Pineapple Track Again

It was a perfect day, weather wise to walk up the Pineapple Track to Flagstaff. As it was a testing walk, only fitter walkers were encouraged to participate. An alternative walk for slower walkers was arranged through Ross Creek.

15 of us met at the Wakari Union Church carpark at 1pm. We headed down Helensburgh Road and then onto Wakari Road. This took us to the start of the Pineapple Track and took 30 mins.

The walk to the Swampy Track took another 45 mins.
The walk to Flagstaff Summit toook a further 20 mins (45 mins stated on sign).

The walk back to the Union Church took an additional 1 hr 10 mins.

The 15km walk took 2hrs 45 mins. It was cooler between the Swampy Track turnoff and the summit. Once on the flat it was noticeably warmer.

The picture included with this post was taken by a person who was with his family. He took it with his cellphone and emailed to Kieran our group leader.

Mt Cargill Summit - 4th attempt

Over the past two years I have tried on four occasions to reach the Mt Cargill Summit via Bethines Gully. For a variety of reasons I have had to turn back. It is an eight kilometre return walk climbing to around 630 metres. The various websites state the walk will take 3-4 hrs.

My friend Danny Knudson and I did the return trip in 2hrs 30 mins. It was a frosty day when we started from the Bethunes Gully carpark at 9.45am but the sun was out and conditions were perfect for walking.

We followed the Lindsay Creek and later crossed a bridge over it. We walked through a pine plantation and then a native bush area. We ascended to a gully with a small waterfall. We then came to a small loop track with a view of Mt Cargill. We continued to follow the uphill track to Mt Cargill. Our track meets another track that goes to the Organ Pipes. We met the AH Reed track to the summit. We paused to look at a plane table.

The views of Dunedin were striking.

Another Milestone

Since starrting my campaign to walk at least 5kms every day. I have managed to walk the last 160 days without missing a day. This beats the record set when I did the first 150 days without missing a day when starting this journey at the start of 2006.

So far I have completed 1099 kms in 2010.

41 hours in Cromwell

Denise was required to work in Cromwell for her company. They were holding a seminar for nurses from Medical Centres throughout Central Otago. My job was to look after registrations and set up her "Powerpoint" presentation. I also stayed around in case I needed to troubleshoot (which I had to on 3 occasions). Once that was finished I did walks on Saturday and Sunday.

Saturday

I had not been to Cromwell's Old Town for a long time. It was only two kilometres away but I had to walk there in the rain. Although there was low cloud cover it was great looking at the Kawarau River. The Old Town was well preserved but there was no one around even though two businesses were open. Distance walked 5km

Sunday

I left our accommodation at the "Golden Gate Lodge" and walked through the Mall onto Waenga Drive. I followed this curved road around to Gair Avenue, then into McNulty Road and ended up on Barry Avenue. I walked along Barry Avenue past the Golden Gate Lodge till I reached, Highway 8B. I turned left until I reached the interseection at the Wanaka - Queenstown highway. From there I walked back to the hotel. Distance 6 km

Green Island Bush and Blackhead Roads Walk

The Caversham Harrier Club Walking Group met at the clubrooms and started on our walk at 2:05pm. There was a great turnout and two packs started out. The slower pack did a walk on the flat. Our group of 25 headed down Blackhead Road and turned right into GreenIsland Bush Road. We turned left at the bottom of the hill into Blackhead Road. A great pace was set from the start. Once we did the ascent Idecided to really go for it. Kieran our pack lead set a tough pace and when we got to the Tunnel Beach turnoff he decided to wait for the rest to catch up.

Our club has a number of newer walkers who are fit and fast and they will set the standard for the rest of us. People like Nicki, Tom and Donna. A club identity Dave who rarely walks was the first home with Nicki and Tom. I was the 4th walker home.

I get pissed off when people behind you decide to run part of the way to catch up with the front walkers.

I did the 10-11kms (estimated) in 1hr 40 mins.

Bethune's Gully

I have walked up the Bethune's Gully Track three times including today and have not reached the summit for a variety of reasons. Today Danny and I left Chingford Park at 10am and we decided to walk for an hour and return as I had a commitment at Sawyer's Bay School at 12.30pm. I am not sure how far we were from the top when we had to turn around.

It was a cool, misty day but great for walking.

Vice Presidents' Walking Race

Today the club's annual 5km handicapped race was held at Forbury Park where we do five loops of the track. 28 walkers participated and I was given a handicap of 6:30 minutes. Three other walkers had longer handicaps. I was very pleased to come in 3rd although two walkers with the same handicap as me were only 4-5 seconds behind.