Kiwi Saddle Hut, Kaweka FP, Saturday 6 July 2024
Banner Photo: Heading to Kiwi Saddle Hut from the Cameron Hut/Kiwi Mouth Hut junction
A full van-load of happy trampers met at Park Island on a decidedly dark and frosty winter’s morning. We arrived at the Lakes car park at 8.20. There was a light drizzle, so we donned rain jackets – plus it was rather nippy, so hats and gloves were also called for.
The early part of the tramp was in low cloud
We made the steady climb up onto Kuripapango and at the Cameron car park turn-off we met five youngsters who were enjoying a jaunt into the bush and intending to stay the night at Kiwi Saddle Hut. They said they weren’t in any great rush to get to the hut and were out to enjoy the experience.
That was true, because on our return journey we met them again – not that much further from where we had initially seen them. In fact, we had discussed whether or not they had decided to turn back!
The bush sections of the Smith Russell track
We continued on along the Smith Russell track, enjoying a picturesque dusting of fresh snow on the mossy mounds under the beech trees.
At around 10, we stopped for a quick morning tea just before the usual high point lookout spot – this was a wise decision, because it was much chillier when we left the shelter of the bush, with none of the usual views across to Mount Ruapehu as it was quite claggy. We were soon in proper snow, although it became quite patchy the further we went.
The colour contrasts were stunning
By the time we came out of the bush onto that multi-coloured, patchwork-like vegetation, there was very little sign of snow and none on our descent on the glorious scree to Kiwi Saddle Hut. We could see wisps of either mist or smoke and it turned out to be the latter; a fire was being lit by a couple who were settling in to stay the night. Plus there were two men who had arrived just before us who were also staying the night. So it was going to be a full hut once the young ones got there.
It was only 11am, so we had an early lunch which was soon worked off with that climb back up the scree slope. By now the sun was shining. A chill wind had blown through earlier, as there were ice particles just on one side of the tree branches. And the signage at the Cameron Hut turn-off clearly showed the contrast between what was icy and in shadow, compared to sheltered and exposed to the sun.
The mast at Kuripapango
We were all back at the van around 2pm – Alison, Juliet, Liz and Geoff had detoured to the trig – and we left the car park around 2.30, arriving at Park Island around 3.45.
It was an excellent outing. The weather had been kind, with little wind, the drizzle ceasing soon after we had set off, and the sun eventually breaking through.
Thanks to Juliet for organising and driving the van there, and Sue for driving us back to Napier.
Trampers: Campbell Living, Sue Martin, Juliet Gillick, Alison Greer, Geoff Donkin, Julian Phillips, Anne and Craig Mountfort, Liz Perry, Colin Jones, Julia Mackie and reporter Shona Tupe
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