After the usual long haul from Takapuna, those of us who were asleep were woken by the long time bumping and twisting of the bus, as we neared our destination. What good luck. An ablutions room! Well in reality, the usual DOC type toilet.
After breakfast the next morning, the five participants of the medium party were sorted and rearing to go. Our first journey of 4 to 5 hours was from Clements Mill Road to the Cascades Hut. There were some hills to get our heart rates up as well as some flat tracks to lull us into a false sense of “yeah, this is great”.
Beautiful bush with a thick carpeting of beech leaves underfoot made for a very pleasant tramp. The tracks were easy to follow and walk on. Many photographic opportunities of awesome bush and river scenes slowed the trip a “little”. J. Care needed to be taken towards the end of this day; a certain member of our party who had been reasonably restrained until now, decided to show his true colours. All of a sudden Garry and I were shoved out of the way as this person ( a male member of the club for some time with his name beginning with P) decided that to get a bunk, preferably a bottom one, was his “raison d’etre”. No holds barred apparently!
The Cascades Hut is an older, smaller hut. Very smokey smelling inside; particularly at a short distance from the ceiling which Viv and I discovered. The distance party was already ensconced in the hut and around it. A couple had pitched their tents with two of our party doing likewise.
There was the usual finding out about the other party’s tramp and who had what, especially regarding new equipment. There are some very light tents available; at a price. Following a delicious meal, the making and consuming of which was the main highlight, we went to bed.
The next morning; breakfast, packing, discussing who were the snorers and cleaning up. The distance party left, with our party following a short time later. Roger (distance party) decided that carrying his polar fleece was far too much weight so left it behind. We did go flat tack to try to catch up and Pierre bellowed out a lot but to no avail. So Garry was the good Samaritan, carrying it until we met up with them on day three.
The second day’s tramp involved a lot of going down stream in the Kaipo Valley, through shallow water, over slippery rocks, and under, over and around quite a number of windfalls. Fortunately someone keen on chain sawing had passed by making the trip an easier one, as there were many windfalls. We came across several hunters with dogs, throughout the day and had a quick chat with each. The hunters not the dogs!
One of the photographic opportunities we passed was what would be, when the rains came, an amazing set of rapids. The rocks seemed to be carved into sleek curves reminiscent of Maori weaponry. They looked as if a huge boulder had been dropped straight down and shattered into many pieces, keeping to a jig saw like arrangement. The photos don’t do them justice. Worth walking up from the Tikitiki Stream Junction just to see them if the trip didn’t lead past them.
The afternoon was wearing on so we decided to begin looking for a camping site. We passed a very promising looking one but decided that as the junction was only a few minutes away, we would continue and camp there. However, the best site was already taken by hunters so we returned a few hundred metres to the one we had passed.
A lovely site next to the river so washing was the order of the day. After pitching tents and getting organised we did a little social interaction followed by the evening meal anticipation, preparation and consuming. No guesses as to what was on the menu. Some had the gourmet version of dehy meals with a mixed reception as to taste. Sachet hot chocolate is a comforting end to the evening before bed. Could be made with hot milk in winter too; using milk powder.
With day three came the odd moment of light rain. Tricky trying to pick the best time to pull down and pack up the tents. After breakfast we set off towards Oamaru Hut. A lovely tramp along the river and through beautiful bush. An easy walk through undulating forest. Upon arrival at the hut we met three people who were staying there, having been helicoptered in. They were walking out the same way as us the next day.
We also found, on the table, a cryptic note. Hence the prologue. What was the meaning of this!?
Luckily there were plenty of bunks so no need to pitch tents, although some did put theirs out to dry. As Garry and I were getting organised the distance party wandered up. The usual who did what, when and where. Oh, and of course, the reclaiming of lost property. This was quite funny as once the distance party had left the rest of us were checking to see if they had left anything behind again. Next minute Lynda came racing back up the track, grabbed her raincoat and took off. I don’t think she will live that down in a hurry. Lol.
The rest of the medium party had arrived before this, in raincoats, which the rest of us had managed to avoid. The easy party arrived as well, having enjoyed an explore up the valley. The medium party walked down to the river and participated in such activities as skimming stones and trying to hit a large, floating, pumice rock which was being swept slowly downstream. After this Pierre and Viv decided to explore up the valley too.
The rest of the afternoon was given to chatting and socialising. Odd references were made to bottoms, mush…. and l…l… Can’t put too much in here cos “What happens in the hut, stays in the hut”.
It took a lot to distract everyone ensuring that dinner was not going to be eaten at 4.30pm! I had to be very firm and authoritarian but even so some began boiling water just before 5.30pm!
The next day we set off a bit behind the easy party. A lovely tramp across the river flat, through the forest then along forest roads. We caught up with the easy party and had morning tea. A bit of confusion at one point regarding which way to go. Although either would still get you to the correct place in the end. Also the easy party misplaced one of their group. I will leave it to them to tell that story. J
After a long road bash we saw the colour yellow. Yay. Clothes changing, billy boiling then on to collect the distance party. It was great to see Ian and Marilyn Morris on the trip.
An awesome tramp, thanks to Roger for organising it, Garry for leading the medium party and the drivers Bernhard and Ian. Thanks heaps.
EASTER KAIMANAWAS Roger
A keen group of thirteen trampers set off on Thursday night for the rugged hills of the Kaimanawas. And the dry summer weather continued.
Our distance Party - Ian G, Lynda, Roger and Phil started from the end of Clements Mill Road and climbed over the hill to Cascade Hut for the first night. We arrived in good time and some of the party set up their tents. Almost an hour later the Medium Party arrived in dribs and drabs. Pierre was a drib and raced to get a bunk in the hut. No hunters so lots of room for everyone. Peter distributed a medicinal toddy and Pierre lightened his 24kg pack with some light refreshments for all.
Saturday broke fine and we set off at 8.30am up the valley and then climbed slowly up the 800 metres to the Mangaorungi high point at 1435 metres , just above the bush-line. The morning mist cleared and we had our lunch admiring the full extent of the Kaimanawas and the distant Kaweka
It was downhill after lunch - well not quiet. Ridges always have their ups and downs and ours was no exception. It seemed like more ups than downs but that was impossible. DOC had marked the track well and there were no navigational problems. After almost 8 hours we finally dropped down to a beautiful camp-site in the Oamaru Valley.
The third day was a easy walk down the valley. We meet the slow party midmorning on their day excursion. Once out of the bush a light rain set in and we donned our raincoats for the only time on the trip. Oamaru Hut had half the Medium Party in residence so we stopped for lunch. ( Thank you Gary for carrying my fleece- left behind the previous day at Cascade Hut, "Beyond the call of Duty". ) It was an easy stroll up the lower Kaipo Valley to a camp site at the confluence of the Kaipo River and the Tiki Tiki Stream.
Another restful night under canvas and we set off up the gently graded Te Iringa track, past the old hut site and down to the waiting bus.
A lovely break and the Kaimanawas at their best.
Thank you to the drivers Ian G and Bernhard. And to the leaders Brian, Gary and Ian.