Parks Peak, Ruahine FP, 26 July 2019 Banner: View of the main range, looking south-west from the ‘red chair’. For those of you who don’t know what the gastrocnemius is, just ask anyone who has walked to Parks Peak Hut via Sentry Hut and Pohatuhaha ridge which part of their body hurts. The tramp was… [Read More]
To Mackintosh we go, through a flurry of snow
Mackintosh Hut, Kaweka FP, Saturday 1 June, 2019 Map: BJ37 Despite Saturday’s unpromising weather forecast for Hawke’s Bay, 13 trampers headed for the Lakes car park to walk the semi-circuit to what is referred to as Mackintosh car park via Mackintosh Hut. The Mackintosh Hut track is an old favourite and a weather-safe day trip,… [Read More]
Led by Ted to the top
Kaweka J, Kaweka FP, Wednesday 10th April, 2019. Map BJ37 Banner pix: Ted in the lead Ted led the way to Kaweka J at a blistering pace that we did our best to chase. “Pay no heed to the screed” came the cry from the front. If the wind blows you off, just get up… [Read More]
Dead pests, a hot swim – and 60 youngsters!
Te Puia Hut (Lodge), Kaweka FP, April 6 2019 Banner Pix: Views of the Mohaka River along the track Te Puia Hut is a always a safe and comfortable walk for most people. That’s why we had a full van-load for the Saturday tramp. The weather in Napier at 7am was cool and dampish but… [Read More]
A flying pack cover, bloody bandages – and hail
Apiti Track, Mangatewainui Stream, Ruahine FP. Map: BL36 Wednesday 5 December, 2018 “Welcome to Norsewood”, said Sue Trotter as she stepped into the van. An icy blast followed her in. She proceeded to give us a local weather report. “For the past five days, it’s been thunderstorms in the afternoon and torrential rain at night…. [Read More]
Courting, romance and seduction
Cape Kidnappers, Local, Wednesday 12 September, 2018. Now we have your attention, let’s tell you about our walk to Cape Kidnappers. Our scheduled trip to The Hogget, off the Napier Taihape Road west of the Kaweka Range, was cancelled. The Hawke’s Bay weather over the previous 10 days had been appalling, with 300 mm of… [Read More]
Iron Whare, no worry. But then, the ‘Iron Man’ foray
Saturday 25 August, 2018. Makahu Saddle, Kaweka Flats, Iron Whare, and off track down to Makahu River and up to the Fire Pond/Reservoir. Kaweka FP, Map: BJ37 Banner pic: The ranges from the scenic lookout/fire pond The walk from Makahu Saddle car park at the end of Kaweka Road in the Kaweka ranges to Iron… [Read More]
A good winter workout
Parks Peak Hut, Ruahine FP, Wednesday 18 July 2018. Parks Peak Hut is always a good choice of destination at this time of year. At 1300m, cold weather is guaranteed – but bush cover for most of the way provides protection from nasty, biting winds. A van and carload of Napier Tramping Club members tested… [Read More]
A shoot down to Shutes
Shutes Hut (Historic),Kaweka FP, Wednesday 14 March, 2018 Map: BK37 A van and carload of us headed up the Taihape Road. Murray took his car and three other trampers to The Blowhard bush for an easier walk. The rest of us continued to Comet Road and the start of the track to the Taruarau River… [Read More]
Canyoning in deep muddy water
Ocean Beach to Clifton, Wednesday 14 Feb 2018 A beach walk at the height of warm February weather was too much of a temptation for two van-loads of trampers. Many were lightly kitted in sandals and sneakers and those of us wearing boots thought maybe we had made a mistake. I mean, who goes for… [Read More]
A quick peek at Parks Peak
Parks Peak Hut, Ruahine FP, Wednesday 16 August, 2017 Map: BK36 Banner pix: John, Robyn, John and John, on their way to Parks Peak. Picture by Bruce Hodgson This trip was to have been to Poutaki Hut in the Wakarara Range. However, access to the conservation park from Wakarara road end has been denied. Parks… [Read More]
Walking next to a raging ocean
Waipatiki circuit, Wednesday 2 August 2017 Local The weather during the night before this tramp was cold and soggy. One or two trampers pulled out before dawn broke. The conditions were simply not up to their liking. However, after the short drive to Waipatiki, the situation had improved to just cool and dampish. This was… [Read More]
