SKATING ON SWAMPY HILL

Otago Witness, Issue 3828, 26 July 1927, Page 76

SKATING ON SWAMPY HILL

By

O. B.

(Special fok the Otago Witness.) (See Illustrated Pages in This Issue.) Swampy Hill, or Snowy Mountain,'"is little known to the people of Dunedin, although it is but six or seven miles away as the crow Hies. Only a small percentage could point out its location, and apart from the members of the tramping and field clubs, very few indeed have visited its bleak plateau. Yet it lies in a most picturesque position among high hills (they could properly be designated mountains) and densely wooded valleys.

It would no doubt be better known if it were, like Mount Cargill, encircled by roads which made it more accessible. Yet at one time it boasted the only “ road ” out of Dunedin northwards. That was a long time ago, when the early pioneers under Captain Cargill depended to a great extent for their supply of fresh meat upon the well-stocked farm of “Johnny” Jones at Waikouaiti. The cattle were driven along this old bridle track, which is still very much in evidence and clearly shows the route from the familiar Flagstaff Hill to Swampy, and away over the hills to Waikouaiti. This, by the way, offers a very picturesque route to Waitati, and makes a fine day’s walk. Starting at Boss Creek Reservoir, that lovely, restful spot, with its wonderful reflections and shadows, which are not half enough appreciated by Dunediners; up the bush track to Pineapple Point, one of the best points for viewing the “City Beautiful,” because the sun is at one’s back; then up the track along the fence-line to the above-mentioned Old Trail, whence the view over the back country is fine and open, with Whare Flat nestling cosily below you, sheltered by the Chaikies and the Silver Peaks, the snow-covered Laininermoor and Rock and Pillar ranges beyond. Civilisation is now left behind as the turn is taken towards Swampy; there is an appreciable dip to the saddle, which forms the watershed between the Leith and Silverstream systems, then a steady pull upward till the big plateau on the top of Swampy is in view. It is now advisable to keep to the left and take the high ridge to the west, as the plateau itself is in many parts covered with swamps, which make progress very tiring. As this ridge is considerably higher than either Flagstaff or Mount Cargill (about 2400 ft) very fine views are obtainable in every direction, even as far as the Hawkdun Range beyond Naseby. Water and wood being handy, it is now advisable to boil the billy and satisfy the cravings of a healthy appetite. It makes such a halt much more enjoyable if a sunny spot with a fine view is chosen, and where could one wish for a better - '

From here it is a simple matter to pick the route to Waitati, as Double Hill is a sure guide all the way. The most striking feature of this part of the walk is the bold and rugged range of the Silver Peaks on the left, especially if the setting sun should colour the sky beyond, presenting an unforgettable picture. Swampy Hill, the home of the mists, is the main source of Dunedin’s water supply. Its plateau is largely covered with a dense growth of spagnum moss, which has produced large beds of peat, in which are situated considerable lagoons and pools of brown bog water. The largest lagoon is rather more than a quarter of an acre in extent, and it was on this lagoon that the skating which is illustrated in this issue took place. As far as the writer knows, this season is the first one on which skating on the lagoon has been recorded, although no doubt there have been previous opportunities which were not taken advantage

The heavy frost this season induced a party to look for the ice on the lagoon on Sunday, June 19, when it was found to be quite good, but a bitterly cold wind was encountered. A second" visit took place on the following Sunday, when the ice was good again, but the best conditions were struck on the third visit. July 3.

Some rain in the interval had smoothed the surface, and a frosh frost had produced a mirror-like sheet of ice rarely found in such an exposed place, and, best of all. it was quite" free of snow. The day was ideal, bright sunshine prevailing, with an entire absence of wind. Some four hours were spent there by the merry party, of whom several hail their first experience of sliding and skating on “real - ’ ice! Only those who have experienced the exhilarating sensation of skating can fully appreciate the sheer “ joy of life ” amid such wonderful surroundings. It was indeed a red-letter day in our lives!

When will such an opportunity present itself again? The writer has waited 30 years for this. May. a kind Providence grant him just, one more before ho has to bow to Father Time and lay down his “wanderstab” for ever!