Waipara Gorges

13 January 2019

It was approaching 8am, and there were only four of us, but suddenly we had three more people arrived so could take the necessary two cars needed for this trip. We drove to Karetu Downs Bridge, and then we placed a car just east of the Laidmore Road turn-off.

The bridge crosses the South Branch of the Waipara River so we didn’t reach the main river till we’d walked more than 1km. Where the river narrows for the first gorge we had to pick our way over slippery algae-covered rocks. Encroaching willows blocked our way in several places. People with walking poles were happy for the help they give to stay upright, though the rogainers in the group seemed to cope well without them. The rogainers were testing their surefootedness in preparation for an event a few weeks hence.

Emerging from the first gorge we reached the area with the best concretions.