Mt. Takorika Tramp, 23 October 2021
Grade: Easy/moderate (700m climb, steeper at the top)
Participants: Uta P, David C, Rob L. Trip leader and scribe: Maaike van H
Three of us left Nelson at the nice and laid-back hour of 09:00 am and, picking up Uta on the way out of town, leisurely cruised down to Havelock. We parked on Inglis street loop just off the main road (close to the public toilets) and the waterfall track starts at the end of the Inglis street loop around the memorial park. There were some clouds but it was clear and no rain forecasted.
The plan was to walk up to the waterfall and then across to the main track that zig-zags up parallel to the Waterfall track – we wanted to take it slow and easy after not tramping much the past period. Then, after climbing about ¾ of the way up, we planned to take the new-ish loop tracks that are designed to give you good views: the Lookout Loop and the Escarpment Loop. The latter curves around back to the top, giving you views towards the Southwest (the Kaikoura ranges). Then down the road and on to the main track back.
We set out around 10:20 and walked through the bush to the waterfall that was giving a good volume of water and the crossed to the main track going up through some lovely regenerating bush. We had morning tea at 11:30 – still on the main track.
A little higher up we did the Lookout Loop track. Then we split up as David wanted to go straight up to the top and Rob and Uta went on the gentler roundabout Escarpment Loop track (the one with the great views). Maaike decided not to let David walk on his own.
David and Maaike had a leisurely lunch at the top (between 13:30 and 14:30) and then Rob arrived and told them that Uta and he were having lunch on the escarpment less than 10 minutes away and would join us after lunch. We waited but they didn’t arrive so Maaike went to investigate. Uta was fighting off cramp in her leg. Fortunately she was able to walk again soon thereafter and she and Rob took a shortcut to the road while Maaike went back up to pick up David. Then we walked down on the road and main track and arrived back to the car around 17:15.
Lesson: really, really, try to avoid splitting up a party, even when the distances are small (as they were in this case). This is everyone’s responsibility.
Nevertheless, we came back with the satisfied feeling that we had TRAMPED after the season of bad weather cancellations and Covid.