The Waitahu Valley

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Regular followers of the blog will recall that last Monday, I took on but wisely did not finish the Blackpoint - Waitahu Valley track (it was late and recent rain had made a required river crossing a bit risky). The fact that I was not able to complete the circuit niggled at me all week. We have had 5 very fine days without any rain, so I determined to set out much earlier this time to conquer this trail. I left around noon but blew out two tires (or tyres) in a row. It turned out that the tire had a cut in the sidewall and needed to be replaced together with a new tube. The Reefton sports shop was able to sell me a replacement and I hit the road just after 1:00.

I climbed along the Murray Creek past several old mines to Waitahu Junction (about a 250m climb). I had a couple of delicious peanut butter and jam sandwiches before completing the climb and heading down in to the Waitahu Valley. The trail has all but disappeared following a major landslide. I headed down on what started out to be a reasonably worn path, but this quickly disappeared. I eventually found a small creek bed and followed this down - certain that it would eventually run into the Waitahu River. The hill was quite steep and I had to carry my bike down 200m over dozens of fallen trees and other obstacles. Just when the terrain leveled out and I was confident that I would make the river, the vegetation closed in. In all it took me almost 2 hours to make my way down to the river.

Just when I was giving up hope, I emerged from the tangled undergrowth at what I assumed was the river. The river was about 70 m across at this point. It was crystal clear and you could clearly make out the rocks along the bed. I judged that it was perhaps knee deep at its deepest point. I was quite wrong - as I waded out I found the river was up to my waist at points. Safely on the other side, I got out my GPS and topo map (thanks again Graeme) to find my location on the river. I was not very confident in my navigating skills and the GPS was acting up. Adding to my misery were the hundreds of sand flies which created clouds around my head. I could not see my map at times, the bugs were so thick. It was at this point, I wondered how long it would be before Astrid sent out the rescue.

After moving along the river a bit to get a better GPS positioning, I decide that my navigation was right and I proceeded up the other bank which was much steeper and covered with prickly vines. After "bush beating" for about 20 metres, I came across the 4x4 track that I was looking for. I was greatly relieved. An 18 km ride back to Reefton completed the journey. I pulled into the driveway just as the sun was setting. It was one of those journeys where the joy is in having completed it - I don't think I will repeat this particular one.

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Photos

Into the Waitahu Valley
Half way down the slope to the Waitahu River - I thought I was much further

Comments

[CanadianKiwis]

???????
Poor you being swarmed like that. good luck with your next outing

[CanadianKiwis]

Thanks Sis, you're very supportive.

[The Maple Hyatts]

Congratulations
Looks like your getting into fine shape to be pool side when you get back! Sounds like one heck of a trek...I hope you do it a few more times - find the path that works for you

[Abby Grayzel]

Bites
The question is: How many of the hundreds of sandflies actually bit you?

[CanadianKiwis]

Sand flies
Surprisingly few acutally bit me.

[Aunty Irene]

Your country excursions
Be careful, Paul. Remember you have a wife and family. Is it fun living the life of Crocodile Dundee (minus the crocodiles)? Tim would probably like to join you on these adventures. By the way, I love your pictures. But who took that picture of you stuck in muck and rocks?

[CanadianKiwis]

Self Portrait
Sadly, I took the picture of myself as I was alone in the bush, but I wanted to prove I was out there.