Te Puia Hut via Makino Track (or along the Mohaka), Kaweka FP, Wednesday 19 February 2025 Banner photo: On the beach… There were 11 in the van departing Park Island car park for the Wednesday tramp to Te Puia Hut. Thanks to Di for doing the driving. The morning was cloudy and, once we got… [Read More]
A game of cat and mouse
Kiwi Saddle Hut, Castle Camp, Kaiarahi Circuit, Kaweka FP, Wednesday 27 October 2021. Map: BJ37 Banner Photo: The view west from Kaiarahi It was a mild spring morning with some cloud lurking as our group of 12 arrived at the Lakes car park. While the majority were preparing to head off, with a bit of… [Read More]
Happy Birthday celebrated in Iron Whare
Makahu Saddle Hut to Iron Whare, Kaweka FP, Wednesday 9 June 2021 Banner Photo: Iron Whare sitting on a ridgeline Thirteen of us gathered at Park Island on a grey but surprisingly warm Wednesday. Rain held off as we made a pleasant journey into the Kaweka Forest Park; Bruce drove his car and John was… [Read More]
Gone is the ‘rustic charm’ at Mangatainoka Hot Springs
Te Puia Lodge and Mangatainoka Hot Springs, Kaweka FP, Wednesday 14 April 2021. Banner Photo: Enjoying the new tubs at Mangatainoka Hot Springs Sixteen headed into Te Puia Lodge at the north end of the Kawekas. The last-minute unavailability of a van meant there had to be a bit of ringing around on Tuesday night… [Read More]
A pleasant river stroll, but not without some effort
Te Puia, Kaweka FP, Wednesday 21 October 2020. Map: BJ37 Banner photo: Just off the track is a private ‘Mohaka Hilton’ We had two vanloads, 24 trampers and perfect weather for hiking to the Te Puia Lodge, a well-advertised and popular walk in the Kaweka Ranges. As we travelled inland, green farmland greeted us, dotted… [Read More]
Black Birch bivvy from two directions
Black Birch Bivouac, Kawkea FP, Map: BJ37 Saturday 15 July 2020 Banner Pix: Squeezing inside Black Birch Bivouac It was drizzle, and the van was full, with around 12 of us rising early to venture out, stretch our legs and have a little social time in the woods. Whittle Road was an easy drive… no… [Read More]
The Puketitiri Road ramble that wasn’t
Te Kowhai, Lotkow Rd, Little’s Clearing, Kaweka FP, Map: BJ37 Saturday 13 July 2019 Originally, the trip was listed as a Puketitiri ramble, but after a reconnaissance trip the Tuesday prior, trip leader John Dobbs decided on a longer tramp. A group of 11 headed off in a brand new Mercedes rental van for Te… [Read More]
Trampers turn roadies
Lotkow Road to Littles Clearing, Kaweka FP, Wednesday August 29, 2018 Map: BK37 In spite of a severe weather warning, 11 brave souls set off in search of adventure early on a mild Wednesday morning. Our destination was Lotkow Road, Kaweka Forest Park, which didn’t feel so mild. On our way in, we had to… [Read More]
A black cat crosses our path – and it’s definitely not lucky
Makino Hut via Middle Hill Hut and Camp Spur. Kaweka FP, Saturday/Sunday 28/29 July 2018 Map: BJ37 Banner Photo: The Ranges from the Middle Hill track. As organiser for the day and weekend tramps, I had been keeping an eye on the weather and changed the tramps to the Kaweka Ranges. Gale force winds were… [Read More]
Spring Chicken trampers almost become the Moody Blues…
Mackintosh Hut, Kaweka FP, Saturday 3 June 2017 Map: BJ37 Group Photo: Juliet Gillick As the headline suggests, this tramp looked like a time warp from the early days of the Napier Tramping Club. Wet, cold and plain miserable conditions did not dampen youthful enthusiasm as our band headed to Kuripapango. The intention was to… [Read More]
The singing cuckoo
Saturday, 4 December 4 2016. Kaweka FP. Lakes car park, Kuripapango, Smith Russell Track, Cameron Hut track, or Kiwi Saddle Hut track, and loop to Kiwi Mouth track. Map: BJ37 Banner photo: the Long-tailed cuckoo. Adult perched, viewed from rear. Blowhard Bush, Hawke’s Bay, November 2014. Image © Adam Clarke by Adam Clark. nzbirdsonline.org.nz/species/long-tailed-cuckoo The… [Read More]
Going the long way (and perhaps the wrong way)…
Mackintosh Hut, Kaweka FP, Map: BJ37 Wednesday July 20, 2016 The forecast was for “showers clearing in the morning with a S/W change”. The forecast temp for Napier was 14˚. Originally we had 23 on the list, but four pulled out because of winter colds, or visitors who stayed too long,, etc. So in the… [Read More]
