Tramping Club

The number of trampers who answered the call during the winter months might have been larger, for on those tramps that were not vetoed by the weather, the conditions were generally very pleasant. The days, sunny but not too warm, were ideal for walking; in the clear air, too, distant snowy peaks provided a noble setting for many beautiful scenes.

Of the tramps accomplished, two were on Saturday afternoons; one traversed Makara Peaks—a height of land that is often neglected by trampers; the other trip was along the Parkvale Road, and over what our geomorphologist asserted was a peneplain. It might have been. Anyway, the tramp was continued over the Crow's Nest, and back to town through Ngaio.

The first Sunday tramp since our last report led from Silverstream towards the head of the Mungaroa Valley, and then along a ridge towards the harbour. After a mile or more of handsome bush, there was open country that revealed the whole district from a new aspect; the inevitable descent was made in rapid time, for the party followed (more or less) a winding shut e designed for tobogganing logs.

Another trip had Pipinui Point as its objective (this lies about halfway between Titahi Bay and Makara Beach): the Crow's Nest and Old Mill Creek lay on the outward route; the return, after a few dolorous miles of beach and a detour around a long lagoon, was made by road through Makara and Karori.

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Next Sunday we left Trentham fur the Moonshine Valley: the varied and attractive scenery, and the botanists' search for nodules, and some glorious sunset scenes viewed over the Pahautanui Inlet, all conspired to make the trip a pleasant memory.

The last tramp of the term led from near Titahi Bay, over Colonial Knob and along the ridge between Ohariu and Tawa Flat. The last stage was through Johnsonville and over the "bridle track" to Khandallah; from there to Kaiwarra by a track that overlooks the harbour; and so to town.

A reminder for all trampers—those who haven't yet joined the Club, as well as those who made their debut this year and those older members who have been forgetting the lure of the open: the programme for the Third Term includes three weekend tramps of real interest, traversing country of unusual beauty; the success of the tramps depends on your being there. And in anticipation of camp-fire sings, it would be well to memorise the Tramping Song (see last "Spike"). Come out on the shorter tramps as well: especially now that the exams, draw near—study hard during the week if you will, but spend Sunday in the open.