Whanganui: Reminders of past litter our bush - Making Tracks with Scroggin

Whanganui trampers enjoy Marilyn McGlone’s Titanic moment on an old boiler, a relic of logging in the Tararua Ranges.

New Zealand’s backcountry is littered with reminders of times past. These can be old fence posts in the country reverting to the bush, tram lines and machinery in areas that were logged or items like rain gauges in the ranges.

They all have a story to tell. Relics that Wanganui Tramping Club members came across recently include a rain gauge in Ruahine Forest Park and an old boiler near the Mangaone Walkway on the edge of Tararua Forest Park, both rusting away.

Other alien items with a tragic past are the remains of crashed planes. Te Papakura o Taranaki (formerly Egmont National Park) has three crashed Air Force planes, all of which produced fatalities.

There are also crash sites in Tongariro National Park and the Ruahine and Tararua ranges. None of these sites are marked except in some instances by graves.

The club’s full weekend programme for January is:

Sunday, 5 Makairo Track, leader Toby

Tuesday-Thursday 7-9, Te Papakua o Taranaki Circuit, leader Dave

Saturday or Sunday, 11 or 12 Mikimiki Walkway, leader Peter

Saturday or Sunday, 18 or 19 Branch Road Walkway, leader Pam

Saturday, 25 Mangawhio Lakes, leader Shane

Saturday, 25 Pot Luck Meal, leader Dorothy

Sun, 26 Manawatū Gorge Track, leader Dorothy

Friday- Saturday, 31-February 1 Mt Taranaki Summit, leader Kathy

The midweeks have a full programme of interesting trips every Wednesday. Those who get out on Thursday are in two groups, with longer walks on January 16 and 30 for the TT1 group and shorter ones for the TT2 group on January 9 and 23.

To join weekend trips call the leader by the previous Tuesday at the latest. Call by the night before for day trips. As some trips have limited numbers, leaders have the final say about who to take as they are responsible for the safety and well-being of everyone on their trips. For further information visit our website www.whanganuitramping.org.nz

There is no club meeting in January.