Tag 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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Tramping – A New Zealand History, by Shaun Barnett and Chris Maclean (my thoughts)

Posted on 17 March, 2015 by Mike McGavinPrint This Post Print This Post

Until now there’s been a major omission in publications about tramping. So far all we’ve seen are route guides, narratives or yarns, tourism guides, diaries, local histories, blogs and other websites, biographies and autobiographies, newspaper articles, safety manuals, fiction, club … 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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Recap on the recent Milford Track accident – DOC’s Review

Posted on 21 October, 2014 by Mike McGavinPrint This Post Print This Post

Kathryn Ryan interviewed Allan Munn this morning on Nine to Noon (Radio NZ National). Allan Munn is the Department of Conservation’s Southern Region Services Director. The interview regards changes being made following the death, in May 2014, of a person … Continue reading →

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The Price of Great Walks

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

Last month an incident occurred, out of season, on the Milford Track. I’ll reflect on a few things before getting to it. In New Zealand we have an enshrined legal right to enter most parts of the Conservation Estate. (I … 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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