Napier Tramping Club

based in Hawke's Bay, New Zealand

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It was tough climbing through the snow above the bushline

August 24, 2014 by Julia Mackie Leave a Comment

Saturday/Sunday August 23/24, 2014
Howletts Hut, Ruahine FP. BL36

We had the kind permission from the farmer to cross his farmland to take the old ridge track up to the main ridge track. This track is still discernable, but falling away in a few places only. The bush is luscious and dense. Little light penetrates the canopy.

We all reached the bush track junction, the day party and the weekend party walking together.

The day party leaving Daphne Hut

The day party leaving Daphne Hut

The Tukituki River level was low, as forecast. Paul and Ted, the stalwarts of the club, decided that this was as far as they were going to tramp (they are both 75), and the rest of us walked up river. The water was a tad cold, but not uncomfortable. The day party had their lunch break in Daphne Hut, whilst we crossed the stream and had our break just below the start of the Daphne Spur track. We all took our boots off and wrung out our socks, to help us in the two-hour climb to the tops.

At about two thirds of the way up, snow covered most of the track. From the bushline, although it looked sparse between the snow tussock and low scrub, it was deep. On several occasions, I got into holes that swallowed my whole leg. It is very difficult to get out of these situations, and consumes a lot of energy. Simon has the record, from all accounts -according to his squeals and moans.

Nearing the tops, I looked up to see Phil, who with Marc had decided to come up on Friday. They had an even worse time on this section, as the snow was hard and icy. Marc was on his hands and knees, he told us. And it was very cold on Friday, but on Saturday, I had my shorts on. No wind to chill me down.

Marc had the water on the boil on reaching Howletts, so a hot drink and relax was all that was required. Later, we re-cranked the stove with the dry kanuka that I had carried up. John and Simon had also carried up some dry wood. We were not going to be caught short on wood.

Marc and Phil had to dig the toilet door free of snow

Marc and Phil had to dig the toilet door free of snow

Howletts Hut is the highest in the Ruahine Ranges, and owned by Heretaunga Tramping Club. It has its own special ambience. The views are stupendous, and we were all pleased that we had come up here to experience the snowy conditions, no matter that it was hard work.

The following morning, we had a beautiful blue sky and decided to give away walking the loop around the tops to descend on the other Daphne track. We will leave that for another summer trip.

Descending, trying not to fall and amass points

Descending, trying not to fall and amass points

Descending the snow was harder then coming up, and I took a bum fall/slide for a few metres. Not the best way to descend. Still it did not dampen our speed down to the river, taking us only 1hr 20mins. We had a point scoring system for all the falls, 3 for a full backward, 2 for forward, and only 1 if your bum didn’t touch the ground (or something like that). At one point I ended up like a turtle, lying on my pack, unable to get up. Thanks Geoff for the help.

On emerging from the bushline, the views of the Ruahine tops, covered in deep snow, were inspiring. We had just come from the tops a few hours ago.

We had a coffee and cake at the Sawyers Arms in Tikokino, and then we all began to feel our muscles…

What a wonderful weekend winter tramp.

Trampers: Phil Enticott, Marc Marchal (Friday/Saturday/Sunday), and Simon Hill, John Dobbs, Geoff Donkin and reporter Julia Mackie (Saturday/Sunday).

Filed Under: Recent trips Tagged With: Daphne Hut, Howletts Hut, Ruahine Forest Park

About Julia Mackie

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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

January 2021 News

Sunrise Hut Track Closure Just a heads up Sunrise Hut and Track will be closed from the 8th of Feb … Read More

December 2020 News

Mike Christie, Ranger Recreation/Historic, Manawatu. Kia Ora RUG group,  There will be on-going … Read More

Latest trip

Hypothermia caused by cool winds and water

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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