WATER TANK SLEEPOUTS ON THE MAHU WHENUA TRAVERSE

from Open Space issue 104 - May 2023

MEMBERSHIP SURVEY RESULTS

Readers, particularly our rural ones, will be familiar with a 25,000-litre water tank. Most readers may also be familiar with a yurt, a portable, circular dwelling, traditionally used by nomadic herders in Central Asia –these have grown in popularity recently with the rise of glamping.

In 2011, Arrowtown-based Erik Bradshaw completed the first winter traverse of the Southern Alps on skis. After the trials and tribulations of the trip, Erik thought there must be a better way of undertaking high altitude winter trips than carrying a tent or digging snow caves.

He came up with the idea of converting a plastic water tank into a portable, weatherproof, comfortable, and cost-effective form of alpine accommodation. Due to its yurt-like shape and water tank origins, the name ‘turk’ was born.

The first prototype turk in New Zealand was erected near Mount Sale on Glencoe Station within the 53,0000-hectare area protected under the Mahu Whenua open space covenants. These covenants are registered over four Crown pastoral leases held by Soho Property Ltd, with Switzerland based Mutt Lange being the sole shareholder.

More turks were built in Christchurch and shipped to Cape Adare, Antarctica, an area notorious for gale force winds. These were commissioned by Antarctica New Zealand as a base for the New Zealand Antarctic Heritage Trust to restore the first building constructed on the continent; the hut of early Norwegian explorer, Cartsen Borchgrevink.

Under the auspices of the newly formed Mountain Turk Club, Erik approached Soho Property Ltd and QEII with the concept of establishing a multi-day walking and ski touring traverse along the spine of the Harris Mountains, linking the Treble Cone and Coronet Peak Ski Fields.

The route would traverse public conservation land and Mahu Whenua with five turks proposed to be located on Coronet Peak Station. “The Mahu Whenua covenants have created a new world of opportunities. I was excited to present an idea that would enhance Mutt Lange’s vision and create a way for more people to appreciate the beauty of the area,” Erik said.

Consent was needed from several parties, including QEII. Soho Property was supportive of the idea and consents were given from Land Information New Zealand and Queenstown Lakes District Council. The QEII regional rep for Central Otago, Rob Wardle, was part of this process. “From a QEII perspective, granting consent was not a difficult decision. Each turk had a small footprint, ease of removal and the application was consistent with covenant objectives and special conditions,” said Rob.

Between 2018 and 2020, Erik’s Arrowtown front yard and workshop was a construction zone. Mountain Turk Club members contributed money, materials and their diverse skills including plastic welding, carpentry, joinery, mattress stitching and photovoltaic electrical work. Local helicopter operators volunteered to fly the completed turks to their locations and volunteers were deployed to clear platforms, dig long drop pits, fill the tank bases with gravel, assemble joinery and install prefabricated toilets.

The turks have now been in place for two winters and numerous groups have completed the traverse. In August 2022, Rob experienced it firsthand. “Three of my friends joined me and we completed the traverse over five blue bird days with a deep snowpack over almost the entire route,” said Rob. “This followed many weeks of unsettled weather that characterised the first half of last winter. Turk to turk travel was interspersed with as many untouched powder runs as our legs and the length of the day would permit.”

The generosity of Soho Property and local businesses, along with the vision of Erik Bradshaw and hard work of club members, have provided a challenging and fulfilling experience for competent skiers. The range in altitude for the track is between 820 m and 2,056 m, and with additional exploring and skiing, the multi-day trip can entail some 65 km of travel and 4,500 m of climbing.

The success of the traverse and the Mountain Turk Club has also allowed for contributions to other areas of the property. “We have been able to get funding for other projects, such as building toilets in the areas more commonly accessed by the general public,” said Erik.

When reflecting on the project, Erik says, “The greatest reward for me is seeing other people out there, experiencing the best of the amazing Mahu Whenua area.”

More information about the traverse can be found on the Mountain Turk website mountainturk.org.nz/mahu-whenua-traverse/

Please note: sound knowledge of snow safety, skills and equipment to move through remote backcountry alpine terrain are a prerequisite for the traverse. As a summer tramp, it requires the fitness and skills to navigate an unmarked alpine route.