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We wanted to repeat a Waitakeres off-track trip of long ago
when we went in search of Kauri dams but found giant
paretaniwha plants instead. So some detective work was
in order. We managed to isolate the date of the
previous trip (15-5-1994) but the trip description only said
"with Skiddy off-track in search of kauri dam relics".
After challenging our secretary's record keeping skills, I
was amazed to receive full details including date, tracks
and those present! Very impressive. Meanwhile,
Skiddy had located the inspiration for the original 1994
trip - a schedule in the back of the old Waitakere District
Scheme, so the trip looked like a starter.
We set off across the A.R.C. access on Anawhata Rd and
headed north along the Kuataika track. After a
pleasant morning tea by a stream, we were stopped in our
tracks by a small creature, 50 odd metres away, fast
approaching us down the track. This stoat was on the
hilarious mission of impersonating the "road runner" cartoon
character. We watched it for ages and it was headed
straight for us. The startled look of surprise on its
face when it found 6 legs right in its path was priceless
(sheer frozen quivering panic!). It exited stage right
before we could deal to it with our sticks and leki pole.
Leaving the main track, we dropped into the Wheeler stream
and after about twenty minutes or so we found the remains of
a small old kauri dam complete with beams, rafters and steel
rope strewn about. A dark and damp place for sure, and
cameras needed flash. Continuing downstream through
the Paritaniwha which was armpit high in places, we
negotiated several cascades and falls, but failed to find
the giant fat trunked Paritaniwha of 1994. But we were
very happy to have seen the old dam, which was never found
on the original trip. Back onto the main track system
and then down over the Anawhata Stream meant we had a big
climb back to the cars at Chateaux Mosquito. 6.5 hours
and 13.5 km.
Thanks to leader Skiddy, Chris the guest, Nigel the writer
and Eileen the research assistant.
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