This article was first published in the Tararua Tramper Volume 96, no 8, September 2024
Marchant Stream Forks: An MF Adventure
Wednesday 17 July 2024
‘So you had a longer-than-expected day?’ ‘Yes.’ ‘Why was that?’ ‘The leader under-estimated the time required for the trip.’ ‘Was there concern expressed as the light faded?’ ‘No, not really.’ ‘Why do you think that was?’ ‘We were a confident, competent party. When we got up to the Puffer Saddle, some used devices to inform 'significant others' that we would be late. We had to use the torches only for the final half hour to descend “Barry's track”. ‘So you actually got to use your torch?’ ‘Yes.’ ‘How was that?’ ‘Fine. It was the first time I had to use my torch on a Wednesday trip. And Janette played 'mother hen' to make sure we all stayed in close contact when we were using the torches. And a special feature of that darkness was hearing the call of a ruru – very rare on a day trip.’
‘What were the conditions of the main tracks?’ ‘The upper Dobson Loop Track had a lot of mud, as you would expect midwinter; but most of us were familiar with the conditions because we had been on the track the week before, with Jenny on her Farm Creek loop trip. The track up to the Puffer Saddle in the afternoon had significant greasy clay sections.’
‘How did the off-track travel go?’ ‘It was both enjoyable and challenging. Because of the party's combined experience, most felt comfortable taking the leading initiative at times; or offering constructive opinions. Most of the off-track travel was through open mature forest and all manner of route-guiding principles were utilised: digital devices; compasses; position of the sun; bush nous; and previous travel across some sections. It was mostly pleasurable travel. The challenging sections were at the beginning and ending of the off-track – locating the route on the broad spur going NE after leaving the Dobson Loop – and the very steep decline on the toe of the spur down to the Tauwharenīkau River terraces.’
‘Any highlights of the day?’ ‘Well, it's always special to get to a location that is not often visited on club trips; like the main forks in Marchant Stream. And the visible remnant of the tōtara tree that provided slabs for the Cone Hut refurbishment many years ago. The slabs were milled in situ on the river terrace, just downstream from Boulder Stream. That tree remnant is now a mother tree for natives regenerating on its flat surface. And of course completing a ten hour day, intact and smiling, was a satisfying feeling.’