Pearse Resurgence - Leader: Ian Pavitt
A wonderful cross-section of the Nelson Tramping Club’s “elite” emerged from the cars on the Pearse Road, at the start of this epic, aqueous tramp. After a short road-bash of about 1km, we hit the track proper which was quite overgrown in places with broom and bracken. The track stays close to the Pearse River initially but gradually climbs around some bluffs before descending to the river to make the first of the 20 river crossings for the day. Due to the wetter than normal summer this was not going to be such an easy day as first thought, as river levels and current were greater than normal and the water temperature very cold. But this illustrious group took it all in their stride and after 9 more river crossings and some luxuriant bush sections alongside the river, we were all safely at the resurgence, admiring the upwelling spectacle and enjoying a well-earned lunch in the warming sun. It was pleasing to see and hear lots of birds along the river, including three blue ducks.
Just as the feeling in the feet was returning, it was time to return by the way we had come and by the time of our last river crossing on the return trip, I swear this group were walking on water. Many thanks to all those budding Neptunes who joined me on this trip: Shirley Gabrielsen, Alison Nicoll, Jim Maxwell, Grahame Harris, Yvonne Kyle, Arthur Jonas, Gretchen Williams, Marianne Hermsen, Dan McGuire, Ted Brooks, Kath Ballantine, Dion Pont, and newcomers Pauline Campbell and Dave Adams.