North Kaweka – Makahu Stream, Saturday May 4 2013
Kaweka FP, Map: BJ37
On the way out of town, we could see dark clouds over the Kawekas. However, closer to the car park, glimpses of blue sky raised some enthusiasm.
We went up Trials Spur and up the steep exposed section of the track before having a brief stop at Dominie Bivvy for a drink and a snack.
As the cool breeze seemed to be getting stronger, several people put on parkas and warm gear.
From here, we went up to the track junction at the top where John Gray elected to go across to Kaweka J and return by the way he had come.
The rest of us went along to North Kaweka. Here the breeze seemed to die out, the clouds lifted and we spent some time looking all around. We could see Whetu to the north and out over Hawke’s Bay, but could not see Ruapehu.
We headed down past the tarns and further down to what seemed like a nice lunch spot. Then clouds started rolling in and the wind started to pick up, so we had a short lunch.
Heading down the spur, which is unnamed – you head for the high point 1179. This is a tricky bit, where the oldies went left down through the beech trees while the rest went right, down a steep rocky bit that took a little time to negotiate.
Further down, we found the turn-off into the beech trees. The shingle sloped area is starting to regenerate so the area is changing. A couple of old cairns further down marked the turn-off.
We headed down the track and dropped into Makahu Stream. Here the trampers in front must have disturbed a wasp nest, as those behind got stung, Alison tossing her pack off and disrobing as a wasp had got under her tramping top. It sure did sting, she said. Before reaching the main track, we passed a hunter and his family who must have been staying at Makahu Hut. The main track to Kaweka Flats is reached, and then it is an easy walk back to Makahu Saddle.
We got back to the car park by 1.30 pm.
A good day.
Trampers: Alison Greer, Jude Patton, Rochelle Elgie, Marc Marchall, Sue Marshall, John Gray, Ian Sainsbury, John Marshall, Murray White, Paul Exeter and reporter Geoff Donkin
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