down there we're going
Went to a place with the Lambda Tramping Club that I've never been to before near Castle Hill yesterday. In spite of the fact that I and hundreds of other people have driven past it many times, it is a secret, rarely visited little valley bypassed by Kiwis and tourists alike, most folk (including me) not even realising it's there , the view from the road giving no hint of its hidden wonders. But what a place! Magnificent limestone formations that more than rival those of Castle Hill itself, hidden caves, labyrinthine limestone gorges with clear deep pools and tumbling rapids; towering stony purple-topped mountains and crystal white 'badlands' formations that are still forming. We walked from Castle Hill Village itself down one small stream, connected with the Porter River, followed that downstream to the Broken River then upstream to the exit of Cave Stream where it emerges from the cave to intersect with Broken River. Then did the route through the Cave Stream cave for good measure. It was baking hot and clear-sky blue. A perfect day for a tramp where we spent as much time in the water as out of it!
down there we're going
Went to a place with the Lambda Tramping Club that I've never been to before near Castle Hill yesterday. In spite of the fact that I and hundreds of other people have driven past it many times, it is a secret, rarely visited little valley bypassed by Kiwis and tourists alike, most folk (including me) not even realising it's there , the view from the road giving no hint of its hidden wonders. But what a place! Magnificent limestone formations that more than rival those of Castle Hill itself, hidden caves, labyrinthine limestone gorges with clear deep pools and tumbling rapids; towering stony purple-topped mountains and crystal white 'badlands' formations that are still forming. We walked from Castle Hill Village itself down one small stream, connected with the Porter River, followed that downstream to the Broken River then upstream to the exit of Cave Stream where it emerges from the cave to intersect with Broken River. Then did the route through the Cave Stream cave for good measure. It was baking hot and clear-sky blue. A perfect day for a tramp where we spent as much time in the water as out of it!