This text was read by OCR from a scanned newsletter and has not been proofread yet, so expect odd characters and mistakes.
THE RED LINE ~ CHIEF GUIDES REPORT
The days are now noticeably longer & weather is improving — a great time to get out doors & make the most of it whether it be on weekend trips, day adventures or after work sorties. I was unable to prepare anything in time for the last newsletter as I was away for a number of days so hope to make up for it this issue! Michael did a great last minute stand in last month — thanks Michael. The reason for my absence was a well-timed work trip backed on to an excellent multi day trip to the island of Tiritiri Matangi in the Hauraki Gulf. The ‘Tir?’ trip was well organised by club members — thanks Caroline & Ally — and was an excellent way to spend a few days relaxing with fellow clubbies.
Auckland is a long way to go to look at some birds; after all we do have Kapiti Island & Karori Sanctuary on our doorstep but read on... On the first morning on the island it was a thrill to hear & then spot our first Saddleback, we eagerly got close up glimpses of Tui & even encountered a couple of Takahe! The bird life was so prolific that by the afternoon we were fairly Saddlebacked out! Our first evening over a group dinner we listed off all the birds that we had seen & heard, the group I had spent the day with felt like we were lagging behind everyone else as they had experienced far more variety of birds than us. Never mind we had 2 more days to catch up! The benefit of staying over night was that you could experience the island & its bird life ata relaxed pace. We did not have to madly race around the island checking off each bird variety as we spotted them, instead you had the time to sit & wait & listen. The birds were never very far away — especially Greg the over friendly & mischievous Takahe! Tiri is not a place to experience extensive native bush, nor is it a place to go for a hard out tramping trip. There are only 2 significant areas of original bush - the bulk of the island is re planted & slowly regenerating with a few large grassy areas, and the tracks are very easy - it is possible to walk around the island in only a few hours.
The reason for visiting the island is for the birdlife especially in spring. The group saw many sleek Kokako, comical Pukeko, curious Takahe, raucous stitchbirds, melodious bellbirds, secretive Kiwi and stately Tui to name a few. The real treat of the island (& it is only possible to experience these two things by staying on the island) were watching or rather hearing the penguins coming in to nest at nightfall and the loud dawn chorus which started early & seemed to go on forever. I have to admit to wishing the dawn chorus to be quieter & shorter on our first morning as I had slept outside & was kept awake by the bright moon for most of the night! I did enjoy listening to it the following morning however after getting a good nights sleep.
Back to home now the summer ‘06 trip schedule is in the making, that is Jan — April next year. Trips have been put forward for almost every weekend & the hunt is on for leaders, co leaders & any other trips that members are keen to lead that fit in with the nominated road end etc. There is a need for day-walk ideas & kayak trips both local or further a field. The aim is to ensure that there is something on the schedule for everyone. Contact Sharron or myself asap as the schedule must be finalised to go out with the December newsletter.
Following are the currently scheduled trips to see the club year out on.
Happy Tramping Ruth
Nov 25-27 Ruapehu Lodge — Day trips There are a few leader required trips this weekend but the beauty of the Lodge is that you can get groups together & chose what to do on the day. Whichever you choose there is a lot of exploring to be done on the mountain. Crater Lake — Te Heuheu via chair Day walk EM lift Day walkM_ Ideas required Chateau — Ngarahoe - Tongariro Day walkF Xing Rock TBA MTB M 42" Traverse or Fishers Track
Dec 02-04 Tararua FP - Putara
Andrew Trembath Leader Required
Sharron Carne Fraser Crighton Leader Required
The northern Tararuas offers opportunity for some exploring & revisiting favourite places, the Easy group check out the new Roaring Stag lodge, the EM explore a seldom visited waterfall and Grant looks at an FE SK from a different angle than last time while Alex takes the M’s up to the Cattle ridge which always has appeal. Tramp E_ Roaring Stag Tramp EM Ruapai falls Tramp M Cattle Ridge Tramp FE SK Valleys Day walkEM Northern Walkway Dec 09-11 Daywalks & Xmas BBQ - Kaitoke
Barbara Keenan Gerald Dreaver Alex Duthie Grant Newton Leader Required
We see the club year out with social trips followed by a relaxing & BBQ, the Kaitoke waterworks is a great place for all activities including an area suitable for families. If there isn’t a day trip listed that suits you, invent one & help out the club trip stats. Fingers crossed for good WX & a good turn out of clubbies this weekend. Social All Kaitoke waterworks Day walk E Kaitoke waterworks ridge track Day walk MF Eastern Hut Marchant Tube M_ Tauherinikau Gorge
BBQ Team — helpers needed! Annmarie Wood Gerald Dreaver Ally Clark
There are also a number of Christmas trips listed on the schedule, planning should be underway but not too late to chat with the leaders if there is a Christmas trip you are interested
Greg - the mischievious Takahe who came running out to greet us, apparently he is quite a trouble maker, his daughter Tiri (a smaller & much less aggressive bird) came out to meet us eventually too. One of the Tiritiri Matangi Volunteers who we met was telling us of his antics, she told us he was such a trouble maker that his wife left him!
Ruth Chief Guidess
TRIP REPORTS