Wairoa Suspension Loop Track

 

It has become somewhat of a tradition to do a day hike with The Scout over New Year, when he is not involved in scouting activities.

This year we did the Wairoa suspension Loop track in the Hunua Ranges.

The loop is a bout 8km long and is a good track, which on the whole I found relatively easy, except when I was climbing steps up  some hills.  There are a lot of steps, however the views out over the Hunua Ranges and surrounding areas were worth it.  The dams still have low water levels. (there are four in the Hunua Ranges).

This was a nice way to start my hiking adventures for 2021.

Weekending - Ernies Track

Water is usually at least covering the filter off the side of the tower.

 

Rewarewa in bud

Puawhananga - clematis paniculata

Ernies Hut

View towards the low reservoir

Voting day in New Zealand was a stunner, and The Scout and I headed off to the Hunua Ranges after casting our votes to hike Ernies Track.  The Scout has hiked this  track about six times previously and it was my first.  I had heard conflicting stories about a how bad the hills were.

We went in past the Mangatawhiri Dam which is worryingly low for this time of year. I think Auckland will definitely have severe water restrictions in place over summer.  The forestry road we hiked up had a long slow seemingly endless incline.  I would call myself moderately fit, yet I seem to struggle up hills.  The Scout who doesn't exercise regularly seems to walk up them without any trouble, which I find frustratingly annoying.

Eventually this torture passed and we stopped for lunch at Piggots Hut, before coming to the bush section of the track.  This was much more enjoyable despite the stairs, mud, gnarly roots, more uphill and downhill.  I saw some native plants I hadn't seen before,  Puawhananga (clematis paniculata) and Rewarewa (New Zealand honeysuckle).

The track is just under 15km and took a a couple of hours longer than the 3.5 hours I had been told, but that could be my fault for my slow  uphill start and stopping to take photos.  Overall an enjoyable day out.

Weekending: Hiking in the Kaimais

Wairere Falls - from the first lookout point.

The summit with views out towards Waikato farmlands

This weekend just past, The Scout and I went adventuring.  We left  Auckland and drove south to our starting point - the Wairere Falls.  It was an upwards slog to these(probably made more difficult by carrying a large pack on ones back), so the first lookout point was a welcome reprieve, and a very picturesque resting point,  before all the steep stairs and rocky/rooty track to the summit.  We had lunch there and were lucky enough to see a possum.  Considered a pest in New Zealand it is very strange to see them out in daylight hours.

The next part of our adventure was hiking south on the North South track to the Te Whare Okioki hut, which was out accommodation for the night.  The track is a little used track, but very lush and green, lots of tree ferns, ferns, mosses, interesting fungi as well as mud and a few creek crossings.  Needless to say my hiking boots proved their worth and remained dry and cosy.  I have to admit that I did feel that it would be very easy to get lost in this part of the country, if you missed one of the track markers.  We arrived to the hut at about 5pm, and were very pleased to see some other trampers had lit the fire.  A warm drink, dinner cooked by the Scout and good company made it a pleasant place to keep warm and spend the night.

We returned home the same way and even though you think going downhill will be easier, it's certainly not.  I'm back at work now with a few sore and stiff muscles, while The Scout is keenly planning our next adventure.

Weekending: Hahei and Cathedral Cove

Over Easter weekend,my family and I were meant to be having our dose of Vitamin Sea at Hahei Beach  Unfortunately our national lockdown stopped that from happening,  Once New Zealand moved back to level one (normal life) we were able to re book our cabin at the Hahei Holiday Resort.  This weekend just gone, saw us enjoying walks, sunrises and sunsets and just getting away from our life in Auckland.

Highlight of the weekend was the walk from Hahei to Cathedral Cove, beautiful coastal views.

I'm back to work and reality again now.