Category Archives: trip report

Trip: Dawson Falls, Waiaua Gorge and Lake Dive Loop

Posted on 18 January, 2019 by Mike McGavinPrint This Post Print This Post

Stupid Tarn, Egmont National Park. Modern media convention is to include a picture of Stupid Tarn with any and every reference to Egmont National Park, even when Stupid Tarn has no relevance. Below this picture I enclose a trip report … Continue reading →

Posted in tramping | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Daywalk: Holdsworth Jumbo Circuit

Posted on 30 May, 2018 by Mike McGavinPrint This Post Print This Post

Friday was the beginning of a long weekend, but circumstances meant I could only negotiate a single day out. I chose to spend it the the Tararuas, visiting the Holdsworth Jumbo Circuit. I walked this in a day back in … Continue reading →

Posted in daywalk | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Daywalk: Dobson Loop and Lower Marchant Ridge

Posted on 30 November, 2017 by Mike McGavinPrint This Post Print This Post

Thursday and Friday were remarkably sunny days. This made the browsing of the surface pressure and rain forecast maps more annoying: they showed rain approaching for the weekend. Not that I mind walking through wind and rain, but it can … Continue reading →

Posted in daywalk | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Daywalk: The Complete Paekakariki Escarpment Track

Posted on 23 April, 2016 by Mike McGavinPrint This Post Print This Post

Typical. Saturday 9th April 2016 was the official opening day of the Paekakariki Escarpment Track—a new connecting track between Pukerua Bay and Paekakariki, above the railway line along the coast. Intense interest meant that organisers had to restrict entry for … Continue reading →

Posted in daywalk | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Trip: Blue Range Nav to Ruamahanga, Cow Saddle, Cow Creek

Posted on 12 October, 2015 by Mike McGavinPrint This Post Print This Post

Eleanora dropping to Cleft Creek on Saturday. It’s Saturday night, before 8pm. I’m hunched below a top bunk of Cow Creek Hut, feeling very well fed and trying to scribble these notes by torchlight. Debbie and Eleonora are already trying … Continue reading →

Posted in tramping | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Trip: Tapokopoko Kotumu Loop

Posted on 18 February, 2015 by Mike McGavinPrint This Post Print This Post

Alistair in typical surroundings. It’s easy to overlook the Orongorongo Valley and surrounding Rimutaka Range, especially with additional tramping options so nearby, notably the Tararuas. That’s something I’ve often been guilty of. Until relatively recently, my most common perception of … Continue reading →

Posted in tramping | Tagged , , , , , | 7 Comments

Trip: Waiaua Gorge to North Egmont

Posted on 27 January, 2015 by Mike McGavinPrint This Post Print This Post

The Stony River catchment. I visit Taranaki often these days, but rarely have lengthy amounts of time between commitments to devote to lengthy tramping efforts. I’m gradually working on visiting the different sides of Egmont National Park between other commitments, … Continue reading →

Posted in tramping | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

Trip: Rimutaka Mukamuka Runaway

Posted on 25 November, 2014 by Mike McGavinPrint This Post Print This Post

The mighty Mukamuka River trickles through the lower parts of its catchment. It’s Friday evening, and seven of us arrived at Catchpool Valley carpark at about 6.30pm. It’s quite a nice change to visit a place so near to Wellington, … Continue reading →

Posted in tramping | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

Trip: Tararua Southern Main Range

Posted on 15 May, 2014 by Mike McGavinPrint This Post Print This Post

Saturday morning. I’ve been looking forward to this trip for some time. The basic plan will be to follow the Tararua Main Range between Bridge Peak and Shoulder Knob, via the Tararua Peaks, looping from Otaki Forks, and for me … Continue reading →

Posted in tramping | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

Trip: Blackwater, Twin Peak, Butchers Creek, South Ohau

Posted on 12 February, 2014 by Mike McGavinPrint This Post Print This Post

This weekend should be spent mostly in rivers, and it’s helpful that the upcoming forecast is actually accommodating. A very small amount of rain forecast from the east, some wind high up, but otherwise sunshine to burn. This is my … Continue reading →

Posted in tramping | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment