This year we limited the numbers so that we could all travel together in one minibus and all of us felt
that keeping together in this way greatly added to the enjoyment of the trip. We hired the minibus
from Rent-a-Dent in Manukau and as soon as we mentioned the club name to the Manager he immediately recognised
that we were a responsible group who would not be mixing alcohol and driving in any way! One member
pulled out at the last moment so ten of us set off from Auckland on Maundy Thursday to spend the night
in the Brethren Hall, Roosevelt Road at Rotorua.
Good Friday
Up early, had breakfast,
made our lunches and by 8.00am we were heading out along State Highway 5 for State Highway 38, Murupara
and Waikaremoana.
Our plan was to tramp this 46km Great Walk track from the Hopuruahine track
entrance anti-clockwise to the Onepoto track entrance. This meant that we would climb the Panekiri Range
on Easter Sunday when we had eaten more than half of the food! Late Friday morning we reached the bridge
over the Hopuruahine Stream where eight of the group in the charge of Laurie set off towards Waiharuru
Hut where we stayed for our first night. (NB this bridge is shown as a ford on topo map 260-W18).
Meanwhile Phillip and Peter took the minibus along to the motor camp at Waikaremoana and crossed the
lake by water taxi to rejoin the group at Whanganui Hut where we all lunched together and Carole led
us in devotions.
We still had three of the Bibles from the summer tramps and we placed one of
them at this hut. These Bibles were provided by Seek Freedom, a ministry whose mission is to place God’s
Word in back-country huts so that trampers and hunters could be presented with the Gospel of Christ and
His plan for salvation while amongst God’s creation in the great outdoors. The ministry was the fruit
of a vision its founder Ria Summerhays (now Ria Wayne) had when holidaying in New Zealand a few years
ago. She has since moved from England to New Zealand to lead the ministry.
We enjoyed perfect
weather for the delightful walk along the bush/shore margin, over the saddle separating the Puketukutuku
Range and along to the three year old Waiharuru Hut. This very new hut is a splendid affair comprising
two buildings, the sleeping part being separated from the kitchen/dining part but joined by a common
deck. We were impressed by the extensive verandahs over these decks although it might have been helpful
in bad weather if the covered verandah was continuous. Spacious sleeping area but as usual at DOC huts
very few hooks for coats etc either inside or outside the building.
Peter had organised the
group so we were all rostered for cooking and washing up duties in addition to those sharing a devotion
each day. Our evening meal on Friday was vegetables, chicken & ham roll with noodles followed by semolina
and apples. Talking with the warden and his partner during the evening established that they were Baptists
and indicated yet again the benefits of our club name. They were very happy for us to place a Bible at
this hut as well.
Easter Saturday
We set off for the Korokoro campsite continuing around
the lake edge and over three saddles to reach the large diversion the track makes to get round Te Wharau
Stream and back into Maraunui Bay. It was along this last part of the track that we met Mary (nee Forlong)
and her husband who were tramping towards us. It was good to catch up and exchange news and she sends
best wishes to all.
A short way further along the bay and by a marker beacon on a rock outcrop
in the lake, we stopped for lunch where Laurie led devotions with us. Some of us scrambled out to this
rock but quickly came back to avoid disturbing a nesting black swan who shared the rock with the beacon.
After numerous further meanders round many bays the track eventually led us to Korokoro campsite.
We arrived early enough for most of us to take the 30 minute side trip from the campsite to view the
Korokoro falls. This was well worth the extra walking and also more enjoyable being able to leave our
packs at the camp.
Most of us had taken the opportunity to have a swim before enjoying our evening
meal which consisted of tuna in mushroom sauce, rice and beans followed by cake and custard. During the
evening the intermittent rain became more persistent and it remained thus throughout the night.
Easter
Sunday
It was still raining gently whilst breakfast was being prepared and eaten but naturally,
soon after we struck the tent flys the rain stopped. Because space under the shelter at the campsite
was rather limited with all the campers vying for spaces, we elected to make our lunches at the next
hut.
The track from Korokoro to Waiopaoa Hut is barely above lake level and we wondered what
might happen in times of very heavy rainfall. By the time we reached the hut rain had turned to sunshine
again and we quickly made our lunches.
The track from here begins its steady ascent onto the Panekiri
Range and then undulates along the ridge to reach the Panekiri Hut. Although the climb is only a further
600m or so above the lake we noticed a considerable increase in the wind strength as well as a decrease
in temperature. We also found that we became more spread out as a group. Towards the ridge and where
the track came nearer to the edge the views were extensive and impressive, fully making up for the hard
slog upwards.
We elected to regroup along the ridge at the first sunny spot that was out of the
wind and Bev and John found a superb spot where we could all enjoy sharing in a devotion led by Bev.
Another hour or so saw us at Panekiri Hut which is located right on the ridge so that both northerly
and southerly views can be enjoyed. Little did we know that we had yet more climbing once at the hut.
Our group being last to arrive found the only spaces left were on the top tier of three tier bunks!
Nevertheless we soon had the billy boiling and were enjoying mugs of soup, yet again packet soups proving
to be a very popular form of getting a good warm nourishing drink. We enjoyed such each evening before
dinner. Dinner for Easter Sunday consisted of spaghetti bolognaise andmixed vegetables followed by instant
puddings and apricots. We placed our third Bible in Panekiri Hut.
Easter Monday
More sunshine,
although there was plenty of frost about, what had we done to deserve the beautiful weather we had enjoyed,
but better not speak too soon. The track continued along the undulating ridge going past a number of
places giving magnificent views over the whole lake and our tramping of the previous three days.
At a wider clearing, sheltered and in the sun, we stopped in order to enjoy sharing devotions led by
Lorraine. How helpful it is to be able to share these thoughts whilst enjoying God’s great creation and
how blessed we are to be able to share the thoughts of our colleagues.
Soon after the track began
the long descent Laurie and Peter went ahead so they could to get down earlier and bring the minibus
back for the rest of the group who were being led by Phillip. There were still many places to enjoy the
grand views and it was at one of these that Laurie and Peter were subjected to a brief hailstorm. Was
the weather about to change? Indeed it was and although Laurie and Peter reached the road before 12.00am
very dark clouds had started to gather.
To our great good luck the water taxi driver’s wife was
waiting in her car for some people who had not shown up and she was about to return to the motor camp.
She offered us a lift and this meant that we were able to be back at Onepoto just before Phillip and
the group came off the track. Just as well because the temperature had dropped noticeably and it was
just beginning to rain. No sooner had we changed our clothing and loaded the trailer than the rain became
heavy. Praise the Lord we were all safely off the track and in the warmth and comfort of the minibus.
We paused briefly at the DOC visitor centre and again to view the Mokau Falls before our long slow journey
along highway 38 to Rotorua. Laurie left us at Rotorua to spend a couple of days holiday and after
refreshment at Burger King the rest of us set off for Auckland via State Highway 27 and Matamata..
Everyone agreed that it had been really good to use a minibus so that we all kept together. Also, when
necessary, all would be prepared to pay a little more than the 6 cents/km (to cover the full cost of
hiring the van) in order to enjoy being together and to avoid having to use own cars and to leave them
in isolated places. Everyone said a special “thank you” to Val who had arranged the menu, bought the
food and prepacked the meals. It was novel to have lightweight food packages and no tins.
COST:
$114
Item shares as below:-
DOC Huts and Campsite $38
Minibus (*1/11th share) $42
Diesel
Fuel (1/10th share) $6
Brethren Hall (Koha) $5
Food (1/10th share) $17 (1/10th share because
we ate it all!!)
Water Taxi for two $4 (Return journey)
Admin & sundry items $2
*This
follows Club policy of a person pulling out at the last minute having to share some of the costs when
necessary
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