TARARUA PEAKS – Debbie Mansfield, Glen Warner, Jenny Cossey, Miriam Jones, Gordon Balfour
Saturday 20 Jan 7pm to Sunday 21 Jan 6.35pm
With the long weekend forecast predicting fine weather, we teamed up with Miriam Jones and Gordon Balfour to complete the Tararua Peaks and bag the 7 huts along the way. We started at 7pm Saturday evening as Glen had been out Kayaking for the day still training for the C2C. While the weather forecast said fine weather, we started in a very light misty rain at Otaki forks. We passed thru YTYY at 10pm and up onto the tops around midnight where the weather was typically “Tararua” - Rain, wind and clag made for slow progress, losing the track a few times. Arriving at Anderson, we decided to hole up for the night as further progress would have been too dangerous. With 5 people already in the hut and only 2 sleeping bags amongst the 5 of us, this made for a very ‘cosy’ and uncomfortable night. Jenny shared a mattress with a stranger who cuddled her feet all night (Still wondering if he was helping to keep her warm or stop from being kicked in the head.) Glen and I shared the floor where we realised how bony our hips really were, how much draught comes up through the floor of a hut, and how 2 people really do not fit in one sleeping bag! Up again at 6pm with not much sleep amongst the 5 of us, back on with the wet clothes for another 6 hours of trudging through the wind, rain and clag!!! Aokap was easy to fine in the daylight and we thanked our decision to stop for the night. It would have been near impossible to find in the dark as there is nothing to indicate where the bivvy is in the treeline. On to Maungahuka for a quick soup to try and warm up, on with another layer of clothing, making for 6 layers on myself including my jacket, and still cold!!! And wet!!!!
Across the peaks and down the Pakahore ridge to finally get out of the wind and clag and slowly warm up. Penn Creek Hut was a welcome rest, be it very short as we only had 4 hours remaining to complete the trip. The climb back up onto the main Southern Crossing track would have been quiet pleasant, if the legs weren’t so tired and time didn’t allow for too many rests. Finally down past Field Hut and back out to Otaki Forks with 25 minutes to spare.
I wish to thank Gordon, Miriam, Jenny and Glen for a great trip. Every time I head into the Tararuas I learn something new. It is always such an unpredictable environment that you can never take for granted. It was amazing to head home and have the kids tell me the weather had been fine for those 2 days, while we had been travelling through some pretty shitty weather, at times feeling pretty cold and miserable. Lets hope we strike some better weather for the next hut bagging trip!!!
Friday, January 26, 2007
Northern Tararuas - Mike and Andrew
Sunburn in the Tararuas? Yeah Right!
Well, Andrew McLellan and I got it right last week, with an 18 hour loop
through the northern Tararuas. Leaving the car at the Melling carpark at
midnight Wednesday it looked lonely as we departed for Putara road end. I'm
never that keen to travel at night so our estimated 20 hour loop of eight
huts would be timed around maximizing daylight hours.
2.30am departure from the road end on a clear and still night. Herepai was
cold and deserted as we bumbled our way over the roots. A bit of a there
and back from the track intersection was a bit disheartening for a pure
rogainer.but those are the sacrifices we have to make. We tiptoed into the
new Roaring Stag trying not to wake the two trampers inside. A bit of a
washout at the bottom of the Cattle Ridge track wasted 15 minutes in the
lightening skies. An hour later though - the views from Cattle Ridge were
fabulous in the first light. No
t put off by the daunting picture of how far
we had to go.we took off down the very well marked track into the
Ruamahunga, with me reminiscing with stories from 25 years ago when I spent
a couple of months in the area doing deer surveys for the Forest Service.
(Pre cursor to DoC). The headwaters of the Ruamahunga is beautiful and
rugged - the slow going was eased by a well maintained track.
By contrast the final trip out to Kiriwhakapapa via Blue Range was quicker
than expected, arriving at the road end two hours earlier than expected. It
was fantastic to meet Tony Gates there who had offered to drive us back
around to Putara and the car.
A great day out in the Tararuas. We already have the next trip planned -
now all we need is to wait a couple of weeks to recover and then pick the
weather again.
Mike
Well, Andrew McLellan and I got it right last week, with an 18 hour loop
through the northern Tararuas. Leaving the car at the Melling carpark at
midnight Wednesday it looked lonely as we departed for Putara road end. I'm
never that keen to travel at night so our estimated 20 hour loop of eight
huts would be timed around maximizing daylight hours.
2.30am departure from the road end on a clear and still night. Herepai was
cold and deserted as we bumbled our way over the roots. A bit of a there
and back from the track intersection was a bit disheartening for a pure
rogainer.but those are the sacrifices we have to make. We tiptoed into the
new Roaring Stag trying not to wake the two trampers inside. A bit of a
washout at the bottom of the Cattle Ridge track wasted 15 minutes in the
lightening skies. An hour later though - the views from Cattle Ridge were
fabulous in the first light. No
t put off by the daunting picture of how farwe had to go.we took off down the very well marked track into the
Ruamahunga, with me reminiscing with stories from 25 years ago when I spent
a couple of months in the area doing deer surveys for the Forest Service.
(Pre cursor to DoC). The headwaters of the Ruamahunga is beautiful and
rugged - the slow going was eased by a well maintained track.
Dundus hut was nestled into the tussock. The early morning light on the
surrounding hills created impressive relief. The sun was now beating down
and sunscreen had to be liberally applied. Gaining the Main Range was a
highlight - Ruapehu and Taranaki to the north, and Tararua tops to the south
as far as the eye could see. Now w
e just had to make some progress. Arete
Biv - so perfectly obvious on a nice day (we know how difficult it is to
find at night or in the mist) had a few hut bagging stickers in the log
book. We relaxed here for a long 12 minute lunch basking in the sun.
The low light was the next section. Pinnacle Spur was perfectly navigable -
but lots of little ups and downs were frustrating in the sun. Dipping into
the headwaters of the Waingawa at Arete Forks was a relief. The sidle track
out to Cow Creek was every bit as bad as remembered. (Especially with 12
hours in your legs) Lots of ups and downs, nettle and slow work.
surrounding hills created impressive relief. The sun was now beating down
and sunscreen had to be liberally applied. Gaining the Main Range was a
highlight - Ruapehu and Taranaki to the north, and Tararua tops to the south
as far as the eye could see. Now w
e just had to make some progress. AreteBiv - so perfectly obvious on a nice day (we know how difficult it is to
find at night or in the mist) had a few hut bagging stickers in the log
book. We relaxed here for a long 12 minute lunch basking in the sun.
The low light was the next section. Pinnacle Spur was perfectly navigable -
but lots of little ups and downs were frustrating in the sun. Dipping into
the headwaters of the Waingawa at Arete Forks was a relief. The sidle track
out to Cow Creek was every bit as bad as remembered. (Especially with 12
hours in your legs) Lots of ups and downs, nettle and slow work.
By contrast the final trip out to Kiriwhakapapa via Blue Range was quicker
than expected, arriving at the road end two hours earlier than expected. It
was fantastic to meet Tony Gates there who had offered to drive us back
around to Putara and the car.
A great day out in the Tararuas. We already have the next trip planned -
now all we need is to wait a couple of weeks to recover and then pick the
weather again.
Mike
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Sunday, January 21, 2007
Carkeek Hut Expedition
Carkeek Hut Expedition, 20- 21 January 2007. Chris Watson, Christian Thiemann, Tony Gates.
Our 24 hour rogaine to the legendary Carkeek Ridge Hut and back via McGregor Spur was split into three almost equal time sections- 8.15 to reach the hut, 8 hrs there, and 7.40 back. It was an excellent way to see the place, particularly as it was new country for Chris, and the first Tararua experience for Christian (from Hanover). We bagged a few huts, but retreated the way we had gone in due to inclement weather. Pity that, but somehow, the rich pickings of all the other high value huts a
round Carkeek Ridge lost their appeal in the mist and wind. And we felt much safer going home the way that we already knew.
We departed Holdsworth Lodge 2.05 pm Saturday, and scurried up to Atiwhakatu Hut, Jumbo Hut, then McGregor Biv. Good going, misty on top, with a mostly well worn foot trail. McGregor spur was mostly good travel, with open, mossy beech forest, and the occasional old track marker. Navigation essential. Really nice to hit the Waiohine River at Dorset Creek, where there was good river travel. We felt like we were going to make it to Carkeek Ridge Hut before dark. Park Forks was attractive- one of those really special Tararua places- and Carkeek Ridge was too, despite the track being overgrown. It got dark about an hour before the hut, and our pace slowed accordingly. Reflections on misty drizzle droplets partially obscured our head torch beams. Very glad to reach the hut. Primus used, but we didn’t eat much, and getting to sleep wasn’t difficult.
5.30 AM Sunday, I peered out the hut door into more Tararua clag. We brewed up, and discussed options, with the easte
rn side still the best route home. We could at least complete the Jumbo Holdsworth circuit. We had plenty of daylight, not quite plenty of energy, and by heading east, we had the promise of some finer weather. Back down to Park Forks, The Waiohine River, and Dorset Creek, we saw more of what must be one of the most scenic areas in the Tararuas. And for the second time in less than 24 hours, we were a bit fresher, so could admire it from a better state of mind. The big hill back to McGregor Biv was daunting, but we were soon back up in the mist. Periodic time checks suggested that our finish time would be close to 24 hours. We pushed our pace when we could, really appreciating the several easy sections of ridge, and soon gained some time over our earlier estimations. McGregor Biv again, Angle Knob, Jumbo, etcetera, and so back into fresh hutbagging territory. And we were back with the crowds, as expected, with a few people out training for next weekend’s popular Jumbo Holdsworth Trail Race. It was certainly 
a good feeling to reach the well trodden path. A few rest/ drink/ lollie stops, then more and more crowds around Powell Hut. The day warmed up a lot on the descent, which ended in a mad dash down past Mountain house. We guzzled lots of water. A hell ov a relief to hit the last flat before Holdsworth Lodge, and see the lodge shortly before our 24 hour deadline. The Atiwhakatu swimming hole was lovely. Then the rush to catch the train back to Wellington was about as fast as the rush for our Rogaine deadline.
Our 24 hour rogaine to the legendary Carkeek Ridge Hut and back via McGregor Spur was split into three almost equal time sections- 8.15 to reach the hut, 8 hrs there, and 7.40 back. It was an excellent way to see the place, particularly as it was new country for Chris, and the first Tararua experience for Christian (from Hanover). We bagged a few huts, but retreated the way we had gone in due to inclement weather. Pity that, but somehow, the rich pickings of all the other high value huts a
round Carkeek Ridge lost their appeal in the mist and wind. And we felt much safer going home the way that we already knew.We departed Holdsworth Lodge 2.05 pm Saturday, and scurried up to Atiwhakatu Hut, Jumbo Hut, then McGregor Biv. Good going, misty on top, with a mostly well worn foot trail. McGregor spur was mostly good travel, with open, mossy beech forest, and the occasional old track marker. Navigation essential. Really nice to hit the Waiohine River at Dorset Creek, where there was good river travel. We felt like we were going to make it to Carkeek Ridge Hut before dark. Park Forks was attractive- one of those really special Tararua places- and Carkeek Ridge was too, despite the track being overgrown. It got dark about an hour before the hut, and our pace slowed accordingly. Reflections on misty drizzle droplets partially obscured our head torch beams. Very glad to reach the hut. Primus used, but we didn’t eat much, and getting to sleep wasn’t difficult.
5.30 AM Sunday, I peered out the hut door into more Tararua clag. We brewed up, and discussed options, with the easte
rn side still the best route home. We could at least complete the Jumbo Holdsworth circuit. We had plenty of daylight, not quite plenty of energy, and by heading east, we had the promise of some finer weather. Back down to Park Forks, The Waiohine River, and Dorset Creek, we saw more of what must be one of the most scenic areas in the Tararuas. And for the second time in less than 24 hours, we were a bit fresher, so could admire it from a better state of mind. The big hill back to McGregor Biv was daunting, but we were soon back up in the mist. Periodic time checks suggested that our finish time would be close to 24 hours. We pushed our pace when we could, really appreciating the several easy sections of ridge, and soon gained some time over our earlier estimations. McGregor Biv again, Angle Knob, Jumbo, etcetera, and so back into fresh hutbagging territory. And we were back with the crowds, as expected, with a few people out training for next weekend’s popular Jumbo Holdsworth Trail Race. It was certainly 
a good feeling to reach the well trodden path. A few rest/ drink/ lollie stops, then more and more crowds around Powell Hut. The day warmed up a lot on the descent, which ended in a mad dash down past Mountain house. We guzzled lots of water. A hell ov a relief to hit the last flat before Holdsworth Lodge, and see the lodge shortly before our 24 hour deadline. The Atiwhakatu swimming hole was lovely. Then the rush to catch the train back to Wellington was about as fast as the rush for our Rogaine deadline.Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Tararua Peaks
Beyond the Tararua Peaks.
We wanted to follow parts of the famous Tararua Mountain Race, traverse the most rugged section of the entire Tararuas, and complete a circuit of the Southern Main Range in under 24 hours. So, we started from Otaki Forks 5 January 2007 under a beautiful full moon, and enjoyed perfect weather all the way. A chilly wind sometimes, but warm sun on sheltered side as day warmed up. Just a few misty fingers over Simpson, Wright, and Junction Knob- sort of artistic in style and look without the feared complete Tararua whiteout. And it was lovely to enter the cool of the big Otaki forest mid afternoon. The people we disturbed 0130 at Parewai Hut we met again at YTYY 1600, and the people we disturbed 0500 at Kime Hut we met again at Parewai 2125. The sunrise and moonset were spectacular from Kime and Bridge Peak. Tuiti and Tunui (The Tararua Peaks) were very special on such a good day. Kelly was good all the way, despite a few frustrating leatherwood bits on McIntosh, and the deep mud there too. I was good till Aokaparangi Peak, when I began to experience stomach problems, forcing us to miss Aokap Biv. The trail dried out nicely from Mangahuka north, particularly over Kahiwiroa and Crawford, with excellent travel. Kelly was eating all the way, I was throwing up a bit, but I found I could keep going, with the only sustenance being water- in very small droplets. Due to my condition, we were fully planning to overnite at Andersons or YTYY hut, but a 30 minute rest/ sleep/ dry out did the trick at each hut. I came back to life fairly quickly, and just wanted to keep going. We took primus and billy, and used them to great relief. Very reassuring having EPIRB and emergency stuff, should we need it. Foot and crotch rash problems only minor, thanks to ability to dry feet out on good tussock/ gravel sections of track. We used the Otaki River- Arapito Creek section instead of the sidle track, and saved a good 30 minutes. Met a joker on the track to YTYY who offered me $60.00 for my topo map. Rapid travel back on the farmland, then we reached the car without using torches. Tony Gates and Kelly Holland- Total time 19 hours 59 minutes.
If same route done in reverse, or as part of 48 hour mission, good track travel to YTYY (use Arapito Creek, cross then recross Otaki river to reach hut), very big hill up to Junction Knob, excellent tops travel as far south as Maungahuka, (but careful not to loose track if misty or dark). Steep, rough up and down, plus more mud and leatherwood south of Maungahuka. You could miss the worst leatherwood on McIntosh, and dive down to Penn Creek Hut via Pakihore Ridge, then back up to Table top, then Field Hut, and home down to Otaki Forks.
We wanted to follow parts of the famous Tararua Mountain Race, traverse the most rugged section of the entire Tararuas, and complete a circuit of the Southern Main Range in under 24 hours. So, we started from Otaki Forks 5 January 2007 under a beautiful full moon, and enjoyed perfect weather all the way. A chilly wind sometimes, but warm sun on sheltered side as day warmed up. Just a few misty fingers over Simpson, Wright, and Junction Knob- sort of artistic in style and look without the feared complete Tararua whiteout. And it was lovely to enter the cool of the big Otaki forest mid afternoon. The people we disturbed 0130 at Parewai Hut we met again at YTYY 1600, and the people we disturbed 0500 at Kime Hut we met again at Parewai 2125. The sunrise and moonset were spectacular from Kime and Bridge Peak. Tuiti and Tunui (The Tararua Peaks) were very special on such a good day. Kelly was good all the way, despite a few frustrating leatherwood bits on McIntosh, and the deep mud there too. I was good till Aokaparangi Peak, when I began to experience stomach problems, forcing us to miss Aokap Biv. The trail dried out nicely from Mangahuka north, particularly over Kahiwiroa and Crawford, with excellent travel. Kelly was eating all the way, I was throwing up a bit, but I found I could keep going, with the only sustenance being water- in very small droplets. Due to my condition, we were fully planning to overnite at Andersons or YTYY hut, but a 30 minute rest/ sleep/ dry out did the trick at each hut. I came back to life fairly quickly, and just wanted to keep going. We took primus and billy, and used them to great relief. Very reassuring having EPIRB and emergency stuff, should we need it. Foot and crotch rash problems only minor, thanks to ability to dry feet out on good tussock/ gravel sections of track. We used the Otaki River- Arapito Creek section instead of the sidle track, and saved a good 30 minutes. Met a joker on the track to YTYY who offered me $60.00 for my topo map. Rapid travel back on the farmland, then we reached the car without using torches. Tony Gates and Kelly Holland- Total time 19 hours 59 minutes.
If same route done in reverse, or as part of 48 hour mission, good track travel to YTYY (use Arapito Creek, cross then recross Otaki river to reach hut), very big hill up to Junction Knob, excellent tops travel as far south as Maungahuka, (but careful not to loose track if misty or dark). Steep, rough up and down, plus more mud and leatherwood south of Maungahuka. You could miss the worst leatherwood on McIntosh, and dive down to Penn Creek Hut via Pakihore Ridge, then back up to Table top, then Field Hut, and home down to Otaki Forks.
Monday, January 15, 2007
Day 1
Day 1
Greg and Hazel - Kapakapanui and Otaki Forks area. A somewhat shorted trip than planned due to the weather, but still a good trip.
Kapakapanui Hut (photo not from this trip), Parawai Lodge, Renata Hut and Waitaru Hut
Tuesday, January 2, 2007
HutBagging season is here!
Hello All,
The competition is now open and the first points have been scored. Entries are still being accepted and it's not too late to sign up and get started.
The Hutbagger's Rogaine is a summer-long event involving teams of people visiting as many huts in the Tararuas as possible in a set amount of time. For more info, and to sign up, visit www.outdoor.co.nz
Happy hutbagging,
Hazel :)
The competition is now open and the first points have been scored. Entries are still being accepted and it's not too late to sign up and get started.
The Hutbagger's Rogaine is a summer-long event involving teams of people visiting as many huts in the Tararuas as possible in a set amount of time. For more info, and to sign up, visit www.outdoor.co.nz
Happy hutbagging,
Hazel :)
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