We break new, too-easy ground, but Ted supplies the drama

Makairo Track, Waewaepa Range, 11 May 2022
Banner Photo: Bury my Heart at Wounded Knees…

The club broke new territory walking this track for the first time. The DoC reserve is a 45-minute drive south-west from Dannevirke and east of Pahiatua.

The Makairo Track was once a road linking Kohinui to Coonoor. It was closed in the mid-1970s when the local authority had no budget to maintain and repair a slumped bridge. The area has been allowed to revert to very healthy native bush. DoC has stewardship of the track and the Waewaepa Range it passes through.

Nine of us took the van to the tramp start to meet Sue and Jim Trotter who found their own way from Norsewood.

The track is a very easy gradient up to a saddle then steadily down even more gently through the reserve, a total 9.8km to the track-end. Most of the way offered views of the bush-clad reserve and in the distance we could see the Tararua windmills.

This was all just too good and easy so we needed some drama to fill the day. Ted stepped up to the mark, and made a spectacular dive headfirst onto the track. He was rewarded for his efforts with two bloody knees. We were all so proud. Sue took him to a dirty puddle for a wash-up and he was soon on his way to join us at the track-end lunch spot. No hut or shelter, but it was warm enough to lay down in some grass, eat and chat. We returned on the steady incline back to the track start. All up, about five hours’ walking.

We all enjoyed a great day out. Even the long drive was fun, with lots of talk. Thanks to Jo for sharing the driving.

Trampers: Cherie Le Lievre, Sue Trotter, Jim Trotter, Anne Blackwell, Fiona Bryant, Ted Angove, Tony Pluymers, Rosemary Jeffery, Johanne Karlsson, Jude Paton and reporter Bruce Hodgson