This article was first published in the Tararua Tramper Volume 94, no 4, May 2022
Join in the fun on Saturday trips M
Saturday 19 March 2022
I tried a bit of direct marketing for this Saturday trip to Mount Climie. Nothing fancy but in addition to the email group list, I did some shoulder tapping. This bore dividends and interested punters were queuing right up until Friday evening. We reshuffled carpools and congregated at the eiend of Plateau Rd at 9 a.m.
Wellington turned on a cracker for this late summer Climie expedition. Kobus arrived sockless but he lives in Upper Hutt so ducked home. Dave offered to wait at the car park for Kobus’ return to point him in the right direction.
Starting at the eastern end of Tane's track, we walked about three hundred metres before turning off at the big tree on the hairpin bend and followed the lightly blazed bush track upwards. Peter led the way, setting a perfect pace for our disparate group. The track was easy to follow and we made steady progress towards the summit ridge.
Most of us detoured to look at the Wairarapa tunnel monument – the outlet of a disused ventilation shaft, a few minutes north of where we met the ridge. We then travelled south, bouncing over bumps .614, .792, .857 and .828. Our guest botanist Chris drew our attention to the silver beech forest and tree ferns with skirts (whekī ponga).
Meanwhile, Dave had summited and was on his way down, impatient for his lunch. Phone calls and texts ensued. Eventually, we burst out of the bush and bumped into a picnicking cluster of women. They thought us a great spectacle and laughed at our wide variety of hats.
Dave had found a warm, sheltered picnic site and we had fun name-checking Tararua peaks between mouthfuls of sandwich. Kāpiti and Mana Islands and the South Island could also be seen. We summited and enjoyed the views over the tussock grasslands into the Southern Wairarapa before making our descent along the road.
There’s been a wide selection of Saturday trips this year, attracting good numbers. If you’re keen to join in the fun, check out the TTC website and get your name added to the Saturday trips email group (see Email Groups). If you’re interested in leading a trip, email Dave Reynolds to discuss. I’m looking forward to leading my next Saturday trip in May.
- Party members
- Peter Barber, Kobus Boshoff, Chris Close, Colin Cook, Theresa Davies, Ian Howat, Paul McCredie, Jo Newman, Bharat Pancha, Dave Reynolds, Sue Scott, Tim Stone, Sarah White (leader and scribe ).