Day Trip - Sunday 20 September 2015
This was to be the great introduction to the ATC of the new tramping options in the Waiorongiomai area, using the newly constructed section of the Pylon Peak track, and a section of the Kaimai Ridgeway (previously Old North South track) now cleared to the extent of being easily navigable again.
In the event it rained heavily overnight on the Saturday and the forecast was for a wet Sunday morning, no doubt prompting a good number of people to delay their departure from bed on the Sunday morning. However 16 hardy trampers did challenge the weather, with some heavy showers on the way there, and some rain when we set off on the tramp. A bit of rain and hail for a while ... but then amazingly it all cleared - no more rain all day, and no wind of note on the ridgetop - magic !
After everyone crossed the busy Waiorongomai Stream together (one accidental swimmer on the way over, one on the way back ...), the party split into the long party and the medium party. Our long party made steady progress on the initially gentle gradient on the new track constructed with 100’s of hours of volunteer effort, and the steeper gradient once we joined the old Pylon Track, reaching the ridgetop at the Pylon Peak just 2 hours and 650m elevation after leaving the carpark.
What a superb spot for a lunch break - no wind, great views over to Mt Te Aroha, down into the valley, and across the Hauraki Plains. Soon after along the Kaimai Ridgeway there were views out to the Bay Of Plenty, including across to Mayor Island.
Another 1 hr 10 mins through to the "junction" with the Waipapa Track - some blue ribbon and one indeterminately directioned orange triangle. Tony and Garry braved the cutty grass to find the old junction sign further up the hill.
From there an easy 2 hours’ walk back to the carpark, with time to stop and enjoy views down the valley, exuberant streams and waterfalls (thanks to the recent rain), and all the interesting mining relics, inclines and other restoration work.
The club will no doubt run another trip there early in the New Year, and before then more work parties will be in working on drainage and track protection work on the Kaimai Ridgeway. Come join us !