2023-11-22 < Weekly activities > 2023-12-06
Activity summary: Wednesday Nov 29 to Tuesday Dec 05
Lees Grove to Lowry/Mt Kaukau, Spicer Forest, Colonial Knob/Mt Holdsworth/Kaimanawa Forest Park/Waerenga, Mt Matthews
Wednesday
E Trip ‘Lees Grove to Lowry’, led by Julia Fraser, Wed 29/11
Nine from TTC enjoyed this attractive bush circuit at the start of the Lees Grove track. It was quite a steep climb to Lowry and on to the bench at the view point for morning tea, after which the group went back down to the Rata Ridge track, had lunch en route and soon arrived at Fern Gully track and back to the cars. 4 hours. A very pleasant day with quite a bit of botanising and bird listening.
M Trip ‘Mt Kaukau, Skyline’ led by Diane Morgan & Ann Walker, Wed 29/11
Our happy team of 6 members headed up Mt Kaukau almost to the summit, when due to severe winds and rain it was decided to abort any efforts to walk the Skyline this time, and take up Plan B to head across Kaukau on a lower track, on to the Old Coach Road and Ohariu Valley Road, reaching Spicer Forest and part of the Te Araroa path. We enjoyed lunch in sunshine and calm conditions on the edge of the forest, before 2 members left the group, while the remaining 4 continued up and down Colonial Knob, descending to the Elsdon car park, and taking a train back to the city. Total trip for the 4 members was 26 kms, 7 ½ hours.
SF Trip ‘Mt Holdsworth’ led by Joan Basher, Wed 29/11
Four of us set out from Holdsworth Lodge in low, damp cloud, hoping for better weather as the day progressed. The coolish temperatures made it easier to plod up Gentle Annie, enjoying the steady grade and lovely bush even though there were no views except mist. After morning tea at Mountain House, we slogged up those long flights of steep stairs that trampers have cursed for years. But we noted with appreciation that a lot of work has been done to build in additional wooden steps at the bottom of many flights where the track had been eroded away. Thanks, DOC! Lunch at Powell Hut refuelled our legs for the final 250 climb to Holdsworth, still shrouded in mist. Instead of wide views, we enjoyed the close-ups of grasses, eidelweiss and other tiny alpine treasures. There was virtually no wind, a treat in itself!
Back down again to Powell Hut and Mountain House. Shortly after the Totara Creek junction we turned off onto the old Holdsworth track climbing gently to point 801. We then used the little-known Murrays Track to get back down to the Atiwhakatu. Our day ended with a 50 minute stroll back along the river to Holdsworth Lodge. The total climb was about 1250m during our 8h30 tramp.
MF Trip ‘Jumbo Holdsworth Route’, led by Mike Wespel-Rose, Wed 29/11
Three of us left Lower Hutt at 6.15am on a forecast for improving weather. Departed Holdsworth car park 8am and had morning tea at Atiwhakatu Hut. On climb to Jumbo we entered the mist and intermittent rain zone – had lunch at Jumbo Hut, and then on to Jumbo, followed by the traverse to Holdsworth, down down…muddy saddle, then up up …to East Holdsworth and Holdsworth. No views due to mist but the flowers were lovely in the dampness. Thought we might have caught the SF group but they were an hour ahead. A little break at Powell then out by 6pm. 10 hour day, but less than 9 walking hours. Average speed on good part of track from Rocky Lookout was 6kms/hr. A very satisfying and atmospheric day because of the weather.
Multi Trip:
M Trip ‘Urchin to Umukarikari’ led by Peggy Munn, Mon 27/11 –Thurs 30/11
Three members camped at the Urchin campsite in the Kaimanawa Forest Park in preparation for a long day along the tops. The weather was perfect with fantastic views over to Ruapehu and across to Lake Taupo. The track was in excellent condition and we made good progress towards Umukarikari. Here we decided to turn down to the Umukarikari road end instead on continuing to Waipakihi Hut as one party member was struggling with a very heavy pack. Instead we camped at the Waikoko Campsite and 2 very kind Germans drove Chris back to Urchin to pick up the van. Although we were unable to complete the planned trip, we had been lucky to enjoy a fabulous day on the tops.
Weekend
‘Waerenga/Ascent of Mt Matthews’ led by Leonore Hoke Fri 1/12 – Sun 3/12
The Mt Matthews trip was a success! I pledged to make this a regular yearly trip early December! It will not get easier with age! Five of us walked to Waerenga Hut on the Friday evening, and we seemed to be the only ones in the valley, the Orongorongo easy to cross. After shared nibbles everyone got on with their own dinner and we fell asleep with the sound of rurus. Saturday the weather looked good and all of us set off at 8am, reaching the DOC sign at the beginning of the climb, upstream from Matthews Stream, after one and a half hours. The sign gave 3 ½ hours to reach the top. Two of our group returned soon after and walked out back to the car, while the rest of us, Diane Morgen, Elizabeth Bridge and myself climbed up, gaining height quickly. Just below the junction to South Saddle we met two runners returning from the top, who had started at 7am from the car park!! Impressive effort! We took it easy and enjoyed the views down to Mukamuka, Orongorongo and across the Hutt Valley! The goblin forest near the top was wet, and some of the steepest and muddiest sections were just below the top at 941m. We had lunch near the peak enjoying views across Palliser Bay, with Lake Ferry and Lake Onoke spread out below us. The sea reflected all sorts of colours ranging from turquois to black and we could not figure out what caused this colour pallet. We decided to descend the same route we have come up, which took us almost as long. Safety was our priority and there was no need to rush, with long daylight hours. At 7pm we were back at Waeranga and after 11 hours felt that we had a great day and a good and thorough body work out. Nibbles on the deck, serenaded by bird chorus, dinner, a bit of stretching and a well-earned sleep concluded the day. The next morning, we woke to rain and after breakfast and a tidy up of the hut, walked out.
Total 30 members and 0 non members