Auckland Baptist Tramping Club KAREKARE   CHARISMA    Karekare          Saturday 26 June This was planned to be two easy walks in the Karekare area of the Waitakere Ranges - a walk to the Mercer Bay lookout between Karekare and Piha, followed by a tramp up Zion Ridge Track dropping into Pararaha Valley and returning along the coast to the Karekare beach carpark. A reasonably fine morning attracted sixteen people on the tramp. Leaving our cars at the Karekare Beach car park, we set off up Ahu Ahu Track, a steady climb on a well formed track. As we reached the top, we felt the first spits of rain - this continued as we took the Mercer Bay Loop Track and went out to the lookout on Te Ahua Point. The coastal views were impressive despite the greyness of the weather. This tramp was on part of the proposed Te Araroa Walkway that will stretch from North Cape to The Bluff eventually. We kept our parkas on as we returned via Comans Track to Karekare and our intended lunch stop at the carpark. We found a dry spot under some trees at the start of the carpark - to our surprise Laurie had brought a portable picnic table and a gas cooker, so we could have tea and coffee as well. We also had the opportunity to partake of the virtue of sharing - there was the company of heaps of hungry ducks and sparrows! The rain had set in by now, so we all decided to knock the trip on the head and go home - except for three hardy souls who were determined to carry out their original intentions despite the cold as well. COST: $4