This article was first published in Tararua Tramper July 2025
Mount Cook to Cook Strait circuit
M – Wednesday 11 June
Nine club members met at the entrance to Nairn Park, all suited up in wet weather gear and apprehensive about the few hours ahead. But the rain held off longer than we expected. We made good progress down the City to Sea walkway and after about half an hour became aware that Christine had tracked us down. Now we were a group of 10. At about the time the rain started we were able to enter the Manawa Karioi Reserve where there was some degree of shelter and we spent a period exploring the well-defined tracks that have been developed.
There was unanimous agreement we would hit the cafe at Home of Compassion for morning tea. We received a very warm welcome there and prolonged the usual break time until we were satisfied we could head up Mount Albert during a fine spell. That worked!
After Mount Albert, heading north on the Southern Walkway, rain was threatening again. The trip leader was becoming concerned about a suitable lunch spot until Christine generously offered shelter at her Newtown home. That was just the ticket. Off came the boots and coats as we headed for Christine's kitchen.
It was a bit challenging kitting up again and walking in the rain for an hour to get back to our starting point but we sure had some lucky breaks during the day.
We were sorry to miss the Easy Medium team heading in the opposite direction to us, but the weather was a major factor in the day's decision making.
Rob Handyside (leader and scribe), Joan Basher, Jim Gibbons, Susan Guscott, Carolyn Jenkins, Andy Leslie, Sue Scott, Angela Vanderpoel, Ann Walker, Christine Whiteford