Napier Tramping Club

based in Hawke's Bay, New Zealand

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Track clearing in the Kaweka FP

October 12, 2016 by Alison Greer Leave a Comment

Saturday 8 October and Wednesday 12 October
Map: BJ37 Kuuirpapango
Banner Pix: The Kanuka snapped and across the track near Middle Hill.

The snow storms of early August have left the Kaweka FP with massive damage to the bush. Most tracks have been obliterated by windfall. So, as our latest tramps were to be in the area, it was decided to help out with some track-clearing.

The club anniversary tramp on Saturday 8 October was supposed to be to Kaweka J, but high winds forced us along the Kaweka Flats track. One group forged ahead, taking twice as long to reach the bivvy than usual, while a group of four – Ted, Geoff, Simon and Alison – waded in with hand saws and clippers, clearing what they could.

The Anniversary tramp which cleared the Kaweka Flats track

The Anniversary tramp which cleared the Kaweka Flats track

The first group, which had three new people who dramatically lowered the average age, wandered back to have lunch by the river in the sun then made their way back, meeting up with the working party who had made it to almost where the track drops down to the river. There were still large trees to be scrambled over but our team made a small improvement.

Then on Wednesday 12 October, the tramp to Middle Hill Hut had another team all geared up with hand saws as we set off to do battle. This track was different to the Kaweka Flats; here it’s more open, with lots of manuka and scrubby stuff compared to the beech and larger trees of the flats.

The direction of lthe track to Kaweka Flats/Ballard Hut from Middle Hill.

The direction of lthe track to Kaweka Flats/Ballard Hut from Middle Hill.

Middle Hill track had been cleared for two thirds of the way, leaving the flat area along to the turn-off to Makino Hut and along to the hut to clear. The manuka were snapped off like matchsticks, some reasonably easy to pull out of the way, others needing a bit more pulling and cutting. We finally made it to Middle Hill, but beyond there is a major job, needing far better equipped gangs than us.

The snow damage on the Kaweka road-end to Kaweka Flats Bivvy track

The snow damage on the Kaweka road-end to Kaweka Flats Bivvy track

Still, both days out were fun and hopefully DoC will be into a clearing programme soon. Until then, our trips into the Kawekas will be limited.

Saturday trampers: Rosemary Jeffery, John Russell, Amy Hutchinson, Geoff Donkin, Simon Hill, Paul Exeter, Ted Angove and Alison Greer, with visitors Nicky Taylor, Jenny Lowe and Rachael Verbance

Wednesday trampers: Hilary Heath-Caldwell, Bruce Hodgson, Peter Slagter, Paul Exeter, Vic Bullock, John Marshall, Ann-Marie Ruffell, John Burrell and Alison Greer. Report by Alison.

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

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Latest news

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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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