|
Summer may be winding down, but we're still basking in the glow of its adventures. Here are some plans that will make 2020 a little more fabulous, and a few snippets about where folks have been lately.
Upcoming events
|
|
In December we walked the Waikōwhai Walkway to the Lynfield end; now we'll walk the other half, ending up at the Onehunga foreshore. The walk is about 5km with the option to loop around Onehunga Bay Reserve for another 2-3 km.
Meet at 10:30 at 30 Seacliffe Road, Hillsborough (Taumanu Reserve) and we'll take a couple of cars up to Waikōwhai Park to start. If you have kids or are running late, then come straight to Waikōwhai Park and shuttle back at the end. Bring lunch, water, sunscreen,
hats etc. Please
RSVP. |
|
Our first SUP expedition is a great chance for those who've never tried it before to give it a go. Venue will be up to 3 metres deep. Bring lunch, drinks, togs, towel, wetsuit or rash vest, hat, lotion, etc. A waterproof holder for phones could come in handy,
or a dry bag. To hire a SUP, meet at SUPcentre, 20 Melrose Street, Newmarket. We'll carpool to the venue, which will depend on wind direction.
Please
RSVP, as numbers are limited to 8-10 people who don't have their own board. If more boards and experienced people join, we can increase the numbers. |
|
|
24–27 April
Our Rotorua local, Annabel, has the insider hook up for us to stay at
Lake View Christian Camp about 15 minutes from Rotorua CBD. The private camp has great views of the lake and is an excellent value at $24 a person per night.
This will be a "choose your own adventure" with organised activities to choose from.
Hiking,
mountain biking, and hot pools are among the options.
Sign up by 23 March so we know there will be enough
numbers to go ahead.
9 May
Woodhill mountain biking
23 May
Beachhaven walk
|
|
|
Welcoming 2020 in the wild
This past New Year’s, nine of us tackled the Rees-Dart track in Mt Aspiring National Park. We piled into Kirsty and Kerrin’s 4WDs on December 29 for the drive from Queenstown to the Muddy Creek carpark. Many thanks to our intrepid drivers, who got us across
multiple streams and through a dubiously signposted road closure—especially Kirsty, who shuttled us even though she couldn’t join us for the hike!
Seven of us set off from Muddy Creek along the Rees Valley. John and Annabel followed behind later after shuttling our other car to the track end. That first day was marked by river valley views and a very boggy track. Annabel got a little more up close and
personal with the mud than the rest of us! After a night at Shelter Rock Hut, we tackled the steep climb to the Rees Saddle. We stopped for lunch and views at the top before descending another steep and narrow section overlooking Snowy Creek, leading us to
the Dart Valley and our home for the next two nights, Dart Hut.
The day trip to Cascade Saddle was a highlight. We started early to beat the heat, and after negotiating a number of stream crossings began the climb up to the saddle just as the sun reached us. Views of the Dart Glacier kept improving as we climbed and finally,
from a lookout a little past the saddle, we were rewarded with spectacular views of the Matukituki Valley and Mt Aspiring. We spent some time at the top, watching kea play, climbing rocks and skiing down snow drifts in our boots, before heading back to the
hut and cooling off with a swim in the river.
The next day started early and eerily. The air was hazy with bushfire smoke from Australia, which we could actually smell as we set off down the Dart Valley. Forecast drizzle caught up with us late morning, but we made it to Daleys Flat Hut before the rain
settled in properly. That night we watched as the rain kept coming down and the Dart River kept rising. There was much discussion in the crowded hut about whether the streams on the track out could be crossed safely.
We set off cautiously in the morning, but in the end all was well. However wet feet were unavoidable in the many stream crossings, and at one point the whole track turned into a waterfall, making for some interesting tramping! This magical waterfall trail eventually
led us out to the Chinamans carpark, where once again we loaded up the 4WDs, crossed a few more rivers, and headed back to Queenstown for some celebratory feasting.
The Rees-Dart trip was a beautiful adventure filled with glorious views, great conversations and new friendships. I definitely recommend the trip, so long as it doesn't get washed away in another weather event!
– Jackie Cox
|
|
Rolling around the city
Boots 'n' All's new bike gang went for a Sunday afternoon spin mid-February, clocking up about a half marathon around central Auckland. Steve Bilton organised his second urban trail ride, making the most of Auckland's car-less paths to see the city's
better- and lesser-known sights. We braved a few city roads to make the circuit, but had the pavement mostly to ourselves as we sailed over motorways on the Lightpath, puffed our way up Mt Eden, freewheeled down the north end of the Domain, and cruised between
Silo Park and Westhaven Marina.
And we didn't spend all afternoon in the saddle. The crew, made up of several new attendees and about seven regulars, lingered in Grey Lynn Park while some took turns trying out the pump park. At the top of Mt Eden, we had an extended water break to enjoy the
views. And stopping in Silo Park was mandatory for two reasons: ice cream, and celebrating Heather's birthday. On the way back along Westhaven Marina we ran into Deborah, another BnAer, fresh off a sailing trip. The brief, unexpected catch-up contributed to
the day's vibe. There's plenty to see in this little city of ours, and some good friends to join in the journey.
– Maryanne Wardlaw
|
|
|
