SILICA RAPIDS 17 May 2025. Eight trampers, set out for a pleasant walk to view the Silica Rapids, on Mt Ruapehu, the Taumarunui contingent meeting up with 4 others at the Chateau. As we had multiple cars we were able to shuttle up from the chateau so we did not have to walk the Bruce Road section. We walked into the Rapids from Bruce Road across tussock covered lava flow. There were quite a lot of steps to negotiate. It was overcast but we could see the sun in the distance and it was not too cold. We had morning tea standing up at the Rapids lookout. We then walked the mostly downhill section through beech forest and over swamps on boardwalks. It was too overcast for even a glimpse of the mountain. Total distance about 6km. Back to Whakapapa village where most of us ate our lunch on the Tussocks cafe's deck while Mark, Lucy and Tim fetched the cars back. Walkers were: Mark, Sue, Jan, Helen, Brenda, Doreen, Tim & Lucy. SB

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PINNACLE MOUNT RUAPEHU 29 MARCH 2025. It was a 9am start from the Whakapapa Village on the Chateau ridge track. The early morning sun shone horizontally through the alpine trees with a display of moving lights and shadows. After reaching the picnic table we went off track making a steady climb through knee high vegetation then onto rocky slopes. After an hour we had morning tea on a ridge that was covered in what looked like patches of snow.   It was an alpine plant called vegetable sheep (Raoulia Eximia) as it resembles woolly sheep from a distance.    This fascinating plant forms dense cushion-like mats. The views looking back were extensive.  Mount Taranaki could be seen tucked to one side of Hauhangatahi. Looking up in front of us was Mount Ruapehu covered in cloud that was coming down to the bottom of the Pinnacle rocks for our day’s objective. Another hour of steady climbing got us to a high point of 1476M. Cloud had come over the Pinnacles so we decided not to go any further as we wouldn’t get the views we wanted. We were about 800M and a 200M altitude climb short of our objective. After a quick lunch we made our way down a steep ridge to the Wairere Stream. We could see in the distance the suns reflection off a manmade structure which couldn’t identify.  (Later we found out it was the toilet at the Taranaki / Tama Lakes turn off) The Wairere stream provided us with a great display of waterfalls, glacier worn rocks and the soothing sound of bubbling water. Once back on the Around the Mountain Track we took the Taranaki Falls loop track back to the Chateau. The forecasted rain started and on went our rain gear. We arrived back at the car at 3pm. A 6hour 10Km round trip.  Those on the trip were Jenny and Peter. PP

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​TANGARAKAU WEEKENDER 21-23 MARCH 2025. It was advertised as a weekend of easy walks at the scenic location of the Bushlands Motor Camp. In the end, only 2 members took part. We travelled to the motor camp on Friday afternoon in time to set up our tent site for our accommodation. On Saturday morning we drove 30minutes to the start of the 17Km Moki track. It was a road built in the 1920s for farming development but as with other areas, it was abandoned in the 1950s. For the first 2Km the old road crossed farmland to an old hunter’s hut. From there we entered Tawa Forest following the Waitara River. There were many wind-falls across the track providing many obstacles to negotiate. The track was narrow with some slippery papa rock and we crossed over 3 swing bridges with 20M vertical drops over narrow creeks. Having walked 7.5Km until 12-30pm it was time for lunch perched on the leafy ground beside the 3rd bridge and returned the same way. On Sunday we did an easy hour and half walk up a beautiful farm valley with a stream and a backdrop of green native forest. We returned to the Motor Camp for lunch then did a new walk to a high point overlooking the old Tangarakau township area. During the weekend the motor camp was quiet with just a few very friendly campers and a family stopping in one of the cabins. There was no internet access so people had time to chat to each other. One hunter very generously gave us 4 venison legs to take home. We enjoyed the easy weekend of walks without the usual organising and deadlines. Those attending: Barbara and Peter. PP

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KURATAU WALK 15 MARCH 2025. 8 trampers for this walk leaving town at 8.30amand meeting up with 2 of the group at the Omori Store. We started our walk at the Kuratau River mouth by 9.30am to lovely weather and not too hot. We followed the lake shore all the way in excellent condition with the birdsong and beautiful views of the lake. We stopped for morning tea on the shore watching the boats coming in and out of the boat ramp. We then carried on to Pukawa and once there sat for a short rest to then turn around carrying on the same track back to the Omori steps taking us to a family home where we ate our lunch at 12midday. Returning back to the cars we followed the road down to the river mouth. Finishing at 1.30pm. A wonderful 4 hour walk through lovely native bush - approx 10ks. Enjoyed by: Peter, Michael, Renate, Barbara, Sharyn, Helen, Greg & Jenny. JD

 

Te Maire Walk 15th February 2025.

We had 5 walkers for this walk. Peter, Jenny, Barbara, Michael & Renata. Peter, Jenny & Barbara went by car out to the track leaving at 1pm. Michael & Renata biked all the way there, joined us on the walk then biked home again. The stream crossing was no problem as the stream was a trickle. So it was nice not to get wet feet, like previous times.

The track was in excellent condition and it was lovely and cool on the track with a nice breeze at the top. We proceeded from the car to the top in half an hour with no stops, so we were pretty pleased with our progress, then had our break at the top and a chat. We then arrived back at the car in 1hour 10 minutes. We watched Michael & Renata setting off then headed for home. Enjoyed by all.   Jenny.

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Club BBQ at Taringamutu Tuesday 11th February 2025.   Thunder storm rain cleared at 5pm for our 5-30pm BBQ. The weather may have put a lot of members off in coming so only 6 turned up. The clouds cleared and we had comfortable evening beside the Taringamutu Stream which was higher than usual due to the afternoon rain. I like the venue as it is private and has a nice quiet bush setting beside a rocky stream. Those present were Jill, Jenny, Sue, Jan, Mike and myself Peter

 

​WHANGANUI WEEKEND TIP 24 – 27 JANUARY 2025. We had the privilege of being hosted by the Whanganui Tramping to explore their tramping area. We all meet up at the Boys and Girls Gym Centre on Friday afternoon where there was bunk room accommodation. Saturday 8.30am we set off in two Whanganui Tramping Club vans for 1hour 40minute drive on NZs longest no exit road up the remote Waitotara Valley north east of Whanganui.   We had a variety of scenery as we followed the river with bush and farmland. At our destination, we started our tramp on an old road that was built in 1894. It was a steady climb passing farmland into beech forest then back into a pine plantation as we made our way down to Lake Mangawhio. Graeme from the Whanganui Tramping Club had arrived in his vehicle using another access road to meet us for lunch. We had a pleasant surprise as he had a BBQ set up with sausages and buttered bread supplied for us. It was so unexpected. The lake just a few hundred metres further down the road, was in a very scenic bush setting. Graeme explained that in 2015 after a major flood, the lake burst its bank and now it is now 8M lower. Graeme also talked about the history of the area and had old photos to show how things had changed. After lunch we returned to our vehicles by the same track taking us to a total tramping distance of 19.3 Km. Dorothy put a star 5star dinner at her home for our two clubs. Sunday morning 8am we again set off in two vans to visit the Manawatu Gorge Track. The weather was unsettled with drizzle. After arriving at the car park, we admired the construction of the new road bridge and the work surrounding it. There were new toilets and information boards for the walkers on the tracks. The gorge bush walk was a steady climb much harder than the previous day with steps to negotiate. The thick canopy of the bush protected us from the rain and the track remained dry throughout the day. The bush had a wide variety of trees and vegetation including numerous Nikau Palms. As we drew closer to the top of the ridge, we could hear the Wind Turbines and from viewpoints we could catch a glimpse. 12-30pm was our lunch stop near a wind turbine and picnic table. We made good time returning to our vans giving a total tramping distance of 11Km. Dinner was at the St Johns Club. Monday morning 8-30am we visited the Durie hill tower via the tunnel and elevator. From there we did an easy walk along the Whanganui River Walkway followed by watching glass blowing at NZ Glassworks and looking at displays, then it was off to the Sarjeant Art Gallery and a Cafe.  Thanks go to the Whanganui Tramping Club for hosting a well organised weekend. Special thanks go to Dorothy and Shane who looked after us throughout the weekend. Also, Graeme who supplied us with the surprise lunch and his talk, the trip leaders and drivers for the Vans. A great weekend enjoyed by Sharyn, Mark, Jill, Annie, Sue, Barbara and myself Peter.   PP

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TANGARAKAU 11-12 JANUARY 2025. We set off with overnight packs from the Bushlands Motor Camp at Tangarakau at 8-30am with fine weather. The first Km was on the Okahukura Stratford Railway line to a tunnel. From here we turned off and climbed up a bush covered gully to a ridge that led us to a high point. From here we picked up an old NZ Electricity Department Power Pylon access track that led us into forest following shady moss-covered creeks then up a to the Red Hut built by the Ohura High School where we had lunch at 12pm. After lunch we started a descent back down the track to creeks where we topped up our water bottles. Most of us carried 3 to 4 litres of water because we were going to be on ridge tops until mid-afternoon the next day. We had to use the precious water sparingly for dinner, breakfast and lunch. From the creek it was another Km of uphill climbing to our overnight campsite with our extra load. We arrived at the hill top campsite at 4-30pm, an 8hour tramp.  The campsite was a grassy knob with amazing 360degree views. It was partially cloudy but we could see the Taranaki and the Tongariro mountains. Surrounding us, were ridges of native bush with spots of farmland seen on the horizon. After dinner Mark ran a Yoga session to ease some of our aches and pains. During the night moreporks were very vocal, calling out to their mates from both sides of the valleys. Bell birds made a beautiful and melodious chorus before sunrise.  We set off the next morning at 8-30am following untracked ridges that would eventually take us back the track near the Red Hut. The undulating ridge tops were over grown with ferns and windfall and so progress was slow. We relied on using local knowledge, map, compass, GPS and a smart phone app to get us in the right direction. There were very few landmarks. Spurs coming off the high points were confusing. A few errors were made which caused us to retreat. We missed the main ridge leading back to the Red Hut which meant sidling and climbing around steep terrain until we were back onto the ridge where we had a late lunch at 1pm. After lunch we followed the ridge until we spotted a power pylon which was our target to get back onto the main track. We arrived back at the Red Hut at 2-30pm where we had a break and finished off the last of our water until we could get down to the creek below, about 1 hour tramp away. We returned to the Bushlands Motor camp at 5-30pm following the same route that we had taken the previous day. It has been a while since our club has done an overnight tramping trip off track. This one provided everyone with challenges. It took us 18 hours to tramp 16Km over the two days. It was an experience to navigate the rugged terrain. It was a team effort to find our way.  For me it is a special place with its remoteness and quiet solitude. The hardy souls on this trip were Mark, Jill, Sue, Barbara and myself Peter.  PP

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