Old Man Range

[RKC]

G'day,

Any Kiwi with an interest in gold mining should visit the Old Man Range in Otago at least once in their life. And not just for a day trip! The remoteness and the spectacular sense of being well away from civilization can only be appreciated if a few nights are spent up there. There are a few huts where a comfortable night can be spent, but to appreciate it fully the nights should be spent camped out.

Vehicles are confined to formed roads, but everywhere else can be walked very easily as its all open tussock country.

Potters Goldfield number two, on the Old Man Range.







































Regards,
Rob (RKC)

[Deleted]

Have you ever thought of writing a book Rob ? from what I've read in the way of posts and what photos you've put up over the last few years you've had a very interesting life and I'm envious of what you were able to do .

Those photos you've posted the links for go to a private album btw

[RKC]

G'day pgm,

Thanks for pointing out that the link was not working. It should work now ... with a slideshow playing once the link is clicked.

I spent nearly three hours this afternoon getting the photos sorted and got to the stage when I was more than fed up and I just put it up hoping it would all work. But by doing that I forgot to make the two albums public. I also intended to put a description on each photo but could not face another two hours sitting in front of a slow old computer. I'll try putting the descriptions up after getting out in the fresh air again to give my eyes a rest.

If its still not working please let me know!

Regards,
Rob (RKC)

[powderburns]

You've definitely gone native Rob. My legs hurt looking at that. These are the snowpoles the government (in its infinite wisdom) installed in 1860's after a dozen gold rush miners died, caught in their first New Zealand snowstorm. From Campbells (near potters) to Chamonix (Gorge Creek). In between the poles they stretched wire. Which lasted about one good hoar frost. Up here, you're close to god.

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[RKC]

G'day powderburns,

I'ed forgotten about the snow poles. But now you mention it I vaguely remember seeing the remains of the wire.

Up there you have to watch out for when the clouds come in quickly from the south as visibility can be reduced to a few meters. Its OK if following a formed track, but if wandering among the tussocks you can easily walk around in circles if you don't have a compass.

And the wind ... at times it was so strong I could not stand.

I've read some great stories about what the miners of the 1800s endured up there. I only hope the gold they got was worth it.

I just wish I had walked into Potters once during winter. That would have been a truly memorable experience.

Regards,
Rob (RKC)

[treeman]

When I was living in Lawrence went up there a number of times. winter, well I did get up there once, I was that cold it was unbelievable as the wind just went straight through you, I stayed in the truck that day and kept the heater on full. the wind drove the snow in amazing drifts, did not get down to potters that trip did on other occasions, it is well worth the visit.

Cheers Paul

[RKC]

G'day treeman,

Being up on the Old Man Range in winter would give an idea of what the miners experienced in the 1860s when so many perished up there. Imagine being caught out in a snowstorm and not being able to retreat to somewhere sheltered.

I found a reference in the book, "A History of Gold Mining in New Zealand" by J.H.M. Salmon 1963, to the famous blizzard that killed miners on the Old Man Range. The following paragraph (as permitted by the copyright regs) is a direct quote from the book.

"In mid-August it became realized that at least 500 miners were snowed in at Campbell's without food. Some of the men struggled out westwards through the snow to Switzers (the present day Waikaia) ; others tried to traverse the 12 miles separating them from the crest of the Old Man Range and the descent to Chamonix. The driving snow of the relentless blizzard froze their clothing and numbed their limbs. Near the crest of the range at 5,000 ft many abandoned the struggle, and the snow covered their frozen bodies. No one knew with certainty how many had died, but at the lowest estimate, that of H.W. Robinson, warden of Treviot goldfield,30 miners never gained the packing camp at Chamonix alive. Four months later a smaller but equally poignant tragedy occurred on the summit of the range, when two of a party of three miners died from exposure".

Maps Old Man Range







Information for visitors

www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-visit/otago/central-otago/kopuwai-conservation-area/plan-and-prepare/

www.doc.govt.nz/upload/documents/parks-and-recreation/tracks-and-walks/otago/rambling-around-kopuwai-brochure.pdf

Regards,
Rob (RKC)

[RKC]

G'day,

Old Man Range in ... December!



Regards,
Rob (RKC)

[blair7710]

Hi

Yes its an interesting area full of history up there.

Please note that there are now several claims over land and on the creeks in this area and respect should be given to ALL claim holders , so any fossicking should be done only on DOC fossicking sites.
Potters is NOT one of these sites.
Nevertheless its a great trip by 4WD , and picturesque on a nice day.

[boaraxa]

Hi Guys i was up the old man yesterday looking for historic feature,s...got a bit sun burnt !

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[RKC]

G'day boaraxa,

What a great gulley! Those steep sided gulleys, with bedrock showing on the sides, are great detecting spots.

I miss the spectacular treeless vistas of Otago, above the snowline.

Regards,
Rob (RKC)

[boaraxa]

Hi Rob
Yes that gully has some great looking spots a bit of everything i think some deep pools... in places there is bedrock showing and others not so much but all in all looks promising luckily there were not to many of these to be marked off for avoidance
Phill.

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[RKC]

G'day boaraxa,

The strip running down the center of the stream looks as if it might be an old wing dam wall!

Regards,
Rob (RKC)

[boaraxa]

Hi Rob...yes it is that's 1 of the better examples that I came across in that area .
I was there with another bloke taking a few pic,s and taking GPS cordinates of "historic features for avoidance !" it's the last job I had to do on a looong list to complete a reasorce
Consent things are finally starting to come together .
Phill.

[RKC]

G'day boaraxa,

That's a classic example of a wing dam wall ... thanks for posting!

It's unusual for an old wing dam wall to sit so high above the usual water level. The reason it's still intact is most likely because of the vegetation that grew on the top of the wall at some time (probably during a dry period) which held it together during flooding.

Because its such a good example suggests to me that it probably dates from the 1930s depression era mining period.

Regards,
Rob (RKC)