Trip 2490 Tongariro NP: Tongariro Crossing

Weekend 16th & 17th November

Come along and enjoy one of New Zealand's greatest day walks.

Depart Friday evening, 7pm.  Stay 2 nights at Waikato Mountain Lodge, Whakapapa.

On Saturday we will complete the Tongariro Alpine Crossing.   The climb to the South Crater will be well rewarded with Mt Tongariro on our left and Mt Ngauruhoe on our right, then up to Red Crater to look towards the stunning Emerald and Blue lakes and great views of Lake Taupo.  It’s downhill from here towards Ketetahi Hut, through native forest and out to our waiting bus.  Today will require a moderate level of fitness for approximately 7-8 hours.

Saturday evening is an opportunity to relax at the Lodge and enjoy a delicious dinner with your fellow trampers.

On Sunday there will be several options of walks, including the Taranaki Falls, Silica Springs or Knoll Ridge Cafe for a coffee!

Cost covers transport from Hamilton, meals and accommodation.

This is a great opportunity to bring along friends and family who may wish to enjoy our mountain hideaway.

 Cost:

Trip 2489 Kaitarakihi peak

Sunday 10th November

This is a trip through beautiful Coromandel bush, starting north of the Kopu Hikuai road. The trip is along the Kaimai ridge approximately 4km from the carpark to the Kaitarakihi peak. The track rises approximately 450 metres with the last part being a steep 150 metres to the top, with the aid of a chain. Views from the top are tremendous. On the way back we will detour to view a large Kauri.

Transport cost:

There has been a change to the programme for tonight.  The presentation from DOC on native freshwater fish has been postponed to next year.  However, club member David Payne has kindly offered to present a selection of photos taken on a recent trip.

Trip 2488 Kaimai Mamaku: Hiwiroa

Sunday 3rd November

This track begins beside State Highway 5 between Rotorua and Tirau. After entering the Kaimai Mamaku Forest Park an old overgrown DOC sign announces the presence of the long disused Wood's Mill 5 min Loop Track.
The track leads to the old road which used to lead into the sawmill that was here until the 1940s. After about 15 mins you enter a clearing and can see remnants of the old mill. The track continues, following an old tramline, making easy walking through regenerating scrub and small clearings. You pass through a second mill site further along though there is little remaining here apart from some old wire rope buried by the side of the track. The track now descends into the Waiomou Stream which you can hear from some distance off. The track approaches the stream next to a small waterfall and from this point on the standard of the track deteriorates considerably.
The track is overgrown and sometimes obscured. It climbs very steeply from the stream and the bush here is of a very different nature. On this side of the stream it has not been milled and there are some beautiful stands of ancient Rimu. One gets the feeling of being in a very remote part of the Mamaku Plateau.
The track is through undulating country and then the route climbs gently but steadily to the top of Hiwiroa. One does not get feeling of climbing a hill and the only indication of arriving at the top is when you are surprised to see a small hut in the bush ahead of you. Despite the presence of a padlock, this hut is not locked. It is very small and damp and has one bunk. Lunch on the nearby helicopter pad. There are good views out to the west towards Mangatautari and east towards Ngongotaha. On a good day Mts Ruapehu and Ngauruhoe are visible as well. The top of the hill is dominated by a large communication mast, alongside which is a rock marking the true summit of Hiwiroa. The purists can risk life and limb by climbing a rickety wooden ladder placed on the rock. Return is by the same route. We will allow a good 7 hours for the trip.

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Trip 2487: Te Urewera - Ikawhenua range

Labour Weekend; 26th to 28th October

This will be a repeat of the infamous “Great Get Lost Trip” of ANZAC weekend 2005, but this time no getting lost-just a great trip!

We will travel to our starting point on Friday evening and pitch tents at the Black Road Lake Aniwhenua campsite and then move off early on to the Ohutu stream for the start of the tramping proper. Ohutu stream is a tributary of the Horomunga stream. 

Day one will see us up the Ohutu stream and over to Duckville hut, and day two will see us over to the Waihua hut via the Casino bivouac.  There will be a lot of river work, a climb each day and ridges to enjoy.  On the last day out there are some optional routes, one of which is through kokako territory.

This is a classical Te Urewera trip, not to be missed.  Tents are essential for Friday evening and most likely for Saturday and possibly Sunday as well.  Duckville hut in particular is small and there could well be hunters in occupation.

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Trip 2486: Te Hoe and Taupiri mountains                                  

Sunday 20th October

Although its highest point is officially 288 metres, Taupiri Mountain has been referred to colloquially as 300 metres (1000 feet) and thus is a useful “yardstick” by which to measure other mountains and hills we climb. Indeed, David, Payne, our current Tramper of Year, has been heard many a time to measure South Island climbs by saying that it 3 or 4 Taupiri mountains or suchlike. Taupiri is the sacred burial ground of Waikato Māori, and the summit is reserved for kings and queens. According to my research the track is well maintained and well marked with rest stops along the way. Most of the walk is uphill among native bush. A great look-out area is located at the top with amazing unforgettable views over Taupiri, local coal mines and the Waikato River. At the top we may sit/lie for a while staring at the clouds above dreaming that we too were kings and queens for just a short while.

The second part of the trip is a walk up nearby Te Hoe Mountain and along the range. I understand that the club hasn’t been here for about nine years. The walk we’ll take begins on the north side through some farmland before reaching the bush edge where we will probably have lunch. The farmer whose land we cross tells me the tracks in the bush are clear, the birdlife is good and we will see some large kauri. This section is a loop that should take about three hours with a visit to the trig and high points of 400-500 metres. 

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Trip 2485 Wild Card option: Mt Taranaki

Weekend 19th & 20th October

This trip will involve a last minute decision to do a fit tramp, John Davies is keen on Mt Taranaki. If you have the weekend free and are interested, please contact the leader. Further details follow. Weather will determine whether we go.

Transport cost:  

 We will travel by cars.

Planning trips for the summer of 2014