There was just a comfortable car-load of five who headed off for Marahau and the start of the Coastal Track that would lead us to the Inland Track and up to Holyoake Hut. We left Nelson at 8.30 am and after picking up great coffees in Riwaka, we were underway by 10am. The tide was out, so we took the short-cut across the tidal flats to provide some variety to track-walking!

After 30 minutes we left sea level to start the climb to Tinline Camp then soon after, the turnoff to the Inland Track that would take us to Holyoake Hut. (It was bit disconcerting to see the sign saying 3 hrs. to the Hut, when all other information had said it should be 2 hrs. - which it was!)

After a steady climb for another half hour or so, the track briefly levelled off around 250m altitude and we found a sunny spot for a short break. Another walker came by who was also heading to Holyoake. We exchanged the usual pleasantries.

The short break was followed by some short steep bits as we continued climbing to around 560m at the start of Holyoake Clearing. This is a bit of a misnomer as the regenerating scrub has certainly covered most of the ‘clearing’. After a short descent, we pushed on up again to Holyoake Hut at just under 600m, where we planned to have lunch. The walker we had met earlier had the same plan, so we joined him at the table.

You do meet some interesting people while out tramping! Frans has been tramping since he was a boy and still loves to get out there when he can, to enjoy the peace and solitude of the outdoors. We could all relate to that. It was also fortuitous in that Frans has great experience with installing and maintaining water supplies to Huts. In fact that is now his chosen business. After some discussion about the Flora supply, Frans found a business card for future contact during the Club’s next R&M visit to Flora.

The return walk downhill still needed care in some places, but we had time to enjoy the views back to Marahau with the higher tide.

We were back at the car soon after 3.30 allowing us to get back to Nelson at a very civilised time before 5pm- perfect with the shorter days!

Stats: 16 km walk; 730 m of elevation gain and a bit under 4.5 hours walking.

Trampers :- Jo, Isobel, Linda, Philip and Graeme, (Leader & Scribe)