Thurdsay - We started from the Onepoto Shelter through the former Armed Constabulary Redoubt and climbed steadily up to the top of Panekire Bluff. We then followed the undulating ridgeline before reaching Puketapu Trig (1180 metres) and onto Panekire Hut. Friday - From Panekire Hut, we headed south-west down the range to the top of the Panekire descent. From here we dropped steeply off the range into rolling valleys of beech, podocarp and kamahi forest and the lake. Then onto Waiopaoa Hut for lunch. Then we followed the track along the lake edge to Korokoro Campsite. Saturday - We set of mid-morning firstly to Maraunui Campsite where we stopped for lunch, then visited Marauiti Hut and finally onto Waiharuru Campsite. Sunday - We climbed over the Pukehou Ridge following the kiwi enclosure fence line down to Tapuaenui Campsite and then on out to Wanganui Hut for lunch. Our water taxi then took us back to Onepoto Bay and the shuttle van.
Thursday, 05 January 2017
Some of us spent a day before the walk exploring the local caves
Sue
I canna hold it much longer!!
Then we walked to Lake Waikareiti on the Ruapani loop track
You can hire boats to cross the lake
Lake Waikareiti day shelter
Aniwaniwa Falls
Historic trailer - used to transport heavy equipment for the local Hydro construction in the 1920's
We had an overnight camp at Big Bush camp ground before the lake trip
The start of the great walk
Heading up to Panekire Bluff
Paddy and Chris
Anne
Awesome views as we climbed up Panekire Bluffs
Paddy
Bald Knob
Glenda and DW on Bald Knob
Chris
Sue, Paddy, Annie
Panekire hut (the least comfortable of all the huts)
Annie looking out from Panekiri Hut
Going down from Panekiri Hut
Is that a geocache that Sue is reaching for?
Darrel
Looks like a face huh
The trees had them too
Sue being lazy at Waiopaoa hut (lunch stop)
Waiopaoa Hut - spacious and modern
Yes that man is knitting!! He's also very talented on camera and guitar!
Old and new bridge
Korokoro campground
Cooking up a storm (well boiling water anyways)
Checking out Darrel's new tent
We did a side trip to Korokoro Falls in the afternoon
Korokoro Falls were magnificent
Chris behind the falls
The view from behind (you can see Paddy and his orange cap center photo
Sue's turn
Cable wire - Annie was the swing expert
Swans on the lake
Sunset
Sue and Glenda
Floating flower
Bryan
Rest stop
Private hut
Private hut x2
Panekiri Bluffs
Marauiti hut
Waiharuru hut - t'was very flash
Meanwhile...back at our camp ground
Anne and Paddy relaxing by their tent
Darrel also in relaxing mode
Whanganui Hut
Big Bush water taxi arriving to pick us up
The boat ride back - we have completed the Lake Waikaremoana Track
Sue, Glenda and Chris stayed an extra day - this is their view from Lou's Lookout
