Christchurch Earthquake


This is off-topic for Clive's blog, but several people had asked about what's going on, so this is an easy way to communicate with you all, with Clive's permission.

I was in a confined space in our garage at the time the earthquake hit,working on our water pump, and I thought a cow had rammed the garage. On getting out to have a look, however, the ground was moving in waves, so I realised it was time to turn on the radio and see who had copped it this time.

It wasn't of damaging strength where we are. We've all learned a lot about earthquakes since the first one in September. What I, for one, never knew before was how many aftershocks there are- literally many thousands in Christchurch since September, though not felt here, about 150km. away. Some of these have done further damage, and it must be incredibly wearing on the nerves of people there. On the day of the February 22 quake, aftershocks were coming every 30-40 minutes, whilst people were trapped and the rescue process beginning.

I have been nothing short of awestruck and astonished at the quality of the response-rescue and early recovery efforts- both by organisations and by individuals, top to bottom. There are many stories of extraordinary acts by people helping others in the early hours after the quake, but equally as impressive is the response of the country in general. Ego and politics were nowhere to be seen during the first week, though Politics has just started to emerge as discussion begins as to how to pay for it all.

Apart from the expected work of organisations such as Red Cross and the Salvation Army, who set up the first welfare centres, organisations have sprung up spontaneously from ordinary people. In Rangiora, just north of Christchurch, someone got things going to have a collecting point for food at the racecourse, which
others then ferried in using vans and a local helicopter for the hot food. A student volunteer army, as they called themselves, organised to respond to calls for manpower from individuals, and students in Dunedin, 4 hours' drive away, started something they called 'Keep Them Going', which collected and ferried up packed lunches to keep the Christchurch students going. Federated Farmers, the farmers' association, put out a call for farmers to bring tractors with front-loaders, and anybody with a wheelbarrow and shovel, to help clear silt.

So I've had a day doing this, and will have more whenever I can get there. During the quake, due to a process called liquefaction, water rose up out of cracks in the ground and roads to a depth of two feet in many of the affected areas. It subsided after a couple of days, leaving silt behind, often contaminated with sewage from broken pipes, so it needs to be cleard, as a public health issue. So we turned up at the agricultural showground, groups of 20 formed, a supervisor chosen ("I'll do that, if you like", said somebody), a quick health and safety briefing, 4WD and barrow-pooling, then given a map and street name, and off. Many houses were empty, as still one-third of houses have no water supply, and no sewage. So it's all barrow work in back gardens, where machinery can't get, barrowing the silt out onto the road to be removed later. Somebody drives up in a small tracked digger, hops off and says, "If anybody knows how to drive it, feel free. I have to go and pull a chimney down". So somebody else hops on and starts working very comptetently.

Things never feel like someone else's problem in New Zealand. It's so small that you can't fail to have connections with affected people. A family in Geraldine lost a son in the quake.

It will take years to recover. Huge areas of roads and pavements completely rebuilt, houses and services repaired. At the moment, 50,000 people who normally work in the CBD have no work, either temporarily or permanently.

But it's going to happen. There are many tragic stories, and compassion for them, but you just don't hear negative attitudes. You just hear, "How can we help? What can we do?" My opinion of the human species has improved no end as a result of what's happened.

Rob

More Sunny Bolt Clipping

20th February - Gandia Crag

We spent a few hours on Sunday morning on Pena Roja (Gandia), our local crag. We began with 2 'easyish' routes, one of which is a bit of a Gandia classic - Pequeno Saltamontes (5) - as it begins by climbing directly up a vertical hole before emerging onto the face above!

Finished the morning with a battle by top roping 'La Insoportable - 6a'

26th February - Montesa

We spent last Saturday on Montesa Crag. Whilst this is limestone, it's much more sandy than the usual Costa Blanca rock so offers much better friction. It's located close to Xativa (in the interior of Valencia) in a superb spot, next to a castle and overlooking the village of Montesa.

Apart from the main crag, there's also a huge block of rock (16m in height) called Tormo Gros that provides a further 30+ routes. The other advantage is that there's a choice of climbing either in the sun or the shade.

We enjoyed a great day out and climbed a total of 6 routes, including 2 x 4s, 1 x 5 and 3 x 5+s.

Barnsley Boundary 3

The third section of the Barnsley Boundary walk goes from Brierley to Bolton upon Dearne. From the outskirts of Brierley the route goes through pleasant fields and woods to the east of Grimethorpe. Luckily we had the warmest day of the year so far to do the walk.

Leaving Brierley

Tom Bank Wood

Approaching West Haigh Wood

The walk continues through West Haigh Wood a pleasant open mixed birch and oak wood with patches of snowdrops.

West Haigh Wood

On leaving the wood a short stretch of road leads to Howell Wood and across to Challenger Wood where we saw our first butterfly of the season. As far as I remember it is the first time that I have seen a butterfly and snowdrops on the same day. 

We proceeded across fields to the village of Clayton and across fields round the north east of Thurnscoe and through Phoenix Park, an old colliery site to Goldthorpe. Goldthorpe has a notable example of early re-inforced concrete construction in the anglican church which was built in 1913.

The concrete church at Goldthorpe

From Goldthorpe a stretch of boggy fields took us to the finish at Bolton upon Dearne station car park. 

Rock Climbing in The Winter Sun

On Saturday 12th February, Carolina and I spent a morning climbing with a Spanish friend, (Ruben) on the crag at Salem. Salem is 20 minutes drive from Gandia and has the luxuries of 1 - being able to park the car at the base of the crag, 2 - having the choice of sunny or shady crags, 3 - providing great views over the Valley of Albaida.

Collectively, we completed 5 routes in the grades 3+ to 4+.

Salem is an excellent set of crags located in a narrow but pretty gorge. There are over 130 routes, spread across 6 separate walls.

Carolina proudly carried on the Arete tradition (pioneered and later turned into an art form by Clive) of climbing all morning without any problems then falling on her backside on the path back to the car! Even though we're far away, we do our best to keep the Arete spirit alive and well!!

Aviemore

Geal-charn Mor is a Corbett lying within walking distance of Aviemore town centre, on a previous attempt to climb it we had been repulsed by very deep snow and time and energy running out. This was my objective for Saturday while Christine, Nick and Jago attempted Meall Chuaich, a Munro, from Drumochter.
The approach to Geal-charn Mor is via the Burma Road, a wide track leading over a bleak col to the Dulnain valley.

The Burma Road

Geal-charn Mor is a bit like Black Hill with snow and from the col steady slopes lead easily to the summit.

Geal-charn Mor summit.

On returning to the col I was in good time so I continued to Geal-charn Beag before walking back to Aviemore.
Meanwhile Christine, Nick and Jago climbed their Munro which was of a similar character but was enlivened by spotting a pair of ptarmigan.

Summit Team

 On Sunday Jago and me decided that an attempt on Creag Dhubh near Newtonmore was suitable for a short day before returning home.We had both climbed on the crags there on previous occasions but had never climbed the hill.



The crags of Creag Dhubh.

 The ascent was totally different to the previous day with steep slopes leading to a rocky ridge with excellent views over Strathspey.

The view from the ridge.

Creag Dhubh summit.

Nick was imbued with fresh enthusiasm for the Munros after finding out that he had ten less to do than he thought so insisted on doing Carn na Caim and A'Bhuidheanach Bheag before returning home.

Black Hill

The Grimley family joined me, Colin, Bev, Christine and Nick for a walk up Black Hill. We took the Pennine Way path up over Laddow Rocks to reach the new paved path up to the summit. The ground was still frozen so the going was good  over the normally boggy sections and the clear weather gave good views.

Heading towards Laddow Rocks

Laddow Rocks

The summit plateau from Laddow

Approaching the summit.

The paved path leads to a fence and stile, the fence has been erected to prevent sheep grazing in the summit area and has resulted in a substantial regeneration of vegetation in the area. What was once a boggy morrass on the summit plateau is now thick cotton grass and walking is a much more pleasant experience.

The summit.

We descended easily by Westend Moss and Crowden Great Quarry to the car park at Crowden.

Barnsley Boundary 2

The second leg of the Barnsley Boundary walk goes from Bretton Park to Brierly, a distance of about ten miles.
The walk starts of with an uphill section to Woolley Edge which, in altitude, is the high point of the walk. A slight navigational error took us up a path parallel to the correct one and through a scout camp.

View back from the scout camp.

After a section of road walking along Woolley Edge we descended towards Wooley village by Wheatley Wood

Heading towards Woolley village.

   The walk continues by quiet lanes towards Notton but crosses fields to the Applehaigh Clough. This is a pleasant spot with a clear stream flowing through a wooded ravine. The path then leads via disused railways and field paths past Shafton to Brierly. A pleasant enough walk but not as memorable the first section.

Barnsley Boundary Walk Part 1.

Colin had the idea to complete the Barnsley Boundary walk over a number of weeks completing one stage each week. On Thursday we, that is Colin, Bev, Jen and me, set off from Ingbirchworth in bright sunshine on the first stage to Bretton Park.
The start of the walk took us pleasantly through the typically bare, stone walled small pennine fields and wooded ravines to Upper Denby.

Approaching Upper Denby

After following the road through the village we took a footpath through more fields to Gunthwaite past the old barn parts of which date back to the 16th century.

Gunthwaite Barn

A flagged path leads down to Gunthwaite Dam and another lane then leads to a new development on the site of an old water mill in an idyllic position on Rons Cliff Dyke below Gunthwaite Bridge. A steep climb out of the valley then leads to a bridleway through woods to the A635.

Looking back to Rons Cliff Mill

Crossing the road another lane leads across fields past Jowett House with its large angry dog to Cannon Hall Park and a welcome cafe. From here the way continues uphill through Margery Wood to High Hoyland.

Approaching Cawthorne Park

Approaching Margery Wood

A path behind the houses at High Hoyland gave extensive views towards the town centre and also of a large flock of redwings in the nearby fields. This path led to Jeb Lane and into Bretton Park.

View to town from High Hoyland



Approaching Jeb Lane

 A short walk through the park finished a very enjoyable first stage.

Keswick Meet

The forecast for the weekend was uninspiring, wild wet and windy and how right they were. Me, Colin, Bev, Jago, Christine and Nick set out for Bleaberry Fell and High Seat via Walla Crag in heavy rain. Rivulets ran down the pathways and torrents tore down the river beds as we splashed upwards to Walla Crag.

Leaving Keswick

 As we gained height the wind increased until at the summit of Walla Crag we had difficulty keeping our feet.


Walla Crag Summit

 We decided after a very short discussion to cut short the walk and descend by Cat Ghyll to Borrowdale. The descent through woods by the Ghyll was quite picturesque and the waterfalls were impressive.


Cat Ghyll Falls

On reaching Borrowdale we returned by the lakeside path to Keswick.

Meanwhile Dave and Steven took a taxi to Buttermere and walked back to Keswick, Dave by the road and Steven by the high level path over the pass between Crag Hill and Ard Crags.

On Sunday the weather was no better and most decided on shopping or driving home. Me, Jago, Christine and Nick decided to take a look at Aira Force which was at its spectacular best with the noisy rushing water and spray flying all over the place.



Aira Force

We walked up the river enjoying views more smaller waterfalls and of a dipper bravely ducking under the water. Me and Jago decided to continue over Gowbarrow Fell which gave a short pull up to the summit where the clouds started clearing giving views northwards over the contryside east of Skiddaw.

Gowbarrow Summit

We continued northwards hitting the path which contoured round the east side of Gowbarrow giving extensive views over Ullswater.

The path led back to Aira Force for one last look before the journey home. The drive over Kirkstone Pass provided some unexpected excitement when we forded a deep flood above Ambleside.

 



On the morning of 7th December, Rob Hill and Joan O'Donnell drove along the eastern shore of Lake Tekapo, past Mt. Gerald homestead, through a few warm-up streams, and were confronted by a notice warning us of the many mishaps that could befall us if we proceeded to cross the Macauley River, and also how far away the vehicle recovery service was. But we'd had a dry spell, and most of the winter's snow had
already melted from the Two Thumbs range, and we had no problems. We bumped along the northern edge of the Macauley river bed, the scene of some involuntary digging by myself and Jago some years ago, and parked considerately opposite North-East Gorge stream.
We were trying Mt. Paris, 2,178m. So we recrossed the Macauley on foot and headed up the gorge stream. We were forced out of the stream bed as the gorge began, and continued sidling high. We found a good camp site at the start of our ridge.

Next morning we headed up tussock slopes to gain the rocky crest of the ridge, which was 4km long, and an exercise in route-finding as much as anything. Round most pinnacles, over others, and some head-scratching for yet others saw us at the summit 8 hours later, in a wonderfully cooling southerly breeze.

A very long scree descent took us back near the campsite rather earlier than we expected, and we had no trouble eventually regaining tarmac and civilisation next day.
Unfortunately a trip with Shane, following on from this one to try the Nun's Veil, didn't happen due to Nor'Westers. Shame.

May I wish everyone in the Arete a very happy Christmas.

Rob