Napier Tramping Club

based in Hawke's Bay, New Zealand

Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors
Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors
  • Home
  • News
  • Recent trips
  • Meetings and Events
    • The Tramp List, and how to book online
    • Club meetings
    • Bike Rides
    • Eezee Tramps
  • Gear and fitness
    • Tramping gear details
  • History
    • Memory Lane
  • Contacts
    • Interested in joining

A good winter workout

July 18, 2018 by Julia Mackie Leave a Comment

Parks Peak Hut, Ruahine FP,
Wednesday 18 July 2018.

Parks Peak Hut

Parks Peak Hut is always a good choice of destination at this time of year. At 1300m, cold weather is guaranteed – but bush cover for most of the way provides protection from nasty, biting winds.

A van and carload of Napier Tramping Club members tested their commitment to getting winter fitness with the 800m climb from Sentry Box Hut through Rocky Knoll to the Pohatuhaha Ridge. The track, often slippery and always steep, was surprisingly dry after recent snow. Clear weather provided views to Kereru and Rangimore stations to the east.

Is this hello or goodbye? At the first rocky knoll.

Having reached the ridge, three or four trampers made a short diversion, turning right at the junction for the short walk to the Pohatuhaha lookout vantage point. The others turned left along the ridge and made directly for Parks Peak Hut to seek shelter and warmth. Murray Goss was quick to get a very welcome fire going, to warm our bones. The hut had been left very clean and tidy by the previous night’s sole occupant, Mark, a hunter we met heading out as we were heading in.

The bush lined ridge track

Those who had diverted to the lookout joined us for a long and lingering lunch break. Nobody wanted to exit into zero degrees (and, by now, an overcast sky) for the return walk. We layered up to the max and, with frozen or runny noses, made a dash for home. Alison and Simon gave a good geography lesson as we looked west to Totara Spur and beyond to route 66 and other named peaks and ridges.

Although there was no snow for us to frolic about in on this trip, we had the benefit of that cold, embracing feeling without snow-melt river crossings. Thank you to Alison for leading a very safe and satisfying Wednesday adventure.

Trampers: Murray, Vic, Sue M, Sue M, Simon, John M, John B, Keith, Alison, John B, Denise, Marie (Photos), Gordon, Lynette, Murray G and reporter Bruce Hodgson.

Filed Under: Recent trips Tagged With: Parks Peak Hut, Pohatuhaha Trig, Ruahine Forest Park

About Julia Mackie

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Our most recent trips

This new-look bivvy’s great, if you’re colour-blind

Black Birch bivvy, Kaweka FP, Wednesday 18 January 2023 Banner Photo: The newly refurbed bivvy Drizzle and cool temperatures greeted us at … Read More

Plan C works out on our maiden 2023 tramp

Sentry Box, Parks Peak Track to Golden Crown Ridge Track, Saturday 14 January 2023. Ruahine FP, Map: BK37 Banner Photo: A whitehead. We saw and … Read More

An historic hut has had some TLC

Makahu Saddle to Kaweka Flats Bivvy, Iron Whare, Kaweka FP, Saturday 26 November 2022 Banner Photo: Iron Whare sits in a clearing We decided to do … Read More

News

January 2023 News

January 1, 2023 By Julia Mackie Leave a Comment

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

December 2022 News

December 3, 2022 By The Editor Leave a Comment

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

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

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

December 2022 News

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

Latest trip

This new-look bivvy’s great, if you’re colour-blind

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

Copyright © 2023 · Napier Tramping Club · Sign In · Website by D2 ·