Bruce, Sheryl, Al and David made the climb to Syme Hut on a glorious autumn day and encountered several groups descending after staying a night in either Kapuni Lodge or Syme Hut. We also caught up with a Cambodian gentleman from Hamilton who David delighted by taking numerous artistic photographs of him on his camera. Ice was clearly visible around the South entrance to the crater which had made a group of climbers abandon their summit attempt the previous day.

Al Barkla

Friday 11th March Finer's, Linns, Guts, Barkla's and Fleming's in motor homes, and Alan Rogers with his tent headed for Kuripapango DoC camp in the Kaweka Forest Park.

We arrived in glorious sunshine, explored the camp and dipped our toes in the Ngaruroro River which bounds the camp before declaring the sun was possibly over the yard arm and happy hour (or two) began. But darkness falls pretty early now so it was a reasonably early night.

At 8 am  Saturday morning Alan, Jim, Werner and Al set off to climb to Kuripapango Trig and beyond. A bit later Alistair and Dorothy, Marilyn Jan and Yolanda set off for a shorter walk to the first river crossing on the Cameron Hut Track, viewing the cableway and Water level gauge.  We left John and Irene in charge of the camp. The climbers had a swim on return, and we all chilled out for the remainder of the afternoon.

Sunday morning we awoke to a grey and drizzly morning. However Jim had left his favourite top on the hill, so Jim, Al, Alan and Werner headed back to the trig on the alternate route via The Lakes. Marilyn, Alistair, Dorothy, Yolanda and Jan walked up the road to the Historic Robson Lodge, built in 1904 by David Lumsden who was farming the area, and lived in by Morris Robson, forest ranger and his wife Coral for a decade. The afternoon was spent reading and playing games, and the weather improved in time for happy hour. 

On Monday morning most of us returned home via Napier. Unfortunately Al and Irene broke down at Onga Onga and had to call a transporter and rental car to get home. Our inaugural camper tramper weekend was a huge success.

Thanks Alistair for the great photos.

Jan Fleming

A party of 8 set off up the Ihaia track on the western side of the mountain to view the new gorge or canyon excavated by the Waiaua river during a storm last winter. The canyon severed the round the mountain track so completely that a large detour was required.

We first made our way to the old Oaonui hut site and then continued on to view the canyon which we estimated to be at least 10 metres deep and marvelled at the power of water to carve out so much material so quickly.

Then it was back to the old hut site for lunch after which Bruce led us (directly) to the nearby 1944 crash site of the Avro Anson.

Back down the track again we took the new diversion to the Waiaua river bed to view the rock littered debris that was washed out of the canyon before returning to Ihaia road end.

Present were Wietze and Rae Hoogeveen, Kathryn Jones, Sheryl Stanners, Al Barkla, Bruce Finer, Cathy and Graham Thompson.

Official Report of the 1944 Crash

The crew departed New Plymouth Airport at 1419LT on a navigation exercise. While cruising at an altitude of 1,200 feet, the twin engine aircraft went through a cloudy area over Mt Egmont (Mt Taranaki). Familiar with the area, the second pilot saw trees 200 feet below and took over the control to turn to the right to avoid any collision with the mountain. Unfortunately, the aircraft stalled, hit tree tops and crashed in a wooded area. F/Sgt Peterson was able to leave the crash site and walked for about seven miles to find help. On site, the rescuers were able to evacuate a second crew member alive while both other occupants were killed.

Crew (SNR):
F/Sgt John Paterson Cummins, pilot, †
F/Sgt Maurice Roy Haycock, pilot, †
Sgt B. F. A. Rough, navigator,
F/Sgt A. F. Peterson, radio operator.

Graham Thompson

Graham and Cathy, Michelle, Kathryn, Al, and potential members Steve and Tiffany and family spent a productive day around the lodge, painting, varnishing and an extensive amount of track clearing.

Our Picnic was eaten when mostly dry and no wind. There were several people with motor homes to provide shelter as drizzle set in after an hour or so - but Al preferred his "halo".

Alan did a roaring trade for Rotokare Scenic Reserve Trust selling Calendars. A beautiful calendar depicting the work and wildlife of Rotokare, $20. Available from Rotokare – contact@rotokare.org.nz or visit Eltham Farm Supplies on Bridge St Eltham.

Jan Fleming

Our high level alpine trip was well supported with 18 turning up & good weather.

We walked from the Plateau via ski field to Tahurangi lodge. Taking the higher route back to Warrick’s Castle, under the Policeman, then a traverse above the Maunganui Bluffs to gain Priest’s Fingers on Curtis ridge then back down the ridge to our cars at the Plateau.

We had great views with some cloud & a breeze keeping things cool. Some of us stopped off at the Mountain House for a well earned drink!

A great ridge loop walk was had in perfect conditions by 4 trampers and a dog to “Kowhata”, a 1000 acre sheep/beef and manuka hill country block.

We drove 25 minutes meandering along the Waitotara Valley to our destination beginning our walk at 9.30am. Access to the property was via a swing bridge up to the old homestead and then across the paddock to the wool shed, and then we began our ascent up the first hill. We then veered left to go up onto what was once an airstrip.

We then headed down hill and then back up again into an area of the farm that is not farmed and has wild beef cattle running around on it and plenty of goats. We came across 3 wild bulls on the track that thankfully high tailed it out of sight not to be seen again. We took in the 360-degree views at the top and then stopped for lunch in the bush line before our descent down. We had heard and seen 2 motorbikes on the airstrip in the distance not thinking that they would make it to where we were, on our sometimes steep downward track heading back. But surprisingly they did appear and caught up with us. We had a bit of a chat to the guys on their adventure bikes (my husband and a friend) then we all carried on down the track to the bottom and back over the swing bridge to the vehicle to finish off with a nice cold beer and kombucha.

It was a 10km walk which took us 3 hrs. Enjoyed by Al Barkla, Kathryn Jones, Helen Cooper, Michelle Meyer, Ginny and adventure bikers Michael Meyer and Kevin Ford.

Michelle Meyer