Tramping NZ

This weekend, since the weather wasn't meant to be great, we decided to do some true kiwi tramping.
However, before we started with that we decided to have a good night out in Auckland. A girls night and a boys night. Gem, Bea, Sophie and I met up with Gem at a friend of hers in Grafton where we had a lovely meal and some wine before heading into Ponsenby for a few drinks. Really great evening, good company, good chat. we headed home around 2am.

Saturday we got up feeling a little sore, but packed ourselves up to head over to the Coromandel for a bit of tramping. So, with 15kg on our backs (probably less, but felt like more) with food and overnight stuff we headed out on the Kauaeranga Kauri Trail to see the Pinnacles. After 3 1/2 hrs of relentless uphill (in the drizzle and rain) we made it to the Pinnacles hut, where we were staying the night along with 75 other people. Great hut, purpose built for trampers with 40 bed dorms and cooking facilities, long drops and cold showers. Had a fantastic evening meeting new people and enjoying a few glasses of wine (yes, we carried up wine) before retiring to our well deserved bunks. In the morning we awoke to yet more overcast weather, but we decided what the heck we came this far, we'll do the extra 40mins to the summit, even if their is no view. However, by the time we got up there the sun started to burn through the cloud and we managed to catch some amazing views.
Heading back down took about 4 hours which I'd like to say was much easier, but truth is we still found it a struggle. The tramping was such a great achievement. Dont think I've ever trekked with that much weight on my back before, and I have the bruises to prove it!

That evening Si and I headed back down to Hamilton for a lovely early night.

Weekend with my Sis

Unfortunately Si was working the weekend, so I was gonna have to spend another weekend without him :(
Friday night, however we managed to go out for a few drinks in Hamilton to see off Jen, who is heading back to the UK. Really nice evening with a good bunch of people. Gem joined us around 11.30 when we thought it was probably a good idea to head back home as Si had to be in work in the morning.

Saturday Gem and I got up reasonably early and headed south back down to the climbing spot we went to a few months back. Unfortunatley the weather wasnt as great but the place we went to wasnt a place that mattered if it was a little wet as there are lots of overhangs and trees protecting us. Had a great day back there and did alot better than I did last time I was there. Even managing to lead climb a route that I had struggled on last time. Around 6ish we headed back to Hamilton to catch up with Si who had managed to get off work a little early. A few of our friends were around that evening so we all got together for a film and a curry!

Sunday we had a pretty lazy day. Gem had to head back early to meet a friend so I spent the rest of the day studying. Not so exciting but very productive day.