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Raglan Range Too

by Terry X Patterson

Following in the footsteps of our illustrious pioneers, a scaled down version of last year's Raglan Range trip headed off up the Branch River in traditional August weather. After crossing the Branch courtesy of one wire cage, complete with "extras" (ask Mike and Phil about that) we completed the grot (F.F.) road-bash with a lunch stop at Reagan hut. Deciding we didn't fancy lunching in a freezer, we strolled on up to Mid Silverstream hut, having conquered a 900ft. grunt and a three wire bridge, which added to the variety of streams cross on the way up the sidle track.

Next morning dawned perfect and with numerous ZZZ's stacked away we set off up the spur behind the hut, heading for the tops below Scotts Knob. The journey up was long and tiring with yours truly feeling the result of flu and low fitness. On the way along the ridge, which was traversed in brillant clear skies and calm sunny weather, plus snow capped peaks, we caught continuous views of Scotts Knob and the rest of the peaks in the Raglan Range (eat your heart out, Raglan One). After lunching below Scotts Knob we step plugged our way along the ridge until a suitable route down into Lost Stream was found. Bum sliding was the order of the day as we rapidly reached the bushline by mid afternoon with the sun still drenching the valley, which was spectacularly covered in snow. On arriving in the Lost Stream, we were pleasantly surprised to find a bivvy near the head of the valley nestled in the trees. This valley, like many others in the Raglan Range, was characterised by its steep rugged peaks and snow covering everything bar the sheer rock faces and bush covered slopes. Even the valley floor had a thick carpet of snow making the views simply superb.

As we entered our third fine day in a row, a new route was embarked upon which went somewhere up the first stream on the true right, heading in the general direction of some "dubious pass". The wander up had its moments, as we sidled up to a 6,300 ft. knife edge pass. I'm somewhat loath to describe it as such, because I'm still not convinced it was actually a pass and not just a mental aberation on Mike's part. Anyway we lunched at the top amidst a howling wind which raced through a tiny hole in the rocks, while the sun shone merrily above. Deciding to descend down this "thing" proved to be quite an event, with Phil first announcing it was good snow to walk down, and then two seconds later proclaiming it was a prime avalanche slope and racing off down to the bottom some 3,000 feet below. This announcement did wonders for yours truly and Mike who proceeded in a downwards direction with extreme caution, arriving some forty-five minutes later at Misery Stream. This valley was the most beautiful from my view point, added to by the amazing Top Misery hut, which was totally stocked and yet hadn't been visited for nine months. A quick second lunch was had and we set off for Bottom Misery hut, wandering down through snow covered flats and untold rock debris which the peaks above had deposited some years before.

When we awoke, shock and horror appeared on our faces, for it had been and still was raining. But we could take it, better it rained when you're in the valleys, than on the tops. Leaving at the gentlemen's hour of 11.00 am, we headed for Top Branch Bivvy, having a pleasant wander up the Branch, reaching our dog box at 2.00 pm. All the page 81way up we secured some excellent views of the vastness of this mountain range, and the rather rugged tops which dominate the skyline. Sleeping in our wee abode was no easy task with Phil finding six foot three doesn't go into six foot, plus Mike and myself being reminded that double bunking isn't all it's cracked up to be, especially with a pack frame delicately positioned between the thighs. So we arose finding a fresh snow fall which was promising for our ascent to the pass leading into Lees Stream. After bashing through waist deep, cold snow, we hit the bushline taking it in turns to step plug up to the pass, while negotiating a slightly less avo prone slope. Once out of the wide snow basin and getting merrily snow burnt we donned storm gears for the most brillant bum sliding in history, as we raced down into Lees Stream, reaching the bivvy at 2.00 pm in brillant weather. Bulk brews and food were consumed as we reflected on our successful completion of three passes in five days, with only a gentle stroll down to the Wairau ahead of us.

Next day was, yes you guessed, brillant weather again, making the journey down Lees Stream to the Wairau River easy going, apart from the ice covered tracks which were extremely hazardous to all those except eskimos. After making the river by 12.00 noon we set off on the last part of our trip the epic, delightfully joyful road bash. This was not to be as painful as we envisaged, for after reaching Dipstick Flats, and pursuant to a minor muting we tried our luck at hitching, gaining the required result around 4.00 pm from some skiers leaving the new Rainbow field, (see skiers have some uses). We reached St. Arnaud in time to catch the shops and all their charms.

Thus we waited two days for the rest of our bods, who spent their time amongst Nelson Lakes in none too favourable weather. So what do we think of Raglan Range - suggest your check it out next year, it sure is an amazing place.

Mike Robertson

Phil Mackie

Terry Patterson