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]
Tramp organisers bear a heavy burden (unless they find someone to carry it)
Kiwi Saddle Hut, 25 September, and Studholme Saddle Hut 25-26 September, Kaweka FP, Map: BJ37 Combined report by Bruce and Colin The trip list showed two tramps: the Saturday day out to Kiwi Saddle Hut and the overnighter to Studholme Hut – advertised with all the marketing appeal of “this is a small, cold 4-bunk… [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]
Far above the fog, we ride the serpent to Mackintosh Hut
Mackintosh Hut, Kaweka FP, Saturday 31 July 2021. Map: BJ37 Banner Photo: Morning tea time at Mackintosh Hut Eleven keen trampers gathered at Park Island which was cloaked in a chilly fog. Luckily for us, as we neared the Lakes car park, that fog had lifted and there was no wind. The day promised to… [Read More]
Unlucky 13’s missed turning leads to a triumph of will over undergrowth
Sparrowhawk Range, Wednesday 7 July 2021 Banner Photo: ‘Yeeha’ and oh the relief: we are clear of the scrub bashing Fifteen gathered at Park Island with no one mentioning the possibility of inclement weather. And they weren’t put off by rain on the van’s windscreen that featured on and off during the drive. After about… [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]
Kaweka J, here we come again
Kaweka J, Kaweka FP, Wednesday 28 April 2021 Banner Photo: The murky tops of the Kaweka Range At least we weren’t thwarted by the winds this time; wish we could say the same about the lingering cloud. It was a small group aiming to climb to the J this time. Seven of us, travelling in… [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]
Deer-spotting on a wintry day tramp to Don Juan
Te Kowhai, Don Juan, Lotkow Road, and then Lotkow Road to Black Birch Bivvy, Little’s Clearing. Kaweka FP, Saturday 10 April 2021. Map: BJ37 Banner Photo: The Don Juan trig, having a great day out The forecast was not brilliant, so we had just ten of us heading to the hills. This tramp seems to… [Read More]
A big Thank you, to unknown people we didn’t see on our twin Easter Kaweka tramps
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]
Kaiarahi circuit in the wind and rain
Mackintosh Spur, Studholme Saddle Bivvy, Kaweka FP, 18 November 2020. Map: BJ37 Banner Pic: The bush section along the main ridge Nine of us in two cars left for Mackintosh car park on a cloudy but warm morning. We would all go to the hut and from there decide which route we would take. Kelvin… [Read More]