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

Ngapara Farms Walk
29-6-22

A2O Peaks Rd – Rakis Tunnel

22.6.22

By 9am seven cars, with 23 walkers, had parked at the Windsor Hall to be followed an hour later with three more cars – and 12 Wanderers.  The decision to walk up Peaks Rd first, made sense, since it was almost totally in the sun on this perfect Winter’s day – one day after  the shortest day on Tuesday.  A halt was called around 10am for Smoko. Lovely views to the east from our tiered bank site on Peaks Rd.  Following Smoko the climb up Peaks Rd continued until  we viewed Survey Peak at 317m, to our left. Hence Peaks Rd? This peak, with a perfect view to Totara Peak would have been used for surveying the area in the 180o’s.  Peaks Rd offered wonderful views on this clear day of some of the snow-capped Kakanui and St Mary ranges. 

Onward then, to turn  left at Tunnel Rd which took us down to Raki’s Tunnel, both part of the A2O Cycle Trail. On arriving at the approach to the tunnel a notice – Closed for Repairs! So, with a detour back up the road and luckily with permission from the farm lessees who happened to be in the area, we walked over the tunnel through farmland to find a a sunny spot for lunch – even though it was just past 11.30am.  We were greeted with a radio message from the Wanderers who had walked up the track from Windsor.  So, a total of 35 enjoyed lunching in the sun near the entrance to the tunnel.

Lunch over, all Walkers and Wanderers headed back down the A2O track to the cars parked at Windsor hall. The time now being shortly after 2pm.  An enjoyable bebriefing was held at Fort Enfied before finally returning to Oamaru. Margie

Timaru Inland Walk

15/6/22

Weather: Fine, light cloud, cool southerly breeze.

Travel: 83kms  

Trip:  The 11-strong contingent travelled by the usual SH1 route to park on the main road just past the Saltwater Creek bridge at the southern entrance to Timaru. At about 9.40 we set off up the track which follows the true left of Saltwater Creek, pausing to admire some native and exotic wildlife on the way to the stone arch bridge spanning the creek on Coonoor Road, which marked the end of this section of the track. There, we turned right for a short road walk before turning left on to the track which follows the true left of Otipua Creek, passing by the Timaru Boys High School sports ground and a BMX track (unoccupied this day) , to the southern entrance to Centennial Park. On the way, we took advantage of a sunny stretch to stop for morning tea.

At Centennial Park, we crossed the creek by a newish suspension bridge which had replaced an old rail bridge and followed the tracks up the south side of the valley. An attempt to take a higher mountain bike track was thwarted by the greasy surface, so after that we kept to a lower track until it joined the road. Our arrival at the top end of the park coincided with lunch time. So we crossed a wet grassy area to a slope which offered dry seating, sunshine and shelter from the cool breeze and settled down for lunch just after 12 noon. 

Lunch over, we entered a track which took us across the creek and on to the tracks on the north side of the valley. Much of the route was on old railway line and passed several quarries which had supplied bluestone (basalt) for harbour and other construction in Timaru. This took us back to the park entrance from where we retraced our steps to reach the cars just on 3 o’clock, after a walk of some 16 kilometres through an area which is a great credit to the people of Timaru and clearly much used by them. John

 

Weston Escarpment

Wednesday 8 June 2022

Once again the Enfield Escarpment walk proved to be one of the most popular on our calendar with 27 WW plus another 14 Wanderers, who set out an hour later for an out and back option, never the less walking some ten kilometres.

We had the pleasure of four visitors plus a probable new member who all obviously enjoyed just being there.                                                                                                               
As always, the views over most of Nth Otago were amazing in spite of the fact that the Kakanui mountains were slowly disappearing under very black skies.  However, both groups arrived back at the cars about the same time, just as the first tentacles of westerly rain reached us.

Enjoyed by all.

Wanderers – Weston Escarpment

Wed 8 June 2022

Today we had a really interesting walk with 14 Wanderers. After walking along the Escarpment with fantastic views of our mountains, we had lunch in a sheltered spot before returning to the cars the same way – different views. We had walked almost 10km. Jane Naish 
 

Derdan Hill and Mt Baldie

Wednesday 1 June 2022

21 walkers travelled to Waikouaiti in ideal tramping weather for this two hill walk.
Derdan is the biggest challenge so we do it first and arrive at the top a bit out of breath, but the views make it all worthwhile. Nice to realise that just about every way you look you can identify a Wednesday Walk we have done.
Baldie is a much easier climb with similar views. Bill identified an easier way down from the summit through the ancient Kowhai and Broad leaf forest, past the tunnel barn and back to the cars.
I think all would say they were well exercised! 
David McK.
 

Tapui Farm Walk – Kakanui Gorge

Wednesday25 May 2022

16 set out from Towey Street, meeting another walker at the start of Tapui Homestead Road where we parked our cars. We opted to do the walk anticlockwise this time, so we set out North West across Ross’s old farm, before turning south towards Slaty creek where we stopped for morning tea on a ridge above the creek.
After a steep descent to the creek and crossing a swampy area there was  a climb across  another ridge to Tapui Homestead Road.

We climbed the next hill via the road before turning south into the next farm, and continuing over rolling downs to above the Kakanui Gorge, downstream  from where Slaty Creek enters it.
A quick flick of a cold front had passed through about half an hour before, which was followed by a strong blustery Sou-wester, so we were pleased to find a sheltered but sunny spot further down above the gorge for lunch.

More rolling downland’s continued after lunch with the odd view down into the gorge, before crossing a larger side stream and climbing up to the top of Crown Hill. Good views were had looking down the Kakanui Valley towards Kakanui township and to Coalpit Hill in the distance.
We were pleased to head down and out of the strong wind for the short walk back to the cars. An enjoyable 11k walk of lots of ups and downs.
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.