Speaker 0:00

Today we're heading to Canterbury for a popular South Island tramp. Less than two hours drive from Christchurch. Let's talk about the Mount Summers track.

Peter 0:08

So

Jonty 0:15

Kira and welcome to the Tramping Life, a podcast about hiking in RO New Zealand, or as we call it here, tramping. I'm ch and in this episode I'll talk about a specific track or hut. I'll give an overview and share my experience along with the highlights and some practical advice.

Speaker 0:33

Mount Summers Track is located in Hackery Conservation Park in Canterbury. There's tracks that run to the north and south of Mount Summers Summit between Sharp and Falls Carpark and Woodshed Creek car Park. There are two huts on the track, the Pinnacles hut and the wool. She creek hut and it's typically completed as a one to two day tramp. with impressive rock formations, historic coal mining, relics and expansive views across the Canterbury Foothills is a track that combines natural scenery with local history. The modern walking track was created by the Mount Summers Walkway Society. A group formed in 1983 by local residents from Mount Summers and Slaley with the aim of establishing a circular track around the mountain. The track was officially opened in 1987 and management. The area later came under the Department of Conservation. The track itself reflects the region's earlier history of farming and mining. Mount Summers area was settled as a sheep station and surrounding hills contained deposits of coal, limestone, silica, and sand that supported early industry in the area. Coal mining in particular played a major role in the development of the district. Coal deposits discovered in 1856. To transport coal from the hills. A tram line was constructed linking the mines to the village, and remnants of this infrastructure still exists in the area. some sections of the Mount Summers track follow or past near these historic industrial roots. For example, the mine track leading to Woodshed Creek Hut follows the route used to access the coal workings in the hills above Mount Summers. The huts also reflect this history, early accommodation in the area included a small musters hut later expanded in the 1980s with an additional lean tooth Trampers. This older hut was eventually removed when the current wool shed Creek Hu was built in 2006. I walked the track in December, nearly a decade ago. I was lucky with glorious weather for the first days of summer, although over 30 degrees was a little on the hot side when you're carrying a 15 kg pack and ascending into descending more than 1500 meters. I flew down Friday evening from Auckland and spent the night in peaceful Mehin from here. It was less than half an hour, Toland Falls Creek car Park to start the track. Despite the weather and proximity to Christchurch, I saw almost no one on the track all weekend other than a few on the summit track and at the huts from the car park, it was pretty much straight up the mountainside for the next two and a half hours to reach the summit of Mount Summers. Thankfully, I could leave my overnight pack halfway at the junction, carry a small day pack for the steepest section I was soon out the bush line and enjoying the views As well as the usual trick, the summit had an unusual can surrounded by wooden railing saying, Revere it yesterday. Build on today. Absorb energy and inspiration from this place. The 1,686 meter summit also had the views you'd expect to the East over the endless expanse of the Canterbury Plains Prime dairy country. Made clear by every other vehicle on the road being a Fonterra milk tanker and to the west of Southern Alps, some of 'em snow capped. I made my way back down to collect my overnight bag and continued along the track to R Light Ridge Track Junction. The forest soon turned to more open landscape with views of the plains, and I briefly stopped at the LANs shelter where thankfully nearby there was a stream to refill my empty water bottles. My original plan was to head down the Royal Light Ridge Track to the Woolshed Creek carpark and up the minus track, a four hour walk, given my flagging energy. By that point, it would've been nearly a nine months since I lasted overnight. Trump continuing on the Mount Summer's track from the two hours is more appealing, as was the scenery. With this section being my highlight of the weekend, Starting with Tussic in the foreground and snow mountains in the distance, there was an unusual rock outcropping called the bus stop and further along a sign saying waterfall five minutes should never be ignored. Woolshed Creek hut was visible well before arriving. Its Nestle in some spectacular scenery with an epic swing bridge to cross to reach it. There are plenty of campsites by the hut the next day. Again, it was hard to ignore a sign that said water caves. Five minutes, and they were a little treat to start the day with huge stack boulders and flowing waters. A one fallen unexpected spot heading up the valley, rewarded with more epic views before heading downhill to Pinnacles huts, where I met a couple of climbers off to tackle, said Pinnacles. The mountain side was covered with huge rock formations, clearly formed by volcanic activity. This is one of the best climbing spots in the Canterbury region. The hut was the perfect spot for an early lunch. Sitting on the deck and The final section back to sharply Falls Hut was the least enjoyable of the trip with an almost continuous descent testing the knees and semi abseiling skills with a couple of sections with chains and almost no views as it was through Bush the whole way. there were a couple of rather lovely waterfall though, particularly one the track went behind before returning to the car park. Highlights of the track include the pinnacles rock formations created by cooling lava flows around 90 million years ago. The landscape reflects the region's mining history. Near the end of the track, walkers past the Blackburn mine and remains of a handbuilt jig use to transport coal down to waiting railway wagons. The route reverses a variety of environments including beach, forest, tussock and sub alpine scrub with views across the mount summer's range, and surrounding mountains. Along the way, there are short side trips and features, such as the water caves and multiple waterfalls. And another highlight is the climb to the mount. Sum the saddle with expansive views across the high country landscape. To finish with some practical advice, book the Huts. Both huts need to be booked online in advance and are very popular. The track is suitable for families as it is in good condition, but parts of it can be a bit steep and rough. The Mount Summers era is in Alpine environment, and the weather can change rapidly so check the forecast before heading out. And in winter and early spring, snow and ice may occur and the track may be better suited to experienced and well equipped. T.

Peter 6:07

So

Speaker 6:10

Thank you so much for listening to the Tramping life. If you've enjoyed today's episode, please follow the podcast in whatever app you use. Tell a friend about it and consider leaving a rating or a review. It really helps more people discover the show. you have any questions or feedback, I'd love to hear from you. Drop me an email at the tramping life, one word@gmail.com.