2023-10-11 < Weekly activities > 2023-10-25
Activity summary: Wednesday Oct 18 to Tuesday Oct 24
Karori Park, Johnston Hill/Lowry Bay, Gollans Top Forks,York Bay/Orongorongo River, The Peak/Polhill Reserve Loop/Mt Ruapehu
Wednesday
E Trip ‘Karori Park to Johnstone Hill’ led by Carol Haigh, Wed 18/10
A most enjoyable walk via the Skyline, with 7 members in beautiful weather. Trip commenced 10am and took 4 hours. Great views on a windless day.
M Trip ‘Lowry Bay, Gollans, Mahina Bay, York Bay’ led by Carolyn Jenkins, Wed 18/10
This was a repeat of the tramp that I lead in November last year. It was a beautiful day, with views of the snow covered Kaikouras and a calm harbour. The ground was a bit wet and slippery in places after all the rain. We started by climbing up the Francis Bell Track in Lowry Bay to the Main Ridge track. We visited Top Forks in Gollans Valley, went up to the Ridge, then down the Ferry Road track and circuited above Sunshine Bay. We went down the Mahina Bay, Dr William Bell track. Some of us chose the shorter route and continued on down the track to Mahina Bay. The others went off-track through the bush then came down the Kaitawa Track and followed the stream to York Bay. We all walked in the sunshine along the road beside the sea - back to the cars parked in Whiorau Reserve. Total trip time for 8 of us - 5 ¼ hours: for 12 of us - 6 ¼ hours 20 members: Alison Stephenson, Pete Smith, Linda Beckett, Alistair Beckett, Ann McIlroy, Angela Vanderpoel, Brian Hasell, Chris Ward, Jim Gibbons, Jane-Pyar Mautner, Terry Pinfold, Paul Bruce, Susan Guscott, John Allard, David Ogilvie, Christine Ben Lovim, Marilyn Richards, Sue Scott, Andie Leslie, Carolyn Jenkins.
MF Trip ‘Orongorongo River, The Peak’ led by Lynne White, Wed 18/10
Nine members had a varied day, starting at the Orongorongo river mouth, walking up river and then climbing a spur up to the ridgeline which we followed to The Peak and then back to Kotumu. Fabulous views of the Wairarapa coast, South Island and Wellington harbour on a sunny and relatively windless day. The tramp finishes by following a mainly grassy four wheel drive track back to the car par by Orongorongo station (farm, not railway!!) We all finished within 9 hours 5 minutes; five minutes longer than six years ago!
Weekend
M Trip ‘Polhill Reserve Loop’ led by Dave Reynolds, Sat 21/10
A successful trip to the Polhill Reserve Zealandia fence line, wind turbine area, in overcast but calm conditions enjoyed by 2 members.
Labour Weekend Trip to the TTC Lodge, Whakapapa, 21-23/10
12 members and 18 non-members had a weekend of fantastic weather at Mt Ruapehu. People were coming and going from the Lodge skiing the last weekend of the season, with wonderful runs down from the crater, climbing around the mountain, camping on the top and snow caving with the company of a mouse. An outdoor school group arrived and most decided to sleep under the stars outside the lodge. It was Ruapehu at its best. [Vivienne Radcliffe]
Total 50 members and 18 non members