Te Matawai Hut – Tararua Forest Park

This was my first club trip in a couple of years. I loved some of the changes and enjoyed how some things stayed the same. One change was I had never been on a trip before where on Saturday morning we stopped for baked goods and coffee – the goat curry pie was a winner. … Read more

Waiohine Gorge – Mid Waiohine to Totara Flats

Swimming the Waiohine Gorge on a day tramp from Mid Waiohine Hut to Totara Flats

Waiohine Gorge – Mid Waiohine to Totara Flats in the Tararua Range A day hike from Mid Waiohine down the spectacular river gorge to Totara Flats with lots of wading and many long swims. Waiohine Gorge – Mid Waiohine to Totara Flats A tramping trip down the Waiohine Gorge from Mid Waiohine Hut to Totora Flats in … Read more

Howletts Hut – Ruahine Forest Park

Saturday After camping overnight at ANZAC Park, Norsewood, on the Friday night, we drove down Kashmir Road to the Moorcock carpark (via coffee and breakfast treats at the excellent Café Norsewood – highly recommended!). The road sign isn’t kidding when it says steep gradient, and it took a couple of goes to get the car … Read more

The Three Kings – Tararua Forest Park

I am not a fan of the Barra Track. It is my least favourite part of the Tararuas. So as we started off from The Pines, I was wondering why I had planned a trip to visit The Three Kings. I still don’t really know the answer, but I’m happy I did because it made … Read more

‘Puggy-licious’ Waiopehu – Tararua Forest Park

We gathered at platform 9 on Saturday morning at 8 am and headed out to Poads Road end via a coffee stop at Paekākāriki. Our tramp began at 10 am and we spent the first 15 minutes or so trudging through very muddy paddocks to the start of the actual track. We took the most … Read more

Taking a Princess Bath: Transformation of the Sarahsaurus into a Princess 🛀

Looking down into the Waiau Valley from Mt Princess

Mt Princess – a climb to the Princess Bath 🛀 Taking a Princess Bath Soft snow on the way to the Princess Bath Transformation of the Sarahsaurus into a princess. Tony told me he knew of a mountain that could transform a rebel Sarahsaurus dinosaur into a princess and all she had to do was … Read more

Dorset Ridge – not even close

Dorset Ridge Not even close (Note: This trip report was posted pro tempore 3 years ago) With the Ruahine Crossing cancelled due to COVID level 2 restrictions, I managed to persuade a number of club members to come out on a private trip with me that had the goal of having a fun weekend out … Read more

Dorset, Tarn and Arete Forks Huts – Sarah goes Tararua hut bagging

Tararua Hut Bagging - Dorset, Tarn, arete forks huts

Dorset Ridge Hut, Tarn Ridge Hut, and Arete Forks Hut – Sarah goes Tararua hut bagging A 3 day hiking loop trip through the Tararua Range passing some seldom visited huts: Tarn Ridge, Dorset Ridge, and Arete Forks. In mid to late summer the Tararuas are at their vibrant best. Flowers brighten the higher-level slopes—there are … Read more

A Sparkly September Trip to Maniniaro / Angelus Peak – Nelson Lakes National Park

ThursdayWith the weather forecast and avalanche advisory aligning, we met to check in for the Interislander mid-Thursday afternoon sailing from Wellington to Picton. When aboard the almost empty ferry, we quickly got stuck in to maximising our chances to win the on-board prize draws that the Interislander staff were putting on to farewell their Supervisor. … Read more

Kiritaki Hut, Ruahine Forest Park

Kiritahu Hut Ruahine Forest Park

“It’ll be easy.”   Famous last words when we were trying to find a route around a gorge in Oruakeretaki Stream… On Saturday we left Kumeti campsite and started up Mangapuaka Stream for about 20 minutes before we came to the track on the true right. It was straight into a fairly steep climb. We … Read more