Whatipu circuit - Donald McLean Track - Karamatura Forks - Huia Ridge Track - Walker Ridge Track - Orange Peel Corner - Walker Ridge Track (cont.) - Gibbons Track - Omananui Track - Puriri Ridge Track - Mt Donald McLean Car Park

Date: 12 February 2016
Party: Anna, Lesley
Map: http://trampaddicts.weebly.com/whatipu-circuit.html


Distance: Nearly 15km
Elevation:


Time: 5 hours 20 mins
Notes: From the start at Mt Donald McLean car-park this had the makings of an interesting tramp. We pulled our car in behind a wee suzuki, whose driver was the most ancient man we have seen out in the Waitakeres. He must have been at least 80, with a dodgy old-school pack, a stick, rheumy eyes and a hat a Boy Scout would have been proud of. As we got ourselves organised, he mumbled something then trundled off down the road. We hit the track, and discovered him at the first junction, where he mumbled some more and headed in the opposite direction to us. Well, we collectively thought, glad I am not going in the same direction as him/them! (More of him later...).This is a pretty straight forward tramp (initially) with signs at regular intervals and well-groomed tracks. There are some totally amazing views from Gibbons and Omananui Tracks out across the harbour, where you can see the confluence of harbour/sea and the sand bars which make this a very tricky stretch of water to navigate. The colours on this incredibly hot day were New Zealand classics, with the sharp blue sky and the peacock blues and turquoises of the water. The toi toi and pampas grasses were out (see Anna's photo) - it could not have been a more perfect day.

You can see on the elevation map that there is a significant downhill stretch, followed by two peaks. The Gibbons Track goes downhill to meet the lodge/camping area at Whatipu (where we saw a few campers and enjoyed a toilet break), then if you scan the way forward, and chance to look up, you see the trig. We have been here before, and know that there is a nice bench on the first peak, before you descend and then ascend again to the trig. It looks exposed and hot. But we've done it before, right? It's too hot for me. We hit the bench peak and have a drink and admire the ever-expanding view, then down-up on the way to the trig. I have to stop about 3/4 of the way to the trig, feeling buggered. We have to progress in 10 step increments. We are almost at the top when we spot...80-year-old-man. Coming down from the trig. He has gone in the opposite direction to us, has summited, and is now on the way to WALK THE REST OF THE TRAMP, and reckons he will be out about 6 pm. He has not even broken a sweat, and chats with Anna while I decide if I need to throw up or faint. Under the trig is too cramped for shade (we tried though) so we descend a bit, and eat some lunch. Munching happily on our sandwiches, we are surprised by a group of four, one with a go-pro attached to the centre of his chest. (What? Damn why didn't we think of that?!) The rest of the tramp seems lengthy (as things do when you are buggered) and we are disproportionately happy when the car park and beloved car finally appear. Love you, Golf GTi. We repair (literally) to the Huia Cafe and some light refreshments, and watch jealously as a stream of locals buy double-decker, freezing cold, melt-all-over-your-hands icecreams. We are slightly consoled by the fact that every one of them has a little extra padding...

Pampas grass

Heading up to the trig, 'bench' peak in background. Trying not to pass out in the heat.