Trip Gradings:
EASY (E) 4-5 hours tramping – suitable for beginners
MEDIUM (M) 5-7 hours tramping – suitable for those with some experience
HARD (H) 8 hours + tramping – more experience and a high level of fitness and confidence, including coping with adverse conditions is necessary.
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7 Jan Ferny Ridge (M)   Kaweka Range
 From Kaweka Road, leave vehicles at the small car park on the left 500 metres past the Lotkow Road turnoff, tramp north along an old sidle track. Cross a small stream and climb up to high point 909 where you get a good view of the Puketitiri area.

13 – 14 Jan Putara Road (E-H)   Tararua Range
The A party will be dropped off at the Ruamahanga River to walk up the this river to Cow Creek for the night. On the Sunday they will head south east to come out at Kiriwhakapapa, maybe detouring to see Blue Range Hut on the way. through
The other party will spend a weekend beside the Mangatainoka River fishing and/or walking tracks on Paul’s farm. After Sunday lunch they will drive to Kiriwhakapapa where there are some great walks to do while waiting for the A party to emerge.

21 Jan Khyber Pass or Tarn Bivvy (E-H)    Ruahine Range
Two options for this tramp, both leaving from the end of Mill Road. A fit group can walk up the Tukituki River to Rosvalls track and make the steep climb up on to Black Ridge. Tarn Bivvy is about 1 km north along the ridge. The other group will head downstream in the Tukituki to Khyber Pass. It is easy river walking down to the pass which is the turn around point but be prepared for wet feet as there are many crossings.
 

28 Jan Porangahau Beach (E)
Low tide at Porangahau is about 2.30 PM which will give us plenty of time to walk to the beach via the access from Blackhead Road. At the beach we head north, past Blackhead Point towards Blackhead. The remains of the Maroro, a ship that ran aground in 1927 may be evident just before the point. Fur seals have been seen here in the past.

3 – 6 Feb: Mangapura- Bridge to Nowhere(M)
Drive to road end at Ruatiti and walk to the landing and the iconic
Bridge to Nowhere. A valley which was opened up and land offered to returned servicemen after WW2 – unfortunately very harsh conditions
forced settlers off the land. There are no huts on this walk, so tents
are required.
NB: The Monday (5th) of this long weekend is not a statutory holiday

11 Feb Triplex , Waipawa Forks Track and Waipawa River Swamp Track Loop  (M)    Ruahine
Park at the carpark for Sunrise Hut and tramp past the Triplex hut, up the Sunrise track to a track junction (which has a seat). From there take the down hill trackto the Waipawa river, cross and visit Waipawa Forks hut. The way out is downstream in / alongside the Waipawa river through a gorge theb us up from the river via a farm track to the Swamp Track which we will follow back to the carpark.

24 – 25 Feb – Training day and a half      Kaweka Forest Park
Be prepared to tent overnight, get your feet wet, prepare meals outside, tramp and perhaps find that you’re not lost and not hypothermic !
As part of this trip, you will need NZTopo50 Map BJ37 and a compass

9-10 Mar    Ruapehu District (M)
Saturday morning we drive to Ohakune via the Taihape Road to walk the Old Coach Road. This traverses the Tongariro National Park and adjacent farmland. There are many lookouts over the volcanic plateau plus abandoned railway tunnels, old viaducts, and remains of the original cobblestone coach road. To enable all to walk the whole 15 Km we could use a shuttle at $15 per head.
Sunday we head back towards Taihape and stop at the Hihitahi Forest Sanctuary. From here some can do a return walk to Zekes Hut while others may prefer just to go as far as Hihitahi Trig for great views to the mountains and to see the impressive pahautea (native cedar) and Hall’s tōtara.
NB: There is also an option for a small group to be dropped off on the Saturday and stay the night at Zekes Hut (a 4 bunk hut) which Simon will lead

24 Mar Upstream from Happy Daze (E-M)  Ruahine Range
With permission from land owners it is about an hours walk along a farm track to Happy Daze Hut. From the hut a short track takes you down to the Makaretu River slightly downstream of the confluence of the North and South branches and a choice; take the true right (South) branch and walk upstream for just over an hour to Makaretu Hut or take the true left (North) branch and around 2 hours of upstream travel later visit Awatere Hut. Either way it is a return trip back to Happy Daze Hut and out via the farm track. A great tramp for a hot autumn’s day.

29 Mar – 1 Apr (Easter)    (M)                     NW Ruahine Range 
Lake Colenso Area: Fri: Drive to public car park on Mokai Station via the Taihape Road and follow poled route to Iron Bark hut (8 bunks)
Sat; Go via the Unknown Campsite  to Colenso Hut (8 bunks) .
Sun: Follow Ridge Track to Ironbark Hut (8 bunks + room for tents)
Mon: Go up to park boundary and  return via poled route to Mokai carpark. 

7 Apr The Hogget (M)             Kaweka FP   
The drive to the start of the Hogget tramp is through private land; Timahanga station off the Napier – Taihape Road.  The Hogget is a high point on the Tahuhunui Range. The tramp takes us through lush bush up on to tussock tops. On return to the van we could take a short detour to see what remains of the old Boyds homestead.

20 – 21 Apr Working bee at Club Hut
We will decide which of our 3 huts we will visit to do a bit of work on later

25 Apr Cairn Trip (M)  Kaweka FP   
For a number of reasons the Cairn Trip didn’t happen in November so instead we are going to use ANZAC Day for our pilgrimage to the Cairn to pay respects to those who lost their lives in WW2. As well there are a number of walks at the Makahu Saddle Road end for those who want a day out but not a 3 hour walk to the top of the Kaweka Range.