Makino Hut, Kaweka FP, Sat/Sun 29-30 June 2019. Map: BJ37 Banner Pix: The view from Te Puia Lodge of the Mohaka River An intense winter high had brought cold, frosty, settled weather to the majority of New Zealand, Hawke’s Bay included. Six hardy trampers braved the chilly morning, carefully driving the icy Puketitiri Road and… [Read More]
Even the oldest club member almost made it to Middle Hill Hut
Middle Hill Hut, Kaweka FP, 19 June 2019. Map: BJ37 Twelve of us took one van to Makahu Rd, to walk to Middle Hill Hut. The weather was great and there was no wind. The walk is one of the easiest for the hardy Napier Wednesday trampers. Even Vic, in his near 90s, made it… [Read More]
We reached The Yards, surviving the wintry conditions
The Hogget, Kaweka FP, Saturday 15 June 2019. Map BJ37 Banner Pix: ‘The Yards’ (spelt in stones) at the Hogget The day started (and ended) with a grey, cloudy sky. The views were going to be minimal unless the cloud lifted. We walked in hope. The tramp required permission from the station, and we were… [Read More]
Spirits (almost) undampened, four make it to Kiwi Saddle
Kiwi Saddle Hut, Kaweka FP, Wednesday June 5 2019. Map: BJ37 Banner Pix: The Smith Russell Track to Kiwi Saddle Hut The forecast didn’t look great when 11 brave trampers left the Lakes car park. It was drizzling and misty most of the way up to the trig. Slowly we diminished in numbers, as some… [Read More]
June 2019 News
Contents: NTC Website We have been upgrading the website and the procedure would have been routine, had it not been for the host failing to install a link. Most users should not have a problem, but in the rare event that they do, their browser cache/history needs to be cleared. Below is a guide on… [Read More]
To Mackintosh we go, through a flurry of snow
Mackintosh Hut, Kaweka FP, Saturday 1 June, 2019 Map: BJ37 Despite Saturday’s unpromising weather forecast for Hawke’s Bay, 13 trampers headed for the Lakes car park to walk the semi-circuit to what is referred to as Mackintosh car park via Mackintosh Hut. The Mackintosh Hut track is an old favourite and a weather-safe day trip,… [Read More]
A sweet surprise at Howletts Hut
Howletts Hut, Ruahine FP, Sat/Sun 25/26 May 2019 Banner Pix: Howletts Hut, looking towards Tiraha and Ohuinga with Black Ridge on the right Six trampers departed Napier at 0700. Alison had organised with the local farmer for access across his land, reducing the amount of climbing to be done to reach the ridge before dropping… [Read More]
Shelter from the blast in the Traverse Hut, aka the ‘A-Frame’
Tamaki River – ‘A-Frame’ Shelter – Stanfield Hut, Ruahine FP, Wednesday 22 May 2019 The usual 7.15 meet-up at Park Island for a mid-week tramp in the Ruahine Range was crisp, to say the very least, so having two full vanloads with a total of 24 trampers on board shows just how keen we really… [Read More]
Our huffing and puffing did not disturb the deer
Maungaharuru Range and Bell Rock, Wednesday 8 May 2019 Banner Pix: Looking south-west to the Kaweka Ranges On a crisp, late-Autumn day, two full vanloads of eager trampers set off with the sun shining. We began from the Titiokura Summit on the Napier/Taupo road and had permission from Waitara Station to cross their farmland. Ted… [Read More]
A glorious day for a walk in the Kaweka FP
Kiwi Saddle Hut, Saturday 4 May 2019 Banner Pix: Mts Ruapehu and Ngauruhoe seen from the Smith Russell Track, heading to Kiwi Saddle Hut. What a glorious, cloudless day for a hike into Kiwi Saddle Hut. We left Park Island in two vehicles. A van had eight on board – Juliet, John D, Shona, Gordon,… [Read More]
May 2019 News
Contents: Change of Tramp Organiser Saturday May 4th, Kiwi Saddle Hut. The organiser is now Lynette Morgan. See the tramp list on the website for her contact info. NTC AGM – Held May 2, 2019. The meeting was well attended. The executive positions now are: President Kelvin Shaw (re-elected but this is his final year…. [Read More]
Steps, more steps, scree – and a strap-saving safety pin
Mt Taranaki, Easter 2019 Banner Pix: Mt Taranaki and the approach to Syme Hut We decided to start our Easter trip to Egmont National Park a day early to take advantage of the fine weather and, hopefully, fewer people! The Famous Five (Juliet, Sue, Robyn, Simon and Alison) travelled to Taranaki, branching off at Stratford,… [Read More]