A beautiful rainbow appeared as I approached Huia, which confirmed my phone app’s forecast for rain at 10.00 am. Fortunately it was short-lived and we were soon tramping without jackets. The advertised walk up the Tom Thumb was changed to the Karamatua when the river crossing was deemed too swollen for safety. We checked out the boisterous Karamatua Falls before heading up the track. With a small group we made good time and enjoyed morning tea about a third of the way up the track. After morning tea we were taken back down the track and we returned to the car via the Karamatua Loop. We negotiated windfall and admired young kauri on the way. We couldn’t see any sign of kauri dieback which was reassuring. However the news that there are calls to close these popular walks in the Waitakere Ranges, because of the spread of kauri dieback, is not so reassuring. These calls have the support of environmental groups and scientists. By midday we were having a quick coffee at the Huia Store & Cafe before heading home. I took a detour to enjoy the Jubilee Track and beach at Cornwallis in the warmth of the sun.

Thank you Claudia.

Margreta

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