Pauanui seniors challenge the Brynderwyn Ranges
It required a keen bunch of 17 senior walkers from Pauanui willing to try something different, ready for a challenge and a wonderful day to get this adventure underway ! So away we went.
I was privileged to be asked to lead this intrepid bunch on this tramp as I had done this walk many times as a Mangawhai resident and I knew many of the group. I accepted with some trepi- dation, which subsequently turned out to be completely unfounded.
The route was to be up the Tanekaha Track and from the top of this track we would traverse along the tops of the Brynderwyn Range to eventually pick up the top of the Waterfall Track and then wind our way back to the car park from whence we started.
So with all this in mind we set off from the car park a few kilometres up king road at Mangawhai. The first sec- tion was the uphill, one foot after the other, up the Tanekaha Track which could be loosely interpreted as a warm up for what was to follow ! In this first section the bush scenery was pretty much constant with several lookouts giving everyone wonderful views back to the Mangawhai district including harbour and sea views.
After approximately an hour or so the trig station was finally reached at the top. Time for the thermos and a nibble to enjoy the views before the real tramping started. (I kept this info to myself).
The trek along the top of the Brynderwyn Range is testing with its constant undulations. There were plenty of opportunities for photos along this section of the Whangarei Heads, Waipu and Langs Beaches. The cameras were clicking away continuously.
Finally we got to the top end of the
infamous Waterfall Track. A well earned lunch break was the order of the day at this point to rest a few sore joints and swap stories.
At this point we were slightly over half way and the questions came - How much further !! My obvious answer was it was now 80% downhill with some of the best scenery available in Northland. The best was now to come.
After a good break we set off to finish the loop down through the wonderful waterfall section. At this point I would add that this section has a history of Kauri logging in the early days and there is still evidence of dams along the stream that assisted in getting the logs down from the heavily forested areas.
Away we went. It was relatively steep in places but this was offset by lovely waterfalls and tranquil pools that are popular for a quick dip in the summer months.
I sensed a mood of achievement and happiness amongst everyone so we took our time for questions and photos and more photos. We crisscrossed the stream many times and stopped to allow catch ups for questions and the inevitable - How much longer?
And 5 1/2 hours from the start we were done.
I take my hat off to this wonderful determined group and the wonderful BBQ in the evening that was a wonderful testament to a day they will all remember I’m sure.