Trip 2766 Waiorongomai Valley- Butler & May Queen Inclines, 6 May 2018

'A great trip but there was a sting in this tale/tail'

Who needs to go to the gym for a step workout! 400m of a 25 degree rail track climb took us to the top of the Butler Incline and then we did it all over again for the May Queen Incline (this was half the distance). There were also relics, tunnels, chasms, swing bridges and small creek crossings.

Our trip took us into the historical valley of Waiorongomai. Nestled into the southern side of Mt Te Aroha, this is indeed a treasure trove of local gold mining history. An industry of mining for the ore, from which gold was ultimately to be extracted, was established in the late 1800s. Relics of this past era are easily found with the whole area well documented, informative and preserved.

Our group of 19 entered into the valley on the lower track and fairly directly we climbed the Butlers Incline. We then headed a little south to then climb the May Queen Incline which was perhaps half the distance of the Butlers but no less an incline. Both inclines have been well preserved, cleared of overgrowth and sleepers replaced to result in a challenging but very well worth and interesting ascent. This certainly gave us all an appreciation of the mining operations of the past and the conditions the miners must have had to endure.

After lunch and recovery from our climb we headed back to base via the upper tram track. This was a pleasant and easy walk giving lovely views and bush settings. We chanced upon a hidden clearing previously named 'Quartzville' where a very small cluster of huts for the miners had once been established. Diverting from the main track, John Wilson took a group up into a location where a chasm had been created for further mining. The writer did not venture on to this but John relates the events.

"We climbed up from where you (Isla) waited and I realised that we should be further over to our right. Four of us traversed across and picked up the correct route, which was marked here and there with markers and tape. We must have disturbed a wasp nest and the next ones in line copped the wasps' anger. They and the rest had to drop below the nest and come over to join us. We climbed up to a stope where ore had been extracted leaving a slot down into the hillside. We looked into the stope and then went a bit further along to a short 3 metre tunnel leading through to the stope, which was not deep at that point. We were able to look either way along the stope, which looks as if part of the steep hillside has split off leaving a chasm between it and the hillside above."

After the return of John's group we all continued on along the upper track, a lovely easy walk with a welcome gradual descent, back to base. This was a great trip. The Waiorongomai valley is always delightful with numerous options for a day well spent. Our thanks to Pam Hughes's leadership and John Wilson's experience and valuable knowledge of the area.

Photos are on our facebook page, click here Thanks to Jacqui Dick for sharing her photographs with us.

Those participating were: Jo M, Tina and Jamie M, David C, Brendan W, Jean and John W, Margaret R, Lesley K, Jacqui D, Peter, Lily and Jade L, Isla T, Barbara W, Aiden, Amanda, Pamela and Allan H.