This article was first published in the Tararua Tramper Volume 94, no 3, April 2022
Turere Delivers S/F
Wednesday 2 March 2022
Harry Todd Track to Crowther, a well-marked route along the watershed ridge between Skerrets and Scholes Creeks to the McKerrow Track, south to Bump 680. So far, straight forward. The aim was now to cross the Turere Valley by descending the long spur running southeast off .680, climbing up the other side to .586 on the Whakanui Track. And so we did, but not without effort. The descent spur is a tangle of scrub at the top with a tricky little kink in its line; an animal trail was finally found, and we pushed on down. Notable was the complete absence of markers and traps. At the base of the spur, the animal trail, now strong, led up over a bump, along the edge of a quite respectable cliff and then - disappeared. Cliffy drops to the river on all (three) sides. We pushed downstream seeking a halfway do-able dismount – finally achieved by half the party; the other half choosing to circle around the bump, looking for a better way. Reunited, we lunched, then a steep climb out. Heading north on the Whakanui Track we passed over .711 in preference to the highway the Whakanui sidle has now become. Exit the park north down a Nikau valley spur. Lightly marked with frequent windfall and a steep drop at the base; sharp eyes needed.
- Party members
- Karen Baker, Colin Cook (leader and scribe), David Ogilvie, Christine Whiteford