Trip Reports

Rangitoto Station   —   17th–18th August 2002

Leader: Bill

We left Auckland on Friday in rain hail and thunder, and it was looking like another wet weekend.

A great dinner for five of us at Otorohanga’s Cosmopolitan Club, then a very challenging 20 kilometre drive, including opening and closing six gates, manoeuvering across a very flimsy bridge on very narrow roads in the dark, finally to arrive at the house. We had just settled in and boiled the kettle when the other four of our party arrived.

Saturday morning, after a hearty breakfast, we set off in fine weather to the Cowan’s Hut for morning tea. At the stream, Anthony did his gallantry thing,c arrying Thelma across with one arm, to save her getting her feet wet. Well done! Onward to Bauldy, then down to the road, followed by a steep climb to the repeater station for lunch. It was bitterly cold so we beat a hasty retreat to the house for hot showers. At five o’clock we had a lovely chicken dinner, with a glass or two of wine, followed by an evening spent playing cards, reading and telling stories.

Sunday dawned fine and breakfast was Bubble and Squeak, mince on toast, porridge and brown sugar, and crumpets. All were satisfied so we decided to do another walk, having lunch back at the house at noon. Not quite the way we wanted the day to go as we ended up floundering around in a stream in quite dense bush looking for track markers. Anthony had his GPS in action, bill had his map and compass, and the girls had their wits. Four and a half hours later, at 1 pm, we straggled homeward. Lunch used up the remaining food supplies and then we cleaned up house and headed out.

Neat weekend had by all. Great company, great tramping, great food, great weather, and great accomodation.