0002] Rimutaka Forest Park [ZLFF-0064] Remutaka Forest Park	55	55
02:37	ZL2FAR	SSB	7.090		57	59
02:38	ZL3QR	SSB	7.090		59	58
02:39	ZL1TM	SSB	7.090		55	53
02:39	ZL3RIK	SSB	7.090		59	57
02:40	ZL1ALF	SSB	7.090		55	42
02:41	ZL1SKL	SSB	7.090		57	33

Location:	[ZL3/MB-065] Mount Giles [ZLP/MB-0001] Molesworth Recreation Reserve [ZLFF-0163] Molesworth Recreation Reserve [NZ-0166] Molesworth Regional Reserve

Callsign:	ZL4NVW	Date:	2024-03-29	QRP	Yes
Timezone:	UTC	Power:	10	Portable?	Yes

Time	Callsign	Mode	Freq	RST Sent	RST Rec’d
21:07	ZL2STR	SSB	7.085	59	59
21:08	ZL2ATH	SSB	7.085	59	57
21:09	ZL3QR	SSB	7.085	59	59
21:15	ZL2GAV	SSB	7.085	59	58
21:18	ZL3TBC	SSB	7.085	59	55
21:20	ZL2NEB	SSB	7.085	59	58

Location:	[ZL3/MB-047] ZL3/MB-047 [ZLP/MB-0001] Molesworth Recreation Reserve [ZLFF-0163] Molesworth Recreation Reserve [NZ-0166] Molesworth Regional Reserve

Callsign:	ZL4NVW	Date:	2024-03-29	QRP	Yes
Timezone:	UTC	Power:	10	Portable?	Yes

Time	Callsign	Mode	Freq	Location	RST Sent	RST Rec’d
23:12	ZL3QR	SSB	7.085		59	58
23:13	ZL2STR	SSB	7.085		59	57
23:14	ZL1SKL	SSB	7.085		59	55
23:15	ZL3CR	SSB	7.085		59	54
23:16	ZL1KB	SSB	7.085	[ZL1/WK-052] Maungatautari [ZLP/WK-0024] Maungatautari Mountain Scenic Reserve	51	55
23:17	ZL1HIM	SSB	7.085		59	53
23:18	ZL1LZ	SSB	7.085		59	53

Location:	[ZL3/MB-150] ZL3/MB-150 [ZLP/MB-0001] Molesworth Recreation Reserve [ZLFF-0163] Molesworth Recreation Reserve [NZ-0166] Molesworth Regional Reserve

Callsign:	ZL4NVW	Date:	2024-03-30	QRP	Yes
Timezone:	UTC	Power:	10	Portable?	Yes

Time	Callsign	Mode	Freq	RST Sent	RST Rec’d
19:50	ZL3CR	SSB	7.095	59	59
19:54	ZL2STR	SSB	7.095	58	58
19:55	ZL1KB	SSB	7.095	57	57
19:55	ZL3QR	SSB	7.095	58	58
19:57	ZL1SKL	SSB	7.095	59	57

Location:	[ZL3/MB-161] ZL3/MB-161 [ZLP/MB-0001] Molesworth Recreation Reserve [ZLFF-0163] Molesworth Recreation Reserve [NZ-0166] Molesworth Regional Reserve

Callsign:	ZL4NVW	Date:	2024-03-30	QRP	Yes
Timezone:	UTC	Power:	10	Portable?	Yes

Time	Callsign	Mode	Freq	Location	RST Sent	RST Rec’d
21:13	ZL1SKL	SSB	7.100		55	57
21:14	ZL2ATH	SSB	7.100	[ZLH/WL-029] Mahoe Hut [NZ-0065] Remutaka Forest Park [ZLP/WL-0002] Rimutaka Forest Park [ZLFF-0064] Remutaka Forest Park	55	53
21:15	ZL3CR	SSB	7.100		57	53
21:16	ZL3MR	SSB	7.100		57	55
21:17	ZL2STR	SSB	7.100		57	55
21:19	ZL1CZ	SSB	7.100		57	54

Location:	[ZL3/MB-145] ZL3/MB-145 [ZLP/MB-0001] Molesworth Recreation Reserve [ZLFF-0163] Molesworth Recreation Reserve [NZ-0166] Molesworth Regional Reserve

Callsign:	ZL4NVW	Date:	2024-03-30	QRP	Yes
Timezone:	UTC	Power:	10	Portable?	Yes

Time	Callsign	Mode	Freq	Name	Location	RST Sent	RST Rec’d
23:03	ZL2AJ	SSB	7.095		[ZL1/WK-024] Pureora [NZ-0064] Pureora Forest Park [ZLP/MW-0020] Pureora Mountain Ecological Area [ZLP/WK-0002] Pureora Forest Park [ZLFF-0062] Pureora Forest Park [NZ-0402] Pureora Mountain Ecological Area	55	53
23:04	ZL2JML	SSB	7.095		[ZL1/GI-066] ZL1/GI-066	52	41
23:08	ZL2ADA	SSB	7.095		[ZL1/GI-066] ZL1/GI-066	52	51
23:09	ZL3CB	SSB	7.095		[ZL3/MB-146] Stronvar	55	54
23:10	ZL2ATH	SSB	7.095		[ZLH/WL-029] Mahoe Hut [NZ-0065] Remutaka Forest Park [ZLP/WL-0002] Rimutaka Forest Park [ZLFF-0064] Remutaka Forest Park	59	58
23:11	ZL3MR	SSB	7.095			59	57
23:11	ZL1CZ	SSB	7.095			59	56
23:12	ZL3QR	SSB	7.095			59	58
23:13	ZL1SKL	SSB	7.095		[ZL1/AK-018] ZL1/AK-018	52	55
23:15	ZL3ASN	SSB	7.095			58	54
23:16	ZL2FT	SSB	7.095	Jason		59	58
23:17	ZL3GIG	SSB	7.095			56	36
23:18	ZL1KB	SSB	7.095		zl1wk-153	53	51
23:19	ZL2NLA	SSB	7.095			58	36
23:20	ZL3CR	SSB	7.095			59	54
23:21	ZL1LZ	SSB	7.095		[ZL1/WK-025] Kuharua	41	53
23:22	ZL3JD	SSB	7.095			55	44
23:23	ZL3TBC	SSB	7.095			58	55
23:25	ZL1TM	SSB	14.327			51	52
23:30	ZL3CC	SSB	7.095		[ZL3/CB-857] Big Ben Range [ZLP/CB-0015] Korowai/Torlesse Tussocklands Park [ZLFF-0027] Korowai - Torlesse Tussocklands Conservation Park [NZ-0147] Korowai/Torlesse Tussocklands Conservation Park	56	59
23:31	ZL2DR	SSB	7.095			59	59
23:32	ZL3ABY	SSB	7.087			51	57

Location:	[ZL3/MB-120] Mount Jackson [ZLP/MB-0001] Molesworth Recreation Reserve [ZLFF-0163] Molesworth Recreation Reserve [NZ-0166] Molesworth Regional Reserve

Callsign:	ZL4NVW	Date:	2024-03-31	QRP	Yes
Timezone:	UTC	Power:	10	Portable?	Yes

Time	Callsign	Mode	Freq	RST Sent	RST Rec’d
01:22	ZL1TM	SSB	7.090	53	55
01:23	ZL3QR	SSB	7.090	59	56
01:24	ZL3ASN	SSB	7.090	57	54
01:25	ZL1CZ	SSB	7.090	59	58
01:26	ZL1KB	SSB	7.090	58	42
01:27	ZL1TZP	SSB	7.090	57	42
01:28	ZL3MR	SSB	7.090	59	57
01:31	ZL3JD	SSB	7.090	55	44

Location:	[ZLL/0490] Lake McRae [ZLP/MB-0001] Molesworth Recreation Reserve [ZLFF-0163] Molesworth Recreation Reserve [NZ-0166] Molesworth Regional Reserve

Callsign:	ZL4NVW	Date:	2024-03-31	QRP	Yes
Timezone:	UTC	Power:	10	Portable?	Yes

Time	Callsign	Mode	Freq	RST Sent	RST Rec’d
03:56	ZL2STR	SSB	7.090	58	59
03:57	ZL2GD	SSB	7.090	59	59
03:58	ZL3TBC	SSB	7.090	58	56
04:04	ZL1MY	SSB	7.090	57	55
04:05	ZL3OY	SSB	7.090	59	59

Location:	[ZLH/MB-024] Lake McRae Hut [ZLP/MB-0001] Molesworth Recreation Reserve [ZLFF-0163] Molesworth Recreation Reserve [NZ-0166] Molesworth Regional Reserve

Callsign:	ZL4NVW	Date:	2024-03-31	QRP	Yes
Timezone:	UTC	Power:	10	Portable?	Yes

Time	Callsign	Mode	Freq	Name	Location	RST Sent	RST Rec’d
05:00	VK2FRBQ	SSB	7.144		[AU-1998] Curracabundi [VKFF-0584] Curracabundi	57	45
05:20	VK2IO	SSB	7.144		[VKFF-0619] Alpine [VK3/VG-001] Mt Cope [AU-0514] Alpine	57	57

Location:	[ZL3/MB-108] Beattie [ZLP/MB-0001] Molesworth Recreation Reserve [ZLFF-0163] Molesworth Recreation Reserve [NZ-0166] Molesworth Regional Reserve

Callsign:	ZL4NVW	Date:	2024-03-31	QRP	Yes
Timezone:	UTC	Power:	10	Portable?	Yes

Time	Callsign	Mode	Freq	RST Sent	RST Rec’d
20:27	ZL2STR	SSB	7.085	58	57
20:28	ZL1KB	SSB	7.085	58	56
20:29	ZL1SKL	SSB	7.085	57	56
20:30	ZL3CR	SSB	7.085	59	57
20:31	ZL3QR	SSB	7.085	59	59
20:32	ZL1TM	SSB	7.085	58	56
20:33	ZL3GIG	SSB	7.085	59	59
20:34	ZL3ABY	SSB	7.085	58	59

Location:	[ZL3/MB-112] ZL3/MB-112 [ZLP/MB-0001] Molesworth Recreation Reserve [ZLFF-0163] Molesworth Recreation Reserve [NZ-0166] Molesworth Regional Reserve

Callsign:	ZL4NVW	Date:	2024-03-31	QRP	Yes
Timezone:	UTC	Power:	10	Portable?	Yes

Time	Callsign	Mode	Freq	Location	RST Sent	RST Rec’d
21:20	ZL1CZ	SSB	7.085		59	59
21:23	ZL2STR	SSB	7.085		59	59
21:23	ZL2BH	SSB	7.085		59	59
21:23	ZL1ALF	SSB	7.085		57	58
21:23	ZL3CR	SSB	7.085		59	58
21:24	ZL2NEB	SSB	7.085	[ZLP/MB-0170] Conservation Area - Waima Hills	57	59
21:25	ZL1SKL	SSB	7.085		58	55
21:31	VK2IO	SSB	14.308		55	53

Location:	[ZL3/MB-159] ZL3/MB-159 [ZLP/MB-0001] Molesworth Recreation Reserve [ZLFF-0163] Molesworth Recreation Reserve [NZ-0166] Molesworth Regional Reserve

Callsign:	ZL4NVW	Date:	2024-04-01	QRP	Yes
Timezone:	UTC	Power:	10	Portable?	Yes

Time	Callsign	Mode	Freq	Location	RST Sent	RST Rec’d
01:17	ZL2DR	SSB	7.085		59	59
01:19	ZL3RIK	SSB	7.085		59	59
01:20	ZL3QR	SSB	7.085		58	58
01:29	VK3USH	SSB	14.310	[VKFF-0461] Southwest [AU-0545] Southwest	52	41
01:30	VK2IO	SSB	14.305		31	31

Location:	[ZLH/MB-014] Elliott Biv [ZLP/MB-0001] Molesworth Recreation Reserve [ZLFF-0163] Molesworth Recreation Reserve [NZ-0166] Molesworth Regional Reserve

Callsign:	ZL4NVW	Date:	2024-04-01	QRP	Yes
Timezone:	UTC	Power:	10	Portable?	Yes

Time	Callsign	Mode	Freq	Name	Location	RST Sent	RST Rec’d
04:30	ZL2STR	SSB	7.090			59	58
04:35	ZL1HRZ	SSB	7.090	Cliff		58	24

Location:	[ZL3/MB-009] Saint Bernard

Callsign:	ZL4NVW	Date:	2024-04-01	QRP	Yes
Timezone:	UTC	Power:	10	Portable?	Yes

Time	Callsign	Mode	Freq	RST Sent	RST Rec’d
21:20	ZL1TM	SSB	7.090	57	56
21:22	ZL1SKL	SSB	7.090	59	55
21:24	ZL2STR	SSB	7.090	57	57
21:27	ZL3MR	SSB	7.090	59	58
21:28	ZL1LM	SSB	7.090	57	53
21:40	F4WBN	SSB	14.310	57	41
21:45	ZL2ATH	SSB	7.085	58	59
21:48	ZL3QR	SSB	7.085	57	57

Location:	[ZL3/MB-008] Mount Major [ZLP/CB-0004] Ka Whata Tu o Rakihouia Conservation Park [ZLFF-0082] Ka Whata Tu o Rakihouia Conservation Park [NZ-0141] Ka Whata Tu o Rakihouia Conservation Park

Callsign:	ZL4NVW	Date:	2024-04-02	QRP	Yes
Timezone:	UTC	Power:	10	Portable?	Yes

Time	Callsign	Mode	Freq	RST Sent	RST Rec’d
00:42	ZL1TM	SSB	7.085	58	56
00:43	ZL3RIK	SSB	7.085	59	56
00:44	ZL2STR	SSB	7.085	57	57
00:47	ZL3QR	SSB	7.085	58	58
00:49	ZL3GIG	SSB	7.085	59	56

Location:	[ZL3/MB-006] Mount Cold [ZLP/CB-0004] Ka Whata Tu o Rakihouia Conservation Park [ZLFF-0082] Ka Whata Tu o Rakihouia Conservation Park [NZ-0141] Ka Whata Tu o Rakihouia Conservation Park

Callsign:	ZL4NVW	Date:	2024-04-03	QRP	Yes
Timezone:	UTC	Power:	10	Portable?	Yes

Time	Callsign	Mode	Freq	RST Sent	RST Rec’d
00:29	ZL3QR	SSB	7.085	58	58
00:30	ZL3CR	SSB	7.085	58	59
00:32	ZL2STR	SSB	7.085	58	58
00:33	ZL3GIG	SSB	7.085	58	58
00:34	ZL4NG	SSB	7.085	59	57
00:36	ZL2ATH	SSB	7.085	59	59
00:38	ZL1TZP	SSB	7.085	57	44

VK3SQ · 6 April 2024 00:09

Hi Mat, thanks for your report with great pictures. A terrific read; well done

Cheers, Geoff vk3sq

VK3AFW · 6 April 2024 04:51

Matt,

That’s a great write-up of a fantastic hike. You surely qualify for an award for that venture. That’s remote and rugged country

I was unable to hear you on the occasions I listened. 40 m can be fickle across the pond. Next time?

73
Ron
VK3AFW.

ZL4NVW · 6 April 2024 05:49

Yes Ron, not sure what what going on with the bands. The usually-reliable 20m seemed to be passing well beyond VK and full of (our) daytime European contest DX, but 40m didn’t seem to reach VK until it started to hit the east coast at around 6pm. Need 30m SSB like you guys have!

Or to finish learning CW.

VK3PF · 6 April 2024 06:30

Nothing heard here Matt. Propagation charts suggested that 17 m might have worked on several occasions that I listened for you. 40 m in the day time was too short for VK, and the same was often the case for 20 m to VK3. But that is part of the challenge…
Cheers,
Peter VK3PF

ZL4NVW · 6 April 2024 06:39

@VK3PF Thanks Peter, I did check the 17m and 15m FT8 frequencies a couple of times, which seemed quiet. But I guess that is more an indicator of DX conditions on those bands than their suitability for the shorter hop to VK1-3. So will bear in mind they may be a better try when 20m seems to fail.

I did hear you clearly one evening working a VKFF station (or maybe VK2FRBQ on an AU POTA?) on 40m. But I had no spot up and was in chasing mode from camp myself.

M0LEP · 6 April 2024 07:34

Sometimes HF propagation is weird, with relatively small changes in position (one or two percent this way or that) seeming to make quite a big difference. I’ve been looking at the G to ZL options, but unless the Sun’s a lot kinder…

MM0VPM · 6 April 2024 07:48

Huge thanks for showing us this amazing country on your adventure and the magnificent pictures.
Well done on the activations.

Alan

VK3HN · 6 April 2024 10:56

What an epic hike! Well done, you are one of a few adventurers amongst the VK/ZL gang who is equipped and capable to atempt this kind of back-trail multi-day expedition. And all those chasers and only four VK contacts! Amazing! Thanks for the write-up and beautiful pictures.

M6GYU · 6 April 2024 17:25

Amazing trip, along with some grand photographs.

Did you weight your pack? How much was it
What battery/batteries did you carry?

ZL4NVW · 6 April 2024 18:58

@VK3HN The lack of VK was a surprise - normally they make up 40-60% of my log for afternoon activations. As discussed, band conditions seemed to be the main factor

20m was just not performing in the day to VK.
The QRM from the Easter contest may also have been a factor - VK would have likely been receiving different EU/NA DX to me and so I may well have opted for 20m frequencies that were not clear in VK.
And as Peter points out, I may have not chosen the optimum band
Also there were several morning activations, and I don’t generally try for VK before 11am NZ time.
And finally the WX on 3 summits meant that they were single-band 40m activations, as short as possible without causing offense.

So I wouldn’t blame the chasers!

@M6GYU - I carried 9x18650 batteries (3500mAH) - three sets of 3. This is my first long trip with the TX500 so I was not sure what I’d require. With the FT818 I’d have flattened 8x18650 on the trip, but the rx on the TX500 is so much more efficient. In the event I dropped the first set from 12.5v to 10.5v and had just started on the 2nd set on my last summit. Had the bands been open to VK I’d probably have used more.

Pack weight was probably about 20kg at start, plus water (3kg when full). I packed for 10 days, summer gear. I normally tip over the 25kg mark at 14 days and hit 30kg at 21 days. You could add another 3kg if it were winter - a 3rd full set of thermal clothing plus crampons. Summer I get away with a single hill set of clothes and a separate dry camp set, as I can survive walking in wet gear. Winter I need the option of putting on fresh dry clothes and continuing to walk to a safe camp if I start to get hypothermic.

F4WBN · 6 April 2024 19:44

Hi,
Thank you for your amazing review and great photos. It was a pleasure to contact you despite the late hour here, I was watching, I had hope and it came true ! Great satisfaction, once again the antenna and the right choice of orientation did the job !
Very best regards,
F4WBN Chris

ZL4NVW · 7 April 2024 03:10

That QSO was a wonderful reward for the summit, Chris. And completely unexpected given the time of day. Thankyou as always!

MW0WML · 7 April 2024 07:45

That’s some weight to be carrying day after day… I know it will go down as you eat, ut it’s still a lot.

What a fantastic trip. Thank you for sharing!

MM0EFI · 7 April 2024 08:30

That was going to be my question too. 20kg I could cope with, not sure about your extended trip 30kg version though. That would buckle me over the hills.

Great report Matt. It must have been rough weather when you were passing over un-activated summits without stopping.

ZL4NVW · 8 April 2024 04:51

That was unfortunate. If I’d packed in full winter mode I could have put on some more warm dry clothes & activated. But I had everything on except my dry camp clothes, it was near freezing before the windchill, and the driving rain had found its way in and gear I was wearing was damp. I cool down pretty fast in those conditions. Just not worth the risk.

IW2OBX · 8 April 2024 13:10

Amazing report and activations,
high level sota!!!
Well done Matt!

73

VA6MPM · 8 April 2024 14:38

Nice work, beautiful photos.

EI9KY · 8 April 2024 14:49

Fantastic work, Matt. Sorry I didn’t get the chance to try make a QSO. I’m a bit envious of your dry weather - it hasn’t stopped raining here for about a month.

Colm.

G5OLD · 8 April 2024 19:55

Fantastic trip Matt. Was a delight to read this report: a proper backcountry wilderness activating trip.

Tim