Southern Ruahine Crossing, Saturday 11 April 2026 Banner Photo:Battling through the leatherwood There were nine in the van heading down to do the Southern Ruahine Crossing. Before long, we encountered first drizzle then light rain so there was some trepidation about what the weather might bring, in view of the impending cyclone forecast to hit… [Read More]
Mist and drizzle everywhere, but widespread smiles on our maiden 2026 tramp
Lower Kaiarahi circuit, Kaweka FP, Saturday 17 January 2026 Banner Photo: Crossing the Tutaekuri River (upstream from the usual spot) ‘Twas on an overcast morning when nine excited trampers met at Park Island and set off for the inaugural tramp of the year. We arrived at the Lakes car park at 8.15 to a steady… [Read More]
A bit of company for No Mates Mountain
Mt Tauhara, Wednesday 1 October 2025 Banner Photo: The well worn track and water course In Māori legend, Tauhara was part of a group of powerful male mountains who vied for the beautiful female mountain, Pīhanga. Tongariro, a formidable rival, won the battle and took Pīhanga as his wife. The defeated mountains were banished to… [Read More]
Big turn-out for Gold Creek
Gold Creek Hut, Ruahine FP, Saturday 16 August 2025 Banner Photo: The main Ruahine Range on the skyline viewed from Gold Creek track This tramp was extremely popular – with 18 trampers in total, it constituted about 25 percent of the club’s membership. Saturday morning was a bit brisk when we met at Park Island…. [Read More]
Slight mapping mishap – and that was before the tramp!
Kiwi Saddle, Kaweka Forest Park, Saturday 18 January 2025 Banner Photo: Amelia and Darran at the Cameron/Kiwi Mouth/Kiwi Saddle junction There were just five so we went in one vehicle – and had a few laughs when picking up newcomer Darran. Thinking we were outside his house, and with no sign of life, I was… [Read More]
Dull weather puts a (slight) damper on Smith Stream mission
Smith Stream Hut, Ruahine FP, Saturday 14 September 2024 Banner Photo: Middle Stream crossing We left Napier around 7am as usual, picked up Di from Maraekakaho and continued down SH50, past the Sunrise Hut car park to get as close as we could to the river – with Fiona jumping out to open and close… [Read More]
Winter bites, on our trip to Kiwi Saddle
Kiwi Saddle Hut, Kaweka FP, Saturday 6 July 2024 Banner Photo: Heading to Kiwi Saddle Hut from the Cameron Hut/Kiwi Mouth Hut junction A full van-load of happy trampers met at Park Island on a decidedly dark and frosty winter’s morning. We arrived at the Lakes car park at 8.20. There was a light drizzle, so… [Read More]
Trampers? More like the Bay City Strollers!
Bluff Hill, Saturday 20 May 2023 Banner Photo: A map of our walk, highlighted by Juliet Due to bad weather forecast for much of the lower North Island, it was decided to put the planned A-Frame/Stanfield Hut tramp on hold (to be slotted in at a later date) and instead do a Bluff Hill walk…. [Read More]
Rogue Ridge delivers a good day out – and a wake-up call
Mackintosh Hut/Rogue Ridge, Kaweka FP, Saturday 17 September 2022 Banner Photo: The leaning sign at the top of Mackintosh Spur It was a sunny, windless Spring day – and it turned out to be an outing that was happy for most; but it also led to a rescue operation that revealed a few issues for… [Read More]
Windswept and interesting
Makahu Saddle to Middle Hill, Saturday 21 May 2022. Map: BJ37 Banner: What is she on about? The great Billy Connelly’s words spring to mind, as our tramp was exactly that – windswept and interesting! Six of us departed Napier in two cars, arriving at the Makahu Saddle car park at around 8.20am. There was… [Read More]
Fun and fungi galore – but a few scrapes, too
Sentry Box, Golden Crown, Master’s Shelter, Saturday 8 May 2021 Banner Photo: Looking back to Hawke’s Bay, from the Golden Crown track With a full vanload and John D driving, we headed off down through Maraekakaho, past Keruru Station and into the Mangleton Valley. We went first to Sentry Box Hut car park to drop… [Read More]
A Gorgeous day walk
Manawatu Gorge, Saturday 30th January 2021. Shona Tupe reports: Three of us were dropped off at the Woodville end of the Manawatu Gorge track in Ballance Gorge Road (myself, John Russell and newcomer Monique Richards). Kelvin was dropping the others off for the Ruahine Crossing, then he and Gordon would come in to meet us… [Read More]
