Sun 11th September 2022
A wet start to the day on setting off from Havelock North. So much persistent rain had fallen throughout the night before. Along the way we noted how much wider Poukawa lake appeared and the Tukituki and Waipawa Rivers were very high. Arriving in Norsewood to meet Murry, the rain was clearing and by the time we arrived in Dannevirke to pick up Dave, the sun was shining brightly. A great omen for the remainder of our tramping day to Stanfield Hut which is situated low in the Ruahine Ranges behind Dannevirke and was an easy day walk of about 5 hours return. .
From the kindness of a local farmer who allowed us to park the HTC van near their shearing shed we set off once kitted out. We had two new keen and energetic trampers along, Manuela and Clint, to share and expouse the benefits of our fabulous Heretaunga Tramping Club. They have both have fitted in seamlessly.
A range of tramping terrains – we begun ascending through farmland, then down through the bush, across and up through the Tamaki West Stream leading us to Stanfield Hut for lunch. The hut, built in 1965 by the NZFS, is named after George Stanfield, a local bushman and farmer. In December last year it was renovated by Backcountry Trust volunteers and is fresh bright orange outside and clean, white paint inside. We signed the Hut book and put our HTC sticker in too.
Making our way back in two parties the latter group slowly ambled along, enjoying the scenery, chatting enthusiastically and being impressed with the tenacious effort of Barbara who shows there is no age limit to tramping.
Looking forward to our next tramp 🙂
Party: Paula K, Glenda H, Anne D, Jude H, Murry A, Dave M, Simon W, Nicholas W, Barbara P, Manuela N and Clint B