This article was first published in the Tararua Tramper Volume 88, no 3, April 2016
An exploration of the new route into Otaki Forks EM
28/01/2016
After crossing a paddock by the stone walls at Shields Flat, we climbed up a fairly steep bulldozed track. At the highest point there were unexpectedly good views both out to the coast and a little further on, of the Tararuas. It was tantalising seeing part of the ridge track to Kime because we weren't sure when we would next be able to travel along it.
Travelling on we found it to be very steep going down through the bush, before we linked up with a private road and then followed the gorge road for another two kilometres to the Forks. It was surreal to be at the picnic area on a sunny summer's afternoon with no one else there, though a couple did arrive who had walked up the river and were on their way to Field Hut. It was tempting to travel back to Shields Flat via the river, but we were unsure whether there would be any danger from the possibility of the slip crashing down into the water. So a couple of us made do with a swim in the Otaki River before returning the same way. Each direction took us two hours, so DoC had given us a good estimate for an easy/medium party.
- Party members
- Liz Martin (leader and scribe) Alan Graham, Muriel Christianson, Barbara Camfield, David Holland, Aurore Le Goff, Helen Quinlan