| Auckland Baptist Tramping Club |
|
WAIKATO WHIMSICAL Pirongia and Kakepuku 7-9 May |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| For a fullsize picture click on the thumbnail |
|
This combined trip with Pathways (Hamilton’s Christian tramping club) explored two of the main mountains
in the south-west Waikato - the very prominent landmark of Mt Pirongia, and a smaller hill between Pirongia
and Te Awamutu, Kakepuku. There were eighteen people from ABTC, including two from Tauranga and three
from Hamilton, plus four from the much smaller Pathways club. Those from Auckland travelled down Friday
night in three cars; two of these carloads returned home Saturday night. Friday Unlike most trips, we did not assemble and depart from The Bracken. Our leader Nelson had arranged the three carloads beforehand and arranged pick up from people’s homes. We travelled to what was to be our base for the weekend, chez Gail, a nice new house in Hamilton’s Western Heights on the edge of the city with a view to the countryside beyond. Saturday This was to be a notable day in the history of Gail’s house - the Presidential Cups Of Tea In Bed Service at daybreak. The four trampers from Pathways met us at chez Gail at 8am, and we set off for Mt Pirongia in what promised to be a lovely fine day. We drove to the end of Corcorans Road, one of several routes to the top of Mt Pirongia and probably the most popular and shortest of them. The first part was an hour-long climb to Ruapane trig. For most of the way the track was well formed with steps, but the last part was a little more rough as we climbed the spur to the trig. We arrived shortly after 10am, and took in a wonderful view extending from Mt Karioi in the west to Hamilton and across to Maungatauturi. Ahead of us were the main peaks of Pirongia. There were two options - those who did not feel like the 2-3 hour rugged track to the summit could opt for a lazier day, but most of us decided to push on to the summit. It was more rugged, with many places where we had to use handholds but nothing too tricky. About five minutes from Ruapane the track climbed over a rocky peak - chains had been put in on both sides to make things much easier. Further on was another and more formidable hunk of rock - but the track dropped down and followed the bottom of this before beginning the main ascent. About 15min before the summit there was a junction with the Mahaukura Track, then it was mostly boardwalk to the summit. The climb was well worth it - we had a view almost all around of the south Waikato. We could see snowclad Ruapehu in the distance, but it soon disappeared under cloud. We were unable to see Mt Egmont this time. We were able to see Raglan and Kawhia harbours, Mt Karioi, the Hakarimata, Hapuakohe and Kaimai ranges in the distance, Maungatauturi, Te Kawa Hill and Sunday’s hill Kakepuku. The North Island Main Trunk Railway runs through Te Awamutu and Te Kawa Hill - didn’t we hear the whistle of a steam train? To get a better view, there was a ladder up the side of the trig. And what better place than this for our lunch stop. Pirongia Summit is on the proposed Te Araroa Walkway, a millenium project involving a walkway from Cape Reinga to the Bluff. The North Island section is expected to be completed by the end of 2000. We returned the way we came, much easier and quicker! We stopped for afternoon tea at Ruapane, and were down at the cars by about 4pm. Grant’s carload went straight back to Auckland; the two other carloads plus Brian and Alex returned to chez Gail for a yummy dinner of curry and rice. Afterwards we were invited to Margaret’s home nearby to relax and enjoy their spa. Sunday The day started with a departure from tradition - no cups of tea in bed. Nelson got up early and started a marking bee - being a school teacher he had marking of his pupils’ maths work to do, and he brought the work with him. He roped all those not preparing breakfast to get stuck in with pens and paper - Greg was a teacher anyway; Alex tutored high school students; and even John, who had never done teaching, found this a straightforward task! The bee and breakfast over, we were packed and away by 8am to climb Kakepuku. To meet us at the start of the only track up Kakepuku, on the south side of the mountain, was Glenys Fraser, a local resident who was involved in a plan to rid Kakepuku of pests and bring in native birdlife. She spoke briefly about the work, which would include breeding robins and other birds at Pureora, one hour away by car, and bringing them to Kakepuku. Unfortunately, she was unable to join us for the climb. It was a steady and steep climb most of the way up Kakepuku, at first through farm paddocks, then into bush. We took about one-and-a-half hours to get to the summit. Once on the summit plateau, the track dipped downhill twice before reaching the summit trig, which had a viewing platform built around it. We were able to see Mt Pirongia, of course, and also Hamilton, Te Awamutu, the Kaimai Ranges with Mt Te Aroha, Maungatauturi and Te Kawa Hill. Unfortunately the trees in the direction of the King Country were too high, so were unable to see Ruapehu. On our way back to Hamilton we stopped at Yardley’s Bush, near Te Awamutu. This was a remnant of the kahikatea forest which covered much of this part of the Waikato. What made this interesting was not just the boardwalk loop track through the bush, with a 6-metre viewing platform, but the incessant birdsong from the tops of the tall trees. We heard nothing like this on our two main tramps, in fact on virtually all of the forest and national parks in New Zealand. The only place I remember that may come close to this was the nature walk on Tiritiri Matangi Island. It was after 2pm when we returned to chez Gail for lunch, before driving home to Auckland. |