Leader: Craig Watkin
There were five of us on the trip, which made the logistics nice and easy. All but one of us were carrying a tent so if we got to the hut and found it full, John was going to be in the hut regardless, even if that meant sleeping on the floor. Otherwise he would have had to share with Maryann as she was the only one carrying a two person tent.
Leader: Paula Richardson
The original plan for this weekend was to go to Te Matawai Hut.
Leader: Peter Davis
Day 1. Friday
We left Wellington out of the fog on Friday night on Air New Zealand to Auckland. It just happened to be a happy hour flight and luckily for us it was the only flight out that evening.
Leader: Paula Richardson
We all met up at Maymorn Station on a gorgeous, cold blue-sky winter's morning. We were feeling so lucky after a really cold week.
Leader: Rodney Hopkirk
I cast mine eyes unto the hills, and saw that it was bleak. The rain raineth and the wind bloweth, and even the snow fluttereth.
Leader: Geoff Scrase
Ten of us assembled at the school to carpool to Mana where we met six others at the rendevous car park immediately north of New World. Solly and Jenny picked up Owen and Marian in Paekakariki and drove on from there to the rendevous point. We set out at approximately 9.45 with Joseph and Shauna's dog Chew leading the way. I thought my job had been usurped and I could just follow but I didn't fancy stopping at all the trees and grassy outcrops Chew was attracted to! Phew, I still had a job.
Leader: Brandon Holman
Three of us caught the 8:26 am train from Paraparaumu. The train staff, being a Sunday, allowed 6 bikes in the carriage, as 3 other folk were taking bikes also. We alighted at Wellington station and proceeded to bike back to our homes on the coast. It was a very cold morning but with brilliant sun.
Leader: Owen Cox
The planned trip was the Mangatainoka Hot Springs in the Kaweka Range. However it wasn’t to be as the rain in the week leading up to the trip said otherwise. Looking at Hawkes Bay rain gauges and river levels suggested we could not cross the ford across Makahu River on the road in, so we quickly made a plan B so we did not do the massive drive to the Kawekas and then have to go somewhere else. I feel quite smug about the decision as we learned later that a Hutt Valley group drove up and found the ford well under water so had to go somewhere else. The forecast was for light rain on Friday with improving weather from then.
Leader: Peter and June
This was the annual gourmet overnight trip, this year to Sunrise Hut in Ruahine Forest Park.
Leader: Julie James
Eight of us met at the school at 7:30 am before stopping at Levin to pick me up. Then we all headed to Palmerston North and onto Kahuterawa Road where we set off on our walk. The weather was not looking very promising, with the threat of showers - however, once everyone was ready, no raincoats were required.
