WOPs ladies are a tough bunch. You put a walk with an attractive name such as Destruction Gully on the menu and WOPs walkeresses will turn up in strong numbers. 

22 of us lined up at the Mt Donald McLean carpark to get a head start on our ascend to the Mount which according to the Auckland topo map comes in at an altitude of 389 of meters. 360 Degree breathtaking views reinforced again how beautiful New Zealand is. 

Our planned route required a double back down onto Donald McLean track which lead us to Piri Ridge track and down Whatipu Road onto Destruction Gully right down to sea level. The last bit of track offering some more advanced options for exercise with rocky crops secured by ropes. A freshwater stream and a rocky bay was our reward. 

We headed back up the hill a bit to find a lunch spot in the shade. Yes, you read right shade - see we were navigating our Tuesday adventure in BLAZING sunshine grateful for a spot of shady respite. None of us aware of the "weather bomb" that had hit Auckland while we were enjoying Waitakere wilderness. New Zealand the country of microclimates.  

After the lunch break, it was uphill all the way back to the cars. Although the return journey saw us travelling over the same terrain it certainly looked and felt like a different track. Going up a steep incline does things to one's perception, obviously. 

I was again dazzled by the diverse beauty that the Waitakeres have to offer. This makes listening to the radio today so much more scary. The local iwi is calling for a Rahui . I am not fluent in Maori so have turned to Google for a translation. Here is the official online Maori Dictionary description:". (verb) (-ngia,-tia) to put in place a temporary ritual prohibition, closed season, ban, reserve - traditionally a rahui was placed on an area, resource or stretch of water as a conservation measure or as a means of social and political control for a variety of reasons which can be grouped into three main categories: pollution by tapu, conservation and politics. Death pollutes land, water and people through tapu. A rahui is a device for separating people from tapu things. After an agreed lapse of time, the rahui is lifted. A rahui is marked by a visible sign, such as the erection of a pou rahui, a post. It is initiated by someone of rank and placed and lifted with appropriate karakia by a tohunga."  

You can listen to more detail here Click here .  

I am all for protecting our environment BUT.........I think I speak for many WOPpers when I say that my regular WOPs outings are a pivotal part of my week. They are essential for keeping all the balls I choose to ( or have the opportunity to) juggle up in the air.  Not being able to head out into the Waitakeres --- well let's not go there.  

Let's hope a solution can be found and soon, so we can continue to create outdoor opportunities for current and future WOPpers.

Kirsten T

For photos from Anne W Click here