Marchant Ridge

Southern Crossing – Tararua Forest Park (from Otaki Forks)

by

Date: 10-12 Feb 2023.
Trip type: Tramp (M).
Location: Southern Crossing - Tararua Forest Park.
Author: Tracey.
Trampers: James W (leader), Tracey, Michael, Jozef.

Friday 10 February The Southern Crossing in the Tararuas has been on my to-do list for the last few years and when I saw it on the trip schedule for February, I did not hesitate to sign up for the walk. The plan was to have two groups of trampers do the Southern Crossing, with … Read more

Aborted Southern Crossing; Alpha Hut via Marchant Ridge. Return to Kaitoke via Omega Track and Tutuwai Hut

by

Date: 11-12 February 2023.
Trip type: Tramp (M).
Location: Alpha Hut, Marchant Ridge, Tutuwai Hut - Tararua Forest Park.
Author: Daniel.
Trampers: Natasha (leader), Amy, Eoin, Daniel.

I have been keen to complete the Southern Crossing after visiting Kime Hut in the snow last year. We had two groups completing the Southern Crossing; one from Otaki Forks to Kaitoke starting Friday afternoon, the other from Kaitoke to Otaki Forks starting first thing Saturday morning. I liked the concept of an early start … Read more

Alpha Hut via Marchant Ridge

by

Date: 12-13 December 2020..
Trip type: Easy-Medium.
Location: Tararua Forest Park.
Author: Raquel.
Trampers: Caryl (leader), Sara, Hai, Jane and Raquel.

On the way to Alpha Hut

Alpha Hut was our plan B, as we could not make the Southern Crossing happen due to the closing of the Otaki Forks road.  We met on Saturday bright and early at 6:30am at the train station, before driving to Kaitoke carpark (Kiwi Road end). We left around 7:45am and started walking in the beautiful … Read more

SK Main Range Traverse in sub-48 hours

by

Date:  8 - 10 February 2019.
Trip type: Fit Essential Tramp.
Location: Schormann ~ Kaitoke, Tararua Forest Park.
Author: Nick H.
Trampers: Nick (co-leader), Elisabet (co-leader), Gareth, Stuart plus Nick Johns as transport and support crew.

I first heard about this challenge a year or so ago when I found out about the book full of all the previous trip reports, most recently updated and published by Tony and Megan from our club. The challenge itself started out with the simple rule that you need to work until closing time Friday, … Read more

Southern Crossing

by

Date: 27-29 October 2017.
Trip type: Solid Medium Tramping.
Location: Tararua Forest Park.
Author: Ross W.
Trampers: Ross W (co-leader), Sumudu (co-leader), Henry, Fons, Zac, Holger, Bethany, Jayne, Yen-Fei and Aimee.

(Featured image: Sumudu) This one had been on the to-do list for a while, and after chatting with my workmate and fellow WTMC member Sumudu, we decided to co-lead a trip together over the Tararua Southern Crossing. After chatting to the chief guide, the trip was added to the Sep 17 – Feb 18 Trip … Read more

Tutuwai instead of Alpha

by

Date: 27-28 August 2016.
Trip type: Medium Tramp.
Location: Tararuas.
Author: Matt.
Trampers: Amanda (leader), Megan, Simon, Michael, Matt.

The trip was originally planned as a navigation trip to Alpha hut via the Quoin Ridge, and then returning via the Eastern Hut river. Amanda’s initial email warned that this would likely be at the upper end of the medium grade with two longish days of up to nine hours. In the end there five … Read more

Southern Crossing

by

Date: 2-4 October 2015.
Trip type: Medium.
Location: Southern Crossing, Tararua Forest Park.
Author: Matt.
Trampers: Chris (leader), Emma, Inky, Ken, Matt, Michael, Pete.

The Southern Crossing is described by DoC as one of the “four classic tramps of the Tararua Range”, and is a trip that any Wellington-based tramper should tackle at least once. However, in the leadup to our trip the weather looked like it was going to spoil the plans, with gale winds forecast for the … Read more