Waitangi 6-9 February 2020
Leader: John Glover
This four-day trip began when seven Parawais (Brandon, Solly, Kate, Wayne, Neville, Elisabeth and John) assembled at the Paraparaumu Railway Station at 8am on Waitangi Day. We travelled by train to Wellington, picking-up Owen at Paekakariki. Pam, the ninth and final member of the party joined us before we boarded the Wairarapa train to Renall Street Station, Masterton.
I had arranged for a taxi with trailer to take us to "The Pines" roadend. Our first inkling that nine was the "right" number for our group came when we squeezed into the smallish taxi-van. It was a tight fit! Fortunately we were only travelling 18 km. We reached the roadend at 11.40 and walked for an hour to reach a good shady spot for lunch, beside the Waingawa River, where some also opted for a swim. Between there and Mitre Flats Hut, two pauses were made to refresh and regroup. Around 4.30 p.m. we reached the hut where many refreshed in the river and soaked up the sunshine.
On awaking on Friday morning, we became aware that light rain was falling. The drizzle gradually diminished as we made our way up Mitre, stopping about the same time we arrived at the summit and sat around in the cloud eating lunch. Owen then guided us down the northern slopes of Mitre and on to Brockett. At this stage the cloud was showing signs of lifting, and as we reached Girdlestone the lifting became a reality and a long photo-stop was called for as we finally had a chance to take in the views. Proceeding on, we arrived at a very sunny Tarn Ridge Hut shortly before 5 p.m.
The next morning, the sunny weather had been replaced by the expected cloud and wind.
Donning various forms of storm gear we tramped north, guided once more by Owen. A number of stops were made to rest and refresh, and many put on additional layers. The forecast had been for 15 knot winds, gusting 50 knots around midday. I felt that no less was delivered! In fact, we also had a little stinging rain for good measure. I think many would have been pleasantly surprised to have reached the Waiohine Pinnacles relatively quickly, but there wasn't time to sit around: the cold, wet weather meant we had to keep going, so Owen, after consulting a map, ably guided us in cloud to Arete Hut. Here we found for the second time that nine was the "right" number for the trip: eight of us could just fit, sitting on the two mattresses there, while Owen stood and delivered hot drinks to all. Thank you Owen! It took over an hour to eat some lunch and warm-up; soon after 2 p.m. we left the warmth of Arete Hut behind and tramped on to Te Matawai Hut, arriving around 5.20pm.
The last day dawned fine but with a fair amount of cloud. After breakfast we moved off promptly and arrived at South Ohau Hut at 10 a.m. After a brief stop, we entered the South Ohau River and tramped for three hours, plus pauses, until we reached a sunny spot for lunch at 1.30 pm. Shortly after lunch we left the river and tramped to the Poads Road car park, arriving at 4pm.
Soon after, we assembled at Pam and Paul's house for a splendid afternoon tea.
Those on the trip were:
Owen Cox, John Glover, Neville Grubner, Brandon Holman, Elisabeth Hynes, Kate Livingston, Pam Robinson, Brian Solomon, Wayne Williams