Wednesday Walkers

 

 

A walking group go on day walks within two hours driving from Oamaru each Wednesday.

 You are welcome to join us for the day and no membership is required.

Trip information can be sent to your email address by Tuesday, the day before the trip. If you wish to go on this email list please send your email address to northotagotmc@gmail.com stating your wish to be included in the mail out.

Unless otherwise notified trips will leave at 8-30 am each Wednesday from outside the  Towey  St. tennis courts,  Oamaru . You are  welcome to just turn up to be included in that days trip, though be aware that there is the very odd cancellation or time alteration.

See down further under Group Skills and Day Gear Checklist for some things to be aware of on the walk and a recommendation of what to bring.

View Map

Recent Walks

Oamaru Attractions

Wednesday 19 January 2022

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Hakataramea Valley – station walk

Wednesday 12 January 2022

With a group of 14 away on the Island Hills, Hurunui 3 day walk, only 9 walkers participated in a tramp on the lower hills of a sheep and  cattle station on the west side of the Hakataramea Valley. It was decided to follow the track that 2 of the members had walked 2 years ago. Starting on a ridge where the cars were parked we headed down to the airstrip, where only 10 minutes later – Smoko! Just after 10.30am!

Next, the aim was to find a clear pathway down to the Grampian Stream. With the knowledge that there was a maze of matagouri ahead to tease us, we searched for the best places to descend. In and out and up and down the ridges and gullies we finally made it to the Grampian Stream. After criss-crossing a few times we came to a gorge that offered a swimming hole and most of all an idyllic setting for lunch. It was only 12 noon and according to some we had walked only 2.7km!! And a very relaxing lunch it was indeed. The swimmer(s) said the water was an agreeable temperature. So also was the air temperature keeping us very warm.

Following lunch we headed upstream – sometimes on the true left and other times on the true right. Arriving at a 4wd track leading uphill to the main track on the ridge 3 of us opted to take this shorter route. On reaching the main track we were greeted by the 6 remaining members, who also had shortened their walk by climbing up the next 4wd track. From there it was only another 1-2 km back to the cars. And it wasn’t even 2.30pm!  A 7km walk must be a record (low) for the WW’s

Back at the homestead we called in to thank the owners and were treated with a tour of their new house. Back down the Hakataramea Valley, which for this time of the year was looking very green, thanks to rain in 2021, we headed straight for the icecream shop at Kurow. A short but most enjoyable day. Margie

Wednesday Wanderers

Mt Misery

Wednesday 5 January 2022

Seven Wanderers travelled up Mt Misery road in 2 cars (1 4WD) and parked near the tanks before Red Hut. We had a steady climb from Red Hut to the top of Mt Misery where we had lunch at 12-15 in hot sun with great views all around. Five decided they could walk about 3km out to the trig while 2 of us did some botanising and found a patch of Herpolirion (the smallest lily in the world) before dawdling back to the cars. As we descended the hill down to Red Hut it started to rain which quickly became torrential with loud claps of thunder every 20 seconds. Looking back there was no sign of the others. We sheltered in my car while it rained at the rate of about 2 inches in half an hour causing large streams of water to flow down the track.  After waiting more than an hour five half drowned rats came into view. They had gone all the way to the trig when they should have turned back with the threatening weather coming in.  Some did not have dry gear in the car which we should always have in case of getting wet.  Even though the track back to Mt Misery road was very wet there were no slippery patches but a few large puddles to negotiate. Mt Misery road is good now most of the forest has been felled which makes for good visibility. A great day out with a few lessons learned. Jane Naish
 
Jane wondered who read the points in my last email about checking gear/pack etc.  SAFETY!! (Jane G)

Dansey Pass Loop

Wednesday 5 January 2022

Island Stream  

29.12.21

It was just on 10 o’clock when the trampers left the cars.

The main group walked more or less parallel to the road for the 1 ½ kilometres to the yards and Dogs Den hut where they stopped for morning tea. After the break, they headed north, veering right to find  a gate and skirting around a bush-clad gully to find a clearer way down to cross the south branch of the Island Stream.  On the way, they were diverted by the temptations of a scattered crop of large, fresh field mushrooms which meant they reached the stream further east than on past trips. Most got across with dry feet by tuffet jumping but three headed further downstream to look for a better crossing. The reduced main group climbed a steep bank to top out and look for the best way forward. They didn’t succeed and found themselves bush bashing down muddy tracks through thick manuka. Eventually they emerged to see the fence and meadow bordering the Island Stream north branch, which they crossed and climbed the short distance to the lunch spot above the waterfall, where they met the two other groups of three. They took the direct route following 4wd tracks most of the way.

As they all settled down for lunch at about 12.45, the rain started, heavy enough to deter all from the steep  scramble down to the bottom of the falls and all but four from venturing across the gully to get a good view of the destination cataract.

The hasty lunch over, all set off back following the grassy 4wd track which wound across the country side, crossing both branches of the Island Stream on the way.  Fortunately the rain soon stopped and the return journey was relatively dry. John

Puketapu and Trotters Gorge

Wednesday 15 December 2021

With rain forecast  to come from the North the decision was made at Towey Street to head South. !0 walkers climbed into 2 cars and after a sort out at Maheno headed to Palmerston with the weather improving as we travelled.
The climb started at 9-30am and we steadily gained height through the paddocks. The last paddock had not been grazed so during the steep climb to the monument it was difficult to see the large volcanic stones. There were 2 other climbers we met at the top who were training to walk the  Routeburn Greenstone tracks in the new year.
After a  quick climb up the monument’s inner staircase by some and morning tea admiring the views, we descended down the south side and back to the cars by 11-30am.

As the rain had still not arrived, we decided to go back to Trotters Gorge via the Horse Range road and have lunch.
After a quick lunch we headed up the Trotters Gorge Track past the caves and a steep climb in the bush to the top of the ridge, before descending to the next creek and back to the cars by 2-30pm. Although there were a few spits of drizzle we didn’t run into the rain until about Moeraki. Drinks at Maheno completed an enjoyable day out. Ross

 

Group Skills

We sometimes walk in places where it is easy to get lost, or fog comes in unexpectedly.
* Always follow the leaders instructions.  STAY WITH YOUR GROUP.
* Keep in view of someone with a two way radio. (Note that we carry several 2 way radios and also a Personal Locator Beacon for emergencies.)
* If you think you are lost or unsure where to go, eg. A fork in the track or reduced visibility such  as fog, STAY PUT. Make yourself visible with a bright article. Call out or blow your whistle. 09-9 First aid practise Someone will look for you.
* Always let someone know if you are going off the track eg. Toilet stop or photo shoot.
* Look behind frequently to keep the person behind you in view, and also to know where you have  walked in case you need to go back.
* The person who opens a gate should close it, or designate someone else who knows how, to do so.  Leave all gates as you find them.

Day Gear Check List

The following should be carried with you, no matter how nice the weather is when you leave. Day pack, boots, socks plus a dry pair in the vehicle, water/wind-proof coat with hood, over-trousers, shorts and long johns or long trousers, thermal singlet, shirt, warm jersey/jacket, gloves/mitts, warm hat, sun hat. NO COTTON OUTER GARMENTS PLEASE. This includes jeans as they contribute to hypothermia when wet. Sunglasses, lunch, snacks/emergency rations, full water bottle, sun block, first aid kit, toilet paper, torch, map, compass, whistle, survival sheet/bag, a bright piece of equipment or clothing. Optional  Gaiters, camera, walking sticks, spare clothes in the vehicle.

160 Wednesday  Walkers  Walks

If you have a walk you would like to do, please suggest it at next weeks walk.

ABC Caves

Altavady

Anderson Lagoon – Shag River

Ashlands Rd. – Kemp Rd. Katiki

Aviemore – Mt. Dryburgh

Awakino Ski Field

Awamoko Stream

Balmoral Huts

Ben Ledi

Ben Lomond

Ben Ohau

Benmore Walkway

Benmore Peak

Big Ben

Big Kuri Creek

Bike rides

Black Cap – Scout Hill

Bobbys Head – Pleasant River

Borland Lodge

Boundary Creek

Canyon Creek

Cave Hill

Central Otago Rail Trail

Chinamans Hut

Chinamans Cave

Clear Stream

Cone

Conical Peak

Deep Stream

Devils Bridge Cave

Devils Elbow

Doctors Point

Dome Hills

Domett Loop

Douglas (Rob & Sue)

Earthquakes

Elephant Hill

Evensdale Glen

Flannagans Pass

Fox Peak

Freehold Creek

Gentle Annie Hut

Gibson Farm Walk

Glenthorn Station

Gunns Bush

Golf Course, Waianakarua

Government Hill

Grampions

Gunns Bush

Hamilton Hill

Hampden / Moeraki

Hampden Township

Hillgrove Farm Walk

Herbert Forest

Heywards Point

Island Cliff

Island Stream Waterfall

Kakanui Peak

Kakanui – All Day Bay

Karitane Walkway

Kauru Hill – Fuchsia Creek

Kawairua  Station

Kettleholes, Omarama

Kurow Hill, Awakino Gorge

Kurinui Reserve

Lindis Pass / Dalrachney

Little Domett

Livingstone, Beaties Hill

Loman Run

Maerewhenua Gold Diggings

Moana Station

Moeraki Lighthouse

Moeraki walkway

Mopanui

Mt. Alexander

Mt. Alexander Loop

Mt. Bitterness

Mt Cargill

Mt Cook (Not the Summit)

Mt Dalgety

Mt. Dasher

Mt. David

Mt. Difficulty – Allan Rd

Mt Difficulty – Dasher

Mt. Difficulty – Hectors

Mt. Domett

Mt. Dryburgh

Mt. Evelyn

Mt. Fortune

Mt. Grayson

Mt Kirkliston

Mt. Kohurau

Mt Kyeburn

Mt. Mary, Trig J

Mt. Meyer

Mt Michael

Mt Milne

Mt. Miserable

Mt Nessing

Mt. Nimrod (Haka)

Mt Nimrod (East)

Mt Nobler

Mt. Obi

Mt Orr

Mt. Parker

Mt. Peel (Little)

Mt. Pisgah

Mt. Stalker

Mt Studholme

Mt. Sutton, Ohau

Mt Sutton, Waitangi

Mt. Trotter

Mts. Trotter & McKenzie

Mt. Watkin

Ngapara Farms Walk

Noondale Reserve

Oamaru Walkways

Obi, Mitchells Hut

Obi, Mt. Stalker

Obi, Shingle Creek

Orbell’s Cave

Otekaike Bridal Track

Otekaike Hill

Peel Forest

Pigeon Bush – Duncan Road

Pigeon Bush – South Peak

Pleasant River, Bobbys Head

Prominent Peak

Puketapu Hill

Pulpit Rock

Quail Burn

Raki’s Table / Tunnel

Raki’s, Belmont, Victoria Hills

Razorback

Rock & Pillars

Rosella Ridge, Silver Peaks

Roseneath

Round Yards circuit / gorge

Seacliff Reserve

Shag Point

Siberia Hill

Staircase Ridge

Station Peak

Stony Ridge

Suttons Face

Swampy, Leith saddle

Table Top via Wainak  Reserve

Table Top via Herbert Forest

Tapui Farm Walk

Te Huruhuru

Temple – North

Temple – South

The Hays

Timaru Walkways

Trotters Gorge Reserve

Trotters Gorge Trig L

Tokarahi Farmwalk

Waihao Walkway, Hotel circuit

Waimate Gorge

Waipiata

Weston Escarpment

White Horse

Woolshed Creek

Wainono Lagoon

Starting place is the Towey St Tennis Courts (see the  map at the top of this page) usually at 8-30 am  every Wednesday.