This text was read by OCR from a scanned newsletter and has not been proofread yet, so expect odd characters and mistakes.
This ‘easy’ trip had hot pools at both the start and end of this tramp - what more could you ask for from a trip over Queens Birthday weekend? Admittedly most of us didn’t get to experience the full delights of Mangatutu hot springs at the start (or end) of the tramp, but the dual tub set up at the other end more than made up for it.
From Napier it is apparently a 60km drive to Puketitiri (we'll make no mention of trying to find our illustrious trip leader, or of the lack of coherent maps and the ensuing trip to the nearest Police Station....), after which a hair-rising twister of a track complete with fords expertly navigated in the club's off-road bus by our driver for the night (Andrew T) led to the road end at Mangatutu hot springs. Quite how he managed to get the club bus down what is ostensibly
a 4WD track - in the dark - is a secret best known to him, but much applauded by all on board. Now all we need are some tinted windows to protect nervous punters! Pitching flys at 2.30am may not be everyone's idea of fun, but we kept stiff upper lips in place and only briefly commented on the ice observed on the ground. Not for us the lure of a hut for the second night: hardly rated a mention. Saturday broke fine and with a barely perceptible nip in the air. After taking the bus back to the other side of a ford (in case of rising rivers) we set off. This tramp was an ‘out and back’ trip and initially followed the mighty Mohaka river (good fishing, apparently, and rafting too .....) for about 3 hours to Te Puia Lodge. From the carpark the track undulated before crossing into more open flats, well populated with young manuka and kanuka trees. The next section of track appeared to have been carved out of the cliffs, and included some precipitous sidles above the ‘River of Death’. Bravely we went forth, yet on the return trip these rocky outcrops presented a less daunting presence (perhaps due to our burgeoning prowess as fearless adventurers?). Impressive cliffs on the far bank struck awe in to those who, after a rigorous climb, had to pause fo catch their breath to allow the chatter to continue. Having enough breath to laugh was a state to be aspired to. Of course we were kept in check by Helen - not even Mike's stray apple core missing her sharp eye. Passing Te Puia lodge - with not so much as a wistful glance at the heater, mattresses and WALLS - we pressed on, lured by the promise of hot pools and glow worms (and ginger). After crossing the River on the swing bridge, there followed a steepish climb up a narrow spur, which put paid to any ideas we might have had of having a dip in the pools and returning to the luxury of a hut in the dark. Just 45 minutes later and we were at Mangatainoka Hot Springs, complete with river on one side of the campground, hot springs on the other, and a cheeky possum or 3. The upper tub (rapid boil) overflowed into the lower one (comfortably poached) and both were surrounded by a deck (to protect the environment and not possibly for our delectation). The top tub was filled by a pipe - looking rather like a misappropriated drainpipe - catching hot water issuing from the bank. Moving it back and forth altered the flow rate. Rocks carved with faces lent a somewhat eerie air to the place reminiscent of some of the more adventurous game shows currently aired on TV. Having fearlessly braved the wilds of the tramp in, we gratefully took up a well deserved spot in the tubs, sharing it with a couple of hunters and keeping their dog (Tika) on the deck. Sunday started kindly with a morning brew in bed courtesy of Andrew T, and then saw a variety of activities with various members of our group taking a day trip back to Te Puia Hut or even to Makino Hut. Some brave souls needed prising away from the pools, but were up to the challenge of a 3 hour soak (before breakfast... of fruit cake in honour of Andrew T’s birthday) essential in the practice of the ancient art of doing nothing much. Not that we succeed that much. One member of the party came hurrying in freezing temperatures wearing brief swimwear toward the hot pools for a dip but instead came across Andrew, Helen and Gail standing in two empty hot pools with innocent wide-eyed looks on their faces. With nothing more pressing to do that day, they performed the honourable office of emptying out all the hot water and scrubbing the sides, taking the risk that the mob of 40 other people camped at the site weren't going to converge on the pools for a dip. A true risk and in those temperatures an act of bravery that should eam them gold star at least. Luckily (for them at least) it was not long before a few inches of water was available to gain some warmth for togs already cold and wet from the previous evening. Thoughts turned to the relative beauty of being able to swim in the river during the summer, followed by an evening dip. Not allowing a mere trifle as winter to hinder one of our party, we witnessed a variation on an invigorating Swedish dip with the unnamed person relaxing in the hot tub followed by a mad dash into aforementioned river. Very brave, but no further members of the party concurred. However, one member of the medium trip (which also turned up at the springs later on Saturday) was observed to repeat the process more than once, thus raising questions as to the sanity of those who choose to go the hard way to a hot pool in the first place!