Wharite, Southern Ruahine Range, 16 November 2022 Ten happy trampers whizzed off towards Dannevirke on a cloudy Wednesday morning, Alison behind the wheel and with strict instructions that we had to be back in good time for child-minding the grand-lovelies! We set off at 9.45 following the stream along a lovely track with a few… [Read More]
Our second option proved a hit
Gold Creek Hut, Ruahine FP, Wednesday 19 October 2022 Banner Photo: The Makaroro River, from near the fenceline entrance to the Ruahine FP It was a beautiful spring morning when eight club members left Napier, collecting Di and Anne at Maraekakaho and then on to meet Sue and Jim Trotter at the start of the… [Read More]
Winter ills and chills begone! How we almost flew up to Sparrowhawk
Sparrowhawk bivvy, Ruahine Forest Park, Saturday 6 August 2022 Banner Photo: The view east, towards the Wakararas and beyond On a beautiful winter’s morning, eight set out in the van with expert driver John D at the helm. We saw lots of fat sheep looking as if they could have their lambs at any moment,… [Read More]
A walking commentary from John D
Sentry Box to Master’s Shelter, Ruahine FP, Saturday 2 July 2022 Banner Photo: The closest we got to Aranga Hut, and Alison on her throne. Photo by Campbell Living Lynette, Anne and I met the van at Maraekakaho where there was a good frost and an amazing sunrise. The sky was perfectly clear and so… [Read More]
Just one more river to cross (but dozens of times)
Ngaruroro River walk to Cameron Hut, 2 March 2021 Map: B37 Banner picture: yet another wary wade – note the current… Luckily, it was a dull morning with no wind and we were full of enthusiasm to try our best to get to Cameron Hut. Cherie, Jo, Bruce and Di set off along the Ngaruroro… [Read More]
Hills, and more hills – we’re back in training!
Macintosh Hut, Kaweka FP, Saturday 15 January, 2022. Map: BJ37 Banner Photo: The slip (very old) that must be crossed shortly after the bridge crossing Campbell, Michele, Su and Di set off from Park Island for a short tramp to stretch the leg muscles after the Christmas break. The weather was cool at Napier and… [Read More]
A full-on day at Te Puia – but the pools were nearly empty!
Te Puia, Kaweka FP,Saturday 14 August 2021 Banner Photo: The Mohaka River along the Te Puia track It was a chilly morning at Park Island where 16 of us keen trampers met and set off in two cars and a van. It was a beautiful sunny morning with increasing areas of frost the further we… [Read More]
Views west and then east, on the Southern Ruahine Crossing
Southern Ruahine Crossing, Ruahine FP, Saturday 30 January 2021. Map: BM35 Banner Photo: A panoramic picture of the views Kelvin kindly dropped us off at the end of Opawe Road, Pohangina Valley at 10am, having dropped a few others off first to explore the Manawatu Gorge walk. We followed the tall white posts, climbing up… [Read More]
River crossing 101, and a climb up to Hinerua Hut
Hinerua Hut, Ruahine FP, Saturday 22 August 2020 Banner Pix: Heading up the Tukituki River and up Hinerua Ridge There was no van, due to Covid restrictions, so some cars left Napier and joined others at Maraekakaho – 17 trampers in all, five of whom were staying overnight and 12 on the day trip. We… [Read More]
We find a road to nowhere, and a hut camouflaged as a dump
Banner pic: A-Frame Hut… in a terrible state East Tamaki Road, A-Frame Hut, Stanfield Hut, Ruahine FP, Saturday 22 February 2020 We arrived at the car park 8.40am to find it pleasantly cooler (17C) than Napier’s 23C the previous night. In cloudy weather, we made a two-hour climb to A-Frame Hut. It was a pleasant… [Read More]