Cow Creek, Tararua FP, Dec 2020

After a bit of a lay-off we're finally back into the Tararua's for a weekend with Nicola and Charlie, and good friends Nicholas and Missy.

Take me to the hills Dad (Shot by Missy)

Original plans had us heading toward Otaki Forks, but once again the access road is closed.  

Forecasts of scattered rain and high winds indicated that we should stay low, having had our full of high winds on the tops for 2020, and so our plan was to head over Blue Range into the Waingawa and up the river to Arete Fork Hut for Saturday evening.

We managed a 0700 start from the Kiriwhakapapa Road aiming for Cow Creek Hut for lunch. 

The ladies looking luscious

The walk into Cow Creek disappeared easily as there was much to discuss: urban planning, plot ratios and politics.  The wind and chill on the ridge kept us in two layers for most of the trip, however it quickly warmed up as we dropped off toward the river. 

With many of the countries problems resolved, or at least well debated, we made Cow Creek for a well deserved lunch just before noon. 

The Smith's sexing it up for the screen (Waingawa bridge at Cow Creek)

A recent sprained ankle was causing Nicola some serious pain on the walk in, so we decided that the trip along to Arete Forks Hut would be stupid, particularly given our summer plans.  That ankle has to be 100% by February.

So we decided to stay at Cow Creek for the night, but for Nicholas, Missy and I to see if we could get to Arete Forks and back before we were either too buggered or it was dark.

Giant bracket fungi

The track from Cow Creek to Arete Forks sidles the TR of the Waingawa, climbing quickly to 800m before dropping in and out of six significant creeks.

One of the six creeks to be crossed between Cow Creek and Arete Forks Hut

While not to far on the map, we soaked up three hours getting to creek number five and our pre-determined turn-around time.  Bugger as I reckoned we needed probably 40 minutes more to get to the hut.  It'll be there for another day.  

Our turn-around point - bugger

Arriving back at the hut early evening we were glad to have secured a bed.  Nicola had spent her afternoon attending to her ankle then entertaining the 12 other visitors to the six bed hut.

Whilst it was a fine evening, a few arrived without camping gear so the hut accommodated 10 (four on the floor), four camped, and two made a late dash for Mitre Flats, some three hours away.

Sunday morning involved a sleep-in as we waited for the four on the floor to make some room, then we breakfasted outside.

Caption this . . .

Sunday was a better weather day.

Waingawa River at Cow Creek

Just below the hut

As always, a weekend in the bush with Nicholas is a learning experience.  Discussion ranged from economics and the environment, to whether I'm woke or not, and from the Treaty of Waitangi to alliterations (see photo captions).  I am wiser for his company.

Missy's portrait shot

THE END.

Holdsworth-Jumbo day out

 Another day out with good friends and tramping aficionados; Nick and Missy Smith.

Today's plan was simple, a quick loop around the Holdsworth-Jumbo circuit.  Nick and Missy had been to Powell Hut before, but not the new hut, and neither had been to the summit for the views over the central Tararua Range. 

Nick and Missy had spent Saturday walking into, and back from, Sayer Hut via the Mangatarere Valley, so they'd already had a good leg-stretcher.  And with Saturday night involving and ale or two along with a Bruichladdich "The Classic Laddie" and Laphroaig single malt, we didn't depart the carpark until a bit after 0800. 

We could see a bit of fast moving cloud above Powell, but it was tee-shirt weather to the hut. 

Powell Hut 

Heading to Holdsworth summit in a strengthening NW-er.

Nick above Powell, with views over the Wairarapa Valley. 

View north to Mt Holdsworth.

We try and 'up-skill' ourselves on plants and birds each trip we do together, so here's a few alpine plants (identified post trip unfortunately). I think this is the 'at risk' hebe Veronica Evenosa which is common to the central and southern Tararua only.

Alpine Cushion Plant (I hope!).

And the North Island Edelweiss.

Nick also identified the Shining Cuckoo (by song) later in the day, which we confirmed once home with access to the Birds of NZ website.  

A first summit for Nick and Missy - congratulations!!

Views to the NW weren't there today however to the east over Wairarapa we had superb views. 

The north-wester was working well today, hence the need for jackets, and for the bald amongst us, a beanie.

Leaning into it.

We found a beaut lunch spot on the leeward side of the ridge, just south of the East Holdsworth turnoff.  We sat on piles of dry Red Deer shit and tussock and enjoyed cheese, salami and tomato crackers.  The Smiths out-did us with the addition of avocado, and a flask of tea - very Wellington!!     

From here we quickly made the turn-off and passed by Jumbo Hut and dropped down Raingauge Spur to Atiwhakatu Hut.  We made it back to the car by around 1800.

Another superb outing.

Labour weekend, Tararua FP, October 2020

Pretty happy with the hat Charlie found me in the Atiwhakatu.

As is usual, plans were oscillating during the week as the weather forecast moved about; a tops trip, a valley trip, or stay home and drink beer?  The rain forecast didn't look to bad for a main range trip, but the wind looked breezy on Sunday and Monday.

As we had the three days of Labour Day weekend we were hopeful for a decent jaunt in the Tararua so Nick and Missy had agreed to meet us at Jumbo later on Friday evening for an early Saturday getaway.  Nic and I were away from Holdsworth carpark by 1600 hrs so were enjoying a Pita Pit dinner and Wairarapa views on the Jumbo deck just after 1900 hrs. 

The hut was chocka - including 10 from a group of 20 from the North Shore Tramping Club (the other ten bedding down at Powell Hut).  That's keenness, driving all the way to Masterton for a weekend in the Tararua, maybe a reflection of the history that the mountain range has.   

The best laid schemes o' mice an' men - Nick and Missy ended up caught in a traffic jam and didn't arrive at Mt Holdsworth carpark until much later than planned so only made it to Atiwhakatu on Friday evening, disturbing a deer on the walk in.

An early start straight up Raingauge Spur had them at Jumbo at a reasonable hour, and gave Nic and I a leisurely start to the morning.  It also gave us all some time to consider the weather situation.   

Ultimately, and as always, the girls won the negotiation, and the planned tops trip was shelved due to the present wind and the forecast for Sunday and Monday.

A plan was hatched to head back down into the Atiwhakatu via the northern track and over the Barton Track to Mitre Flats for Saturday evening.

The track heads east from Jumbo Hut with great views north to Baldy.

And east over the Wairarapa plains.

Part way down the spur Missy found what may be a woodlouse, not a very appealing name for quite a cool little creature!

Once off the spur we stopped for lunch at the Atiwhakatu steam before the short walk north to the bridge and climb to the Baldy Track turnoff.

The fernery.

As expected for a long weekend Mitre Flats Hut was full, so by mid afternoon we had tents pitched and were enjoying some down time by the river.  You gotta love those 1980's purple fleece pants!

Due to the change in plans we had a day up our sleeve and with bad weather on the tops we thought Mid King Biv would be a good target for Sunday.  As Nicola had sprained an ankle on Saturday she opted for a day's cross-stitch at Mitre Flats.

Our day started with a wander up the true left (TL) of South Mitre Stream.

After around half an hour, a crossing to the TR, and passing of two creeks, a prominent spur is gained.  This well walked but unmarked track heads NW to 600m then West to the bivvy at 1,140m.   

 We left the hut in fairly good weather although the wind up higher was obvious and a little liquid was floating about.

By the time we were at 1,000m things had gotten a tad worse; it was colder, windier and the rain had set in.  We overshot the sidle around to the biv and climbed to over 1,200m and onto the tops before turning around and spending a little more time looking for the sidle around to the biv.  This wasn't evident and as we were all drenched, cold and keen on lunch we quickly made the decision to drop lower and find a spot out of the weather to warm up and eat.

We enjoyed a 'learning moment' whilst in the mist.  Having recently lost my Garmin GPS we were using phone mapping Apps.  Our phones touch screens did not work at all well in the rain.  Make sure you have alternatives when in bad weather.   

Enjoying the warmth of a lower altitude. . .     

Once back at South Mitre Stream we decided to follow the TR back down to the bridge, and found a good track for most parts.  Just shy of the bridge things got a little sketchy and Missy decided to spice things up a bit by slipping and calling for help.

Husband Nick, always the helpful bugger, decided a photo opportunity had presented itself, so with a "I'll be with you shortly luv" proceeded to document Missy's predicament before offering a hand.  

 We were back at Mitre Flats Hut around 1500 hrs but decided another hut night trumped a walk out today.

The walk out from Mitre Flats on Monday took a little over 3.5 hours to the road end, and is a fairly easy stroll.  A quick stop was in order, to paddle the Mitre Waka.

As our vehicles were at Mt Holdsworth we had to wander along the Upper Waingawa Road for a km or two until we could find a crossing of the Waingawa onto Blakes Road and home. 

The Crew

Regular tramping buddies, Missy (Navy Commander, Nav girl and much much more).

Nicholas (Urban economist, philosopher, political provocateur, and a ladies man). 

The boss, Nicola

Trip scribe, and Charlie the dog.

To the Centre of NZ, Tararua FP, October 2020

A trip to NZ's geographical centre

In 2019 GNS Science recalculated the location of the centre of New Zealand taking into account that the United Nations now recognises New Zealand covers about 6 million square kilometres, 95% of it being sea bed.  The recalculation has the centre around 11km west of Greytown, on the Mt Reeves Track in the Tararuas.  A move north from its prior location in Nelson.  

The following pictures show NZ's extended continental shelf - all 6 million sq kilometres of it. 

GNS Science

In early May 2020 we attempted to visit the spot via the track leading off the Waiohine Valley Road - the most advertised route.  Unfortunately this was not to be.

A little research confirmed for us that the farmer was right and the black pen wielding graffiti artist wrong.  Alternative access had to be found.   

So in early October our second attempt commenced on the true left of the Waiohine River and about 5km to the north at the Waiohine Gorge Road end.  We were joined this time by Missy.

The track crosses the Waiohine River and quickly turns south-west to cross Coal Stream.

From Coal Stream, at around 160m we climb to 745m over 2km to the junction with the Mt Reeves Track.  

From the junction we headed generally west for around 1.5km toward points 785 and 899.

A collaboration between DoC, scientists and artist Billy Apple produced a plaque that marks the spot near the summit of Mt Reeves.   

The co-ordinates of the centre are latitude 41 degrees and 1.093 minutes South, longitude 175 degrees and 21.737 minutes east.

For further information, see: https://www.geotrips.org.nz/trip.html?id=703

Tutuwai Hut was reasonably full with most of the 20 mattresses occupied.

Tauherenikau River - looking north from near Slip Stream.

Joe Gibbs Memorial Hut.

Cone Hut.

Homeward bound.

Times

Waiohine Campsite via Mt Reeves to Tutuwai Hut - 4 hrs

Tutuwai Hut to Cone Hut - 1hr

Cone Hut to carpark 2hr