2005-11-23

Tramping Reports – Wednesday 2005-11-23 to Tuesday 2005-11-29

Wednesday Easy trip went from Burrows Avenue, Karori, up Wrights Hill and down around the Sanctuary fence line. 10 members

On Saturday four members went from the Holdsworth Lookout to the Gentle Annie Saddle, then on to Carrington Ridge and back down the old Gentle Annie and Donnellys Flats track. A Kaka made a low pass at lunchtime on the Saddle.

The Sunday trip had some rain, which was taken in good cheer. Eight members went from the Rimutaka Summit tearooms down to the twin bridges, with lunch on top.

Eight families camped at Morisons Bush in rather erratic weather. No ambitious activities were planned, but lots of cricket and volleyball was enjoyed, and a fire and BBQ, and some members cycled back across the Rimutaka Incline. 24 members, 10 non members.

The Alpine trip to Taranaki had a climb and descent of the peak, in 30 metre visibility and strong winds. Came down via the Pouakai route. They met Hugh Logan as they were leaving Symes Hut. One member, one non-member.

The Medium Taranaki trip had four members. They took the high level route from Dawson Falls to Waiaua Gorge Hut. The weather was cold on the tops.

And the Easy/Medium Taranaki trip was six strong. They also provided pickups for the other groups at the end of their trips.

The Aborta Contorta was a really successful weekend, with a very long day on Saturday at a high altitude, and a shorter day on Sunday lower down in the tussock, as the weather was even more foul on Sunday!!! The weather was just ghastly, with very cold winds, but luckily only a few showers of rain and sleet, and then snow on Saturday night where we had pulled trees! We joined with Toi Toi Trekkers TC of Auckland (they had 5 people, but they are a small club of 16 members!) One of the Toi Toi TC members did the awesome dinner for all of us

It was great this year to have two people who used to come regularly and had not been for a few years, and we were treated to Michael Taylor's cheesecake for dessert! Camping out was not exactly enticing, but we were all cosily warm in our tents and DoC now provide a gas heater to sit round (pity we don't have a fire any more!).

Special thanks to all who worked so hard and to John, Peter & Jenny Gates for the use of their comfortable house for Friday night. 11 members, 2 non-members.

A total of 81 people enjoyed trips with the Club over the past week.