15 Keen trampers ,keen to keep an eye on Matariki , have booked in a walk on the Routeburn Track ,departing Alex at 7:30am on Friday morning. We wish them safe travels and advise there could be a shower or two on Friday ,but Saturday and Sunday should just be cloudy.
For the rest of us , meet at 1:00pm Saturday corner Walton & Thompson streets to car pool out to Waikerikeri A-Ls duty pack.
Saturday dawned frosty and foggy. This did not deter around 10 walkers from meeting up at 10am , for a walk up to the mysterious Great Pyramid of Earnscleugh , or Castle rock up on the Old Man range
The rest of the members turned up at 1pm under blue skies , but still a bit lacking in the heating department.
About 5 members in the W3 walking group ,explored the tracks on the Obelisk side of Conroys dam. The dam is still low ,despite the irrigation season being over for a couple of months.
It was a big group of 26 W1 & W2 walkers who crossed over the dam wall ,heading south. As the track started to climb into the mountains , so did suggestions that it was time to head back down. So it was down to the creek ,where Jack offered a helping hand to those who struggled to walk on water. Unfortunately no one fell in ,or were not prepared to do so, for a harrier photo
Members were back to the billy earlier than expected . The usual walk looping across the creek from the Chinese miners hut to the old hotel was ruled out , due to the track down the banks still being muddy and slippery.
This Saturday we will meet at 1pm again to car pool out to Waikerikeri. Like the Routeburn ,expect some cloud.
Saturday week 28 June will be club dinner at Senior Citizens’ rooms in Skird Street Alexandra ,cost $35 ,pay into harrier bank account
Contact Barrie ASAP if you do not yet have name down , or can’t make it.
Hope to see you Saturday as well as some sunshine this week ,it’s been a grey old start to the week.
Gary