2024-03-27 < Weekly activities > 2024-04-10
Activity summary: Wednesday 2024 Mar 27 to Tuesday 2024 Apr 02
Wednesday 3rd April
Lunch at Karori Park Cafe led by Carol Haigh. 5M
Last Wednesday Carole Haigh had five members on her lunch at Karori Park cafe. They had a lively stroll around the park and also a surprise visit from Celia O'Neil's granddaughter.
E tramp over Whitireia Park led by Hadley Bond. 6M
This trip was not as easy as we would have liked because of some strenuous scrub and weed bashing but nonetheless a worthwhile trip. The easiest part was in the area where a recent fire had dealt with the scrub and weeds.
M Paraparaumu Scenic Reserve led by Peggy Munn. 6M
The medium trip visited the Paraparaumu Scenic Reserve off Nikau Valley. None of the “guests” had been there before. The reserve is crisscrossed by trapping lines but no formal tracks. Descending off ridge lines is usually a steep, slidy experience. We started at the pylon road on the western edge of the reserve which had been recently cleared of gorse. After a careful descent into the main valley, we climbed up onto the main ridge which we followed through to the trig with a fantastic view of the Kapiti Coast. At point 316 we plunged down trapline D4a into the unknown but this turned out to be an excellent route into a side stream. After lunch we tackled the very steep climb back up to the main ridge and followed the known route back to the carpark. A rewarding 5 hour 10 minute day.
SF Scout Den-Tip Track-Sea to City-Highbury led by Joan Basher 9M
We were so keen and well-organised that we headed off a couple of minutes earlier than the 'official' start time for our long day. From the Karori Scout Den we climbed up to Wright Hill and its panoramic view over Wellington. The route continued alongside the Zealandia fence, to pick up our 10th member near the windmill. Then along the bush track to near Hawkins Hill and down the Tip Track. At Happy Valley Road we crossed over to the other side of the valley to climb up to the statue portraying Te Rauparaha, another splendid viewpoint. The City to Sea Walkway meandered us via grassy meadows and bushy tracks through Macalister Park and Prince of Wales Park, and into the wilds of Central Park. We headed over to Tanera Park for our afternoon tea around a big table in the community gardens. Partway along Mortimer Terrace we accessed bike tracks that zigzagged peacefully round the upper reaches of the Polhill valley to Zealandia. The route finished with a dive down into Kaiwharawhara Stream, and a final haul up the Fenceline on the other side to arrive back at the Scout Den. The whole day added up to about 900m elevation gain, 26.5 km and 8h 20m - satisfying statistics for a local trip.
Sunday
EM Crowther and the McKerrow track led by Elizabeth Bridge. 6M
This was a four hour walk in the Remutaka Forest Park. From Hine Road we climbed to Mt Crowther, on to the McKerrow Track then returned via the Whakanui Track. A beautiful calm, clear autumn day enjoyed by all participants.
Total numbers 32 members