Napier Tramping Club

based in Hawke's Bay, New Zealand

Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors
Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors
  • Home
  • News
  • Recent trips
  • Meetings and Events
    • The Tramp List, and how to book online
    • Club meetings
    • Bike Rides
    • Eezee Tramps
  • Gear and fitness
    • Tramping gear details
  • History
    • Memory Lane
  • Contacts
    • Interested in joining

A great Plan B, down the shingle slide

February 14, 2015 by Julia Mackie Leave a Comment

Waipawa River North Arm, Ruahine FP.
Saturday February 14, 2015. Map BK36

When we arrived at Sunrise Hut, it was clear that the trip over to Sparrowhawk Bivvy would have to be changed. What was the point in going across the tops when you could not see anything? One look above Sunrise Hut, where we could not see beyond 50m, was all that was required for us to change our destination. The Waipawa River North Arm via the shingle slide was a good alternative, as on a club tramp in December 2014 I had not gone down the shingle slide.

The top of the shingle slide, all smiles

The top of the shingle slide, all smiles

So, six of us continued up to the Top Maropea Hut turn-off and took the group photo, before heading around on the Te Atuaoparapara route to the drop-off down the shingle slide. We had two newer club members with us, so we gave them a chance to experience the wonderful fun it is to walk/run down the shingle slope – just like descending Mt Ngauruhoe, where it is all over in a few minutes.

Some scramble down the side of small waterfalls

Some scramble down the side of small waterfalls

We entered the river bed, and then for the next two hours made our way down it, stopping for a lunch break on a grassy bank. A few small waterfalls required some care with the footing, but we all enjoyed the lovely banks, and walls covered in moss. In a few places, the huge trunks of trees which had fallen into the stream were like chopsticks, higgledy piggledy. There were many small side streams flowing into the river from steep gullies. The yellow rock daisy (senecio lagopus) was still flowering along the banks.

We reached the Waipawa River and had a good view of the Waipawa Saddle, as by early afternoon the cloud had lifted over it; but further north, cloud still covered the range tops.

We decided to return to the Sunrise car park via the track and not the river route, which meant a short climb (20 minutes) and then back down on the main Sunrise Track.

We were surprised to see a couple of vans in the car park from Freyberg High School, Palmerston North. A large school group was heading up to Sunrise, and our estimate was that the hut would be full that night. Perhaps that is why the possibility of a booking system is being decided for Sunrise Hut. From a club point of view, we are against the booking system; however, I must qualify that by adding that we never have spent a night there, as huts beyond are more in our sights for any overnight stay.

The rock daisy

The rock daisy

From an education standpoint, Sunrise Hut is a good place to take young children and families, so perhaps it might be time to see the benefits to them.

Our plan B tramp went well and we all enjoyed the day.

Trampers: Ted Angove and Paul Exeter, Marc Marchal and Jude Paton (Sunrise and environs), Geoff Donkin, Alison Greer, Rachel Cowie, Juliet Gillick, Phil Enticott and reporter Julia Mackie

Filed Under: Recent trips Tagged With: Ruahine Forest Park, Sunrise Hut, Waipawa River, Waipawa Saddle

About Julia Mackie

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Our most recent trips

Gannet-free trip to the Cape turns into a hi-tech cliff-hanger

Cape Kidnappers, Wednesday 7 June 2023 Banner Photo: Most of the group at our turn-around point and lunch stop Twenty people descended on the … Read More

Well, blow me down! It’s the lower circuit yet again

Lakes car park, Rogue Ridge turn-off, Kaiarahi Stream, Mackintosh Hut, Kaweka FP, Saturday 3 June 2023 It was a beautiful sunrise with the promise … Read More

Back to Kiwi Saddle

Kiwi Saddle Hut, Kaweka FP, Wednesday 24 May 2023 Banner Photo: Heading down to Kiwi Saddle Hut from the Cameron Hut junction This was the club’s … Read More

News

June 2023 News

June 2, 2023 By Brian Mackie Leave a Comment

Winter Solstice weekend 17-18 June Our celebration this year is at 16 McHardy Place, Blackhead … Read More

May 2023 News

May 5, 2023 By Brian Mackie Leave a Comment

Wilding Pine Update, Tuesday 9 May 2023 Five of us up there today…..before the rain set … Read More

About us

We are a group of like-minded people who love the great outdoors. We tramp mostly in the Hawke’s Bay province, in remote areas such as the Kaweka and Ruahine Ranges; but we also travel longer distances to new places, for longer walks.

The Napier Tramping Club was established in 1974 and has about 70 members. We belong to the Federated Mountain Clubs of NZ Inc (FMC) and run Saturday, full-weekend and Wednesday tramps, every fortnight.

Interested in joining us?

Enjoy the great outdoors, keep fit and get to know others with similar interests.

More information

Latest news

June 2023 News

Winter Solstice weekend 17-18 June Our celebration this year is at 16 McHardy Place, Blackhead … Read More

May 2023 News

Wilding Pine Update, Tuesday 9 May 2023 Five of us up there today…..before the rain set … Read More

Latest trip

Gannet-free trip to the Cape turns into a hi-tech cliff-hanger

Useful links

  • Dept of Conservation
  • DoC Huts Use, Kaweka Forest Park
  • Federated Mountain Clubs of NZ (FMC)
  • Heretaunga Tramping Club
  • New Zealand Tramper
  • NZ Walking Access Commission
  • Wanganui Tramping Club

Useful links 2

  • Royal Forest & Bird Protection Society
  • Weather forecast

Copyright © 2023 · Napier Tramping Club · Sign In · Website by D2 ·