Friday
Nine keen trampers travelled by car for four hours to Omapere United Church on Friday
2 March to meet Doug McKenzie our man in the North, and bed down for the night nice and cosy.
Saturday
We were all very pleased to get out of bed at 6am while there was still an hour of darkness to go
before daylight - much so that we were away by 7:30am instead of the normal 8am as planned!
We
travelled to Waiotemarama Rd and the first group set off while the drivers took their cars to Mountain
Rd for our exit on Sunday. The three drivers followed more than an hour later. Signs advised that the
walk was steep however the first group made good progress to Hauturu trig 679masl and on to Framptons
hut for lunch. The second group had lunch at the trig and arrived at the hut early afternoon.
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Consideration was given to walking to Northland’s highest point however the six hours return
meant that one or two explored the early stages of this track while others spent the afternoon sunbathing.
The walk had been through beautiful kauri forest with many beautiful trees of varying stages of growth.
When we reached the higher places we had good views over the Waimamaku Valley. All felt blessed to be
able to enjoy such majestic scenery. We reminded ourselves that the name Hauturu is shared with Little
Barrier Island another tramp in a reserve with beautiful trees and a short steep climb. A check of Maori
place names reveals that Hauturu means “winds resting place”. Hau means “wind” and turu “post”.
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Frampton’s hut was really inviting. The old farm cottage has recently been restored by DOC and
offered free to trampers. We had the cottage to ourselves and found it very hospitable and a novel change
from a DOC hut. It is small and it has only six beds but very suitable for our group. A Seek Freedom
New Testament and Nicky Gumbell booklet were donated to the hut. Games of 500 before retiring on a beautiful
moonlit night.
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Sunday
We continued for only an hour out to Mountain Rd and our vehicles which we
used to travel to the Signal Station over looking the harbour entrance. The brilliant wide vista encaptured
us before a refreshing swim and delicious lunch put on by the Doug McKenzie. Thank you Doug for a wonderful
weekend. Thank you Val for arranging the other meals. Thank you Gary and Ali for the equipment. This
tramp went so smoothly for the group was so ready to move.
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Costs: Transport $54, Food $8, Equipment levy $2 and donation to the United Church $5. Total
$69.
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