Transport logistics with driving up Tukino Road put a damper on our original plan to walk to Rangipō Hut and climb the east ridge of Ringatoto (a peak on Mt Ruapehu). But a lack of snow at Nelson Lakes National Park came to our rescue… Anne and Megan’s group diverted to Mt Ruapehu, so we … Read more
Top Gorge Hut – Ruahine Range A two-day hike to the seldom visited Top Gorge Hut in the Ruahine Range, including a route map. Top Gorge Hut is right in the middle of the Ruahine Range and doesn’t get many visitors because it’s not really on the route to anywhere in particular. Anne was very … Read more
Hiking in the Oxford Forest visiting Mt Oxford summit, Wharfedale Hut and Lower Salmon Biv The story of a three-day winter hike in the Oxford Forest with visits to the summit of Mt Oxford, Wharfedale Hut and Lower Salmon Biv, including a route map. There was a good weather window and I jumped at the opportunity to do a spontaneous … Read more
Benmore Hut and Sugarloaf Summit Loop –Korowai/Torlesse Tussocklands Park The story of a day hike to Benmore Hut in the Korowai/Torlesse Tussocklands Park and then on to the summit of Sugarloaf, including a route map. I had driven past Benmore Station a number of times and had also stumbled across a CTC trip report to … Read more
Nearly two years on from my last tramp, I thought it would be a great idea to get back into the bush — with an 11-hour trek up Mt Hector. No, this isn’t a tale of regret and sore muscles, but one of feeling reinvigorated through reuniting with tree roots and the rugged tops of the … Read more
Avalanche-Lyell-Bealey Loop The ‘Triple Crown’ in Arthur’s Pass National Park The story of a winter traverse along the Avalanche Peak Mt Bealey Ridge in Arthur’s Pass, including a route map. The Avalanche-Lyell-Bealey Loop had been something I had wanted to do for ages and there had once even been a race over Avalanche Peak but … Read more
With Alpine trips on the horizon, a basic snowcraft course was scheduled and Tiffany and Mike kindly stepped up to lead it. The course was highly oversubscribed, with only 8 spaces, so those of us who were selected were extremely appreciative. We all met at the club gear room on a Wednesday evening to cover … Read more
The Broken Axe Pinnacles Loop in the Tararua Range A two=day hike around the Broken Axe Pinnacles Loop in the Tararua Forest Park including a map of the route. The Broken Axe Pinnacles Loop is a fun trip in the Tararua Range. It is usually completed as a faster day trip, but sometimes as a slower … Read more
Holding on to your pantaloons on the Cass-Lagoon Saddle Track A hike around the Cass-Lagoon Saddle Track in Craigieburn Forest Park in early winter conditions and including a map of the route. Hold on to your pantaloons Tony and I found this written on a DOC track marker at a steeper and frozen section of … Read more
FridayThe weather leading up to the weekend had been sketchy, with persistent rain and more forecast. Our original plan was to head into the Kaimanawa Forest Park – camping at the road end on Friday and making the 7-hr trip to Waipakihi Hut on Saturday. However, with heavy rainfall in the area leading up to … Read more