Conditions couldn’t have been more perfect as we set off from the Khandallah swimming pool at around 9.30am. There was just enough sun to make it a beautiful day and just enough cloud to make it not so hot. Not a lot of wind was forecast for the day, although that didn’t mean anything to us once we got into the saddles up on the ridgeline.
We headed up the steep 45 minute climb to mount Kaukau, where we were rewarded with panoramic views that spanned from Porirua out to the Marlborough Sounds. The views of the Tararua and Rimutaka Ranges were magnificent and we were also lucky enough to have a clear view of the Kaikoura Ranges which displayed the snow-capped Mount Tapuaenuku with an an impressive height of 2885 metres above sea level; this was the first peak Sir Edmond Hillary climbed.
After soaking up the 360 degree views we made our way down the ridgeline towards the wind turbines bordering the Cook Strait.
An exciting moment was had when a scary bull was guarding our path, it only took a second to wait for him to lazily move on, Sarah cautiously removed her red jacket never-the-less.
Lunch time was spent marvelling at the hard-core mountain runners while we nestled into a little sheltered cove.
The track is most definitely very exposed and the weather is extreme up on the ridgeline especially in the saddle that meets up with Bell Track (to Awarua Street). Warm clothes are a necessity, regardless of the temperature, due to the strong winds. There are many exit points all along the track so if the weather gets too much it is easy to seek immediate relief. We were lucky and the weather conditions were perfect making it pleasant but still having the thrill of experiencing the rough conditions the track can throw at you.
Exiting was a tranquil forest like descent into Karori Park where we finished up with big bowls of coffee and then took the number 3 bus back into town.
