Orari Gorge Loop

This is a really enjoyable ride through two Canterbury high country stations: Orari Gorge and Blue Mountain. The owners of the latter, Roddy and Jo Brown have been great about offering us cheap accommodation.

We've ridden up Orari Gorge from Orari Gorge Station, stayed at Blue Mountain Station before returning via Bernard, Howards and Andrews stream. The first pic below was taken in a detour up Mount Frances. This is an enjoyable two-day ride that could be cut out in one.

I've experienced the climatic extremes of this area, riding it in sticking hot, still summer weather (pics below) while Pete had posted a neat blog on our mid-winter trip. We should have know it was going to be cold for that one. When Roddy Brown told me his shearers' quarters were unavailable that weekend and I asked if he had other accommodation, there was a noticeable pause. Considering it's a break in communication, a pause can convey a lot!