Long weekends are always the perfect opportunity to head out of town and locate some great spots for long tramps. This particular weekend we had planned a mission up Mt Ruapehu but with DOC warnings that the Crater Lake was misbehaving and with a no go zone within 2 kms of the summit we decided to go somewhere else. The Kaimanawas yet again called us.
From Taupo we headed towards Napier on the Taupo Napier Highway and turned off onto Clements Mill road where we parked the car at the start of the Te Iringa track.
We hit the track around 7.40 am and made our way along the Te Iringa track towards Oamaru Hut. This section of the trail is relatively easy going and undulates its way through beautiful beech forest and alongside bubbling streams. The only real risk along this track is being shot by a hunter. At one point we were both concentrating on walking efficiently and weren't doing much talking or scanning ahead - we came around the corner to find ourselves face to face with two hunters, one of whom had loaded his rifle and was poised incase a deer was approaching - it is pretty unnerving watching a stranger unload a bullet from his gun as he is talking to you !! Note to self - talk , sing and make as much noise as possible when walking in hunting country.
We made pretty good time to Oamaru Hut (4 hours) and stopped there for a bit of a snack and to fill up our drink bottles. From the hut the track took us down onto the river flats and then back into the beech forests where we undulated up the river bed to our turn off and the first significant climb of the day and the reason why we had chosen this walk. We stopped at the track turn off to fill up our water again and have a bit of a breather.
We knew that once we turned off the main track things were going to get a bit more serious with alot more climb and alot more windfall. It was hard work as we crawled our way up to Maungaorangi summit at 1436 meters and the Waiatupurita Saddle but this is definately the most rewarding part of the walk. The bush is beautfiul, the birdlife amazing and we even saw a couple of deer. Above the treeline the view was stunning and we could see across to Ruapehu and Nguarahoe and down to the river valleys below - bliss.
Heading down to Cascades hut was a bit of a mission on the legs but a nice change from the ups. We arrived at Cascades Hut after around 10 hours on the go and had a quick stop to rest our feet, stretch our legs and fuel our bodies. Always looming in the back of your mind here is the final climb from the hut at 800 metres up tp the last high point at 1240 meters. It was now dusk and I was pretty keen to get to the top before sunset so pushed the pace up a bit up the ridge. Unfiortunately, we were too late to see much of the sunset but at least it occupied my mind and took it off the monotony of the climb.
light weight merino longsleeve
waterproof overpants
merino long johns
merino beanie
macpac gloves
gu brew and gu gels
Macpac Gaitors
Montrail shoes
Macpac caps
From Taupo we headed towards Napier on the Taupo Napier Highway and turned off onto Clements Mill road where we parked the car at the start of the Te Iringa track.
We hit the track around 7.40 am and made our way along the Te Iringa track towards Oamaru Hut. This section of the trail is relatively easy going and undulates its way through beautiful beech forest and alongside bubbling streams. The only real risk along this track is being shot by a hunter. At one point we were both concentrating on walking efficiently and weren't doing much talking or scanning ahead - we came around the corner to find ourselves face to face with two hunters, one of whom had loaded his rifle and was poised incase a deer was approaching - it is pretty unnerving watching a stranger unload a bullet from his gun as he is talking to you !! Note to self - talk , sing and make as much noise as possible when walking in hunting country.
We made pretty good time to Oamaru Hut (4 hours) and stopped there for a bit of a snack and to fill up our drink bottles. From the hut the track took us down onto the river flats and then back into the beech forests where we undulated up the river bed to our turn off and the first significant climb of the day and the reason why we had chosen this walk. We stopped at the track turn off to fill up our water again and have a bit of a breather.
We knew that once we turned off the main track things were going to get a bit more serious with alot more climb and alot more windfall. It was hard work as we crawled our way up to Maungaorangi summit at 1436 meters and the Waiatupurita Saddle but this is definately the most rewarding part of the walk. The bush is beautfiul, the birdlife amazing and we even saw a couple of deer. Above the treeline the view was stunning and we could see across to Ruapehu and Nguarahoe and down to the river valleys below - bliss.
Heading down to Cascades hut was a bit of a mission on the legs but a nice change from the ups. We arrived at Cascades Hut after around 10 hours on the go and had a quick stop to rest our feet, stretch our legs and fuel our bodies. Always looming in the back of your mind here is the final climb from the hut at 800 metres up tp the last high point at 1240 meters. It was now dusk and I was pretty keen to get to the top before sunset so pushed the pace up a bit up the ridge. Unfiortunately, we were too late to see much of the sunset but at least it occupied my mind and took it off the monotony of the climb.
Before we knew it we were spat out onto the road. It was 10.30pm and we'd been on the go for around 12 hours. We must have shocked someone camping in the carpark as they came out to ask us if we were okay. I guess it is not that often trampers burst out of the bush at 10.30pm at night with headlights blazing. On arrival at the carpark we treated ourselves to a fresh sock change and some fruit and lollies before setting off on the 12 km gravel bash back to the car. All I could think of as we ran along the road was the faster you go the sooner you will finish. We managed a surprisingly steady pace running the downs and flats and power walking the hills. We arrived back at the car around midnight after 15 hours and 45 minutes on the go, having ascended a total of 3125 metres.
What a feeling it was to get our shoes off and head back to our soft comfy beds back at the motel - a great day out and a good trip to have under the belt for the Godzone.
Macpac Gear taken:
AMP 40 litre pack
10 litre dry bag
2 drink bottles and a 3 litre baldder
2 pairs merino socks
traverse jacket
200 weight fleece
light weight merino longsleeve
waterproof overpants
merino long johns
merino beanie
macpac gloves
gu brew and gu gels
Macpac Gaitors
Montrail shoes
Macpac caps
