One for the Ages

Rock of Ages, Mount Aspiring National Park

Rock of ages cleft for me, let me hide myself in Thee.

When it comes to rock bivvy naming the name Rock of Ages sets expectations high. Such a name promises something biblical, not just pokey little hole under a rock. Luckily, the East Matukituki is the real deal.

Stephanie and I set off early on Saturday morning, keen to get out of Dunedin after so long pent up. Traffic was light and we were at the Cameron Flat carpark at around 11am. We briefly debated whether this in fact was the correct carpark, but reassured by the other cars we emerged to a crisp Matukituki morning. The ford at the carpark was much less of a ford than it was a swimming-hole. We managed to find a much better crossing point 50 or so metres upstream. As we cross the second branch of the Matukituki we saw that three men were hopping around half-naked trying to cross the river, it was rather amusing. The start of the walk was just an easy stroll across farmland, and it didn’t take us long to reach the junction with the track to Glacier Burn. We crossed the bridge over a rather spectacular Glacier Burn and were greeted by mirror like reflections glimmering in the East branch of the Matukituki.