Kaimanawas - Kawekas: Christmas 1976/77

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KAIMANAWAS - KAWEKAS : CHRISTMAS 1976/77 Monday, December 20 Karen Reid, Andrew Bell, Brian Charles, Kent Russell, Ian Bunckenburg, Five Tongue and Meats crawled out of their pits on the Mill Road, Poronui, having arrived there by rental car to/Taupo and then taxi the previous day. Fifteen minutes down the road and we were moving along the easy track up to Te Iringa Hut, which we reached in 1% houra, A drink, then on to the Tiki Tiki stream, still following the easy track. At intervals we could see the farm land of Poronui where the F.M.C. organised the "Freedom Walk" two years ago. We lunched at the bottom of the.ridge and % hour later were in the Kaipo where Kent and Brian tried some fishing without success, Choosing a campsite for the night was awkward as the Kaipo is such a picturesque place and each small flat seemed better than the one before. Eventually, some 30 minutes up stream we camped in the lee of a large old beech tree. Tuesday, 21st Rain. With a nice leisurely start we ambled the Kaipo. The track quickly diminished in size to an old animal trail, at first sidling the river on terraces on the true right, then travelling up the small stream. We lunched by a small side stream, with the sun trying to shine, but Huey always getting the better. Just before we climbed out, thunder rolled around the head of the valley and more rain fell. Once out of the river the track climbs on to the ridge and follows a spur down into the Cascade River. 15 minutes downstream is the Dunkirk Hut. The fishermen went out, again without any luck (later found that a waterfall 3% miles inside the park stops all fish coming upstream) 5 hours from our camp - the hut. Wednesday, 22nd An early start in the morning (in the rain) and we were following toward Ngapuketurua. The Forest Service had just finished working on the track so it was in excellent condition a side trip up the, Te Wai-o-Tupuritia stream to McNuts hut. Going up we caught a paradise duckling, chased the odd hare and saw a large trout. : The basin is like a wild life reserve. Lunch was, had back c-at the packs. Kent landed a nice 5 lb trout downstream, which was * eagerly devoured that: 2t evening. a I Tuesday, 28th : With the, wind blowing and clouds in the sky the extras food was landed at the airstrip. From here we followed the old bridle track down river for' one hour and then into the Ngarurorp River. About lunch time the rain came again. The river is very "gorgey" with many long deep pools. We started to sidle and still, sidling 5 hours later we canped at the bush edge.. i Wednesday, 29th Away by 7.30 a.m. and sidling in the fairly cool weather; keeping well above the river and occasionally seeing one of the many pools, after 6 hours and only 2 inches covered on the map, we dropped into the river for 5 minutes arriving at the Ngawapurua hut mid- afternoon. We had tubes with us, but to - - owing thecool weather preferred to sidle. I Thursday, 30th After the first couple of erossings the water was, fairly warm for 7.30 a.me Most of the crossings are good but slippery as we all found out during the"course of the day: About 10 o'clock we stopped and fished a pool, losing a spinner in the process. A lot of the pools have good sized fish in them but they wouldn't bite for us at all. About 1% hours down from,the Omarukokere Biv a very large slip had dammed the river within Dalite the last 6 weeks. From here on travel in the river improyed immensely. About 5.30 p.m. and after 52 scrossings, we reached the Blocks Ahead hut where we stayed in the fly as the hut à isa wr: was occupied. -

Friday, 31st ieaa I (-"A : A sleepy group slowly woke up as they crawled up towards Marson. At the top of the main ridge we had lunch. Travel along

€ * ) : the tops is stra-ght forward with some gentle undulating mounds, - wa,drop into a saddle followed by a small climb. We reached the hut before the heavy rain reached us. After an hour there we plodded on, sidling most of the to where the way ridge drops back, into, - the an Ngaruroro opposite Kiwi Mouth Hut. We were. chased off . the tops by a brief hail storm, getting to the hut half an hour t later in perfect sunshine, making it an attractive place to spend New Year's Eve. Our celebrating was spent making scones, having an extra ration of lunch. food, bouncing balloons around and making a bonfire out of some dry manuka tops. : Saturday, 1st January 1977 Rest day. Rain - sleep - generally lying in pits. Some Heretaunga T.C. types passed through leaving a few behind. They shared a bottle of some very nice home-made plum wine (an excellent way to toast the New Year!) Sunday, 2nd Reluctantly we left Kiwi Mouth at 2.30 p.m. for Kiwi Saddle, 2 hours away, just taking our time and enjoying the sun. This part of the Kawekas is very badly eroded and pine trees are sprouting everywhere from the forest below. Monday, 3rd With another easy. day to the road we ambled,out down the track arriving at Kuripapango with plenty of time to spare, for a wash and lunch. Ian. McDonald picked us up and took us back to - Taradale where after a splash in the pool we sat down to a most enjoyable meal, and after a tour of the town, it was to bed, and home. by the "Endeavour" the next day. : FrE bne Ce -000000000000- :.