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We had a great Queens Birthday weekend at Ruapehu. The pack-carrying group of 11 were able to do exactly
what was planned, aided by the cooperative weather.
Friday
We travelled to Ohakune
in rental vans and stayed overnight at the Station Lodge backpacker hostel near the railway station.
Saturday
We were dropped off on the Ohakune Mountain Road (about 12 km up) and
followed the Round-the-Mountain Track to Waitonga Falls. From there we branched off to Blyth Hut, then
progressed up the ridge and across the flanks of the mountain (poled route) to Turoa skifield carpark
- all in brilliant weather. There were awesome views. We had our lunch in perfect conditions below Girdlestone
and Tahurangi. There was a blanket of cloud below us, but excellent visibility all the way across to
Mt Taranaki. From the carpark, we descended 2 km down the road and branched off down the track to Mangaturuturu
Valley and Hut (quite full - so a bit chilly for the six in the tents!). We had a nice campfire, and
had never seen the mountain look so good - golden glow at sunset and glistening in the moonlight. 5-6
hours walking. Our devotions for the day from Phillip were: God always wants us to come (Matthew 11:28)
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Sunday
We hiked down the Horopito Track in drizzle, rather boggy in the lower reaches,
and emerged onto Lahar Farm and stayed overnight at Lahar Barn (excellent facility - hot showers, macrocarpa
walls, log fire) near "Smash Palace" at Horopito. There was a friendly visit by Brent Bishop, our colourful
host. 4 hours walking. Our devotions for the day from Phillip were: God always invites us to come back
(Luke 15:11-32)
Monday
We walked the Old Coach Road walking/cycling trail (14 km, Horopito
to Ohakune) in sunshine - spectacular old viaducts, informative signboards, metallic statues, lovely
forest. 3.5 hours walking. We were away from Ohakune by lunchtime, had a meal break in National Park/Taumaranui,
and back home by teatime. Our devotions for the day from Phillip were: God always hopes we will come
around (Romans 12:2)
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