Back Ridge Hut, Kaweka FP. Sat/Sun 12-13 December 2015. Map: BJ37
We planned to go to Rocks Ahead on our first day, and then back out on the second day, starting from Makahu Saddle car park on Kaweka Road.
All the elements were good and we reached Kaweka J in two hours (with our overnight packs). However, as we progressed, I became increasingly more tired. This did not bode well and when we spied Back Ridge Hut, all thoughts of Rocks Ahead vanished.
We reached Back Ridge just after noon and it was decided that the three others would check out Back Ridge Biv – just with their essentials – and return for the night. Meanwhile, I curled up on a bunk and got some rest.By four o’clock, the forecast rain had started (but only lightly) when they returned to Back Ridge Hut.
After our dinners, we shared Christmas cake which Alison had carried. It was scrumptious along with our tipple of choice. On darkness, we slept, with the rain still falling and wind gusting strongly.
It was still raining when we rose at 6:30am. We waited for the rain to ease, but with no sign of this happening, left to climb the North Ridge at 8:20.
The rain and gusting winds made for an intersting challenge, so we did not stop until we reached the Kaweka tops. The views east featured dark menacing cloud and we quickly decided to keep on going to Dominie Biv, which we reached it in just under two hours from Back Ridge Hut. With only 45 mins to Makahu Hut and the car park, we again decided to press on.
The sunshine was out and we relaxed outside on the benches at Makahu Saddle Hut with a hot brew and lunch.With hindsight, reaching Rocks Ahead Hut is easy (when you are well) but the tramp out would have been a long day. So Plan B got the thumbs up.
Trampers: Alison Greer, Juliet Gillick, Les O’Shea and reporter Julia Mackie
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