This article was first published in the Tararua Tramper Volume 85, no 6, July 2013
Carrington Ridge M
Wednesday 17 April
This trip served as a good reminder for three reasons. Firstly, Wayne tried to lead it a year ago but found the route was all but impassable due to broken branches cluttering the stream bed following the damage caused by the snow storm in August 2011. Secondly, we were reminded of what it feels like to be walking in the rain! Luckily it was calm, mild and only drizzling; the recent drought had spoilt us somewhat.
We parked our vehicles at French Village on the Mangatarere Valley Road. One day that site may be flooded by the water behind an irrigation dam. From there we crossed the road and Mangatarere Stream and walked along a track to the first main forks on Carrington Creek. Then we walked up the true left branch as far the second significant forks, elevation about 330 m. It took just over 2 hours to reach this point, which had been very pleasant, easy travel. We climbed the spur between the two branches and reached the ridge about 500 m NW of Gentle Annie Saddle in about 30 minutes. After another 30 minutes we reached the point (650 m asl) where Carrington Ridge leads south back down to our first forks.
No-one seemed concerned during the walk, but some relief was apparent when it was found that the water levels had fallen during the day despite the light rain. That was the third reminder; had the stream flow increased during the day the trip may have taken quite a bit longer than the 6.5 hours. And what luxury to change into dry clothes under shelter.
- Party members
- Joan Basher, Colin Cook, Wayne Griffen (leader), Kim Livingston, Tricia Neyland-French, David Ogilvie (scribe), Bob Stephens, Bill Wheeler, Warwick Wright