Three Gorges, Kaweka FP, Wednesday 18 September 2024
Banner Photo: Juliet on the Middle Hill Hut track from the car park. This has recently had a team with scrub bars clear the overgrown kanuka
Shona and I took a day off to join the mid-week club members eager to conquer the Three Gorges. Ten left Park Island at 7 and picked up Julia outside her place a little later. On the way to Middle Hill car park, we had stunning views of the Kawekas with a good dump of snow on them and surrounding high points.
After avoiding a lot of ice-covered potholes, heaps of bunnies and crossing two narrow bridges over the Koaro and Mangatutunui streams, we piled out of the van and slipped on our tramping footwear while Julia headed off to check a trapline.
Tony and Ted were aiming for Middle Hill, playing it by ear as to how far they would go. The main party set off before 9am, blowing off a few cobwebs on the first hill, and it wasn’t long before some layers were removed.
A break on the clay pan, just after the Makino junction
It was lovely to get into some snow around the clay areas, but a layer went back on at the turn-off to Makino Hut when we stopped for a snack and drink.
Heading down towards the first gorge, it was not only slippery but the wind was a little gusty, dropping snow and small pieces of ice down our backs. Bumping a tree would result in a cascade of snow on anyone passing beneath.
Most of us managed to get wet feet crossing the first stream before a gut-busting climb up the second hill. Di and Elly removed about five dead rats and a stoat from a few of the traps along the way.
Crossing the second small gorge
After exiting the second gorge, I came across two Fomitopsis hemitephra (fungi) growing from a hollow stump. I happened to have a UV torch and shone it under the fungi; the colour was surprising.
Soon after, we found a sunlit, snowless spot to have lunch.
The fungi spotted by Campbell
We estimated that we were about halfway. Lunch over, we continued through lush bush, passing spectacular mosses and ferns and gathered at the final turn-off for our last stretch to the road. One tramper had a fall, but an HIA (head injury assessment) showed them fit enough to continue.
It wasn’t long until we made the Makino car park, then it was a little walk down to the van where we met Ted and Tony who had enjoyed their outing.
Thanks to Di for organising the tramp and driving us safely home, and Gerard for these stats:
Total distance walked 16.9km; total walking time 6.45 excluding morning tea and lunch; total ascent 1124m; start 8.40; Three Gorges turn-off by 10.35; lunch, top of second gorge 12.15; junction Makino track 2.18; Makino car park 3.55; and back to van by 4.08. An awesome day out in great company.
Trampers: Di Reid, Keith Gore, Juliet Gillick, Alison Greer, Elly Govers, Ted Angove, Shona Tupe, Julia Mackie, Tony Pluymers, Gerard van de Ven and reporter Campbell Living
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