2025-02-26 < Weekly activities > 2025-03-12
Activity summary: Wednesday Mar 05 to Tuesday 2025 Mar 11
Wednesday March 5th
Lunch BYO picnic at Matiu/Somes Island led by Carol Haigh.
Bad weather cancelled this trip but things were learned. There is now a $6 charge for getting onto the Island and the ferry service wants a couple of days warning that a group will be going to Matiu/Somes Island.
E tramp Crows Nest, Skyline south led by Michele Dickson. 3M
Just three of us set out after a heavy shower, deciding to keep it short and low level. So Huntleigh Park Reserve, Korimako Track, filled our morning and with a quick lunch at Cummings Park a return to Crofton Downs via the bush track.
EM Four Wellington bumps, and three Wadestown treats led by Joan Basher. 7M
This tramp was on the Easy side of Easy Medium and included tramping over Otari, Te Ahumairangi, Wadestown, Trelissick Park. Seven 7 trampers made a circuit from Otari to Te Ahu Mairangi, then wending our way through suburban walkways to visit the Wadestown Trig, the O'Neill Marriage memorial, and the Oban St Letterbox Village. We dropped down Oban St to have lunch beside Kaiwharawhara Stream. Blasting cold southerlies made us decide to avoid going onto the tops as planned. Instead, we opted for a much gentler and shorter way home, via Trelissick Park tracks and along Churchill Drive. A very enjoyable 11 km, four-and-a-half-hour day.
M Pukeatua led by Marg Pearce. 17M
Marg’s introductory description of this tramp did not disappoint. It read –‘Welcome to a Tararua classic – the ‘mountain of god’. The Pukeatua route starts from the Mangaone South Road end and is part of Te Araroa. The first hour is through slash country but then we are in lovely bush. We climb to 812 metres and often get an extensive view of the main range for lunch; return by same route.
A merry group of 17, moved for 6.25 hours and enjoyed a total of 1.25 hours for breaks. Despite a good track, it was slippery in places from the heavy rain earlier, but with good boots and a pole that had been recommended, the one stream crossing left feet mostly dry. Autumnal weather prevailed with only a hint of residual precipitation and some wind on exposed patches at the top.
Highlights include typical lush Tararua bush with mature trees and dense ferns that morph into ‘goblin land’ nearing the 812-metre mark. On the way back, animal sounds off-track could be heard, indicating the presence of wild pigs. The only mar to vibrant conversations and silent appreciative travel experienced by others, was an unfortunate fall on the slippery clay surface by one of the party. Excellent assistance was given and the arm was well strapped up for the resilient and brave victim. Needless-to-say, a sombre tone prevailed as the group continued with extra vigilance. Marg’s leadership was impeccable and her home baking for morning tea equally as good.
SF Green Stream Spur led by Mike Wespel-Rose. 12M
There was a forecast for showers and strong winds but we went anyway. We walked into the Orongorongo River, down river a little, up Greens Stream for about 1 km. Then up the steep and interesting spur to point 768. North along the Remutaka Range to point 797 where we took the spur back to the river again and home. A not unstrenuous day. The weather was less poor than predicted. Some might say more interesting than the Tararuas for a day trip.
Saturday 8th
M tramp to Smiths Creek waterfall led by Sarah White. 6M
We bush bashed and scrambled from the kaitoke DoC car park to the lower Smiths Creek waterfall for morning tea. We then climbed up onto the main range and made it back to complete the trip in five hours.
Total 45 members