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January 24th, 2008
by admin
January 8,2008
Camp Quality
Oamaru, New Zealand
The day before yesterday we had met with Sarah Middleton. Sarah is the Director of Camp Quality here. Sarah is a dear young woman who has taken Camp Quality to heart. She loves the opportunity to organize the camp for the children in her area of the South Island.
Sarah mentioned that there was plenty of help at the camp, but that we were more than welcome to come and visit. Yesterday was the campers’ first day, then today would be arts & crafts day as the weather was not looking too “fine”.
It was something. There was a huge orange bus parked in the driveway as we walked up to check in. We signed in and received our “Visitor” badges. There were 16 campers from ages 6 to 13 years of age. Some of these little ones were a year or two out of treatments. Each camper had a buddy, a counselor who was with him or her during the whole camp experience. They were all busy working away on various projects; decorating pillowcases, making friendship bracelets, decorating boards with fabric, or making hacky sacs. There were campers being taught to juggle, playing catch, and just being kids.
The volunteers were great people. Nathan was a fireman who has volunteered for the past 14 years at Camp Quality. Don, as it was explined to me, had been a camper when he was 11 years old. He had lost his leg to cancer and had a prosthetic leg. Now he has a bus company. Don picked up children for this camp in his huge orange luxury bus that was parked out front. He showed me on a map how he had picked one camper up in Gore, a town in the south of the island, then came through Dunedin, then up to Oamaru. What a great way to arrive at the camp. Don himself is an inspiration, here as a camper and now an integral part of Camp Quality, as well as an amazing example to the campers.
After leaving hats and shirts with Sarah, we thought we would be on our way. But Sarah wanted to introduce the “visitors” who had been around that morning. She told about us and asked that I introduce everyone and tell about our reasons for being in New Zealand. It was nerve-wracking speaking to those 16 little ones…but managed to introduce everyone and explain who was on the climb and who was family. I then mentioned how three years ago I was slick bald during treatments, didn’t even have a moustache… but was now here in New Zealand trying to climb one of their beautiful mountains. How just last week we had attempted to reach the summit of Mount Aspiring, but due to conditions on the mountain (lots of loose snow and ice) we were turned back. They heard how physically we could have made it, but it just wasn’t safe enough to keep going, which is how mountain climbing is. I explained how frustrating it was, but that maybe, in the future, one of them would climb all the way to the top of Mount Aspiring and take a picture and email it to me with what it was like to be up there…what it was like.
One of the adult volunteers yelled a camper’s name, a little squirt with glasses. She squirmed in her seat. Who knows? Maybe that little young girl will send an email someday with a picture from the summit of Mount Aspiring attached.
The visit to Camp Quality; seeing those kids… it is hard to write about. Meeting the volunteers; people like Sarah, Don, Nathan, and seeing them with the little ones made this trip.
Yeah…we didn’t make it to the summit this time…but being with those children, it was all put back into perspective, the reason behind the climb, and not making the summit didn’t seem like such a big deal.
Check out the pictures here in the album. Then click on the Camp Quality Album!
January 7th, 2008
by admin
December 31st, 2007
Woke up to a beautiful day, the weather being “fine”. We all headed for the vehicle at Raspberry Flats. It was about a two hour hike to the vehicle. We all crowded in and encountered many people and vehicles on the way in to Wanaka. Once, as we came to a cattle crossing, the vehicle coming towards us stopped, backed up, and then pulled over. Mark said, “Ooooooh! A cattle stop! Scary!! He must have been a cow in a previous life!”
We arrived in Wanaka to a town getting ready for New Year’s Day packed. It was a beautiful day as we had lunch at Adventure Consultants, and a crystal clear night to see the Southern Cross before the fireworks began. Quite an end to 2007 and the Cancer Survivors on Mount Aspiring climb.
January 6th, 2008
by admin
December 30th:
We took down the tents and entered Colin Todd Hut, named for Colin Todd. On the wall in the hut is a picture of Colin Todd with this: “Colin Todd was one of New Zealand’s best known climbers of the post war period.” He died in a motorcycle accident in 1955, aged 28. An anonymous donor gave funds for the hut, which was helicoptered in in sections.
Had the best night sleep of this whole trip. Just now, Mark and Steve are making “Bacon Butties”, as another Adventure Consultant guide and client vacated - due to conditions - and left a kilo of bacon. The weather report just came in from Caroline, who is the Hut Warden down below. The front is coming in. It is cloudy and starting to spit a bit of rain. Right now is decision time for what to do next. Scott has to be in Christchurch the night of the 31st. The guides, Mark & Steve, need to be in Wanaka the 31st. Our window for Aspiring has shut.
9:30A.M.
There are three options:
1) Wait for the helicopter tomorrow as it is supposed to be “fine” weather.
2) Head down and maybe bivy along the way if the weather gets too bad.
3) Head down and make for Aspiring Hut all in one day.
As I hoped and guessed, we all want to hike out to Aspiring Hut. This is 18 kilometers as the crow (or kea with a boot liner) flies. We will follow the Matukituki River from its source in the glaciers all the way to Aspiring Hut, then Raspberry Flats to the vehicle.
The weather really picked up just as we were all packed up, cramponed, and roped together at 11:00. Later TJ would mention that while crossing the Bonar Glacier in rain sheeting sideways, he was smiling due to all the right gear. We had everything on the way down, glacier travel, crevasses, some slips, two handed down climbing, abseiling, stream crossings using ropes, followed by many, many other stream crossings until we reached the valley floor. What an amazing valley! No wonder it was the choice for Lord of the Rings as a setting for the film. TJ was off like a shot once we reached the trail to Aspiring Hut, I brought up the rear.
Once again all the clothes came off and found places on the drying racks, chairs, benches, whatever we could find. The weather did turn “fine” and we all crashed at Aspiring Hut feeling good.
It is a god feeling to know that it wasn’t due to physical limitations that we were not allowed to make the summit. Physically we would have been there if the conditions had allowed us, which was the point of Cancer Survivors on Mount Aspiring.
Tomorrow the hike to Raspberry Flats, then into Wanaka.
January 4th, 2008
by admin
December 29th
Colin Todd Hut
Woke up at 3:00am. Could not sleep thinking of all the warnings about the conditions on Aspiring.
We had been posed the question, “What do you want to do? Aspiring has loose snow and verglass. The loose snow makes the mountain dangerous. On top of that, there is a forecast for a storm coming in the day after tomorrow.”
Rolling Pin was mentioned as another summit. We all wanted to go as far as possible up Mount Aspiring. Steve and Mark said they will want to check it out, and if it is not safe, will call it. They said we can try another peak in the area…maybe.
So we set off around 4:00am - the moon was almost bright enough to not need headlamps. Up we went Aspiring. We arrived at the rock buttress and it was as all the people who had tried had said - the conditions did not allow. So, after discussion, we headed down and around to traverse and then up to the summit of Rolling Pin. On the way we were roped the entire time, running belays, rock protection in a case or two, we all went over a knife edged ridge, then abseiled (rappelled) down a 100 foot cliff with two ropes tied together before heading back to the hut.
It was a good day and we are sure - in the time we have had, the weather, and conditions on the mountain all taken into account - we could have/would have made the summit of Mount Aspiring and we gave it all we could. We took pictures of alll the camp flags and have raised over $60,000…I guess we’ve done all we can. We did give it all we could in the time we have. Last night I was feeling pretty lousy, tonight as I write this, I realize we have really done a lot.
When we got back from our attempt on Mount Aspiring, back to Colin Todd Hut, there were two surprises:
1) The hut was totally deserted. From over twenty people to zero! Another indicator it was not a time for people to attempt Aspiring.
2) The keas had punched a dozen holes in my yellow Bibler tent…what can you do?
(See the photos here, Then click on the Bibler Album!)
This evening, as we looked up at the summit of Aspiring, it was clouding up and blowing. The storm was moving in.
January 3rd, 2008
by admin
December 28th
It is Friday here, the 28th. Yesterday Jamie, Jorie,TJ & Jessica met with the Aspiring Guides at their office and prepped for the trip. Bob and Scott went over last minute details as well; gear check, etc. The guides left with Jamie, Jorie, TJ and Jess around noon and drove out to the “jumping off” point. The weather was not conducive to flying up in the chopper, so they began the (roughly two hour) hike in.
Scott, Bob, Danika and I left perhaps an hour later. We drove for an hour, along the shores of Lake Wanaka, then on to a gravel road, passing sheep, cattle, deer farms, etc. Slowing down to “FORD!” a stream now and then. They have road signs just like that “FORD!” where you slow down to first gear, and slowly but steadily cross a stream. We finally arrive at the “car park”, unloaded and did another gear sorting. Bob and Scott had their expedition packs, and the girls and I had smaller packs hauling a little more gear out for them.
We hiked up the valley Doug had told us many times of. It was grand and beautiful. We again passed by sheep (really they are everywhere in New Zealand) and cattle, passing through a gate now and then. At one point we turned and headed up something that seemed like a steep part of Skyline trail, but shortly came down the other side of it to more valley. We walked through many streams and a few quite wider, bigger “streams” of water. We saw some beautiful waterfalls. At one point we saw a cabin in the distance, the cabin Jorie had told me we would see that was private. The Mt. Aspiring “cabin”, our destination was further on by perhaps a half hour depending on our pace. Danika and Rebekah had gone on ahead of Scott, Bob and I. As long as the river was on our right and we followed the path, we were on the right track.
At last we saw the hut we were after. Scott arrived before Bob and I as well by a little bit. It was great to see the rest of the crew there. It was a large “hut”, I thought more resembling a lodge-type dwelling, with a wood burning stove and hearth area, clothing strewn about drying on line above it and every space around it. There were, I think three very long, large picnic-style tables and two side of the dwelling were windowed. There was a large kitchen area. The whole place was one large room. There were also window-seat type seats, which doubled as bunks/mattresses two out. There actually were other rooms with bunks as well. Outside there was a bathroom building with 3 flushing toilets and 2 sinks. Lots of water around everywhere. I noticed a building with antennae wires too, and a guide going out with a radio.
Did I mention it was raining sheets the whole time we were hiking ……… and a headwind at times? We were soaked not long into it, but it was not a particularly cold rain, etc. so as long as we kept moving we were just fine. Danika, Rebekah and I were not planning on staying long as we had a two hour walk out and then hour drive back. I did not want to sit down and get comfortable, cozy, warm and tired. So we stayed about a half hour, drying out a tiny bit. Bob made cocoa and gave us some wonderful chocolate. Scott made us soup. We said good-by again; hugs all around and headed out. The weather was the same - but we beat our time in by almost 20 minutes. Bob’s Mom said that it rained in town all day too.
Today however, is a BEAUTIFUL sunny day. There are planes flying and hang gliders soaring above town. Out hostel is great and it looks out on the lake. I am going to go to the Aspiring Guides office to see what is up with the climbers today. Hopefully they can chopper up to Colin Todd hut and give it a go.
January 2nd, 2008
by admin
December 26th
Arrived in Wanaka today at The Purple Cow, where we met up with Jorie and Scott, who had been tramping around the South Island and staying in Wanaka. Jamie arrived shortly after and we made plans for arriving at Adventure Consultants the next day. Last minute purchases of tape (webbing), cord for prussics, food for Scott and myself, and a 10mm rope were made.
December 27th
Met the two guides from Adventure Consultants, Steve Moffat and Mark Morrison. These are two Kiwi studs who have been around the world leading some amazing climbs. They are unassuming, confident, pleasant, fun guys to climb with.
The weather was not good for the helicopter, so the plans were to drive out to Raspberry Flats and hike a couple hours in to Aspiring Hut. Scott and I went out an hour or so after the rest of the crew. Mary Ellen, Rebekah, and Danika also went out and hiked in pouring rain the two hours to Aspiring Hut. After only about a half an hour, they hiked the two hours back to the van and drove back to Wanaka. We spent the night at the Aspiring Hut, hoping the weather would improve for the helicopter.
December 31st, 2007
by admin
Today
Bob’s Mom and I went to the Aspiring Guides Office at 9:00 this morning (Monday here).
They have not heard from them at all, “no news is good news”. We did find out however,
that the chopper took them up to Colin Todd Hut the 27th; the day after we hiked in to
Mt. Aspiring hut. It was a beautiful day here as well. They are due back today. We
were told that they should be walking out the valley today and perhaps will be back
at the Aspiring Office around 2:00 pm. They will unpack, re-pack and then de-brief.
No word about getting to the summit or not. We will just have to wait and see!
More later.
Mary Ellen
December 28th, 2007
by admin
Received DEC 26th
We drove from Geraldine to Wanaka today. It was a beautiful drive. Jorie and Scott were already here and the Montgomery’s came a little later. We had a good (carbo loading) spagetti dinner and the climbers got all set for leaving tomorrow morning. They meet at The Purple Cow at 7:30 and then head over to the Aspiring Guides Office at 9:00. I will try to keep you posted as I know things.
December 28th, 2007
by admin
DEC 25th
After some gear checks, food purchasing, and a big spaghetti dinner at the hostel, we are now ready to get over to Adventure Consultants in the morning.
Jorie & Scott have been tramping around the various trails and were over on Mount Cook for a day hike. The Montgomerys have been traveling around and are now in town as well. TJ has been bailing some hay, mustering sheep, and enjoying a great Christmas with the Worners. The Summer fam has been hanging out with TJ too.
We’ll see what tomorrow brings. The plan is to head up to Collin Todd Hut.
Hitting the rack.
Take care.
Bob
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Cancer Survivors on Mount Aspiring: 2007
