In this edition: Auckland Tramping Club
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
Volume 96, No 3 April 2021
In this edition:
- 4 great trip reports
- our superb day and weekend trips programmes
- the glamorous life of a DoC Ranger – yeah right!
Auckland Tramping Club Inc, PO Box 2358, Shortland St, Auckland 1140
Website: www.aucktramping.org.nz email: secretary@aucktramping.org.nz
CLUB CONTACTS
President:
In this issue
Tony Walton 630 2591
president@aucktramping.org.nz
Secretary:
03 President’s Column
Jim Morrow 021 264 6085
secretary@aucktramping.org.nz 04 News and Views
Treasurer:
Michael Champion 027 225 4451 09 Your ATC Diary
treasurer@aucktramping.org.nz
Sunday Trips: 10 Day Trips Programme
Tony Walton 027 478 5223
tonywalking@gmail.com 19 Multiday Tramp Programme
Weekend Trips: 19 Tararuas – April (Easter)
Andrew Murdoch 021 489 206 21 Pureoras – April (Anzac weekend)
trips@aucktramping.org.nz
Wednesday Trips:
22 Mt Pirongia – May
Linda Webber 817 5111 23 Cape Brett – June (Queen’s
Transport & Equipment: Birthday)
Keith Ayton 630 7010 24 Winter trip – June
transport@aucktramping.org.nz
Membership Admin 25 Trip Reports
Liz Ware 524 7409 25 Kawekas Fit
membership@aucktramping.org.nz
28 Kawekas Medium
Distribution:
Colin Wright 620 6713 31 Interim Medium group
distribution@aucktramping.org.nz 38 Motuihe Island
Wanderlust Editor:
Dennis Brown 021 1955590 40 Trip Information
wanderlust@aucktramping.org.nz
Website:
Tony Walton 630 2591
website@aucktramping.org.nz The deadline for May 2021
Social Convenor: Wanderlust is Friday 16 April.
Chris Burnett 021 1430676
burnett102@icloud.com Please send contributions to
Ngaro Te Kotare Hut: wanderlust@aucktramping.org.nz
Robin Houston 0274 310 010 with Wanderlust as the subject.
(8am – 5pm)
8177849 The deadlines for contributions each
(7pm – 9pm) month can be viewed on the Club
nkhut@aucktramping.org.nz website on the Wanderlusts page
No calls after 9.00pm please under the News menu.
The deadlines for
contributions each
Cover photo: Around the campfire at Back Ridge Biv – see page 25.
month can be viewed at:
www.aucktramping.org.
Auckland Tramping Club Inc, PO Box 2358, Shortland St, Auckland 1140
Website: www.aucktramping.org.nznz
email: News →
→ secretary@aucktramping.org.nz
President’s column
There was another very successful weekend tramping trip in
the Kaimai in mid March – many thanks to Dennis Brown,
Andrew Murdoch and Terry Chubb for their careful reccies
and great trip design. And of course …. great weather helped
as well!
In total there were 26 of us in 4 different parties, with two
parties staying at Te Whare Okioki, and the other two
camped at locations further north on the Saturday night. I
am sure trip reports will be forthcoming in due course.
The bus is back from the South Island and available for day
and multi day trips closer to home again. There are some
great trips in the next few months, with a number of new
locations being trialled for our day trips – we are always on
the lookout for trip ideas, so do contact us with your suggestions.
And the variety of our multi day destinations for the next few months
speak for themselves – Te Araroa southern, Tararua Range, Southern
Kaimai, North West Pureora Forest, Mt Pirongia and Cape Brett.
As a by-product of our work to consolidate and better preserve the club
archives for the future we are in the process of creating an online version
“in the cloud” using a new ATC Google account.
This will not only create a more permanent location for our valuable
history and current operations, but will also enable ATC committee
members and club officers to easily share the latest version of everything,
rather than relying on a 6 to 12 distribution of information via USB stick.
As an example, the digital version of the club’s old glass slides that were
gifted to and digitised by the Auckland Library is now available in the ATC
cloud, so that they are instantly available for ATC officers to browse,
rather than being buried on just one or two home computers previously.
This also overcomes the size limitations imposed by USB stick distribution
– very relevant as we embark on the process of building up as complete
as possible photographic record of our club’s history.
We are of course mindful of the need to ensure absolute security of
information, so are managing access to this information by limiting
carefully who is allowed to see and / or change it.
Shortly there will be an event organised by DOC to celebrate the pest
control successes enabling a splendid increase in the number of North
3
Island kokako, arising from the work of many groups. Our Tunawaea
group will be well represented, so I am looking forward to an interesting
report on the proceedings, since I will be unable to attend myself.
My father’s doctor of a few decades ago told him to just keep on walking
– and he has, albeit now with the help of a walking frame – but at his
grand old age of 94 how can one but be impressed.
Tony Walton
News and views
Club nights
MARCH
Thanks to Chris and Tony for their excellent presentations on last year’s
Stewart Island trips. As promised, we enjoyed great photos of stunning
panoramas, kiwis, smiling trampers, mountains of mud and water.
WEDNESDAY APRIL 21
More top photos and tales from the many summer trips in the Northern
part of the South Island. Don’t miss this visual feast!
WEDNESDAY MAY 19
Flights of the Godwits - wonderful and intriguing. Adrian Riegen is a
world authority on godwits, an experienced speaker and very passionate
about his area of expertise. Be sure to catch this one.
WEDNESDAY JUNE 16
AGM — Hear about the machinations of ATC admin. A chance to have
some say and even go away with a job! Followed by …
Pictures and Stories from Iran. Club Member Alireza Mokhtar, from
Shiraz, Iran will show pictures and tell stories about tramping in his native
country and Central Asia. For most of us Iran is a black box, full of
unfathomable mystery with perhaps many beautiful physical and social
moments. Do not miss this!
Venue: Remuera Bowling Club, 6 Market Rd, Remuera
Parking: Down driveway between 3 and 5A Dromorne Rd
Time: 7.00pm for a 7.30pm start
4
Training opportunities – for YOU
TRIP LEADERSHIP TRAINING
Here’s your chance to ease into leading Club trips.
As a leader you’ll not only be able to pass on your experience and skills to
others, but you’ll be helping the Club extend the range of activities we
can provide.
Wednesday April 14, evening – Leading Day Walks
Wednesday April 28, evening – Leading Multi Day Tramps
The training will consist of:
1. Pre training session reading,
2. One evening training session of approx. 2 hours,
3. Pairing up with experienced leaders on subsequent tramps where you
are the designated leader, but have an experienced leader there to
help and support when/if needed.
Register your interest in attending with Tony tonywalking@gmail.com
BASIC MAP READING AND NAVIGATION SKILLS
A repeat of last year’s highly popular course covering the basic
information required to feel confident using NZ Topo maps and other
information to plan a backcountry trip, and then monitor and adapt your
trip as it progresses.
The course involves instruction elements as well as requiring you to apply
your new found knowledge to example scenarios.
There’ll also be a simple introduction to using a compass, as well as many
common sense pointers for how to adapt a trip as it progresses.
Wednesday May 12, evening – Map Reading and Navigation
Walks
Register your interest in attending with Tony tonywalking@gmail.com
Note: if the dates for any of these courses don’t suit, let Tony know. We
may be able to reschedule or run a second session on a different day.
BASIC SNOW SKILLS FOR TRAMPERS
Watch this space – a practical training programme at Ruapehu will be
scheduled later this year.
A great opportunity to gain the skills needed to join trips advertised as
“Ice axe and crampons required”.
More details later. Keep the weekend of July 30 - August 1 free.
5
NTK working bee
I’m sure many of you have been busy at home clean gutters and cutting
the bush back in preparation for winter.
So let’s not forget NTK our much-loved Waitakere hut which also needs a
little tidy up to ensure a comfortable stay for those wanting to get away
for a few days this winter.
Come and join the working bee on the 1st May from 9am to 3pm.
Things to do include:
• Tidying up the entrance path to the hut
• Replacement of the drum used for disposing of ash from the fire
• Removal of the wasp nest in the wood pile (volunteers welcomed)
• Restocking the wood pile for winter
• Providing a step for one of the toilets and adjusting the door to
close properly
• Repairing a loose front deck step
To confirm and for more details contact Robin Houston: 0274 310 010
ntkhut@aucktramping.org.nz
New weather website
This could just change where you get your weather forecasts for your
tramps.
DOC and NIWA have partnered on a new website they say uses all the
latest technology and includes “tailored forecasts for national parks and
key DOC sites”. Check it out at https://weather.niwa.co.nz/
Be sure to click on the Parks Weather tab. This is slated to replace the
mountain forecasts on the Metservice website, which DOC funds.
Are you a map nerd?
If so you might like Auckland Uni’s digital repository of maps of all types –
it’s vast! https://geodatahub.library.auckland.ac.nz/
To be honest we’re not exactly sure what’s there – we haven’t spent the
time to check everything out. But you’re bound to find some gems.
6
The glamorous life of a DoC Ranger!
We just had to re-print this from the latest Motuihe Trust newsletter – it’s
awesome!
Last weekend (20/21 Feb) was busy because of the sheer number of
people on the island.
All bays were full with boats waiting for the Prada cup to start. The camp
ground was very busy and almost full. Our max capacity is 48 camp sites.
In addition to having to clean toilets almost every hour I had a DoC dog
handler on the island who needed to be transported backwards and
forwards checking for Argentine ants and rodents.
On Sunday 2 o’clock it finally happened and the toilet drains couldn’t cope
any more and blocked. While trying to stop the sewerage tsunami in the
confined space between the male and female toilets I could still hear the
toilet flushes on both sides going off relentlessly.
To make matters worse, call outs started coming in for me to deal with
dogs on the beaches. Covered in excrement and toilet paper I had to race
off leaving a fine mist of sewerage in my wake.
I had one report of two dogs on the southern end of Ocean Beach. As I got
there no sign of dogs, but encountered an elderly couple with their pet
dog just disembarking from their dinghy. There were not too impressed
being told to remove their dog by a person with apparent poor personal
hygiene.
After dealing with more dogs on Ocean Beach I had to face people
screaming with pain from being stung by jelly fish on Wharf Bay. I refused
first aid because of a vision of a headline “Motuihe Ranger source of
outbreak of Ebola, Cholera and Plague”. The kiosk volunteers kindly
attended to them.
Other entertainment included tents being pitched on Bald Knob,
overnighters in tents above Ocean Beach, a dead rabbit washed ashore on
Ohinerau, Sea Legs craft leisurely driving the length of beaches, children
setting off traps with sticks.
I was wondering whether it could get much worse. T-rex predating kiwi,
asteroids hitting the island and a rottweiler convention being secretly held
at night on Calypso Bay?
Yes, it did get worse, arriving home, there was no cold beer in the fridge!
Rudi Schmidt (Motuihe weekend ranger)
7
Blast from the past
Weekend trips, 1930s style.
From our second ever Wanderlust, December 1936.
Middle Camp, Huia 21st–22nd November
Leaving Titirangi at 2.45 p.m. (the whole party of six
having missed the early bus) we enjoyed three and a half
hours of hot sun, pipe-walking and the quiet cool of
Hamilton’s Track, finally discarding our packs at Middle
Camp.
With a very early start the following morning, we made
our way up to Double Peak, and here, from the top of an old
tawa tree, we enjoyed a most extensive view of the Waitakerei
Ranges. From this point we spent a solid two hours making our
way on our hands and knees towards the Huia Ridge, and having
reached it, we revelled in assuming once more the erect
posture.
It was not long before we arrived at the end of the
Survey Line, and from the top of a well-known rata tree we
viewed the Huia Dam far below us. Following a leading ridge
down towards the dam, we met the Sunday party, all of us then
proceeding along the tram line at a leisurely pace. On
reaching Huia, a swim and afternoon tea were indulged in –
two or three maniacs still having enough energy at this stage
to race up and down Jacky’s Peak in record time.
About 6.30 p.m. the bus hove in sight, and we were soon
aboard and on our way home.
By R.J.
New members
The Club extends a very warm welcome to new members:
Sarah Katz Debbie Levert
Jayden Harris Melissa Allen
Toby George
We look forward to seeing you all on upcoming tramps!
8
Your ATC diary
April
April 1-5 Weekend trip – Tararua Range
April 4 Sunday tramp – Karamatura
April 10-11 2 Day Event – Southern Kaimai
April 14 Wednesday tramp – Panmure to Orakei stations
April 14 Training evening – Leading Day Walks
April 16-18 Kaimai track maintenance
April 18 Sunday tramp – Wires Track
April 21 Club night – South Island Xmas and Summer Trips
April 24-26 Weekend trip – NW Pureoras
April 25 Sunday tramp – Musick Point, Bucklands Beach
April 28 Wednesday tramp – Duder Regional Park
April 28 Training evening – Leading Multiday Tramps
May
May 1 Working Bee NTK Hut
May 2 Sunday tramp – Waiotahi/Karaka tracks, Thames
May 7-9 Kaimai track maintenance
May 9 Sunday tramp – Coast to Coast (3 Mountains)
May 12 Wednesday tramp – Whatipu
May 12 Training evening – Map Reading and Navigation
May 14-16 Weekend trip – Mt Pirongia
May 19 Club night – Flights of the Godwits
May 23 Sunday tramp – Te Rau Puriri
May 30 Sunday tramp – Daly’s Clearing Hut
June
June 4-7 Weekend trip – Cape Brett
June 13 Sunday tramp – Tanekaha Tracks, Brynderwyns
June 16 Club night – AGM and Pictures and Stories from Iran
June 18-29 Winter trip – Old Ghost Rd, Paparoa Track, Kirwans
Hut
June 20 Sunday tramp – Kaimai Ridge Traverse
9
Day trips programme
To join a standard
Sunday 4 April (Easter Sunday) –
day trip
Karamatura • Phone the leader if this is
Easy/Medium Enjoy the recently re-opened & your first trip with the Club.
upgraded Waitakere track from Karamatura car • Register your interest for a
park up to Mt Donald McLean lookout and Wednesday tramp.
back.
• Then just meet at the
Kauri trees have been protected by new board departure point.
walks and re-routing of the original track. Pay in cash on the day.
For those maximising summer swims, there will
be the option of a swim in the Karamatura
stream on the way up (and possibly even on the way back).
The Mt Donald McLean lookout provides magnificent views over the
Manukau Harbour, Awhitu Peninsula and even to Mt Taranaki on a very
clear day.
On return, there is the option of visiting the Huia Settlers Museum. Entry
by donation.
Approx. 5-5½ hours on the track, including approx. 4 hours walking, plus
lunch stop and swims.
Leader: Louise Inglis 027 5684734
Transport: Private cars
Destination: Karamatura carpark, Huia Road (on the right side of Huia
road travelling from Titirangi, just before the Settlers
Museum)
Departure: 8.00am Club Garage, 31 Sandringham Rd, Kingsland
No second pick-up point today
Walk Start: 9.00am
Cost: $10 to the driver
Saturday / Sunday 10-11 April – Southern Kaimai
A Two Day Walk weekend, where we tramp on Saturday and Sunday, and
stay in a comfortable holiday park on Saturday night.
Saturday: Walk from the Kaimai Summit on SH29 then along the West
Henderson Tramline Track to Old Kaimai Road. Then walk the Rapurapu
10Kauri Track enjoying multiple stream crossings, a swimming hole or two,
and some superb kauri at the end.
Sunday: From the end of Ngamuwahine Road walk in to pick up the
Leyland O’Brien Tramway Track at Cookhouse Clearing, then the North
South Track to Hurunui Hut. Then continue out to the Old Kaimai Road via
the North Henderson Tramline Track. 6hrs.
Shorter options available.
Leader: Tony Walton 027 478 5223 tonywalking@gmail.com
Transport: Club bus
Driver: Larry Beard
Destination: Kaimai Summit SH29
Departure: 7.30 am Club Garage, 31 Sandringham Rd
Accommodation: Opal Hot Springs Holiday Park.
Book your own accommodation www.opalhotsprings.co.nz
OR advise if you want to sleep on the bus (add $18.50)
Hot pools available for guests until 9pm
Saturday Dinner: The bus will go to Matamata, or eat at Opal Springs
Cost: $43 members, $53 non members
Note: This trip must be booked online and paid in advance
Wednesday 14 April – Panmure Station/Bus Hub to
Orakei Train Station
Starting from Panmure we will climb Mt Wellington, head through
Stonefields and onto Waiatarua Reserve, then through roads and parks of
Remuera and finish with a loop around Orakei Basin and onto Orakei
Train Station. Around 4 hours.
Leader: Linda Webber 021 440711 linda.webber@xtra.co.nz
Transport: Private/Public
Meet: 10.00 am Panmure Train Station on Mountain Rd at top of
steps. A train leaves Britomart at 9.46 and arrives 10.01.
You will need to work out your travel plan beforehand.
Remember your face mask and AT Hop Card
There is street car parking in Mountain Rd near the foot of
Mt Wellington.
Register: If you plan to join us, please email or TXT the leader,
including with your phone number, so that you can be
contacted in the event our plans change.
11Sunday 18 April – Wires Track, Coromandel
One of the best known parts of the Maratoto is the ‘Wires’ track so
named after the telegraph line diverted through it during the Waikato
Land Wars.
The first Government line was erected there in 1872 and there are still
some small remnants of the telegraph poles. Starting at the end of Wires
Road we walk up the Whangamata Off Road Vehicle track to the junction
with Wires Track and on for a stop at the Tairua River.
This is a reconfigured walk because the road to the top carpark has
deteriorated and is no longer suitable for our bus. The bus will now park
at the ford 1.6km before the road end where the track officially starts.
Our January attempt on this walk was abandoned because of the bus
needing a rescue effort!
The main loop involves walking up the steadily rising Maratoto off road
vehicle track as far as the Tairua River crossing and basic shelter, before
returning a short distance and then taking the Old Wires Track back down
to the road.
Along the way there is a steep drop on a track of sorts down to view a
picturesque waterfall with time for a cooling dip in the pool at its base
before returning to the bus.
Fit/Long From the Tairua River Crossing, we continue on via the top
section of the Whangamata Track to Wentworth Falls – a picturesque
50m height in two steps. The trip then returns back to the Tairua River,
then down the Wires Track, with a second waterfall diversion if time
permits, to return to the bus. Good pace, 7 hours.
Leader: David Holl 027 948 3115
Medium From the Tairua River Crossing return is via the Old Wires Track
and that picturesque waterfall along the way. More relaxed pace 6 hours.
Leader: TBA
Transport: Club Bus
Driver: Suresh Nanu
Destination: Ford on Wires Road, off Maratoto Road, off Thames/Paeroa
Highway
Departure: 8.00 am Club garage, 31 Sandringham Rd, Kingsland,
8.15 am Marewa Rd, Greenlane, behind Countdown
Cost: $20 members, $25 non-members. Pay in cash on the day.
12Sunday 25 April – Musick Point Area, Bucklands
Beach
This beautiful urban walk in East Auckland promises plenty of variety.
Even at low tide, you will get wet, over your knees & part way up your
thighs, depending on your height! This will happen a few times, briefly,
within the first hour.
There is boulder hopping. Some rocks are very slippery so be sure to wear
shoes with excellent grip. If you have a walking pole, it is recommended
you bring it.
Short shorts are best. Do not wear long pants, they will cling to your legs.
Your efforts will be rewarded with stunning views out to Waiheke,
Browns, Motuihe & Rangitoto Islands.
Medium The walk is approximately 14km. It includes strolling along
Eastern Beach, rock hopping & paved walking.
This is not a loop walk – some cars will be left at the Pakuranga Sailing
Club (the end of the walk), before everyone then travels to the start of
the walk.
Leader: Louise Inglis 027 5684734
Transport: Private Cars
Departure: 9.30am Club Garage, 31 Sandringham Rd, Kingsland
Walk Starts: 10.30am, southern end of The Esplanade, Eastern beach
Low Tide: 11.37am
Cost: $10 to driver
Wednesday 28 April – Duder Regional Park
Coast to Umupuia beach, then North Rd to Park entrance, take Southern
Farm loop, Whakakaiwhara Pa walk, down to Southern coast, bush walk
track and up to Trig, down to coast on other side and coast back to
Magazine Bay. Low Tide 2pm. Suitable for all levels of fitness.
Leader: Linda Webber 021 440711 linda.webber@xtra.co.nz
Transport: Club bus
Driver: Jim Morrow
Destination: Magazine Bay Maraetai Coast Road
Departure: 9.00am Club Garage, 31 Sandringham Rd, Kingsland
9.15am cnr of Omahu & Lillington Rds Remuera (off Great
South Rd)
13Cost: $10 members, $15 non-members. Pay in cash on the day.
Register: If you plan to join us, please email or TXT the leader,
including with your phone number, so that you can be
contacted in the event our plans change.
Sunday 2 May – Waiotahi/Karaka tracks, Thames
Medium Waiotahi track climbing up to just under 600m, returning by
Karaka track. Good views. The Karaka track in particular is full of variety
with some open sections giving splendid views over the Coromandel
mountains. Total climb 678m, distance 12.8km, approx. time 6 hrs.
Leader: Tony Walton 630 2591 / 027 478 5223
Short Stay with the driver and walk in some of the way from both ends.
Transport: Club bus
Driver: Suresh Nanu
Destination: Waiotahi Rd
Departure: 8.00am Club Garage, 31 Sandringham Rd. Kingsland
8.15am Marewa Rd. Greenlane (behind Countdown)
Walk starts at track start on Waiotahi Rd approx. 9.45am
Cost: $20 members, $25 non-members. Pay in cash on the day.
Sunday 9 May – Coast to Coast (3 Mountains)
ONEHUNGA TRAIN STATION TO BRITOMART TRANSPORT CENTRE
We will do our own version to include One Tree Hill, Mt St John and Mt
Eden. Other points of interest along the way include:
• Onehunga Blockhouse located in Jellicoe Park, one of 10 small forts
built in 1860 to protect Onehunga residents from perceived attacks
by Māori
• Cornwall Park, an oasis in the heart of Auckland city and home to One
Tree Hill / Maungakiekie and a working farm
• Mount Eden / Maungawhau volcanic cone, Auckland’s highest
natural point
• Auckland Domain, home to the Winter Gardens and Auckland War
Memorial Museum
• Albert Park, the site of an old Māori village (papakainga) called
Rangipuke, which once contained a defensive pā and farmland – now
boasting walking paths and gardens
14You will need to sort out your own transport – a train leaves Britomart
8.48am and arrives Onehunga 9.10am. There is car parking in Onehunga
side streets near the station.
Trains return from Britomart to Onehunga, leaving at 18 and 48 minutes
past the hour throughout the day.
Leader: Terry Chubb 940 7453, Mob 021 870 158
Transport: Private
Meet: 9.15am Onehunga Train Station
Wednesday 12 May – Whatipu
Yippee - finally this is open and we can do this very scenic trip.
Starting at Whatipu Beach carpark we take Omanawanui and Puriri Ridge
tracks and up to Mt Donald McLean summit, return same way and then
out to the big cave and back.
Leader: Linda Webber 021 440711 linda.webber@xtra.co.nz
Transport: Carpooling
Destination: Whatipu Beach carpark
Meet: 9.15am in the Waitakere Gymnasium carpark, by Olympic
Park, Portage Road, New Lynn
We will then car pool from here to Whatipu
Note: There will be no meeting point at Sandringham Rd
Cost: $10 to drivers
Register: If you plan to join us, please email or TXT the leader,
including with your phone number, so that you can be
contacted in the event that our plans change.
Sunday 16 May – No Day Walk This Weekend
This weekend the Club has a trip to Mt Pirongia – see page 22 for details.
However, if you want to organise a local Auckland walk using car
transport, we can assist and advertise this for you. Contact Tony at
tonywalking@gmail.com 027 478 5223.
15Sunday 23 May – Te Rau Puriri
This gem of a Regional Park is located on the edge of the Kaipara Harbour,
a short distance below South Head.
Views out across the Kaipara Harbour are spectacular and the Kaipara
coastline is rugged. Some parts of the Park are a working farm with some
exciting prospects for continued development for an exhilirating day
walking destination.
Medium We start by taking in views of Lake Rototoa to our west, then
walk with Kaipara Harbours views down to near the sea edge, before
continuing north via open farmland to the northern area of the Park
where there was once a prawn farm.
Lunch here on the edge of the harbour, before following the coast back
south and then we take the marked path back up to the bus past some
old puriri trees.
An option may be to continue from the Park north along the coast to
Mānunutahi Bay and wait for a bus pickup near the road end.
Approx time 6 hrs.
Leader: Tony Walton 630 2591 / 027 478 5223
Short An option to stay at the Prawn Farm end of the walk and get a bus
pick-up from there.
Transport: Club bus
Driver: Marilyn Best
Low Tide: 13.30
Destination: Te Rau Puriri upper carpark on South Head Rd
Departure: 8.00am Club Garage, 31 Sandringham Rd. Kingsland.
West Auckland pickup – contact Tony to discuss options.
Cost: $15 members, $20 non-members. Pay in cash on the day.
Sunday 30 May – Daly’s Clearing Hut
Medium Daly’s Clearing Hut in the Northern Kaimai is a fun spot where
many first time trampers have their first overnight backcountry hut
experience. This DOC hut is maintained by the Manukau Tramping Club
under the Kaimai Ridgeway volunteer project.
Once past the road end farm, the track follows the route of the old
Waitawheta Tramway, before taking a side track up the hill towards the
hut. Time for a break here to explore the hut and surrounds, then
continue on to the junction with Mangakino Pack Track.
16Turn right here and enjoy the extensive groves of nīkau nestled under tall
tawa, kohekohe and pukatea forest eventually descending to the
Waitawheta River. Recent changes in the track to help protect the kauri
trees may give variations from your map but continue on following the
marked route to the point where the track crosses the Waitawheta River.
Under normal flows the river is easy to cross, but do watch out for
slippery rocks, and assist one another if needed. Once across the river
continue alongside it to Dickeys Flat and the waiting bus.
Approx 5 hours – but don’t rush. This is a very pleasant forest and the
picturesque rivers bubble along, so take time for breaks and enjoy it all.
Leader: Teresa Janssen 021 264 4434
Transport: Club bus
Driver: Suresh Nanu
Destination: Franklin Rd carpark
Departure: 8.00am Club Garage, 31 Sandringham Rd. Kingsland
8.15am Marewa Rd, Greenlane, behind Countdown
Cost: $20 members, $30 non-members. Pay in cash on the day.
Sunday 6 June – No Day Walk This Weekend
This weekend the Club has a trip to Cape Brett – see page 23 for details.
However, if you want to organise a local Auckland walk using car
transport, we can assist and advertise this for you. Contact Tony at
tonywalking@gmail.com 027 478 5223.
Sunday 13 June – Tanekaha Tracks, Brynderwyns
Medium Approached from the southern side of the Brynderwyn Hills, a
series of tracks take you through the forest, up to and along the ridgeline
for views. On the way down pass the remains of a kauri dam, enjoy some
waterfalls, and take the longer route along the Botanical Track back to the
carpark. Approx time 5 hrs.
Leader: Tony Walton 630 2591 / 027 478 5223
Short From the Waterfall track you can continue directly down to the
carpark.
Transport: Club bus
Driver: Marilyn Best
17Destination: Tanekaha carpark on King Rd, near Mangawhai Heads
Departure: 8.00am Club Garage, 31 Sandringham Rd, Kingsland.
North Shore pickup (on request to driver or leader before
Saturday 12th June, 5pm) 8.15am Des Swan Drive opposite
AON building.
Cost: $20 members, $25 non-members. Pay in cash on the day.
Sunday 20 June – Kaimai Ridge Traverse
Medium Fit This tramp traverses the most spectacular section of the
Kaimai ridgeline –between Tuahu Saddle and Motutapere Hut. It features
imposing rock pinnacles, numerous vantage points, and sweeping views
in all directions – along the range, across the Waikato and out to the
eastern coastline.
This is steep country and good fitness is required. Expect a little
scrambling, some minor exposure in places and a (very sturdy) 8m ladder
to descend. You’ll need to be comfortable in this terrain.
We take Tuahu West track through
pines and then bush up to Tuahu
Saddle and the North South Track
junction. Here we turn south and
traverse around and under Calgary,
Twin Peaks and Kakarahi/Abseil Peak.
Then it’s the big ladder, some more
steep up and downs and a welcome
break at tidy Motutapere Hut.
We now take a lesser-travelled,
steepish track down through superb Under Abseil Rock
bush to the Killarney Lakes and out via forestry roads back to the bus.
Time: 6 hours.
An easier option climbing to the saddle, exploring a little north or south
for views, and returning the same way will be available.
Leader: Dennis Brown 021 1955590 dennis.brown@xtra.co.nz
Transport: Club Bus
Driver: TBA
Destination: Wairakau Rd
Departure: 8.00 am Club Garage, 31 Sandringham Rd, Kingsland
8.15 am Marewa Rd, Greenlane (behind Countdown)
Cost: $25 members, $30 non-members. Pay in cash on the day.
18Multiday trips programme
Weekend tramps To join a weekend tramp
1. Discuss trip with leader – numbers are limited.
Tararua Forest Park, 2. Register online via the trip description page.
Easter – 1-5 April Any problems, contact the Bookings Officer:
Dennis Brown 6200144, 021 1955590
A chance to enjoy the splendour bookings@aucktramping.org.nz
and majesty of the birthplace of 3. Pay trip fee into Club account: 02-0100-
organised tramping in Aotearoa 0024675-00.
New Zealand. Quote your name, trip number and “weekend”.
You’re only confirmed on the trip when you’re
There is something for everyone
completed all 3 steps!
here with some classic Tararua
trips. The Easy Medium
(completely) and Medium (mostly) parties have guaranteed beds in
comfortable huts (already prepaid by ATC).
Easy Medium CLASSIC HOLDSWORTH-JUMBO LOOP
Trip full – waiting list in operation
Thursday drive from Auckland to Holdsworth camping area, camp or
sleep on bus.
Friday from Holdsworth road take the Gentle Annie Track (towards
Powell Hut) as far as Pig Flat then descend the pleasant River Ridge Track
to the Atiwhakatu Valley, and on upstream to Atiwhakatu Hut (5-6hrs,
booked). Option of exploring the track further up the Atiwhakatu Valley
to Pinnacle Saddle .670 (2-3hrs return).
Saturday from Atiwhakatu Hut up Raingauge Spur to Jumbo Hut (2-3hrs,
booked), afternoon (if conditions on tops favourable) explore north up
the Holdsworth-Girdlestone Range to Angle Knob or further to the aircraft
wreck site on Shingle Slip Knob (3-4hrs return).
Sunday from Jumbo Hut south down the Holdsworth-Girdlestone Range
to Powell Hut (booked) with a slight deviation to take in the summit of Mt
Holdsworth (3-4hrs).
Monday from Powell Hut back to bus at Holdsworth road end (3hrs),
drive back to Auckland.
Leader: Bill Mancer 027 230 4850 or bill@rise.co.nz
19Medium EASTERN TARARUA HIGHLIGHTS
Trip full – waiting list in operation
Thursday drive from Auckland to Holdsworth camping area, camp or
sleep on bus.
Friday from Holdsworth road end to Totara Flats Hut (4hrs, 26 bunks).
Saturday from Totara Flats Hut, re-cross the Waiohine swing bridge and
take disced/blazed route up the spur to Flaxy Knob (.965), then High
Ridge to the track below Mt Holdsworth and Powell Hut (7-8hrs, booked).
Sunday from Powell Hut head north along the Holdsworth-Girdlestone
Range to Jumbo Pk (3hrs). If conditions favourable, head further north
along range for views from Angle Knob or to Shingle Slip Knob plane
wreck (3hr return) then drop past Jumbo Hut down Raingauge Spur to
Atiwhakatu Hut (2hrs, booked).
Monday from Atiwhakatu Hut back to bus at Holdsworth road end (2-
3hrs), drive back to Auckland.
Leader: Dennis Brown 021 1955590 dennis.brown@xtra.co.nz
Fit CLASSIC NEILL FORKS – MAUNGAHUKA – MID WAIOHINE LOOP
Thursday drive from Auckland to Holdsworth camping area, walk in to
Atiwhakatu Hut (1.5-2hrs).
Friday from Atiwhakatu Hut up Raingauge Spur past Jumbo Hut to Jumbo
Peak. Head south down the Holdsworth-Girdlestone Range to Mt
Holdsworth summit, traverse Isabelle Peak, drop down to Mid Waiohine
Hut (6-7hrs, 6 bunks).
Saturday from Mid-Waiohine Hut a long grunt up Aokaparangi, then
south over Wright and Simpson to the very scenic Maungahuka Hut (6-
7hrs, 10 bunks) and tarn. Optionally take an afternoon side-trip south to
the Tararua Peaks, Tunui & Tuiti, and the famous ladder between them.
Sunday from Maungahuka Hut to Totara Flats Hut (7hrs, 26 bunks) via
Neill Forks.
Monday from Totara Flats Hut back to bus at Holdsworth road end (3-
3.5hrs), drive back to Auckland.
Leader: Tony Walton 027 478 5223 tonywalking@gmail.com
Transport: Club Bus
Drivers: Chris Burnett, Keith Ayton
Destination: Mt Holdsworth road end carpark, Mount Holdsworth Road
Departure: Thursday 7.00am, Club Garage, 31 Sandringham Road
20NW Pureora Forest Anzac Weekend – 24-26 April
Trip full – waiting list in operation
This is the trip that was originally scheduled last April.
Volunteers have been baiting areas in the North West Pureora Forest to
support successful kokako breeding, including ATC members in the areas
around Tunawaea Stream.
This trip allows you to explore and appreciate two areas that are close as
the kokako flies, but far apart via road – Tunawaea and Okahukura.
SATURDAY We leave in the morning to drive to the Pureroa Forest Lodge
near Barryville, settle in, and enjoy some walks in the afternoon in the
nearby forest where a further pest control team is active. There is a short
forest loop, or a longer walk along the Waipapa South Track and beyond.
SUNDAY The bus will drive in to a parking area at the start of the
Okahukura Loop from where the 3 different parties will set out.
Fit Sunday Walk 7kms up an old vehicle track, then take the Mangatutu
Track up to the Rangitoto Range. Follow the range SW to Ranginui (978m)
then down the transmitter road for a short distance before heading S
down a spur to reach North Line – the first of a number of Tunawaea
baiting lines. Follow provided directions to a delightful camping location
on the Fantail line. 7 hours.
Monday Follow provided directions using parts of Falcon, Line A, Wildlife
Hut, Puka, Kauri, Miro and Tyre, then along a newly marked route back to
the Okahukura Loop and the bus. 5 hours.
Leader: Michael O’Connor 021 870791
michaels.oconnor@gmail.com
Medium Sunday Walk 1.25kms up the Okahukura Loop then take a newly
marked route through to Tunawaea “Spaghetti Junction” where multiple
tracks tumble into each other. From there follow provided instructions for
Wildlife shortcut, Wildlife track, “Tunawaea View”, Line A, Falcon, to
camp location on Fantail. 6 hours.
Monday Continue to Line B, past Spaghetti Junction, Kanuka (with a
delightful stream at the bottom of a steep gully), and then a new route
through to Okahukura and the bus. 4.5 hours.
Leader: Tony Walton 027 478 5223 tonywalking@gmail.com
Easy Sunday Walk the full Okahukura Loop, an old logging road, all in the
Okahukura pest control area. Listen out for birds and enjoy the forest. 16
kms, day pack only. 5 hours.
21Monday A choice of following the new route part way into the Tunawaea
area, possibly to the point where it is above a steep picturesque gully OR
explore some of the Okahukura bait lines away from the old road. Maps
to be provided. 4 hours.
Leader: Martin Woodhead 021 397 734
PUREORA FOREST LODGE has a fully equipped kitchen, fridge,
freezers, dormitory rooms – bunks with mattresses, showers,
cleaning equipment.
Leave the Lodge clean and tidy, take rubbish home.
Bring towels, pillow, sleeping bag etc, cleaning fluids etc, all food and
consumables.
The deadlines for contributions each month
Transport: Club Bus
can beSimon
Driver: viewed at: www.aucktramping.org.nz
Rainger
Cost: $75 members, $90 non-members, comprising $20 per
→ News → Wanderlustsis
person issue
Saturday accommodation plus transport cost of $55
members, $70 non-members
Destination: Pureora Forest Park Lodge, off SH30 near Barryville. Turn
onto Waitaramoa Rd, then right after 1.7 kms
Departure: Saturday 8.00am, Club Garage, 31 Sandringham Road
NO LUNCH BREAK EN ROUTE – bring your own
Maps: Topo50 BF34 Benneydale
Mount Pirongia – 14-16 May 2021
Climb this local scenic treasure by the route of your choice and keep your
hill fitness up to scratch at the same time!
We’ve booked out the modern and comfortable Pahautea Hut so a bed is
guaranteed for Saturday night. Anyone preferring to camp can do so at
one of the excellent formed campsites.
22Easy Medium Saturday from Kaniwhaniwha Carpark to Pahautea Hut via
Tahuanui Track (5 - 6hrs).
Sunday from Pahautea Hut to Corcoran Road via Tirohanga Track (4 -
5hrs).
Leader: Vicky King 0210736056 vickingv@gmail.com
Medium Saturday from Corcoran Road to Pahautea Hut via Link Track,
Mangakara Nature Walk and Mahaukura Track (6 - 7.5hrs).
Sunday from Pahautea Hut to Corcoran Road via Tirohanga Track (4 -
5hrs).
Leader: Rae Coppins 021303837 raewync@hotmail.com
Fit Saturday from Kaniwhaniwha Carpark to Pahautea Hut via Bell Track
(7 - 9hrs).
Sunday from Pahautea Hut to Corcoran Road via Tirohanga Track (4 hrs).
Leader: Andrew Murdoch 021489206 livingscapes@hotmail.com
Transport: Club Bus
Driver: TBA
Transport and Accommodation:
$45 members, $54
non-members
Destination: Kaniwhaniwha
Carpark, Limeworks
Loop Road
Departure: Friday 7.00pm, Club
Garage, 31
Sandringham Road
NO DINNER BREAK EN ROUTE Pahautea Hut
Notes: Trip is limited to 21
(an average of 7 per party) due to bus and hut constraints
Maps: NZTopo50 BE32 Kawhia & BE33 Pirongia
Do yourself a favour and bring gaiters!
Cape Brett – 4-7 June (Queens Birthday Weekend)
Medium with shorter options on Saturday and Sunday.
This ever popular tramp is one of Northland’s highlights. A superb array of
rugged coastal scenery and hut location at the end of Cape Brett not to be
missed. Cape Brett Hut is the renovated old lighthouse keeper’s cottage,
with the renovated lighthouse on the hill above.
23On Friday evening we drive to the Kaingahoa Marae campground at
Rawhiti where we will stay for 2 nights, camping, sleeping in the bus, or
using the Marae building (mattresses provided).
On Saturday we will have a day trip to explore Urupukapuka Island
nearby – this island has a great network or walking tracks and a large
number of picturesque bays, with some good swimming. Bad weather
option is to walk into the old whaling station at Whangamumu.
Another water taxi trip on Sunday into Deep Water Cove on the
peninsula, from where we will walk onwards to Cape Brett Hut. Bad
weather option is to walk in from Rawhiti. An optional side trip is to climb
to the summit of Rakaumangamanga for great sea views in all directions.
On Sunday we will walk out the full Cape Brett Track to Rawhiti. A faster
group will be able to go via Te Toroa Bay and Whangamumu to wait on
the road until the bus arrives.
Leader: Wendy Graham 021 841 971
wends.graham4@gmail.com
Transport: Club Bus
Total Cost: Members $210, non-members $221
Destination: Kaingahoa Marae Campground, 243 Rawhiti Rd, Rawhiti
Departure: Friday 7.00pm, Club Garage, 31 Sandringham Road
NO DINNER BREAK EN ROUTE
Map: NZTopo50 AV30 Cape Brett
Winter trip – June 2021
Old Ghost Road, Paparoa Track, Kirwans Hut
But with a possibility of a second trip if there is interest
Trip full and a leader.
June 18-22, Fri-Tue: Fly to Nelson, travel to Lyell for 4 nights on Old
Ghost Road. Stay in Westport.
June 23-26, Wed-Sat: 3 nights on Paparoa Great Walk. Stay in Reefton.
June 27-28, Sun-Mon: Kirwans Hut. Return to Nelson.
29 June, Tue: Fly home.
Contact: Christine Major 021 1095 750
Email: christinemajor25@gmail.com
24Trip reports
Kawekas Fit Group – 28-31 January
by Michael O’Connor
The long drive from Auckland to the Kawekas was interrupted when SH5
to Napier was closed for an hour by a scrub fire. We had front row seats
to the spectacle of 6 helicopters whirling overhead, dowsing the fire with
monsoon buckets.
Entertainment over, we continued on to the Whittle road end and
pitched our tents at the Makahu Saddle campsite. Water was available at
the Forest Headquarters, through the gate and along the road for a few
metres.
A cool southerly had blown in the
previous evening - pleasant
conditions for the steep walk up
Trials and Makahu Spur. The tops
were reached in cloud, with the wind
keen and cold, but the cloud lifted as
the day progressed, revealing the
spectacular ridge tops.
After taking a left turn at the Whetu
junction, we carried on to the Ballard hut turnoff where we stopped for a
good lunch before dropping into the beech forest to Tira Lodge in time for
afternoon tea.
After a last look at the tops, the track
descended to the Ngaruroro river,
where the 4-bunk Rocks Ahead hut
stood resplendent in a fresh coat of
bright tangerine paint. (9:30 hours,
20.8 km, 1525 vertical metres total
ascent)
The next day started with a bit of
fun, as we crossed the Ngaruroro
river in a hand-winched cable car,
one at a time.
We were all across within 15 minutes, then climbed steeply through the
beech forest to the open tops. Once out of the shelter of the trees, the
cold wind and drizzle had us reaching for waterproofs, but fortunately the
25rain had abated by the time we reached the three-way junction – one
branch an easy short-cut to Manson hut, and the other a loop track past
Otutu hut before re-joining the Manson track.
With nary a glance at the shortcut,
our intrepid group headed along the
loop track, dipping in and out of
beech forest to reach Otutu hut for
lunch. Past the hut, a brief spell on
the tops led to a steep drop into
forest, followed by a sharp 400m
climb to join the far end of the
shortcut. Bugger being intrepid – take
the shortcut next time!
A couple more hours along the tops
brought us to Manson hut. This was
occupied by a pair of friendly hunters
who plied us with tea and tall hunting
tales as we pitched our tents around
the hut. (9 hours, 18.4 km, 1650 m
total ascent)
The overcast conditions of the
previous days gave way to brilliant
blue skies for the long descent to the
Ngaruroro river and Kiwi Mouth hut
the following morning. The day was
hot and the river inviting, so we
cooled off in a perfect swimming hole.
With time in hand, we lounged
around Kiwi Mouth hut for an hour or
so, having a leisurely early lunch,
drinking tea and chatting. Eventually,
we had to abandon the ease and face
the 750m slog in the heat up to Back
Ridge bivouac.
This site provided great camping spots
under the trees, and a trickle of water
that was nevertheless sufficient for
our needs.
After the heat of the day, the evening cooled rapidly under the clear
skies, so we lit a fire and crowded around the companionable flames. The
two women in the group, Jo and Uta, nightingales both, then revived the
26lost art of campfire singing and enchanted us with Gaelic and German
songs. (7 hours, 15.1 km, 1228 m total ascent)
We set off early the following morning with the low sun behind picking
out brilliant shades of green in the beech leaves, and the setting moon in
front hanging in the blue sky. As if this was not enough, the scene from
our high vantage had us grasping for superlatives at the exquisite sight of
the valley below filled smoothly and evenly with thick fog, like water
filling the intricate coastline of a fiord.
Moving on, we crossed Sterns saddle and took the southern route from
there to Kaweka J (1724m) before dropping down the Makahu Spur. Just
below Dominie hut, there are two routes down to the car park – we took
the more southern branch down the Makahu Spur track, having come up
the alternate Trials Spur track on the way in.
This route was more difficult, with one steep stretch over an exposed and
hard surface covered in loose, slippery gravel. Avoid!
Once past this obstacle, the track led easily to the Whittle road end,
completing the Kaweka circuit. Marvellous! (5 hours, 10.4 km, 740 m total
ascent)
Many thanks from the novice trip leader to all the members of the team –
with your experience and good humour the trip ran itself and was a
delight from start to finish. It was, to paraphrase Jo, a surprise that a fit
group should have so much fun on a tramp!
Dramatis personae: Michael O’Connor (leader), Robin Houston, Andrew
Murdoch, Tony Walton, Uta Machold (photographer extraordinaire &
nightingale), Joanne Cochrane (nightingale), and foot soldiers all.
27Kawekas Medium Group – 28-31 January
by Alireza Mokhtar
Day 1 (Leaving Auckland…)
It is 28th January, a beautiful sunny and cloudy Thursday when we leave
the on-off-lockdown city of Auckland!
Hoping we would not get another one, we depart the city about 1 PM
expecting to get to the campsite in about 7 hours.
Two cars with 3 in each including our drivers head south. We have 2
stops, in Tirau for a quick lunch and in Taupo to catch up with the Fit
group.
Around 8 pm when there is still enough natural light thanks to the long
summer days, we have time to erect our tents at Makahu Saddle
Campsite.
Day 2 (into the wild…)
We don’t have reception for most of the walk over the next few days. This
is what I like about the Kawekas! You’re in the wild.
The first day of the hike starts with a
bit of river crossing and continues with
a very steep ridge (Dicks Spur). The
wind and a little rain make it more
challenging.
The destination is Back Ridge Hut
where we stay the second night.
Distance hiked: 11.7 km, duration: 9
hours, average temperature: 19°C.
28Day 3 (towards the Kiwi mouth…)
Easier than Day 2, most of the walk is on the ridge so wind and great
lookout points are unavoidable! We stay at Kiwi Mouth Hut.
Distance hiked: 11.6 km, duration: 6.5 hours, average temperature: 18°C.
Day 4 (a long day)
Multiple river crossing is a big adventure today. The banks are mostly
eroded over time and by the wild Kiwi Creek, so the only access to the
track is through zigzagging across the
stream. The depth at some parts
reaches a meter.
We then climb 500m to Kiwi Saddle,
before taking the route past Castle
Camp to reach the main ridge at
Kaiarahi (1507m). Finally we descend
Mackintosh Spur to stay at Mackintosh
Hut.
Distance hiked: 17 km, duration: 9.5
hours, average temperature: 25°C.
29Day 5 (from the wild to Auckland…)
Today we have a very steep downhill to cross the Donald River followed
by an equally steep uphill out of it, so good stamina and fitness is needed
to finish the last day of the hike.
The walk is rather short and around lunch time we head back to Auckland
from Makahu Saddle after meeting the Fit group again.
After a lunch stop in Taupo, around sunset we arrive in Auckland which is
celebrating its anniversary on 1st Feb.
Distance hiked: 8 km, duration: 4 hours, average temperature: 23°C.
Reviewing the moments of our memorable trip to spectacular Kaweka
Forest Park, I remember the breath-taking lookout points, steep ridges to
follow, misty saddles to search for, roaring rivers to cross, and the endless
silence of the striking forested valleys.
We were: Dennis Brown (leader), Rudy Melster, Bruce Butler, Nico Laya,
Johno Gee, and me: Alireza Mokhtar.
30Interim Medium Trip – February
PART 1: RICHMOND RANGES
by Christine Major
The Richmond Ranges comprised new territory for many of us but for our
leader Tony it was a second chance to see some of the views that eluded
him on his Te Araroa journey.
It was also my first overnight Cook Straight ferry crossing on the bus and a
not too bleary-eyed group met up with the flyers at Figaro’s Café in
Blenheim where we breakfasted like kings.
February 7
After leaving the bus in the safety of a farm on Top Valley Rd we
embarked on a track and bush-bash shortcut to save a very meandering
road crawl.
The initial track, which was weaponised with gorse and blackberry,
quickly became impenetrable so we scrambled steeply up to gain our
route along a ridge in the straggly pine forest.
We were relieved to emerge after this rough going onto the road but now
our nemesis was an ever-upwards climb of Staircase Rd in the sun and
heat of the day. Gaps in the trees afforded views of peaks to the east and
the dry Wairau Valley was viewed from the Enchanted Lookout.
Finally the plunge on a shady track
down to Lake Chalice where the
much reduced lake was a dusty
trek from the hut. Oops Catherine
forgot to pack something but with
help from her friends all was well.
February 8
Bush travel shaded us from the
summer sun as we first tramped
alongside the green-blue
dehydrated lake and then travelled
an undulating track following the
Goulter River downstream to Mid
Goulter Hut.
Arriving before 2pm we had a stifling afternoon with the cooling river
beset with sandflies and shady bush campsites menaced by wasps.
February 9
An early start was decreed for a potentially long day climbing Mt
Patriarch against a forecast of developing rain.
31With a steep ascent, cloud lowering and light rain setting in, defections
were frequent but most reached the 4WD track and 3 continued
viewlessly along it only turning back at the start of the final walking track
to the summit.
Returnees to the hut were progressively wetter as the rain settled in for
the afternoon and night.
February 10
Around 9am blue sky invaded from the south and we left after the last of
the rain.
How refreshed and lush the bush now looked, sparkling and dripping as
we retraced the Goulter Track to the Old Man Hut Route. On this trail we
tackled a tricky crossing of a major
tributary of the Goulter, swollen in
the recent rain – thanks to Chris and
Johno who made repeated crossings
to manhandle the smaller members
of the group across.
A few of us had had single stings
earlier in the trip but in this section
wasps attacked the back half of our
party and, unnerved, we faced the
final brisk 250m ascent to Old Man
Hut mercifully above the wasp zone.
February 11
Blue skies tempered by strong gusts of cold wind in exposed places were
the order of the day.
We climbed steeply to the ridgeline to join the Alpine Route / Te Araroa
Trail and after a little more climbing we stepped out of the mossy forest
onto the alpine slopes of Little
Rintoul.
For the next few hours splendid views
in all directions would enthral us –
beyond the swathe of surrounding
forested hills and open tops were
Tasman Bay, the Wairau Valley, the
Red Hills and the distant mountains
of Kaikoura and Nelson Lakes.
Our route took us over the double
peaks of Little Rintoul before a
demoralising rock and scree descent Descending Mt Rintoul
32to the bushline only to trundle up again to the higher Mt Rintoul. And
after lunch it was a case of “repeat in the opposite direction” to return to
Old Man Hut and the inviting tarn.
February 12
7.30am start for a long day. We regained the Alpine Route on the ridge
but now headed east towards Old Man on an up-and-down rocky route
regularly coming into the open to enjoy the expansive panoramas on
another clear day.
Cameras were busy on the gentle
peak of Old Man before we took the
south ridge route down diverging
from the Te Araroa Trail. We
branched onto the track leading to
the head of Top Valley Rd to face a
brutal drop of over 600m to the first
stream crossing, from which point we
eased into a sidling slow descent
crossing several side streams before
joy, we popped out on a motorway
nature trail graced with a variety of On the way to Old Man peak – spot the trampers!
mature podocarps.
On meeting Top Valley Rd we took the Riverside Walk beside the Top
Valley Stream and journeyed through scrub and pine trees, with several
stops to feast on blackberries. About 4pm we reached the mowed
expanse of the Jubilee Flat picnic area with many attractive shade trees
including a splendid apple tree, a perfect camp site.
Thinking of our re-provision from the bus, Chris took to the road promptly
while the rest of us left later hoping that Chris would have judged the
road suitable to bring the bus up and we would not have to make the full
return trip to the farm. Yes! Before
too long the bus approached and we
jumped on board to rock back to our
tents.
Later in the evening our hero Chris
returned the bus to the farm and
walked the many kilometres up the
road.
Many thanks to our other superhero
Tony for his expert planning and
leadership.
33PART 2: JUBILEE FLATS TO TE ROU RD, TIMMS CREEK
by Catherine Doyle
Day One
An 8.00 start had us crossing Top Valley Stream, wetting our feet and
heading 3km up Richmond Rd, a forestry track to the Richmond Saddle
Hut trailhead.
The sign promised 4 hours and with the
beginning of the trail looking very well
groomed, we headed off with great
enthusiasm up the 1100m elevation.
This sign proved to be very accurate with
most of us arriving between 3-4 hrs in
time to lunch, erect our tents and lie in
the midday sun admiring the views.
Christine and Rae meandered in a little
later than the rest of us taking in every
botanical and ornithological pleasure that we had
sadly scooted past on our way up.
While we all spent the afternoon like lounge lizards
lazing in the sun, a restless Tony decided he need
another 2-3 hour explorative walking just to satisfy
his need to match visual landmarks onto his maps.
Day Two
A spectacular brilliant red morning sunrise greeted
us as we trundled up the 560m climb to Mt
Richmond (1760m), arriving at 9.30 to wonderful
360 views.
We dodged our first nasty spaniards and nibbled
on sweet snowberries. Another wonderful day in
paradise.
The party then split, with Rae heading back to the hut after her hour or
two hard slog. Chris had to later leave us when we hit the ridgeline near
Johnston Peak. Chris and Rae had the most important job of retrieving
the bus for our pick up on Te Rou Rd the next day.
A group discussion around this time, 11.00, meant a change in plans for
the rest of us.
Bearing in mind the pending wet weather forecast and a heightened
belief in our mountain climbing competency we thought “Rather than
34heading down to Mt Fell Hut for lunch, let’s conquer Mt Fell today while
we are at it.”
And that’s just what we did. A baby goat got
mismothered in this activity and thought for
a while that we were her new mountain
family. She might have been attracted to
the smell!
An hour took us to the top of Mt Fell with
plenty of peak gazing, peak photography,
peak identifying, all intermittently
interrupted by fluffy white clouds spilling in
and out and over ranges and into valleys
below.
Mt Fell Hut was another clean well-
appointed hut with a few opting once again
for the privacy of their own abodes.
Day Three
We were now one day ahead of
ourselves – meaning we had a day
up our sleeves to explore Kaikoura.
The promise of coffee, food and a
shower was enough to lure us in
with a spring in our step and a song
in our heart.
The sign said 6hrs, a confused hut
message said 7hrs but we bounced
down in 4½ hrs.
Perhaps it was the thought of one
of Rae’s many Kaikoura whanau
who owned a pub and the promise of an ice cool beer.
An early lunch, a river wash and we were reunited once again with our
trusty bus driver and co-pilot.
A furry baby seal-viewing stop along the magnificently newly formed
coastal highway had us oohing and aahing and arriving at our destination,
the Top 10 Holiday Park, around 3.00pm in time for a much deserved
afternoon beer.
35PART 3: TWO NIGHTS ON MT FYFFE
by Chris Burnett
Having spent two nights in Kaikoura getting cleaned up and fed after the
ups and downs of the Richmond Ranges, we pointed Big Blue towards Mt
Fyffe, a few kilometres inland across the coastal plain.
This hill is at the apex of a long ridge sloping steadily up from the starting
point in the south. There is flat spot along the ridge line where we
understood that Mt Fyffe Hut was situated. The ridge is easily visible from
anywhere in Kaikoura.
Mt Fyffe hut is about 1,100 metres above sea level, a steady climb up a
formed four wheel drive road from the car park. The hut has 8 bunks, a
type of design that is common in this part of the country with plenty of
spots for camping nearby.
There are number of plusses about this spot. It is a fairly easy walk up a
track which is more like a road. The weather in this part of the world is
generally fine and at the lower end of
the precipitation scale. There are
fantastic views both east and west,
along the coast and up the mountain
at sunrise and sunset.
There is any amount of firewood close
at hand which is only a bonus in cold
weather as the wood is sourced from
thousands of hectares of wilding
pines. They are a shocking blight over
the area.
We made the hut quite early in the
day. At the end of 10 days walking, to prove the point that tramping is not
just about walking, there seemed to be a consensus to spend some hours
sitting, staring over the land and sky.
There was a colourful sunset slowly forming as we snapped a few images
for the “Cloud Appreciation Society”.
It is only a couple of hours to the summit of Mt Fyffe from the hut and
our considerate leader scheduled this ascent for the following day.
The track to the summit was an even uphill haul, our last one of the trip.
It was not terribly taxing after our previous day of partial indolence but
we had a longer day planned that was to end at Kowhai Hut on a rough
off-track route.
36You can also read
