Trip 2484: Mt Pihanga via Rotopounamu & Mt Tihia

Weekend;  12th & 13th October

In keeping with the theme this year we will be very close to a hot pool. Tokaanu was established as a major stopover on the Grand Tour stage coach run from Wanganui to Taupo in the 1800s. Our intention is to camp at a caravan park in Tokaanu where there may be an option to twin share cabins at $28/person/night so make your bookings early. We will leave on Friday night and, depending on the weather, head off to Lake Rotopounamu on Saturday morning. This gem is on the Te Ponanga saddle on SH 47 between Turangi and Lake Rotoaira. We will find a route from the loop track around the lake to the summit of Mt Pihanga, 1325m. On the other day we will do a relatively easy walk from the same road but head in a westerly direction towards Mt Tihia, 1165m. We did this lovely walk a few years ago as part of John Wilson's Daisy picker trips. We found some cages along the way that were probably protecting Dactylanthus sites. Great views from the top too.

Transport cost:

Trip 2483 Kaimai's: Thompson to Tuahu -a piece of Alan’s journey

Sunday 6th October

Thompson’s Track is an old country road track used exclusively by 4WD enthusiasts (negotiable on foot some would say only with the use of stilts).  It is not really that bad but it can be muddy!  This is our starting point and the track climbs to the top of the Kaimai Range where it crosses the North/South track.  From this junction we head north – at first through old farm land and regenerating bush mixed with pine trees; then into proper bush, all the time following the undulating main Kaimai range. There are some steep ascents and descents, one of which is negotiated with the assistance of a 9 metre vertical steel ladder!  There are also a number of fascinating rocky outcrops.  Eventually the N/S track is intersected by the Tuahu track and we will exit from that point, drop down to the west where we will meet our waiting transport. This is one of the more interesting sections of the N/S track and I totally recommend it as a great one day tramp -see our Facebook site for photos!

Transport cost:

Photo Competition Results

Weekend of 28th & 29th September

Rangitoto Station; Kokako country

The Rangitoto station south east of Otorohanga is owned by the NZ Forest Restoration Trust. A huge effort has gone into predator control and as a result the area is renoun for its Kokako population. Come and walk the tracks of the area, hear the dawn chorus, and weather permitting we may camp out near Kokako nesting areas. 

Leader:  Alan Wickens                  Ph: 07 871 8805                   Grade:  E/M

Transport cost: $40-50 Senior members, $55 junior members, $50-60 for non-members

Sunday 22nd September

Wairongomai Double: Fit trip around the Pylon loop, Easy trip around the Kauri grove loop.

The plan is to have two groups walking;

The Medium/Fit group will do the Pylon loop, which goes up the Wairongomai valley to the ridge overlooking the Waitawheta valley and out to the Bay of Plenty. This group then traverses the old North/South track that has not been maintained for several years - "bush bashing" with guiding triangles. The group will descend into the Wairongomai down the Pylon ridge and pass the Kauri grove.

The Easy/Medium group will travel up the Wairongomai valley to a point where they cross the stream and climb the ridge as far as the Kauri grove. They will return by a different track back to the car park.

Leader:  John McArthur                   Ph:  8564394                   Grade:  M/F and E/M

Transport cost: $20-25 Senior members, $15 junior members, $25-30 for non-members

Mountain Trip                    14/15 September

This is a weekend that will suit everyone! We travel down to Ruapehu by bus on Friday night, then walk 20 minutes from the Top of The Bruce to our wonderful newly renovated lodge with the best bunk rooms on the mountain.  

This weekend is yours to do what you like be it skiing, snow boarding, tramping, climbing or relaxing in the comfort of the lodge. If the weather is good there will be some form of ski competition and also we may do a tramp to the Tama Lakes for those that want to.

 Sit by the fire, enjoy a mulled wine and a roast dinner in the evening and you won’t want to leave!!

Leader:  Jacqui Dick       Ph:  825 2045         E:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.       Grade:  Fun / Easy

This will be another chance to check out Noel Sandford’s boardwalk on Pirongia.  The plan is to go in from Te Tahi Road and across to Hihikiwi and on to Pahautea Hut  (weather permitting there will be some good view points to be had) and from there to the summit (more good views).  We will probably come out at the Grey Road exit but maybe down the Tahuanui Track to the Kaniwhaniwha Stream.

It will be a good chance to check out again the Te Tahi Road section of the track as D.O.C. have not been maintaining this for some while now. It was, however, reasonably clear on our last trip along it.

There is a possible alternative easier outlet for those who may not feel up to doing the full trip. This would involve bailing out before Hihikiwi down to the Pirongia West Road. This is a section of track that has been cleared by DOC as an alternative to the Te Tahi Road Track and forms part of the Te Awaroa Trail.

Map: BE33 Hamilton

Leader:  Alan Wilson et al      Ph:  07 8288727             Grade:  E/M or  M/F

Cost (Approx): Senior mem $20        Senior non-mem $25          Junior mem $10

View Larger Topographic Map 

Think inland Taranaki hill country for this tramp; it will probably be wet and cold, and most definitely slippery under foot. These two tracks almost form a loop in rugged cutover land not far from Whangamomona on the Forgotten Highway. So there will be farmland, second growth bush plus waterfalls, creeks and lots of papa.

Details not confirmed yet but will be something like this. Friday night camp at Tongaporutu on the coast. Sat, after about a 30min van ride we will begin a day walk of about 5 hours on a largely benched track, at the end of which we will be met by the van which will take us to a campsite a few kilometres down the road. Sunday will be another day walk of similar length to be met by the van , then home early evening.

Unfortunately most alternative tracks in the area are closed at this time due to lambing, but if the weather is really bad we could always hole up at the pub in Whangamomona!

Leader:  Keith Robbins                       Ph:  8536921                       Grade:  M

Cost: Senior mem $55-70        Senior non-mem $65-80         Junior mem  $35-40