“On a Mish” #62 Above and Beyond (Part One). Benmore Hut. Korowai/Torlesse Tussockland Park. 2.10.2009. Getting to a place – particular one few others visit – can bring a great sense of achievement, and is a big reason why many people don hiking boots and head into the wild. On some adventures the mission can go beyond the hut or campsite, and that’s when you get bonus views. On a mish to Benmore Hut, we decided to go above and beyond to see what the area really looked like…
On the way to Porters Pass, after the bridge over the Kowai River the large rolling mass of Benmore(1655m) dominates the left hand skyline. I was unaware there was a hut nestled on a saddle east of the peak until Jeremy Wilson mentioned the idea of a trip into the area. After gathering gear, we headed to Benmore Station (off State Highway 73) and started the hike up to the hut.
One of Jeremy’s old adventure buddies (Paul) and a friend of his joined us, and after meeting up at the car park at the start of the track we headed into the hills. We started with a crossing of Thirteen Mile Bush Stream, immediately soaking our boots. The hike to the hut is reasonably easy (but don’t expect dry feet!) and we got to the hut within a few hours of hiking. As soon as we got there we dropped packs and ventured above and beyond the hut in search of any animals.
The views from the tops were excellent and we could see over the lower foothills out to the Canterbury Plains, along with the peaks of the Torlesse Range. The views alone made every step worth while and we were definitely rewarded for going above and beyond the place where we planned to spend the night.
We searched the open ridges above the tree line and found a sign which took us away from the track back to the hut and higher into the Benmore Range. As time trickled on the light began to fade, and it didn’t take long for us to work out we were going to be doing some of our journey back to the hut in the dark. Our light side-trip above and beyond the hut had taken us a little further away than first expected…
