West Auckland District Tramping Club September 2016 Newsletter no.434. The Presidents report. Contents. President s Report. Calendar of activities

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1 West Auckland District Tramping Club September 2016 Newsletter no.434 The Presidents report Considerable work goes on behind the scenes in the form of individual Committee members beavering away on different aspects of the clubs many activities and administration requirements. For example we have ordered more Safety in the Mountains booklets for new members to help them become more knowledgeable about the great outdoors. As we more experienced trampers know our wilderness is a magical place, but can also be a very dangerous place, especially for those less experienced. As a club we are also supporters of the Friends of Regional Parks. These places are magnificent assets to our city and as a tramping club give us wonderful opportunities to experience our beautiful surroundings. We have a trip planned to one of the Parks in October. Did you know the first Auckland Regional Park was a parcel of land in the Waitakere Rangers which was gifted by the crown to Auckland in 1895?Auckland is now blessed with 26 Regional parks covering hectares of parkland, 183 km of coastline 85 uniformed park ranges and has more than 5 million visits per year some of which are us.for 50 years the Auckland Regional Parks Network has worked to provide Aucklanders with unique places for recreation and conservation with the emphasis on conserving dramatic coastlines, farms & beaches from urban development while providing free public access to all as well as monitoring the needs of the environment. The Auckland Council is undertaking a draft plan of vision and values for the next 50 years. The World Park Congress recommends 50% of a regions land and marine surface be kept for nature. As Auckland intensifies the role of the regional park network also intensifies in order to provide natural places for recreation. The values of the network include: Protecting unique spaces and features for information recreation and conservation Providing free public access to these experiences Enhancing the regional park network by the work of volunteers Operating high quality farms and ranger service Managing the regional parks as a network providing the public with a uniform identity due to their similar infrastructure and personnel across all parks Forward thinking acquisitions for additions to the existing network. As frequent visitors to Auckland s Regional Parks, our club will follow with interest the plans and vision of the AFP network. Contents President s Report Calendar of activities Trip reports Advanced notices The Committee It was pleasing to see a good turnout at our recent visit to Ryders Cinema in Avondale. With our visit being later in the year from previous visits, arriving in daylight enabled those who had not been to this unique venue to explore the ecliptic array of paraphernalia scattered around the property. As usual the dinner was superb as was the dessert (thanks Louis S & Joy) and once again I ate too much, couldn t resist! The movie Walk in the Woods could not have been better chosen for a tramping club. Light, entertaining and enjoyed by all. It was especially pleasing to meet some non-tramping partners and to see some not so active trampers out. Good to know you can still enjoy some of the activities on offer. Good to see former club member Jillian Fulcher (now Peninsula Tramping Club) winning a prize in the FMC Photo competition. Check the last FMC magazine if you missed it. Our guest speaker for September Bruce Harvey has made a special effort to put together what should be a very interesting talk just for us. I therefore ask that you make the effort to come along. Last month s Cub night numbers were very low despite the guest speaker having some very interesting local knowledge to share with us. I certainly learnt quite a bit about the Exhibition Drive area and its history. Catch you on the trail Peter 1

2 Activities 18 September Piha/Bethells Grade: Moderate Fare members $5, non members $10 Meet at Glen Eden ready to leave at, or meet at the end of Log Race Road by 9am. We have done this track many times usually going down Comans then up Ahu Ahu, this time we will do it the other way around for a change. We will head down the usual way and visit the carving, look at the fabulous view and breathe in the brisk sea air. Spring has sprung people there is a definite buzz in the air!!! When we reach Karekare we will then walk to Tunnel Point, along the sand to the boardwalk and up to Zion Hill track back to Karekare. Back to the carpark via Comans, then for those that want a challenge, a time trial on the steep hill to the carpark. Those that don't want to join in can take the longer route and meet at the cars. Leader: Trish Hopkins P: E:waitakereforever@gmail.com 19 September Club Night Historian - Bruce Harvey 7.30pmKelstonCommunity Centre Cnr Great North Road & Awaroa Road In 2001 Bruce Harvey the great grandson of Whatipu pioneers Nicholas and Matilda Gibbons published his wonderful local history entitled Whatipu The Story of Whatipu and Early Huia Please come along to hear to hear Bruce speak about The Story of Whatapu & Early Huia. This should be very interesting evening & you are welcome to join us for a cuppa afterwards. 25 September Mt Auckland - Parakai Grade: Moderate/Difficult Fare members $9 non members $14 The location of the walkway is some 50K from Westgate on Highway 16 (Kaipara, near Glorit). It would be good to car pool for this trip. At the first Mt Auckland walkway sign you come to heading North on Highway 16,we will drive up to the 5k of windy metal road to the Southern end of the walkway starting the tramp from the top- it is about 90minutes walk to the summit. We can enjoy a great view of the Kaipara area from the lookout.anyone who wants to do the rest which is another 90 min down- hill through native bush to the Northern entrance of the walkway on highway 16, could do so and be pickup up later by the rest of the group- so it depends on who comes along. We could make it a short there and back to the summit tramp which is easy to moderate or have 2 groups do either or. If you re keen but confused ring Jill to discuss. Leader: Jill Dingle P: E:jill.dingle@gmail.com 2

3 02 October Arataki Scenic Drive Grade: Moderate/Difficult Fare: members $5 non members $10 Combining several Waikatere tracks to give us a bit of everything! Meet as usual at Glen Eden then a short drive to Arataki Visitors Centre, Scenic Drive. We will proceed on Slip Track to Pipeline Track, Hamilton Track and up Incline Track to Rangemore Track. From here there will be a short 15 minute road walk back to Arataki Visitor Centre. Total walking will be aprox 4.5 hours. For those who haven t been to the visitors centre for a while can have a look around as there are always good displays, information and maps. Leader: Louis Segedin P: E:louissegedin55@gmail.com 09 October Awhitu Regional Park Grade: Easy/Moderate Fare members $9 non members $13 It s been a while since the club has visited the Awhitu Peninsula (North of Waiuku) Today will be a medley of activities exploring the Awhitu Peninsular. We will of course visit the Regional Park for some easy walking along the coastline and into the park. We will visit the Manukau Heads Lighthouse (now that we are all experts on light houses from recent club speakers). Inside, we can take a look at the pieces of artwork and wall displays telling the story of the HMS Orpheus, which ran aground in 1863 as it approached Manukau Harbour, tragically killing 189 people. From the balcony at the top, we are welcomed by beautiful views of the harbour back across to the more familiar terrain of the Waitakeres. We will also explore Big Bay depending on how we are going for time. Leader: Peter Tuohy P: E: tait@slingshot.co.nz 16 October Duder Regional Park Grade: Easy Fare: members $8 non members $13 One of my favourite places, this park is located on a peninsula with amazing views of the sea and islands of the gulf. The tramp will consist of a bit of bush, open farmland, a pa site at the end of the peninsula, and a section of rocky and sandy coastline with some huge old Pohutukawa s. We will carpool from Glen Eden or go direct to Duder s carpark and we will start from there about 9.45 am or a bit after. Leader: John Miller P: E: jmiller1954@gmail.com 3

4 17 October Club Night 7.30pmKelstonCommunity Centre Cnr Great North Road & Awaroa Road Committee Room Come and hear a very interesting talk by Clair Hobi from Conservation Volunteers (not to be confused with Conservation Dept) informing us about volunteering for a day, a week or longer anywhere in New Zealand or even overseas. Clair will also give us some insight on volunteering at Gallipolli, preparing for commemorative services. As usual you are very welcome to stay on for some supper. 22,23,24 October Whangarei Heads Grade: Moderate/Difficult Fare members $35 non members $38 I have booked two lodges on the beach at the Manaia Camp, 16 McDonald Road, Whangarei Heads for Labour Weekend. The camp is just two and a half hours from Auckland. (Suggest you travel on Highway 16, Old North Road to avoid any holiday traffic.) Last time we visited the camp when we arrived we saw a pod of killer whales swimming past our accommodation. It is a truly magical spot and there are lots of beautiful tramps in the area. We will be doing Mt Manaia, Mt Aubrey, Bream Head walkway (reasonable fitness required), Smugglers Cove walkway and Ocean Beach. There is a mix of easy and more difficult tramps and we can accommodate all levels of fitness. Accommodation is $10.50 per person per night. BYO food. BYO kayak too, if you have one. We can also have a meal out on Saturday night at a restaurant nearby. Information on the camp and how to get there is available on the Baprist Camp Whangarei Heads website. To book contact Pam Goldie P: E:myneverendingsummer@hotmail.com 30 October Karekare-Mt Donald McLean Grade: Moderate Fare members $6 non members $11 We will drive to the Lone Kauri Road carpark (outside 92 Lone Kauri Rd) which is 6km off Piha Road. From here we will head up the Odlins track to Orange Peel Corner, along Walker Ridge to Karamatura Forks then following Donald McLean track to the summit of Mt Donald McLean returning the same way back to the carpark. This is a longer day, about 5 hours, 10km. Leader: Lynne Flood P: E:floods@ihug.co.nz 4

5 Trip reports Hunuas Wairoa Reservoir 14 August Leader Peter Tuohy With the original leader being unable to lead this trip, I volunteered as it had been some time since I had been out to the Hunuas. While the distance can be off putting (more psychological than factual as no further than Shakespeare Regional Park) Hunua trips often do not draw big numbers, but today we have 9 budding trampers including 2 non-members which was pleasing. I can t recall walking the tracks intended for today so a close eye needed to be kept on the map. Two of the tracks were named slightly different to my map just to add to the challenge. Checking the tracks online upon my return revealed my map must be rather old and a bit out of date! Part way along the Suspension Bridge Track we climbed the viewing platform which only gave us only limited views as the trees have grown obscuring the view. At a rest stop overlooking the Wairoa Reservoir we enjoyed morning tea. From the Wairoa Reservoir we connected to the Wairoa Loop track climbing to the Wairoa Loop lookout for lunch and more views. We made our way back to our cars via the pretty Wairoa Valley Track. Unable to find an inviting coffee stop in the Hunua village we headed directly home after a very pleasant day out. Tanekaha LoopTrack tramp Saturday 20 August Leader Annette Ellis Ten adventurous trampers met at Annette s bach at Mangawhai Heads to tramp the Tanekaha Loop Track that is a combination of three tracks, Tanekaha Waterfall track, Brynderwyn Ridge Track and Tanekaha Forest track. The circuit graded 3-4 is well marked from the carpark at 300 King Road and takes about 4-5 hours to complete. We chose to do the circuit in a clockwise direction which meant taking the Tanekaha Waterfall Track up to its junction with the Brynderwyn Ridge Track. This leg of the loop proved to be a very interesting tramping track being at various times steep, narrow, muddy or rocky with 14 stream crossings and many steps before it eventually climbed away from the stream with its lower and upper waterfall areas. An unusual sight on the way was white puriri flowers on the ground next to contrasting deep pink flowers. Apparently this genetic variation occasionally occurs. Also along the way we passed the site of a kauri dam with the sill beam still evident. It was some relief to us when the track finally stopped climbing and dropped down for a short distance to meet the Brynderwyn Track. Our respite from climbing proved to be short lived as the Brynderwyn Track undulated and climbed along the ridge. After a welcome lunch break we continued on to climb to the highest point for the day at a trig point above Mangawhai. From this point it was virtually all down hill on the easier Tanekaha Forest Track which clearly justifies the Tanekaha in it s name with many trees and small seedling tanekaha trees to be seen along the way. After a final stream crossing we were back at the junction of the two Tanekaha tracks and just 10 mins or so from the carpark which we reach in about 10 mins under 5hrs from the start. This varied circuit created by the efforts of the Mangawhai Trail Charitable Trust has allowed access to a interesting scenic area with good forest that is kiwi country as kiwi have been released in the neighbouring Maranui property. We were fortunate to have suitable weather for the day after the preceding weeks of rain. 5

6 Those out for the day were Annette and Tom, Lyndell and Ralph, Marcia and George, Dave S, Peter T, Trish and Louis A. Many thanks to Annette and Tom for providing the hospitality at Mangawhaiand to the group for their company and contributions. Te Arai Point 21 August Leader Peter Tuohy Following an evening of fun filled games and pizza our party of 10 embarked on a track that was new to most of us. It is rare after all these years of tramping I encounter tacks I have not tramped before. On arrival at Te Arai Point via a rather roundabout route (no thanks to the instructions of that woman in my GPS system!) we were impressed with the lovely scene before us of a clear blue sea, miles of white sand with not a soul in sight. We must be in God zone. Since Auckland Regional Council s purchase of 50 hectares of prime land in 2008, they have developed a network of walking tracks & created a couple of car parks and toilet blocks adding another magnificent asset to the Auckland Regional Park network. Being the furthest Regional Park from Auckland visitor numbers will no doubt remain low, but I don t mind paying my rates if these prime locations are secured for public recreation now and forever. From the car park we only had to walk a matter of meters to be rewarded with the delightful little secret beach, a very sheltered spot no doubt popular in the summer months. Upon climbing the hill to the trig we were rewarded with sweeping views both north and south on a very mild day for mid August. Onwards we re-entered the forest and followed forestry tracks parallel with the beach until midday where we broke through to the beach for lunch. Not a soul in sight. After lunch we enjoyed a very easy and pleasant walk back along the beach and up and over a headland back to our cars. Thanks Annette for sharing your lovely slice of paradise with us, I always enjoy coming to stay at your Mangawhai hideaway and hope we get invited back again soon. Cascades 28 August Leader Louis Segedin After a wet & windy week, Sunday 28 turned out to be a beautiful warm day. Six of us started at Scenic Drive - Pukematekeo Track, and covered parts of six different tracks around the Cascades. With us were Jonathan, Lynne, Jill D, Cheryl (another Segedin) and first time on a club tramp Peter Harrison. Peter already has some good tramping experience and did the tramp (including a couple of stream crossings) without a problem. At least metres of the tramp was on flat ground, the rest was typically Waitakeries. Good local knowledge from Jill Dingle lead us onto a different route than planned (Anderson Track to Scenic Dr) giving us a complete loop back to our cars in about 4 hrs. Well done everybody especially Peter who is now planning his next WADCT walk. 6

7 Birkenhead To Kauri Point 04 September Leader Colin Spencer The day dawned with slight drizzle, with the promise of rain to come by the end of the day. Picked up Pam and Jill Engle, drove to Glen Eden where a newtrampersnieguole (from Lithuania) was waiting for us. Peter arrived soon after. Drove over to Little Shoal Bay, Shirley Bulog, Stephen & Anne Jarman, and Malcolm Robinson were waiting for us. Peter drove in after picking up Louis A. We set off around 9.30am, up the hill and down to Birkenhead wharf, continuing on to Chelsea Sugar works area. We stopped at Chelsea sat down by the lake and had our morning tea break. The sun came out in patches and it became quite warm. After morning tea we followed the tracks and roads up to Kauri Point domain, and then down to Kendall Bay, where we took an early lunchbreak. It was close to high tide and as we left to return to Chelsea, we watched two young girls brave the chilly water. After arriving back at Chelsea via the cliff top walk, we proceeded up to the Birkenhead shopping centre, where we indulged in a coffee break. Soon after we made our way back to Little Shoal Bay via Le Roys bush. Back there by 2pm after a pleasant days tramp. Thanks to all of the above members that joined me, It was really good to see Malcolm, Stephen, and wife Anne out with the club again. Advance Notices 12& 13 November Great walk- Kauaeranga Valley, Pinnacles This popular walk leads to Pinnacles Hut (80 bunk), and on to the summit of the Pinnacles rocks with spectacular views of the Coromandel Peninsula. It can be completed as a day or overnight walk. Follow an historic packhorse route used by kauri bushmen in 1920s.Marvel at spectacular views of the Coromandel Peninsula from the Pinnacles lookout (759 m). Leave from Glen Eden car pool /Auckland 0800 Saturday am. Return Sunday late afternoon. From SH25 at the southern entrance to Thames, turn right into Banks Street beside the service station. Banks Street veers right into Parawai Road, which then becomes Kauaeranga Valley Road. Follow this for 13 km to the Kauaeranga Visitor Centre where we meet up. Car pool from here. The road then continues a further 9 km to the road end. Note that 10 km from Thames the road changes from sealed to gravel. Kauaeranga Road end - Hydro Camp via Webb Creek Track - Pinnacles Hut (Bookings are required) Time: 2 hr 30 min - 3 hr one way The way up: From the road end car park, walk to the swing bridge to cross the Kauaeranga River and follow the track to the Webb Creek Moss Creek junction. Follow the Webb Creek Track to Hydro Camp (1 hr 30 min - 2 hr). You'll climb steps that were cut into rock to make the journey easier for the packhorses during the kauri logging era. Care is required in places as the rocks can be slippery. At the top of the climb to the Hydro Camp clearing, the remains of a skidded road are visible beside the track. Skidded roads were made from small logs laid lengthwise with cross pieces forming the skids. Logs were pulled along the skids by teams of bullocks or steam haulers. From Hydro Camp junction, take the Pinnacles Track which climbs and sidles around a hill before following a more open ridge. Enjoy impressive views down a branch of the Tairua River and the rugged volcanic landforms of Tauranikau and the Pinnacles. 7

8 Pinnacles Hut and Dancing Camp Campsite are a short walk down signposted side tracks. At the Dancing Camp Campsite, look for the remains of the Dancing Camp Dam, built in This stringer flume dam was the second largest dam in the valley, and was partly restored in If interested please contact Jill DingleP: E:jill.dingle@gmail.com Gold Coast The club has not had an overseas trip in a while. Geoff Yates has floated the idea of a week (or more?) on the Gold Coast around June next year. There is some magic tramping in this relatively cheap destination to reach such as the Lamington National Park. Let Geoff know your thoughts. In the past the club has had very successful trips to Nepal, Tasmania, Blue Mountains & Canada. Contact: Geoff Yates P: Items of Interest Paul Thurston 10 Seaview Crescent Picton 7220 Mob Happy tramping!! 8

9 The Committee including non- committee Assistants( last four). Peter Tuohy President Jill Engle Secretary Trish Hopkins Treasurer FMC mag distributor Louis Allerby Vice President/ Editor Louis Segedin Trip Coordinator Colin Spencer Marketing and New Members Shirley Bulog Club night speakers Chris Green Newsletter printing Joy Prebble Shirley Bulog Social Convenors Joy Prebble Supper Host Geoff Yates Committee Member Tom Wood Locator Beacon holder Mark Vazey Gear Steward Miriam Harwood Overdue parties Christine Major Webmaster