Cyclone Gabrielle enforced change in destination
North-West Ruahine Easter Weekend Adventure:
5 Days
Thursday 6th to Monday 10th April’23
NB Requires Thursday off work
An exciting opportunity to explore the North-Western Ruahines, with Mokai Station now approving access across their land.
The area has been off limits for many years so this opens up a whole new area for adventures into the North Western area of the Ruahine Forest Park.
All parties will cross the broad Mokai-Patea Range to explore the superb rivers and country beyond.
High above the gorges of the lower Maropea River, at the foot of the Mokai Patea Range, sits Otukota Hut where everyone will stay on the Friday. Like most of the huts in the Ruahines it was originally built as shelter for deer cullers hunting the broad tops of the Mokai-Patea Range and has recently been renovated by the Backcountry Trust,
Places on this Trip are limited to 20. Register and pay $35 deposit on-line by 17th March’23 to secure your place.
The Club will hold the previous Kawekas trip cost of $135 and in addition include the extra night’s stay at the Awastone / Managaweka Campground on the Thursday night.
Sleeping options:
- (i) On the bus or tent out in paddock near the bus
- (ii) Bunk Bed in the Pavilion at an additional cost of $15pp limited to 8 people. The Pavilion can sleep a maximum of 8 people and includes: 1 double bed and 3 x double bunk beds
Awastone / Mangaweka Campground: Situated on the side of the Rangitikei River.
We will have booked the Pavilion bunk house which shares bathroom facilities with the Mangaweka Camping Ground.
The Pavilion includes a full kitchen with fridge, stove /oven kettle, toaster and microwave plus a byfold window that opens out to the private campfire.
The Pavilion also has sleeping for up to 8 people. (additional $15pp)
N.B Please book this option on line at the time of registering
- · Water is town supply drinking water.
- · Hot Showers - $4.50 with pay wave
- · There is the licensed Awastone licensed café nearby: open daily from 8:15am - 7:30pm.
There will be two trip parties:
Medium (M) requiring good level of fitness and experience. Climbs over Mokai-Patea Range ~1240M: Typically 6-7 hrs/day
Medium / Fit (M/F): Experience and a higher level of fitness and stamina necessary. (~8 hrs/day)
For more information on Trip Gradings refer to our Website link below:
www.nstc.org.nz/useful-info#tripgradings
Thursday 6th April
Departing Thursday Morning at 9am and driving from Auckland to Mangaweka. Planned to stop at either Tirau or Turangi for lunch before travelling over the Desert Road to Mangaweka where we will stay at Awastone / Mangaweka Campground.
Accommodation options as noted above.
Friday:
Departing Friday Morning at 9am from Awastone- Mangakino for Mokai Station Roadend (~50mins)
From Mokai Station both parties will climb over Mokai-Patea range to Otukota Hut. (6 bunks).
Trip Cost extras
For any of the nights you stay in a hut a Blue Standard DOC hut ticket is required - available from Bivouac Outdoor@$5 unless tenting out
Medium Party(M):Maximum Party Size is 10
Friday: From Mokai Station cross the Mokai- Patea Range to Otukota Hut, 6 bunks, 5 hrs.
Saturday: Climb back up to the range and head south, descend to Wakelings Hut, 4 bunks, 8 hrs.
Sunday: Take track to Maropea Forks Hut (5 kms from Wakelings Hut), then track over Puketaramea to Otukota Hut. ~7 hrs.
Monday: Return over the Mokai-Patea Range to the bus by 1pm, 5 hrs.
Arrive back at The Mokai Station Carpark by 1pm
Medium / Fit Party( M/F): Maximum Party Size is 10
Friday: From Mokai Station cross the Mokai- Patea Range to Otukota Hut, 6 bunks, ~4 ½ hrs.
Saturday: Otukota Hut to Puketaramea:~ 3 hrs
Puketaramea Track to Lake Colenso Hut (6.14km, ~5½ hrs).
Sunday: Lake Colenso Hut to Iron Bark Hut: (~4½ hrs)
Iron Bark Hut to Otukota Hut: 4 hrs
Monday: Return over the Mokai Patea Range to the bus by 1pm, 4 1/2 hrs
- Both trips involve travel on exposed tops. Full storm gear required.
- Please bring a tent as Huts have limited spaces
- The final route for each party maybe subject to change
Cost: $135
An additional DOC Standard Hut Fee of $5 (Blue ticket) required for each night if staying in a hut.
Depart: Thursday: 6th April’23, 9am: Corner 6 Auburn St & Como St Carpark, Takapuna
N.B You will require Thursday off work
Organiser: Kevin Osten, Ph. 0274 577418
Drivers: Chris Peard
MAPS : NZ Topo50-BK36: North West Ruahine Forest Park-Easter2023
