Kawekas Trip: Easter Weekend

Easter Weekend: 3 Days: Friday 15th to Monday 18th April 2022

An opportunity to experience the seldom visited Kaweka Forest Park.

Join us to explore the Kaweka Range featuring manuka and beech forest with open tops offering expansive views of the Hawkes Bay.

$35 deposit required by 15th March 2022

There will be two trips:
1)    Medium (M) requiring good level of fitness and experience.     Climbs over steep slopes to the Kaweka main range ~1500M: Typically 7 hrs/day

2)    Fit (F): Experience and a high level of fitness and stamina necessary. +8 hrs /day with main range climb over Kaweka J: 1724M.

For more  information on Trip Gradings  refer to our Website link below:
www.nstc.org.nz/useful-info#tripgradings

Friday 14th:    Departing Friday morning at 8.30am and driving from Auckland to Kuripapango Camp site located 75km from Napier on the Napier-Taihape Highway.
Accommodation options are to sleep on the bus or tent out at Kuripapango Camping ground.
Facilities
•    Toilets
•    Water from stream
•    50 tent sites

Saturday 15th:  Short drive from Kuripapango to The Lakes Carpark where both parties will depart.

Trip Cost includes:

• Kiwi Saddle Hut donation to Heretaunga Tramping Club (HTC).

• For the other  night, both Parties will be staying in a standard DOC Hut requiring your own  Blue Standard DOC hut ticket- available from Bivouac Outdoor@$5 unless tenting out.

Medium Party (M): Maximum Party Size is 11
Saturday:  
From the Lakes Carpark (750M) climb to Mt Kuripapango (1250M, ~2 hrs)  and over the Smith Russell Track to Kiwi Saddle Hut (1242M).

Sunday:
From Kiwi Saddle Hut up via Castle Camp site to Mt Kaiarahi (1507M) then across to Makintosh  Spur Track to Makintosh Hut.(~7 hrs)

Monday:
Makintosh Hut to The Lakes Carpark (~3½hrs)
•    Arrive back at The Lakes Carpark by mid-day

Fit Party (F): Maximum Party Size is 8
Saturday:
The Fit (F) Party will go from The Lakes Carpark (750M) to tackle the
 first climb of the day up The Rogue to Mt Kaiarahi (1507M).
 From Mt Kaiarahi traverse the main range to Studholme Saddle up to Mad Dog Hill and then climb to Kaweka J (1724M), highest peak in the Kawekas, before turning off the main range to Back Ridge Hut(4).

Sunday:
Back Ridge Hut over Sterns Saddle and down Back Ridge to Kiwi Mouth Hut then onto Kiwi Saddle Hut.(~8 hrs)

Monday:
Kiwi Saddle Hut out to The Lakes Car Park. (3½hrs)

•    Both trips involve travel on exposed tops. Full storm gear required.
•    Tent must be carried as Huts have limited spaces   

Cost: $135 (Includes Kiwi Saddle Hut but not the DOC Standard Hut Fee of $5 required for one night).

N.B: Please register and pay $35 deposit  by 15th March 2022 to secure your place.

Depart: Friday: 15th April, 8.30am: Corner 6 Auburn St & Como St Carpark, Takapuna

Organiser: Kevin Osten  Ph. 027 4577418

Drivers: Keith and Craig

MAPS

Fit party:   Online / Printable / GPS

Medium party: Online / Printable / GPS

NZ Topo Map: KAWEKA RANGE, Hawke's Bay - NZ Topo Map

• Covid in the Red Light Setting:
• Register for trips via our website. 
• If you are sick or feel unwell please stay at home and self-isolate
• People attending Club trips will be required to present a “My Vaccine Pass” from the QR code app or by printing your Vaccine Pass from the "My Health Website".
• Please scan the Club QR Code using the NZ Covid Tracer app  
• When on the the bus masks recommended.
• While tramping in public spaces where other people expected to be encountered maintain 1 metre social distancing and wear a mask
• See the Club website for full details about Covid restrictions.
• https://www.nstc.org.nz/news/11484061