Middle Hill, Kaweka FP, 7 October 2023
Banner Photo: Yes ladies, the only way is up Camp Spur
It looked like a perfect day ahead, as 11 trampers headed out to Middle Hill. The sunrise was spectacular but, as the saying goes, ‘red sky in the morning, shepherd’s warning’. In the end, and fortunately, we ‘almost’ missed the rain.
We were at the car park by 8.25 and headed off, temperature ideal for the tramp. Choices regarding length of tramp were made. Three decided to go about 30 minutes on from Middle Hill Hut. Five went along Camp Spur beyond the bushline to the lookout and three chose the shelter of the bushline to have lunch before returning along the same route.
The track, although good, showed evidence of Cyclone Gabrielle with fallen trees obstructing the path. The river was clear.
The bush was stunning – beech trees towered over us, huge clumps of horopito and of course the occasional bit of bush lawyer – nasty stuff and a tripping hazard for one of our three ‘stumble sisters’.
Birdlife was fairly quiet, although shining cuckoo/pipiwharauroa took the main stage near the car park. Tomtits/miromiro, grey warblers/tiritiri, kereru and tui were also about.
We shared the track with a group who had come to locate a kiwi – its transmitter had stopped functioning last November but was heard again last week. They were successful. We also saw evidence of kiwi poo – well, maybe with a little imagination. Evidently a sniff test was required – it smells like sulphur.
We also met a Scottish lady heading up to Middle Hill Hut to collect three scouts who had been in the bush for three days.
Campbell, Alison. Juliet, Barry and Di went to above the bushline. Di reported that the track was continuously uphill for probably 45 minutes, but it seemed longer as it is steep!
The forest floor was soft with beech leaves and was lovely to walk on, with no tripping hazards. They reached the top just before noon – after a few ‘Are we there yet?’ comments. The wind wasn’t particularly strong, though a bit cool, and the view to the top was clear with signposts showing the way on to Whetu.
They were rewarded with a fabulous view, so it was well worth the effort. Juliet and Campbell took some photos – Campbell with his new camera – and then they popped back into the bush for a quick lunch.
A fabulous day out, although the three stumble sisters (who shall remain anonymous) returned with some impressive bruises.
With the rain just starting to set in, a happy vanload of trampers got back to Park Island about 5pm.
Trampers: Juliet Gillick, Sue Martin, Barry Doak, Sue Nugent, Shona Tupe, Amelia Moorhead, Campbell Living, Alison Greer, Cherie Le Lievre and reporters Mary Campbell and Di Reid
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