Category Archives: tramping

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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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Trip: Up Hector. Down Hector.

Posted on 17 November, 2013 by Mike McGavinPrint This Post Print This Post

Labour weekend of 2013 is meant to be a three and a half day treat from Otaki Forks, up to Hector and around a loop involving Neill-Winchcombe, Maungahuka and the Tararua Peaks. The weather forecast doesn’t look that great. Some … Continue reading →

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Trip: Heritage to Tunupo (and back)

Posted on 23 October, 2013 by Mike McGavinPrint This Post Print This Post

We had an impressive weekend planned, more or less the reverse of my previous attempt at a similar trip several years ago. Sadly, it failed in a similar way, except this time the method of failure was a pressing sou-easterly … Continue reading →

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Trip: Sparrowhawk, Maropea Forks, Colenso and Upper Makaroro

Posted on 23 April, 2013 by Mike McGavinPrint This Post Print This Post

Easter of 2013 comes towards the latter part of a lengthy drought, especially in the North Island. Rivers are low or dry, municipal water use restrictions are in place, and total fire bans are active. Gareth approaching on the tops, … Continue reading →

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