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Lindsay and Sue Cuthbertson Leaving the car at Kuripapango sbout 11.30 a.m. we @ropped down: the sice road to the water gauze on the Kgaruroro river and found the start of the Smiit:-Russeli track. This route climbs steeply to the tops, sidling arouna Kuripepango peak at 4100 ft. A lunch break was taken before we met the full force of the strong cold wind, making over~trousers necessary. although the weather was fine enough and the sun shini Almost immediately we noticed that since our last visit the spread of pinus conto7+a has seemed to have gone on unchecked and is now I visible throughcut the ran I ze, especiaily on onen tops. This is obviously going to ke 4 major problem fer the Forest Service to eradicate. Kiwi Saddle hut (owned by tlic Neretaunga weamps ing Club) was reached by 3 p.m. anda quick brevy prepared. Ross radon (HVTC) was in residence and was just leaving fox Kiwi Mou th “hue about 14 hours away. He told us that an WZ2FS party of four men, including Paul Clarke (also HVTC) was cont stings re-outhing the high-level track and would be at the hut. Se Gncidec to ao there also and thoroughly enjoyed Erampsag Gown the fecter low-level Kiwi Creek route with its small flats and pientitul birdiife. cy
Kiwi Mouth hut (NZPS 4-bunks) is beautiful'y placed on a large open sheltered grassy fiat at the. junction of Kiwi Creek and the big Ngaruroro river. We enjoyed a splendid fire and chatted late into the night with the NZFS pariy;, on= of whom knocked up a camp oven loaf for supper which was celicious. Next day, before departure, we walked about ten minutes downstream to inspect che waikwey bridje anc Touna. it in good order. We then proceeded up Back Rieg: {thore is an excellent track although not shown on the map) end masse’ the Revs bivouec before lunch. We @id not sight any deer on th x < heare several animals whistling in this aree. Bg: a weather was fine but strong winds blew across the tops The light sprinkling of snow had almost Gisappeared. [{t was not long before we reached Stern Saddle and were lcoking Gun on Beck Ridge hut. It then took a bit of effort tc push azlong to the summit and memorial cairn at 5657 ft. which was reached about 4 p.m. We moved off guickly, following the poled route to Studholme Saddle and thence to Studholme hut (NZFS 4~bunks}).
Studholme hut would not be easy to find in poor weather from the tops. There is a pointer on the ridge. Fortunately we had sighted part of the hut from tne tops and shut the door just before complete darkness. The hut iz situated in a rather damp little clearing. It is in first-class ordex and gets very little use. We were on our way again Cownstream about 10 a.m. next morning and stopped about ten minutes later to inspect the NZFS bivouac, There is no firewood in the imesdiate vicinity of the bivy which we supposed to be the reason wny the hut las been placed where it is. We then climbed over Keiarah:i and The Tits and then dropped down steep shingle to Kaweka hut (HT2: fer lunch. This large hut was built in 1936 and renovated in 1376 and.is.in excellent order, The direct track from Kaweka Fut to Mackintosh. hut is not shown I on the ten year:old map. "sé lost a bit of time but successfully I followed the old overgrown tract. shown tili it joined the well~-cut direct route. This track stays. at about bush level apart from the spectacular drop into the gorge of Kaiarahi Creek after which it climbs out again to ebout the same level and continues to Mackintosh hut (NZFE 4-bunxs). Sur arrival at about 4 p.m. coincided with thet of a 9-strong youth group from Hastings. Our fly was quickly ° erected nearby {numerous excellemn’: sites) and we enjoyed a chat later with th= hut occupants.
2 "ley
.Lands & Agriculture Se
The forestry roads have be extended in recent years, .There is now a track linking Mackintosh hut with the Castle Rocks road. 3 3
There is @ car park and direction sicms, The most scenic part of the 1% hour track is the eee and ascent of the gorge of the Tuteekuri tives. TNere 2S a alway’ br idge over the river. Arriving at the road 2th We Look 2° 3ide track thet we expected would link up with - ® bal me) 2 trecdt arr oui The Lakes. However, after about 4% an hour.we found Gursel ved unable to proceed in dense pine forest and required a comBass to’ extricate ourselves from it back to the road. . We, then welked down the road about 10 minutes and found another side road ieading in the right direction, This proved to be our rouke and in gentiy-~falling rain we linked with the track arming The Lakes and out to the main road at 4a point known as Pine Tree, We were .soom, back at-.the car (noon). and Clarke at the Forestry base Hut Before enjoyeca lunch witn Pan driving back to Wellin