This article was first published in the Tararua Tramper Volume 94, no 8, September 2022
McKerrow spurs exploration MF
17 August 2022
Rain was forecast. In fact, Nelson and Tasman were getting a pounding and many other places were very soggy. Nevertheless I decided to proceed with the trip up McKerrow Stream and over the McKerrow Track down to the Turere. Six people initially agreed to the slightly mad idea, with one later withdrawing, referencing the expected rain.
Raincoats on and off we went just after 8 a.m. By the time we dropped off the Ōrongorongo track down to the forks we were hot and there was no rain falling so we all removed our raincoats. Up we went past the first waterfall, which it was easy to climb beside, and on up the stream to the second waterfall. A 40 metre climb was necessary to sidle around it. Back down in the stream we proceeded on, finding wonderful examples of fungi on fallen tree trunks (see photos). The water in the stream was not very cold. On arriving at the third waterfall we chose to exit up a spur to the McKerrow Track, having lunch on the way up. Still no significant rain but the wind was chilly. We then descended the McKerrow Track to point 417 and went down a spur into the Turere Stream. This spur was tricky to follow and took about 1.5 hours to descend. We walked on down the stream to the bridge and exited along the track, returning to the cars in 8.15 hours.
- Party members
- Bill Allcock, Lois Buckrell, Tricia French (leader and scribe), Janette Roberts, Lynne White.