Kaweka loop, Wednesday 13 November 2024
Banner Photo: John D looking towards Mt Meany in the north-west from the Smith Russell Track
With a pretty big day ahead, we left town a bit earlier, the five in two cars meeting up at Omahu. Conditions were great: mild, no wind, some clouds, with an easterly breeze due after lunch. At the Lakes car park (only one other vehicle there), we set off around 8.30am for the steady and sweaty ascent to Kuripapango, enjoying glimpses down to the lakes off to our left.
Ted and Jenny went at their own pace and would have enjoyed the day as it’s always grand to be up on the tops in fairly benign conditions.
Meanwhile, we three continued on with several breaks, the clouds merging with mist in the lower country and the Ngaruroro valley. Ruapehu in the distance was somewhat obscured but seemed to have a good coating of snow.
Just before entering the bush to Castle Camp
Another short stop at Kiwi Saddle Hut (very clean and tidy) to record ourselves in the hut book before heading up onto the tops, aiming for a late lunch at Castle Camp.
Breezes were gently moving the mist so views down to Kiwi Creek and Back Ridge, and east, rather came and went. The route here is well poled, quite easy to follow and we were delighted to see early examples of five types of alpine flowers coming into bloom.
So we made good time, reaching Castle Camp by 12.45pm for a well-earned lunch. The area was neat and tidy. It was a bit breezier as we climbed away from the camp onto the ridge leading to Kaiarahi, at 1507m, our highest point of the day.
One of the rocky sections at ‘The Tits’
In the next section we turned due south, with lots of ascending and descending of sharp rocky pinnacles towards the feature known as The Tits. There are virtually no poles on the 2kms from Kaiarahi until the descent of The Rogue. The horrid pinus contorta grew thicker, with views left and right down below obscured by misty clouds.
The Rogue, or Rogue Ridge, is just a steady descent on loose rock amid the contorta but eases off in places – respite for our poor knees! And yes, we did pull up contorta but really, a dedicated trip specifically to remove these pests beside the track in the whole area would be useful.
Relief, then, as we met the track that heads down to the Tutaekuri River, knowing we were on the final stage of the big loop. The river was low so we were able to cross without getting wet feet and then… there is always a hill to finish a tramp! About 1km of steady climbing through the really tall trees and back to the car park – phew!
It took us 8hrs 40mins total – a good result.
Great company, safe tramping, good navigation and fair conditions – a fine day out.
Trampers: Ted Angove and Jenny Burns, with the full circuit completed by Di Reid, Juliet Gillick and reporter John Dobbs
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