Kahurangi Keepers House is a DoC hut situated in a remote, beautiful location near the Kahurangi lighthouse on the far north of the West Coast. Access by land is either a multi-day bush bash from the Heaphy track via the Ministry of Works hut or a 3 to 4.5 hour beach walk from the north. … Read more
The secret society of Central Whirinaki Hut left no evidence behind of their esoteric full moon ritual. While the Waikato vegan tramping club did catch a glimpse of our trip leader yodelling a particular song, no suspicion was raised as that group was busy fishing – catch and release, of course – or were they … Read more
Having had my West Coast dreams crushed by the wet weather over the Christmas break, I was waiting for a fine spell to do something local but interesting, which presented itself in the form of a Carkeek SK (Schormann’s-Kaitoke) with a twist in the first week of January. Several people in the club had been … Read more
While we had originally hoped to packfloat down the Waiohine river, a stormy couple of days earlier in the week and light rain in the forecast meant that we had to turn our minds to Plan B in the Ruahines. After last minute sickness in the group, only Tayla and I pitched our tents at … Read more
🎵What a way to start a medium tramp on a Thursday, cruiiiiising on the Interislander (okay it was the Bluebridge), sailing to the other side. After the ferry dropped our crew of 13 (including James’ MF group) in Picton, we grabbed a bite to eat from one of the many fine dining establishments in town. … Read more
The plan for the weekend was a Waipakihi Hut loop – heading in over Urchin and following the Waipakihi River to the hut on Saturday then out via the Umukarikari Range on Sunday. A perfect mix of tops and river travel. While this was a medium trip, I’d indicated to the group that we were … Read more
With a red warning storm on the doorstep, we barrelled out to the Tararuas early on Saturday to go for a wander. Heeding the forecast, we adjusted plans slightly to avoid getting drenched and battered, opting for a day mish, inevitably followed by a warm shower and cozy bed at home. We arrived at Holdsworth … Read more
Two groups were heading to Waipakihi Hut in the Kaimanawa Forest this weekend: the EM group (seven members) travelling via the Umukarikari Track, and the M trip (five members) going in along the Waipakihi River. We all met at the railway station and were on the road shortly after 4:30pm on Friday. With light traffic, … Read more
This trip started on the Thursday afternoon with just two of us from the original five after unfortunate incidents and accidents meant the other three could no longer come. James and I were still keen to get out and explore some new country in the Raglan range, so after an afternoon ferry and dinner at … Read more
The trip was scheduled as going to Nina Hut and Manson Nicholls Hut in Lewis Pass. However the huts were booked by early December so we considered alternative trips and camping rather than overnighting in huts. We met Thursday afternoon at the railway station and then caught the ferry, driving on to Murchison for the … Read more