Living near the Kahurangi

Waking to a clear morning, vision of Mt Stormy and the hum of a west coast country town.
 Lush surrounding of rain forest, dairy farms, rivers and streams leaving to the sea, estuary walks of an evening and early mornings.

 Fishing for Kahawai, Snapper, sharks of many sizes, wild west coast experience with good sea conditions is highly successful for a talented angler with time on their hands.

 If flying is your scene, Karamea Helicopter  Charters will get you to great fishing spots high up in the Kahurangi National Park, our small aerodrome is host to Golden Bay Air, to and fro Takaka, Nelson and Wellington. Sealed runway and small arrivals area include toilets and telephone.

 Spend a few days to unwind after the Heaphy, Wangapeka, Leslie Karamea Tracks, recover, rest and re fuel for the next adventure is wise advice even if I say so myself. Stopping for a break to observe the world as it catches up... time out.

 As the light fades of another sunset, observing the migration to pub and resort to quench the thirst of an active day living near the Kahurangi

For a short day walk, try Zigzag Track on the east side of the South Terrace, Karamea.

 A steady climb toward the old cemetery, no markings of any plots exist, just an airy silence.

Take your time and explore the history of this area, information board at start of trail next to Arapito Road.

Equipment required, a drink and a snack to restore energy for the return trip back.

Good views of the Karamea River and toward the start of the Heaphy Track.

Fenian and Oparara Valley Tracks ... Day walk 

  Arrive at Fenian car park, walk to comment book shelter 2 minutes from start of track, a gentle ascent to Maloney Bluff high above the Oparara River, descend to Fenian Caves signage ( a side track of 1 hour to Miners cave and Tunnel cave exiting near Cavern Creek caves, track rejoins main trail other side of Cavern Creek bridge).

 We continued toward Oparara Valley Track junction, choose to walk to Sunshine Flat shelter 2 hours 5.5 km.

 A gentle amble downhill and up, all water crossings bridged, and wildlife friendly as we are visited by Robins, heard Kea and wild water fowl as we stroll near the rivers. The trail stretched out undulating its way toward the Oparara Basin, a beautiful day for a walk in the Kahurangi area, towering Beech, Rimu trees dwarf us surrounded by regenerating native forest, the trail was completed 2008 and opened by Professor David Bellamy.

 Sunshine Flat shelter shows the progress of track building, a Rimu round describes a timeline of some 650 years highlights of history, toilets and a water tank for washing hands, also a place to camp ( take a mosquito net as biting insects prevail ).

 Return walk is much faster, mostly down zigzag all weather trails back to junction and Fenian car park. 

 A great day walk of 5 - 6 hours, take your time and camera, water is essential as is a snack to keep energy levels high. Enjoy.

Kahurangi calls us ... our return

  Planned a 4 day walk on the Heaphy Track a week or so after our last stroll.

 Day one ... leaving Kohaihai River behind and heading to Scott's beach and beyond to Katipo Creek Shelter for a morning break, wind at our back and packs a little heavy we push forward 4 hours to reach Heaphy Hut for lunch and time to share our life force with the local sand fly population.
 Continue on to Lewis Hut for our first night, amble alongside the Heaphy River for 2 hours or so to reach Heaphy bridge, 149 m long an engineering feat of excellence, wide enough for mountain bikes to negotiate and support 10 walkers at one time.
 Arrival at Lewis by 2 pm, down packs and boots off. Time to relax and reflect upon the travelling of the day, a visit by a local helicopter shakes the hut alive, assist in the unloading of coal to fuel the huts fire place... thanks Wayne.

Day two ... earlyish rise to tackle the ascent to James Mackay Hut, a gradual climb through many forest terrains, leaf litter of beech trees to rocky outcrops, track is narrow at places and water scored, due for track reforming in the coming months. 
Department of Conservation is repairing sections along the trail and replacing Huts to retain a Great Walk status to compare to others of the South Island. 
 Arrival at Mackay is quite a relief for us as we struggled with the weight on our backs, a time to rethink the load we carry, have a cup of tea then organise our sleeping area, its now time for dinner, talk with some other trampers and DOC staff. Sleep.

 Day three ... My pack is heavier as I carry all food to lighten my companions pack, we travel much better this time downhill toward Lewis hut for breakfast of Nasi Goreng, a freeze dried meal. Pack up again and continue to Heaphy Hut for our last night, early arrival about 11 am we clean ourselves and our clothes, hang to dry on this sunny day, hampered by sand flies we retreat indoors to rest and consume more of our payload to lighten our exit to the park the following day. 
 A short walk to the beach and photo ops to capture the moment and reflect on the past few days, body is feeling good and spirits are high. We retire for the night and rest well.

 Day four ... On the track again, we lead the way along the best section of the Heaphy, the coast is wild with constant drizzle rain on this day, the sea on our shoulder and haste in our step, continue to the Kohaihai car park where we meet other walkers following us to this destination. 
 Karamea is a short 16 kilometres away ... home.

                 Finished one adventure and will start another ... good tramping

  Early start to a brilliant Friday morning,  first step then many others,  barefoot.

17 Km of coastal subtropical paradise,  part of the 82 KM traverse,  featuring stunning limestone formations,  Nikau Palm trees,  rugged west coast beaches ,  3 to 5 hours undulating trail to the first Hut of 32 bunks,  solar led lighting,  gas hobs,  wood fire heater and indoor plumbing.  Heaphy.  Luxury.

 Next day we wandered up to Lewis Hut to see the new bridge,  amazing single span over the Heaphy River to 2 minute walk to the hut. ( next tramp this is our first stop  ) 2 hours. 
 Had lunch and returned to Heaphy Hut for a rest.

 Next morning in search of Kiwi,  heading home to Karamea on the well worn path of the Heaphy Track,  Kahurangi National Park NZ,  an adventure for all.

Stunning meals were prepared and consumed ,  a few luxuries on this trip,  a shakedown to tramping cuisine, lighter packs are the answer ... freeze dried meals are light weight and recharge the body,  as is home made muesli bars,  and dried fruit. 

 Three in our party as we ascended the Kohaihai Saddle to descend onto Scotts Beach,  onto white sandy beaches and locate the track by orange triangles,  a few swing bridges and wet crossings, to reach Heaphy Hut 2012  real New Zealand great walk. 

The terrain changes day by day. Easy to Moderate.

Heaphy can also be mountain biked from May 1st until September 30th 

 Summer is hot, winter is cooler and less sandflies

Next week we ascend to James Mackay Hut,  over looking the coast and river mouth.

Halloween is upon this sleepy hamlet, 

rain dabbles on the roof, 

wait for a clearing day to venture, 

wearing our waterproofs.

 Thinking of starting a tramping group in the top end of the coast, 

perfect venue ... Kahurangi National Park.

 Any thoughts how I can go about this ?

  friends interested to join the walks, greatly received.

 Dust off your boots, shake out your packs

Beard Foot Tramping Club

Karamea

Just an Idea?

 weekend excursion.

    We are so looking forward to a weekend away to walk the Heaphy Track, a Great Walk in the Kahurangi National Park.

 Novice trampers need equipment, some new, other items used, well worn boots for comfort, good raincoat, first aid kit, warm sleeping bag and a balanced diet of protein, carbohydrates, dried fruit, nuts and chocolate and whatever else you desire to carry.

  Day one to complete 17 km journey to the Heaphy Hut, our home for two nights. 
Where we may explore surroundings, fish for dinner, swim if we feel the urge or just be ... unwind before a busy season and experience the outdoors.

 Training the body and mind to live in nature, listen and feel the environment, seek shelter, forage and gather, survival experience. lessons to be learnt.

 3 weeks to train ...

The first post for 2013,

 Karamea Connections... movement of the people... in the Karamea area, pick up from the Heaphy Track at the Kohaihai Shelter.
 Rongo Backpackers is doing well with most nights full, reservations for double rooms are essential, dorms are available, to avoid disappointment book ahead.
 Karamea Farm Baches are busy as normal for this time of year, family groups enjoy the summer times fishing and basking in the sun.
 Permaculture farm is growing fast, with PDC course planned for May, vegetables in abundance to feed the masses staying and working for the LivinginPeace Project.

 So much has happened in the past 6 months... will continue to blog next month, when time allows...

 Peace and Love