Our proposed route started at the "car park' (near Berwick) climbed steadily up the hill to emerge at the power pylons in the Wenita Forestry area and then down hill to the Waipori Falls parking / picnic area.
The day started windy but with clear blue skies, however when we reached the turnoff to Berwick from the flood?free the start of the first predicted front could be seen steadily advancing towards us. By the time we reached the start of the track it had started to rain quite heavily. We drove to Waipori Falls as we had to leave a car there for the return trip. By this time it was fair pelting down and the question was raised as to whether or not we should continue, however being a hardy group we decided not to let a little rain put us off.
This proved to be a good decision because by the time we arrived back at the lower end of the track the rain had abated considerably and remained relatively dry for the next 2 ? 3 hours. It's a nice gentle climb uphill all the way to the power pylons and is a very pleasant bush walk with the track in good
order. As we came out of the bush the weather started to pack up with persistent rain and cold winds. We had intended walking a further 2 ? 3 km to a lunch shelter, but the track was well overgrown and we decided instead to find an un?pruned pine tree to shelter under to eat lunch. Once we found a suitable tree and got comfy, the rain stopped and it was quite pleasant eating lunch sheltered from the biting wind.
Lunch over, we headed down a 4WD track towards the Waipori Falls parking / picnic area, a short uneventful walk but very steep, and with good views of the falls and the old Waipori village. Despite the fickle weather, a good day and a good chance to test the winter clothing.
Greg Powell for Doug Forrester, Jenni Wright, Trevor Blogg and Jacob Feenstra.
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