22-23 June 2024

Leader: Graeme Richardson

Our group met up at the Ōtaki Forks roadend 8am on Saturday morning on a clear blue-sky day. We headed off at 8am, arriving at Parawai Lodge 45 minutes later, where we joined up with Viv who had arrived at the lodge the day before. After a steady climb we arrived at Field Hut around lunchtime.

Mel and Gordon had earlier planned to stay the night at Field Hut, returning early Sunday morning. John made the wise call to remain at the hut with them after noticing the uphill climb was hard work that day. We planned to meet up with him mid-morning Sunday and return together. Viv, Dave and I headed up the hill, texting the updated intention plan to the club once we got cell phone coverage on Table Top.

Passing the slab, Dave and I tried to find the perfect photo of this site. We had lovely weather to the hut with cool light winds.

We arrived at Kime Hut finding it empty and warmish. After dinner we settled in early to bed with Viv and I banished to the snorers' side of the hut. Around 9pm we were joined briefly by five Southern Crossing by moonlight runners who had taken refuge in the hut’s alcove before heading on to Field.

Unfortunately, we didn’t get to see any full moon that night with overhead cloud present.

Next morning we awoke to a beautiful blood red sunrise. Rain threatened but didn’t fully eventuate. We headed back down the hill to Field Hut, where we rejoined John at 10:30am. John and DW made fast time back down to the Ōtaki Forks information board whilst Viv and I made our way back at a leisurely pace. Paula and Tess came partway up the track to welcome us all which was a lovely surprise.

A lovely tramp with great company.

Those on the trip were:

David Williams, Gordon Balfour, Graeme Richardson, John Glover, Mel Cotterill, Viv Roberts

Currently there is no photo album for this trip.