This article was first published in the Tararua Tramper Volume 96, no 10, November 2024
Annual loop tramp, (Bells Track, Skyline, Johnston Hill, Karori Cemetery, Albemarle Bush Track, Trelissick Park and Heke Reserve) M
Wednesday 2 October 2024
Seven of us met at Ngaio Town Hall at 0800 and departed 15 minutes later for the Bells Track route to the Skyline. Once up there, a battering wind kept us company for the first 30 minutes or so - but at least it wasn't head on. We persevered for a couple of hours before halting for a morning tea break and to enjoy the beautiful harbour view in a sheltered spot just before reaching the Johnston Hill summit.
Then it was a quick 15 minute descent through the Johnston Hill pines to the Karori Cemetery via the Tangiwai memorial. We stopped there briefly while Pete found the names of the three Tararua members, among the many who lost their lives on Christmas Eve 1953. Once through the cemetery we ascended to Te Ahumairangi via the Albemarle Bush Track stopping for a leisurely lunch at the tables in the clearing above the Te Ahumairangi lookout. We crossed this summit and here we are on the other side, with a view of Wadestown and Wellington Harbour in the background.
While it may seem at this point that this tramp was all about the morning tea and lunch stops, that is far from the truth - because afternoon tea awaited at Justin's place (photo below).
We eventually left the erudite conversation, chuckles and Justin behind for the trek through Trelissick Park and Heke Reserve, arriving at the Ngaio Town Hall at about 1430.
Thanks to Justin, Marilyn, Glynn, Pete, Alistair & Mary.
- Party members
- Linda Beckett (leader amd scribe), Alistair Beckett, Mary Kane, Justin Kerr, Marilyn Richards, Peter Smith, Glynn Woodbury.