2024-03-13 < Weekly activities > 2024-03-27
Activity summary: Wednesday 2024 Mar 27 to Tuesday 2024 Apr 02
Eastern Walkway, Bothamley Park, Whitby and Conclusion Walkways, Mt kaukau, Otari/Wilton’s Bush, Kiriwhakapapa, Blue Range Hut, Mt Wainui, Whareroa Car park, Field Hut, Butcher and Cattle Ridge tracks.
Wednesday 20th March
E tramp Eastern Walkway led by Jean Morgan 5M
We went along the Eastern Walkway from Strathmore to Fort Dorset in Seatoun. Five members, all who had done the trip previously in atrocious weather, enjoyed a pleasant sunny day with stunning views.
EM tramp including Bothamley Park, Whitby and Conclusion Walkways led by Linda Beckett. 7M
The circular walk, including the Fairy and Central Paths in Bothamley park, up to and across Ascot Park, continuing along the Whitby Walkway to Spinnaker Summit. Returning via Ascot Park to Conclusion Walkway for lunch at the summit then returning to the cars. The pleasure of it: Beaut windless day Beautiful views over Whitby, Pauatahanui, Cambourne and the West Coast. Birdsong and bush. A lovely group to be with.
M tramp from Mt kaukau to Otari/Wilton’s Bush and back led by Ann Walker 3M
Three members walked the Skyline from Khandallah’s Mt Kaukau Simla Crescent entrance, dropping down to Otari –Wilton’s Bush picnic area for lunch, and then up again to the Skyline via the Flax Clearing track back to the summit and down to the car. About 7 hours. Perfect weather and wonderful company. Pete Smith, Paul Bruce and Ann Walker [leader]
SF trip Lyall Bay to Moa Point led by Mary Kane. 8M
On the first stage of the trip 8 of us explored hill tracks above Taputeranga Marine Reserve and Mount Albert and enjoyed the splendid harbour, coastal and ocean views these offer. We then drove cars to Moa Point, climbed steps behind the airport and descended through sandy hills to Ataturk Memorial. We continued along the Eastern walkway to the Pass of Branda, lunched at Breaker Bay and returned along the south coast. A splendid day enjoyed by all.
MF tramp from Kiriwhakapapa, to Blue Range Hut led by Jenny Mason 5M
Five of us made the long drive to Kiriwhakapapa on a chilly morning. We followed the Blue Range track for a while until it started to climb and then found a tramway remnant heading upstream. We lost that at a creek crossing, but it was easy enough to sidle upstream anyway. Further on we found a spectacular grove of rimu and after that we followed the creek bed which had mossy boulders and a pretty waterfall. We climbed onto Blue Range up a spur steep enough to stop conversation, so we noticed how quiet the bush was without the usual Tararua wind. On top of Blue Range it was chilly and after a quick lunch we headed south along the range top. There were lots of nice mushrooms. When we popped out on the Blue Range hut helipad we decided that continuing on to Te Mara and the spur beyond would mean a very late return to Wellington, so we went to the hut for afternoon tea and then down the track back to the cars. It’s a great area for off – track trips and a shame that it’s so far from home.
Informal Trip (IT) to Mt Wainui from Whareroa Car park taken by Colin Cook and Bill Allcock 2M
We were inspired by February’s Mt Wainui trip led by Robyn Chesterfield and decided to do the trip in reverse - with slight amendments. We accessed the Whakatiki River headwater ridge via Whareroa farm and went down Hydro Valley, via Whakatiki Wetlands and point 299, via lesser used logging roads. Not far south of point 299 we headed for an obscure spur that took us in a south of east direction to point 650 - at the southern end of the Wainui ridge. We summited Wainui about 3pm and had unobstructed vistas of the entire Remutaka Range; the Kaikoura peaks; the islands of the Sounds; and north over Kapiti. A comfortable plod back to the car to complete an enjoyable 9 hour day.
Weekend
Work Party to Field Hut led by Franz Hubmann 4M
Franz Hubmann, Paul McCredie, Diana Munster and Mark Edwards had a very successful work party this weekend. Finished painting outside walls and nearly finished painting the downstairs inside walls.
Sunday
EM tramp up Butcher and along Cattle Ridge tracks led by Liz Martin 4M
Four Club members had an excellent trip today completing the Butcher/Cattle Ridge loop in the Remutaka Forest Park. The day began with light rain and mist, but sunshine gradually appeared. An area above the Cattle Ridge track has been completely cleared and they wondered what plans were afoot. They enjoyed seeing both climbing rata and earina autumnalis (ruapeka) in bloom further along the track.
Total 38 Members