DATE: July 2018 Vol. 71 No. 06

Transcription

1 DATE: July 2018 Vol. 71 No. 06 Descending a steep ridge en route to Middle Hill Hut Photo: Irene Davies Please submit your August 2018 H&V articles to the editor by 27 th July 2018 HVTC Postal Address: PO Box , Lower Hutt: Clubrooms: Birch Street Reserve, Birch Street, Waterloo Internet: info@hvtc.org.nz President: Phaedra Upton Trip Coordinator: Nick McBride Secretary: Marina Skinner Treasurer: Jim Cousins Editor H&V: Bruce Miller the-bruce@xtra.co.nz BJFM/H&V/Vol71/No06

2 WEDNESDAY NIGHT PROGRAMME Starts 8.00 pm promptly WEDNESDAY 4 JULY Andrew Robinson : Quiz Night WEDNESDAY 11 JULY Peter Smith : Chilkoot trail from Dyea Alaska to Bennett Canada Sales Table run by Graeme Lythgoe. Bring your cash and your saleable items. WEDNESDAY 18 JULY Nick McBride : Matiri Valley, Kahurangi National Park WEDNESDAY 25 JULY HVTC Annual General Meeting WEDNESDAY 1 AUGUST 2018: Club Photo Competition FORTHCOMING TRIPS TRIP CATEGORIES Tramping T = Overnight or longer tramping trip D = Day tramp = Dog Friendly = Moonlight Walk = Very easy = Easy Cycling = Intermediate = Advanced NOTES Where there is no leader given for a trip, please contact the Trip Coordinator to volunteer to lead a trip, either as shown or an alternative. JULY Sat tba Wellington Round the Bays Graeme Lythgoe RUAHINE FOREST PARK: Kashmir Rd T2 Howletts Hut (via tops) Nick McBride Sun 8 D1 Hemi Matenga Reserve Dennis Page Ruapehu - School Holidays - Week 1 Booking Officer TARARUA FOREST PARK: Putara T1 Roaring Stag Lodge Dennis Page T2 Cattle Ridge Hut Keith Thomas Sun 15 D1 Dry Creek- Round Knob Jackie West Ruapehu - School Holidays - Week 2 Booking Officer BJFM/H&V/Vol71/No06

3 20 22 MATIU SOMES ISLAND T1 Work party & Party party Jan Heine Sun 22 D1 Oakleigh St.-Belmont Trig Leader required Tue 24 Te Whiti Riser Graeme Lyon TARARUA FOREST PARK: Walls Whare T1 Tutuwai Hut Alan Geeves T2 Neil Forks Hut Nick McBride Sun 29 D1 Barney s Whare - seals Dennis Page AUGUST Sat tba Featherston Lower Hutt Geoff Norton TONGARIRO T1 Ten Man Hut: Tongariro Forest Conservation Area Andrew Robinson T2 Tongariro Crossing Nick McBride Sun 05 D1 Lees Grove Bus Barns Marina Skinner UPCOMING EVENTS SALES TABLE 11 July The Sales Table is a week earlier this month. Please bring along items that you wish to donate to this effort. Home baking and preserves are especially welcome. Garden produce is also popular so bring along all the excess from you vegetable garden. Everyone else bring some cash to purchase some goodies with. Prices are always reasonable. Graeme Lythgoe ============================= RUAPEHU EVENTS 2018 In Out Event Mon 9 July Fri 13 July July School Holiday week 1 Mon 16 July Fri 20 July July School Holiday week 2 Mon 27 Aug Fri 31 Aug Juniors Week Mon 03 Sept Mon 01 Oct Mon 08 Oct Fri 07 Sept Fri 05 Oct Fri 12 Oct Veterans and All-comers week October School Holiday week 1 October School Holiday week 2 Contact Booking Officer Contact Booking Officer Contact Neil Hickman Contact Ian Ayson, , or Graham Craig, Contact Kate Brownsword Contact Booking Officer This list doesn t mean that you have to go on an organised trip. There are plenty of other opportunities to use the lodge throughout the winter season for skiing, climbing, ski touring or just relaxing. Just pick a time, contact the booking officer (details listed above) then come on up. 3 BJFM/H&V/Vol71/No06

4 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE HVTC. 25 JULY 2018 As previously advised this year s AGM, the 95 th, is scheduled to be held at the clubrooms at Birch Street, Waterloo on the 27 July 2016 commencing at 8.00 pm sharp. The club continues to offer a great range of activities to members, and this is the result of a lot of work which is often "behind the scenes". There are many ways you can contribute your skills and enthusiasm to the running of the club. If you would like to know more, and would consider filling any vacancies, have a chat to an existing club officer or committee member. Nominations for the last few vacancies can be accepted at the time of the meeting. Marina Skinner Club Secretary ======================================= PHOTO COMPETITION PRESENTATIONS WEDNESDAY 1 AUGUST An excellent, experienced and very helpful, individual has agreed to judge the best images from amongst the Club's photographers and determine which meet the conditions of the FMC 2018 Photographic Competition - where the very best images go head-to-head with those from trampers throughout New Zealand! Come along and be impressed by the images that tell stories about Club events and people, and for which there are long-lived trophies for winners to display. Pamela Campbell/Helen Lukes for HVTC Social Committee 4 BJFM/H&V/Vol71/No06 GUIDELINES FOR DAY TRIP LEADERS The General Committee has a long term goal to enhance health and safety on club activities. We have adopted guidelines for the day trips that trip leaders and participants are expected to follow. These are consistent with current practice run by most trip leaders and are designed to be risk based. The main guidelines in particular are for trips that are in the bush or otherwise out of cell phone range should have a SAR contact and should endeavour to let the SAR contact know in advance of setting out who is on the trip. The guidelines are consistent with the practices of many other clubs. The General Committee will monitor the implementation of the guidelines and may review them in the summer to take account of experience. These guidelines apply to all day trips. Trip leaders need to take basic steps to enhance the safety of those on their trips and facilitate a response to any emergency. Trip leaders are encouraged to advertise their trips by in advance, giving clear information on the level of difficulty and encouraging participants to register their intention in advance with the trip leader. There are two categories of trip: 1. Those outside cell phone range for prolonged periods.

5 2. Those within or close to cell phone range throughout the route. The following guidelines apply to trips in category 1. Trip leaders must arrange a SAR contact on the clubnight, or by or phone, before a trip. The Trip Coordinator can be asked to do this. Participants are encouraged to confirm their intention to join the trip in advance, as noted above. Trip leaders should the SAR contact on the day before the trip with a list of participants. If any non-members intend to participate, the trip leader should ensure an emergency contact for that person has been sent to the SAR contact. Trip leaders should arrange meeting points at locations within cell phone coverage. Members intending to meet elsewhere, e.g. at road-ends, must have informed the trip leader first. If any participant turns up who did not inform the trip leader in advance, the trip leader should text or the SAR contact to update the list of participants before leaving the meeting point. A PLB, first aid kit and cell phone must be carried on the trip. The following applies to trips in category 2. Trips within cell phone coverage are considered lower risk; however, trip leaders need to take steps so they know who is on the trip and, if a non-member is participating, an emergency contact for that person. Trip leaders must carry a cell phone A SAR contact is encouraged. The purpose is that if there is an accident the SAR contact will have access to the emergency contact list and can contact the emergency contact if necessary. Trip leaders are not required to the participant list to the SAR contact in advance. Trip leaders should be sure that there is cell phone coverage and in if unsure, should treat the trip as Category 1 and advise the SAR contact. Example 1: Trip into the Rimutaka Forest Park. This will not have cell phone coverage so is a Category 1 trip. Either the leader or Trip Coordinator will arrange a SAR contact. The leader will pick up a PLB and first aid kit from the clubrooms. The leader will the trip details to members encouraging them to sign up in advance. The leader will the SAR contact by the evening before the trip with names of participants and the emergency contact for any non-member. The meeting point will be Woburn station, rather than, say, Catchpool carpark. If anyone turns up who did not announce their intention in advance, the trip leader will text or the SAR contact to update the list of participants. At the end of the trip the leader will contact the SAR contact to confirm the trip has been safely completed (or otherwise, if necessary). Example 2: Southern walkway This trip falls in Category 2 as there is consistent cell phone coverage. 5 BJFM/H&V/Vol71/No06

6 Trip leaders should advertise their trips in advance and take steps to know who is on the trip. On the morning of the trip, the trip leader should record the names of all participants on the trip and ask any non-members for details of an emergency contact. Nick McBride for HVTC General Committee MEMBERSHIP MATTERS MEMBERSHIP UPDATE Please join us in welcoming following new members of the Club. Pauline Prendergast Allan Stowell CHANGE OF ADDRESSES Please remember to advise the Membership Secretary if your address changes. Irene Davies and Keith Thomas Membership Officers SKIS FOR SALE One pair of Dynastar women s Exclusive 158cm. with Look bindings, 12 years old. These are carving skis & despite their age are in good order, $50. RUAPEHU ROUND UP Jackie & Chris West Jackieandchris@xtra.co.nz An enthusiastic group of 15 turned out to re-stock the HVTC lodge on Ruapehu with food for the winter season, on June We were rewarded with amazing weather on the Saturday, with the chairlifts running and sight-seeing and skiing (yes, skiing in the first week of June) going ahead. The chairlifts made it much more straightforward for us to ship all the dry goods and the 100kg of meat from the car park to Hut Flat. From there a team ferried loads across the head of Tennants Gully to the lodge. Highlights of the shopping include: 30 kgs cheese, 100 packets of Raro, 40 packets of biscuits, 25 jars of jam, and 40 tins of peaches. (As a parent I am surprised it's only 40 packets of biscuits that get eaten). Many thanks to the team who had probably the hardest job, which was juggling all the food away into the store room and freezers. 6 BJFM/H&V/Vol71/No06

7 On the Sunday, a further full clean of the lodge was undertaken, and sterling work was done by Graham Craig on removing paint from the block work on the two storey section of the lodge. The under-17 team of James Thompson, Baxter Grey and Ezra Grey worked hard all weekend carrying loads and then digging out a track from the lodge towards the head of Tennants Gully which will hopefully serve us well over the winter. Half a dozen of us even managed to go skiing and boarding and the snow on the Rock Garden was surprisingly good. Since then, only Happy Valley has been open but RAL is reporting that they are two snow-making nights away from re-opening the Rock Garden and five snow-making nights away from opening the Waterfall Express. As we have a good number of under-18s and families now using the lodge, the Ruapehu committee is keen to re-start the club ski races this year with junior, senior and masters races - watch this space for dates. The lodge has a good number of outside groups booked for the winter season but of course there is still plenty of room for club members who wish to take up the opportunity of staying in the lodge with the best view, best bunkrooms and best drying room on the mountain. Contact Sheldon Bruce on ruapehubookings@hvtc.org.nz Many thanks again to everyone who took part in the lodge restock and working bee. Kate Brownsword TRIP REPORTS OLD GHOST ROAD A Fabulous 5 Day Walk; 3-April Frank and Robyn Usmar Day one - 18km With an 8am departure from Seddonville, it was with much appreciation to John Tristram who drove our team of 6 to the Lyell car park at the start of the Old Ghost Road track. After a quick morning tea in the insect proof shelter away from the very vigilant sand-flies and light drizzly rain, we donned our raincoats and commenced our tramp. John walked along with us for about 20 minutes before bidding us farewell. The track was an easy gradient through lush bush. With intermittent rain for the first two hours, raincoats were on and off until they were packed away and not needed again for the rest of the trip. The weather was calm and warm so we were pleased not to sweat away in our rain coats. Very early on we became entertained from the very friendly robins. They would appear frequently over the following days and provide many photo opportunities. There were also, in slightly lesser numbers, little tomtits. We came across the hut warden cycling down from Lyell Saddle Hutt who appeared very abruptly around a blind corner with brakes screeching. Following, was a track worker with a motorbike, trying to shovel a new path across a small but very problematic slip. We arrived at Lyell Saddle Hut at 4.10pm and were lucky to have it to ourselves for our first night on the track. The huts are very well equipped with gas cookers, a wood burner, crockery, cutlery and saucepans. There was a separate shower building which you just boiled up water from the hut and transferred to the high bucket with shower rose attached. Due to recent water shortages the building was locked. Although with the heavy overnight rain the previous night it may be made available when the next warden returned. Our first night, as was with all our nights, we enjoyed a 3 course meal of soup, mains and rehydrated juicy fruit for dessert 7 BJFM/H&V/Vol71/No06

8 8 BJFM/H&V/Vol71/No06 Day Two - 12km - 4 hours It was a cool but fine day when we departed at 8.20am. After the first hour 2 bikers past us with minimal gear, heading down the track. We later heard they had been helicoptered in to Ghost Lake Hut to begin their ride. The track climbed above the bush line to the tussock tops with many alpine plants, where the views were great all around. At this exposed area we did need to put on an extra layer for warmth. The track was narrower and rocky but it was wonderful to enjoy morning tea at the high point, taking in the panoramic views. Here, along with a few other identified points on the track, there was cell phone coverage. We arrived at Ghost Lake Hut at 12.15pm to find it empty. This time we found the shower unlocked so most of us enjoyed the pleasure of making use of this treat. The hut was positioned high on a rocky knoll with a nearby tarn, so it was enjoyable to have a stroll around in the afternoon and take photos. By mid-afternoon 7 bikers arrived to stay at the hut, (5 in hut and 2 in sleep out) with another 3 camping nearby. Day Three - 13km - 6 hours At 6am we were all woken by the loud screech of the resident wekas. It was a clear blue sky day today as we departed at 8.15am behind 7 of the bikers. The track was at first a steep rocky zig zag decent from the hut. This was great for tramping but we all decided it must be very challenging for bikers which would mean a lot of walking and pushing of bikes. Then it was a good gradient on the zig zag going up. It was amazing looking back to see Ghost Lake Hut sitting perched high up on the cliff top. Soon after we descended the skyline steps, which are a real challenge for bikes. We met one lone tramper going the opposite way to us after the steps. He had spent the night with the first group of 12 HVTC trampers. We were soon back in the bush on a very easy going track and arrived at Stern Valley Hut at 1.15pm. The sand-flies were quite bad at this hut with the river nearby. Most of us made use of the shower again. The hut and 2 sleep-out buildings were full this evening. One of the sleep-outs being used by 2 of the track workers who come in and out on very quiet motorbikes. They are employed by a company who does contract work for the Old Ghost Road Trust. We had seen signs of their track clearing by use of brush cutters and their job was also pest control with lots of traps set beside the tracks and counting of the Powelliphanta Snails which are protected. Day Four - 22km hours Departure was 8am on another fine day with a little fine mist on the tops to start with. We wandered our way down the valley, past a couple of picturesque lakes before we began to climb up through the rocky tracks of The Boneyard. There was a portion which advised trampers and bikers to keep moving due the risk of possible rock slides coming down from above. Once Solemn Saddle was reached we were back in the bush and made use of a good place for morning tea. We began to think we were being continually followed as with every break we took a weka would pop out of the bush and approache us all in the hope of some small morsel to eat. On our lunch break further on at Goat Stream the weka there was very persistent till he finally whipped out and ran off with a small plastic bag of rubbish out of the side of Robyn s pack. Frank went in hot pursuit but the weka won the day in the rough long grass. Soon after lunch we crossed a long bridge with a metal door in the centre of it. This was to prevent possums and pests from entering the forested areas we had come through. 2 or 3 km before Mokihinui Forks Hut we came across a couple of track workers. When the one on the small digger pulled aside to let us pass, his face was quickly

9 recognised as Stacky, one of the main very dedicated track builders and developers of the OGR. After a yarn his huge wealth of knowledge on the OGH became very apparent. We arrived at the Mikihinui Forks Hut, nearby the South Branch of the South Mokihinui River at 3.15pm. It was a small 10 bunk Doc Hut now managed by the OGR Trust. There were lots of sand-flies here, and the hut was a little less well equipped than the others we had stayed in. It was good to have it to ourselves for the night. Day Five - 20km It had rained quite heavily overnight but was now fine and very mild as we departed Mokihinui Forks Hut. It was good to leave the annoying sand-flies and Weka s behind. The track was very picturesque up high on the banks beside the lovely Mokihinui River, winding its way out towards Seddonville. There were views of its many rapids and we could appreciate the good and very logical decision to not dam this river as was previously planned. There were excellent bridges over side streams and small waterfalls beside the track. What was delightful to see was lots of young Rimu trees regenerating in this area. About 2kms before the end of the walk the track emerged on to a 4 wheel drive road which seemed an unpleasant end to such a beautiful 5 day walking track. However at about the 84km signpost there was a sign pointing back into the bush with a very pleasant track for the last km. We enjoyed this last km, admiring and photographing the blue toadstools. It was here that we past a couple who stopped for a chat, only to discover it was Marty Heine and his wife, Jan and Arnold s nephew. After group photos at the end sign post we wandered up to the Rough and Tumble Lodge for a quick look around. With our cars relocated in the carpark earlier in the day by John Tristram and helpers we headed into Seddonville for a nice hot shower, relax in the Pub with celebratory drinks and an enjoyable dinner. It had been an excellent 5 day tramp enjoyed by Chris and Jackie West, Vera de Graauw, Kate Livingston, Frank and Robyn Usmar. Frank and Robyn MRS WINDSOR S BIRTHDAY WEEKEND A TRILOGY OF TRIPS 2018; 2,3,4 June Pat & John Tristram, Pamela Campbell Following on from a precedent set last year (always dangerous) three trips were again scheduled for this weekend and as an inducement, a prize was again offered to those who participated in all three trips. Saturday : Ride - Hutt River Trail, and Walk Keith George Memorial Park Attendance was impressive. On Saturday morning, a lovely sunny morning although somewhat fresh, eleven people rode from Melling to Silverstream where we met another six for morning tea (five walkers and Joyce who had ridden down from Wallaceville). Ray and Joyce left us at this point, so 15 carried on into Keith George Memorial Park where bikes were parked. An initial steep scramble and then a lovely bush track through to the road beside a pylon, this having taken us about an hour. A walk down the road, admiring the stunning views of Wellington and the Hutt Valley to have lunch in the sun by Haywards Stream. Here, four left us while the other eleven carried on up the stream to the Waterfall. River crossings saw three turn back, but eight stoically made the waterfall, which was in full flow. Another ten river crossings back and then another lovely bush track back to the bikes and cars. The riders were back at Melling around 3.30pm, well pleased with our 22 km on the bikes and 11 km walk. Participants Ride and Walk : Pat & John Tristram (leaders and scribes), Robyn & Frank Usmar, Michael Grace, Liz Davis, Liz & David Crook, Russell Oliver, Elaine Richardson; plus walkers Sandra Pearce, Pamela Campbell, Paul Haines, Jo anne Watson, Bruce (& Polly) Miller; plus Ray Hyndman and Joyce Skinner. 9 BJFM/H&V/Vol71/No06

10 Sunday : Battle Hill Regional Park Sunday morning and there were 19 people at Manor Park car park on a rather cloudy morning. Russell organised cars out to Battle Hill and we began walking around 9.40am through to the camping area with a look at the graves for the Abbott family and a smaller one for the Maori fallen. There was then a very pleasant bush track with kohekohe flowering and bell birds in one particular section, up to the farmland and then onto Battle Hill. Here Russell distributed giant liquorice allsorts one person commenting they could be a meal or a seat! It was a cool wind on top, so we dropped down to an underpass on the new Transmission Gully highway for morning tea with the added convenience of a portaloo. After refreshment we crossed the wee creek and began the slog up Puketiro. Views from the top were good with Mana Island, The Brothers Islands and the South Island in a line from where we were having lunch. A drop off onto the farmland to the down road, then retracing our steps across the creek and through the underpass to arrive back to the cars at 2.45pm having walked around 13 km and climbed around 700 metres. Participants Russell Oliver (leader), Pamela Campbell, Doreen Courtenay, Milana Tesic-Djuric, Catherine Croucher, Patrick Fotheringham, Maarten & Anja Vink, Paul Haines, Graham Craig, Leanda Rock, Elaine Richardson, Bruce Miller, Cathy & Mike Priest, Jim Cousins, Pat & John Tristram (scribes). Monday : Whakanui Orongorongo Track On Monday, 10 of us tramped the Whakanui/Orongorongo Track (one I hadn t done before) and very pleased we did it as it was a great day. It did mean, however, that we finished at a different spot from where we started which took a bit of organising. John T, Marina and Russell kindly volunteered to be the drivers, and dropped the other seven folk off at the corner of Hine and Wainuomata Rd, while they drove around to Catchpool car park to leave two of the cars, before returning to the start in Marina s car. Meanwhile, seven of us had a very pleasant walk along the streets to the start of the track at the end of Sunny Grove a good warm up before the climb. The timing worked really well, as it wasn t too long before the drivers joined us on the upward stretch to the Whakanui Saddle. We were extremely lucky with the weather, as it was forecast to rain and we only noticed the misty drizzle on looking out at the view from the saddle, as we d been sheltered by the trees. And no further rain for the rest of the day, which made for a delightful tramp. We stopped for 18 minutes (according to Pat) for morning tea on the top stretch and after another 20 minute wander reach the turnoff with the old Whakanui Track. Further along we paused to chat to Kate and Nick Brownsward and family who were having lunch after they d climbed up from the river having had an overnight stay at Papatahi Hut. The descent to the river is not such a good track with a bit of slipping and sliding, but we arrived safe and sound. We paused for a sweetie break, and then took only another 15 minutes to Haurangi Hut where we happily relaxed on the veranda and picnic table for our lunch. It was then an easy stroll past Turere Hut (some diverted to have a look-in) and along the Orongorongo Track to the car park, with a brief stop at Midway Bridge for a snack. In all it took around 6.75 hours to complete. I would recommend this trip, and hope to do it again someday. Another great day covering over 20km (well those who walked from the Wainui Coast Road) with a total ascent of 915 metres. Participants: John and Pat Tristram, Russell Oliver, Cathy Priest, Marina Skinner, Liz Davis, Elaine Richardson, Doreen Courtenay and Tony Jaegers and me, Pamela Campbell (leader and scribe). ================ 10 BJFM/H&V/Vol71/No06

11 A very good effort in having 46 people days on the trips of whom five did all three trips, four of them being the leaders. Given that John had persuaded Russell and Pamela to lead these trips, we didn t think we were entitled to a gold prize, but Russell and Pamela certainly were. However, the person who did deserve a prize was Elaine for joining us on all three trips when not obliged to do any of them. We also felt those who did two trips should be acknowledged with a Silver Bar Paul and Bruce who did Saturday and Sunday, Liz who did Saturday and Monday and Cathy and Doreen who did Sunday and Monday. Thank you all. Pat & John MIDDLE HILL HUT, KAWEKA FOREST PARK 1-4 June 2018 Irene Davies Our party of 7 departed the Clubrooms around 2.30 pm on Friday 1 June and drove to Makahu Saddle stopping for tea on the way. When we arrived at the campsite it was quite chilly and drizzling lightly. We hoped that a few of us might be lucky enough to get a bed in the four-bunk Makahu Saddle Hut but that was not to be. So six of us pitched our tents while Jan took up residence on the back seat of the van. Camping out gave Chriselda a chance to practise pitching her new tent in the rain. The next morning there were a few good natured comments about some noisy thermarests a disadvantage with some of the very light versions. The morning was heavily overcast, cold and still drizzling lightly. After breakfast we set off for Kaweka Flats biv. 1.5 hours walk away. This is a pleasant little biv. situated in an open grassy area. The bivouac was built in 1963 by the NZ Forest Service and is situated at 900 metres above sea level in a clearing at the base of Dicks Spur. The site has adequate camping space surrounding the bivouac. Originally this area was cleared by the turn of the last century for pastoral farming, but has since reverted to manuka and kanuka. We had morning tea at the biv. while the sun struggled unsuccessfully to penetrate the heavy cloud cover. From the biv. we continued on the main track for about 1 km before branching off for about one km to visit the historic Iron Whare hut. This is one of the oldest back country huts in New Zealand and the oldest hut in the Hawke s Bay Conservancy. It was built before 1882 and probably in the late 1870s as a base for mustering sheep in the Kaweka Range. (Source DOC) Iron Whare is a fine example of vernacular hut construction using vertical totara slabs, a corrugated iron roof and it originally had a sod chimney. (Source DOC) We had lunch at the hut and some fought their way through the scrub to discover the open air loo. After re-joining the main track where we immediately had a very steep descent and subsequent climb which was a challenge for those with dodgy knees. This was followed by a couple more, easier climbs and descents. We arrived at Middle Hill Hut, a 6-bunk hut, late in Open-air loo near Iron Whare the afternoon. A hospitable couple were already ensconced in the hut which left four spare bunks for our party. Three of us pitched tents rather than sleep on the floor. We had a warm and cosy evening in the hut while the light drizzle continued outside. That night, just after going to bed in the tent, I think that I heard several kiwi calls. They are supposed to be in the area. 11 BJFM/H&V/Vol71/No06

12 On Saturday night we discussed the options for the following day. There were really only two options. Either all of us could walk back to the van the way that we had come in OR a couple of volunteers could go back the way that we had come in, get the van and drive around to where the track from Middle Hill hut intersected with Makahu Road, the road to Mangatutu Hot Springs and meet the rest of the party there. Since the walk in on Saturday had been quite strenuous and tough on knees, not surprisingly a number of us were not really keen on walking back the way we had come. The track out to the Makahu Road was shorter and not as steep. Fortunately Derek and Keith very kindly volunteered to go out and get the van and meet us on the Makahu Road. This approach would also allow all of us to have a soak in the hot springs, which was very appealing on a cold wet walk. So while Derek and Keith were up and away by 8.30 am the rest of us had a very relaxed morning in the hut drinking tea and chatting. We finally got moving at about am and walked out to the road in about 3 hours. Andrew, Keith and Derek s estimates of the time that we would all take were remarkably accurate since our group of 5 arrived at the Makahu Road 10 minutes after Keith and Derek arrived there in the van. We piled into the van and headed for the Mangatutu Hot Springs. After a leisurely soak there (a perfect way to end a cold walk) we returned to Makahu Saddle Hut in the van arriving there just before dark. We were delighted to find the 4-bunk hut empty and settled in just as the heavy rain forecast for the weekend arrived. With 7 in such a tiny hut we were warm without a fire. Sunday morning dawned wet and overcast so we decided to do two short walks before heading home. Four kilometres before Makahu Saddle a short road turns off Kaweka Road and leads to Littles Clearing. Here there is a picnic area and a 20 minute loop walk through beech forest. The walk took us an hour as Jan identified many of the plants for us. The clearing itself is a tussock bog. We then visited Balls Clearing Scenic Reserve, located 5 km from Puketitiri along the Pakaututu Road, which is an outstanding example of dense virgin podocarp forest. We were awestruck by the size and grandeur of the trees towering above us. Many of the trees were about 50 metres high. The forest escaped the widespread forest milling which was prominent in the area in the 1930 s as well as the extensive fires in the 1940 s. The dense stands of straight boled trees are dominated by rimu, matai, miro, and kahikatea. There is also a fringe of red beech around the clearing. An understorey of kohuhu, putaputaweta, broadleaf, mature fuchsia and five finger is complemented by a variety of ground ferns. (Source DOC Pamphlet) There is evidence in this area of vigorous regrowth of mistletoe in response to a long term possum control programme. The most common species of mistletoe found in these reserves is Tupeia antarctica, where it mainly grows on the five finger. (whauwhaupaka), but has a wide host range in other areas including introduced plants. (Source DOC pamphlet.) This Reserve is certainly worth visiting to gain an appreciation of the beauty, scale and diversity of these lowland forests. It is also a sad reminder of the natural wealth that has been lost. Although it was a damp, wintry weekend we were very fortunate because the forecast heavy rain arrived late on Sunday when were in Makahu Hut. Special thanks to the trip leader Andrew Robinson, the drivers and to Derek Richardson and Keith Thomas for walking out on Sunday to get the van. Trip participants: Andrew Robinson, Trip Leader, Jan Heine, Kate Livingston, Chriselda McMillan, Derek Richardson, Keith Thomas and Irene Davies. Irene The views expressed in the articles in this newsletter are not necessarily the views of the Hutt Valley Tramping Club. Any queries or comments should be directed to the writer of the article. Contributions to the Hills & Valleys are welcomed and encouraged but all are accepted on the understanding that the Editor has the authority to make minor changes if deemed necessary, refer back to the contributor for amendment, or return the contribution for amendment by the Writer 12 BJFM/H&V/Vol71/No06