4-5 May 2014
An enthusiastic group of 12 fizzed north fuelled on coffee from Hamner and were ready to start the climb to Fowler Pass by 11am from the historic Fowler Hut which has been renovated and is very palatial (note this will become relevant later in the narrative). Ably lead by Claire and her faithful Indian companion Sergey the group included Carol, Agnete, Steiner, Glenda, Tere, Fay, Dianna (D2) and Vesna. It was also a pleasure to have the company of Frank and Diana (D1) who provided transport and came some of the way to Fowler Pass before turning back to camp for the night by Lake Tennyson (note this will also be relevant later).
The day was warm and slightly overcast with a strong nor-west breeze so a rest and bubble blowing break on top of the pass was welcomed by all. Then on down to the narrow wooded valley for a sheltered lunch by the briskly babbling stream. Mid-afternoon brought us to the grassy flats of the main valley and across to the fascinating Historic Stanley Vale hut (some were fascinated by the pressed earth walls and ancient library others by the ripe gooseberries) then on over the old glacial moraine to the beautiful Lake Guyon nestled in the afternoon sun within a small but delightful bush and tussock clad glacial U-shape valley. At the small but well maintained 4 bunker were a pair of MTB fishermen and a Llama farmer with three of his charges in training picketed amongst the long grass and a cheery greeting was exchanged (a Llama can carry about 80kg so hiring one from this gentleman for future trips was discussed although he was a bit coy about the cost). Our little tent village soon sprang up down on the lake shore and along the tree line and a pleasant evening was whiled away with small talk, swimming and star gazing followed by a breezy but largely comfortable night amongst the bird life (I shared my fly biv with an enthusiastic group of robins).
Sunday dawned pink and blustery and an early start was made with an eye on a deteriorating forecast and by the time we reached the Waiau Valley the Nor-west rain had closed the valley ahead with a grey pall. Rain gear was dragged out and heads went down and faces were clenched as we ground our way north into the teeth of a full gale driving rain horizontally along the valley and over the ridges of the Maling Pass, lunch was abandoned and small groups huddled beside Matagouri and Manuka looking for any respite from the elements to grab a peanut and a mouthful of water. It was a tired, saturated, footsore and altogether fed up group who were greeted by Frank and Diana at Lake Tennyson and whisked away to the comfort of Fowler Hut for dry clothes and hot coffee. We all agreed that the reason for tramping in this weather is that it feels so good when you stop. What a lovely place Lake Guyon is, even with the weather this was a trip that in the comfort of the Red Post Café we agreed was well worth the effort.
