First up was Jackie Peak on land privately owned by the Turner's of Turner's and Growers. A climb of 148 metres being rewarded by great views both up and down the Manukau Harbour and South Head. This peak apparently was named after John Wade who with his Maori wife Marama farmed the area in the mid 1800's. Up and back took around one hour before we embarked on the second part up an unofficial track of sorts to summit The Drum at 292 metres. We past Marama Stream on the way up and with many false trails it is easy to go the wrong way unless you concentrate a lot. We reached the top and with enough room for us all to perch on the rock with a sheer drop on three sides had lunch around 12.30 pm. Views from here are even better than from Jackie Peak!
After lunch we split into two groups with Trish Jenner taking a party of eight out the back of the Drum and down Fletcher and Karamatura tracks finishing with a road bash back to the bus at Little Huia. Most of this group had been to the Maori Caves in March and Campbell Elliot was beside himself with joy in being able to take in his favourite part of tramping....a road bash! The remaining nineteen went out the back of the Drum to intersect with Fletcher track before leaving this further down the ridge to take another unofficial track of sorts to the Maori Caves. These caves are more of a long overhanging rocky outcrop with evidence of Maori occupation in years past.
A short tramp down the hill through light bush then exited onto farmland that also had the Project K confidence course on it. Tried to get young Stacey Timmo to give us all a demonstration of his fitness but to no avail.
Total time inclusive of lunch was spot on five hours inclusive of lunch, however, the distance travelled was a mere 6 kilometres max because of the terrain covered.
An ice-cream stop at the Huia Store on the way back was a nice way of completing what was a challenging but satisfying day's tramp.
Photos: 1 Legs dangling over the edge of the Drum; 2Inside the Maori caves; 3 The descent back to the bus