This text was read by OCR from a scanned newsletter and has not been proofread yet, so expect odd characters and mistakes.
Punters: Sue & Allen Higgins, Eric Blumharat After driving in on the moming of Boxing Day we started walking up Makahu Spur in the heat of the day. The weather was fine and calm. Hoping that the van wouldn't be broken into again, we sat on top of Kaweka ) admiring the views. Further along the ridge from Mad Dog hill to Kaiarahi chopped pine trees were laying across the route and many more were still standing.
We went via Castle Camp where a roof to catch water has been built with a large water tank. Onto Kiwi Saddle Hut for the night.
Day 2- Perfectly fine and no wind as we left for Kiwi Mouth and onto Manson. On arrival at Manson we found the hut full of shooters who had come in by helicopter: More shooters had been dropped off at Kiwi Mouth Hut after finding Manson was full. We rested and waited for the heat of the day to go then headed on to Otutu Hut via a ridge off Manson. This included a steep pitch on loose rock as part of the track to get into the stream. This hut had 3 heli-shooters and 1 tramper so we camped out; very little water here.
Day 3- Another bright, sunny, calm day. We went to Ngaawapurua Hut; more heli-campers and 2 trampers. Ihave decided the Kawekas is very knee-shattering, toe jamming country. We headed for Harkness Hut to be greeted by 2 shooters who had been choppered in running away from a family of 5 3/4. You guessed it - they choppered in too. With Harkness Hut having two Maori bunks there was plenty of room, but was this a wise move? The first thing of their gear I spotted were two earmuffs. Were these for the helicopter ride or were they for the parents for a good night’s sleep? The oldest of the three children was 8 years old.
Next day we did a return trip to Tussock Hut, this area being quite different - flatter and grassier. More helishooters here. During the afternoon we headed up to Te Puke Hut. Ohno! Another 4 helicopter people; two with bows and arrows and one with a rifle. The only flat spot outside gave us just enough room to sleep 3 people. __ Up to the trig in the evening to admire the views.
Day 5- Onto Tira Lodge. What a surprise - a large hut and no one had stayed here for five days. We shared the hut with one shooter who had shot a deerin the open shortly before we passed Mangaturutu. Allen seems to be losing his charm; his eyes grew, stomach rumbled, mouth opened, questions asked, but noluck. Allen knew we were to have Dehy that night!
The last day was misty with very strong wind. Heading to North Kaweka we decided to head down Dick’s Spur to Kaweka Flats and out to the van. The skies cleared but the strong winds stayed.
If you want a quiet Xmas trip don’t go to the Kawekas. If you do go to the Kawekas wear bright fluorescent clothing with bells on!
WARNING !
Remember the devastating floods in the Mississippi of 1993?
Struan ‘Raingod) Little has indicated that he is returning to NZ on 1 August 1995 (that's just a few short months away), and from that point on it will rain constantly for at least a year. So make the most of it and get out into those hills before then!!
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WARNING ! WARNING !
--—-——Get- eut-and-go-tramping NOW!!-——-----------