Waitewaewae Tramp

April 2006, by Gini

Why oh why did we go to Waitewaewae? Well it wasn't that bad but when one thinks a tramp is only going to take at the most five hours and it ends up being closer to seven! You do have to ask WHY OH WHY!

Anywho, we thought we would take advantage of the long Easter weekend and venture back into the Tararuas with two new Guinea pigs (Nicky & Andy).

We at least had the weather on our side for both days so with that in mind off we went! The tramp started like a gentle stroll in the park on a Sunday morning -argh so deceiving. Up and up through the grassy hills with the sun shining high in the sky and before to long we hit the much needed shady bush line. After tramping for well over 2 hours we stopped for lunch in a picturesque setting of smooth stone formations and a stream. We didn't stay long as we had a little visitor…. Spidery, which made a few of us uncomfortable. Hehheheh “I don't want to alarm you Nicky but you better move”.

We headed on thinking the second part of the tramp was to be much like the first and we would be home free sitting pretty with our wine in hand (which the boys so kindly carried) soaking up the warm fire playing cards. Well it didn't quite work out that way. I think I can safely say it was one of the hardest tramps we have all done, we experienced landslips, fallen trees, old train engines, creek crossings (100 times over) muddy banks, interesting detours, wet boots and lastly a RIVER CROSSING! Yep that's right. We finally reached the river, pretty tired and sore but up for the last challenge of the day. Wadding through the Otaki River at 5.30 at night. I have to say water throughout your boots is an interesting feeling not one I would choose to do often.

All said and done there was something uniquely special, which you can perhaps only really understand after being there. The feeling looking up from fast river and realising how powerful nature really is. Treading more water and glancing up to see Andy and Nicky holding hands working together as a partnership of support. And then looking over to see Tom's hand in mine for the same reason. Emotional moment is over - tissue?

We reached the banks of the other side in darkness, which was a little scary and almost started down the other track in the wrong direction - sorry guys ehehehehe.

We reached a warm hut in minutes and quickly got comfortable with a wine in hand - a much needed one at that! We quickly gobbled our yummy pasta dinners and were off to bed exhausted. All I can say is bloody snorers but at least I wasn't alone on a sleepless night aye guys!

The morning wasn't a warm welcome with wet boots and the same track to tramp back on. We didn't have much choice mind you, as we weren't as lucky as some hunters being helicopter in and out of the Tararuas - bastards. We soon warmed up and made our way back, first through the freezing river and then up through the hills. We made it back to the lunch spot and hope crept back into our lives.

We walked out alive at around 5.30pm and noticed on the Waitewaewae tramp sign engraved was 7 hours so we weren't the world's slowest trampers after all. Why is it you only see what you want to at first? Great Tramp who's up for the next one? g
.... the uneasy crossing of four swing bridges ....

.... the uneasy crossing of four swing bridges ....

....

....

.... an unexpected two hour creek climb with 17 stream crossings (both ways) ....

.... an unexpected two hour creek climb with 17 stream crossings (both ways) ....

.... along and through muddy deep waters ....

.... along and through muddy deep waters ....

.... to an exhausted end.

.... to an exhausted end.