2013-12-10 < Weekly activities > 2014-01-15
Tramping Reports Wednesday 2013 Jan 8 to Tuesday 2013 Jan 14
Wednesday 18 December
Justin Kerr M, 10 members: a circular walk from the Tunnel Gully reserve to Climie. up a spur to the north of Climie to bump 614 and along the ridge to the south. Overcast with little wind so ideal for walking and the bush was great with beautiful moss growth around the 857 point which is shrouded in mist many days of the year (it looked as if the trees had been subject to wild topiary shaping). The return was down the 4WD track until they got back into the bush and headed down to Tane's track. 6 hours.
David Ogilvie 6 members. They climbed up the Butcher Track, dropped off into the Ōrongorongo River, and walked down to Peak Stream. We followed this up to the second main forks (400 m asl), scrambling over rocks and through buddleia. After lunch we pushed though kiekie and scrub, climbing about 150 m before sidling around to the spur that meets the river just upstream of Matai Stream and the Baker 4WD track, then back to the Catchpool. About an 9.5 h day.
Sunday 22 December
Michelle Dickson Terawhiti Station, Ohua and Te Ika a Maru Bays. EM 22 members Fine day; Good circuit from Main entrance on South Makara Rd. Mostly farm tracks and some farmland off-track.
Xmas trips
Lyn Taylor Rees Dart EM 5 members 1 non-member. Great weather until last 2 days coming down Dart. The 25 mile creek was benign, the Rees saddle and alpine plants stunning. The weather also allowed us to have a side trip to the Dart Glacier – the Cascade saddle was a step too far. Our last day, Friday 3 Jan, and the track was flooded before reaching Sandy Bluff, wading was the only way unless a bush bash to avoid this section – we waded. Transport was keen to leave ahead of schedule as the creeks were filling rapidly and DOC advised no more trampers to be dropped off. The slip on the opposite bank was pouring water and debris, the river was a raging grey torrent, trees already deep in water. ... (The Monday 6th News (not surprisingly) reported that on Saturday the Dart river was blocked at Sandy Bluff, about 10km above Chinaman's Bluff with extensive flooding at Dredge Flat, upstream of the slip. Trampers had to detour 2km through forest around flooded parts of the track.) So, it was good to be out and dry and the locator beacon returned unused. A great trip and pleased to have done it before a new track is made down the Dart!
Hugh Barr 4 members had a lot of rain in Kahurangi National Park. They spent 2 nights at Boulder Lake in rain, then walked in the rain to Adelaide Tarn. The forecast being dismal, they decided to go out down the Anatoki River rather than up to Lonely Lake. They stayed two nights at Anatoki Forks Hut because of the rain, and got hot showers thanks to the wetback stove. On out via the pack track. The track is badly damaged in the farmland section near the end, due to successive floods.
Anne Dowden and Nick Crang had a Family Greenstone Caples trip scheduled, but it didn't run due to WX and lack of support.
Peter Barber and Mary Kane 4 trampers, all members, spent 6 1/2 days visiting Waihohonu, Rangipo, Mangaehuehu, Blythe, Mangaturuturu, and Whakapapaiti Huts. Mixed weather ranging from torrential squalls to blistering sun. They experienced a wide range of terrain including the Rangipo desert, high tussock-land and rain forest. The track was well-marked, The huts were great, and they met interesting fellow trampers from different parts of the world. 2 (Tim Stone and Alan Wright) then re-supplied and did the Tongariro Northern Circuit, 3 days clockwise camping all the way. Good wx.
Wednesday 8 Jan:
Bill Stephenson McKerrow Whakanui, M, 14 members. They took the 1960s McKerrow route to the ridge. It is not so obvious these days. Lunch was very close to McKerrow. From the Turere bridge they took the Turere spur to join the Whakanui track. Lots of traffic these days makes the spur easy to follow. Total time was 9 hours.
Peter Reimann Walls, Makaka Creek, Cone (F) 7 members. Weather: mixed wind/sun/occasional light showers. No mist on Cone Ridge. Route: Makaka Ck too full, so their ascent was in the bush. The spur up to Cone Ridge was a delight, as was the approach over 386. Time: 8.75 hours. Climb: about 1,600 m. Distance: 16 km.
Barbara Ogilvie 6 members, one non-member. They had a pleasant climb through Huntleigh Park bush and up on to the Crows Nest. A fierce NW wind across the ridge made it unpleasant for the North Queensland visitor who opted out at Bells Track; thanks to Lois for volunteering to accompany her back to Ngaio. The rest continued on, over Kaukau and along to Johnsonville.
Sunday:
Bill Stephenson led an EM walk Leighton's Gully - Parkway - Konini Firebreak with 6 members and 1 non-member. They walked for 5 1/2 hours, Mawson Catchment track - Old farm track - Griffins Ridge track - Leighton's Gully link track - Leighton's Gully track - Towai Traverse - Spoonhill track - Parkway Drive - Konini firebreak - Towai Trig - Konini saddle track - Ngapunga track - Haywards track - Mawson St.
Total ## members and ## non members