Hinterland Hijinks

Matemateāonga Puteore Loop, Whanganui National Park

As New Zealand’s highest ever pressure system swept over the country the rain clouds gathered over the Kāweka Range. Regan and I had planned a Wellington Tramping and Mountaineering Club (WTMC) to Kiwi Mouth Hut in the Kāweka, but a day of walking up a river in a snowstorm was a hard sell. Instead we cast our eyes west till they eventually settled on the hinterland of Whanganui National Park. Away from the centre-piece of the park, the Whanganui River, were the Matemateāonga and Puteore tracks which had recently been recut. These two tracks were once linked by a track which turned them into a circuit. There was scant information on the internet about the route, but it was too tantalising an opportunity to pass up. Our punters Andrew and Jordan were keen for the plan change, what’s the worst that could happen?

1. Curdling kebabs

Kohi Saddle to Omaru Hut

We left Wellington straight after work, crossing over Transmission Gully as the sun set over the Kāpiti Coast. Traffic was light and we were soon at the kebab shop in Bulls getting our fill of doner. Just passed Eltham we left the main roads behind, finding ourselves on a succession of smaller and smaller roads. Soon Regan had us pressed to the car doors as we flew around…