A Paparoa's Weekend: Euclid & Kelvin

After the better part of 2 years having past since my last trip into the Paparoa's it was time to experience this magic environment again.  William was keen to step it up and get his first taste of the Paparoa's, so with a fine weekend on the way it was looking like it was going to be a good one.

Halfway between Fleming and Euclid (in the background)

We made it to the bush line below Fleming from Costello Hill late on Friday night.  Next morning it was short walk up to Fleming and then a further 2 hours to the base of Euclid, by which time the clag was starting to come in from the coast.  We climbed Euclid and explored along the north ridge of Euclid, as I was keen to see how difficult the route along the main range was.  It's steep but looks alright, although it was difficult to be sure in the clag.  We headed back to where we had stashed our packs by sliding on the north side of Euclid above Morgan Tarn.

In the clouds on Euclid

With not much of a view to be had we decided to head down to Morgan Tarn for a few hours rest, hoping that the clag might clear in the early evening.  We were in luck as by 5pm it was clearing and it wasn't long before we were on our way again. 

Mt Euclid

Our route to Lavoisier took us on a low route in to the western basins of the main range where the going looked much better than the higher route I had taken on a previous trip.  Climbing to the obvious grassy small saddle below Lavoisier the steep ridge is turned on the eastern side.  A chickpea curry was cooked and devour on Lavoisier before we made our way down to the lake at the head of Tallings Creek.  Leaving our decent a little late we spent the last half hour in the dark.

Mt Lavoisier

The next morning was fine and clear and we took the opportunity to take in the magic scenery.  The jagged mountains above the lake provide a dramatic view which is a real hidden gem.  The morning light wasn't good for taking photos though, so here is a shot from a previous trip.

Spectacular view at the head of Tallings Creek

The route we took heads around the lake on the left in the bush before climbing in largely scrub free country to the basins below Kelvin.  I was keen to see if we could climb the jaggered peaks, so after ditching the packs we spent the next 3 hours finding our route and ticking them off one by one.  

At the head of the lake

Returning to our packs the looming clag finally closed in, and with not much enthusiasm for moving on we went for a swim and finished the remainder of our food.  The clag was short lived and by the time we reached Kelvin it was just perfect.  With time getting on and still a 5-6 hour walk out to the road it was time to high tail it down the ridge track from Kelvin.  We made good time, but getting tired, the last hour dragged on in the dark.

The unnamed jagged peaks we climbed viewed from Kelvin

 

A perfect afternoon on Mt Kelvin (view south to Euclid)

View north toward Bucklands

Got a trip planned into the northern Paparoa's, then count me in!

Paparoa's Traverse: Euclid to Faraday

I was able to pick some beaut autumn weather for the 4^th and final section of my northern Paparoa’s traverse, and this was to be the longest and hardest one.  Starting out in the late afternoon from Costello Hill I made quick time on the old logging road and track to the bush line below Fleming.  After a good night under the trees it was all go on a spectacular West Coast morning.  Standing on Fleming with the ultimate goals of Mendel and Faraday far in the distance, it was time to simply concentrate on the immediate route ahead of me.

Looking south from Fleming

I reached the base of Euclid quickly enough and from here it was going to be all new territory until Faraday.  The basins on the southern side of Euclid proved to be good going, and it wasn’t long before I was back on the main range climbing to Pt 1405.

Tarn below Euclid

Looking back at the impressive south face of Euclid

On the Three Sisters

Travel was straight forward on the western side of Rutherford and over the Three Sisters.  By mid-afternoon I was approaching Einstein, which proved somewhat slower going, and fatigue was starting to set in.  From here I could see the route to Mendel, which looked liked it was going to be the crux, and would possibly require some serious route finding.  With the afternoon quickly advancing achieving my goal of reaching the tarn below Mendel for the night was looking uncertain.

The north ridge of Mendel

I continued on and found good going on the eastern side of the ridge to Mendel, and was stoked to reach the top in fading light.  After taking a few moments to reflect on a great day, I began the slow and careful descent to the tarn.

The ridge from Mendel to Faraday

Fine weather the next morning, and only the relatively short distance to Faraday remaining to be covered, resulted in a much more relaxed mood during the 4 hours to the tarns below Faraday.  I found good going on the eastern side of Currie, but would consider going over the ridge in future.  The last stretch from Currie is a little slow going but otherwise straight forward.

Tarn below Faraday

Currie from the south

With still a day to spare it was time to have a well earned rest before heading up to the top of Faraday to catch the evening light and enjoy the see of rugged peaks.  

Northern Paparoa range from Faraday. Done!

Sleeping high in the basins below Faraday wasn’t such a good decision, as a strong northerly came up during the night, and by morning rain was looking imminent.  Having climbed Faraday on a previous trip the route along the main ridge and down to the Nile River was familiar.  After an hour along the river I joined up with the old logging road located on the southern terraces.  By this stage the rain had eased and the weather was looking a lot brighter.  So after 4 trips over 15 months the northern Paparoa’s traverse was complete, and it was time to start thinking about where to go next.