Three Gorges, Kaweka FP, Wednesday 18 September 2024 Banner Photo: Juliet on the Middle Hill Hut track from the car park. This has recently had a team with scrub bars clear the overgrown kanuka Shona and I took a day off to join the mid-week club members eager to conquer the Three Gorges. Ten left… [Read More]
A day of lost and found
Daphne Hut, Ruahine FP, Saturday 18 November 2023 Banner Photo: Lunch break inside Daphne Hut With rain forecast in the Ruahines – starting Saturday after lunch then getting heavier on Sunday – it was thought wisest to cancel the overnighter for Howletts Hut and concentrate on the day tramp to Daphne Hut instead. Campbell kindly… [Read More]
Ruahine crossing, and a walk on water
Southern Ruahine Crossing, Wednesday 8 November 2023 Banner Photo: The view from the Ruahine FP border, after crossing the farmland on the western side Five set out in two cars from Taradale at 7.30am, collecting Colin at Maraekakaho on the way down SH 50. We stopped at the start of Maharahara Road just the other… [Read More]
Old Manson Hut – an historical gem
Kiwi Mouth Hut – Manson Hut – Kiwi Saddle Hut, Labour Weekend, 20-23 October 2023 Banner Photo: The interior of Old Manson Hut – Beds ‘R Us, this is not Studying the map in the Lakes car park, it quickly became clear the planned four-day tramp needed modifying. Plan B was agreed: leave out Rocks… [Read More]
How water and wind stopped us in our tracks
Poutaki/Sunrise Hut, Ruahine FP, Wednesday 27 September 2023 Banner Photo: Out of the wind and snow inside Sunrise Hut After a wet night, we set off from Park Island to head towards the start of the track to Poutaki Hut. As we began to cross the Makaroro River, it became clear this wasn’t an option. … [Read More]
The Bushbasher archive
From 2008 until mid-2012, we produced The Bushbasher, an A4 colour magazine that replaced black and white club newsletters. Published two or three times a year, it was a colourful and often amusing record of our tramping adventures. The magazine ceased publication in July 2012, overtaken by technology. Our website provided a faster and more… [Read More]
Historic Hogget: A barren land surrounded by vibrant wildlife
The Hogget, Saturday 6 May 2023 Banner Photo: The group at ‘the yards’, with distinctive ‘Aorangi’ in the centre Why is it called the Hogget? And why is a patch of it called ‘the yards’? It’s something of a mystery, but the lie of the land that our trampers explored gives a few clues. We… [Read More]
Sneaky winds thwart our attempt at Top Maropea
Sunrise Hut, Ruahine Forest Park, Wednesday, 24 August 2022 Banner Photo: The view east from Sunrise Hut As eight keen trampers headed towards the Ruahines, the still, low-lying cloud which clung to the ranges indicated no wind. However, we were badly wrong! Once we arrived at the car park, we realised that our target, Top… [Read More]
It was a wonderland, happy place!
Sunrise Hut, Ruahine FP, Wednesday 22 June 2022. Banner Photo: Sunrise Hut The original target: Parks Peak. The problem: the longest walk on the shortest day and with the Makarora River up. We happily changed the plan to Sunrise Hut and the hope of seeing some snow. We forget just how beautiful that walk is…. [Read More]
Revels at Robson’s: Our solstice food-fest goes green
Robson’s Lodge, Kuripapango, Saturday/Sunday 18/19 June 2022 Banner Photo: In our ‘green’ costumes After five hours of pulling up or chopping down wilding pines of all sizes (see the report on that under News), our team made its way to the historic Robson’s Lodge on the Napier-Taihape Road for the club’s annual solstice celebration. Because… [Read More]
Loop trampers lumbered by loggers
Lake Tutira, local, 8 June 2022 Banner Photo: The view of the lakes from above Lake Tutira was sparkling in the sun when we arrived at the camp ground. The morning drizzle had disappeared, leaving a blue sky day, the late autumn colours mirrored in the calm water. Walking back along the road, we picked… [Read More]
Following the trail of a smart mountain biker…
Mackintosh car park to Lawrence Road, Kaweka Forest Park, Wednesday 25 May 2022. Map: BJ37 Banner Photo: The DoC track sign for a track which is not on Topo50 NZ Ten club members left Mackintosh car park and had a leisurely stroll down to the bridge across the Tutaekuri River. Sue M, Ted and Tony… [Read More]