Sunday 15 May 2022

Leader: Owen Cox

This trip was a hut check and spruce up for Parawai Lodge at Otaki Forks.

We met at the road end by the locked gate. From here we walked up to the Blue Slip which we crossed. This is now a doddle as someone has kindly put a formed track over the slip. From the slip it was now a pleasant 45 minute walk to Parawai Lodge. There is even a bit of grass in places along the road-edge.

Once at Parawai Lodge we set to and cleaned the hut out. Sweeping, cleaning walls, windows and benches inside and also a quick sweep of the outside walls.

The paintwork is not in bad condition and there was no problem with leakage. We also made sure there is rat bait out.

After lunch Marian and Lois checked a couple of Te Araroa signs for the Wellington Te Araroa Trust (or TAWT to those in the know).

The Otaki Forks area is changing as a result of the slip. There is no traffic so it is quiet. DoC have stopped mowing grass and locked the road-end toilets. However, people are still walking in and they seem to be making more overnight use of Parawai Lodge. Good numbers in the hut book.

We stopped at Te Horo for coffee on the way out.

Those on the trip were:

Julie James, Kate Livingston, Marian Cox, Owen Cox, Paula Richardson, Lois Hart, Rowan Hart

Currently there is no photo album for this trip.