Makino and TePuia
Saturday November 19 2011
Six left Napier in average weather, heading for Kaweka J. As we came closer to the Kawekas, the rain set in and the clouds looked quite threatening. We all agreed that the J wouldn’t be a sensible option and decided to drive on. Even in good weather we might have struggled to get there in our replacement van which puffed and huffed as soon as a hill came in sight.
Four of us hopped out at the Makino car park and John and Ray carried on to the road end. We made good time climbing the hill to Makino, on occasions having to use our rain jackets. It stayed dry during morning tea though, leaving time for a hot drink and a chat.
We decided to target the hot springs for lunch, skipped the Makino hut and descended straight back to the river. Lunch was lovely in the sun, with time to get our rain jackets dry and enjoy the river.
On the way to the lodge, we met a group of 26 girls heading for the springs for an overnight. Good to see young people making use of our backyard paradise. There were few people at the hut, where we had a drink and a snack.
The weather gods now smiled and the rain jackets stayed in the packs. The walk along the river is surely one of the most picturesque in the Bay. We reached the van around 3.30 and Ray brought us safely back to Napier. Not the walk we planned, but still a nice alternative.
Trampers: Ray Slavin, Rosemary Jeffery, Matt Green, John Marshall, Colin McNatty and Marc Marchal
Dear Club Members
It sounds like NTC is flourishing – still !
It always amazes me that we can’t get new members to enjoy the great outdoors.
Keep up the good work !
Cheers
John G