The Sphagnum Moss Appreciation Society Outing to Bealey Range

13/4/2019 - 14/4/2019
Party: Maddy Whittaker, Rowan Cox, Torea Scott-Fyfe, Frances, Sam Adler, Conor Vaessen

The weekend’s antics began on a hectic Friday afternoon in Dunedin. We quickly pieced ourselves together and went through the mandatory introductions. Me: “Hey I’m Tom what was your name again?” Sam: “Yeah good thanks”. Nice. The van trip up consisted of some medium to great chat, falafel subways and some eclectic music selection before we pulled up at the Pleasant flat campsite. After a stunning night under a smattering of stars, it was time for the stoke to begin. At the road end we met up with Rowan and Torea (who I assumed to be a couple for the rest of the trip woops).

 

On top of Bealey Spur (Tom Hadley)

In the bush heading up the Bealey range (Torea Scott-Fyffe)

The first day had us tramp along the beech forest next to the picturesque tumbling of blue water through Willis gorge. Arriving at the lush Sphagnum moss fields of the river valley (see picture) we could really begin to embrace the glory that is Sphagnum moss. Wow! What a versatile and hardy piece of mountain flora. Sphangnum sex fact #1: Sphagnum moss can be both unisexual (male/female) or bisexual (both) making this moss a great ambassador for gender diveristy in New Zealand! Reluctantly we left the swathes of moss for a bush bash up the flanks of the Bealey Range through beech forest topping out at around 1300m on the top of the range. We enjoyed stunning views down to the river valleys on either side and over to the shining Hooker Glacier. At the top we met Rowan who had come up from the other side. Camp was struck next to a small tarn and we watched the sun gradually dip below the horizon. Great campfire chat was enjoyed, minus the campfire, so most of our feet pretty bloody cold. The night included some wholesome celebrations for Torea’s birthday. Carried up the range was an awesome banana cake (eaten by all) and a fresh new pair of crocs (not eaten by all). 

Sphagnum Moss Appreciation in the Willis Valley (Conor Vaessen)

The next morning, after a cold wake up, we made a start in bluebird conditions. We tramped along rocky peaks, chiseled ridges and a whole lot of tussock (also a fantastic mountain shrub, coming in at a close second to our old mate sphagnum moss). The tussock then gave way to more beech forest which made a fun descent down to the river flats at the bottom. Along the river back to the cars marked the completion of a fantastic weekend. All up, a great time with great people and an abundance of sphagnum moss which pushed the trip up to stoke factor 5. 

Stoke: Sphagnum moss, glaciers, sitting on cliff tops, cool sunsets, Maddy not having to use a PLB
Stink: Frances losing her watch, Rowan not finding many deer, Sam V not being able to make it