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Lindsay and Sue Cuthbertson Leaving the car at Kuripapango bout 11.30 a.m. we dropped down: the side road to the water gauge on the Ngaruroro river and found the start of the Smiih-Russell tracie This route climbs steeply to the tops, sidling arourd Kuripepango peak at 4100 ft. A lunch break was taken before we met the Euli force of the strong cold wind, making over-trousers necessary: although the weather was fine enough and the sun shining. Almost immediately we noticed that since our last visit the spread of pinus contorta has seemed to have gone on unchecked and is now visible throughcut the range, especially on open tops. This is obviously going to le a major problen for the Forest Service to eradicate. Kiwi Saddle hut (owned by tho Heretaunga Tramping Club) was reached by 3 p.m. and a ouick brew prepared. Ross Cordon (HVTC) was in residence and was just leaving for Kiwi Mouth hut about 1% hours away. He told us that an NZFS party of four men: including Paul Clarke (also HVTC) was completing re- citting the high-level track and would be at the hut. We dacided to &o there also and thoroughly enjoyed tramping down the facter low-level Kiwi Creek route with its small flats and plentitai birdlife. Kiwi Mouth hut (NZFS 4-bunks) is beautifully placed on a large open sheltered grassy flat at the jurction of Kiwi Creek and the big Ngaruroro river. We enjoyed a splendid fire and chatted late into the night with the NZFS pariy: One of whom knocked up a camp oven loaf for supper which was celicious. Next day, before departure, we walked about ten minutes downstream to inspect the walkway bride and founc it in good order. We then proceeded up Back Ridg e (thore i- an excellent track although not shown on the map) and nassed tle NZIS bivouac before lunch. We did not sight any deer on the trip but heard several animals whistling in this area. Agein the weather was fine but strong winds blew across the tops The ligat sprinkling of snow had almost disappeared. It was. not long before we reached Stern Saddle and were lcoking dom on Back Ridge hut. It then took a bit of effort to push along to the summit and memorial cairn at 5657 ft. which was reached about 4 p.m. We moved off quickly, following the poled route to Studholme Saddle and thence to Studholme hut (NZFS 4-bunks). Studholme hut would not be easy to find in poor weather from the tops. There is a pointer on the ridge. Fortunately we had sighted part of the hut from the tops and shut the door just before complete darkness. The hut iz situated in a rather damp little clearing. It is in first-class order and gets very little use. We were on our way again cownstream about 10 a.m. next morning and stopped about ten minutes later to inspect the NZFS bivouac. There is no firewood in the immediate vicinity of the bivy which we supposed to be the reason why the hut has been piaced where it is. We then climbed over Kaiarah: and The Tits and then dropped down steep shingle to Kaweka hut (HTC) for lunch. mhis large hut was built in 1936 and renovated in 1976 and is. in e xcellent order, The direct track from Kaweka hut to Mackintosh hut is not shown on the ten year old map. we lost a bit of time but successfully followed the old overgrown track shown tili it joined the well-cut direct route. This track staye at about bush level apart from the spectacular drop into the gorge of Kaiarahi Creek after which it climbs out again to about the same level and continues to Mackintosh hut (NZFS 4-bunks). Our arrival at about 4 p.m. COincided with that of a 9.-strong vouth group from Hastings. Our fly was quickly erected nearby (numerous excellen': sites) and we enjoyed a chat later with the hut occupants.
The forestry roads have been excended in recent yearso There is now a track linking Mackintosh hut with the Castle Rocks road. There is a car park and direction signs. The most scenic part of the 12 hour track is the descent. and ascent of the gorge of the Tutaekuri fiver. There is a walkway bridge over the river. Arriving at the road-enc we took a side track that we expected would link up with the track eround The Lakes. However, after about N an hour- we found curselves unable to proceed in dense pine forest and recùired a compass to' estricate ourselves from it back to the road. Wer then walked down the road about 10 mninutes and found another side road icading in the right direction. This proved to be our route and in gently-falling rain we linked with the track around The Lakes and out to the main road at a point known as Pine Tree. Wc were soon back atithe car (noon)- and enjoyed lunch with Paul Clarke at the Forestry base hut before driving back to Wellington.
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