- Group 1: Regan (co-leader), Bryan, Brianna, Sophie, Joshua
- Group 2: Maj-Britt (co-leader), Marie-Pascale, Jennifer
- Group 3: Sara H (trip leader), Janes, Bailey, Paddy, Geetanjali, Rajas
Drive to North Taranaki (Friday 28 March)
On Friday, 14 adventurers met at Wellington Train station at 5pm, to drive to North Taranaki. A few went in Sara’s car. The rest went in the club van, heroically driven by Bailey and Raj. There was a stopover in Bulls to enjoy dinner. The group slept at the comfortable Camphouse near North Taranaki Visitor Centre.
Day 1 — North Egmont Visitor Centre to Holly Hut (via Pouakai Hut, which is under reconstruction)
A glorious morning greeted the adventurers. They split into 2 groups (initially groups 2 and 3 stayed together).
The first group sauntered away at high speed. The author was not part of this group, so cannot speak about how eventful their day was. But it is certain that they totally crushed it. They walked at somewhere between an Easy-Medium and Medium-Fit pace. The other groups walked at a typical Easy-Medium ‘steady’ pace.
The second group trudged along gamely, after stopping for some pack weight redistribution (despite having drained chickpeas out of cans that morning!).
This part of the track was well maintained with some scrambly steep forest bits, scary steep ladders, boardwalks and stairs. A. lot. of. stairs.
The clouds cleared up, revealing glorious views of Mt Taranaki.
Also stairs. Did I mention stairs?
The group took a break in the middle of tackling those Forever Stairs. “How is everyone doing?”, asked trip leader Sara. “I’m dying”, said yours truly. Others expressed varying opinions about the Forever Stairs – not necessarily positive.
At the viewpoint, some way before the Pouakai Tarns, the second group decided to split into yet two more groups – the ‘More Fast’ subgroup and the ‘Less Fast’ subgroup. As it was getting late in the day, the idea was that the ‘More Fast’ subgroup would go ahead to the hut and rally some assistance to help the others with the Heavy Pack Situations.
A few heroic gentlemen, after being asked nicely, did leave the cozy hut to encourage the late comers to reach the hut before dark.
We unexpectedly met the other Medium group from the club, led by Daniel M, who had changed their plans and were camping outside due to the hut being full. It was nice to have so many clubbies together at one location to share stories and banter.
Highlights of the day were the plentiful birdsong in the forest, the picturesque Pouākai tarns, Holly Hut and the expansive views of the Ahukawakawa swamp (see: teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/25272/ahukawakawa-swamp).
After everyone arrived, dinner preparations started, under the leadership of Paddy (dinner) and Sara (dessert). Some of Group 1 went to visit the towering Bells Falls as a side trip – well worth it if you have the time and energy.
Dinner was a delicious chickpea and carrot tagine on rice from the club recipe book and dessert was Tiramisu (a Coffee Outdoors recipe, with added Mascarpone).
Stats:
- Distance: 14.7 km
- Ascent: 1,040 m
- Descent: 910 m
- Time: +/- 8-9 h 20 mins (including breaks, depending on group)
- Group 1- Departed Camphouse 8.36 am, Arrived Holly Hut 4.22 pm
- Groups 2/3 – Departed Camphouse 8.40 am.
- Group 2 Arrived Holly Hut 5.40 pm.
- Group 3 Arrived Holly Hut 6.05 pm.
Day 2 — Holly Hut to North Egmont Visitor Centre
It was a misty and drizzly morning.
Today the adventurers arranged to leave in three staggered departures—9:00 am, 8:30 am and 8:15 am, with everyone aiming to arrive back at the visitor centre by midday.
The rain and drizzle cleared up, with alternating cloudy and sunny periods
Everyone reunited at the carpark, congratulating each other, before driving back to Wellington.
Distance: 9.3 km
Ascent: 573 m
Descent: 606 m
Time: +/- 3 – 4 h (including breaks, depending on group)
Group 1 – Departed Holly Hut 8.56 am, arrived Visitor Centre 11.47 am
Group 2 – Departed Holly Hut 8.30 am, arrived Visitor Centre 11.30 am
Group 2 – Departed Holly Hut 8.15 am, arrived Visitor Centre 12 pm