My first bush bash for 2024. On this journey, I traced two unnamed streams and stumbled upon an old hut.
In the New Year, my aim was to persist with bush exploration in 2024. Unfortunately, the weather during the initial week wasn’t favourable. But once the skies cleared, I resumed my journey into the wilderness of Wainuiomata, above Sunny Grove.
Initially, I headed towards the Mt Crowther Trig Track tanks, to find out if there was evidence of an old pipeline. From the elevated position of the tanks, I headed back down toward Sunny Grove through the bush. Despite spotting only what seemed to be a man-made trench and a narrow plateau alongside the Whakanui Track, I pivoted back onto the Mount Crowther Track. Gaining height up a hill, I then descended down the opposite side of that hill to find a fern covered valley wall. The idea was to reach a predictable, but unnamed creek below for exploration. While absent from maps, I anticipated its presence based on topography, as the narrow valley floor would naturally necessitate drainage in the form of streams or a creek.
Reaching the valley floor and in search of a creek, I was surprised when I encountered a well-preserved hut. Approaching it, I captured some exterior photographs before briefly peeking inside. Although small, the hut appeared habitable for a solitary dweller. The presence of spider webs at the entrance hinted at its disuse for an extended period, with no visible track indicating any recent human activity.
After that, I located the creek and traced it upstream until it divided into two branches. Scaling a hill between the two branches, I sought an aerial perspective to determine the preferable creek to follow. From up here, I could also survey the towering and steep surrounding hills further up the valley and realized that reaching the ridge would be an arduous journey. The creek I could see from above, plunged rapidly down steep terrain, so I moved to the otherside of the hill to see that the other creek was marginally broader with flatter terrain. This required a steep descent however (more like a climb). The scenery from above and as I descended was breathtaking, with Nikau Palms and Black Ferns everywhere. Once I reached the creek, it was quite dark as the dense vegetation around the creek formed a thick canopy impeding sunlight. I had to use my camera flash with some photographs. The creek was also harder to navigate than nearby Skerretts Creek.
Realizing the length of the expedition if I were to head up to the ridge coupled with the advancing evening, I decided to postpone further exploration uphill for another day. So I descended back down the valley along the section of the creek I had missed due to traversing the hill earlier. I encountered minor obstacles onroute such as maneuvering around a large fallen tree, but it was mostly following the creek’s course and intermittently hopping from one bank to the other.
Exiting the area, I briefly walked along the Whakanui Track until I reached the two concrete tanks on the Whakanui track. Referring to an old aerial photograph from 1969 showing that there were originally 4 or 5 tanks, I investigated whether the space could actually accommodate five tanks. The aerial photo seems to show an obscured fifth tank, but it could also just be a tree. Estimating the width of the tanks using my feet, it seemed plausible to fit five in the area, but it would be a tight fit, although my measurements lacked precision. The space where the last tank once stood bore a distinct circular indentation in the bank, aiding in identifying the point at which measurements would stop. Though the area might accommodate five tanks, the measurements were approximations, warranting a more accurate assessment with measuring tape. Nonetheless, content with the day’s adventure, I concluded my journey. By the time I was taking my walking shoes off, I had to wipe two tons of sweat off my forehead and I was happy with the day’s workout. While driving home, I was contemplating my next destination.
