The weekend following the most fierce storm to hit Wellington since the Wahine Storm, proved an ideal time to take the kids for a winter tramp.
Once Saturday morning sports were dispensed with, the car was loaded up with packs and the relatively short drive to Waikanae was in bright sunshine. We arrived at the roadend in time for an early lunch, which lightened the porters’ packs somewhat. The first part of the route lies over farmland with open pasture shortly giving way to regenerating bush before the first river crossing is encountered. The snow chilled water blew away any last lingering doubts about the trip being in winter despite the sun. Toby and Ella briefly struggled with the frigid water before parental encouragement, coercion and bribery got them across.
Another couple of crossings later we reached the junction between the two ridge routes. We took the direct route to the hut given the fairly late start and the unknown condition of the open ridge. Another six or seven rapid-fire crossings of the stream saw the party reach the bottom of the ridge. One final adjustment of clothing and sugar levels preceded the start of the climb.
The track up the ridge is a typical Tararua’s grunt, initially a steep line up the spur over roots and rocks until about 550m where the slope eased somewhat to a more gradual incline. The storm had added mud, broken branches and leaves to the mix. Areas of blown down trees provided fun climbing opportunities for the punters.
The climb was dragging on for the punters and upon reaching the goblin forest Toby and Ella launched into a deeply involved discussion of ranking fairytale characters such as fairies, pixies, goblins, trolls and orcs. The use of Mike’s new altimeter proved invaluable in giving encouragement and incentives to the punters. Every 100m climbed was worth hard-earned chocolate.
At about 750m the ridge flattens and the eagle-eyed punters spotted a give way sign high in the tree, which marks the intersection of the track up from Mangaone South Rd. As the track rises towards the hut further traffic signs haphazardly nailed to trees were noted.
Kapakapanui hut sits in a small clearing at 850m and the break in the canopy had allowed 10cm of snow to collect, and two tiring punters somehow found new energy to start a snowball fight and work on a snowman. All up about 5 hours walking, including breaks for tree climbing etc. for the kids.
The hut was full with our party of four and two guys up from Otaki Forks. The hut is well maintained and was cosy with a warm fire. One odd thing about the hut are the short bunks of less than 6 feet, necessitating one to sleep with your feet hanging off the side of the bunk.
Bowls of dinner were quickly devoured, with the family trip “tradition” of interesting desserts continuing with chocolate thins biscuits topped with chocolate squares were toasted on the wood burner, then further topped with whipped cream and a second biscuit. The consensus was “Yum!”
Next day the weather was cool and overcast with a gentle breeze. Two parties we had met the previous day doing the circuit had told us of half a metre of snow on the tops. An early start gave us plenty of time to play in the snow and complete the round trip with a thousand metre drop back to the car. To prevent frozen toes from the wet snow, feet were encased in plastic bags.
It was a fairly slow trip across the tops to the trig on Kapakapanui with numerous trips into the snow drifts for playing as the excited punters experienced the novelty of tramping in snow. As we approached the summit the clouds parted briefly to allow a view down to the Kapiti coast below and the steep ridge we were to follow. Upon reaching the trig the wind had picked up and the temperature had dropped so it was time to get moving out of the snow.
Once the bushline was reached the track down the ridge was quite steep for the punters and travel down was again fairly slow with some of the climbs down the root ladders having seemingly impossible stretches for shorter legs. Blown down trees made a couple of the steep sections slippery work through the exposed clay.
A short break to refuel with lunch on some convenient logs saw renewed vigor from the punters (for a while at least). The last 200m descent back down to the track junction seemed to drag out forever.
The car was reached after about seven hours after leaving the hut. The porters were glad to be rid of the packs, and the punters were glad to get the last of the chocolate. It was agreed by all that this was The Most Epic Family Trip Ever (So Far)!
