Holdsworth Lookout – Carrington Saddle – Point 801 – Holdsworth Lodge circuit.
It was not billed as a joint MTC, SWTC trip but it became one when three members from “down south” joined seven from Masterton. With, for our Club, a big group we had a “tail end charlie” to ensure nobody was left behind.
Frequent short rest stops on the climb to the Lookout, including a stop at the Punga Pa sign, kept everyone together. A 10am cuppa at the Lookout kept the South Wairarapa team to their timetable of regular breaks, while we looked out over Mitre, Jumbo and Holdsworth. With the first climb over it was an easier wander along the undulating ridge, stopping at the remains of an old shelter along the way, before we descended to the Saddle. Here we regrouped before the second climb up to
Carrington Ridge, there was some discussion as to which was the longer climb. On a map the first is shorter, but a larger height gain, by about 20m!
Having had sunny spells and little wind since we had left the Lookout, the section along Carrington Ridge to Pt. 801 was quite cool with a moderate westerly blowing. A short lunch was taken off the track in a, slightly, more sheltered area before we dropped down to the Gentle Annie track and back to the Lodge along this, at times, slippery and well worn track. The forecast drizzle arrived as we neared the cars.
Distance covered: about 11km. Time: 5 hours, it was not a sprint, but good exercise, time for a chat and catch up. Those on the trip: Conrad, Mike K, Denise, Loralie, Michelle, Margaret M., Nigel, and from SWTC John, Clive and Ross. Thanks for a good day out everyone.
