Napier Tramping Club

based in Hawke's Bay, New Zealand

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An ab-fab weekend on the Kaweka Range

August 23, 2015 by Julia Mackie Leave a Comment

Kaweka FP, Saturday/Sunday 22/23 August 2015
Map: BJ37

The weather was perfect on the Saturday, so I set out for a solo Kaweka tops tramp. My original destination was Ballard Hut, but getting up to the tops was dodgy with patches of ice. I did not have crampons or ice axe, so took it very carefully using my walking pole.

Whilst carefully walking past North Kaweka, I decided that this might be a mission too dangerous. I turned back and decided to head for Macintosh Hut. This turned out to be the right choice, as Sunday’s weather was not so flash.

What an exhilirating day. The views towards Ruapehu and the Kaimanawa ranges were clear and wonderful. So too were the views north, south and east looking over Hawke’s Bay.

The view back to Kaweka J (on the right, out of shot) from the track towards Mad Dog Hill

The view back to Kaweka J (on the right, out of shot) from the track towards Mad Dog Hill

I bumped into John Montgomerie and his tramping companion Andy at the top of Macintosh Spur. They were heading to Studholme Hut and the Kaweka tops on Sunday. Sorry lads, but I got the best day.

Macintosh Hut was full (8 bunks) with other hunters, trappers etc. I was glad to get out of there at 7:30am on Sunday. The walk back to the car was via the Donald Stream and Matauria Ridge.

A brew-up before leaving, to wind down, and congratulate myself on a trip based on sound decision-making and wonderful weather. Crampons and an ice axe are now on the shopping list.

More pix on our Facebook page, click here

Reporter/tramper: Julia Mackie

Filed Under: 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

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

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

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