Kaimanawa Forest Park
20th – 23rd October
Labour Weekend
Leaving Como Street 5.30pm
Topo maps BH35 & BH36
On a fine day this trip will offer astounding views of Mt Ruapehu, Ngauruhoe and Tongariro and at times Taranaki as well as Lakes Rotoaira and Taupo and to the North Mts Tarawera and Edgecomb.
We will be driving to Waikoko campsite on the Friday night with accommodation options camping or sleeping on the bus.
Tents will need to be carried as the Umukarikari section is very popular. All parties should expect wet feet as it will require several stream crossings and of-track navigation skills will be needed. The itinerary may change on any day at the trip leader’s discretion. All parties will involve travel on exposed tops. Full storm gear required.
Waipakihi Hut- Standard hut fee: blue ticket needed.
Cost: $98.00
Fit (F): 6
Leader: Kevin Osten
You must book for this group before the 6th of October as it involves travel through private land, and we will need to apply for individual permits to cross over.
Saturday
From the Waikoko campsite head up the Umukarikari track, this is a long but steady climb that will take us on to the tops, follow the poled route that heads over Sharp cone (1481) and past Umukarikari (1591) on a fine day you will have spectacular views of the central plateau before descending to Waipakihi river crossing it and on to Waipakihi hut. (6 hours)
Sunday
From the rear of Waipakihi Hut take a poled route that climbs up to Junction Tops (1605) and the Middle range, from there head in a Southerly direction to Te Raketuangiangi (1605) then passing PT (1660) and onto Thunderbolt (1633) from there head SW to Motutere (1646) and a short distance on to (1526), from here pick up the Thunderbolt track and a steep descent down to the Waipakihi river to camp. (8-10 hours)
Monday
From the Waipakihi river it is a steep climb up onto the Urchin track turning left at the top, it’s a short distance to the Urchin Trigg, continue from here down the Urchin track and a 2-kilometer trip via a forestry road back to the bus. (3-4 hours)
Medium/Fit (M/F): 6
Leader: Chris Peard
Saturday
From the Waikoko campsite take the forestry road of about 2 kilometers to the start of the Urchin track, head up the Urchin it’s a steady climb up to the Urchin Trigg (1392) head East a short distance to the track junction that will drop steeply about 350 meters to the Waipakihi river, head up the river crossing it several times for about 1.5 k to locate the start of the Thunderbolt track (about 300 meters NE from the marked one on Topo map) on the true left of the river and camp, or if weather permits you may consider carrying on up the Thunderbolt track and camp onto of or about Motutere. (5 hours)
Sunday
From the river it’s the steepest assent of the trip up the Thunderbolt track to Motutere (1646) and the Middle range, form their head East to Thunderbolt (1633) then a North to PT (1660), it’s from here we descend to the NW sidling around Te Hiwiokaituri Ridge to pick up the Waipakihi Middle range track to the Waipakihi hut. (8-9 hours)
Monday
From Waipakihi hut head down to the river and it’s a well-marked popular route up on to Umukarikari (1591) and over Sharp cone (1481) with views on a fine day of the central plateau before the long descent down to Waikoko campsite and the Bus. (6 hours)
Medium (M): 6
Leader: Stefan Masuitti
Saturday
From the Waikoko campsite take the forestry road of about 2 kilometers to the start of the Urchin track, head up the Urchin it’s a steady climb up to the Urchin Trigg (1392) head East a short distance to the track junction that will drop steeply about 350 meters to the Waipakihi river, crossing the river you will immediately locate a rather lovely place to set up camp for the night. (4-5 hours)
Sunday
From the camp site you will navigate your way up the Waipkakihi river, crossing it numerous times, passing several beautiful river-flats. This is truly a delight on a hot summer day, this valley exudes a wilderness vibe like many in the South Island. You will eventually arrive at the Waipkaihi hut. Expect wet feet. (5 hours)
Monday
From Waipakihi hut head down to the river and it’s a well-marked popular route up on to Umukarikari (1591) and over Sharp cone (1481) with views on a fine day of the central plateau before the long descent down to Waikoko campsite and the Bus. (6 hours)
Cost: $98.00 Please book by 6 October
Organiser: Chris Peard 021 277 0270
Driver(s): Craig O'Neill
Maps:
Online/GPS/Printable - Fit party
Online/GPS/Printable - Medium/Fit party
Online/GPS/Printable - Medium Party
