Queen's Birthday 3-5 June 2022

Leader: Peter Davis

I love the Kaweka Range, it is always a nice change from the Tararua and Ruahine Ranges where we do the bulk of our North Island tramping.

It is a long way to drive, so long weekends are an ideal opportunity to visit. Kaweka J had been on my radar for a while, having done previous tramps adjacent to it.

We left Kapiti in the dark around 6.30 am, and after travelling through dense fog, the 3 cars rendezvoused at Dannevirke for coffee/breakfast. A couple of hours later we were at Makahu Saddle Carpark. The weather looked promising as we started out and bagged our first hut after less than 5 minutes walking!

The climb up to Kaweka J started immediately and we slogged up Makahu Spur in misty, windy and quite cold conditions, We stopped half way for lunch at Dominie Hut. Shortly after starting climbing again, the sun burst through and we were treated to stunning conditions as we made our way up to Kaweka J. We mucked around on the tops taking in the 360 degree views and also the Heretaunga Tramping Club War Memorial Cairn. It was then time to descend to Black Ridge Hut. Once out of the sun, we could feel that it was going to be a clear frosty and very cold night. Gold Card members were quick to pull rank and nab the 4 bunks ands 1 floor space available while the rest of us found spots to pitch our tents. Some chose wet feet and crossed the stream to camp under the trees, while others chose to camp on the nice but open flats adjacent to the hut.

We snuggled into the warmth of our sleeping bags and stayed put for 12 hours.

In the morning several woke to frozen boots, socks and tents, (note - those under the trees were better off!!) It was a welcome relief to get warm with the climb up to North Kaweka from behind the hut. Once on the tops, we were once again treated to nice weather and magnificent views. Ruapehu and Ngauruhoe looked gorgeous, and the skiers in the group were salivating over the amount of snow on the slopes! We stopped for lunch just below Whetu Peak. The weather was starting to deteriorate and options for the night's camping spot and following day's travel were considered. The original destination was Ballard Hut, but we opted to bypass it and head for Middle Hill Hut, which meant a shorter last day.

Bunks were sort after and apart from hard man John S, a new crew slept out in tents. It was a substantially warmer night, and the hut was full with another party of 3 meaning 4 were sleeping on the floor.

The last day still had plenty of ascent and descent, but we were glad to be at lower altitudes as the tops looked bleak. We had a very pleasant lunch in the sun at Kaweka Flats Bivvy before walking another 90 minutes back to the car park.

It was a pretty demanding, but very rewarding trip, with great company as always.

I will back to bag Ballard Hut and a few others

Those on the trip were:

Chris Keating, Glenda Robb, John Sturgess, Julie James, Kylie Gilbert, Marcia Goode, Marian Cox, Matt Freeland, Owen Cox, Peter Davis, Yeun An, Yingjun Shelton

Currently there is no photo album for this trip.