Lakes Car Park – Kiwi Saddle – Castle Camp – Studholme bivvy – out via McIntosh Spur, Sat/Sun 3/4 April 2021 Banner Photo: Evidence that the war against the pinus contorta is making progress This mission turned into two tramps, with three on the original plan deciding to go a day later than the fourth,… [Read More]
From Summer to Winter and back again
Kaweka J – Back Ridge, Kaweka FP, Saturday 27 March 2021. Map: BJ37 Banner Photo: Looking west at the ridges (Back Ridge track in the centre) Seven trampers headed off from Park Island with the prospect of a beautiful fine day in the hills. The forecast was good, the trip from Napier into the Kawekas… [Read More]
Two short hikes for the final outing
Bell Rock, Local, Saturday 12 December 2020 Banner Photo: Exploring the “Bell” Earlier in the week, there hadn’t been much interest in the designated tramp via Rosvall’s track to Tarn Biv and no one on the list had been there before. So the call was made to change to an easier tramp and go to… [Read More]
The Kaweka Ranges provided views and good weather
Makino Spur – Mangaturutu Hut – Venison Tops – Ballard Hut, Whetu and Middle Hill,Kaweka FP, Labour Weekend, 19-21 October 2019 The long-planned trip was a four-day outing to tramp around Mt Ruapehu. However, the forecast was for two splendid days in-between two cold, blustery wet ones. Because the snowline was very low for this… [Read More]
High winds scupper Kaweka J
Anniversary tramp, Te Puia Lodge, Kaweka FP, Saturday 5 October 2019 Seventeen hardy souls keen to do the traditional anniversary tramp up to Kaweka J (highest point in the range) met at Park Island on Saturday morning and spent 10 minutes wondering if they were going to get anywhere. Juliet, the organiser, had an alarm… [Read More]
Climbing the big canoe on a brilliant autumn day
Te Waka from Potter’s Road, Hawke’s Bay, Saturday 6 May 2017 Photos: Juliet Gillick Twelve trampers set off at 7am, heading up the Puketitiri Road to turn right onto Potter’s Road. We had the farmer’s consent to use his land to access Te Waka from this side of the range. This was an area that… [Read More]
Out of the mist they rose
Sunrise Hut – Armstrong Saddle – Sparrowhawk track, Ruahine FP, Saturday 11 February 2017 Map: BK36 Banner photo: Heading up to Armstrong Saddle. It was supposed to be a fantastic weather day for tramping. The aim for the majority of the group was to reach the top of the Ruahines from Sunrise Hut and travel… [Read More]
Up and down to Daphne
Daphne Hut, Ruahine FP. Saturday 5 November 2016. Map: BL36 Banner: Having our lunch in Daphne Hut. Photo: JLM. The day dawned bright and sunny on Guy Fawkes Day in Napier. The forecast, however, was for overcast skies and scattered rain in the ranges, and that turned out to be spot-on. Eleven intrepid trampers set… [Read More]
Stags roared in the hut
Roaring Stag Hut, Tararua Range, 27 August 2016. Map: BN34 The weather forecast wasn’t brilliant, but still there were eight hardy souls intent on a weekend in the Tararua Ranges. Two carloads left town at 7am and made the way South. It was a rather uneventful trip until Woodville, where the local constabulary were breath-testing… [Read More]
Our search for the phantom bridge…
Macintosh Hut car park – Lakes car park – lower track to Macintosh Hut – Macintosh car park, 21 May 2016 Banner photo: Lazing about at Macintosh Hut It was a smaller group than usual, setting out at 7.30am. The weather forecast had been rather doubtful and suggested strong winds with possible rain. That led… [Read More]
