Day One: Travel Day – Wellington to Mangatutu Hot Springs campsite
- After a relaxed drive up on Waitangi day both the Medium and Easy Medium groups pitched tents at the Managatutu Hot Springs campsite (at the end of Makahu Road), with many of us enjoying an evening soak in the Hot Spring while watching a spectacular moonrise and sheet lightening light up the sky. (NB: Its a good campsite with a toilet, but currently no water tap – we took water from the stream at the beginning of the Te Puia track).
Day Two: Makahu Road to Ballard Hut
- The medium group (Anna, Josh, Sam and Sally), had a leisurely start to the morning, catching a ride (thanks very much to Liz!) from the campsite to the track (which would have been a long uphill road walk). Walking for the day began at around 9am.
- The first stage of our walk was a steady 2 hour/480 m climb up through Manuka and Kanuka trees to Middle Hill Hut (980 m), where we had our ‘first lunch’. We spotted Long Tailed Kuku and Titipounamu (Rifleman) along the way and listening to a chorus of Cicadas.
- Our next leg was a much steeper climb up through beech forest along Camp Spur track, with sweat pouring off us, on an overcast and humid day. After ‘second lunch’ in the bush, we emerged out of the bush at about 1460 m and into light cloud. We then wound our way over the tops (a poled route) to our high point for the day (at Whetu – 1650 m) by approximately 3pm. This was a spectacular walk where we were between cloud layers and listening to a thunderstorm rumbling away below us. The cloud occasionally cleared to give us glimpses of the Kawekas.
- We began our steep 200 m (approx 25 minute) descent down a very washed-out track to Ballard Hut, arriving at around 4.20pm. This old hut is just inside the tree line and in mint condition, having been recently relined. Although water from the tank was a bit green. The view over the neighbouring valley behind the hut is spectacular.
Day 3: Ballard Hut to Te Puia Hut and hot springs
- Sunday dawned clear and still and delivered great views all day. Leaving Ballard Hut at around 8.30 am, we scrambled back up to the ridge for 30 minutes and retraced our steps to the Camp Spur track junction before taking the track that would take us to Makino Hut. A side trip to North Whetu Biv was considered, but the 200 m drop and the pull of the next set of hot pools was too strong (and would have curtailed that plan later)!
- We stopped for ‘first lunch’ on a rocky outcrop on the north side of North Whetu, taking time to enjoy the beautiful day and views out towards the Kaimanawas on one side, and the Ureweras on the other. We took 5 minutes of ‘phone time’ to appreciate the wonders of modern technology and share the moment with loved ones (scrolling strictly prohibited) before returning our phones to airplane mode and the serenity of the natural world.
- We then wandered on, dropping down to the forest, walking through mountain beech, and then red beech forest, and spotting Kaka (plant and bird identification courtesy of Sam!). We arrived at Makino Hut (980 m elevation) at around 2pm, where we had ‘second lunch’, and bumped into some of the Easy Medium group who were out for a day hike.
- After a relaxed stop we made our way down a fairly sketchy, cyclone ravaged track to Te Puia Hut (500 m) on the Mohaka River (taking approx. 1.5 hours). We moved at speed once we hit the flatter ground, so that we could drop our gear, and quickly head off for the 40 minute walk upstream to the Mangatainoka hot springs for a pre-dinner soak (and a cold plunge in the river for some!). After 2 days of tramping in the hills, a hot pools soak in the middle of the bush was just heavenly!
- That night the Easy Medium group treated us all to vege tostadas, and our group responded with an apple pudding – both from the Club cookbook. It was a great chance to connect and share stories of our adventures.
Day 4: Te Puia Hut to Wellington
- The next day we all headed off from the Hut early, at around 7 am, to allow for a final soak at the Mangatutu Hotsprings before getting on the road. The walk took our group just over 2 hours.
- Thanks to Anna for ably leading the group, and to our drivers for getting us to and from the back of beyond safely. We all agree that the Kawekas trip needs to be an annual event for the club!
