Familes Group finally do Jumbo-Holdsworth

After the last attempt to go around the loop was stopped due to bad weather in the Tararuas (how surprising!), some of the punters were more than keen for another shot. Fortunately a good weather window coincided with the trip schedule. Some us were left waiting at the road end ready to go, wondering where … Read more

Mid-Waiohine in a Mid-summer’s Frost

It had been a beautiful week of weather. Of course the forecast for this, the following week is also primo! However, in-between, we would be tramping in horizontal rain with a southerly bringing a wind chill and a not-so-balmy minus 5 degrees. Most of us had what we needed and other put a little more … Read more

Family group tramp to Powell hut and Totara Flats hut

For once the Metservice long term weather forecast for the Tararuas was accurate, promising a three day potpourri of sunshine, gale force winds and heavy rain following on from a snow storm on the Friday. This necessitated a change from the original plan of the Jumbo-Holdsworth Loop due to the gale force winds on the … Read more

Jumbo-Holdsworth Circuit

Our journey to Holdsworth road end was more eventful than usual, with a few van issues to contend with. Let’s just say that Mark had a very warm bum from a and there may have been a tiny bit of ! Anyway, we arrived safely and set off to Atiwhakatu hut in the rain, arriving about 1hr … Read more

Powell-Holdsworth

First of all here’s the stats from Richard’s GPS: Sat 23 Aug 14 09:55 – 16:30 hrs From Holdsworth Road End to Powell Hut and top excursion. Distance: 11.1km Average Speed: 2.3 km/h Min Elevation 300m Max Elevation: 1425m Height climbed 1500m Height Descended: 630m Sun 24 Aug 14 08:05 – 14:00 hrs Mt Holdsworth … Read more

Turning into popsicles on Baldy…

See more photos from Sarah Friday night saw our group doing an extremely quick march to Atiwhakatu hut after which I declared there would be a mutiny the next morning if we were walking that fast the rest of the tramp as my pack was stuffed full of an abundance of warm clothes. We arrived … Read more

A Tararuas weekend with a deep swift river and a terribly windy ridge

The idea Following the thrill and tranquillity of water-focussed South Island tramps at Christmas, I was keen for aquatic adventures closer to home. Spencer floated the appealing idea of a weekend pack float along the Waiohine river from Mid-Waiohine hut to Totara Flats. It sounded fun and challenging. The planning Meticulous research and preparation happened … Read more

Jumbo-Holdsworth run

When Gareth asked me for the sixth time “have you committed to the Jumbo-Holdsworth?” I weighed up the pros and cons for the sixth time. Pros – no time left to do any training, have run the route before and enjoyed it, unlikely to be snow this time. Cons – have not done any training, … Read more

Holdsworth Jumbo

Rory: Well, after an exceptionally early 7am meeting at the train station, (I am used to 9am) introductions were made, bacon and egg English muffins were crammed into mouths and we were on our way with Paula only stalling the manual van a few times before getting to the destination. Rory: After about a 1.5 … Read more

Jumbo / Powell circuit

I had one of those days where serious lapse in judgment overtook me.  This coming Sunday weather was going to be a stunner.  So, what do I do?  I decide to enquire with Shirley (Queen of the Tararuas) if she’d like to do a day walk on the Sunday.  Left it entirely up to Shirley … Read more