2818 Pirongia (Bell/Mahaukura tracks), 23/24 March 2019

Someone from the tramping club once told me “There are no easy tracks on Mt. Pirongia…” I should rephrase that, everyone from the tramping club has told me this.  I now know what they mean.  This was one of those “Are we there yet?” trips.

Day 1 Started foggy, and we drove cars to the start of the Bell Track, at the Kaniwhaniwha Carpark, on Limeworks Loop Road.  We numbered six, with Allan W leading, followed by Waveney, Theresa, Bree, Dave and Debbie.  Gaiters on 8.45 a.m.  The track actually starts as the Nikau Walk and in days gone by, this part of the track was pretty much farmland, following the stream for a couple of kilometres towards the Kaniwhaniwha Campsite.  Volunteer planting of the stream edge that Dave and Debbie helped with at one stage many years back has now grown to quite a sheltered walk and this has now mostly hidden the stream, although you still hear it bubbling away.

The fog cleared, the going was easy and fast and once we reached the start of the Bell Track, we still followed an easy gradient beside the stream for another couple of k’s.  It was about this point that Allan said “We’ll be there in about seven hours”.  At about six kms in, we reached a good sized swing bridge where there was a short side track (10-15 minutes return) to NZ’s tallest recorded native tree – a Kahikatea standing 66.5 metres tall.  Very much worth a look as the Kahikatea had been flowering and dropping pretty pink berries on the track

Crossing the swing bridge, we left the Blue Bill Stream behind us and had a reasonably steep climb up on to a gently rising track, leaving some very friendly fantails behind us.  This was a long haul before we finally started to make some elevation heading up to The Cone.  For the most part, the track was dry to this point, although there were a number of damp areas to avoid.  Those damp areas than became “damper” and soon most of us had at least one brown leg to the knee. Amazing after so long without rain down here on the flats.

The steep climb to The Cone (953m) provided some spectacular views for 360 degrees.  Kawhia, Aotea, bits of Raglan Harbours and Mt. Karioi to the West, and the Hakaramatas through to Maungatautari and Kakepuku to the North and South.

The day was starting to drag by this point and there were some low/empty water bottles.  With a descent and climb to Pahautea Hut still ahead of us, talk turned to whether there would be water at the hut.  With so little water falling down in Hamilton, we were unsure whether the catchment at the top of Pirongia was sufficient to keep up with the trampers going through there.

With no streams to collect from, having no water at the end of the day could become an issue with cooking and another days tramping ahead.

We were relieved to arrive at the hut to find plenty of water but also what seemed like 40 kids overflowing the “resort”.  We had come prepared with tents so grabbed some of the last camping spots. Gaiters off 6.15 p.m.  19-20 k’s and 9 ½ hours on the track.  7 hours Allan?  You are such a tease…

Day 2 Started overcast and we were in the cloud. Gaiters on 8.15 a.m.  A quick trip through to the lookout tower at the peak of Mt. Pirongia (959m) and the cloud was starting to disperse with intermittent views.  The aim today to go down the Mahaukura Track coming out on Grey Road.  About all you can say about this track is “steep and knarly”.  It was designed for people with long arms and legs, of which we (apart from Allan) were not so well endowed.

I must at this point note that we were hearing much more birdlife throughout the day than I can recall on other trips up the mountain.  Lots of song.  Tui, Bellbirds and many other smaller varieties.  We also heard some single notes that we were pretty sure were Kokako. The baiting seems to be doing its job. Well done to all those involved.

The trip continued…down, down, up, down, down, up, down down down… Very muggy and hot. Most of us were dripping.  After so much steep descent, it was a relief to get patches of less steep terrain, and then finally the bottom section where the path opens up and footing less treacherous.  “Are we there yet?”  Nearly.

We arrived at the Forest park Lodge carpark at 2.15 p.m. for gaiters off. 9.5k’s in just over 6 hours.  The knees and ankles were grateful to stop.  Allan had left his vehicle there early on Saturday and was able to drive us back to Te Pahu and our vehicles.

A very rewarding view of Mt. Pirongia and I can now say that I have done it the long (and hard) way.

Thank you Allan for your leadership and the team for making this a most enjoyable weekend.

 Photo Credits - Dave White