Napier Tramping Club

based in Hawke's Bay, New Zealand

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We break new, too-easy ground, but Ted supplies the drama

May 11, 2022 by Bruce Hodgson Leave a Comment

Makairo Track, Waewaepa Range, 11 May 2022
Banner Photo: Bury my Heart at Wounded Knees…

The club broke new territory walking this track for the first time. The DoC reserve is a 45-minute drive south-west from Dannevirke and east of Pahiatua.

The area map

The Makairo Track was once a road linking Kohinui to Coonoor. It was closed in the mid-1970s when the local authority had no budget to maintain and repair a slumped bridge. The area has been allowed to revert to very healthy native bush. DoC has stewardship of the track and the Waewaepa Range it passes through.

Nine of us took the van to the tramp start to meet Sue and Jim Trotter who found their own way from Norsewood.

The view east from the track

The track is a very easy gradient up to a saddle then steadily down even more gently through the reserve, a total 9.8km to the track-end. Most of the way offered views of the bush-clad reserve and in the distance we could see the Tararua windmills.

This was all just too good and easy so we needed some drama to fill the day. Ted stepped up to the mark, and made a spectacular dive headfirst onto the track. He was rewarded for his efforts with two bloody knees. We were all so proud. Sue took him to a dirty puddle for a wash-up and he was soon on his way to join us at the track-end lunch spot. No hut or shelter, but it was warm enough to lay down in some grass, eat and chat. We returned on the steady incline back to the track start. All up, about five hours’ walking.

The old roadway is the track

We all enjoyed a great day out. Even the long drive was fun, with lots of talk. Thanks to Jo for sharing the driving.

Trampers: Cherie Le Lievre, Sue Trotter, Jim Trotter, Anne Blackwell, Fiona Bryant, Ted Angove, Tony Pluymers, Rosemary Jeffery, Johanne Karlsson, Jude Paton and reporter Bruce Hodgson

Filed Under: Napier Tramping Club, Recent trips

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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

July 2022 News

Contents: Membership fees Subscriptions are now due, and can be paid to the club's bank … Read More

June 2022 News

Contents: Mauri Oho Lisa Whittle still needs donations of tramping equipment for the Mauri Oho … Read More

Latest trip

A walking commentary from John D

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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