Napier Tramping Club

based in Hawke's Bay, New Zealand

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A snowy delight, and good track finding

May 27, 2015 by Julia Mackie Leave a Comment

Te Iringa, Kaweka Forest Park, Wednesday, May 27 2015
Map BJ37

What a wonderful tramping day in the Kaweka Forest Park. We started from the Gentle Annie and made our way up through an old track which is no longer maintained.

Once above the bushline, the tussock grasses had frozen, and the leading tramper was the unlucky one to fight the way through. When frozen, the grass fronds stick together and extra strength was required to walk through them. We soon encountered the snow which, on the shadier slopes and in parts of the bush, had not yet melted. It was a great day to be out, as long as you were out of the wind and in the sunshine.

In places, the track is through bush

In places, the track is through bush

On occasion we lost the old track, and then we found it again. When it disappeared into the bush, it became more difficult as old entrance ways have overgrown. Nine of us reached Te Iringa trig, and we stopped to admire the views and take the group selfie.

We could not stand around for too long, although the sun was warming. We continued on, track-finding, and made our way to the cairns which mark a change of direction. The sharp-eyed amongst us spotted four deer that ran and then stood still. They were difficult to spot, their coats matching the tussock and dracophylum. A lot of deer squealing was heard.

The tussock tops track, in snow

The tussock tops track, in snow

From this cairn, if you head downhill keeping to the edge, you reach a clump of trees and clay pans. From here, keeping to the bushline, you can find Jack Roberts hut. This is a private hut (it’s on Timahanga Station) and permission is required to be in the area. It is used by hunters and is a makeshift structure. Les decided to go and see it, as he had not been there since his young hunting days.

The rest of us decided against that, because time was not on our side. In winter, the tramping is slower and the colder afternoons are not conducive. We lunched in the sun and lee of the wind with views down to the silvery Ngaruroro River snaking its way through the steep Kaweka Ranges.

Making our way back was easier (excepting one spot), following our own footprints, and we were back at the vehicles by around 3pm. A great day for all, even for those who never made it to the trig.

Trampers: Kelvin Shaw, Ken Ross, Vic Bullock, Sue Marshall, Peter Slagter, Paul Exeter, Steve Woulfe, Le Hah and Cong Eng (visitors), Wai Anderson, Bruce Hodgson, Frances Bernsten, Viv Bramley, John Burrell, Murray White, Geoff Donkin, Rosemary Jeffery, Les O’Shea and reporter Julia Mackie

Filed Under: Recent trips Tagged With: Kaweka Forest Park

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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

November 2023 News

The passing of Owen Rees and Vic Bullock Within the space of a few weeks, the club has lost … Read More

October 2023 News

Banner picture: Congratulations to long-standing member Geoff Donkin, presented with a life … Read More

Latest trip

Whirinaki Forest Park at its best

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

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