MT. Patriarch
Date: 07/12/2008

Trip Leader: Andrew Mackie

Trip Report: Peter & Helene Thomson
 
Seven vehicles left Millers Acre carpark just after 9.30am with Bevan running late to catch up soon after. Led by Andrew through the Wood area heading north there was soon speculation on the radio of fines over trip leader failing to check Weka St. was closed by road works. Short detour, easily sorted, pewter jug rattling possibly heard in the future. Fine weather to boot, what more could we ask for.
Bevan eventually caught up and flew past us up the Rai saddle. Our convoy stopped at Totara Flat for a cuppa. Various vehicles stopped for comfort/supplies stops along the way including Mountain Man whose Cruiser got all hot and bothered and didn’t want to play in spite of the best intentions of MM. Off home they went. (My lips are sealed! - ed.)

Turning south from the main road just short of the big bridge at Rapaura into North Bank Rd we had a pleasant drive until the tarmac ended with a cloud of dust so fine you couldn’t see very far at all. Windows up, aircon going, lights on and ease up a bit from the car in front things were much better.
New tires made our Escudo a bit over-geared so performance climbing the hills was a bit sluggish for us. A short photo stop was made at a saddle (the name of which escapes me) with a nice view of where we had climbed up and looking north-east down the Wairau Valley. Most of the drive up was very good, done in 2wd but some steep loose sections meant 4wd and sometimes low range were much wiser choices.

Lake Chalice looked deep and moody below down the steep terrain as we drove on for a quick detour up to a brass plaque with pointers to the peeks we could see from the one we were now parked on.
Lunch was on a very pleasant clearing with more spectacular views up and down the Wairau. A late 80’s Honda Accord had made it up there as well much to my surprise. Some loose and bumpy sections across scree were interesting as we made our way to the end of the road at about 1200 odd metres up with Mt. Patriarch peak at 1650 metres to the south-west. After a chat, photo, video shoot we made our way back down to North Bank Rd. and collectively decided to head south, cross the river and come home through Tophouse.

Livingstone had gone ahead and found a suitable place to cross. The sight of the drop into the river brought a few "I’m not going" comments from passengers etc. but after the first few vehicle snouts were dunked and driven across, all was well. The real drama came when the next section was swift and reasonably deep with water coming into our Escudo and at least one of the Pajeros. The cameras in the back stayed dry. Nothing to worry about then!

A short stop at about 6pm by the small hydro electric station on the other side was time for goodbyes before everyone made their way home.

Thanks to Andrew Mackie trip leader, Graham Polglaze the dusty snowman tail-end Charlie and everyone else for their company and driving encouragement.