Auckland Baptist Tramping Club
2002

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Steady rain during the morning did not stop 34 people from turning up to explore one of the tracks near Karekare, especially as the weather forecast kept to its word of the rain clearing in the afternoon. But really the main draw was having afternoon tea at David's new beach house in the area.  

We left The Bracken soon after 1:30 pm. and travelled to the beginning of La Trobe Track, off Lone Kauri Rd, where some more people were waiting for us. We then set out along the La Trobe Track, a lovely bush track that began a long gradual descent. It was a bit muddy in places because of the recent rain and the time of the year.  There were occasional glimpses of the Tasman Sea and Karekare Beach, and across the valley as well.  

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Near the end of the track we took a side track climbing up to a lookout, where we could see the settlement of Karekare and the beach and sea behind, and also look up the valley.  
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Soon after we returned to the main track we came to a junction and took the Taraire Track which dropped down to cross Company Stream then climb over a spur and descend to the base of a lovely big waterfall, also part of Company Stream.
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After a brief stop we came out onto Lone Kauri Road and began a two kilometre road bash up to David’s beach house where our lovely afternoon tea was waiting for us. The house was almost completely surrounded by native bush giving an idyllic setting, and we had a good view of the sea.  
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Later the drivers were taken back to the start of the tramp to collect their cars and bring them back to the house ready to take their passengers home to Auckland. But for some of us it turned out to be a long wait. We were wondering what may have happened to the drivers. It was not until after 7 pm. that the three missing cars finally turned up - apparently the cars had got stuck in the mud at the carpark at the start of La Trobe Track, and it took all that time to get them out of it. So we did not get back to the Bracken until about 8pm, tired from an interesting and eventful afternoon.

COST: $6