|
            
|
|
|
The Wednesday Bike’nHike took two members to the Pencarrow Lakes by bicycle, and then they hiked the new boardwalks at the lakes which extends the walks available, on a fine but windy day. The Medium Wednesday trip wandered up the Eastern Hutt river – 6 members, 1 non member The Waitangi Weekend brought fine weather to Wellington, but in the Ruahines it was most inclement. A group of ten members went over the tops from Sunrise, but came out on Monday because of the weather. On Saturday five members went in to Mitre Flats with the intention of coming out down the Waingawa River, but because it was higher and colder than expected, decided to return also by the Barra track, but all did take plunge for a very quick swim near the end of the bush track. Tararua Lodge trip: While advertised as "Climb Ngauruhoe, Tongariro" several members expressed a wish to climb Ruapehu to the Crater Lake. This is of great interest at the moment because of the possibility of dramatic change in the lake if the tephra dam at it's outlet bursts sending a lahar down the Whangehu river, as is predicted to happen in the near future. Given the weather report we decided to make this our 1st priority. Hence on Saturday a party of thirteen members climbed, on rock most of the way, to Dome Shelter via the normal climbing route adjacent Restful Ridge. The cloud gradually thickened as we climbed so that by the time we reached Dome Ridge visibility was limited to some 50 metres or so. However at the Shelter we were rewarded by a a fleeting view over the lake to the outlet. We descended by dropping to the head of the Whangaehu Glacier thence over the col and down the Whakapapaiti on snow and snow leads which took almost to the top of the National Downhill Ski tow. On Sunday not keen to join the madding crowds, now understood to be up to 8000 per week on the Tongariro Crossing, we set off to Tama Lakes by heading off track from Meads Wall at the Top of the Bruce to the Tama Lakes Waihohonu Track junction. Then up to the lakes and back along the track past Taranaki falls to Whakapapa village and by car back to the Iwikau village.. Cloud level was similar to the previous day but this time we were underneath it. Wheeling gulls from the colony on the Lower Tamar Lake, wonderful mist shrouded views to Ngauruhoe from the Upper Tama Lake and the smell of the bush past Taranaki Falls Monday made this day made this day memorable. Monday, Waitangi Day, was our only all track day (with car shuttle) with a visit to Whakapapaiti Hut , down the Whakapapaiti and back via Silica springs. The day was fine and hot and we were rather pleased we weren't staggering up to the crater in the heat. That evening Alan gave us a reading from some of his tramping poems. A most enjoyable trip with splendid company. 13 members 37 participants this week |