The Squadron’s first day tramp of 2012 took place on Sunday the 19th February. After rendezvousing at TS Taupo to collect a few emergency supplies (flysheets, rope, gas cooker, sleeping bag and first aid kits) the assembled cadets loaded up into the cadet van and the officer’s cars for the ride over to Catchpool Valley on the far side of Wainuiomata.
After a short briefing and walk through of the planned route on the map the group set off in high spirits despite the drizzle that had developed. After crossing a number of foot bridges on the way we reached our intended lunch location by the river pretty much bang on schedule, unfortunately by this time the drizzle had developed into a full on heavy downpour! Here we sheltered under the canopy to eat lunch, after which the rain stopped, so we were able to continue with our planned route rather than just retrace our steps back to the car park.
A quick pose for a photo on the adjacent curved “humpback” foot bridge before we made our way back to the Cattle Ridge Track where we headed up and up and up! After what seemed like a week of climbing uphill (but was actually only an hour or two!) we reached the summit where we stopped to admire the view of Wellington Harbour before we walked down Butchers Track back to the car park.
A rather tired bunch of cadets were still smiling as we changed our footwear or grabbed a snack before the drive back to TS Taupo to meet the waiting parents. This is the first time the unit has walked the Cattle Ridge track and it turned out to be a good challenge for a day tramp.
Photos (L-R) – 1. Ready for the off, 2. Foot bridge, 3. Wobbly bridge, 4. & 5. Lunch, 6. Humpback bridge, 7. Map, 8. Uphill, 9. View from summit, 10. Admiring the view, 11. Back at the car park
