This article was first published in the Tararua Tramper Volume 96 No.1 February 2024
Waerenga and beyond EM
17 January 2024
Just before 10.00 a.m. on a magnificent morning, seven club members set off from Catchpool along the Ōrongorongo track with Forest the dog on his leash. Our aim for the day was to visit Waerenga Hut and to have a swim in a downstream pool, so we came prepared.
There were no major obstacles on the track or to making the river crossing but we found the access to Waerenga a bit steeper than on previous visits. After checking in at the hut we took the bush walk downstream past Raukawa Lodge and the amazing huge rātā before heading out over the riverbed shingle to our destination. The pool was much larger and impressive than many had expected but it turned out to be rather chilly! We found the shallower water of the river enjoyably warmer.
After lunching in our beautiful surroundings where we looked out over the river to the lush bush and bountiful blue sky, we began our leisurely trek back. Where the track splits about 20 minutes before Catchpool we opted for the shadier right-hand fork back to the car park.
A very pleasurable trip for this time of the year and enjoyed by us all. [PS]
- Party members
- Penny Salmond (leader and scribe), Lois Buckrell, Mary Kane, Carol Kelly, Liz Martin, Anna Shum-Pearce, Alison Stephenson