Eleven of us arrived at Roselands at 7am for one of our more difficult tramps. After asking permission from the farmer eight of us crossed the farmer’s bridge over the Tairua and headed up the farm track for the 2nd Branch.

Shane, Nicola and Marlene ferried the cars around to the Kauaeranga Valley. They were going to go up to the Pinnacles with the intention of climbing to the top and then meeting us near the hut. This would have been a 55km car shuffle each way, and having people prepared to ferry the cars helps made this trip viable.

After leaving the farm we followed a vehicle track and then a bush track up the river until it petered out. There was then nothing for it but to pick a line up the river, crossing and re-crossing to avoid deep pools and bluffs. The river flows through rugged volcanic out-crops making for some spectacular scenery. For the tramper this means the occasional foray into the bush to by-pass waterfalls. During one of these the party became separated and it took a while before we managed to link up again. On another scramble over rocks a leckie stick fell into a deep hole, never to be retrieved.

Tony’s new GPS with a map in it made it easier to select the right stream to follow at each stream junction. Eventually the stream became a mossy brook and finally just a cleft in the rocks. It was time to scale the sides and head for the ridge. The first attempt led to cliffs. Fortunately Bevan and Terry both were carrying ropes which made the retreat back into the stream a little easier. About 25 metres downstream we tried again with more success. Steve led the way bush crashing up the ridge. 45 minutes later we emerged onto a rocky knoll on top of the ridge opposite The Pinnacles. Shane, Nicola and Marlene could be seen in the distance on another rocky out crop further along the ridge.

We had a reunion where we emerged back on the track. We swapped notes and had a final drink and food break before heading down the Webb Creek track to the cars which we made by 6.40pm.

GPS statistics: Distance 13km. Time 9 hours 40 minutes. Total ascent 846 metres. Highest point 591 metres.

Tony Gibson