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

Rain rain, go away…

August 5, 2010 by Julia Mackie Leave a Comment

Makahu Saddle to Middle Hill Hut, Wednesday August 4, 2010. Map: BJ37

Trampers: Kelvin Shaw, Robyn Smith, John Marshall, Paul Exeter, Murray White, Murray Goss, Vic Bullock, Ken Ross, Alison Greer, Dermot McCaughan and Julia Mackie

Morepork photo opportunity

We set off from Makahu Saddle car park in cloudy weather and the threat of heavy rain. Robyn and I wanted some exercise and so kept up a good pace through to Kaweka Flats Bivvy. The wind was strengthening and rain becoming steady. We holed up inside the bivvy and had a hot drink. The door was propped open so we could see the rest of the group approaching. They had spotted a morepork in the trees and had stopped for a photo opportunity.

After everyone had arrived and had a snack and drink break, we headed for Middle Hill Hut for lunch. There was no point in hanging around in this weather. The drop down into the stream and then up the short and sharp uphill was testing for some. The track then undulated until reaching the hut. Three of our party who had brought the van around to Middle Hill car park on Makahu Road were already there, as was a hunter out for a day walk. We arrived in dribs and drabs, all very wet.

Shelter from the rain, and a fire too...

The rain grew steadily worse while we had lunch and the hunter started a fire in the open fireplace, while Gossie expertly advised him how to do it. It’s amazing how just the sight of some heat can help, even with a hut full of smoke; an open window was essential.

Some set off back down the track to check on the progress of others, still arriving from the bivvy, but no assistance was required except for encouragement for tired legs. The last stage of the tramp out from Middle Hill Hut to the car park was in steady rain, so there were no views or stops. We all got back safely and had enjoyed stretching our legs.

Filed Under: Recent trips Tagged With: Kaweka Flats Bivvy, Middle Hill Hut

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

February 2023 News

February 4, 2023 By Julia Mackie Leave a Comment

Mokai Access to Iron Bark and Colenso Huts Copied from the Ruahine User Group (Private) Facebook … Read More

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

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

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