This article was first published in the Tararua Tramper Volume 83, no 4, May 2010
Marchant Stream Forks – Marchant Ridge
9 April, 2011
NZTopo50-BP33
A promising forecast saw us depart the YMCA camp in Marchant Road about 7:30 am and we easily made our way along the Dobson Loop Track to the Dobson site and hence to spot height 656. We left the track where it turns downhill and followed the route down the spur on the true right of Marchant Stream to about elevation 550 metres, and then followed a compass bearing for Marchant Stream forks.
From the forks we started up the central spur of the Marchant catchment. The spur rises initially on a bearing of 300o and meets the Marchant Ridge near the northern end of the burn. As we ascended we were intermittently reminded that the annual deer rutting was in full roar. When we reached the Marchant Ridge track we settled in a sunny spot for a late lunch and appreciated the uninterrupted views under a blue dome. Then it was the familiar plod back to the car.
During the afternoon we met a solo hunter, and a hunter and his son who were on their way to tent overnight near the Dobson site to hopefully get to appreciate the full extent of the roar. Our day had been exquisite – some wonderful off-track travel - some relaxed on-track plodding – and a bit of compass familiarization – on a day of settled autumn weather.
- Party members
- Bill Allcock (scribe), Dave Reynolds
