Ruahine means “wise woman” and six wise women initiated the first club tramp in this park supported by
four servile men.
We travelled via Matamata to Taupo on Thursday evening, to bed down at the
Baptist church. All heads came off wentilillos at 6am while it was still pitch dark - we were all really
pleased to do this, getting on the road to Napier by 7:30am.
All were impressed at the diversity
of the scenery as we walked up the Waipawa River and up the steep head of the valley to the Waipawa
saddle 1326masl. We appreciated marvellous views down the valley and beyond to the Hawke Bay from the
sad, stark eroded hilltops. Erosion has been an ongoing problem in this range reflected in the material
in the rivers. The climb had taken five hours and the team was justly pleased with its performance. A
ridge walk circumvented a washed out section of the track as we made a steep descent to a more gentle
gradient in a stream to reach the Waikamaka hut where we were welcomed by members of the Rangitikei Tramping
Club. The
Good Friday devotions were led by Paul and Ruth and they took us to the scriptures and the
plan of salvation wrought on the cross.
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On the Saturday we took the day walk to the Waterfall hut by crossing the saddle into another beautiful
valley with mosses and flowers by the stream and beech forest on the valley walls. Some felt that they
would love to return to camp in the valley. We sat in the sun around the boiling billy before making
our return to the saddle and our base at Waikamaka hut. Ali led us in a devotions on The Fathers Prayer
composed from various scriptures including Acts 17:28 In Him I live and move and have my being. We
were the sole occupants of the hut and we retired early well satisfied with the day walk to the reputable
scenic valley.
He is risen!. We rejoiced in the victory of resurrection on Easter Sunday with
Phillip bringing us scriptures and we prayed and sang as we remembered and rejoiced in our salvation.
The return journey to our vehicle was via the Sunrise track and we were so making such good progress
that instead of staying at Triplex hut we continued on to welcome hot showers at a holiday park, a meal
at Napier, and overnight in a church hall.
On Monday two of the ladies got up really early to
give the men cups of tea in bed for a change. We packed up and piled back into our van for the journey
home via Taupo, with lunch at the home of Kelvin and Jan Trim. After a good run along State Hignway 27
via Matamata we were back in Auckland about 4:30pm.
The leaders report that they were rewarded
with a very positive and enthusiastic team relishing the challenge of a new scene. The terrain was tough
and steep and we walked for hours in and out of water, over rocks and steep saddles with confidence and
tremendous teamwork. It was a pleasure to lead such appreciative and supportive members.
COST:
$130 (Transport $73, Food $25, Accommodation $24, Equipment levy $3, Shower in Napier afterwards $5)
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