The Federation of Mountain Clubs January Newsletter is now available here.
Thanks to all the contributors to the newsletter. Remember that this year newsletters will be bi-monthly so the next one will be the April/ May one with a deadline of 18th March. Please keep contributions coming in …. Trish Kauri forest is a unique part of the Upper North Island forest and majestic trees tower above the canopy and give life to a distinctive ecosystem. However, they also survive in fragments from a history of logging and now face another threat from kauri dieback disease, a soil-borne disease killing kauri trees in Auckland and Northland. “The disease is serious, but the message is simple,” says Dr Nick Waipara from Auckland Council Biosecurity. “This disease is soil-borne and can be spread by people on shoes and equipment. Everyone working in or visiting kauri forest should make sure their footwear and equipment is clean of soil when they arrive at kauri forest and clean it again when they leave,” he says. “This is the most important message right now while we research treatment options.” In Auckland, it has been confirmed in the Hunua Ranges, the Waitakere Ranges Regional Park, council land in West Auckland and Awhitu Peninsula, Department of Conservation reserves at Okura, Albany, Pakiri and Great Barrier Island and private land in many areas of Auckland including Logues Bush and Pakiri in North Auckland. It is also in Northland, including Trounson Kauri Park and Waipoua Forest – home of the iconic Tane Mahuta. The kauri dieback programme partners are: Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Department of Conservation, Auckland Council, Northland Regional Council, Waikato Regional Council, Bay of Plenty Regional Council and iwi. Visit www.kauridieback.co.nz for more information.  Some members of the club took time to help Sustainable Coastlines clean up the coastline of Rangitoto island on Tues 6th December. If you want to help out next year keep an eye on this web page www.sustainablecoastlines.org.nz for clean ups in various locations. Below is some information about the event. Next clean-up is the North Shore one 22-24th March. See the web page or contact by phone on 09 948 8454 or email Event Director Sam Judd on sam@sustainablecoastlines.org On Tuesday 6 December, 1,200 fabulous volunteers joined us to clean-up the beautiful and unique coastlines of Auckland’s Rangitoto Island. Working as teams we removed 2.66 tonnes of rubbish from the shores of this iconic but heavily littered spot: an amazing effort and unfortunately an even heavier load than we collected with the same number of volunteers just one year ago. What we found after sorting through the rubbish is more than a little troubling. With nearly 140,000 pieces of rubbish removed from the same stretch of coast where over 200,000 pieces were picked-up only one year ago, it is clear that a constant stream of rubbish floats across from the city to litter these uninhabited shores. Huge counts of single-use plastic packaging were removed for the second year running, with plastic bags, food wrappers, bottle caps and lids, polystyrene packaging and drinking straws found in large numbers. On a positive note, feedback from schools has been excellent and 1,200 people have learned about the issue hands-on. Rangitoto Island is a special place for North Shore Tramping Club. Our first tramp ever was held there. Each year we go back there for a trip In 1993 we donated this seat which you can see on the Summit track to commemorate our links with the island and for the enjoyment of the public. Phone Chris Markham : 027 476 9209
 A Walking Guide to Te Aroha – Geoff Chapple Roger Parsons of Parsons Bookshop has donated two books to the clubs library. 133 walks from Cape Reinga to Bluff including day walks and long tramps. An updated guide to Te Araroa, our national walkway system, which now stretches more or less continuously the length of the country. Geoff Chapple, who has been the driving force in Te Araroa since he outlined the idea in a newspaper article in 1994, gives a brief history of how that dream has been transformed into a reality. But the main emphasis is on the walkway itself, weaving its way through six cities and 60 towns, its progress illustrated in a series of excellent maps, lots of photos and descriptions of the various sections by Chapple himself (he has personally walked the lot, most more than once). It's an inspirational work, both for the story of how a small band of enthusiasts managed to create such a wonderful national asset, and for the details of all those tracks out there waiting for people to enjoy what they have to offer.  Himalayan Hospitals – Sir Edmund Hillary’s Legacy: Michael Gill Sir Edmund Hillary became famous by being the first, with Tenzing Norgay, to climb Mt Everest in 1953. Though this was clearly a remarkable feat, Sir Edmund came to be regarded by many as a great man for the way he chose to use his fame, which was to dedicate much of the rest of his life to building schools and hospitals for the Sherpa people of Nepal. The Legacy of Everest tells the remarkable story of the two hospitals he built; Khunde Hospital in 1966 in the Khumbu region at the foot of Mt Everest, and Phaplu Hospital in 1975 in the Solu Valley. These hospitals were staffed by volunteer Doctors and their partners from New Zealand and Canada until they were eventually handed over to Sherpa Doctors. Using letters written by these volunteers, and many subsequent interviews Michael Gill, a Doctor himself who worked with Sir Edmund from the beginning on these projects, has pieced together this fascinating history of a unique aid project. It has many threads: an honest and fresh insight into the life of Sir Edmund Hillary, a rich and real picture of Sherpa culture, and the transformative experiences of the volunteers, whose lives were often completely changed by their time working in the Sherpa communities. Moving, insightful and ultimately inspirational, The Legacy of Everest is a wonderful book, that has at its heart the integrity and humility of Sir Edmund Hillary, one of New Zealand's true heroes. (Make sure you read this book – it’s great especially if you have been to Nepal, or intend going there. Trish ) Organisers required for all the below trips, please contact me if you can help us out. Thanks very much. Helen Orchard phone: 09 444 1397 Northern Kaimai Explore the northern end of the Kaimai Range. An area rich in history, old Maori trails, bridle paths and old railways used to extract gold and timber. Huts for both parties. Annual Hut passes can be used. Departing Como Street on Friday night 1st of June at 7pm. EASY PARTY Woodlands Rd to Waitengaue Clearing to Dalys Clearing Hut 5-6 hours. Dalys Clearing Hut to TeAroha to Waitawheta Hut. 6-7 hours. Waitawheta Hut to Waitengaue Clearing to Woodlands Rd. 4-5 hours. MEDIUM PARTY – North South Traverse Karangahake Village to Dalys Clearing Hut to Waitawheta Hut. 5-6 hours. Waitawheta Hut to Wharawhara Rd to Te Reretukahia Hut 6-7 hours Te Reretukahia Hut to Motutapere Hut to Thompsons Track. 5-6 hours Cost $69.00 for adults and $55.00 for Juniors Organiser TBA (As you can see all the planning has been done so this is a great one to put your name down as the organiser please). Bookings to Elizabeth Kinnell. Phone 834 0527. Mini weekend 23rd -24th of July Sapphire Springs Katikati Motor Camp. (Saturday night in bus or camping and hot pools to soak in) Leave Como street at 8am Saturday morning. Day one. Lindemann Loop Track Kaimis (5hrs, 11km) The track begins at the end of Lindemann Rd. After 2 hours at the junction with the Wairoa Track, there are excellent views over the Wairoa and Waitengaue Valleys. Day two. Waihi Beach to Ngatitangata Rd via Orokawa Bay (4hrs, 10 kms). Starting at the northern end of Waihi Beach walk along the cliff tops to beautiful Orokawa Bay. Can do a side trip to William Wright Falls. (1hr). Then onto Ngaititangata Rd via Homunga Bay, where the bus will be waiting. The days walking could be the other way round, but either way bring your torch. Organiser required (once again most of the planning is already done for you). TANGIHUA RANGE – Northland 7th - 9th September Travel in bus on Friday night to the Lions Lodge at the bush edge. Day trips plus an overnight out trip to a small hut in the northern end of the forest. Pleasant forest and great views from the ridge tops. Organiser required. Labour weekend – 19-22nd October Waihaha and Hauhangaroa Track. Out parties to do the new track and hut in the southern part of the Pureora Forest park. This is all now part of the Te Araroa trail. See some of the best native forest in the North Island. Organiser required please. PIRONGIA FOREST PARK 24th -25th of November Full or mini weekend, organiser to decide. Possible lodge stay on the mountain slopes on the Saturday night and also there will be an out party to overnight at the Pahautea Hut up on the summit ridge. A chance to do the new Te Araroa walkway section to Hiwikiwi look out and to summit Mt Pirongia (959m). Great view from the top. Organiser required please. Moving with the times, the club has altered its policy on cell phones. You may have your cell phone switched on, either silent or vibrate as it has on occassion been very useful contacting people within a different trip party, when needed. So on the contact sheet we fill out each trip, if you have a cell phone, please provide this number as the first contact number. There is often a spate of new people coming tramping in the summer months – please do as you have always done and make them welcome. Dorothy Downing passed away in December. Long-time members of the club will remember her. She was a founding member as she was present at the “set up meeting” when the club was formed, and the family were on the Rangitoto trip, which was the first club trip. The family were very active as they went most Sundays, weekend trips and also Xmas trips. |
