Moumoukai Valley : Hunua : 27th July : Intermediate group.

It was a high cloud day with perfect reflections over the Reservoir as we set off, a tad behind schedule because of a later start, six of us, including Dora as our lovely leader. We were scheduled to find Rata Ridge and then make a circuit of the reservoir. The track led steadily upwards, and Rata Ridge was reached, and along the trail we went - only to find that the Mangatawhiri track led off to the left, rather than the pictured right on the map. We had 6 ideas of which way to go, but over lunch, and with Dora's wisdom prevailing, it became clear that we were on the north end of Rata Ridge, so we reversed our steps to rejoin Ernie's Trail. We found that there is something quite cosy about retracing a path. All of the things that tripped us up on the way in, were easy to avoid on the way out. This is psychologically very reassuring.

Ernie's Trail proved to be a vertical lift off up to the tops (where the grassy uplands made us think of Bambi). The views of both reservoirs prompted a series of photos from Mark and Pauline, with trampers in groups and in action poses disappearing over the ridge. From there we moved through darkly forested trails, across more grassland (where the Fast Group caught and passed us) and down steep descents. On one of these I tripped and fell spectacularly ("Bambi is hurt!") - to remedy which Norm undid  his entire pack to find the Arnica at the bottom, and 3 group members promptly also fell, to express their sympathy and solidarity. These things are a team effort.....!

Just as we were congratulating the Hunua hills for being mud-free, as compared with the Waitakeres, we entered the lower region of Ernie's domain, (past his ghost-house), where river/stream crossings abounded, and muddy slosh holes awaited us. As Pauline noted, there are an amazing range of mudcolours in the Hunuas:  black, red, green, gloopy grey, and khaki. To fully test this she immersed a leg to the knee, and then had to ask Mary Ann (whom we have now renamed "One More River") to drum up a stream she could wash in - and Mary Ann DID!!

The last part of the tramp was down the road - to the welcome sight of the yellow van thoughtfully brought up from the lower car park to meet us. We were tired but felt we'd really achieved something! It had been a good day.

Eila Wild