My Favourite Walk: Three tramps in the Ruahine

Three tramps in the Ruahine Forest Park

Eighteen members of the Wednesday group Manawatu Tramping & Ski Club Club were met with the overcast, low cloud and intermittent drizzle that was destined to last all day at their arrival at the Rangiwhahia Car Park in the Ruahine For- By Bob Hodgson est Park, northern Manawatu.

To complete the description, the clouds were so low on the tops that any anticipated views of the landscape were eliminated.

Trip leader for the day, Marion, organised three groups; one of five to tramp to the Rangiwhahia Hut, one of nine to tramp Deadmans, and one of four aiming to tramp Deadmans then up through the tussock to the

Left: Some of “The Deadmans 9” at the first high tarn.

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Three tramps in the Ruahine Forest Park

hut and complete the loop back to the carpark.

The goal set as all out by 3.30pm, radios were allocated and then it was hi ho off to tramp we all did go!

The “Hut 5” had a steady, incident free tramp up in damp conditions. There were no landscape views, only blank white cloud, however this did provide a backdrop that made black spear grass flower stems visible that would normally have not been noticed.

A small flock of about five kereru was also encountered.

The hut was clean and dry but colder on the inside than the outside.

The “Energetic 4” completed the full 12.3km loop, well before trip leader Marion’s deadline and without incident.

The “Deadmans 9” enjoyed a social tramp with plenty of chatter. The tramp that was enhanced by the damp conditions that made

Above: Spot the leaders?

Fact file

Getting there: The start of the Rangiwhahia Track is 81 kms from Palmerston North Driving time 1 hour 14 minutes, or 27km from Mangawheka 32 minutes from State Highway 1. Length of track: Time: Two to two and a half hours to nut.Track grade Easy to moderate.

the bush colours particularly vivid with a surprising variety of coloured mushrooms and fungus to be observed including some a lime green. The track section that goes through the height range that allows mixture of mature, mountain cypress and leatherwood was particularly beautiful, a beauty subtly enhanced by a faint and sweet aroma attributed to native orchids though none were found by the author.

Although conditions were best described as damp and claggy, it was not an especially a cold tramp.

We emerged in high spirits and joined with the others as we travelled to the Kimbolton Cafe where we were made welcome for coffee and cakes.

Above right: Some of “The Deadmans 9” enjoy lunch in the leatherwood.. Above left: Three of the Energetic 4 Loopers enjoy a high point Photo

byWilliam Left: More Beauty in the bush. Below right: GPS plot showing in red the track to the Rangiwahia Hut,the red splodge (!) and, below in muddy brown, the route of the “Deadmans Nine. Below left: The Deadmans Rangi Hut Loop. Below right: The profile for the tramp of the “Deadmans Nine”.

Below: Green Beauties.