This article was published in Tararua Tramper October 2025
Petone - Belmont trig. Reflections of a new trip leader
Wednesday 20 August
Decision points for this new trip leader included a complete change of route, whether the weather warranted cancellation, and the actual trip length on a wild Welly day.
Originally the trip was slated as Eastbourne Bus Barns via Mt Hawtrey to Days Bay - a nice Easy-Medium for my first foray. However, best laid plans … On the Thursday prior, an Eastbourne buddy mentioned that deer culling was underway in East Harbour Park. On ringing the Ranger I discovered the Hawtrey route was a no-go during the week. After mulling it over with advice from Joan, our ineffable Coordinator, I decided the Belmont Trig loop from Petone would be a suitable replacement for a first-timer.
Wednesday dawned a showery, windy southerly and only five people had registered their interest! Hmm … I dithered a bit. Then I saw a patch of blue sky from the breakfast table and decided to go with a shortened trip. We were the only three members who went on a Wednesday tramp that day! Starting from Cornish Street we wound our way up the windy gorge. As we stopped for morning coffee at Korokoro Dam the heavens opened and we agreed discretion was the better part of valour and returned to our dry cars fortified by Louise cake. Despite the wet parkas we did have fun and I’m happy to have been offered the opportunity of a reprise in early September. (P H-M)
Penny Hoy-Mack (leader), Muriel Christianson, Chris Ward Photo caption: Penny, Chris and Muriel contemplating morning tea.