Napier Tramping Club

based in Hawke's Bay, New Zealand

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Far above the fog, we ride the serpent to Mackintosh Hut

July 31, 2021 by Margaret Palmer Leave a Comment

Mackintosh Hut, Kaweka FP, Saturday 31 July 2021. Map: BJ37
Banner Photo: Morning tea time at Mackintosh Hut

Eleven keen trampers gathered at Park Island which was cloaked in a chilly fog. Luckily for us, as we neared the Lakes car park, that fog had lifted and there was no wind. The day promised to be a sunny one. There was much discussion about which way the track should be tackled – having dry feet for most of the trip was the deciding factor. Another consideration was the best place to park the van – should we start or finish with the uphill road? Alison took the initiative and parked at the tramp end. While we scanned the “You are here” indicator on the information board to see where our day’s walking would take us, John issued a challenge to deal to any wilding pines that crossed our paths.

We headed out, doing the 20-minute stint on the access road to start the tramp at the Mackintosh car park. This uphill road beginning was enough to ease us into the tramp, warm our muscles and was not too strenuous to hinder conversations.

At the Kaweka Hut site

The bush was dry underfoot and dished up a mix of vegetation including mature kanuka, pines and beeches. Our group provided a palette of colour, weaving its way along the variegated green backdrop. Ice crystals crunched underfoot in the shaded areas at higher points of the track. The track took us down and then up as if we were traversing the back of an ancient serpent. In steep places, the chatter dried up as trampers focused on using their breath wisely.

Sadly, there was little sign of birdlife, perhaps because there was plenty of evidence of possum and deer activity. A flume of smoke that wiggled skyward from the chimney was a welcome signal to the Mackintosh Hut. Sunshine warmed us while we had morning tea on the hut’s veranda.

Heading on the ‘low track’, we were locked in the bush where sunny spots to stop were few. So, we moved to the edge of a ravine to take in the views while we enjoyed our sandwiches. The draw of the views was not strong enough to keep us settled in for a long lunch. The chill factor out of the sun and the changing weather forced us to don another layer of clothing and keep moving.

Another group photo

Highlights of the day included the dappled light filtering through the beech forest; the solitary miromiro/tomtit that made an appearance along the track; completing the circuit; the ‘wet feet at the end of the tramp’ decision; wrenching up many wilding pines; and enjoying the company.

On return to Park Island’s car park, the group realised we’d been in the best place weatherwise because Napier was still in the grip of that very chilly sea fog we had experienced at the start of the day.

Alison won the gold medal, for the day’s best decision. Her strategic parking of the van at the end of the tramp was much appreciated by those wearied after completing this undulating Kaweka tramp.

Trampers: Shona Tupe, Rosemary Jeffery, Alison Greer, Campbell Living, Di Reid, Johanne Karlsson, John Dobbs, Juliet Gillick, Amber Cooper, Ted Angove, Kate Fuller and reporter Margaret Palmer

Filed Under: General, Kaweka, 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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