2025-08-06 < Weekly activities > 2025-08-20
Activity summary: Wednesday 2025 08 13 to Tuesday 2025 08 19
Wednesday
Easy: Eastern Walkway
We know 4 club members participated on a cool but sunny day. No trip report available at this stage
Easy Medium: From the sea to Newlands and Grenada Village
8 members assembled at ‘Kitchen Things’ in Glover S,t Ngauranga and headed up the Wakely Shared Path past Lyndfield Park, on around streets to Brandon’s Rock Walkway where we stopped at the Omega trig at 873 ft for morning tea, photos and a gorgeous views. From there we made our way via Te Ara Paparangikite Te Tonga trail, Gilberd Bush Reserve, Te Ara Paprangi walkway to Waihinahina Reserve for lunch. Then up and over to Seton Nossiter Park entrance and down through the Park to a Grenada Village bus stop where we caught the bus back to Ngauranga. 4 3/4 hours, nearly 13 kilometers, and plenty of elevation!
Medium 13 members: Karapoti Challenge Route in Perfect Conditions
This week’s tramp took us deep into the south-western Akatarawa Forest, following much of the Karapoti Challenge (not the much longer, legendary Classic route) mountain bike route. Fourteen of us met at the Karapoti Carpark and set off through the beautiful Karapoti Gorge, the Akatarawa River rushing alongside. A week of cold southerlies had given way to a perfect, mild day—ideal tramping weather—and the group’s spirits were high from the start.
After crossing the stream at the gorge entrance (wet feet for some), we reached McGhie’s Bridge, where the track edges past forestry research plots that have long been part of the area’s working forest. Karapoti’s history is tied closely to both forestry and recreation—early logging tracks and 4WD roads later becoming the backbone of the famous mountain bike challenge, first run in 1986.
From the bridge, we followed McGhies Road to the Valley View/Woolshed junction, starting an 8km loop. Valley View Road gave us a solid 400 m climb, rewarded by sunfilled open sections along Airstrip Road (which featured fantastic vistas of snow-capped Remutaka peaks) and a long, quicker descent down Woolshed Road. The excellent 4WD surfaces and the group’s fitness meant we covered the 20.55 km route in impressively quick time - well ahead of the anticipated time to complete.
The day wasn’t without its drama—midway through, one tramper’s boot lost its sole, prompting an impromptu “boot first aid” operation. The repair involved a generous wrap of bright red tape, which held firm for the rest of the trip and added a splash of colour to our photos.
Returning through the gorge in the mid-afternoon light, we passed small waterfalls and stands of lush native bush. The combination of history, scenery, camaraderie, and ideal conditions made this a particularly memorable outing.
Trampers Linda Beckett, Karen Vaughan, Marg Pearce, Peter Morten, David McNab, Rachael Fry, Joan Basher, Angela Vanderpoel, Robin Chesterfield, Andy Leslie, Sieny Pollard, Paul Baker, Helena Weller-Chew
Medium/Slow Fit : City to Sea Loop 4 Members
We left the railway station and walked along the water front to the end of Oriental parade to the start of the Southern walkway. Which we followed up to Mount Vic and along the ridge to Houghton Bay. At Melrose Park a friendly local pointed out troop of ring-tailed lemurs in the zoo enclosure below the park. Lunch was at Houghton Bay. After which we walked along the coast to Island Bay and then up to Oku reserve to follow the City To Sea walkway to Kelburn cable car terminus. Track above Rugby League Park partially blocked by felled pine trees.
Slow Fit: Taratahi (Mount Holdsworth) in the snow
7 of us had a great day on Taratahi. No wind. Lots of new snow. Good views at times. This trip in the snow is always fresh, interesting and beautiful. 9.5 hours all inclusive.
Weekend: Snow Skills Training
A team of eight AIC students and four instructors were based at the Ruapehu lodge for the weekend. Saturday was spent learning the basics of moving on snow, playing with tools and self-arresting. Sunday was a bit snowy, but the team wandered up Broken Leg Gully, putting their new skills into practice and engaging in a large-scale snowball fight.
The lodge fridge died recently, and WHL had helicoptered a new one up for us at a very reasonable rate. The new fridge is now installed and operational. WHL even carried the old fridge back down to the parking lot. Unfortunately, it didn’t fit in the back of the van. However, Lana and her father came to the rescue and managed to get it on their roof rack and deposited at the Waimarino transfer station. A huge thanks to the students for their enthusiasm, the instructors for sharing their knowledge and to the lodge committee, WHL and the Cleverleys for getting the fridge replaced and cleaned up.
Sunday
Tramping
Total 37 members and ## non members