These are photos from a tramp I did with some friends in October 2019. We started in the west of the Kaimanawa Forest Park and finished in the east of Kaweka Forest Park, crossing one of the more remote areas of the central North Island.
Day 1: Road end to Waipakihi Hut
A climb up to the open tops with views back to Mts Ruapehu and Ngauruhoe.
Dropped off by the shuttle and getting ready to start
Starting the climb up to Umukarikari
Hogsback clouds over Ruapehu and Tongariro indicating a building wind
The crew on the tops
View back to Ngauruhoe
Ants
Lunch break in cold and clear weather
First view of Waipakihi Hut
Day 2: Waipakihi Hut to Cascade Hut
The route crossed private land (a permit was obtained prior) with some route finding from Junction Top to Ngapuketurua via Ignimbrite Saddle. A long day.
Leaving Waipakihi Hut
Climbing up to Junction Top...
...and down from Junction Top to Ignimbrite Saddle
A feather of cloud over Ruapehu
Last of the tops travel; 9 hours done, 1 to 2 hours left to go
Day 3: Cascade Hut to Boyd Hut
Another longish day. We couldn't get a permit to walk up the valley to Boyd Hut so took the longer route over Mangaorangi. Cascade Stream is beautiful and I would have liked to spend more time than a rushed 15 minutes doing photography there.
Cascade Stream
Cascade Hut
Near Waiatupuritia Saddle
Lunch break
Descending from Maungaorangi
View from Waitawhero Saddle looking towards Boyd Hut
Day 4: Boyd Hut to Te Puke Hut
A mixed day with tussock river flats and steep climbs, finishing with a cold southerly and hail.
Ngaruroro Valley
Approaching Tussock Hut
...and leaving Tussock Hut
The Harkness Valley
Done it, doing it, going to do it, not sure if I want to do it
Harkness Hut
Climbing up to Te Pukeohikarua
Te Pukeohikarua trig
A speck in the landscape
Cold front approaching
Te Puke Hut
Dinner in Te Puke Hut
Day 5: Te Puke Hut to Ballard Hut
A frosty start with nice mixed travel in the bush and open tops. It's a steep scramble down to the tiny Ballard Hut. Happily it was empty and there was room for a couple of tents outside too.
A misty sunrise
Frozen boots
A climb to warm up
Open tops
Venison Tops Hut aka Tira Lodge aka Kelvinator Lodge
Looking back over the Kawekas to the Kaimanawas
Ballard Hut
Watching the sunset
Day 6: Ballard Hut to Makahu Saddle road end
Last day! Again a cold start but the clag cleared to a warm sunny day.
Misty morning
Walking towards Whetu
Wind shaping the clouds
Looking out over Hawkes Bay
North Kaweka peak
North Kaweka in the mist
Suddenly the mist cleared to reveal a bluebird day
Makahu Spur
