2026-03-04 < Weekly activities > 2026-03-18
Activity summary: Wednesday 2026 Mar 11 to Tuesday 2026 Mar 17
Wednesday 11th March
Easy: Northland and Te Ahumairangi led by Michele Dickson. 6M
On a sunny, windless day, six members enjoyed a short wander through alleyways of Northland and Te Ahumairangi. Very gentle on the body, feet and mind with marvellous views.
Easy Medium: Wellington Peaks led by Andrew Leslie. 10M
A party of 10 left Waitangi Park, ascending Mt Victoria via Hay St. Views of a perfect Wellington Day from the top. The Matairangi Nature Trail slide was a popular means of descent. We picked up an 11thtramper as arranged on the summit of Mt Albert where we had morning tea; proceeding to conquer Mt Albert, and lunch in the shade overlooking the hockey stadium. Through Berhampore golf course where mushrooms were foraged, and up again to the pouwhenua/statue portrayal of Te Rauparaha on the City-to-Sea walkway. Catching buses from Happy Valley Rd to Brooklyn and Lambton Quay.
Medium: Mt Wainui led by Karen Vaughan. 8M
Mt Wainui on the Kapiti coast looms over motorists at the northern end of the Transmission Gully highway. It is temptation for many trampers, but at 722 metres above sea level, its isolated peak frequently attracts clouds. Eight members of the Club took their chance on Wednesday 11th. Setting off from Whareroa Farm Park carpark at 8:45am, we reached the peak in 3 hours via “The Rocks” and Old Mill Road. Lunch on the peak at the helicopter pad was accompanied by panoramic views of the Kapiti Coastline, the Southwest coast, the South Island, Mt Matthews and the Remutaka range, and the many undulating hills spread below us. It was hard to imagine a better day for this climb, and we spent nearly an hour on the top. We returned via the same route until Whareroa Park where we diverted onto the attractive Ramaroa valley route. The round trip took about 6hours and 45 minutes.
Medium Fit: McGregor Falls led by Lynne White. 4M
Four club members set off up Holdsworth Stream originally aiming to view McGregor Falls from the bottom. However, the trip leader was quickly informed that this was impossible as the stream sides get too steep to climb out of. Useful information! Consequently, we then followed a very nice terrace above the stream until that ran out and forced us to navigate upstream. We eventually climbed out and up through the bush towards the Falls. This part was very slow – Jenny navigated us across/through/under and over a mass of scrubby horopito until the Falls came in sight. At 121m they are very impressive. We then climbed up a spur, avoiding most of the leatherwood, to reach to track above Powell Hut. Then a quick descent to the carpark. Of course it didn’t take 10 hours – only 9¾!!
Sunday15th March
Easy Medium Youth: Gollans Stream led by Nikki Williams. 3M and 4NM
Three members (the adults) and four non-members (pre-teens/teens) had a lovely walk up the Ferry Road track in Days Bay, South along the main Eastern Hills track, before popping down a spur (near opposite to the Korimako track) into Gollans Stream. They followed the stream footpad to "Camp Fenrir" heading up a spur directly back to the main track. The purpose of the hike was to give the young ones experience of an "off track feel" walk. The young people aged 10 -17 years all did very well. Nikki had to hike fast to keep up with the 12 year old. The attendees were all locals in the end and were familiar with the terrain but we all none the less had fun on a stunning day.
Multiday trips March 7th -15th
Club Meet: Taranaki Maunga led by Peggy Munn. 25M
The 2026 club Meet was held at Konini Lodge on Taranaki Maunga from the 7th to the 15th of March. Twenty-five people attended. The weather was excellent for the first 5 tramping days. Six people completed the Pouakai circuit and an overnighter at Syme Hut was enjoyed. A variety of other walks left us very satisfied so when the weather on the mountain became wet and windy we ventured off to Lake Rotokare, Hollard Gardens and the Tawhiti Museum. There was much hilarity in the evenings and overall, the Meet was a great success.
Total 56 members and 4 non members