Napier Tramping Club

based in Hawke's Bay, New Zealand

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Cold, clear and only slight winds on the walk up to Armstrong Saddle

June 3, 2020 by Sally Woods Leave a Comment

Sunrise Hut and Armstrong Saddle, Ruahine FP, Wednesday 3 June 2020
Banner Pix: The group selfie on the front porch of Sunrise Hut

We set off in four cars on a cool, clear, windless morning and enjoyed a lovely walk, at our own pace, up to the seat where the track heads down to the Waipawa River.  We had morning tea here and then climbed on up to Sunrise Hut.  We weren’t able to go into the hut as contractors were painting and renovating it.  However, we could sit on the hut’s bench seats where we enjoyed a break, a drink, a bite to eat and a chat.

The view back to Sunrise Hut from
Armstrong Saddle

Some of us headed up to Armstrong Saddle.  We were fortunate because the wind wasn’t too strong crossing the saddle although we did stop and put on gloves and another layer of clothing as it was pretty cold.  We appreciated the stunning views all around us and the rocky drop to our left as we made our way along the narrow track.  When we reached the saddle, we were greeted with a spectacular view of Mt Ruapehu and Mt Tongariro.

Armstrong Saddle where an information board tells the history

A few trampers climbed further up through the beautiful flora and lunched out of the wind, while others lunched on their way back down to the hut.

Alpine flora

We made our way back down to the car park and chatted with two DoC workers from Palmerston North who had been up checking the work being carried out on the hut.

The amazing Vic tramped to the Waipawa River and towards Smith Stream Hut and looped back to the car park, arriving back in time to meet us coming back down from Sunrise.

Vic (left) is still getting out there, walking the Swamp Track

Another fabulous day with a lovely group of trampers.

Trampers: Shona Tupe, Mary Campbell, Alison Greer, Kelvin Shaw, John Burrell, John Bennett, Murray White, Vic Bullock, Dorothy Sole, Lynette Morgan, Sue Gribble, Cherie LeLievre, Bruce Hodgson, John Dobbs and reporter Sally Woods

Filed Under: Napier Tramping Club, Recent trips, Ruahine

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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

February 2023 News

Mokai Access to Iron Bark and Colenso Huts Copied from the Ruahine User Group (Private) Facebook … Read More

January 2023 News

Aranga Hut On Saturday 14 January the tramp was changed to a loop in the Northern Ruahine Range. … 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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