Fields - Penn Creek - Ōtaki Gorge

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FIELDS-PENN CREEK-OTAKI At it was our old friend "Ron the GORGE (FIELDS) Hon" (Sec.) we decided to join him. Many were the questions as to whether It is with some trepidation that an I recognised the creek, but there are not old hand adds his name to a trip of many features in a Tararua creek which fast and young "fitties", and with the are outstanding and I could not recall memories of a previous attempt at this any of this one-which was typically trip ending as Fields-Penn Creek-Fields, narrow and steep but fortunately not the trepidation was considerable, but the particularly difficult. die was cast. At last we reached the junction of the There were only eight of us on the two branches of Penn Creek and I was trip SO we broke new grounds by hiring able to assure the party that this spot a V.W. Kombi for the week-end which I remembered and that from here on was little dearer than a truck but much it was easy going. Somehow I felt they more comfortable and convenient. had lost faith in my memory, and this With Derek at the wheel we drove unfortunately was justified when we down the Otaki Gorge on Friday night, came to a waterfall and a steep traverse in style, and were able to go through track. Apart from this however, the to Roaring Meg, though not without valley widened considerably and the adding a few grey hairs as we noticed going was easy though we began to think the road had slipped away in a couple someone had moved the river for it of places though it seemed Derek was just wouldn't appear!!! It was dusk and not included in "we". seven o'clock when we finally reached The foam rubber seats of the Kombi, the Otaki. the warmth of the heater, and the Not everyone bothered with a stew, excellent programme on the car radio, but tents were soon pitched, and after combined to sorely tempt us to sleep various concoctions were cooked and but the Cottage was not far and the eaten, a social brew was a prelude to a night cool and pleasant. well-earned rest. Somehow or other we managed to get away next morning about eight in cloudy We woke to a beautiful sunny day, but mild weather and two hours or so and no one felt like hurrying, so after saw us plodding into Fields. We were a leisurely breakfast we set off again but a very split party however, and our last not until 10 o'clock!!! There was ample member, who shall be nameless, due to time to get down the Gorge-but as 1 a late breakfast didn't arrive until an remember remarking on a previous hour later. occasion, it is as well the future is hidden from us. It was getting on for 11.30 when we set out again heading up to Dennan The Otaki is a fast and fairly deep from where we would drop into Penn river at the best of times and deserving Creek, though to traverse it in full, one of respect. We crossed it a few times should go down off Boyd-Wilson or and soon came to our first pool. There Yates on the Main Range. Thank was nothing for it but to swim or take goodness the party was not that to the bush, and traverse. We climbed energetic. up steeply into the bush.

Here it was fortunate that the party This seems to be another of those trips became split. Fraser, Margaret, Garry I'll have to do again one day just to get and John apparently found a way down it right-"! around the pool but Hank, Derek, Ron, See you in the hills. and your humble chronicler were soon -TED. in trouble!!! We stopped to get our Party: Fraser Walls (leader), Margaret breath but with the Gorge directly be- Webb, Hank Berthulet, Derek Finnegan," neath our feet and only one small tree Garry, Ron Fayle, Ted Dakin, John (dead! as we found out when it began Patchett. to crack) for all of us to hang on to, we r + * decided to move on. A rock face ahead