The day started chilly, with a cold southerly but with the shelter of the bush and the warm sunshine, conditions were perfect for a walk.  An impressive 29 WOPpers today, with Orewa/Whangaparaoa walkers spending probably more time in their car than the bush.  An admirable 2½ drive to get to the start, but their company was appreciated.  I guess all the people who didn’t go to work in yesterday’s atrocious conditions decided today was the day.  Views from the top were surprisingly hazy given the southerly, but still worth the short climb.  Karamatura section was at its finest after all the rain, the rimu looking majestic in all their hanging beauty.  Puriri Ridge is always magical – where else do you get to hug a kauri in such a magnificent environment, and the stand of lancewoods tells us we are nearly back to the car.  We had mixed levels of fitness and stamina today, with some finding the steps on the Puriri a bit challenging, but once back at the cars we had 28 smiling faces.  Lynne had ventured further to descend the steps to Karamatura carpark at Huia.  Thanks, Jeanene, for a great day.

Priscilla McG.

Click here to see photos by Alison F.