Napier Tramping Club

based in Hawke's Bay, New Zealand

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The views down the valley from the trig

No gale force winds, but no views either

November 23, 2011 by Ken Ross Leave a Comment

Sparrowhawk Range, Wednesday, November 23, 2011

If we had believed the weather forecast, we would have chosen an alternative trip for the day – but we didn’t. When we got out of the van at Taruarau River Bridge on the Taihape Road, there was hardly any trace of the predicted gale force winds. The sky was a little ominous, however. So 12 optimistic trampers set off up the north end of the range on what I recalled as a moderate, shortish climb to the trig. Well, my memory and/or my legs aren’t what they used to be. It was a stiff climb and it took nearly an hour. Needless to say I enjoyed the chance to take breath at the trig and enjoy the view back down to the river and the road and the valley on the west of the Gentle Annie.The views down the valley from the trig

From the trig, the track follows south along the length of the range, undulating but more up than down. We were generally in open grass and tussock but unfortunately the great distant views of the central north Island mountains were not to be had. They were clagged in. We could see down into the gorges of the Taruarau River down below us, though. The end of the range is a steep drop-off down to the river and marked the end of our morning’s tramping.

Lunch was taken early in a tussock basin sheltered from the strengthening wind. Lunch was a bit longer than the norm as we had time, and in my case at least, I wasn’t looking forward to the climb to the high point of the track on our way back.

The top of the range is a broad ridge, previously in grass but now regenerating bush. The ground cover is tending to alpine with mountain daisies – Celmesia – dominant. Three different orchids were in flower and a number of small, although mature, Spaniards (a bit like hedgehogs) were again located.

Everyone was back at the van by about 2.30pm with the earlier group enjoying a rest out of the now boisterous wind at the “hut” site at the track end. It was disappointing not to have been able to see Ruapehu and Ngauruhoe, as that is a feature of this trip.

Trampers: Vic Bullock, Paul Exeter, Rosemary Jeffery, John Marshall, Peter Slagter, Murray White, Sam Dickson. Viv Bramley, Jennie Burn, Gary Bowler, Graham Barrie and Ken Ross.

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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

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December 2020 News

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Latest trip

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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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