The Kill Devil Track does have critics who describe it as being a bit ‘boring.’ But to many others, tramping is not just about the scenery. It is about the fresh air and exercise, as well as socialising, exploring tracks in new areas and yes, seeing new scenery that may have not been visited before.

In addition, there can be aspects of history, with historical huts to be visited. Kill Devil Track offers most of these things.

The tramp was listed as having historic Riordans Hut as the goal. However, the end of daylight saving (an oversight by the leader!) and delays on the Takaka Hill after the serious damage from the rain storm, meant that was unlikely to be achieved within the day.

So, a slightly less ambitious target was agreed: to go as far as we could along the ridgeline while allowing reasonable time to return to the cars and  Nelson at a ‘civilised’ hour. Some people did have to work the next day!

This track begins at a car park off Uruwhenua Road. The distinction between the farm road and the access road is confusing, so one vehicle went up each, but we got there! Local members of the GBTC have improved the car parking area through the Hut & Track Fund – a great job.

There were cars with bike racks that had obviously been there overnight—a sign to watch out for mountain bikers.

After a short ramble along the river bank, there is a zig-zag track (>50 zigs or are they zags?) that climbs steadily for about 800m to the ridgeline. This took a bit under three hours. Lunch was at the historic Tin Hut. The track itself was an old pack-track into the Waingaro gold fields, as well as later being used for access to sheep grazing around Riordans Hut. There are remnants of the fencing still visible along the track.

Discussion over lunch lead to the decision to continue along the ridge until about 2pm. This would have us back at the cars by around 4.30pm for the return to Nelson. We turned back approx. 45 minutes from Riordans Hut. There is always a next time!

Overall, it was a good day out for everyone.

Trampers were: Philip Palmer; Grant Derecourt; Debbie Hogan; S Gill; Leah Parker; B Ayres; M Buckley; Graeme Ferrier (leader & scribe).