1997-02-22 Marchant

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This article was first published in the Tararua Tramper in July 1997

South Branch Marchant Stream - Marchant Forks - Mt Marchant

Saturday 22 February 1997

This trip was made possible by using information from a recce done by Michael Bartlett and I on 13 December 1995, when we traversed both southern and northern branches of Marchant Stream.

Today was fine and warm to the Dobson site for our party of 13.

Then, up into the forest for 5 minutes before starting north-east on the slowish sidling in and out of headwater feeders of the southern branch Marchant Stream. Much debris from both historical (1936?) and recent storms had to be circumvented. Once we were in the stream proper there were windfalls to avoid, and torn shingly hillsides above us. Progress, however was good as stream level was low.

A rest at Marchant Forks. Then it was decided to ascend a spur direct to Mt Marchant, rather than Bump 1016. This meant going up the north branch Marchant Stream for about 15 minutes before coming to the first side-creek true right. At this confluence we were about 670m or 2200ft below Mt Marchant. We started on the open spur base with the aim of knocking off several hundred vertical feet before lunch, which we did.

The middle and most of the upper spur were also on open going, until we reached the scrub belt. Then it was a case of using ferned gullies and dodging the worst of the scrub.

We arrived on top about 70m south of Mt Marchant by early afternoon in cool, windy drizzle.

Then back into warm forest to the Dobson site, and out at the carpark by about 4.20pm.

The lucky 13 were

Margaret Conal, Teri Goh, Michael Hartley, Dave Reynolds, Gordon McKenzie, Bernard Molloy, David Podmore, Tim Stone, Nick Crang, Peter Thompson, Peter Davis, David Nethercliff and Peter Jagger (leader).