It was an early start to the day, as four of us set off at 7.10am from Bracken Ave. What started out
as a brisk, cool morning, turned out to be a beautiful warm, sunny day. We arrived at the Karangahake
Mountain track Crown Road carpark and met our fifth participant Ann. Ann told us about the situation
of the Gorge Rd since the recent floods. Although sad we weren't able to do the previous traditional
overnight stay at Nelson's infamous Wahi holiday home, we were saved having to navigate the now one-lane
sections of the flood-damaged Gorge Road. However, something of high significance that David pointed
out at our briefing and cause for a celebratory group photo, was the fact that this was the Club's 10th
year anniversary of doing maintenance on these tracks in the Kaimais. Our initial 5 year commitment by
the club had grown to 10 years.
After choosing which tools we would all carry and a prayer of
God's covering and blessing, we set off onto the County road track at 9.15am. At a point not far ahead,
this lower and less steep track divided at a signpost, where we all had our photos taken, to mark the
special anniversary. This time, the group was going to continue along the County Road track, prune back
growth over the track and remove some fallen trees. Anne had done a rekkie on the condition of the track
so we were informed what was needed. The pace set was enjoyable enough to take note of all the beauty
around us, including some amazing views out over the valley below and a little fantail that decided to
accompany us for quite a distance. I also heard some calls from the grey warblers not far away and an
alarming cry from a shining cuckoo just above us, as Sophie was busy clearing a drain channel to divert
water that was crossing the walking path. We needed to do this a few times, and Sunny did a very good
job with the spade at one point, digging out the debris and allowing the flow of water to run free and
clear, as it trickled out of a pipe across the path.
Other obstacles that crossed the path were
fallen trees. Some of the participants were able to use a saw to cut them and move them to the side.
One tree was too big and hard for our hand saws and left as a low obstacle to climb over. The trimming
and clearing of overgrowth, along the track went well and on the return journey we were able to catch
a few places we could do better than on the trek up. We walked till just after 12pm before stopping
to have a lunch break and then continued on a little further, turning around about half a kilometre from
where County road meets the track uphill to the Summit track. We had a productive day, walking 11.2
kms in total and arriving back at the carpark at 2.40pm. A safe and sleepy (not the driver!) journey
back home, arriving at Bracken Ave at 4.30pm on the dot. Volunteer hours 45 hours
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