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Trip 017 - Leishman's Falls and Chalkies

 

DATE: December 10, 2022 (Saturday)
DEPART: Clubrooms, 9am
LEADER: Caitlin Roberston (027 489 1153)
TRIP GRADE: M (5-7 hours)

TAnother named waterfall in the Whare Flat area is Leishman’s Falls. Like Craiglowan Falls, these were known by Dunedin trampers before the club was formed in 1923. The first Otago Tramping Club trip to Leishman’s Falls was on October 7, 1923, two weeks after the first club visit to Craiglowan Falls.

The current named Chalkies were first referred to as ‘Chalky Cliffs’ in a trip programme from 1924. The Chalkies was a popular destination for the early club trips to the Whare Flat area. An overhanging rock was known as the Verandah, unfortunately this has recently collapsed.

Unlike the first club trip to Leishman’s Falls, which departed from the Halfway Bush sub-station, this trip will start tramping from Whare Flat. After visiting Leishman’s Falls a steep climb to the White Hill Cairn and Powder Hill for the views will be undertaken. To complete the loop, the return trip will be via the northern Chalkies Track, as used in earlier times as part of the OTMC Silver Peaks Marathon.