TRAMP REFLECTION - PIVOT ROCK KARANGAHAKE 11^TH JULY 2021

Eleven of us (Ian , Carl, Cate, Michiel, Anna, Yvonne, Sharon, Janice, Kevin, Alex Deverell ( new member) and Lorna (leader) assembled at Mill Lane on a rather cold and bleak winter’s morning for the relatively short drive to Karangahake and the start of our trip to Tuakane , more commonly known as Pivot Rock. Despite several trips to the area I had never heard of this feature and once we left the main “Windows ” track I realised why! The track was steep, overgrown and pretty indistinct although after 15 to 20 minutes it eased off and followed one of the gold mining tram lines that litter this area. Pretty soon we came across a mine entrance and for the next 30 minutes explored the two main mine passages which evidently extend a lot further than we were prepared to go.

Although following the track we were on looked the easiest option, our leader, who had done her research well, led us up an almost vertical bank to the next level. From here the track eased off although stlll headed upwards until cresting the main ridge. From here it was just a matter of navigating along the ridge, grabbing an old rope which was anchored to one of the numerous trees and dropping down to the base of Pivot Rock. The Rock was rather smaller than I imagined, but a very original shape and true to name, pivoted slightly when shaken. A couple of thrill seekers climbed up and stood up courageously and were rewarded with great views to Mt. Karangahake opposite and the gorge below.

The descent back to the Windows track was via a different route which took us high above the Ohinemuri River and SH 2. The sun had decided to show its face so we enjoyed lunch in the sunshine before completing a loop back to the van via the Windows track. While walking along the track I related a yarn of how, many years ago, I came down this track (then known as the Paeroa Pipeline track ) with my wife, as a warm up trip for a trek to Nepal. We had already climbed Karangahake and completed the full circuit via Dickey’s Flat so it was fairly late in the day and I was reassuring Lorraine that the car wasn’t far away when we were stopped in our tracks by a gate constructed of steel reinforcing rods which barred our exit from a cavern we had descended through. There was no way past the gate so he had to retrace our tracks back to Dickey Flat and walk back along the road to the car arriving around 10 pm. My wife was not amused !

Lorna had never heard of this cavern so, with plenty of time on our hands, we opted for a bit of an investigation and soon found where the old pipeline left the present day Windows Track. Backtracking along this we came to the large cavern I had described to the group. A good portion had blown out and the whole area looked pretty unstable so no doubt that is the reason that the entrance was blocked up and the track rerouted.

Unfortunately our thoughts of getting home early were dashed when the main highway was closed due to an accident and we had to drive home via Waihi and Tauranga. Nevertheless a very interesting day with a touch of nostalgia thrown in. Thanks Lorna.   <reflection & photos by Kevin Bailey / additional photos by Little Ted>

Day 2 Lorna’s Farm (24/7/22) by Rohita

Tramping on a farm in Winter ‘Think again’. Yes, thoughts were changed when it comes to a first-time learning experience. This tramp at Lorna’s Farm was an overnighter.

Our day began at 9.30am when the Sun’s rays started to touch the surface of the farmland, clearing the fog and mist making the day warmer and sunny. All the enthusiastic trampers got up in the viewpoint of having a good day and lucky for us there was no rain all weekend.

This journey was in the mountainous country passing the ridges, plateaus, hills, waterfalls, farm paddies on the sight of river flowing in the distance from uphill, the breeze on the hills was cold but very pleasant to walk.

Discovery about the flora and fauna of the farm surrounded by the disused coal mine, sheep cows, goats, birds, wild duck, fan-tails, ponga ponga and ferns, scrubs which exist in the wild ecosystem. Getting a grasp of a real farm. Cow herding, sheep shearing, goat farming was a first-hand learning experience for me with the preservation of family history and legacy by younger generation farmers and the love and respect for them.

Every tramp imparts the precession of care and respect amongst the group, the knowledge and experience not forgetting the teamwork which made the day a superb one.

Farm visit HTC trip report 1236 July 23/24 2022

2 cars – 8 people (sadly 2 had to pull out due to flu and covid infections) arrived at the farm for morning tea Saturday. Already there were three motorhomes, 2 more trampers and three non tramping husbands. As it was a lot colder than Hamilton and I had to motivate the trampers to leave the warmth in the house and start the tramp.

Whilst there is lots of tramping on our farm I wanted to revisit a track I had done 5 years ago. We walked up the Pura road and into the bush – it was lovely to see the regeneration on this track - 5 years ago it was raw clay. There were views along the ridge back down to our farm, and in the distance Hikurangi, Hauhungaroa and a snippet of Ruapehu.

Part of the walk was thru Bill’s goat farm, not dairy goats but feral goats bought from other farmers, held and fattened for a while before being trucked to an abattoir. The meat from these goats is for ‘local trade’ ie consumed in NZ not exported. The next day Bill called in at the house supplied answers to many questions. The valley has had up to nine coalmines (the last closed in 1971) and we could see the regenerating manuka on the old workings, it also makes for unstable hill sides evidenced by the big slip on Bill’s road.

On return to the house, it was hot showers, or a dip in the hot bath outside, happy hour and potluck dinner. To continue the goat theme Claudine had made a lovely mild goat curry, enjoyed by all.

The non trampers had occupied themselves learning to use a newly purchased drone, stoking the fires, and completing the plumbing on the hottub.

Thanks to all for coming and sharing part of my world – Lorna

you tube video of the coalmine on our farm filmed for TV 1968

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=522ATfP0xbY

VIEW VIDEO

Observations about the wonderful weekend my husband (Jon) and I spent with the HTC at Lornas’ farm in the Waitawhenua Valley near Ohura.

Yay! We got to spend the weekend in the company of Lorna, Bruce and some of the HTC members, some of whom I have met before.

Jon and I arrived as the advance party, along with Bruce, the day before the others. We were on a mission to obtain some goat meat (there being gazillions of wild goats) and turn it into Thai Goat Curry for a shared dinner we were having on Saturday night. We completed this task and duly set aside the curry to be enjoyed the following day.

Saturday morning dawned cold and frosty. A beaut day for tramping. Lorna and the rest of the troops (Wendy, Michael, Anna, Siew-Ling, Rohita, Carl and Adrienne) arrived bright eyed and bushy tailed ready to go. We set off after morning tea to walk a circuit around the neighbours’ farm.

We walked down the road, and across fields on a paper road. Up overgrown, old farm tracks, through the forest to high points which offered spectacular views over the valley. We even saw Mt Ruapehu peaking above the bush clad hills away in the distance. Manuka covered historic coal mining sites, an enormous slip, goats, pigs and beautiful, delicate, fungi were more highlights of the walk.

That evening we shared a delicious combined meal. I think everybody pigged out and had a great (if somewhat calorific) time.

Sunday morning saw us set off up the farmland behind the farmhouse to explore a ‘canyon’ area. That saw us scrambling briefly up ancient, tree clad boulder rubble and on through a beautiful, bushy, little valley at the base of an eroded escarpment. We came out on the hills high above the house and made our way down to enjoy left overs for lunch followed by a clean-up.

It was a special weekend made possible by Lorna (and her brother Stuart). Thank you for sharing with us this unique part of the world, your family farm.

Cheers

Claudine.