Twelve of us got away at 8.30am in a convoy of three cars. We travelled via Gordonton and Cambridge (with a coffee stop at the old church café!) to arrive at Hicks Road at around 11am. After a short walk through the Northern enclosure we sat in a sunny spot for our lunch. There wasn’t a lot of bird life apart from some Tui but we did see a Weka in one of the special houses. After lunch we drove the 45 minutes around to the southern end of the mountain (Tari Road) and checked in to the Out in the Styx Café. The Spa Pools looked appealing but we carried on to explore the Southern Enclosure. We all walked the Rata Track and climbed the new viewing tower which has been erected between the two 800 year old Rata giving a great view of the tops. The thought of the spa pool was too much for some and they headed back while a few of us carried on to walk the Rimu track and see some huge Rimu and other natives.
Dinner at The Out in the Styx was a memorable occasion with Lance announcing each delicious course with a blow on his whistle ! After dinner we donned plenty of warm clothes and drove up to the Enclosure to listen for Kiwi. We walked into the Tower and sat there listening to what sounded like all 10 Kiwi calling to each other – it was amazing. Then it was back for an early night to prepare for the big walk over the mountain.
Sunday dawned fine but with a stubborn mist over the mountain. After a lovely cooked breakfast Lance shuttled nine of us around to Hicks Road to start the Over the Mountain – Summit Track by 9.15, led by Mark and Wilma. Three of us stayed behind to climb to Pukeatua Peak and return. Unfortunately the cloud was still low and we missed out on the view from the Peak but by the time the larger group had eaten their lunch the cloud lifted and they could see for miles. With the Predator Fence now completely surrounding the mountain we were all pleased to see the abundance of birdlife – Tomtit, Bellbird, Tui and lots of Pigeon. Just imagine it when we return in a couple of years ! The large group completed the track within 6 hours- a good effort for such a big group. It was a rugged track but I think they were well pleased with their efforts as was the smaller group.
We were on our way home by 3.30 pm via Te Awamutu and with a quick coffee stop in Ngaruawahia were back in Pukekohe by 6 pm. It was an enjoyable weekend with “many” differences (e.g. the spa pools, restaurant meals etc.)
Distance : 331 kms return
(with a taste of the RUAHINES)
We got away from Bombay at 7.50am – seven of us in the Rental van as we were meeting Gerard in Hanmer Springs. The forecast was looking good for the first part of our trip which was in to Sunrise Hut in the Ruahines. We had a quick lunch before Napier and reached the North Block Road carpark (600 metres) at 3pm. By now it was a glorious day and it was very warm climbing up to Sunrise Hut (1310 m.). We arrived there at 5.45pm and had the lovely hut to ourselves (for the second night as well). It just happened to be a full moon on the 25th and we were treated to an awesome moon-rise!
There was no sunrise on our first morning as lots of mist around the tops. However this soon burnt off in the warm, still conditions and after a leisurely breakfast we left the hut at 8.50am for a day trip to climb to the summit of Te Atuaoparapara (or as far as we could make it!) We walked up to Armstrong Saddle and on up to the junction where the track drops down to Top Maropea Hut. At this point (1411 m.) we headed along a ridge down to a low spot of about 1300 m. finding our way through some scatchy Leatherwood and tussock with a bit of Horrible Spaniard to keep us on our toes ! From there it was easier going on the shorter tussock on to the sharp ridge leading all the way up to Te Atuaoparapara summit (1687 m.) There were amazing views all around including Ruapehu and Tongariro and we were all pleased to have made it to the top! After lunch in the sun we made it back to Sunrise completing a 5 ½ hour rewarding day. As no one had long gaiters there were a few scratches to treat!
We were all out of bed by 5.43 am to admire the wonderful sunrise, Sunrise Hut living up to its name ! We had cups of tea on the porch as the sun came up over a sea of cloud. Thought we may as well stay up after that so it was an early breakfast and away by 7.20am. We were back at the carpark at 9 am and after a lunch stop at Dannevirke and a quick stop at the Mt. Bruce National Wildlife Centre arrived at the Top 10 camp in Lower Hutt in time to wash clothes and relax before Fish ‘n Chips for dinner.
It was an early start on Wed. 28th for the 8 am sailing on Bluebridge to Picton. It was a good crossing and after a lunch stop at Blenheim and a stop at the Seal Colony north of Kaikoura we took the inland route to Hanmer Springs. We caught up with Gerard and Bernadine at the Top 10 camp and had time for a soak in the hot pools before dinner and preparations for the St. James Walkway trip.
We set off on the second part of our trip ,this time including Gerard, at 9.30 am on Nov. 29th, after leaving the van at the Boyle Outdoor centre and being transported to the start of the track very close to the Lewis Pass. The track starts with a nice walk through Beech Forest down to a swing bridge over Cannibal Gorge and we stopped for lunch at the Cannibal Gorge Hut. From there we went through more Beech and some open grassy areas with great views back down the valley of Gloriana Peak still with snow on from a fall a couple of days before. We arrived at Ada Pass Hut at 2 pm and had the afternoon to laze in the sun and enjoy the stunning mountain views. Noted in the Hut book that Dave Care (PTC) had passed through 10 days earlier. We shared the hut with three others and carried on much the same for the whole trip.
We left at 8.30 am the next morning for the walk to Christopher hut following the Maruia Stream before going over Ada Pass (1008 m.) where we crossed from the Lewis Pass National Reserve into St. James Station. There was mist on the tops as we started off but this soon cleared and we could see the peaks of Faerie Queen as we crossed the grassy flats. We saw Canada Geese and a pair of Paradise Duck with ducklings in tow. It was so nice relaxing in the sun over lunch that some of the party refused to move and were left behind with only a short way to go to the hut! We checked out the old two bunk Ada Hut before reaching Christopher Hut at 1pm. A few brave souls braved the cool wind and walked to the Ada River for a wash. By now we had two sprained ankles including that of our Medic (Steph) who did a fine job for the rest of the trip strapping and taping!
Hoping to beat the worst of the heat we set off at 8am the next day for the long walk mostly over or looking down on grazing land. Passed through Matagouri and lots of wild Gooseberries unfortunately not in season. We stopped for lunch in the shade looking down the Waiau Valley before entering Henry Valley. By now it was very hot with little shade so we had lots of drink stops ! We were pleased to see Anne Hut from the top of the hill and after crossing a swing bridge were there by 1pm. This time the Anne River was close enough for us all to have good washes!
We left Anne Hut at 8am and stopped for morning tea before tackling the Anne Saddle (1136 m.) which only took us about twenty minutes ! As we came down the other side there were good views down the Boyle Valley to the mountains. It was a long trudge down the river valley with the track sometimes climbing up above it to add variety. It was another hot day and we were pleased to reach Boyle Flats Hut by 2 pm after crossing the Boyle River by swing bridge.
Back over the swing bridge for our last days walk out to Boyle. The first part of the track was over the grassy flats of the Boyle Valley and then we were back into the Beech forest and into the Boyle River Gorge. We made it to the Boyle outdoor Centre in less than four hours and our first stop in Hanmer springs (after dropping Gerard off for his reunion with Bernadine!) was an ice cream shop! After that and a clean up at camp the girls hit the shops (some buying new togs!) and cafes. Then we all had another (this time well-deserved) soak in the lovely hot pools before a nice meal in a restaurant. A perfect ending to a great tramp (apart from the sprained ankles and a few blisters) thanks to everyone who took part.
The next day we had a leisurely start and drive back to Picton for the 2 pm ferry. Stopped to buy cherries on the way. It was another good crossing and we had Fish ‘n Chips at the Lower Hutt Top 10 camp again. A long drive home the next day with a stop at the Otaki outlet stores and lunch in Taihape. We were back in Pukekohe at 6 pm.