Friday
Our group of 32 departed from Bracken Ave soon after 7am, in six vehicles. A stop at
Pirongia for coffee set us on our way to Taumaranui for the fuel stop and lunch. Afternoon arrival at
the Scripture Union Lodge in Rehua Place (1 km above the Whakapapa Visitor Centre) was a great location
for the weekend. Four bunkrooms of 8 accommodated us all. Kitchen and lounge upstairs gave us a mountain
view as well.
Afternoon walks were taken to (a) Silica Rapids: led by Barbara Langridge. It was
an hour’s walk in to the rapids, a series of shallow terraces covered in creamy white deposits. The
water is rich in aluminium and silicate materials which are deposited in the stream bed. We returned
by the 45min walk to the Bruce Rd in only 30 min, but had about 2km to walk down the road, with a great
view of Ngauruhoe on the way. (b) Taranaki Falls and the loop walk: led by Tim Taylor. The group took
a leisurely walk – about 50min to the falls, fairly flat and bridge-crossings over streams. The loop
track return takes a similar time, but is more undulating, stepped and on a windy well-formed track through
pretty forest.
The DOC staff recommended we try the Tongariro Crossing on Saturday, since there
were lighter winds and only minimally more rain than Sunday predicted.
In the evening we enjoyed
a delicious meal and devotions featured the meaning of Good Friday. The voice of David Kilgour singing
‘Were you there when they crucified my Lord?’ echoed up the stairwell. How moving! Of course we were
not there but five of us were in Jerusalem last year, and Mark Paynter asked us reflective questions
about that time.
Saturday – Tongariro Crossing.
A 6am breakfast enabled us to depart
before 7am using our own vehicles and the hired van to the start at the Mangetepopo Shelter. We met
4 buses and other vans already having dropped off walkers on the road in – yes a crowded track was a
major part of the day! We set off on the track at 7.30am.
Dividing into 2 groups, Tim Taylor
and Paul Campbell led the first group of 9 planning to also do the side trip up Tongariro. Barbara Langridge
and Colin Bourke were with the larger group of 13.
The weather was clear as we ascended above
the Soda Springs area, for the first major climb. Now the track is well defined, rocky in parts, with
plenty of steps helping the climb. By 11am both groups had made this ascent and were in the South crater
area. A small side path led to the actual South crater, where groups stopped for a snack. The open
view of the extent of the whole wide area was appreciated, before the mist appeared.
The second
group were well up the second climb, with a view back towards the south crater as the mist appeared below.
The first group were well along the Tongariro Summit poled route (track of 1.5-2hrs) , and second group
reached this junction with the highest point in sight, as the mist rolled up and over the top, concealing
the Red Crater and the top of Mt Tongariro. Photos at the top recorded our arrival in the mist.
We
descended to the Emerald Lakes, with a misty view below, as we skidded down the scree slope. Below the
lakes, the Oturere Hut junction stated 4km to the Ketatahi Hut and 10.4km to the end of the track. The
steadiest rain of the day hit us, and we continued in mist and rain to the Ketatahi hut. Shelter inside
was welcome as we ate a late lunch in a crowded hut. Trudging the last 6km to the end we were met by
our drivers and vehicles, and returned to the SU Lodge. Group 2 finished the track at 3.30pm and Group
1 after 4.30pm.
Tama Lakes: Led by Marian and David Kilgour.
Ten of us set out from the
end of Ngauruhoe Place by the Visitor Centre following the well-formed track which meanders through tussock
country and alpine herbfields. After an hour we came to the junction with the Taranaki Falls track and
decided to break into two groups although there was not much distance between the groups. We reached
the lower lake in good time and stopped briefly to admire its pristine beauty before making our way up
to the upper lake. This was a poled route and as we made our way up the weather deteriorated rapidly
with mist and driving rain. A few of us reached the upper lake and were able to view it briefly before
the whole group turned back as the area was very exposed and cold. We did not stop to eat lunch at the
lower lake as planned but kept going in order to avoid getting too cold. The rain set in and continued
steadily all the way back which meant we only made a brief stop to grab a snack or put more layers on.
We completed the walk in under five hours with three people branching off to take the Taranaki Falls
Walk and returning that way.
Devotions were led by Mark Paynter, as we pondered on a very few
scriptures, telling us very few details about Jesus in between His death and His Resurrection.
Sunday
Trampers were keen to explore the upper parts of the mountain, taking vehicles to the
Top of the Bruce, and two chairlifts, to 2020m. ($30pp but only $15 for Seniors!) The sunny day and
clear view of the mountain made it a great ride, sighting only very small patches of snow much higher
up the mountain.
Meads Wall Walk – Instead of taking the chairlift a few trampers explored this
short track from the Top of the Bruce. It goes to a spectacular rocky outcrop used to film Lord of the
Rings. (30 min from Top of the Bruce).
Skyline Route Walk: led by Paul Campbell. From the top
of the second chairlift, some only explored the lower part of this route (and then visited NZ’s highest
café by the highest chairlift exit) the other 14 of us climbed up the poled route, as it continued to
ascend up to the ridge-line. It was a one hour climb. Views were great, to begin with, then the sudden
mist was upon us, the temperature dropped, and we reached the top in cool swirling mist. After our descent
to the café, most of us by-passed the long queue, enjoyed our descending chairlift ride to the other
café stop at the Top of the Bruce. Some had lunch here, and some back at the lodge, before a number
embarked on afternoon walks.
Taurewa Loop Walking track led by Colin Bourke. This track is accessed
from SH 47 and the access road proved to be exceptionally rugged and a challenge to the hired van. The
group reported a lot of birdlife and sightings of robins, tomtits, fantails and more as they explored
the old milling trails in the bush. A reasonably flat track takes about 2 hours.
Silica Rapids
(second opportunity) led by Tim Taylor.
Tama Lakes (second opportunity) led by Paul Campbell.
Evening devotions – led by David and Marian was introduced by David singing ‘Were you there when He rose
up from the dead?’ Marian shared some Resurrection reflections, about how we actually live ‘a resurrected
life’ and the difference it should make to our living and relationships. We all sang the victorious
hymn ‘Christ the Lord is risen today – Alelluia’.
Monday
We began with 6.30am breakfast,
to give time for pack-up and cleaning the lodge. By 8.30am we were out on the tracks shown below.
Whakapapanui Track led by Paul Campbell & Colin Bourke This trail walks from the Whakapapa Village
towards SH47 following the stream. If only one way, and swapping keys as our group did, it can be done
in one hour. (Return walking option is along the road or return the same track.)
Nature Trail
and Mounds Walk led by Tim Taylor. A leisurely walk identifying plants.
Taranaki Falls Loop Track
(second opportunity) led by Barbara Langridge.
We returned by 10.30am and were soon on the road
north, via Taumaranui, Otorohonga and several had lunch at Te Kuiti. North of Pirongia the van driver
took a link to the Waikato Expressway which proved very slick in reaching Taupiri after only a short
time. (To be recommended in the future). The van was back at Bracken Ave by 4pm, so returned in good
time and not charged another day’s hire!
COST:
Scripture Union Lodge - $18/night :$54pp for
3 nights
Food - $12/day: $36
Transport 62 (car and van rates may differ but overall price)
Equipment Levy: $6
Contingency $5
Total $163
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