Reg Wadley to Kia Ora hut

[Gulliver3]

We have pretty much covered the various sidetracks to the OLT and would like to access it from Reg Wadley. Have read various reports/notes from different sources and all seems pretty straight forward until the last section through Myrtle forest up to Kia Ora. Does anyone have access to a more concise set of track notes/WPT''S for this last section.
Phil

[tigercat]

There is a good account in John Chapman's book. It is reasonably well marked. As Chapman points out there are 2 river crossings which could be problematic when the rivers are high. I am told there is a safer crossing upstream when the slab crossing of Pinestone Creek is hazardous. The last section through the Myrtle is OK apart from the last 200m or so which can be bashed reasonably easily to the OLT, if you lose the pad. A wonderful walk, enjoy.>

[jdh573]

If this reply is not too late to be of any use then I can offer some information. We walked the Mersey Road to Lees to Kia Ora then Pellion and return. Very nice. The Reg Wadley to Kia Ora walk took us 8 hours (for 8km from memory) and this was longer than expected when one of the party took an unexpected swim in the second creek crossing. The track is relatively well marked most of the time. Stick to the Mersey River close at times since the scrub further in can be very think. The last section through the Myrtle is OK but the markings are not obvious. Someone has placed cairns at strategic intervals. The trick is determining what constitutes a cairn. If you pick the correct pile of rocks all the way you come out onto the plateau and the bog with a nice path leading to the OT. Have maps notes and WPT if required (PM so that we arent contravening the Forum rules). Yes a great walk and Lees Paddock Hut has to be the best appointed of huts.

[Gulliver3]

Thanks for the overview John, have picked up your PM.
phil