Mole (or is that "Mo-lay") tops. Graeme had gone to great lengths to optimise transport pickups with everyone first coming together at the Wakefield Bakery. So obviously food was high on the agenda. This meant lunch on the first day could be of a bakery standard …. Yum. So ten in all set off for a valley just southeast of Murchison. Unfortunately no cellphone coverage and semi-vague instructions/memory to the road end meant a bit of extra driving. But hay ho it was a lovely day and we had the time. We set off across farm paddocks to the bush edge. Time for lunch … mmm pies etc. The bush was lovely and after a few kms we intersected with the beautiful Watson creek. This we would follow for the rest of the day to near its head. The track was above the creek for the most part although there were a few scrambly bits where the banks had washed out. I thought I heard some comments but there is only one way to go and that’s forward. Mid afternoon we reach an old hut site near the head of the valley and realising this was close to our day’s destination some decided not to wait for the leader but instead jump in the stream for a chilly but refreshing dip and sunbath on the stream edge. Thankfully it was our campsite so we settled in, later getting a campfire burning plus toasting marshmallows supplied by Shana (yum 2).  Day two and while it was not to be a long day we wanted to get the climb done before the sun hit the hillside. Shana and Graeme reccied a route and before you know it we were sitting on a knob with choices to make. The ridge to Mt Watson looked a bit gnarly so we elected to go to point 1580 for views of the Matakitaki river flats and various peaks on the other side. Most had an early lunch here before trundling around the ridge and down to a large tarn just off the ridge line and set up camp. The afternoon was spent exploring the Mole tops ridge in order to see lake Rotoroa, swimming in one of the 10+ tarns below or for the more adventurous climbing the local peaks. Nina attempted to swim in all tarns but might have missed a couple. The sunset created great views on the ridges to the east and we settled in our tents with a light breeze creating some flapping. Monday morning and we left at various times with Graeme leading the party down a steep ridge with no forgiveness of errors.  We passed by Mole saddle and I think we were all thankful to hit the bushline as the temperature rose. With a few birds around and fauna to admire we descended into the beech forest before stopping short of the track end for lunch. A friendly robin hopped around but was cautious about coming too close. To the track end and then a “swim” in the near by river to cool off before heading to Nelson. Where will we stop? Kohatu … closed,  Bellgrove tavern closed. On the speed limit Graeme drive until Shana yells stop. The Wakefield bakery is open so pies, cakes, drinks it is. P.S. Graeme does not have a reversing camera so with the towbar 5cms past the front wheel of the motorbike his intuition must be good … or was it just luck. Addendum: When Shana saw the title “Moele Tops” it made her think of  Mole (“Mo-lay”) Sauce (the national dish of Mexico).

Participants: Graeme, Rod and Carol, Peter and Michele, Lynette, Shana, Maaike, Nina, Astrid.