All smiles at Sunrise, but the serious snow was out of reach

Sunrise Hut,Ruahine FP, Wednesday 29 September 2021

After few days of miserable weather, the day looked very promising, with clear blue skies in Napier. This being only the second trip since lockdown meant a large turnout of 19 trampers, raring to go on the relatively easy Sunrise Track.

Excitement mounted on the way to our starting point as we saw some good snow on the ranges. Alas, when we arrived at the car park, the wind was strong and it was cold – conditions that could scupper plans for a walk beyond Sunrise to Top Maropea Hut.

Never mind, there was plenty of good banter on the way up and, luckily, some nice views.

We left Ted, Kelvin and Gordon to do their own thing, and the remaining 16 arrived at the hut at varying times. Rosemary and Sue G got there first and kindly started the fire, which was much appreciated.

As earlier feared, there was no chance of doing any safe walking beyond the hut, with Sue G measuring wind speed at 95kmh with a wind chill of 0 degrees. It was also snowing lightly.

After a leisurely early lunch, we had an easy trip down, colder than the way up but with generally only light moisture. John D took a ‘detour’ on the way – venturing along the Swamp track – not a wrong turn, just ‘exploring’.

On the way home, we stopped at the Tikokino pub, as is traditional, with nice coffee and cheese scones and various other beverages – a relaxing change from the fairly miserable conditions on the tops. Lynette found herself sitting amongst the ‘four Johns’ and is now known as Johnette.

Overall, a good day. It’s always nice to get out with the club.

Trampers: Rosemary Jeffery, Alison Greer, Sue Trotter, Ted Angove, John Dobbs, Marie Deroles, Margaret Palmer, Johanne Karlsson, Sue Gribble, Dorothy Sole, Bruce Hodgson, Simon Hill, Gordon Tapp, John Bennett, Lynette Morgan, Kelvin Shaw, John Burrell, Geoff Donkin and reporter John Russell