Snow  Shoeing Trip – Pisa Range Sunday 17^th August 2014 

An absolutely stunning day greeted us at the Snowfarm base building. No wind, cloudless sky, crisp temperatures and plenty of snow. It felt like you could see for ever, the air was so clear.

Many of the group were first timers to snow shoeing, so there was a bit of sorting out to do with fitting hired gear – yes there is a “left” and a “right” folks!  But eventually we were all underway and heading down the DoC poled easement route through the snow farm  XC ski field down to Merino Flat and a crossing of the upper Roaring Meg (Kirtle Burn)  . Fortunately the intake weir dam was frozen over and we crossed the ice without any drama.  We had a morning tea stop here to re-group and adjust gear and take in our magic surrounds. For many it was a revelation where snow shoes could take them and the potential to open up a whole new world of winter tramping.

From here we were on our own away from groomed ski tracks and free to wander at will over the seemingly endless snow covered landscape of the Pisa Conservation Area. We headed up the leading spur between the Prince Burn & the Leopold Burn tributaries of the Meg on perfect snow for snowshoeing – firm and crusty – heading towards Column Rocks on the summit of the range. It soon became apparent that not all snow shoes are created equal and those with the latest MSR designs were at a distinct advantage. We stopped for lunch at a group of Tors on the Range Crest at about 1850m taking in the 360 deg view, including virtually the whole of Central Otago and the main divide from Aoraki/Mt Cook to Fiordland. What a day !

After lunch we headed straight down an unnamed tributary of the Prince Burn in deep soft powder snow that had been sculpted in places into huge overhanging wind scoops. Things steepened up a bit at a little cascade in the valley but the snow was so soft and forgiving that it was no problem to negotiate.  In the valley floor of the Prince Burn it was hot & sultry and we all soon stripped off for the trip down valley in soft snow, taking turns at breaking trail. The stream was beautiful and clear and bound by high banks of snow – a magic little sheltered valley (I can vouch that it is equally attractive in summer). 

After re-crossing the Meg on the ice bridge and another fuel up, we faced the uphill trudge back to the Snowfarm base building – something of a killer climb that finished many of us off.  Nevertheless, it was a tired and happy bunch who relaxed in the bar of the Snowfarm for a coffee and planning of future snow shoeing trips.

Scribe & leader Peter Dymock for Judy F, Lindsay, Louise, Roger, Lorraine, Pip, Margaret, Vicki, Jude C & Peter DLM