| Sat 6th December - Mon 8th December Love Our Huts Medium Janet Wilson 027 341 8945 As part of FMC's Love our Huts campaign, we want to give some love to Mid-Poh and Leon Kinvig huts. The trip will be a joint project between PNTMC and RWP (Ruahine Whio Protectors). We need a good group of people as we will also be servicing the Pohangina river trap lines. The timing is not fixed - it will be fitted around weather, river levels and people. There is a possibility of flying in. If so, there are limited places for trappers, those wanting to just go to the hut will need to contribute to the cost. If interested, contact Janet well beforehand. Expressions of interest by 30 November. |
| Sun 7th December Ashhurst Explorer Easy-Medium Robyn Wheeler 06 356 1998 There's more to Ashhurst than great Ice Creams. Explore the reserves and walkways right in our own backyard. Depart Milverton Park 8.00am. |
| Sat 13th December - Sun 14th December Kawhatau Base-Colenso Peak Medium Blair Petersen 027 600 4263 My mission for this year is to go to all 6 places in the Ruahines that are named after William Colenso. This is the last one! Saturday is from Rangitane Rd, following the Kawhatau River to Kawhatau Base, with possibly a trip across the cableway. Sunday morning we’ll go up to Colenso Peak & then retrace our steps the same way back to the vehicle with a coffee or ice cream stop at Awastone near Mangaweka. lease contact me by the Wednesday before. |
| Sat 20th December - Sun 21st December Short Knights Easy-Medium Warren Wheeler 06 356 1998 Overnight trip to the Ruahine tops on the Longest Day to celebrate the Summer Solstice at sunset and sunrise. Camping near Toka high point. Optional day trip Medium-Fit. Depart Milverton Park Saturday 3pm. |
| Wed 31st December - Fri 2nd January New Year Turoa All Janet Wilson 06 329 4722 Celebrate New Year at the MUAC Turoa Lodge for a few days to enjoy exploring the Turoa slopes of Mt Ruapehu or further affield if keen. You can also contact Janet on 027 341 8945. |
| Sat 17th January - Mon 19th January Wellington Anniversary All Warren Wheeler 06 356 1998 TBA - details to come - watch this space. |
| Sun 18th January Rangi Botanising Easy-Medium Warren Wheeler 06 356 1998 Best weather day Saturday or Sunday. A classic trip to Rangiwahia Hut to enjoy the alpine flowers on the Ruahine tops. Depart Milverton Park 8.00am. |
| Sat 31st January Beginner Workshop 1: The Fern Walk Easy Verity Elder 0212601885 Saturday morning walk and Beginners Workshop 1: This loop walk moves through original podocarp forest, including giant lowland totara, mata and kahikatea as old as 1000 years, and up to 68 species of fern (hence its name). An easy, close to home walk, this trip is a short, in-situ introduction to map reading and orientation. Contact Verity Elder no later than 5pm Friday 28th January: 0212061885. Track grade: Walking track. (T?tara Reserve, Pohangina Valley). Walking time: 3 hours (loop) Fitness level: low to moderate Workshop: map reading and orientation prior to walk, 15-20 min approx. Meeting point: Milverton Park, 8am Travel time: 40 minutes approx one way. |
| Sun 1st February Wainuiomata: The Peak – Paua Ridge Loop Medium Adam Matich 022 358 8062 Best Weather Day Saturday or Sunday. From the Karapoti Road (Upper Hutt) we will follow the river for a short distance and then climb a steep spur to an unlabelled high point (ca. 400 m), then through pt 445 to pt 386 and loop east around a stream to reach one of the largest Rata in the North Island (https://www.treeregister.nz/tree/view/976). Once people have finished oooo-ing and ahhh-ing we will loop back round through pt 537, Mt Barton, pt 606, pt 502, then west to just before the Little Akatarawa River and SSW down the spur back to the road end. Some of this may be on logging tracks. Some wont be. |
| Sun 15th February Beginner Tramp 1: Mikimiki Track Easy Verity Elder 0212601885 The Mikimiki track follows an old logging tramline and passes over a low saddle into the Mikimiki watershed. This trip provides an introduction to low land forest tramping in the Tararua’s and stream crossing. Return via the same track. NB: In the event of heavy rain prior to this trip we will shift to plan B and tramp to Atiwhakatu Hut from Holdsworth carpark (similar grade track and walking time). Contact Verity Elder no later than 5pm Friday 13th February. Track grade: Walking track. (Kiriwhakapapa camping area and car park). Walking time: 5 hours return Fitness level: low to moderate Meeting point: Milverton Park, 7:30am Travel time: 1hr 30 minutes approx one way. |
| Sat 21st February - Sun 22nd February Lake Surprise Loop and Tihia Loop Medium Adam Matich 022 358 8062 We head north across Sunset Ridge from the Turoa car park to eventually cross the Mangaturuturu River above the 56 m waterfall and sidle up onto the around-the-mountain track. After dropping down through Lake Surprise we will visit the 23 m waterfall, downstream of the hut, and then spend the night at said hut. On day two we make our way back to the vehicles and take the Rotoaira road (SH47) towards Turangi. Across the road from Lake Rotopounamu is Tihia, a peak with a loop track over the top, and which will make for a nice day trip. |
| Sun 1st March Beginner Tramp 2: Rangiwahia Hut Easy Verity Elder 0212601885 The Rangiwahia hut track begins at 800m in the carpark and climbs to 1300m above sea level for, on a clear day, fantastic views of the wider Rangitikei area and Mount Ruapehu. We will aim for early lunch at Rangiwahia Hut with the option, for those keen, to continue onto the tops and the Whanahuia Range. Return via the same track. Contact Verity Elder no later than 5pm Friday 27th February. Track grade: walking track / tramping track (Renfrew Road, Rangiwahia). Walking time: hut: 5 hours return, Whanahuia Range: an additional 1-2 hours. Fitness level: moderate Meeting point: Milverton Park, 7:30am Travel time: 1hr 30 minutes approx one way. |
| Sat 21st March - Sun 22nd March Wainuiomata: The Peak – Paua Ridge Loop Medium Fit Adam Matich 022 358 8062 We will head from the Catchpool Road End into and down the Orongorongo River to camp somewhere near Peak Stream, for the night, so not a long day. Next day, bright and early, we will climb the spur all the way up to “The Peak” and head NE along the tops to Tapokopoko, from which we will return to the river, via Paua Ridge, and out. |
| Sun 22nd March Beginner Tramp 3: Blue Range Hut Easy Verity Elder 0212601885 This is a typical backcountry tramping track. Expect a rough and unformed track surface and an uphill climb with a fantastic reward. The very cute and happily situated Blue range hut looks out over the Waingawa river valley and peaks beyond. Contact Verity Elder no later than 5pm Friday 20th March. Track grade: tramping track. (Kiriwhakapapa Road end). Walking time: 5-6 hours return Fitness level: moderate to fit Meeting point: Milverton Park, 7:30am Travel time: 1 hr 30 minutes approx one way. |