The Beautiful Ōtaki

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The Beautiful Otaki Paul and I had done hardly anything to the water's edge on both sides and in the Otaki and so on the Thursday there grew many fine stands of rimu and night after the Christmas party we roped kamahi in full flower. Easy going down in our third member, Pat, to do a trip in to Waitewaewae and past that down to that part of the Tararuas. Transport was the start of the gorge made for quick by train and taxi to the pipe bridge, and travel, but pace was checked considerthen we made our way to the camp- ably as soon as we entered the gorgy site just above Ohau Hut for Friday parts. Some of the pools we were able to night. Saturday turned out to be really sidle by climbing up on to a rocky fine and with the Ohau at a low level it bench, but with others there was no was very pleasant travel up to South alternative but to swim, and the inner- Ohau Hut. From there it was up that tubes we had with us helped a great deal. initial stuffer and then along the top Just after the Whatiuhi Stream comes where a fine view of Pukematawai, Lan- in, an impressive view of the steep caster and Thompson was to be seen. eastern face of the Tararua peaks was This made us turn our thoughts to the gained. Moving on down past the various ways we could get to Walls Plateau Stream confluence now, and Whare. A club trip was in there learning after a particularly long series of pools how to be crafty in the bush. But, stick- we were glad when we rounded a corner ing to our original intention, we dropped and had a chance to warm up in the off into the Otaki, down a track before weak sun. After we passed a large creek Te Matawai, had a pre-lunch in the river coming in our our left, we asked Paul, and then wandered on down. Several who had just come down from Penn sunbathing and swimming stops were Creek a few weeks before, if it was that made on the way down till we came to particular creek, but he said no, it was Mid-Otaki Hut and a fine view of Junc- just another sidestream. So we pressed tion and Shoulder Knobs greeted us. It on for another hour or so with still no was getting late now so we pushed on sign of it and finally Paul astounded us down the river; the water being now at with his intimate knowledge of the area its warmest and many of the pools had by saying "We are just about at the large eels sunning themselves in the late bridge." Thus it was with relief that we afternoon sun before their evening feed- climbed out of the longest of the last ing. After an hour below the hut we two pools, crossed the Otaki for the last pitched camp on a small flat and pre- time and headed for the road. Reaching pared tea. the carpark at 7.00 p.m. we were fortun- The next day was overcast with high ate to get a lift out to Pukerua Bay cloud, but nevertheless still warm. By where we had a huge nosh at Pat's place, now the river had many big pools in it, finishing just in time to catch the last each shelving to a shingle bench on one train to Wellington. side which made it unnecessary for a Those on this gorgeous trip were: swim. The deep green waters of the pools Patrick Liss, Paul Milsom and Jeffrey reflected the bush which grew right down Bryant. Makaretu - Waitaewaewae Twelve of us waited at the station for It rained heavily during the night with the only trip still running (the third the trip leader's tent doing a collapsing attempt at this route for some). Just as act. There were mixed feelings about the bus leaves it starts raining and a continuing in the morning, but soon after certain Mr Reid talks of going home 8.00 a.m. we all headed upstream through there and then. Arrived at Ohau to dis- the rain. Dave showed his enthusiasm by cover that the rain hadn't come that far an intelligent statement: "This trip will north. Then it was an enjoyable stroll self-destruct in five hours". Upon reachup the Makaretu to Goat Canyon for the ing the spur, up which we were to climb night. to the saddle between the two rivers, the general opinion was that the Waitae- whether to head un to Waiopehu or waewae would be too high to allow easy down to the Road End. In the end it was travel, so we all moved back down- down, so we all took off to the Pipe stream, hopefully heading up a spur to Bridge, by taxi to Levin and kombie to Waiopehu Hut. After arriving at the Wellington. basc of the sour it was decided to go For Barry, Laurie, Peter W. and myout via the Makaretu, and back to Well- self this wasn't the end, as wc went to ington. Brian's place for the night and observed More problems arose as we all strag- an electrical storm somewhere down gled down through the gorge which was south. Peter R. came up for a berw and rapidly rising. Kevin ploughed through a chat, and 1.30 a.m. saw us in our pits. a deep pool and two of his followers Sunday dawned a remarkably fine day were almost swept away. Another change and about 9.30 Brian and the four of us of plan, when someone pointed to a so- went to Evans Bay to water ski with called terrace, and Garth decided that Dennis and his brother. Laurie and sidling was to be the order of the day, Barry were naturals, but Peter and I had but as progress was almost nil we headed a little trouble. A rather unusual trip. up towards Waiopehu Ridge which we Those on the trip were: Garth Mumme hit about four hours later, after much (leader), Peter Reid, Peter Williams, scrambling, crawling and swearing Paul Carson, Barry Biggs, Laurie Galthrough the jungle. Upon hitting the lagher, Brian Hunt, Tony and Dennis track there were many theories put for- Gazley, Kevin Thompson, Dave Forbes ward as to our exact location. and and Neil Woodrow.