Weekend Trip - Friday 29th January to Monday 1st February 2010

After a very comfortable night at the Tokaanu Motor Camp, we parked at OPC Tongariro and set off up the gorge. The stream was running quite fresh and it got difficult to cross, so we turned back fairly early on. From the small amount we saw, the gorge was very narrow, with mini-rapids and no escape routes. It was beautiful, with rock overhangs and dappled light coming through. The concrete weir near the water intake was much higher and steeper than I had envisaged. It was dry during our time standing on top of it, but you didn’t need much imagination to envisage the water cascading over it in time of flood. It was a very sobering time of reflection for me on the weir.
Onwards downstream, we travelled very slowly over extremely slippery rocks. We had been advised there was a cave suitable for camping in, but never saw it. Seven hours to tramp approx 5 km. Chris and Janice were newcomers and found the going a bit tough, so an early stop at 4.00pm and tents up. I think they were used to five-star hotel accommodation. Our camp site was grassy, flat and above the flood line. Six stars in fact, as I found wild strawberries. Up early Sunday to find a way up the true left to the pine trees and a forestry road out. Yahoo, no more slippery rocks! - although Janice managed to find an oozy mud puddle and nearly lost her boots. Forestry roads bear no resemblance to what is on the map; still, we meandered out to the main road at Taurewa Camp and 6 km back to OPC. Oxfam training for me as I jogged back to get the car in the rain while the others had a well deserved rest at the camp. This was Chris and Janice Heow’s first ATC trip, first overnighter and first time tenting. Well done! Thanks to Graeme Pollock and Neil and Nick Cartwright for their support and help in making the trip safe.

We were: Neil & Nick Cartwright, Chris & Janice Heow, Graeme Pollock, Carol Exton (leader, scribe & photographer).