2025-06-04 < Weekly activities > 2025-06-18
Activity summary: Wednesday 2025 June 11 to Tuesday 2025 June 17
Percy’s Reserve/Berhampore [Half] Circuit/Mount Cook to Cook Strait Circuit/Dobson Circuit/Silversky Track, Skyline Walkway/Old Ghost Road
Wednesday
E Trip ‘Percy’s Reserve’ led by Julia Fraser, Wed 11/6 7M
We met in Percy's Reserve car park on a damp morning. We had a chat about what we would do and set off for the waterfall track. Rain started to fall more heavily and by the time we got there the waterfall was spectacular!
As the rain was pretty heavy our next plan was to head to Benedict's cafe about a 45 minute walk away for a coffee break. Of course the rain eased off as we got there and we enjoyed a cosy time in front of a log fire! The rain started again as we walked back to the shelter where we enjoyed our lunch. We parted having enjoyed a very sociable morning and plenty of exercise for a very wet day. Elizabeth Bridge, David Campbell, Michele Dickson, Julia Fraser, Jean Morgan, Kerry Popplewell and Alison Stephenson.
EM Trip ‘Berhampore [Half] Circuit’ led by Lainey Cowan, Wed 11/6 3M/1NM
3 members and one guest 'trying us out' set off from Luxford Street Berhampore. We very quickly donned whatever rain proofers we had, as the first shower hit us past the Wharepouri St community garden on the way up to the City to Sea Walkway. We headed north, for the views - well that was my plan - to speak to the views of Berhampore's west and northern neighbours, the two green belts on either side of the suburb and our route for the morning, to Mt Albert. It was all a bit rushed as this was the most exposed part of the walk. Then the descent across McAllister Park, tip toe into and around Village in the Park (once Athletic Park), around Wakefield Hospital, all on Berhampore's northern borders, to turn south to pass Newtown Park, the zoo and then begin our ascent to Mt Albert. As we were making our way up, the sun came out and we stopped for morning tea at a seat on the top ridgeline, with fine views but not a trace of the Medium group we were expecting to see summiting Mt Albert ahead of us.
We descended on a cycle track from Southgate to Adelaide Rd then via tracks at the south end of Wakefield Park to the Home of Compassion. The cafe staff exclaimed at the second group of trampers to call in on such an unpromising day! It rained heavily and we all agreed to sprint back to our starting point along Adelaide Rd. (The two TTC members promise to complete the circuit when I offer a similar walk on 15 October!).
M Trip ‘Mount Cook to Cook Strait Circuit’ led by Rob Handyside, Wed 11/6 10M
Nine club members met at the entrance to Nairn Park, all suited up in wet weather gear and apprehensive about the few hours ahead. But the rain held off longer than we expected. We made good progress down the City to the Sea walkway and after about half an hour became aware that Christine had tracked us down. Now we were a group of 10. At about the time the rain started we were able to enter the Manawa Karioi Reserve where there was some degree of shelter and we spent a period exploring the well defined tracks that have been developed.
There was unanimous agreement we would hit the cafe at the Home of Compassion for morning tea. We received a very warm welcome there and prolonged the usual break time until we were satisfied we could head up Mount Albert during a fine spell. That worked! After Mount Albert, heading north on the Southern walkway, rain was threatening again.The trip leader was becoming concerned about a suitable lunch spot until Christine generously offered shelter at her Newtown home. That was just the ticket. Off came the boots and coats as we headed for Christine's kitchen. It was a bit challenging kitting up again and walking in the rain for an hour to get back to our starting point but we sure had some lucky breaks during the day.
We were sorry to miss the Easy Medium team heading in the opposite direction to us but the weather was a major factor in the day's decision making. Susan Guscott, Andy Leslie, Jim Gibbons, Carolyn Jenkins, Joan Basher, Ann Walker, Sue Scott, Christine Whiteford, Angela Vanderpoel, Rob Handyside.
SF Trip ‘Dobson Circuit’ to be led by Pip Newton, Wed 11/6
Cancelled due to inclement weather.
Weekend:
M+ Trip ‘Kapakapanui Circuit’ to be led by Mike Wespel-Rose, Sat 14/6
Cancelled due to stream conditions plus only 2 participants interested.
EM Trip ‘Silversky Track/Skyline Walkway’ led by Muriel Christianson, Sun 15/6 7M/1NM
This trip was a perfect example of the well known phrase “You can’t beat Wellington on a good day”. With a frosty start, clear skies and calm weather seven club members and one non club member set off from Ngaio Railway Station. We walked through the Heke Reserve to Silverstream Road to the commencement of the Silversky track, a gentle zigzag up to the Pylon Road leading to the Skyline Track. Morning tea was at the junction with the Skyline Track, where we enjoyed clear views over the Ohariu hills out to Makara and beyond to the South Island. We tramped up to the Kaukau transmission tower, then walked out to the Kaukau trig for lunch. The views were stunning over the hills and Tasman sea. Towards the south we could see the Seaward and Inland Kaikoura Ranges with their coatings of snow. After lunch we headed down a new zigzag path from Kaukau to re-join with the Skyline walkway, continuing to the top of Bells track. Towards the bottom of Bells Track we turned right along the Korimako Track, taking the turn off to Huntleigh Park Way and down through the Heke Reserve back to the Ngaio Railway Station. Just over 14 km, 550 metres of height gain, five and a half hours in the hills including breaks.
Multi Trips:
Trip ‘Old Ghost Road’ led by Janette Roberts, Sun 08/6 – Thurs 12/6 9M
The annual TTC Winter tramp was to the Old Ghost Road this year Nine members enjoyed panoramic views in perfect weather for three days then had views enhanced by rain and mist, with the promise of warm beds and lots of firewood at each day’s end for two more days. A great time was had by all.
Total 36 members and 2 non members