Napier Tramping Club

based in Hawke's Bay, New Zealand

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We did the crossing from Opawe to Kumeti in 5 hours

Nearly blue sky

May 7, 2011 by John Gray Leave a Comment

Southern Ruahine Crossing, Saturday, May 7 2011.
Maps: BL35 / BM35 / BM36

Nine members gathered at EIT and got away on time, heading for the Pohangina Valley on the western side of the Ruahines. Unfortunately, two members had already withdrawn on the strength of a wet weather forecast. Sure, the forecast wasn’t great, but we were looking for that “window of opportunity”, south of Mt Egmont and north of Levin – and we got it! Nearly blue sky became the tramp catchphrase.

The trip over was damp and we considered a change of location as we passed through Tikokino but, being a good keen bunch of hardy trampers, we carried on. We did miss the turn-off as we travelled up the valley, but very soon corrected our bearings and arrived at our destination on Opawe Road before 10 am.

Six prepared for the Southern Ruahines crossing and were soon on their way across farm paddocks. It was noted that the western side of the ranges was much drier than the tops and the eastern side.

The boys in the 'leatherwood corridor'

We enjoyed a steady climb through some nice bush typical of the area – rimu, kamahi, and tawa forest., and a few grand old rata trees. As we gained altitude, shrubby horopito, flax and pink pine prevailed. The track to Mt Maharahara is obvious from below. The leatherwood corridor begins at Mt Maharahara, and covers the tops to Matanginui, after which the junction for the track to Kiritaki Hut turns south.

We got some beautiful views out to the west coast. The tops were foggy but clearing, and we enjoyed a 20-minute lunch close to the track junction to Kiritaki Hut. The track had been well maintained on the Hawke’s Bay side, but was not too good on the western side.

We did the crossing from Opawe to Kumeti in five hours

Very soon after lunch, we met the remaining three members and everyone enjoyed a steady but uneventful trip down to the Mangapuaka Stream and back to the van at the Kumeti roadhead.

Thanks to driver Ted. We all had an enjoyable day, arriving back at the EIT about 5 pm.

Trampers: Julia Mackie, Sue Martin, Jude Paton, Ted Angove, Geoff Donkin, Simon Hill, John Russell, Matt Green and John Gray

Filed Under: Recent trips Tagged With: Kiritaki Hut

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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

January 2023 News

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December 2022 News

Mokai access A message from Dan Tuohy, Senior Ranger, DoC Manawatu. Posted 24 December … Read More

Latest trip

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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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