Saturday 8 October and Wednesday 12 October Map: BJ37 Kuuirpapango Banner Pix: The Kanuka snapped and across the track near Middle Hill. The snow storms of early August have left the Kaweka FP with massive damage to the bush. Most tracks have been obliterated by windfall. So, as our latest tramps were to be in… [Read More]
We almost made it to Smith Stream Hut
Smith Stream Hut, Ruahine FP, 14 September 2016 Map: BK36/BL36 Banner Pix: Elly checking out Smith Stream Hilary (our very responsible leader, as neither Alison or Kelvin were available) drove us close to the Waipawa River where we started walking on a cloudy day. We tramped on a well-marked track through undulating open land with… [Read More]
An amble from Bell Rock to Taraponui Mast
Bell Rock – Taraponui Mast, Wednesday 31 August 2016 Map: BH38/39 It had been more than three weeks since a winter storm dropped metres of snow over the North Island, from the Kaweka Forest Park, over the central plateau and the Napier-Taupo road, Whirinaki FP and beyond, causing mayhem and massive damage. Remnants of snow… [Read More]
Stags roared in the hut
Roaring Stag Hut, Tararua Range, 27 August 2016. Map: BN34 The weather forecast wasn’t brilliant, but still there were eight hardy souls intent on a weekend in the Tararua Ranges. Two carloads left town at 7am and made the way South. It was a rather uneventful trip until Woodville, where the local constabulary were breath-testing… [Read More]
A windy trek up to Wharite Peak
Wharite Peak, Ruahine FP, Saturday 27 August 2016 Photos taken by Elly and Gerard Govers. Only five left the Park Island car park on this Saturday day tramp. Our driver, Gerard, was the only male but I’m sure he enjoyed the company of four lady passengers. We decided we needed a coffee at Dannevirke so… [Read More]
What a Sunrise: The finest spell of weather there in living memory
Waipawa Saddle, Ruahine FP, Map: BK36. Wednesday 17 August 2016 The ducks were all in line for this trip. Recent snow and now an anticyclone was bathing Hawke’s Bay, promising clear fine weather for a tramp to the tops. The plan was to reach Waipawa saddle via part-way up Sunrise Track before dropping down to… [Read More]
To the Hogget, dodging the weather
The Hogget, 30 July 2016 The weather forecast was for showers developing into rain later in the day, with gale force winds. Setting off from where the van was parked, we crossed a small stream without too much difficulty and headed up the bush track, which was sheltered from the wind. We went through tall… [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]
Winter Sunrise and just a little bit beyond…
Top Maropea Hut, Saturday 16 July 2016 Nine of us left the car park at 8.30 in chilly temperatures and light drizzle, bound for Sunrise and Top Maropea huts. The tops looked pretty murky and our hearts sank as we envisaged a there-and-back trip with no views, no Armstrong Saddle, no Top Maropea and maybe… [Read More]
Bird’s-eye views galore across the Sparrowhawk Range
Sparrowhawk Range, Wednesday, 6 July 2016 It was frosty driving up the Napier-Taihape road, over Gentle Annie, past the Comet Road turn-off and the entrance to Timahanga Station and on to the bridge over the Taruarau River. We parked the van and the car just across the bridge and began our walk at about 9am…. [Read More]
Icy tramp is rewarded with crystal clear views – and BBQ treats
Ruahine Tops – Saturday 2 July 2016 With a frosty start and no wind in the forecast, it would be great to be up on the tops today. As us five headed along the Mangleton Valley, the talk was about where we should start from – the Masters Shelter or Sentry Box? The temperature outside… [Read More]
A dip in the hot pools, with a different kind of bubbles
Winter Solstice, Te Puia, Saturday 18 June 2016 A brilliant day was forecast and attracted a team of 16, which included several newish faces too; so many, we needed the van and a 4WD. There had been some rain in the ranges so there was a reasonable amount of water across the ford but no… [Read More]
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