199. Wilberforce

Ashburton

NZ ToDo list complete, a clear day, looks like a flying day. 

Lunch with John and Jill and Angeline at Das’ then off flying in PAA. Uneventful trip to Ashburton this time. Offered Das the option of local rubber necking or mountain flying and he chose the latter. 

Entered the north branch of the Ashburton river at three and a half as I am still feeling rusty and there was a decent puff from the east. Beautiful round the back of Mt. Hutt and descended down into the Rakaia River passing over Glenrock Station where we stayed, as a family, before our Dad died seven years ago. 

Looked inviting toward the main divide and Das had not been up the Wilberforce, I was keen as it is fabulous country. Most of the huts had four wheel drives present and as it was fourish there were Good kiwi blokes looking back at us in return from most of the huts. At the head of the Wilberforce we got knocked around a bit so we scooted back downstreamwith a good push on the tail. 

Poked around the back of Coleridge and Das pointed out the Red Lakes which were a favorite hiking destination of Mar, our paternal grandmother. 

Lovely evening flight back to NZAS with two hours on the Hobbs Meter so a good day out.