Sunday 20th October, 2024
The success of this trip was dependent on many factors; obtaining consent from Owhaoko C Trust, van drivers, an understanding of the terrain (this track is no longer on the Topo50 map but MapsPast NZMS 1 1979), and a great group of fellow trampers.
We left Pukahu just after 7.00 a.m. and were at the car park by 8.40 a.m. The Napier-Taihape Road is under repair with three sets of traffic lights to be endured. These were in areas where there had been considerable washouts on the side of the road. On the way up when we reached Robson’s Lodge entrance we were waved down by a lady whose vehicle along with another was locked in. The keys had been taken by the two utes who had left first. Alas in this area and to Te Iringa we had no phone reception so were unable to be of assistance.
Soon we were on our way. We followed a well-worn track from just in from the car park. After a while there was no clear track but being intrepid trampers that we are it was onwards and upwards. Simon was leading and found us a reasonable path with a reasonable amount of bush bashing.
At about the 880m mark we came out on to a clay pan where Simon was using an orange ribbon as a maker. Looking slightly to the west there was evidence of a well-worn track. From here on up to Te Iringa we followed this track which was often hidden from sight by overgrown foliage.
Minh suggested to me that this tramp was a lot like the Castle Hill Rock tramp with lots of ups and downs. Simon had orange marker tape around his walking pole and held it up high so he, as the leader was visible. As I was tiring I stopped in a clearing at the 1200m mark with a fabulous view to the west. What a fabulous day to enjoy nature. The other 9 continued onwards and upwards to the trig at Te Iringa. Minh and her two friends stopped when just out of the beech forest. Simon, Steve, Anton, Luis and Selina made it to the trig for lunch just after 1.00. Soon after arriving at the trig the cloud cleared to the west allowing Ruapehu and Ngauruhoe to be visible.
By 1.30 the group was back to my resting place. I had tied a couple of bright pink ribbons to my tramping pole as I although I was out in the open I did not want to be missed. These were visible before group saw me. On regrouping we followed the well-worn but often rather overgrown track back to the car park including the section that was not found on the way up. The entrance to the track was further to the west of where we entered the bush and the remains (two posts) of the D.o.C are visible. We were back at the van by 3.40.
As I said before it was a great group of trampers, including two new trampers Harry & Jinky and an enjoyable tramp.
Party: Simon W, Steve B, Sean C, Selina C, Anton & Luis D, Minh N, Harry GC, Jinky C, Anne D