Aug 04 2021
Mountain Road / South Waikouaiti River
1. 28 July 2021. Trampers. Mountain Road/ South Waikouaiti River. M-H. Leaders: John Gardiner and Arthur Heenan
On Wednesday 28th July, 23 weary trampers returned to their cars at 3.00pm. During the day they had tramped 12.72Km over undulating terrain, with an elevation gain of 521metres, to a maximum elevation of 409metres above sea level (Pam’s cell phone figures.)
Strava screenshots courtesy Ross Davies
The day began when 5 cars, carrying 23 trampers, met at the “On the Spot ” Shop, Waitati at 9.35am. Here we enjoyed Sarah’s birthday chocolate shout before heading on our way. After negotiating pothole filled gravel roads, by 10.00am we left the cars. We enjoyed a somewhat brisk morning, sheltered from the cool breeze by some beautiful forest, with an abundance of ferns. Morning tea was enjoyed at 10.30am on a downhill section of the track amongst Pine trees. (The seemingly precise, to the minute, timing of these events being more by chance than design!) Here the opportunity was taken for the distribution of my own birthday chocolates.
Morning tea in the pines Caption and photo John
Down, down, down to the Waikouaiti stream Caption and photo Pam
To this point and for the next couple of hours a somewhat rambling track led us into the valley, before roughly following the South Waikouaiti River downstream.
On the track Photo Helen
The track surface was wet and slippery in places, especially at the few small tributary stream crossings, presenting a degree of technical difficulty for some.
Close encounter of the 1st kind with the South Waikouaiti Caption and photo Ross
Close encounter of the 2nd kind with a tributary Caption and photo Ross
John plumbing the depths of another tributary Caption and photo Ross
By 12.20pm we reached the main river crossing, with wet feet for all. With water over the top of my boots, at one point, for me it was a priority to pack my boots with screwed up newspaper when I got home, to help them dry overnight!
River crossing at the Sculpture Rocks Caption and photo Pam
A distinctive feature of the river crossing here was an unusual “water sculpture “in the limestone rock, caused by erosion, at the mouth of a tributary stream. This river crossing and the subsequent changes of direction to find the opposing track and navigate onto the correct return track, would present a challenge to most. Our leader Arthur’s experience came to the fore here and we didn’t get lost. (It was a challenging day for my own sense of direction!)
The anticipated “uphill slog “classified as “hard” soon followed. The climb through a pine forest on a wide, mostly smooth, pine needle covered track, was technically straightforward though very steep in parts. It was so steep the point was made that it would not be a good track for a quad. bike! (Backward flip threat)
It really was steep… Caption and photo Ross
Here Ross found an old “vintage “golden coloured beer can, which he proceeded to kick up the hill, until it got too much for me! For the last section of the climb, I carried the thing high on one of my poles, evoking Waitati Militia memories for Ross (with a beer can instead of a teapot of course!) By 1.35pm all had reached the end of the track, where lunch was enjoyed at the side of the road. After lunch Ross clipped our beloved “vintage” beer can to a hook on the outside of his pack, for the swagman look. Leaving our lunch, at 2.00pm (precise again), we walked downhill on a surprisingly comfortable underfoot, gravel road, arriving back at the cars at 3.00pm.
View from the return road Caption and photo John
That’s it. The tramp followed a loop, (just like this report.) A highly enjoyable day with great camaraderie, enjoyed by all, in ideal tramping conditions. A special thank you to my neighbour, Andrew Dunn, who originally suggested the tramp to me. Andrew provided a map, and discussed the route by phone with both Arthur and me. In fact, as soon as he got home from work, Andrew knocked on my door, inquiring how it all went. John Gardiner.