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Recent Club Trip ReportsTrip Reports
Only two takers today to check out the snow levels of the Mangorei Track and beyond. We reached the hut after 1½ hours then headed over to Henry Peak. Mike and I were impressed that Derek stuck to his word and counted off 847 steps to the top. A well-deserved snack to enjoy the views across the swamp to the coast only. We retraced our steps to the hut for lunch where two Aucklanders arrived complaining of always being on Mt Egmont in ‘questionable’ weather. We suggested they head up to the trig to fill in their afternoon. Of course they may have just snoozed, we don’t know.
Another 1½ hours down the track where we had light drizzle from about half way. Two stoats and four rates noted in the boxes on our travels but alas none of us had a screwdriver in our packs - we were prepared for the cold but not pests. Thanks Mike and Derek for your company on this cold day warmed up by your company. Stony River to Kahui Hut. Sun 21st August. When we all turned up at Brooklands Road the day was lovely and fine with the promise of a great days tramping ahead. From there on things went downhill. By the time we parked the cars at the road end the clouds had taken over. At the turn-off down to the Stony the 2nd Karen decided they would continue up the Puniho and wait for us at the R.M.T intersection. Those disappointed on the day included Christine Fiegler, Karen Griffiths, Laura Rayner and Antonia Baylis. - Kevin and Karen Curd. 15 members started from Brooklands Road on a Sunday morning. After planting Ian’s trustworthy yellow van at the end of Davies Track on Surrey Hill Road, we all met at Lucy’s Gully and proceeded up the Sefton Track to arrive at Frank’s Café for morning tea at 10.30am. We then climbed up to Patuha Trig for lunch, arriving at 12.15pm. The weather was quite grey and misty, and the track muddy and slippery which slowed us down somewhat. Even though this was quite a long tramp, we all eventually arrived back at Surrey Hill Road to be transported back to Lucy’s Gully to pick up our cars. I would like to thank the men in our group for helping the slower members over the slippery bits. - Thelma White. I was fortunate to have both Derek Andrews and Hugh Alexander join in on this tramp as I had never come down the Kiri before. Joining us for their first tramp were Ross and Anne Fraser, with Allison Wilkins making up the 6 person team. The tramp up the Dover is always quite demanding so it was disappointing that the effort was not rewarded with great views. When we stopped for morning tea, cloud and mist prevailed. We carried on to the trig for lunch, getting occasional glimpses of the various peaks. The Kiri is now becoming quite overgrown and we made slow progress, with most of us making several heavy landings on the buttocks. We climbed Kiri Peak, “the 50th peak so far” according to Ross who outscored all the rest with the time spent on his bum. Derek showed us the large crater left at the peak, apparently caused by lightening. After spending a brief moment with “Kiri Man” (he really is showing his years) we dropped down to the Kiri Stream. On the climb to the Plymouth Track Allison decided to go on ahead as she was getting cool. Derek warned her to stop if she couldn’t see the markers and wait for the others. Allison kept finding markers but did not notice the intersection for the Plymouth and continued up towards the Mangorei Track instead of heading back down. We were unaware of this until, when walking down the road to the cars, the police called me on my cell phone. They told us not to return for her but to go into the station with information on her location. Allison on realising her dilemma had contacted them. She had all the required gear with her and did all the right things from then on. This tramp was listed as a moderate but in the future I would rate it as a hard. Ross and Anne on their first club tramp acquitted themselves well. Apart from the mishap, this tough tramp was very enjoyable. One last comment; “ALWAYS STICK TOGETHER”. -Kevin Curd. Wednesday dawned with no likelihood of rain, so at 8.30 twenty-one enthusiastic trampers left Brooklands Rd for the drive up to Maude Rd. Conditions underfoot were ideal and we made good time to the Falls after a brief morning tea stop. Most of us made our way down to the Falls and the decision was made to make our way back to the park boundary to have our lunch. We were back in town with plenty of afternoon left for gardening. Starting from the Kohi saddle, the party of six NPTC members and 11 Stratford Tramping Club members made their way along the Matemateaonga Walkway as far as the Omaru Hut where we stopped briefly for morning tea. A good tramp mostly downhill which must always be a plus! My companions from the NPTC included John Depree, Fay Edwards, Robin Bridger, Thelma White, and Megan Humphrey. 10 Members ventured forth for this tramp. A short car shuttle meant a slightly later start but as it was such a lovely sunny day there was no great rush. We took our time climbing up through the bush to Mt Messenger Trig where we had morning tea. We then followed the ridge out to the pipeline. We stopped for lunch just before the turnoff where we had a good view up the coast towards Tongaporutu. We followed the pipeline down the hill to the Hunters’ Hut, and then gradually made our way back up to the top of the hill. Everyone was pleased to have a nice easy walk back downhill on the farm track to where the car was parked to shuttle the driver back to pick up the other vehicle at the Mt Messenger Car Park. Many thanks to the drivers for the car shuttle we all really appreciated your help. Those who ventured out today included Sue Birdling, Christine Feigler, John Richardson, Geoff Smale, Claire Chamberlain, Lynne Mills, Dave Stewart, and Warren Cottam. - Isabel Walter. Goat Rock from Wairau Road end. Sat 1st October. Hugh, Coraleen, June, Lester, and I toddled off to see if the goats were really standing on the rock. Fine weather gave us the incentive to march along at a steady pace and we found that it is a really good track now that it is remarked with bright orange paint. Hugh thought his beard would change colour and that he might not be recognised due to the spray that seemed to glide towards him. At the top we pulled ourselves up through the flax to see the view and it was great. We returned down a little way to stop for lunch among the trees and then headed back down to the car. A good tramp for the three of us who had not been there before. A big thank-you to Derek and Hugh who helped with the recce and did a lot of clearing work so that we could get up to the top without any trouble along the way, and to my contact Janet Durdle. -Kay Hall. Cape Egmont Walk. Wed 5th October. There's something quite satisfying about doing a tramp in an area you know well. My grandparents were among the first settlers in the Warea - Pungarehu area and my Primary School years were spent at Pungarehu School. Lois and I have led a couple of tramps along the coast and each time we learn something new. Our thanks go to Margaret Butterworth for giving us interesting historical information about the district. Also to Ron Thompson for welcoming us to the Cape Egmont Boat Club where we saw over the Boat Club, and the Replica Cape Egmont Lighthouse. Both contain excellent displays of historical photographs and information. We also checked out the new recently acquired Rescue Boat. Lois and I were able to share our knowledge of the history of the area - the Wareware (Three Hills) ambush in 1856 where Captain Mace earned his NZ Cross for bravery, the Tarakihi fortified pa site, the Riemenschneider Mission Station site, and the coast site where the ‘Calm’ went aground in 1956. We made it quite comfortably to the wonderful old lighthouse which has stood guard at Cape Egmont since 1881. Paora Road (Puniho) to Cape Road is quite a tramp with a few streams to cross. The weather forecast wasn't good but there was no rain and apart from the expected wind conditions was OK. Thirty three of us enjoyed the day. My thanks to the car drivers for the extra distance they travelled because of the shuttle required and to Elwyn for being our contact. Thanks also to Lois Scott for being my Assistant Leader. - Liz Shaw. After the last couple of tramps were cancelled because of the weather, a group of twenty four enthusiasts turned up this cloudy morning to give their boots a walk. After 45 minutes of easy walking we reached our objective and settled down for lunch overlooking the Falls. All too soon it was time to retrace our steps, and by 3.00pm we were back on the road. Just to round the day off and complete the circuit we decided to continue on to the sealed road to Ahititi and return home that way, and to stop at the Urenui Hotel to re-hydrate. My thanks to Velda, Murray, two Sue's, Christine, Doug & Helen, Kay, Warren, Margaret, Rosemary, Dot, Isabel, Alan, Claire, Shirley, Lyn, Adrienne, Dave, Marie, June & Lester, and first timer Justine, who we hope wasn't deterred by the mud. Also thanks to Malcolm for acting as “Contact” yet again. -Ian Gregory. A man wearing nothing but a smile & purple sneakers caught hiking in a National Park has been fined ($175) after losing his “APPEAL” before the town’s District Court. The hiker, a devout libertarian, has been castigated by the local Hiking Club after being found of a “GROSS OFFENCE” against public decency. The hiker appealed the fine on the grounds it restricted his personal freedom the court said. A presiding Judge suggested he may care to clear 25 km of stoat traps as an alternative to the fine provided he wrap up more modestly. The hiker was then promptly remanded in custody pending a psychiatric assessment after making a lewd gesture to a male reporter. ref–www.funintheforest.de Puniho Road to North Egmont. Sat 29th October. It was a fairly uneventful start for the five of us. Things were different in the Stony bed, seemed more user friendly, didn’t have to do the bush detour of recent times, but this was about to change. Just above the junction of the Turehu Stream the main flow was hard against the south bank forcing us to take the side stream to the RTM Track for the drop back in a bit further up. With the main water crossings behind us, took a break at Holly. Met quite a few heading to Holly or Pouakai Hut on the next section – seemed to be getting through OK. The large rocks in a scoured out bed between the Kokowai Track turn-off and the Boomerang Slip were a bit of a challenge in the direction we were going. All seemed normal on the downhill back to the car park. A 7½ hour tramp for Krystyna Foulkes, Carol Stewart, Allison Wilkins and Derek Andrews. -Denis Goodwin. It was cloudy and there had been some light showers when we assembled in New Plymouth but there was a good turn-out of 17 trampers. Right from the outset at Kaiauai car park however the weather proved to be ideal for this tramp. The track was reasonably dry and the streams low and it was pleasing to see the track improvements that have been made in the past 6 months; – two new ladders including one at the bank below the shelter, three new bridges and newly cut steps at the tricky deep gullies. This cut down on the time it took to get to the old hut site where we had our morning break sitting in the sun. We headed down to the last stream crossing and up to the shelter where we had another break to consider our options. Practically everyone was keen to go further and quite a few were very keen to get to the top of Henry Peak. Not everyone got there but most made it above the bush line and were rewarded by a tremendous view all round as they sat and had their lunch in the sun. I’m pleased to be able to record that eight fit members under the leadership of Geoff Smale made the summit. As we made our way back the weather finally broke and we had a bit of drizzle followed by a downpour as we drove back to New Plymouth. Everyone was pleased with the day and what they had achieved on this attractive but demanding tramp. My thanks to all the trampers who were Sue Birdling, Gayle Rossiter, Ian Gregory, Thelma White, Margaret Emo, Claire Chamberlain, Alan Morris, Warren Cottam, Shirley Butt, Justine Lee, John Depree, Geoff Smale, Lester and June Barnes, Sue Rollo and Helen Chitty and to my contact Malcolm Smart. Kahui Hut via Puniho Track. Sun 13th November. The weather for this public tramp which had previously been cancelled twice looked promising first thing and there was a good turnout of seven club members and eight members of the public. When we reached the start at the end of Puniho Road however; it was shut in by low cloud and drizzling rain. Undeterred we set off and made good time up the track stopping for morning break at the lahar site which duly impressed those who had not seen it before. At the top of the Puniho we reviewed the situation as it was still drizzling. Given that it was only about another ½ hour further to the Kahui hut, we decided to head over there for lunch. Fortunately the track was in better condition than when we last did this tramp. Some new or refurbished small bridges have been installed and the Astelia trimmed back, so we were soon at the hut. It was a bit of a squeeze to get everyone inside but we succeeded and so we had a good break from the inclement weather while we lunched and chatted. Then it was off back down to the cars at a good steady rate. As often happens as we were emerging from the bush the clouds started clearing and the rain stopped. We got back to New Plymouth to find that it had been fine there for most of the day. No-one was phased by this however as it was agreed that it had been an enjoyable tramp despite the weather. My thanks to club members Frank van Kuyk, Isabel Walter, Karen Griffiths, Murray Lowe, John Rainford and Jocelyn Widmer who supported me on this tramp and to Malcolm Smart who was my contact. -Dave Stewart. Cycle Ride Sun 13th November. It was calm, cool and looking good when the three of us set off. Had warmed up nicely by Oakura but things were looking dark and gloomy further around the coast. Was still dry at Okato but followed a shower to the top of Saunders Road – things were seriously wet. Were into some light drizzle by Pukeiti, but apart from the brakes feeling a little weak, wasn’t a problem. Emerged to a scene with a difference after passing Plymouth Road. Had occasional sunshine and a dry road, but towards the coast by a farm or two was misty drizzle. Stayed fine for the speedy descent to New Plymouth. Had a 3 hour 5 minute ride time – a neat start to the day with Krystyna Foulkes and Faye Omundsen. -Denis Goodwin. Aotuhia to Whangamomona. Wed 16th November. Awake at 5am! With the rain pelting down I thought what are we in for today, then at Brooklands Road waiting for the coach; another shower. But as a great believer in our weatherman I had a positive feeling things would improve which they did with sun and warm temperatures a great day for tramping. This area hasn’t changed at all since we were through almost five years ago, still has lots of glorious mud to wallow in, and it’s plain to see the boys in their four wheel drives have heaps of fun wallowing in it as well. I did notice the old swing bridge has disappeared, maybe collapsed or cut down for safety reasons. Even though the track is muddy in places I always enjoy the walk strolling beside the Whangamomona River, one feels as though you are really out back and away from civilization. We arrived back at Brooklands about 6.15pm, a long day, but a good one. Thank you all, 44 of us for coming along, to Lester and June for their help, and John Wicksteed for acting as my contact, and last but not least to Andrew, our most capable coach driver. -Velda Fabish. Corlett's Farm Kohete Rd Wed 23rd November Despite a poor forecast and a dull morning, seventeen people turned up for a day's tramping. All went well until just before morning tea time, when a misty drizzle arrived. Fortunately there was an empty hay barn nearby, so we headed for that and enjoyed our morning “cuppa” under cover. While there we learned the history of the Motukawa Power Station, which takes water from the Manganui River and puts it into the Waitara River via canals, ponds, an aqueduct, Lake Ratapiko, a 2.9 Kilometre tunnel, and a 1.2 penstock to the power station which is 123 metres lower than the intake end. This four year feat of engineering commenced in 1923 and provided electric power to the town of Eltham. The drizzle eased slightly for an hour or so while we made our way up to the “Tariki 2” oil well, and onto a high lookout point. By that time however the view was reduced to just a few hundred metres. Soon afterwards the drizzle returned, and dogged us until mid-day while we tramped across farmland and followed a high ridge above Motukawa Rd. Eventually we spied another hay barn for our lunch. By common agreement it was decided to call it a day, and head back to our vehicles via the gravel road leading from the adjacent oil well, a distance of about a kilometre. The rain stopped about then but too late to change our minds, so we were back in town by 1.30pm. Ahititi & plane crash site Wed 30th November On the last day of spring thirty-four eager trampers reassembled at Ahititi School prior to driving down the main road to Gordon Keighley’s farm. There we put on our boots and headed up the valley towards the air crash site. Along the way we spoke to Gordon about his extensive orchard, which produces cherries, guavas and tangelos. After a thirty-minute walk along the farm track we came to the last gate. Here we stopped for morning tea and a history lesson! Due to research and information from some of the local people I was able to relate to everyone about the air disaster that happened on 22nd December 1953, when four Mustangs from the RNZAF were flying from Ohakea to Whenuapai to take part in a flyby over the “Gothic” as she sailed up the Waitemata Harbour carrying Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip on their coronation visit to NZ. Unfortunately the squadron flew into mist and a heavy fog in the White Cliff’s area. One plane crashed in the Waipengha Valley and the other on a bush covered spur 300ft above sea level at Ahititi. Leaving our packs at the fence line we crossed the bog and drain, and climbed up through the open beech forest to the crash site. Fifty-eight years later the crater is still evident along with the wreckage of the Mustang. It was a solemn and moving experience for us all and we were privileged to be able to visit this site. After returning to the cars we drove to the picnic area beside the Tongaporutu River Bridge and ate our lunch. Then we did a three-hour circuit around the Hutiwai Valley walking through the Lovell and O’Sullivan farms. The interesting feature of this valley is the large number of small creeks and drains (due to high rainfall in this valley) that run into the Hutawai River. These have been fenced and riparian planting has taken place to protect these waterways. This has been of great benefit to the whitebait and bird life in the area. After walking out onto the Hutiwai Road we tramped over the only two hills that we encountered on the day. Being back at our cars by 3.30pm meant that we were able to discuss the day’s tramp and have a cuppa before heading home. My thanks to all the 33 trampers that accompanied me to the air crash site and on the river walk. Also my thanks to Ian Dudding for being the contact person. -Alan Morris
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