This article was first published in the Tararua Tramper in month 2013
Wednesday trips
30 Oct 2013
Tauherenikau Valley
A pleasant day outing up the Tauherenikau River. Fine weather and for the most part, warm and calm. Got home just before the rain started.
''Eight people met at Kiwi Ranch at 8.30 and headed up the ridge to Puffer and then into the Tauherenikau valley. Apart from a fresh slip on the track between the saddle and Smith Creek shelter, travel was straightforward. Fine weather meant that we were able to forego the charms of Smiths Creek shelter and enjoy morning tea in a clearing a short distance past it. Christine Whiteford had opted for a different trip but sent along pieces of delicious fruit loaf delivered by Bob Stephens. Thankyou Christine! After crossing the swing bridge onto the true left of the Tauherenikau river we travelled a short distance before climbing in a SE direction up to the eastern ridge. The spur was well defined, but the steepness and the proliferation of windfall made for a good slog. After spotting markers left by David Ogilvie and Tricia French on a recce last year we proceeded NE along the ridge before stopping for lunch.
After lunch, we climbed over Pt 770 before starting the descent back to the river valley. Later review of the GPS trace showed that we headed down about 200m too soon, so instead of following the spur south of Fan Stream we dropped into the headwaters of Bates Stream. An interesting scramble down the sides of the stream saw the group emerge onto the track in time for afternoon tea. From there we headed back down the valley and over Puffer arriving back at the cars at 5.40, making a nine hour trip which David pointed out qualified as an F rather than MF trip. Total distance covered was about 23 km and 1700 m climb.
- eight members Warwick Wright
- (leader and scribe).