Program Nov - Jan 2015

7 Dec - Kauaiau Rock Shelter to inspect the fabulous new swing bridges built by Neil S. Meet at the rock, 10am. Contact Hilary 7510716

17 Dec (Wed night) - Twilight Golf (otherwise called Speedy Golf!!) at Pungarehu 6pm tee off for 9 holes. $5 entry + $7 fish and chips for dinner afterwards. Contact Sharon 7638365

Break for Christmas

20 Jan (Tues night) - Committee meeting at Cliff and Elaines. All welcome (the supper is always a winner)

25 Jan  - Beach walk and BBQ at the beach at Perth Rd end. Time to catch up with everyone's holiday goings on. Meet at 4pm, BYO everything

Program change

Orienteering at Audrey Gale has moved to 2 Nov
9 and 15 Nov are now spare
Tues 18 Nov is the committee meeting at ???  Contact Sharon for location.

The Lodge was booked by others for weekend of 15th so the plan had to change!!

Results of 2014 Photo Competition

Photo Competition 2015 Categories

1.    Open
2.    Club Events
3.    Humour
4.    People
5.    Wrecks
6.    Wildlife
7.    Green
8.    Packs

Program Sept/Oct 2014

21 Sept - Nothing planned, mow the lawns instead?

(Fri) 26 Sept - Slink run

27 Sept - Daylight savings kicks in, yes, dark in the mornings again

28 Sept - Opunake Mural ride. Meet at Club Hotel, Tasman St at 10am - the new 10am (will the farmers get there on time??). Contact Sharon 7638365

(Tues) 30 Sept - Club night, photo competition results at Sinclairs, 7.30pm

5 Oct - Pukeiti Explorer Day, birdlife exploring, rainforest walk, new tree huts, birdcalls and other sounds of the forest. Meet at Pukeiti gates 10.30-2pm. Run by Taranaki Regional Council

12 Oct - Lodge day - see if we can seal off the leaks in the annex roof, and around the chimney. General tidy up

19 Oct - Bike ride round the new trails at Mangamahoe, or (if wet) the Coastal Pathway. Meet at MTB parking area, Plantation Rd, 10am. Contact Hilary 7510716

26 Oct - Labour weekend

2 Nov - Kauaiau Rock to Shelter to inspect the fabulous new swing bridges built by Neil. Meet at the rock, 10am. Contact Neil 7510676

9 Nov - Orienteering at Audrey Gale (Merrilands Domain) off Mangorei Rd. see www.orienteeringtaranaki.org.nz or contact Jacqui 7510676

(Sat) 15 Nov - Overnighter at the Lodge with committee meeting and fireworks (sounds like a festive meeting!!) BYO dinner and fireworks. Come for the afternoon, evening, overnight or the lot.

Change to program

14th Sept long bike ride from Tarata to NPL will be postponed.
Instead I have been asked to organize a MTB rogaine at Mangamahoe for orienteers, MTB club and sec schools, and you are invited too. There are trails to suit everyone.
http://www.orienteering.org.nz/events/taranaki-mtb-rogaine/

Photo Competition reminder

Please send your entries through to Newton by end of August

 

Photo competition categories 2013-14

Open

Club events
People
Humour
Shapes
Shadow play
Under the canopy
River mouths

Program Aug/Sept 2014

27 July - Mangakotukutuku Falls. A nice family tramp. Meet at the end of Maude Rd at 10am. Contact Newton 7510716
3 Aug - Orienteering Urban Rogaine starting from the TSB Stadium. Details at orienteeringtaranaki.org.nz or contact Jacqui 7510676
10 Aug - Buried Forest at Waitara East. Meet at end of Leslie St at 10.30 and be prepared for a beach wander. Contact Sharon 7638365 [Note high tide 8.59am, low tide 3.13pm]
17 Aug - Lucy's Gully, up the Sefton, down the Waimuku. Meet at Lucy's Gully 10am Contact Jacqui 7510676
24 Aug - RTM in 5 days (part 3). Given that the snow upset the previous plans we are going to try instead for this part - up to Kahui Hut, across to Waiaua Hut, down the Ihaia. Meet at end of Kahui Rd 10am, contact Neil 7510676
31 Aug - Stratford Mountain House to the tunnels (again). Bring the family for this pleasant stroll. Possibility of searching for more tunnels not he Enchanted Walk. Contact Neil 7510676
7 Sept - Opunake Mural bike ride Meet at Club Hotel, Tasman St at 10am. Contact Sharon 7638365
14 Sept - Long bike (approx 50km) from top of Tarata saddle, through the Otaroa Rd tunnels, Bertrand Rd, through back roads to BBK, Coastal Walkway to NPL, contact Neil by Wed 10th Sept with numbers 751 0676 (he needs to find enough drop off drivers to the start)
16th Sept (Tuesday) Committee meeting

A some future plans and reschedules including:
5 Oct - Pukeiti Explorer Day, birdlife exploring, rainforest walk, birdcalls etc, meet at Pukeiti gates 10.30. Contact Sharon 7638365
12 Oct - Orienteering at Te Rewa Rewa bridge Details at orienteeringtaranaki.org.nz or contact Jacqui 7510676
** RTM in 5 days (part 2), in Dawson Falls, Plateau, out Nth Egmont (weather dependent, could cut short at Plateau if too wintery)
** Bushy Park weekend will be rescheduled.
** Palmerston North weekend probably 25-27 October (Labour w/e)

Slink Run dates

July 20th Sunday
Au 11th Monday
Sept 2nd Tuesday
Sept 26th Friday
Please contact Sharon with the dates you can do

We'll do the slink run on Sunday 20th July instead of the RTM part 2 tramp from Dawson Falls to North Egmont. Look out in the next calendar for the new tramp date.

Program for June/July 2014

31/1/2 June - Queens birthday weekend - family time
8 June - Biking round New Plymouth including geocaching (part 2), contact Newton 751 0716
15 June - Return to Henry, Maude, Pouakai, Mangorei (for those too worse for wear the first time we did this trip!!) Contact Sharon 763 8365
21/22 June - Biking, Wanganui at Herekeke MTB park, contact Hilary 751 0716
29 June - RTM in 5 days (part 1), in Puniho Rd, Kahui hut, out Kahui Rd, contact Jacqui S 751 0676
6 July - Orienteering at Pukekura Park, see www.orienteeringtaranaki.co.nz
13 July - Long bike (approx 50km) from top of Tarata saddle, through the Otaroa Rd tunnels, Bertrand Rd, through back roads to BBK, Coastal Walkway to NPL, contact Neil by Wed 9th July with numbers 751 0676 (he needs to find enough drop off drivers to the start)
20 July - RTM in 5 days (part 2), in Dawson Falls, Plateau, out Nth Egmont (weather dependent, could cut short at Plateau if too wintery)
Tuesday 22 July - Committee meeting (round the coast somewhere, TBA)
** Bushy Park weekend will be rescheduled.
** Palmerston North weekend probably 25-27 October (Labour w/e)

The RTM in 5 days adventure will see us trek the entire RTM track in 5 days during 2014. The parts will include in/out via the road ends, will be weather dependent, and won't be done in sequence or in the same direction (hey, we are getting older!!). Longer treks could include an over nighter.

The tunnel search - and FIND!!

Woo hoo, we actually found the tunnel.
We set ourselves the challenge to find an old tunnel which was somewhere between Stratford Mountain House and Waingorogoro Hut. The instructions were very limited and out of date, however this has never stopped us in the past. We found the 'possible location' and spent a couple of hours struggling upstream through the tree falls searching every dark spot that could have been a tunnel, but that produced no leads so decided that the 'location' was wrong and tramped on to the next creek. More upstream and downstream searching, wet feet and trying to speak to each other over the roar of the water but still nothing that looked tunnel like. Stopped for lunch and tough decision time - do we go on to the hut and do a loop walk back to the car, or go back to the first creek and try downstream through the really thick jungle? Yep, we went back for a final look. Neil and Sharon tried to find a way through the downstream jungle while I wandered back to the crossing point and chatted to a group of trampers who happened along. Once they'd passed by I turned round and saw an old overgrown track so decided to follow it - after all we didn't all need to be wet and cold! So I headed up the bank and back upstream, along a convoluted trail under tree falls (dirty - but not wet!) and there it was, hidden by vegetation but very much a tunnel. I yoo hoo'd the others and we gathered to explore the depths. Turned out to be quite short (maybe 15m) so congratulated ourselves on achieving the target, took the usual photos and wandered back to the car. We have no idea why the tunnel was dug, but it made for interesting conversation all the way back.
So, looks like we are OK at finding tunnels, it's just holes that defeat us. Bring on the next vague challenge!!!

Words by Jacqui, photo by Sharon

Banff Mountain Film Festival Friday 16th May

Banff Mountain Film Festival - Friday 16th May @7.30pm - City West Church - Tickets $15 NZAC members and U15s, $20 non-members, available from Kiwi Outdoors Centre

The Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour brings the films to audiences around the globe. Immediately after the Canadian Festival ends in November, a selection of the best films goes on tour internationally to 40 countries reaching more than 390,000 people at over 840 screenings.

Host organizations in each tour location choose a program that reflects the interests of their local audiences from a selection of films on exploration and adventure, culture and environment, and mountain sports.

Every year, the Banff World Tour team licenses about 25 films that feature a range of styles and themes, including climbing, skiing, kayaking, biking, adventure, culture and the environment. When making this selection many factors are considered: comments made by our pre-screening committee, audience reaction to the films shown in Banff, and feedback we've received from the tour audience.

The local organizers choose the films that are likely to be best suited for their local audience and event. Most screenings include about 6 to 10 films.

Watch the film festival trailer here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Im7sndDqY-s

Program from end March - June 2014

6 April - Daylight savings ends (good or bad, depends on your perspective, eh?) Explore the most recent changes to the Stoney River with Sharon, meet at road end 10am. Phone 06-7638365

13 April – There is an orienteering event at Spotswood College, a re-run of the Sec Schools sprint around the grounds.

20 April – Easter

27 April – Starting at the Stratford Mountain House, Neil S will take us on an exploration of the old tunnels nearby. Probably also head to the swing bridge and Waingongoro Hut. Contact Neil 06-7510676

3+4 May – Celebrate 60 years of evolution from the days of Kahui Alpine Club through to 30 years celebration for KOPAC with an overnighter at the Lodge. BYO usual fabulous feast for an evening banquet. Wear your posh clothes for a true celebration in style.

11 May - Kaiauai to Mangorei Rd, over Maude and Henry. Contact Sharon 06-7638365 for time and to arrange car drop off at Mangorei.

18 May – Join Jacqui S for a bike ride around some of the New Plymouth walkways to find the latest in a growing number of Geocaches in the area. Phone 06-7510676 for meeting place.

20 May, Tuesday – Committee meeting at Sinclairs, all welcome

24+25 May – TBC Walk the Waitahinga Trails near Bushy Park, Wanganui Contact Sharon 06-7638365

31 May/1&2 June – Queens birthday weekend, Newton is organising a trip away to Palmerston North area to ride the trails, walk the walkways, visit the steam museum, and any other activities that catch the group’s imagination. Contact Newton by 1^st May to register your interest. Phone 06-7510716

KOPAC AGM Tuesday 25th March

AGM Reminder 7.30pm at Pungarehu Golf Club. 

All welcome, come along to have your say on the direction you want the club to go.

Bees – 6; Puniho Holes - 0

Sharon, Hilary, Newton, Neil & Jacqui made an executive decision on Sunday – the Puniho holes are officially lost to KOPAC. After 4 hours of clambering through supple jack, around tree falls and over rotten logs not one hole was discovered. Even the addition of a fancy new high sensitivity GPS to the arsenal was not enough to local these mysterious holes. That, coupled with the fact that 20 years of leaf mould and rain post Cyclone Bola has probably filled them up, meant that every small hollow that was investigated proved a dud. Our greatest success was to find the tape that we put out a couple of years ago to mark the previous 'could be here' location. Anyway, a great workout in some spectacular bush on a really hot day.

And the bees….. well, Jacqui disturbed the nest, Hilary sneaked through while they were getting organised, Sharon got the first sting, followed by Newton with one more, and Neil got the full on attack with 4. Doesn’t pay to be at the back of the line when a nest is disturbed! So after Sharon dispensed the required drugs we commiserated with a stroll to the old lookout to stretch our legs and help the venom race around our blood streams.

Sun 2nd Feb - Visit the holes up Kahui Track

The best turn out we have had for a while:  2 Frewins,  3 Wades,  2 Sinclairs,  5 Adamsons =

8 Adults and 4 Grandchildren.

A 10.30am start and the young ones take the lead till we have a food stop at the track junction while the two  track cleaners catch up.

We find the turn off to the lower hole – very impressive  then it was time for lunch.

Heading for the next one Sharon finds the turn off and with a little more difficulty we find the second hole. Even more impressive, my guess 5 plus metres deep.

Len A gave a very convincing explanation as to how they were made – A very tall tree was growing there when a lahar engulfed it, then the tree has rotted away. (Sounds pretty believable to me)

With lots of other things to see along the way, including a big black and yellow helicopter? Oops! Dragonfly!!   The grandies were kept amused and it was a pleasure to have them with us. We all had a very good day.

Return trip 5hours ± didn’t they do well.

Adventure does begin @ K.O.P.A.C.

Story by Newton, photos by Jacqui

Programme Jan - Mar 2014

• 28th Jan - Tuesday, club night, BBQ at Fort St George, coastal end of Lower Petone Rd. Join us after 5pm, BYO everything.
• 2nd Feb - Sunday, Kahui Hut and exploration along the track. Meet at 10 at  top of Kahui Rd, contact Sharon 06-7638365
• 7th Feb - Friday, Bike Polo beside Wind Wand car park, 5.30pm. Watch the fun or give it a go (BYO old bike).
• 16 Feb - Sunday, we have a more accurate conversion of the grid reference so we're going back to try and find those elusive Puniho holes. Meet at 10 at top of Puniho Rd. Contact Jacqui 06-7510676. Bring one of those really good GPSs that work under the trees!
• 23rd Feb - Sunday, Humphries Castle. Meet at 10 at North Egmont, contact Sharon 06-7638365
• 2nd Mar - Sunday, Kaiauai to Mangorei Rd, over Maude and Henry. Contact Sharon for time and to arrange car drop off at Mangorei.
• 10 Mar - Taranaki Anniversary weekend. Kaponga Lions club ride from Dawson Falls park gates to Hollards Gardens. Or check out the Ride Summertime Rolls events here, including scooter session, MTB gals ride and take a kid mountain biking.
• 16th Mar - WOMAD
• 23rd Mar  - Opunake Lions Mountain to Sea Bike Ride. Contact Jacqui for details, ride profile and entry form
• 25th Mar - Tuesday, AGM and committee meeting at the Pungarehu Golf Club, 7.30pm. Have your say on the direction you want to club to go, all welcome.
• No date, Cliff will be organising another tunnel explore on bicycles. TBA