There were five of us who set out on a very grey day with showers threatening. We started at 9.30am from the top carpark in Tunnel Gully and walked along the sealed road to Station Drive, which had once been part of the old Remutuka Incline. This gradually gains height but once we turned onto Goat Rock Road, the hill climbing really started. This is quite steep in places but does level out a number of times to give you a breather before the next onslaught. Just when you are getting sick of climbing, it levels out and then descends down to the Remutuka Incline about 2.5 kms along it. We walked about a km to a picnic table for a spot of much needed sustenance. We had walked through a couple of light showers but overall, it had been ideal walking conditions. Very little wind and not bitingly cold.

After lunch, it was off again to the start of the Incline and then along the road passing the rifle range club who were in full action and making an unholy amount of noise. We passed the Glider Club entrance and the Go Kart Track which had some people arriving and out to Kaitoke Loop Road. We followed the road up to the entrance to Station Road and retraced our way back out to our cars. We had walked 16kms by the time we finished.

We were all ready for refreshments, so went to the Te Marua Golf Club. Helen had the right idea and got a beer, so once Denise & I had finished our coffees we thought it was such an excellent idea, that we shared a bottle as well.

Trip Leader: Judith O’Leary

Walkers: Denise, Mark, Helen & Lynn