Jollies Range Traverse
First Team KUMHO get-together this season. Traditionally heading into the Southern Alps in a challenging terrain.
Milna did a good job planning a cool mission and also keeping it a secret from the rest of the team ,especially the Navigator. We were given the maps one hour before to emulate race conditions.
Thanks to awesome Glenn to decided spent his Friday evening driving us 1.5hour one way to our mission start place. Funny the start place is named "Nowhere" spelled backwards: "Erehwon". I was totally unaware where I was going as was snoozing in the back of our awesome KUMHO van.
First evening/night section is to walk 11km along the riverbed to the hut with multiple river crossings. We practices staying together/holding and not letting go and a bit of swimming for shorter team members.
Pretty cool weather and team spirits were high - we navigated quiet well and found the hut relatively easy.
Lucky to us the hut was free and and we treated ourselves to 2.5hours of sleep in premium conditions. This time we were kind to ourselves and allowed sleeping and staying in hut and even a jetboil for hot dehydrated food.
With the first light we could see the beautiful valley we were in.
It was interesting bumping into 2 hunter who had setup the viewing location/tent under a low hanging tart. They were well hidden and got be scared!
Next section is around 20km hike over a 1800m saddle to a Grade 2+/3 river which hasn't been widely know for packrafting. The Unknown and challenge awaits.
Easier navigation at daytime!
Bumped into this long-produce coil, it is probably a couple of thousands years away too early for riping.
Crossing the streams got easier but more refreshing!
Up Up Up
Not a selfie but a we-fie
Heading into the final uphill section of the valley - hoping for some snow on the tops.
some of the rocks got really big!
View on the over side as also impressive, 360 degrees of awesomeness.
I've been experimenting with the backback but will go back to the UD40 as that's the best fit so far.
Eyeing the long snow tongues that forced us an early crampon mounting.
Quite a nice fit on the Topo Shoes, felt very stable and safe!
Ready to climb!
Climb mode on!
The snow was very stable and it was a steady gradient up. Saves you so much time having snow on these sections!
James' favorite office view!
Selfie with the awesome multisport helmet from 15 years ago!
Not far to go!
I lost my breath so had to request a team photo stop!
Yeap-yeap!
At the top of the saddle!
Views opened up to the next valley
Breathtaking!
Map consulting!
Topo shoes in their elements!
Frozen elements.
We had a bit of mishap trying to find the best route down and looking for not-so-steep ridge, with a couple of didgy lines we ended up on the right "track".
choosing the line...
Smiley all the way
No crampons as snow was soft and not so steep slope
Best view of the day!
Last section of the day was paddling quite a bony river. The first river was very challenging with a couple of close swims in Ruth-Alex boat and a swim for James/Milan combo. We almost lost a shoe but were lucky to fish it back from the white water.
surprisingly the last hour of paddling was quiet fun apart from getting stick a couple of times due to a lot f rocks.
We arrive early to the hut - and have relaxing evening in the hut and a good night sleep.