A cold walk in the Tararua Forest Park
It was a rendezvous in Eketahuna first for the Manawatu Tramping & Ski Club Wednesday Trampers, before they made their way via Putara Road to the start of the Herepai Track in the Tararua Forest Park, Wairarapa.
After the wild and wet weather of the previous few days we were blessed by a bright spring-like start to the day, but later it deteriorated.
The club bus was used with driver and passengers masked and hand sanitised. The new club
provision five radios were appropriately distributed as a stern safety briefing was delivered by trip leader in which all trampers were directed to take care of the person following them.
The initial track to the first swing bridge was very muddy in places, a sample of what was to follow.
Two thirds of the trampers made it up to the Herepai Hut for lunch, the cold winds making the hut shelter very welcome. Temperatures were noted to fall rapidly beyond the Cross Roads.
The other third ate lunch a little lower down than the Cross Roads to avoid the cold winds.
The wet slippery conditions were demanding of stamina and the going slower than usual.
Several trampers fell and one sustained a cut to a finger that required first aid.
The final hut party were slow to emerge as the demands of the day took its toll on some trampers.
All were safely out by 4.30pm in light rain and cold and windy conditions; we were back in Palmerston North before 6pm.