Blog
The Kepler Track
Of all New Zealands great walks, the one I've wanted to do most is the Kepler track. I have heard and read so many accounts of people that rate this track as one of New Zealands best. Last year my daughter Sarah said that she and her boyfriend were looking to book huts on the Kepler track for this summer so of course I jumped in and said do you mind if your dad comes along - so suddenly we were booked to go. Initially in January but we then had to move the date to February 18th to align with eve
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2nd Mar 2021
Taranaki Via Carrington Ridge
A summit route I've always wanted to do is via Carrington ridge from Holly hut. I've always been a bit put off by either needing to take a sleeping bag and overnight things to spend a night in Holly hut or making a long day of it hiking into Holly hut and then completing a summit. I've also not been quite sure of the route.Anyway, my fitness is pretty good at the moment after plenty of recent tramps and climbs and with the weather looking perfect I set off early on Friday morning leaving t
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8th Feb 2021
Sunset & Moonrise From Taranaki Mauna
One of my favourite climbs on Taranaki is to do a sunset climb around the time of a full moon. Not only do you get to watch the sunset and moonrise from the top of the mountain but also descend under the light of the full moon with the city and town lights spread out across the Taranaki ring plain below you. The trick of course is to get a clear night as all too often banks of cloud build up during the day. Anyway, last weekend the weather cleared up and looked like perfect conditions
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3rd Feb 2021
The Mt Messenger Track
A tramp I've been wanting to do for a long time is the Mt Messenger track in the Parininihi forest. The track starts from SH3 near the bottom of the Mt Messenger rd, climbs steeply up the ridge to the Mt Messenger trig station then descends slowly along a rugged narrow ridge towards the coast where it joins the White Cliffs walkway. I had a couple of reasons for wanting to walk this track.1. Is the family connection with Mt Messenger named after my great great grandfather
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26th Jan 2021
Pouakais Via Kiri Track
When I was growing up and tramping with my dad, the Kiri track was one of our favourite tramping tracks. It's a great route up onto the Pouakais with stunning views of Taranaki once you emerge from the bush and follow the ridge lines up to Kiri peak and then cross the saddle over to Pouakai peak. You can then make it a loop walk by taking the track around the top of the ranges back to Pouakai hut and then descend down the old Plymouth track.These tracks have been officially close for years but I
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13th Jan 2021