Napier Tramping Club

based in Hawke's Bay, New Zealand

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Nothing beats the warmth of the fire at Parks Peak Hut

September 6, 2014 by Julia Mackie Leave a Comment

Saturday September 6, 2014. Parks Peak Hut, Ruahine FP. Map BK37

See more pictures on our Facebook page.

There were seven of us on this tramp. Considering the weather forecast for heavy rain all day, and the rugby match between the ABs and Pumas in Napier on that evening, I am surprised that we got that many trampers out for a walk.

The interior of Sentry Box Hut

The interior of Sentry Box Hut

But we all wanted to get some outdoor air, as it had been raining most of the week and we needed the change of scenery.

We did not do the Golden Crown to Sentry Box loop as scheduled, as there was no point having lunch in the rain, so we all opted for Parks Peak Hut.

Along the way, Sentry Box Hut is still looking good after the make-over in which Napier Tramping Club provided some assistance. The new wooden bunks look in keeping with this historic hut.

The walk to the tops junction took Gossie and me 1hr 20mins and we weren’t even going fast. Just a steady climb, with the last 10 metres through some long grassy patches. On reaching, there were a few spots of snow left – surprising after all the mild temperatures and rain we have had here in HB.

The lunch group - minus Gossie who thought it was too posed .. yeah he's right

The lunch group – minus Gossie who thought it was too posed .. yeah he’s right

When everyone re-grouped, we decided to head for the hut, get the fire going and have a long lunch break if possible. We were very early, but this was the best option, as light rain was falling. On reaching the hut, the low cloud and misty rain made it seem ethereal.

Gossie had a reputation to maintain, so he got the fire going in the corker so that we could all warm up a bit. If we had not done this, it would have been a quick break turn-around. We all had our respective thermos drinks and lunches.

The loo has been moved, and is now much easier to reach from the hut on a cold night. On re-entering the hut, you realised how much heat the fire and people were creating.

The tops junction for Parks Peak/Sentry Box track

The tops junction for Parks Peak/Sentry Box track

We left just on the hour, after cleaning up. The walk back down was even quicker, so we had a final snack break at Sentry Box Hut. On the way, we thought we spotted a deer, and the debate continued for a while; however, it did not move for five minutes so we decided it was a patch of dracophyllum, which had the exact colouring of a deer.

The weather held up for up us, and we had all enjoyed a good walk up to Parks Peak Hut.

Trampers, Alison, Jenny, John, Ted, Graeme, Gossie and reporter Julia

Filed Under: Recent trips Tagged With: Parks Peak Hut, Sentry Box Hut

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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

March 2023 News

Tramp List Amendments and Road Closures Due to the inability to access most of the Ruahine Forest … Read More

February 2023 News

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

Latest trip

The (local) hills are alive with trampers

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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