This text was read by OCR from a scanned newsletter and has not been proofread yet, so expect odd characters and mistakes.
ANZAC WEEKEND EASY TRIP By Karyn Burgess
It was a warmish, wettish, in fact, somewhat non-descript day in 1994 when, for 12 wearyish, yet high-spirited trampers, the bush SUDDENLY cleared and they stumbled upon... NOWHERE! Everyone sighed, pleased that their dream had become a reality - they had reached the biggish, concrete ... Bridge to Nowhere. A few second’s preparation and pandemonium, much walking, and a significant amount of mud-slinging had been required to reach this coveted spot.
The Bridge to Nowhere spans the Mangapurua Stream, somewhere in the middle of the Whanganui National Park (Grid Reference NZMS R20 802130 to be exact). The Mangapurua Valley had been opened up for the settlement of returned servicemen after the Ist World . War. The Bridge, built in 1936, completed the link between Waimarino and the riverboat access at the Mangapurua Landing on the Whanganui River. Only the hardy settlers managed to last the distance. Three families out of thirty-five were left in the valley by 1942 when they were forced to leave (the Government grew tired of maintaining the road). The bush has regenerated and now access to the Bridgeis by foot only, through the: National Park. The route taken by the abovementioned
12, began at Whakahoro, meeting up with the old road and following it down to the Bridge to Nowhere and Mangapurua Landing, (Rather than swim out, they jet boated down to Pipiriki). I hazard a guess that the Mangapurua Valley hosts more pleasant tramping. than farming. At times the track traverses bluffs that put butterflies in yer innards just to spy them out the corner of your eye! Had anyone happened to slip (or, perhaps equally likely on this trip, be nudged), there wasn’t anyone gonna rescue you! Getting supplies could only have been a nightmare. But as trampers, we thoroughly enjoyed the trip and would recommend it to anyone. Working out the history of what happened where, and spotting the odd chimney, adds a whole new dimension to tramping!
We spent three days in the area, but keen trampers could do it in a weekend. Of course, if you went on any old weekend, you wouldn't necessarily be privileged to have the excellent company of Allan, Sue, Ferrida, Steve, Karyn, Robert, Eric, Keith, Daniel, Wayne, Jeanine, and Andrew. So on a more social note, let’s rate the other qualities of the trip.
Leadership:
Terrain:
Scenery:
Entertainment:
Another Bonus:
Allan would have scored full marks if only he could have heated a billy of water in less than 4 attempts. One fated moming, it took 3 billies and 2 primuses before we finally got our brew, This is just not on, Allan! Enough mud is enough! (This track is actually excellent, apart from the mud. There are virtually no hills and the climb has a gradient of about 2 degrees).
It had to be good, judging by the number of photos taken. (Views of Mts Ngauruhoe and Ruapehu from the Mangapurua Trig). Top marks to Ferrida, Sue, and Karyn for their Pooh stories, and to Steve for his sound effects. (It should probably be noted that Steve remained fully clothed at all viewable times throughout this trip). Heaps of birdlife - really friendly. (Also heaps of goat-life, but I just can’t see the thrill in this myself).
Catch ya in the hills - Karyn