Lakes car park – Rogue Ridge – Kaiarahi – Mackintosh Spur, Mackintosh Hut, Mackintosh car park, Saturday, October 17 2009. Map: BJ37 Kuripapango
Trampers: Ted Angove, Paul Exeter, John Dobbs, Colin McNatty, Jude Paton, Julia Mackie, Geraldine Oliver, Murray McIndoe, Bridget Seque, Denise Payne and Simon Hill
By 9am, we were off from the Lakes car park up the Rogue Ridge track. There were a few damaged trees from the previous week’s snow storm.
Julia disturbed a possum, which promptly sought refuge in a contorta pine tree. We all tried to knock it off by throwing rocks at it, but it stubbornly held on and stared at us. The ring of dark fur around the eyes makes it an ugly-looking animal (or should I say, pest). Once again, Denise failed to get a picture of it. On the ridge top, we had a bite to eat and a good all-round view. The sun shone through some fast-moving clouds. We climbed onto Kaiarahi (1507m), walking through a few patches of snow.
Once on the track down Mackintosh Spur, more broken branches from the pinus contorta as a result of the winter snow made the tramp a little difficult in places. Orange tie markers around several necessary diversions were helpful.
A lunch spot was found on Mackintosh Spur, among the snow and pinus contorta, with a view of the van far below. Murray and Bridget had returned down the Rogue Ridge top junction to drive the van round to Mackintosh car park. Back on track, we walked through beech forest and finally made it to Mackintosh Hut at 1.30pm.
After a good rest, we walked on down to the new bridge over a fast-flowing Tutaekuri River. Then, for Julia it was a 20-minute climb to the top, while others took about 35 to the waiting van and off to Napier, after a very good day tramp.
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