Tramp Reflections 819 - Open Day, Kauaeranga Valley, Pinnacle Hut
28 June 2009
This was our open day tramp, with additional advertising pamphlets and a special reduced rate for the tramp. New trampers were encouraged, and we had a good response with 14 "new" trampers (non-members including a couple of wanderers) and 16 club members booked in at one stage. The winter illnesses knocked out a few, and the final numbers on the day were 14 club members and 10 others - Brett, Don, Gail R, Lynne, Cherie, Allan B, Jared, Gail C, Lorna, Michiel, Ana, Adrienne, Anne MacI, Kathy, Brenda, Max, Diane B, Sue K, Peter, Elizabeth, Debbie, Rebecca, Kevin M and PJ.
We were to meet Kevin M at the DoC Visitors Centre, and called in there first. Kevin had gone on in case we were meeting at the road end, and had left a message to this effect with the DoC ranger. She updated us with the latest weather forecast for the area - a heavy rain warning was in place for the Coromandel, but the expected onset had been delayed until about 2 pm with about 150 mm expected in the following 24 hours. We were going to have bridge alternatives at all stream crossings, and the shelter of the Pinnacles Hut at the top, so pressed on with the plan. We had a 20 min drive up the badly potholed road from the Visitors Centre to the road end.
We arrived at the road end and dressed up to suit the day. It continued to rain lightly as we headed up to the Pinnacles Hut at the top. We crossed the stream and its tributaries several times, and there was only a gentle flow, although some tried out the bridges and kept dry feet. We had a morning tea break under the protection of an overhanging rock as the rain was now steady. At this stage we had informally separated into two groups, and the shelter was an adequate size for each group. However we did not stand around for long, as the wet quickly turned to cold. Onward we tramped.
As we got closer to the hut the rain became steady heavy rain. The view to The Pinnacles rocky outcrop was completely obscured by cloud. We couldn't see anything apart from the stream running down the track we were on. DoC has done a lot of work on this track, and the surface is very good. Initially it was wide and metalled, but soon became cobbled with rounded rocks firmly laid, even, and with good grip. The area at the top where there is no cobbling the track is hard sandy clay, with good grip, no scouring and best of all no mud!! However the steps can be a bit of a strain unless you're a mule.
We made it to the hut at about 12.30 pm, and sat around under cover on the steps and at the tables out of the wind and rain, to eat. The heavy rain continued, probably for about half an hour in total, before easing to "rain". We had a quick turnaround so that we didn't get too cold and with the predicted bad weather coming, it was a good idea to try and beat it to the van. While it was intended to have an alternative tramp including the Pinnacles rock this was abandoned in the interests of safety.
It was fortunate that the rain had eased on the way down. After about half an hour everyone appeared to have warmed up to a comfortable temp. I had noticed my fingers were getting cold as we left the hut but the exercise of tramping cured that.
Crossing through the streams was not prudent on the return trip. What had been a gentle flow when we went up was now about three hours later "forceful". There was about ten times the water volume compared to earlier, and while the water was lightly stained there were no loose rocks or any sediment in it. We all crossed using the bridges this time, generally a one-person multi-wire suspension bridge (including one of the old NZFS aluminium pattern ones).
We all got safely back to van, albeit wet - some more than others. It is not surprising that those with new Gore-Tex or similar jackets fared better than those with older gear. There was also some discussion about the prudence of pack covers or liners to keep the contents dry - packs are not waterproof, and a large plastic bag inside the pack makes a big difference! Most of us changed into dry clothes under the raised van back door or inside the van. We then drove to the DoC Visitors Centre and used the shelter at the south end to sort out gear and enjoy a communal afternoon tea, including Don's amazing multi-colored rice bubble cake (ricies).
After everyone was suitably refreshed and Robin Hood had done the rounds (we paid our $10) we had an uneventful trip back to Hamilton. However the drivers had to cope with strong wind gusts that blew the van about, particularly between Thames and Paeroa. We arrived back in Hamilton about 6 pm and everyone scurried off home, to a warm shower, roasted chicken legs and claret (or something).
Written by Brett Robinson.
Photographs by Michiel van Dijk (Canon EOS 40D).