Ben Rudd’s property

I was heading for Ben Rudd’s property. Located on the northern flank of Flagstaff, Ben Rudd was a hermit who gave up urban life to live the last ten years of his existence in solitude. On his land he built a stone hut, fences and fiercely protected his property with acts of violence against trespassers. When he shuffled off this mortal coil in 1930, the Otago Tramping Club purchased the 45 hectare property and have managed it ever since. 

From the Flagstaff Track I found a trail heading along the northern face of Flagstaff. A sign indicated that Ben Rudd’s place was a mere 15 minute stroll through the bush- which naturally I assumed was an easy 5 minute stroll. Well, I was wrong. Unlike the Department of Conservation, it seems that the Otago Tramping Club’s 15 minutes is an actual 15 minutes! 

The track wound its way downhill until the path eventually widened and opened to clearing. Ben’s hut is no longer standing, but has been replaced with a brick shelter, partially hidden by overgrown bush and long grass. I stopped to look around. Inside the shelter people had written all over the walls and left messages like, ‘Katrina was here 2010” as was”Taylah “,”Zara ” and”Henry “. For a moment I considered adding “Ben Rudd was here 1929” but thought better of it and headed back to the trail.