2024-12-18 < Weekly activities > 2025-01-15
Activity summary: Wednesday 2025 January 08 to Tuesday 2025 January 14
Zealandia/Turere Lodge/Plimmerton – Pukerua Bay Loop/Belmont Hills/Neill Winchcombe Crossing
Wednesday
E Trip ‘Zealandia’ led by Julia Fraser, Wed 08/01 6M
We had a good walk despite the almost constant fine rain. There were two Ramblers Margaret Foden and Peter Nixon then 4 of us Dianne Hill, Elizabeth Bridge, David Campbell and me. The Ramblers left after the dam and we took the Valley View track which curves around on the Eastern side of the valley. We came back to the lake path on the Union Mine track and saw the fenced off mouth of the mine. It was a nice wide track and we found a sheltered spot on a pine needle carpet for lunch. We had a visit from a robin and saw two Tuatara on the way out. We finished about 1.30 rather damp but quite happy.
EM Trip ‘Turere Lodge’, led by Mary Perkins, Wed 08/01 7M plus 3 NM
Seven members and 3 non-members braved the weather to go to Turere Lodge for lunch via Cattle Ridge. While there was some rain it was light and there was no wind, contrary to the weather forecast. We were lucky to gain entry to the Lodge where we had an excellent shared lunch, with the fire behind us. Six hours.
M Trip ‘Plimmerton/Pukerua Bay loop via coast’, led by Janet Dobbie, Wed 08/01
Cancelled due to weather conditions.
SF Trip ‘Belmont Hills’, led by Rob Handyside, Wed 08/01
Cancelled due to weather conditions
Overnight
MF Trip ‘Neill Winchcombe Crossing’, led by Lynne White, 8 - 9/01 4M
There were four club members on the Neill Winchcombe trip which was delayed by one day due to the weather. It was well worth the wait as we then had two fine days for the crossing, staying overnight at the new Winchcombe Biv where two of us slept whilst the other two camped. The route from Cone Saddle to the Biv had recently been re-cut and marked by Derek Field and his team which made it much easier (though not easy!) to follow. Our second day from Winchcombe Biv to Otaki Forks road end was over ten hours; we were very tired but the superb scenery and adventure on the way made it all worthwhile. We were extremely grateful to the people who provided transport at each end.
Total 17 members and 3 non members