After the wonderful build up of #100 trips for 100 years, the centenary weekend for the Otago Tramping & Mountaineering Club had arrived and what a fantastic weekend it turned out to be. Around 200 people enjoyed a number of events during Labour Weekend 2023 with a walk to Pineapple Point being one of them. Over 70 people gathered for the moderat walk up the Pineapple Track from Booth Road. 
The mood was cheerful and there was much chatter as everyone met and was reacquainted with tramping buddies from years past. The start of the Pineapple Track is a moderate 100m climb to the water treatment station where the faster group walked along happily chatting and finding a pace that suited. 
Once past the water treatment station, the track enters the native podocarp forest and winds it's way up hill, climbing another 200m in height before reaching Pineapple Point. While most of the group kept together and chatted as they walked, some of the older members of the group dropped behind and took their time, stopping often to catch their breath and look around. 
For these older club members it had been more than 40 years since they had been up the Pineapple Track. I walked with this slower group and it was good to hear their stories and look through their eyes at the landscape around us. For most the walk up the hill takes around 30-40 minutes but for this slower group it took closer to an hour.
As people emerged from the bush, they took the short detour to Pineapple Point and enjoyed the view while continuing to chat while waiting for everyone to arrive. It is amazing how much there is to talk about with people that you haven't seen in many years and no one minded waiting for those slower to make the journey to the Pineapple Point.
For these older club members it had been more than 40 years since they had been up the Pineapple Track. I walked with this slower group and it was good to hear their stories and look through their eyes at the landscape around us. For most the walk up the hill takes around 30-40 minutes but for this slower group it took closer to an hour.
Once everyone had arrived at Pineapple Point, snacks and drinks were consumed before a short speech welcoming everyone and a recap the history of Pineapple Point including the recent installation of the seat and lookout. 
Then there was time for more chatting and photos before the group broke up with some heading up to the top of Flagstaff and others taking an alternative route back to the cars. Those older and less fit in the group opted to return the same way they had come up, by the Pineapple Track. We joined these people and took our time down the hill, stopping often and enjoying their reminiscing as we walked slowly down the hill. While it was only a short walk and one that we have made quite a few times over the past year, it was memorable, especially with the fantastic company and I loved talking and walking with the older people who had been in the tramping club in the 1950 & 60's.
Then there was time for more chatting and photos before the group broke up with some heading up to the top of Flagstaff and others taking an alternative route back to the cars. Those older and less fit in the group opted to return the same way they had come up, by the Pineapple Track. We joined these people and took our time down the hill, stopping often and enjoying their reminiscing as we walked slowly down the hill. While it was only a short walk and one that we have made quite a few times over the past year, it was memorable, especially with the fantastic company and I loved talking and walking with the older people who had been in the tramping club in the 1950 & 60's.
