2022 Copland Valley

Trip Report

After our plans to tramp the Heaphy and Paparoa Tracks were scuppered by weather events it was suggested that we try the Copland Valley up to the hot pools. The mention of hot pools convinced me.

After driving through and meeting the rest of crew in Wanaka we drove through to Jacob’s River for our first night. Along the way we stopped at various places along the way to look at the West Coast views. For our first night we had arranged to stay at the motel in the middle of nowhere just north of Jacobs River. It was a nice enough place to stay before we headed in for the tramp. A meal that night in Fox Glacier township was also a good feed before we checked out the bioluminescent mushrooms on the track behind the township in the dark. After a stroll we headed back to the motel for a good night’s sleep. A good night’s sleep was not easy with the weird mirror on the roof of one of the bedrooms!

Early the next morning we headed to the start of the track and started the long and steady climb up the valley. The track was pretty good most of the way, with some boulder hopping along the Copland river in places giving the legs a good work out.

On arrival at the hut we were quick to check out the hot pools which were a little tepid at times. A bit of rearranging of the rocks directed the hotter water into the main pool and made for some good temperatures allowing a good long soak.

Wednesday after a morning soak in the pools we headed up the valley towards the Douglas Rock Hut … some of our group made it to the hut whilst we looked for someone in our group that got a little lost heading up the valley. Some more hot pool soak in the evening.

Thursday was raining and thunderstorms which was great lying back in the hot pools during the rain. Although the harder rain in the thunderstorms was a bit hard on the head.

Just before departing on Friday we had a quick soak before heading away down the track. We all departed at various times with me leaving last as I cleaned the final touches in the hut. As I reached a small group of us just past the Shiels Creek with Jase sitting on the side of the track. He had slipped over and hurt what he thought was his knee and reported “he was done”. I remember saying to him “we’ve got a long way to go today but I’m done too 😀”. Then he clarified that he had hurt his leg and wasn’t going anywhere.

We sprung into action and made him comfortable whilst I ran back to the hut warden who got on the hut radio to report the injury. Long story short the rescue chopper came from Greymouth and winched Jase through the trees to transfer to hospital. By the time the chopper did the evac it was too late in the afternoon for me to walk down but lucky they had a seat for me … so dropped me at the carpark. I walked up to meet the others coming out and report on Jase to them.

Once back out to the carpark we headed back to the motel … a few stayed a second night at the motel whilst us from Queenstown headed home. As soon as we had cell reception we got news that Jase had fractured his femur. He’s healed up slowly after a lengthy rehabilitation.

The Copland delivered an amazing time of fellowship, hot pools and excitement.