THE WILD END OF WAIROA  -  
A Clockwise Circumnavigation Of The Wairoa Reservoir

A momentary lapse of judgement saw Nigel, Stephen, Claire and Carl deceived by Lindsay’s enthusiastic trip description, and we all celebrated the end of daylight saving with an early start for the Wairoa Dam.

After an easy warm-up along part of the Wairoa-Cossey track, the party homed in on the start of the “off track” section. This early success and the hint of a track along the ridge to Firth Road generated a welcome sense of security, a pleasant sensation which lasted about 3 minutes.

Nervous chatter erupted once we saw the descent to the lake -  steep, dense, gloomy and trackless!  Anxiety led to a decision to mark the trail with fluoro tape and a continuous cotton thread “just in case we need to retrace our steps”. Requests to “set a time when we should turn around” further undermined our dwindling confidence.
 

Leader Lindsay, realising decisive action was needed, led confidently down a gulley that went the wrong way. Fortunately a minor mutiny saw common sense restored, and for the next hour a relentless bush-crashing descent was interspersed with frequent compass checks. Stephen laid the cotton-trail with finesse and was unphased by cries of “we sure hope we don’t need it – who wants to climb back up there!”

Suddenly the gradient eased, lush river flats (actually the lake
bed!) offered a lovely lunch spot, and harmony soon returned!

The Wairoa Hill forestry road ascended easily to the start of the Challenge Track – new ground which provided pleasant walking  and occasional views, and also laid claim to our dwindling energy reserves. The final easy descent of the Wairoa Loop Track was a welcome and enjoyable finish, and returned us to the car after exactly 8 hours.

Written by:  Lindsay Wood