The Palace Backpackers, 114 Rutherford St., Nelson. $56, spacious, very Victorian room with iron bedstead
Monday, February 25: Cloudy at first, becoming hot & sunny
GPS Tour
Wither Hills, drought withered, from ridge track to Mt Vernon
I seem to have got this organising thing under control – although it’s a lot of bags, small bags and even sub-bags. Took off down to the supermarket first thing for bread, milk and some sausage for lunch, then after breakfast acquired a BBH card. The telephone card costs 30c a minute from public telephones in addition to the 2.9c for the call, and that’s about as good as it gets.
Tried sorting out the KML converter with reference to the maps in GoogleEarth, so it was a morning at the library. Spent two hours and a couple of problems arose, which I may attempt to fix tomorrow. Chatted with Tom briefly, and sorted out some accommodation for Dunedin via AirBNB. Had a look at the bookings at DoC for the Abel Tasman Track and if it can be done with three hut stays, there are enough places available. Will have to see about safe parking and transfers.
Then set off for the Wither Hill walk after finding a replacement for my hairbrush (or better said, three replacements since I had found a $3 shop and there were three for $3, so perhaps I should have tried a $1 shop). First went down the road to the south-west but couldn’t find any carpark, and when I turned into the road to Hanmer decided I should try elsewhere.
This led fairly directly to the homestead, with a carpark up front. A couple of places to sit so I got out my picnic hamper and made a pair of sandwiches with smoked beef.
Judging from the descriptions I thought I might try the ridge route to Mt Vernon. About ⅓ of the way up checked the camera to find that I had left the memory card in the computer. Trotted back down the mountain and retrieved the card and put in some new batteries. Now for the next problem: The camera didn’t recognise the card (‘card locked’) – haven’t been able to solve the problem entirely but it may be the switch in the camera, or the card may need some sticky tape.
About halfway up I stopped for a bracketed pan and then headed for the peak. Could see the North Island almost directly to the east. Returned back down the same path and barely 100 m from the car I slipped and fell head over heels. First time to have skinned my knee for a long time. First aid was to wash the wound with drinking water.
| GPS Tour: Wither Hills Mt Vernon Walk |
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Had spent some time this morning telephoning around the hostels in Nelson – most were pretty full and on about the fourth try got this place. Internet bookings for BBH require two days in advance. Bit of a winding track to the carpark at the hostel, but made it in the end.
Walked around town fancying I might have lamb or at least a roast, but couldn’t find anything suitable. Settled on a pizza casanova at the closest pizza place for $18.9. Will see about a shower and some clothes washing tomorrow.
