The Waipawa River has changed

Waipawa Forks to the Saddle, Wednesday 7 February 2024
Banner Photo: Waipawa Forks Hut

Five fitted into Kate’s new car, which gives aerial views of the vehicle and has many mod cons, including air-conditioning. And we needed it, because it was so hot.

We drove past those early-morning-lit hills that Hawke’s Bay can display so well. I love them.

Di Reid led the group and we made a plan at the Sunrise car park to go for three hours each way. After a gear check, we headed up to the seat by the track junction for the Waipawa River.

The track down was in good condition, and yes, the Waipawa River has changed. It was more bouldery than usual with much of the hunters’ side tracks washed out. Gaye did find a good one nearer the top.

We never made it to the saddle, but enjoyed our trip up. I had a swim in a very shallow pool. It was cool and refreshing.

One of Di’s new boots started to lose its sole but luckily she had a cable tie to pop around it. This did the trick.

We checked out Waipawa Forks Hut; it was in tidy condition and a nice place to stay the night. Then we climbed back up to the seat and headed back to the car park. There we met 37 other hikers from the ‘Amblers’ group, who had done the circuit. We drove in convoy out with them and so did not have to open any gates.

Trampers: Di Reid, Jeremy Heath-Caldwell, Kate Fuller, Gaye Ebbett and reporter Hilary Heath-Caldwell