REWA’S RIDGE NATIONAL PARK 17 APRIL 2024. Just a couple of weeks ago the Saturday walkers from our tramping clubs did this trip, but this time the weather was partly cloudy and at times there was a light drizzle. We left the Fisher’s Road car park at 9-10am and many members helped carry the buckets of gravel to the pick-up and drop off stations. We had morning tea at the ‘Taranaki Lookout’ but Mt Taranaki was hiding in cloud. We arrived at the Tupapakurua Falls lookout at 11-00am for a quick look at the waterfall and then started our steep off track climb up onto Rewa’s Ridge. The wet conditions highlighted the green mosses and ferns as we made a slow steady climb looking out for blue markers. At 12-02pm we sat down on the wet ground for our lunch with a limited view across to the top of an adjacent bush ridge.  After lunch we carried on enjoying our own world, following bush instincts without DOC signs, steps, or notices. It was the reason for us to come and enjoy the ridge walk untouched by tourism. At the final stage of our off track walk we encountered wind-fall trees forcing us to detour several times. At 2-30pm we got back onto the formed Tupapakurua fall’s track back to the carpark. It was well timed, for as we drove off from the carpark at 3pm heavy rain came in. Those, on the trip were: 15 members of the Whanganui Tramping Club and from our Taumarunui Club, Barbara, and Peter. PP

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REWA’S RIDGE NATIONAL PARK 6 APRIL 2024. This is the first time our Tramping Clubs have attempted this trip. We left the Fisher’s Road car park at 9am and went onto the well formed Tupapakurua Falls track. Spaced evenly along the track were nine bucket pickup & drop-off stations. Some of our group helped carry half full buckets of metal for track maintenance. The most outstanding effort went to Earl, who carried one bucket the full 3Km to the falls. We had morning tea at the Taranaki Lookout with views of, would you believe… Mt Taranaki. We arrived at the Tupapakurua Falls lookout at 10.50am where one half of our group made the steep descent to the bottom of the waterfall while the others relaxed in the sun. We all had lunch together then at 12-30pm we started our steep off track climb up onto Rewa’s Ridge where it levelled out to an easier grade. It became a slow comfortable bush walk. Everyone helped spotting old plastic markers which ensured we were going in the right direction. We came across some blue fungi (Werewere-kokako) which encouraged photos to be taken. Views of surrounding area were limited by the thick bush. As we got the top end of Rewa’s ridge we came across some old logging skids. At 3pm we got back onto the formed track back to the carpark. This 8Km six-hour trip, I feel, will become a favourite as it provides a loop circuit with the easy formed track leading to two lookouts and a return off track of a moderate grade.  Those on the trip from the Wanganui Club were: Viv, Denise, Erwin, Mark, David, Mike and from the Taumarunui Club:  Hamish, and Peter. PP

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MANGATEPOPO 16 MARCH 2024 1100M. Four trampers travelled in one car to the start of the Tongariro Crossing arriving at Mangatepopo at 9.20 am. We were met with of bus-loads of people ready to start the track like us. As we progressed up the trail the wind started and it turned out bitterly cold and we had to put on hats, gloves, and coats, to ward off the cold. There were long lines of people and queues for the toilets. There were a variety of nationalities and clothing. We had lunch at Mount Ngauruhoe saddle at 11.30am 1700. The track was in excellent condition considering the sheer numbers of people using it. After lunch, we headed towards the central crater for a look, then at 12.20 we headed back. We arrived back at Mangatepopo at 2.40pm. Total walking distance 14ks. Really enjoyed by all walkers Michael & Renata, Peter, Jenny. JD

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HUKAROA 10 MARCH 2024. Hukaroa is high hill overlooking Raetihi where from the top there are views extending to the horizon in every direction. The climb to the top was our objective for the day. We set off on a well-formed metal farm road passing green paddocks and though a tunnel of leafy popular trees. It started off as an easy grade but then became a steep assent giving our lungs a good work out. Every step taken gave us a more extensive view of the local farmland. Under the circumstances we made good time and our morning tea stop at 10am was just 25 minutes short of our destination. It was warm and sunny making our rest break very comfortable with clear views to the west with Mt Taranaki in the distance. With one more steep climb up the road, we arrived at the Hukaroa Trig (792M) at 11am with the 360degree views as promised.   We had climbed 350M from our starting point far below, the distance of 4.5Km. Near the trig, tall radio masts and radio equipment buildings were scattered around the flat plateau.  A man-made landmark.  Flying ants encouraged us to make our way down for a less invasive lunch spot under the shade of some trees. We had a peaceful scene looking across to a rusty corrugated iron shed and close by, grazing cattle. The downhill walk to our cars was made in good time. We set off in our vehicles back to Raetihi where we did a short local loop walk off Ameku Road to a hill top picnic table. From there we had views of Hukaroa and the radio masts where had been a few hours earlier.  Our return route took us passed a working sawmill back to our vehicles. The suggestion of doing the Raetihi River Trail was quickly squashed in favour of having an ice cream. Fine sunny weather and walks with a variety of interests made it an enjoyable day for everyone. Those on the trip were seven from the Whanganui Tramping Club and from the Taumarunui Tramping Club - Jenny, Barbara, Sharyn, Hamish, Michael, Renata and Peter. PP

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URCHIN TRIG 1392M, KAIMANAWA FOREST PARK 2 MARCH 2024.  From the Urchin car park 9.30am in perfect walking conditions, we made a steady climb on a well-formed track through a beautiful beech forest. We passed large beech trees towering above us while at ground level there were carpets of ferns, mosses and fungi. The leafy track provided easy walking until we came to tree roots and some high-step-ups requiring the use of our walking poles for stability. We had morning tea in a bush setting with soft ledges to sit on. A steady pace progressed us upwards and at 11.40am we emerged above the bush line to be greeted with unique views looking towards the ridges above the Waipakahi River. Below we could see power pylons beside the desert road with cars and trucks, and in the distance the mountains of the Tongariro National Park, Lake Rotoaira and Lake Taupo. Distance haze and cloud obscured the views in the direction of Mt Taranaki. At 12 noon we arrived at the Urchin Trig 1392M.  It was a 560M climb from the car park. A great achievement for our group. It was the first time for 4 of our members. Apart from the flying ants it was a comfortable lunch in warm temperatures and a gentle wind. We set off at 12-45pm arriving back at the cars just after 2pm. A much faster trip going down. We called in and walked over the Pillars of Hercules Swing Bridge then headed home. Those on the trip were: Jill, Annie, Wallis, Michael and Renate, Sue, Jenny, Barbara, Hamish, and Peter. PP

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TE MARIE 24 FEBRUARY 2024. We started off with 4 trampers leaving town at 9am. It was quite warm walking and we were soon taking layers off. The stream was low, due to very little rain, and we did not get our feet wet, as we rock hopped. We walked the track anti clockwise so we could all experience the track going a different way around which was well worth it. The track was in excellent condition as it was completely dry - thanks to the locals with the trimming back of ferns, it is a beautiful walk. We broke the walk up by stopping at the top for a drink then headed off down the other side. Enjoyed by all.  Walkers were Sue, Sharyn, Peter, and Jenny (leader) JD

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HAUHANGATAHI FROM ERUA 17 FEBRUARY 2024. The fine sunny weather provided a perfect day for this attempt to climb to the top of Hauhangatahi from Erua. At 9-10am we set off from a car park off SH4 and followed the railway line for to the start of the bush track. We had 200m of gorse, flax and tea tree to negotiate before entering the bush and onto the ridge leading to the top of the bush line. We had a difficult job trying to find the old track and what was left of the markers. Members tied red and pink tape to mark our track as we progressed up. At 10-30am we had morning tea and we were only just over half way the top of the bush line. The slow steady climb was comfortable through beautiful beech forest with the occasional wind fall and bush lawyer to negotiate.  At 12noon we were above the bush line and had a rough track to follow marked in places with poles. At 12-45pm we made it to a high point at 1220M and had lunch with clear views looking west. A decision was made to turn around at this point as we still had at least one hour to reach the Hauhangatahi Summit. At 1-30pm we made the return tramp with Lydia and Heather doing a great job of being track and marker spotters. On the way down they found part of the main track which we had missed coming up. Even with the track marked it took us 3 hours to get back to the car park. Those on the trip were 11 members of the Whanganui Tramping Club and from the Taumarunui club Jill, Hana, Annie, Barbara, and Peter. PP

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SIGLEY FALLS 10 FEBRUARY 2024. The wet forecast for the day never eventuated. Instead, we had sunny skies and perfect walking conditions under the canopy of the beech forest in the Rangataua Conservation area on the south side of Mt Ruapehu. After driving our vehicles as far as we could go up the forestry Road from the Karioi Station Road, we started our walk toward the Sigley Falls. At first it was a metal road on a steady uphill grade. Once off the metal road and onto a trap line track, we had a thick layer of beech leaves making walking comfortable. The sunlight highlighted the beech forest with old tree stumps covered in green moss and beside the track fungi and ferns of many varieties were spotted. We left the trap line and made an untracked heading towards to Sigley Falls 800m away. The going was slow but steady climbing over moss covered fallen trees, avoiding bush lawyer and the odd hook grass seeds. When we could hear the falls, we followed the edge of a steep 25m drop off that ended in the Mangaehuehu stream below the 20m Sigley Falls. Our first glimpse of the falls was an obscured view in between the branches of overhanging trees. As we made our along, the views improved and the falls revealed themselves framed with rocks and beech forest. Finally, we turned a corner and were above the falls on smooth rocks with the stream swirling around before making the plunge below. This was our well-deserved 12.40pm lunch stop. For me it was the thrill of getting to the falls that I had for a long time only seen it as a name on a map. After lunch we returned to the trap line and followed it back to the metal road that continued for a few more Kms and then turned off onto another trap line for a change of scenery. The trap line returned us to the metal road which was a short distance from our vehicles. It was a long day - we did 25.1Km in 7 hours 43 minutes.  Those on the walk were Peter Finucane (trip leader/guide) Shane, Bridget, Mark, Adrian, and Lydia from the Whanganui Tramping Club and from the Taumarunui Club: Sue, Barbara and Peter. PP

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TANGARAKAU WEEKEND 26,27,28,29 January 2024. This was a combined club trip with the Whanganui Tramping using the “Bushlands” motor camp as our base. Everyone arrived at the motor camp Friday evening where Jo the camp owner gave us a warm welcome and gave us an interesting account of the Tangarakau history. At 8-15am on Saturday morning we set off in light rain to do the walk to the Red Hut. It was a 1.5Km walk along the railway line to the first tunnel where we started our slippery muddy bush tramp beside a stream past an old railway water supply dam. It was slow going, climbing up over and under fallen trees. A rope had to be used to help climb down a slippery bank and across a papa rock face.     Once back on the track, conditions improved and we eventually got onto the main ridge where we had morning tea looking down onto the railway line that ran between two tunnels. At 10-30am we reached the 4W drive track leading to the hut.  We had a downhill section that levelled out then after crossing a stream a couple of times made a steady climb getting us to the Red Hut at 12 noon. We had short lunch in the light rain before returning the way we came, arriving at the camp at 4pm after a 13km tramp.

Thankfully, the weather cleared overnight and at 8-45am the following morning we walked along the railway line to do Macs 6Km loop track. At the start of the track steps lead up a hill through “ditches” dug out to reduce the grade. All the track work was done by a 90+ year old man who lived there about 15 years ago. It was an amazing feat for someone of that age. The track levelled out and sidled around the contours of the hills in lovely native bush. After reaching farmland we had a short climb to the highest point where we had morning tea. It was then downhill all the way back to the motor camp on a farm track. As we approached the camp at 11-30am the rain started to fall. During lunch the heavy rain encouraged all but 4 trampers to stay at the camp for a restful afternoon in the dining area and in front of a campfire. The 4 keen trampers did a 5Km return walk up a farm valley towards a high hill called Pouatu. Down the right-hand side of the valley meandered a small stream with dense native bush growing up  the other side. At the end of the valley, we stopped and turned back at a boundary fence where bush on the other side led up to Pouatu. At this stage the heavens opened and it never stopped raining as we blindly made our way back to camp drenched and happy to be back.

Thankfully, the rained cleared overnight, we set off at 8-32am for an easy 3Km walk to the canyon. The farm track followed the Tangarakau River which was still high after the torrential rain yesterday which formed amazing waterfalls for great photo opportunities. At the Canyon the high colourful bluffs leading down to green pasture with 10 semi-wild horses make a spectacular scene of remoteness and a feeling of peace and a special place. After returning to the camp for lunch, we packed up our gear for the return trip home, taking many memories of an enjoyable weekend. Those taking part from the Whanganui Tramping Club were: Dorothy, Denise, Kay, David, John, Edwin, Lyndsay, Linda, Shane, Johnny and Cherry. From the Taumarunui Club were Sue, Jan, Sharyn, Jill, Barbara, Annie, Mark and Peter. PP

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GOAT MARSHALLING 19,20 JANUARY 2024. After an overnight stay at Venturer Lodge Ohakune we set off in two cars to drive 15km up Turoa Road to the mountain track car park.  On arrival we were greeted by unpleasant windy and wet drizzly rain. On went rain jackets, over trousers and head gear. This was the marshalling position for Jenny and Sharyn and they spent the day in their hi-tech wet weather gear. The remainder of us made our way down the mountain track to our marshalling positions. As we got to the cascades, the cloud lifted and revealed spectacular views of the mountain. Darryn, Mark and myself made the steep climb down beside the cascades, rain had made the rock surfaces very slippery so it was a cautious descent. The first of 581 runners arrived at our marshalling point near the Mangaturuturu Hut at 10-28am doing 14km in 90 minutes.  The day was a busy one giving encouragement to all the competitors. Mark handed out 1kg of gummy lollies before running out. The competitors this year had very few medical problems. Mark and Annie had only to deal with a few minor cramps, others had minor cuts and scratches but did not stop for treatment. The weather cleared with only a few light showers of rain with mainly sunshine for the rest of the day having to lather on sunscreen. We had to wait for the last “runner” to pass our marshalling points which meant we were all late getting off the mountain and getting to the Powderhorn Restaurant for our BBQ dinner. We had to quickly change into clean clothes after a long sweaty day without having a shower -to get there before the food ran out, A very special credit goes to our team providing support to the GOAT competitors.   They were Jenny, Sharyn, Barbara, Annie, Wallis, Darryn, Mark, Peter F. and Peter P. PP

 

BURNARD RD 12 JANUARY 2024. A beautiful day with just enough cloud cover to stop us getting fried, 8 members came on the walk which began 9am from town and as this trip was very local, we were walking by 9.30am. The walk was planned as a relaxed leisurely day and a quiet lead in after the Christmas break so the pace was unrushed.  As we passed the land owners house, we were suddenly confronted by a young magpie who then promptly accompanied us for the next kilometer, it turned out the owner’s children had hand raised it and named it Margie and fortunately they came and rescued it or it would have followed us for the entire walk. We were soon on the river flats under a shady tree but it was too early for morning tea so we forfeited it and with the day warming up followed the Whanganui River upstream, the water level was quite low leaving us plenty of rock hopping opportunities.  Eventually we were forced up from the water’s edge by the river then followed a farm access track to a set of yards and being slightly elevated gave good views of the river and the railway line above it snaking towards Kakahi.  A stream crossing too wide to jump across and muddied by cattle split us up with some taking the plunge and the rest of us taking the longer route over the culvert before regrouping at the cabin for an early leisurely lunch. Before eating Jill and Sharyn chose to cool off in the river which they announced to be cold getting in but lovely and refreshing once wet, the rest of us had lunch in a great little annex area and the land owner had even put out a vase of flowers for us – so accommodating!!! Unfortunately, the day had now warmed up with very little breeze and we now had to leave the river’s edge and head across the paddocks before starting the climb up over the ridge, there was then the option of climbing higher to the very top for views of the district and everyone opted for the extra climb which was worth the effort.  Then it was an easy downhill all the way back to the vehicles by 1pm. Those on the walk were Sharyn, Jill, Daryn, Graham, Peter, Helen, Jenny, Barbara Ed

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