Tramping - The Five Passes

Oceania » New Zealand » National Parks » Mt Aspiring National Park
January 27th 2010

Published: January 27th 2010

Feral Mike and The Beast of Burden are Back Gentle Readers, by the time you read this the solo bike ride will be about to resume. I fly from Auckland to Wellington tomorrow (Friday, 29 January 2010) to unshackle the Beast and free him from the dungeon where he has lain for the past few weeks. Together we take a ferry to Picton and the adventure resumes. In the meantime, here's a little of what'... Read Full Entry

Photos are below

Photos: 36, Displayed: 21

Comment Follow (2) Message

Mike Brockie

Feral Mike

A LATTE SIPPING, PONSONBY DWELLER GOES ADVENTURING BY BICYCLE HOW TO ACCESS MY BLOGS ----------------------------------- Scroll to the BOTTOM of THIS PAGE. Click on either 'latest entry' or 'first entry'. There are other options to place comments etc, just click around. THE BIG PLAN ----------------- I made a solo cycle ride from one end of New Zealand to the other over the southern summer - 2009/10. I kept off the busy highways as much as possible, and even managed a few 4WD tracks in some of the more remote corners of the country. I finished on 9 April 2010 and returned home ... full info

Blog Options

Blog Map

Print Version

[blog=471006]

[blogger=133354]

On Fohn Saddle, 1506m

Out of sight and well below is the Olivine Ledge, from where we'd come.

Sharing a Tent

After all those nights in a small tent, Ross and I seem to be getting overly friendly. On Fohn Saddle with the Beans Burn behind us - and our route out.

The largest of the Fohn Lakes

With more time, it would have been nice to have camped on the water's edge for a night.

Just below Fohn Saddle

Stephen using an ice axe to cut steps across a patch of snow. Although two of us walked straight across, it was a wise thing to do - the slope was steep and a fall could have been disastrous.

Toasting Marshmallows

Each member of the party was required to bring a 'secret surprise'. Vicki's was marshmallows which we toasted over the embers of a fire at a campsite in the upper Beans Burn.

Mountain Man

Ross negotiating his way down the upper Beans Burn. A litttle later on we were to discover that DoC had been into the area and put orange track markers on trees for much of the way along the river - it made the journey out quicker and easier. However, it would be nice to think the route marking goes no further - one of the joys of The Five Passes is having to navigate your way without too many tracks, tags and cairns.

Campsite at First Flat, Beans Burn

From here we had only a 90minute walk out the next day to the confluence with the Dart River. And Stephen did a great job using the mountain radio to ensure we were picked up by a jet boat to take us back to civilization.

Same Campsite at First Flat, Beans Burn

Jet Boat Ride

We got a lift from the Dart River - Beans Burn confluence to Paradise, where we stayed with friends of Vicki's for a night. Picture: Ross McLean

'Rationale'

A Townson 25 keeler - Judy at the helm, Rangitoto Is in the background.

Route Planning

On board 'Rationale' and starting to plan my South Island cycle route.

Summer

Motutapu Island, Hauraki Gulf

Sun Over the Yard Arm

Enjoying a quiet drink aboard 'Rationale' at Waiheke Island.

The Fraser

We enjoyed a week's car camping in Northland. This is at Rarawa Beach, north of Hohoura.

Same Car - Different Beach

This is at Shipwreck Bay, near Ahipara. The car is a Fraser - first registered in 1991. It's powered by a 1600cc Toyota 4AGE engine and because of its light weight, it has startling acceleration. But the ground clearance means it has trouble getting over speed bumps and gravel roads can be a problem. It is fantastic fun to drive.

28th January 2010

Ross Maclean
non-member comment

good luck with the next adventure
Hi Mike, I really enjoyed reliving the trip with your photos and narrative. Have a great second leg of your NZ cycling odyssey. Thanks again for an aweinspiring trip. Take care!

29th January 2010

Feral Mike
Mike Brockie

The Five Passes
Hi, it was fantastic. But your message has arrived without a name attached. Which of the 'Fab Four' are you? Cheers, Feral Mike

18th December 2010

Sam
non-member comment

Price?
How much did that tattoo cost you? Ived always wanted that exact tattoo!

23rd December 2010

Feral Mike
Mike Brockie

New Zild Tattoo
Hi there, Sam got it done at the Dermagraphic Studio in Ponsonby, Auckland in early 2010. It cost him in the region of $400 - $450, but prices might have gone up since then. cheers

Tot: 0.146s; Tpl: 0.011s; cc: 10; qc: 46; dbt: 0.0575s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1; ; mem: 1.1mb

Do not copy images or text from this page without requesting and receiving permission. All rights are reserved by the author and photographer.

Contact Mike Brockie (Feral Mike) - a lack of a response does not mean that you have permission to use material from this page.

Tramping - The Five Passes

Copyright Notice: All Rights Reserved