Easter Weekend: 3 Days: Friday 7th to Monday 10th April 2023
This is the Second Part of my Kawekas Adventure following the
earlier popular trip in Easter ‘22 and will cover the Northern Area.
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 28th February
There will be two parties:
1) Medium (M) requiring good level of fitness and experience. Climbs over steep slopes to the Kaweka main range ~1700M: Typically, 6-7 hrs/day
2) Medium Fit (M/F) Experience and a higher level of fitness and stamina necessary with main range climb over Whetu and Kaweka J (1724M)
For more information on Trip Gradings refer to our Website link below:
www.nstc.org.nz/useful-info#tripgradings
Friday:
Departing Friday Morning at 8am and driving from Auckland to Taupo for a lunch stop before travelling over the Taupo to Napier Road.
~125km from Taupo turning off at Glengarry Rd and heading 60km inland before the steep 14km climb up Whittle Rd to the Makahu Saddle Campsite.
Accommodation options are: sleep on the bus, tent out at Makahu Saddle Campsite or Makahu Saddle Hut (4 Bunks).
Facilities: Toilet at Carpark and Hut
Saturday:
Both parties will leave from Makahu Saddle Carpark and head up to the top of Makahu Saddle (1700M) and then North to Whetu (1650M). Medium Party will turn off to Makino Hut and Medium/Fit Party will continue onto Venison Tops Hut.
Trip Cost extras:
• For any of the nights you stay in hut a Blue Standard DOC hut ticket is required - available from Bivouac Outdoor@$5 unless tenting out.
Medium Party (M): Maximum Party Size is 10
Saturday:
From the Makahu Saddle Carpark up to Makahu Saddle (2 hrs ) then onto Whetu (1650M, ~2hrs) before turn off to Makino Hut. ~2 hrs further onto Makino Hut (6 bunks). Some tent sites near hut.
Sunday:
From Makino Hut loop around to Middle Hill Hut ~5hrs: (6 Bunks).
Some tent sites near hut.
Monday:
Middle Hill Hut out to the Makahu Saddle Carpark via Kaweka Flats. (5.7 km, 3 hrs).
Kaweka Flats Bivvy is ~1 hr from the Makahu Saddle Carpark
Optional Side trip to Iron Whare (historic) site)
• Arrive back at the Makahu Saddle Carpark by mid-day
Medium Fit Party (M/F): Maximum Party Size is 8
Saturday:
The M/F Party will go from Makahu Saddle Carpark over Whetu, across to Ballard Hut turnoff (1400M) and drop down to the hut for lunch.
From Ballard Hut back up onto main range and drop down to the plateau before last ascent to Venison Tops Hut (1490M, 12 Bunks).
Sunday:
From Venison Tops Hut descend to Rocks Ahead Hut (2 Hrs) then up onto Back Ridge (2hrs, 1370m) then onto Back Ridge Hut (4 Bunks).
Monday:
From Back Ridge up Sterns Saddle then over Kaweka J (1724M) and down Makahu Saddle to Carpark. ~ 3 ½ hr
• Both trips involve travel on exposed tops. Full storm gear required.
• Please bring a tent as Huts have limited spaces
Cost: $135
An additional DOC Standard Hut Fee of $5 (Blue ticket) required for each night if staying in a hut.
N.B: As places on this Trip are limited to 18 please register and pay deposit by 28th Feb to secure your place.
Depart: Friday: 7th April 2023, 8am: Corner 6 Auburn St & Como St Carpark, Takapuna
Organiser: Kevin Osten Ph. 0274 577418
Drivers: TBA
MAPS
Fit party:
Medium party:
NZ Topo Map: KAWEKA RANGE, Hawke's Bay - NZ Topo Map
