Due to the current weather event and rainfall moving down the country to the Whirinaki region we have unfortunately had to cancel this weekend’s tramp. The risk of unsafe and swollen rivers and unknown windfall is too great to take.
We are currently planning to reschedule for Queen’s Birthday Weekend
Waitangi Weekend: 3 days Saturday 4 - Monday 6 February 2023
https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/moerangi-track-moerangi-hut-to-river-road-588fdfa?u=m
Whirinaki Forest
The Whirinaki Forest is a temperate rain forest in the central North Island, just to the west of the better-known Urewera National Park. It has been described as “the most visually superb remnants in New Zealand, with podocarps up to 65 meters tall and reaching three meters in diameter” and British biologist David Bellamy regarded it as one of the great forests of the world. The area is rich in bird life including kaka, whio and kiwi.
Leaving Como Street carpark at 8.00am Saturday morning, we will drive approx 5 hours to River Rd carpark in Whirinaki, where all three parties will be dropped off. Easy Party will wait about 30 minutes while a driver takes the bus to secure parking, and returns. Tents are required.
Easy Party
This group will start at River Rd carpark and walk for 13km (4.5 hours, ETA 6.30pm) to Moerangi Hut (6 bunks - standard hut one blue ticket) on Saturday . On Sunday they will head to Skips Hut (9 bunks - standard hut one blue ticket) via Rogers Hut, total distance approx 13 km (4 - 5 hours). On Monday walk out to Okahu Rd carpark - ( 2 hours) where they will be picked up by shuttle and taken back to the bus.
Medium Party A
Medium Party A will walk from River Rd carpark to Central Whirinaki hut (25 bunks - serviced hut one blue and one green ticket) 5 hours (16km). On Sunday they will go to Mangamate Hut (9 bunks - standard hut one blue ticket) with the option to go via Upper Whirinaki Hut, total walking time approx 8 hours. On Monday walk from Mangamate hut to River Rd carpark 4 hours (10.1km)
Medium Party B
Medium Party B will walk from River Rd carpark 10 km (4 hours) to stay at Mangamate Hut (9 bunks- standard hut one blue ticket). On Sunday from Mangamate hut (9 bunks) to Central Whirinaki Hut (25 bunks- serviced hut one blue and one green ticket) 3 - 4 hours (8.2km with a possible side trip) On Monday walk 16km (5 hours) to River Rd Carpark.
We will aim to get back to Como Street between 8 and 9pm depending on stops and traffic.
All three parties will need to carry tents.
Easy Party - 2 x blue hut tickets
Medium Parties - 2 x blue and 1 x green ticket
Also recommended to have warm clothing.
Cost: $125 (plus hut tickets as above)
Depart: Saturday 4 February, 8.00am: Corner 6 Auburn St & Como St Carpark, Takapuna
Organiser: Mandy Cunningham 027 2002369
Drivers: Arletta, Craig, Colin
Maps:
Easy Party: printable/GPS/Online
Medium A: printable/GPS/Online
Medium B: printable/GPS/Online
