There were 12 trampers out on Richard’s tramp to Mt Pirongia on 15 March – an interesting round trip on the Tirohanga and Mahaukura Tracks, crossing from Grey Road carpark to Ruapane Trig via the Mangakara Nature Walk, then following the Tirohanga Track to the summit viewing platform and returning via the Mahaukura Track to Grey Road = 8 ¼ hours!!!

 Great weather, excellent views, a noticeable succession of vegetation and forest types to admire, challenging tracks with tree roots to negotiate and chains to help on the steep rocky sections, but some easy boardwalk sections on the tops. We were thrilled to see lots of beautiful blue fungi Entoloma hochstetteri or werewere kokako, catch the occasional whiff of our native Easter orchid in flower (Earina autumnalis), spot the striking grass trees Dracophyllums, and, Dactylanthus - a rare and endangered plant enclosed in cages to protect them from possums.

This trip was rated 9 out of 10 by Nicola (first time on Mt Pirongia). Seeing the blue fungi was the highlight of the trip for young Marcel, on his third trip out with the club.