“On a Mish” #49 Welcome to My World (Part One). Double Hut & Peak 1115m. Hakatere Conservation Park. 16.7.2013. A lot of my missions are by myself, attacking a track, hill or just camping area solo. I have no problem with heading out into the wild by myself, however a little company is always welcome. On many outings I have witnessed stunning sights and been the only one there, which has left me feeling a little guilty as the sights are so good you wish there was some else there to enjoy them as well. When I heard my good friend from way back in the day was heading home from Canada for a visit and wanted to go on a mish, I was really looking forward to welcoming him into my world…
Double Hut is an excellent hut tucked into the base of the Taylors Range in Hakatere Conservation Park, and during my time exploring the area I have spent more than 12 nights in cosy confinement here. Due to the hut being only a couple of hours from the Lake Heron Carpark, and with direct access to the peaks of the Taylors Range, I have used it as a base for climbs. Each trip has had its own highlights, and on the odd occasion I have just hiked to the hut and back. The relatively flat walk to the hut over the picturesque high-country plains make the comfortable shelter accessible to most – and visually appealing to all.
My Canadian friend Cameron was in Aotearoa and even though it was the middle of winter we were keen to get into the mountains. Living in one of the coldest places on the planet (Winnipeg) meant he probably wouldn’t be bothered by the cold. Due to the huge amount of water between myself and Cam, anytime we get together we make the most of it, and this round wasn’t going to be any different. For some reason Cam only seems to visit Aotearoa during the winter, and this would make a future adventure together (in the Cameron Valley of all places) very interesting.
There had been a big dump of snow a couple of days before our trip, however it looked like the worst of the storm was behind us and we had a small weather window for our adventure into Hakatere. A plan was made over a couple of brews back in Christchurch to spend two nights at Double Hut and go for a scramble up behind the hut into the Taylors Range on the middle day. It would be an awesome way to show Cam Hakatere Conservation Park and welcome him into my wild world of wilderness.
We sorted out all the gear that we would need to keep us warm in the subzero temperatures, then headed inland to the snowy mountains around Lake Heron. We took in the cool fresh air and incredible scenery as boots were tightened, and packs adjusted at the Lake Heron car park. Now battle ready, we began our hike into the stunning mid-winter environment towards our goal of Double Hut, and the snow-white frozen mountain mass behind it…
