By Zita Keller, 28 June 2024
A bit questionable whether this counts as a club trip, but here we are! I had a hankering to go tramping so I threw a last-minute day trip on the club calendar, I think the night before... surprisingly, no-one signed up so I went solo. I think it was my first truly solo trip and I really enjoyed it. The Kapakapanui loop is lovely. It starts with a stroll across what looks like someone's backyard, then into some bush and across some "rivers". They were shallow when I did it but apparently they can fill up a lot. After that, it climbs steeply for a bit and then levels out. As I was alone, I listened to a podcast most of the way which was great! ("You're Dead to Me" - would recommend).
When I got to the hut, someone said "Hey!" Wow, what a friendly stranger! When I got a bit closer, I realised it was Lochlainn! He and Charlotte were doing an overnighter and were just heading up to the summit for a cup of tea. I didn't have any cooking equipment with me (or a cup), so it was very nice to be given a cup of hot tea - I think in a billy lid. Then I continued on my way, looking forward to the legendary views from the top... aaand, it was cloudy. To be fair, still very nice to look at.
On the way down, I encountered some pretty epic goblin forest, which will forever be linked to King James I England.
It got dark on my way down, and some Chinese history accompanied my irrational fears about getting eaten by a wild pig. Luckily, the pigs seemed to be on holiday so I got home safe and sound.