Mt Matthews run

Orongorongo: Mt Matthews Run

Saturday 26 May, 2012
Solo run

Another solo trail run as part of preparation for the Abel Tasman track in September.  I keep picking hills you can't run up though!

Summary

Distance 21+ km(?); 4hr 25. Start elevation about 50m; maximum 941m. Forecast for sun but high cloud developed quickly. A cool northerly was only really noticeable near the top.

Depart Catchpool car park 07.50. Trot through Orongorongo track then up the river bed to the junction with Matthew’s stream at 08.45. Arrive at the top approx 10.15 and potter about for about 10 minutes (after a pause on the way up to overlook the saddle). Return the same way; Matthew’s junction at 11.15 and car park at 12.15.

The trip

The Park gates open at about 07.40 so the last minute getting ready stuff is done in the car while waiting for the ranger. A few cars have been in the park overnight but no sign of life until three older gents turn up to maintain stoat lines.

As expected, no other souls are to be seen until returning down Mt Matthews (one chap wandering up). There are a few signs of life on the way down the Orongorongo River and a few groups of people walking in along the Orongorongo track near midday. Some wheeled traffic has been up the river bed recently and a ute is parked up near Big Bend.

The Orongorongo track is easy going; repairs are underway but nothing tricky. The river bed is also good going along the vehicle tracks. The morning sun clears the hills in a few places shining the length of the valley and requiring the peak of the cap to be kept low.

Turning into Matthew’s stream the rocks are more jagged, and the stream is clearly moving things around pretty actively, so more care is required with footing. The route runs up the creek then departs to follow a track up the ridge, at exactly the point marked on the map. The track up is generally pretty easy to follow.

It’s basically a scramble straight up with a brief 30m down hill around 400m. After that there’s the turn off to South saddle (around 550M) which is also the route to the south coast down Mukamuka stream. Shortly after, the track breaks out of the bush giving good views over the saddle, down to the Coast and across ridges and hills towards Wellington.

The track skips along the ridge briefly then ducks back into forest and keeps climbing. It’s still a fair way to the top from here. The approach to the top is through forest and there are a few false alarms. Don’t get excited until the track has dropped off the back of the ridge and approaches the top from the South via a not so old slip which has thrown trees and rocks into a jumble which you have to scramble through.

The views are good. After the clearing above the saddle there isn’t a lot to see until a view of the Wairarapa explodes in your face. A window opens through the tress and suddenly there is light reflecting off the Ruamahanga River; Lake Wairarapa peering around a ridge and somewhere in the distance across the flats; Martinborough and the Eastern Hills. Further along, there are views of Lake Onoke and the Coast as well as back towards Wellington.

The top is marked by a short steel pole behind a fallen tree. Next to it is a geocache; it’s just tied to the tree with no real attempt to hide it. Mind you, I don't think many people would want to lug an ammo box back down with them.

After admiring the view, firing off a text or two and taking a few photos on the phone it’s time to follow the foot prints home. The down hill requires considerable care and attention to avoid catching a toe and pitching face first over a drop off.

A search and rescue team are in the car park and look to be heading out for some practice. I’m earlier than expected so they’re not for me.

Gear notes

Running in old cycle shorts, light merino top, off-road runners, cap, gloves at the start to maintain body temperature until warmed up. Rolled sleeves up and down depending on heat during the scramble up. Started to cool off at the top but not too bad. Camel back: full water, 1 squeeze gel, 1 gel tube, 2 OSM, balaclava, UnderArmour tights, gloves, jacket, 2nd light merino top, over trou, emergency kit, cellphone (good cover at top and probably on most of the higher parts).

Body notes

Took an easy pace from the start and maintained it reasonably well, even at the end. Started getting pretty tired towards the top and needed a few pauses. Return trip down was fine though the short uphill at around 400m showed the stamina had dropped right off. The legs were pretty tired by the bottom but kept ticking over down the valley after a couple of minutes rest at the junction. Started to get a bit crampy and slow on the up hills along the Orongorongo track. Kept a reasonable pace through to the car park although not much to come and go on by the end and wouldn’t have been able to lift the pace at all.

Eating and drinking

Ate an OSM on the way to the top (starting around 650m) and finished a gel tube on the return: starting at the junction and finishing it at the halfway bridge – felt that it was very much needed. Drank about a litre and a half throughout; this wasn’t enough.

Felt knackered and old for the rest of the day and slept like a log that night (a log that wakes up and whimpers every time it rolls over).

Useful Information

Watch the opening and closing times on the park gates. DoC time estimate on the website is one day for fit trampers and on the park notice board is 10 hours.

Map:
http://www.topomap.co.nz/NZTopoMap?v=2&ll=-41.35186,175.014353&z=14

DoC track description:
http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/tracks-and-walks/wellington-kapiti/wellington/mt-matthews/

Geocache
http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?wp=GC1BKN4