The Morda Brook

It was somehow fitting that the hillside that had been beaten by fire was currently having a good attempt at breaking our morale. The top of Kapakapanui peak in the Tararua range was cleared by an accidental fire in 1903 [ 1 ]. Nowhere is this more apparent than on the peaks western slopes, which we were halfway up. It had been a very long day. The final climb to Kapakapanui from the west. Image from http://www.topomap.co.nz/ The Southern Crossing of the Tararuas is a classic tramp known for its long history, windy tops and mountain running. Perusing maps in an idle moment it was clear to me that the classic southern crossing is not actually the most southern possible crossing of the range. If Waterworks Road in Kaitoke and Ngatiawa Road near Waikanae could be linked this route would cross the range further to the south than the classic. Thus began the Southerner Crossing. Hutt Forks We began very early at the Norbert Creek track which climbs quickly and pleasantly...

This site is a journal of adventures in New Zealand inspired by The Unlikely Voyage of Jack de Crow by A.J. Mackinnon. This book is the inspirational story of the authors journey across a continent in a small sailing dinghy. Whilst the story is told with a copious amount of artistic licence and somewhat impenetrable literary references (for a layman such as myself), it beautifully captures the spirit of the everyday adventurer. The Morda Brook is "a sinuous little blue line on a map that should not be considered a navigable waterway".  Near the beginning of his voyage Mackinnon embarks on a descent of the Morda Brook as the only route between the English canal system and the river he intends to travel seaward. The canals are left behind as 5pm recedes, which the reader will recognise as the official start time of all good weekend adventures. Unsurprisingly the evening is not straightforward. Encounters with overhanging trees, muddy water and darkness damage his boat a...