3279 - Kawekas

Kawekas 

6th-8th Feb 2027

The tramp is a loop from Camerons carpark/Kuripaango, off the Taihape-Napier Road with a mix of bush, open tops and river travel. This is a grade F trip as there is a lot of up and down and hiking a section of Ngaruroro River. The Ngaruroro River is a major river, popular with pack rafters, and needs to be crossed many, many times. Confidence with river crossings is essential. The river level will be monitored prior to leaving for the trip.

The huts are quite small and being a long weekend, tents are recommended, with camping available at all of the huts. Water needs to be carried on the first couple of days as nothing is available until at the huts. We will depart Friday night and stay at some accommodation enroute.

Day 1 - The starting point will depend on the transport available, but will involve a steep ascent onto the Kaweka Range and across to the high point at Kaweka J (1725m). Once on the range, the route is undulating across the open tops, then takes the spur  down to Back Ridge Hut (4 bunk).

Day 2 -  The  track heads across Sterns Saddle, then traverses along the open and scrub covered Back Ridge, followed by a very steep descent to Kiwi Mouth Hut. From Kiwi Mouth we join the Ngaruroro River and travel downstream for 3-4 hours, before coming to Cameron Hut positioned beside the river (6 bunks).

Day 3 - From the hut, we return to the river for approximately 3.5 hours until we reach Cameron carpark, then drive back to Hamilton.