tramping program to April 2023
Click here to download a one page summary of the next set of trips, to print and post on your noticeboard or fridge
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TRIP DATE |
TRIP DETAILS |
BOOKING INFORMATION |
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27 August |
Mangaokewa Reserve
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Colin Standing Phone : 07 855 1335 Txt : 027 326 6886 Email : standings@xtra.co.nz Open : Monday 14 August |
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10 September
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Wairere Falls
Kaimais |
Dianne Lee Phone/Txt : 027 272 6617 Email : leedi444@gmail.com Open : Monday 28 August |
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24 September
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Aongatete Loop Walk
Katikati |
Dianne Lee Phone/Txt : 027 272 6617 Email : leedi444@gmail.com Open : Monday 11 September |
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8 October |
Brooke Park
Te Kuiti
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Pam Cornforth Phone/Txt : 027 278 0690 Email : pcornforth@xtra.co.nz Open : Monday 25 September |
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Tuesday 10 October 7.30pm |
St Albans Church Hall, 126 Comries Road, Chartwell, Hamilton |
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22 October |
Luck at Last Mine
Whangamata |
Dianne Lee Phone/Txt : 027 272 6617 Email : leedi444@gmail.com Open : Monday 9 October |
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5 November
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Whiritoa Coastal Walk – 3rd try
Waihi |
Pam Cornforth Phone/Txt : 027 278 0690 Email : pcornforth@xtra.co.nz Open : Monday 23 October |
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19 November
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New Find Claim (Big Stope)
Waiorongomai |
Colin Standing Phone : 07 855 1335 Txt : 027 326 6886 Email : standings@xtra.co.nz Open : Monday 6 November |
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3 December |
Miranda Bird Sanctuary Visit and Lunch
Kaiaua |
Dianne Lee Phone/Txt : 027 272 6617 Email : leedi444@gmail.com Open : Monday 20 November |
Sunday 27 th August 2023 Mangaokewa Reserve (Te Kuiti area) Grade 1, 2
Note: This replaces the original trip in the Bulletin
G2 - We will drop the Grade 2’s off at the Waitete Rugby Club carpark. The tramp starts at the
end of Ahora Ford West Road and follows a chain link fence adjacent to the Mangaokewa
Stream. Fairly long vegetation here means gaiters are an advantage to keep feet dry. After
about 1 km we cross on an old bridge and continue to walk on the true right side of the
stream. The track continues with views of the limeworks and old cement works on the
other side of the stream, gradually rising about 50 m before dropping zig-zag back to near
stream level and finally entering bush. A nice waterfall and footbridge here. At about 3 km
along the track we meet the new bridge accessing the Mangaokewa Reserve, then join the Grade 1 track.
G1 - Will continue on in the vans to the Mangaokewa Reserve and start here. The two grades will continue walking the true right side of the river and walk to the next swing bridge about another 3 km. passing another waterfall. Some care required when negotiating a slip.
Once at the swing bridge, there is an option to cross the stream and return to the Reserve on the left side of the stream although this is somewhat more strenuous (approx. 100 m climb and descent on rustic steps) and yet another slip to negotiate.
Options exist to walk 3, 6, 9 or 12 km.
Depart: 08:00 am Return: 5:30 pm approx.
Leaders: Colin Standing and Ron Clarke
Cost: $25 (members) $30 (non-members)
Bookings: Open: 6:00 pm, Monday 14 August 2023
Contact: Colin via Txt: 027 3266886 or Email: standings@xtra.co.nz
Sunday 10 September Kaimais Grades 1 & 2
Wairere Falls Track
The trip starts from the car park at the end of Goodwin Road and follows a well-formed track through lots of moss covered large rocks and tree roots to meet up with the Wairere River, that is crossed several times on bridges.
A steady climb up steps through native bush brings us to a lookout platform with great views of the Falls that drop 153 metres to the stream below. Some may call it a day here and wander back slowly to the vans or walk on to turn around when decided.
Others keen for more, can continue up plenty of steps and staircases to reach the top of the escarpment and continue on through native forest to reach the Falls Lookout.
If it’s really windy the water blows back the water to soak the intrepid who venture on (quite spectacular). Return the same way.
Expect to walk 3 to 4 hours or a bit more if you explore a little further afield.
Depart: 8am Return: 4.30pm approx
Cost: $25.00 (members) $30.00 (non-members)
Leaders: Ron Clarke and Friends
Bookings: Monday 28 August @ 6pm
Contact Dianne Phone/Txt 027 272 6617 Email leedi444@gmail.com
Sunday 24 September Katikati Grades 1+ & 3
Aongatete Loop Walks
The Aongatete Forest Restoration Trust look after the area and have a project with Forest and Bird to restore animal and plant life to the 500ha of native forest. They are also supported by DOC.
G1+ Nature Loop through lowland forest area with interpretive signage to explain environment and then on to the Short Loop which takes you through puriri and kohekohe forest along the Aongatete river total walking approx. 2h. for around 4km. If we want a bit more of a walk while we wait for the G3, we can go in to where the G3’s will be coming out and return.
G3 This will be offered if we have a leader on the day. This track Is a more difficult and technical than the G1+ (Pam, Dianne and Keith completed this in their survey).
This tramp has three river crossings around knee level depending on rain, rooty track with lots of climbing and steep bits, but well worth the effort. Walking time approx. 5-6h for around 9.5km.
Coffee/ ice cream on way home
Please remember you will need change of clothes and shoes please for the ride home.
Depart: 7.30am Return: 6pm approx
Cost: $25.00 (members) $30.00 (non-members)
Leaders: G1+ - Dianne, Pam and friends G3 – on the day
Sunday 8 October Te Kuiti Grade 1+
Brook Park
Brook Park in Te Kuiti is the site of a fortified Maori Pa known as Motakiora.
The Park has some areas of gum and pine plantations and small pockets of native bush. There is a system of marked walking tracks allowing short easy walks, to moderately long walks. We will take the climb to the highest point at an easy pace. From the top there are spectacular views north to Pirongia, southwest over Te Kuiti and out to Pureora. Evidence of old terracing and kumera pits can also be seen. Could be slippery if wet - poles advised.
Coffee/ice cream on way home
Depart: 7.30am Return: 5-6pm approx
Cost: $25.00 (members) $30.00 (non-members)
Leaders: Dianne, Pam, and Friends
Bookings: Monday 25 September @ 6pm
Contact: Pam Phone/Txt 027 278 0690 Email pcornforth@xtra.co.nz
AGM
Tuesday 10 October 2023 7.30pm
St Albans Church Hall, 126 Comries Road, Chartwell, Hamilton
AGM and guest speaker Carol on her recent trip to Norway and the Northern Lights, followed by a cuppa
Apologies and General Business to Club Secretary, Sue Grocock, email : rongee@xtra.co.nz
See you there
Sunday 22 October Whangamata Grade 2
Luck at Last Mine
We last did this trip in 2021 and the forest area has changed dramatically. We turn off SH25 7km north of Whangamata onto private forestry land, travel down a gravel road recently used by logging trucks to where we will park up and have morning tea.
This track crosses slash from recent logging, so take care. It then enters forest/bush to provide a scenic walk along the Wharekawa River to old gold mine ruins where you can view old mining relics. The track is reasonably formed, good under foot and has been looked after but the recent weather has caused slips and flooding so the track could be tricky in places, suggest using poles would be helpful. There are some quirky things on the track for you to look for, probably left when the track was formed or maintained.
We will have lunch at the battery site and will give you time to explore the relics. NB: Old mine workings can be dangerous so please take care. We will be walking in/out on same track and will be around 4-5h.
The Luck at Last Mine is an abandoned gold mine on the east of Coromandel Peninsula. In 1896, the mine was sold to the London based Whangamata Proprietary Limited. The company took over a number of mine leases. Flush with money, the company lavished it on a large battery, and other equipment that the deposit did not warrant. When the money ran out, the company reconstructed in 1899 as the Whangamata Gold Corp, a common method with mining companies to raise more revenue often at the expense of the original shareholders. The mine closed in 1900.
The Empire Reefs Gold Mining Company was formed in 1926 to prospect and potentially re-open the old Luck at Last Mine. The following year a low level drive was developed under the belief gold grades increased with depth. Work was abandoned shortly after.
Coffee/ice cream stop on way home
Depart: 7.30am Return: 5-6pm approx
Cost: $25.00 (members) $30.00 (non-members)
Leaders: Dianne, Pam and friends
Bookings: Monday 9 October @ 6pm
Contact: Dianne Phone/Txt 027 272 6617 Email leedi444@gmail.com
Sunday 5 November Waihi Grade 1+
Whiritoa Coastal Walk – 3rd Try
Whiritoa is a coastal town north of Waihi Beach, 90 minutes from Hamilton. Vehicles will park by the toilets and General Store where we will have our morning tea.
The walk starts with the crossing of a shallow lagoon so there could be a water wade and then we head up steps towards Waimana Bay. At the north end of this bay, we head up and across paddocks to Papakura Bay or Shipwreck Bay. Remnants of the Hipi (a steam tug) from 1976 are still visible. An option here is to have lunch or descend to the beach on a chain and walk a little further. After lunch we will retrace our route back to vehicles.
Finally, a drive to the south end of Whiritoa beach to admire some rock carvings and an exciting blowhole if it’s high tide. Total time 4-5hrs
Depart: 8am Return: 5pm approx
Cost: $25.00 (members) $30.00 (non-members)
Leader: Pam, Dianne and Barbara Durrant
Bookings: Open Monday 23 October
Contact: Pam Cornforth Phone/Txt 027 278 0690 Email pcornforth@xtra.co.nz
Sunday 19 November Waiorongamai Grades 1+ & 2+
New Find Claim (Big Stope)
Starting from the old crusher, we take the High Level Pack track via the Butlers Incline track to the site of the Quartzville encampment. Just before the campsite we turn steeply uphill, using trees etc to aid our ascent, following markers to a narrow benched track and turn north.
A short distance along, more uphill until we meet the Stope at its northern most end. This was the New Find Claim where an open cut “stope” was made over 100m long and of similar depth. Care will have to be taken due to the existence of old mine shafts and the vertical nature of the stope. We will then traverse southwards to view the length of the stope.
Having viewed the stope we will return to the campsite for lunch. Following we will retrace our steps to the top of Butlers Incline and then proceed down the Cadman Track back to the vans. Bring a torch if you wish to inspect any of the mine tunnels.
Expect to walk about 11 km (5-6 hours)
Grade 1's will walk slowly up to the top of Butler's Incline for lunch. The walk back to the vans will be via the Cadman Track. Expect to walk about 6/7 km (4 hours).
Depart: 7.30am Return: 5.30pm approx
Cost: $25.00 (members) $30.00 (non-members)
Leaders: Colin Standing and Grant Svendsen
Bookings: Open Monday 6 November @ 6pm
Contact: Colin Standing Phone 07 855 1335 Phone/Txt 027 326 6886 Email standings@xtra.co.nz
Sunday 3 December Miranda Grade 1/Social
Miranda Bird Sanctuary and Lunch at the Bay View Hotel
This is the last tramp of the year so bring your glad rags and walking shoes.
We are arranging a presentation by the Sanctuary Trust to tell us about their work and the birds who visit and live there. After the presentation, we will have morning tea including Xmas cake provided by the committee. We will then walk down to the sanctuary hides/viewing areas to see who might be present or those who have flown in for a visit, then make our way back to the vans. This is a flat walk on gravel paths of about 1 hour. Bring your binoculars for a better view.
Once loaded into the vans we head to the Bay View Hotel which is nestled in the charming seaside town of Kaiaua. Bay View Hotel is a cozy establishment that offers a delightful dining experience to locals and visitors alike. The restaurant serves up classic Kiwi pub fare with a focus on fresh seafood, such as the mouth-watering snapper and scallops cooked to perfection with a crispy batter. The menu also features juicy burgers, salads, and steak sandwiches, all at reasonable prices that won't break the bank (mains from $18 - $40)
Depart: 8am Return: 5-6pm approx
Cost: $25.00 (members) + personal lunch costs $30.00 (non-members) + personal lunch costs
Leaders: Dianne, Pam and Friends
Bookings: Monday 20 November @ 6pm
Contact: Dianne Phone/Txt 027 272 6617 Email leedi444@gmail.com
