On The CometApr 2009 |
| Another great day for tramping, leaving town at 7a.m., a little early for our Wednesday group. The weather still good but not so warm. A few showers met us but nothing to worry about. The road to Taihape is well graded and the Gentle Annie is tar-sealed even further than remembered. As we took the turn off to Komatu hut we caught a young man in an embarrassing situation and we gave him a cheery wave. On The Comet the beautiful tussock grass is flourishing and we felt proud of our efforts last year helping D.O.C. pull out the pinus contorta seedlings which are threatening this area. |
| Komatu hut is in excellent condition, newly painted and with chairs inside. We usually have to sit on the floor in pouring rain. After a " cuppa" we set off along the track towards Shutes hut, climbing steadily we soon got good views of Te Mahunga Station spread below us. An hour later we reached the top and plunged into the pine forest. Lots of fungi around but little native bush. Then we came into a lovely stand of red beech for 20 minutes then back into pine. Just before we drop down the steep path that leads to Shutes we turned off to the right along a little known hunters track, very lightly marked , so we took care to tie ribbons behind us for the return journey. |
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After 3/4 of an hour through scrubby bush we found the turn off to the shelter, which still has its loo in the middle of the floor [not installed]. It was mild enough to have our lunch outside. The views from the shelter are stunning. We could see the river below us and across the mountains Cape Kidnappers and the ocean. We returned the same way we had come, removing the tags and were home by 3.30p.m. |