Mt. Nimrod Reserve

9th March 2014

This walk had all the hallmarks of a ‘girls only’ trip – with Jane G and Margie starting to plot suitable post tramp debriefing places – then up rolled the Kakanui based Mercedes with two kiwi blokes, so things reverted back to the usual icecreams and coffee!

With the forecast predicting the weather to clear, ten of us set off for Makihikihi, Evelyn remembering at the last minute to pick up Jo at Waitaki Bridge.

After turning inland, with light rain all the way, we soon hit Backline Road, and it seemed an eternity (actually one and a half hours) until we reached the Nimrod Reserve turnoff, by which time we had clocked up 100km. Shame the visibility was so poor.

Off we set on the loop track – up, up, up through the bush. Karyl was convinced there would be coffee shop at the top to reward her for her efforts.

After a morning tea stop in a clearing with a Leideker view, we began the descent to the stream. The wet conditions made the track rather slippery so plenty of careful foot placement was required. Dave was the only one to venture to the nearby waterfall when we reached the bottom.

Up we went again and had lunch under the trees at the saddle. With ground and vegetation pretty damp, we did not linger.

The rocky knob beckoned and we scrambled up, with just a murky glimpse of the waterfall before the mist closed in again. We were soon at the top, (some saw a wallaby), and carefully made our way down through more bush, reaching the cars about 1-15pm.

Our homeward journey saw us pass through the settlement of Hunter, which made such an impression on Dave he was reluctant to carry on to Waimate. An icecream there helped soothe his disappointment.

Thanks everyone for looking after each other so well and supporting your novice leader.

Tricia, Margie, Jane G, Karyl, Linda, Phyllis, Bronwyn, Jo, John, Dave M, and Evelyn.

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