This article was first published in the Tararua Tramper Volume 82, no 10, November 2010
Old Whakanui – Whakanui Stm traverse – East Whakanui
18th April, 2010
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A light layer of mist hanging over Wainuiomata was just lifting as the cars were left shortly after 8am for a great fine day. The slow climb up the well defined old Whakanui eventually had us enjoying morning tea on bump 711, with thanks to Fee for some nice home cooking. On reaching the main Whakanui, we paused for a quick chat with a couple of the good folk from the Rimutaka Forest Park Trust out with their Kiwi radio locators. Kiwi breeding is all good news at the moment. Then it was on until reaching the spot for starting along the chosen spur, the longest in the lower catchment of the Whakanui Stm. We couldn’t help but admire the forest giants, as one always does, whilst spotting markers, both a few of Don’s recent additions interspersed with occasional others placed by various club members over the years on this broad spur. Nearer the bottom, Don had marked a more easterly route to bring us to a lovely flat stream terrace with good descent into the stream exactly opposite the best place for ascent. The lunch spot was in sunshine with striking sun-streaked vegetation above. Replenished, the scramble up had barely begun when the cursed wasps attacked. But at least it was then only periodic bush lawyer during the reasonably short time to reach the East Wakanui Track. Heading west into the lowering afternoon sun, we moved on to bump 800 for another tucker stop. The long grass in the saddle caused a couple of us to grope through a few spots but overall the track seemed in reasonable order. Another pause was taken on reaching the main Whakanui again before a steady descent, reaching the cars about 5.45pm.
Thanks very much Don for your recce work to make it all such smooth travel.
- Party members
- Rhonda Billington, Fi Coster, Michele Dickson (scribe), Don McMaster (leader), Tim Stone.