30 trampers ( including 10 'newbies' who had done the Okura Open Day a week earlier) fronted up to do this interesting route in and around Muriwai.
First up the cliff steps at the southern end of the beach to take a look at the gannet colony. A couple of good sized viewing platforms looked out over the cliffside and the banks were full of 100s of birds that provided our first great photographic opportunity of the day.
From here we climbed up through Quarry and Edwin Mitchelson track's to Oaia Road. Northwards along this road was the compulsory road bash ( much to Campbell's delight ! ) that provided the link to Houghton's farm, via Houghton's Bush Camp We then headed out the back of the camp and down Houghton's Bush track to the farm. Access through this privately owned farm had been pre-approved a few weeks earlier and it is fitting to note that Glen Houghton has a reputation of freely allowing various groups to walk through his very picturesque farm. Also to fish in Lake Okaihau which is well stocked with Perch. Apparently anglers who fish here do so competitively to see who can hook the biggest fish which are kept alive and returned to the water after measurement.
After crossing a short swampy area (on purpose I must admit as trampers cannot expect a four lane highway all the way!) we stopped for a group photo with Lake Okaihau as a backdrop. This is a rather beautiful lake with large areas of colourful water lilies around the perimeter, again providing further photo opportunities.
The route took us past the seaward side of the lake and shortly after leaving the farm we stopped for lunch under a large tree on the banks of the Okiritoto Stream. Some welcome relief from the high bright sun.
After lunch we basically followed the stream as it meandered north westwards to exit at the northern end of Coast Road and the southern end of the Woodhill Forest. A road bash along unsealed forestry trails eventually brought us to the base of Pulpit Rock so named for its similarity to a church pulpit particularly when viewed from the trail below. A very distinctive skyline rocky outcrop.
Not wishing to let the group off too easily we took the direct route to the top, bush bashing and scrambling our way up the very steep side, to be rewarded with magnificent views across the pine forest tree tops to the beach, surf and Tasman Sea beyond.
I briefly considered making making a sacrifice to the Sun God on the Rock but was unsuccessful in finding the requisite virgin amongst the fairer sex of our illustrious group!
Back down from the Rock and walking amongst the forest pines to shelter from the sun as we headed back to Coast Road. From here out to the coast and southwards along the beach to the club bus.
It was only around 3.15 pm so plenty of time to enjoy a milkshake or icecream to cool down a bit before the return journey to The Strand.
Our driver for the day Alan Spencer had us safely back at The Strand before 5 pm.
Thanks Alan for helping here.
A regular yearly January tramp that has a bit of everything (gannets/bush tracks/road bash/farmland/a lake/some swamp/a stream/forestry roads/Pulpit Rock/Beach) and one that has proved to be very popular for the last few years attracting around 30 trampers each year that it has been done.