Cape Horn Auckland

Happy Chappy

After few weeks of doing those longer and 'tedious' walks, it might be a good idea to do a shorter track on this Sunday. After all less is more and more is less. 

Beginning of  Waikowhai Bay coastal route

Slippery surface

Cape Horn is located in the Manukau Harbour. The circuit is about 5 km and the tracks are good. However watch out for those slippery wet rocks if you intend to use the beach route at low tide. A good pair of shoes is recommended as the beach is also full of mussel shelves.

Hey It was just the beginning!

This route was just perfect for the bunch of weekend trampers, in terms of its difficulty, if any, distance and accessibility. The weather was excellent and timing was just right as our arrival coincided with the low tide in the morning. Therefore the decision to walk the beach was a no brainer, and thus unknowingly avoiding the 268 steps climb!

Looking for Pacific Oysters ?

 Look out  for Fossils on your right.

Novice trampers are always novice trampers, walk for the sake of walking and not taking any notice of flora and fauna along the way. Ignorant I guess. There were 2 million year fossils on the cliff that we don't even have a clue. But then, as KC mentioned, you need a geologist to recognise this. None in the group, anyway, and we just moved along happily.  It's a blessing, sometime, when you don't know what you are missing.

Log View

You should have noticed that our city tramper has improved leaps and bounds. First outing it was an umbrella. Second outing it was a walking post. This time he has doubled his faithful companions. So city folk no more. Hurray! 

Time to refresh reading skill

Hurry man, we were late for lunch.

This time map reading was near perfection. Not that we have improved but it was a much simple circuit. But an imaginary track on the Auckland Council map fooled us all, leading us up to nowhere. So we decided to seek assistance from a local regular tramper. That was when we were told about those fossils on the cliff by this kind helper!

One the way back, negotiating the 268 steps needed full concentration of the tire body and mind. But definitely easier than going the opposite way.

Teenagers: "Keep moving senior, we are watching."
KC : "Don't you worry, keep sleeping."

Marine Markers

This Sunday's walk was definitely different to have two teenagers joining us. Without the load,  with springlike joints and no burden of excessive accumulation of unwanted body fat, they finished  way ahead of those weekend trampers. Any suggestions to finish ahead next time ? Simple, I guess. No backpack, stay young, more chicken feet, and finally have an hour head start! If all else fail, stay positive. Haven't you all heard of hare and tortoise race ?

Cement Plant

Fern Shoot

Mangere

Waikowhai Bay

Puketutu Island