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Unprepared day trampers are in increasing danger of being caught out on New Zealand’s most accessible alpine trek as winter approaches, authorities warn.

Last month, there was a dramatic night rescue of a group of unprepared trampers on the Tongariro Crossing.

Experienced mountaineers told the Waikato Times they are worried day trippers will underestimate the exposed hike during the shoulder season before winter sets in and will get caught by snow, ice, and hypothermia.

Three years ago, DOC changed the hike’s description to include the word alpine to reflect the altitude of the crossing. Red Crater (1886 metres) is the highest point, but many people climb Mt Ngauruhoe (2287m) and Mt Tongariro (1967m) as side trips during the day.

Whakapapa Ski Area Safety Services manager Andy Hoyle, who was involved in last month’s rescue with the Ruapehu Alpine Rescue Organisation, said the group of three had overestimated their abilities when they attempted the Mt Ngauruhoe ascent.

“The group was utterly unprepared,” he said. “Inappropriate shoes and inadequate clothing. They started climbing late and when the weather conditions changed, became severely hypothermic. We spent the night carrying them off the mountain.

“Being unprepared is a chronic problem with the crossing because of its easy access. You see some people in their jandals – it’s pretty eye-opening.

“There’s this concept out there the track must be easy because it’s so close to the road.

We managed to locate yesterday’s pick up point along the Mangaokewa Rd, so it was on from there, reaching the end of the Mangaokewa Stream, then over the saddle into the (upper) Waipa Valley – following the river via roads for a while , through a farm, then the theory was via some short stretches of forestry roads.

Milled within the last year or two, the forest road finished in the usual mess of an old skid site, with the continuation for a while having been destroyed completely by the logging. Not what I had expected, so the brambles that I had to work my way through at times had a good go at my unprotected legs. Tried boulder hopping along the Waipa River (river small, boulders large) as an alternative. Eventually met up with the much roughened forest road after one very slow rough km, and then made my way, including a ford of the Waipa River down to the main road. And then from there to the corner of Link Rd and Barryville Rd in the Pureora Forest Park.

From there a drive through the forest for around 10 km to the geographic centre of the North Island – so a fair way from Cape Reinga. I am having a break now while I prepare for the next sections of Te Araroa.

Thanks again to Tony – great stuff!!

Te Araroa is a walking path that will provide access to Aotearoa’s history and natural heritage from the top of the North to the bottom of the South Island.

The ambition to establish, by 2010, a hiking trail from the northern to the southern tip of New Zealand moved a step closer recently with the opening of two tracks: the 29 kilometre Motatapu track across Otago high country, and the Long Hilly Track, rich with Chinese New Zealand culture, which accesses a section of Te Araroa in Southland.
Long Pathway Idea is Born

The idea of connecting existing trails and walkways and forging new ones to form a cross-country route is credited to the Federated Mountain Clubs, today a national association that promotes safe use of the back country, environmental preservation and protecting rights of access.

Writer Geoff Chapple gave the idea fresh life beginning in the late 1990s, planning and completing a trial walk from Cape Reinga to Bluff, a distance of about 2600 kilometres. His account of the journey, Te Araroa: The New Zealand Trail (Auckland: Random House 2002) is a frank description of the difficulties he faced getting the project underway, as well as a vivid account of the people and places he encountered.

Chapple established the Te Araroa Trust, which for many years has been grappling with issues of route design and access. The Trust has worked with Maori and local and regional authorities, and has a Memorandum of Agreement with the New Zealand Department of Conservation. In some cases the Trust has employed work gangs to build trails if there was no local organisation with the capability to do so.

Although much of the Te Araroa route is along existing tracks, access has been a big issue. The significance of balancing private property rights and access issues was highlighted by the Report of the Walking Access Consultation Panel to the New Zealand Minister for Rural Affairs, published March 2007.

In terms of the issue of access within Maori tribal boundaries, Chapple’s hope was that walkers would be welcomed as manuhiri or visitors. Tai Tokerau and Tainui are two Maori iwi or tribal groups that have lent their support to the Te Araroa project.
Links with New Zealand Culture

The long-term effort to establish Te Araroa illustrates two aspects of New Zealand character: a love of (and determination to protect access to) the wild outdoors, and a fascination with feats of endurance.

In his modern history Paradise Reforged (Auckland, Penguin Press, 2001) Jamie Belich describes a “modern populist engagement with the New Zealand landscape”, with “the boat, the bach [or cottage], the beach and the barbecue” aspects of European New Zealand folk culture. He also details the rise of “rational recreation”, including tramping (hiking) and mountain sport especially since the 1920s, and the environmentalist movement.

The notion of very long walking also fits with New Zealanders’ fascination with feats of endurance. Sir Edmund Hillary, who with Sherpa Tenzing Norgay was the first to climb Mount Everest in 1953, was a patron of the Te Araroa Trust until his death in January 2008. Author, publisher and recreational mountain climber A.H. Reed walked the length of New Zealand early in the 1960s when he was in his 80s. New Zealand ultra-marathoners have done well in international forums, and gruelling multi-sport events (such as the Speight’s Coast to Coast event which crosses the South Island from Kumara Beach on the Tasman Sea to Sumner Beach on the Pacific Ocean) continue to attract large numbers of competitors.

Supporters of Te Araroa (The Long Pathway) are still working through planning and access issues, but the hope is that the route would one day be accessible to everyday hikers. The recent track openings in the South Island are another step in the right direction.

Read more at Suite101: New Zealand’s Long Pathway: Dream of Country-Length Hiking Trail Moves Closer to Reality http://backpacking-trips.suite101.com/article.cfm/new_zealands_long_pathway#ixzz0icBtETwi

Read more at Suite101: New Zealand’s Long Pathway: Dream of Country-Length Hiking Trail Moves Closer to Reality http://backpacking-trips.suite101.com/article.cfm/new_zealands_long_pathway#ixzz0icBNebE3

Cape Brett track

This 16.3km route is within the Scenic Reserve Cape Brett in Bay of Islands on the east coast of North Island. Takes about 8 hours to complete the trail takes you on Maori land and through beautiful forests to dramatic views of the ocean. Walking along the top of the cliffs, you can watch the underwater world. We stay a jump in deep water cove offering you a rest before the steep road leading to the lighthouse.

As the road crosses private land, is paid a fee track maintenance needs. The Cape Brett Lighthouse Keeper houses were serviced DOC hut with 23 people and has mattresses and cooking facilities are to convert. The breathtaking view from the house is worth more than the house fee.

Herekino forest

On the north coast of New Zealand’s spectacular North Island is a course that requires an above average fitness to perform the following 15 km hike. The Herekino forest road is rugged, but beautiful and takes you through a mature podocarp forest, past several state giant Kauri for incredible views of the sea.

Herekino forest is home to many threatened and endangered species Kauri snail, North Island Brown Kiwi, and Long-tailed bat. The forest is a very important nature reserves in New Zealand because of the ecosystems and history. The diverse landscape makes the road on foot a joy.

With approx. Take 9 hours to argue this way is a challenge. You can search for accommodation in the area and ask to arrange, as shipments will be there and back in the morning.

Hauturu Highpoint Track

The Waimes Forest is a forest which has been fantastic on high cliffs, plants that do not occur elsewhere, and assumed that a relic from the Ice Age. In this forest walks are different, however, is High Point Hauturu track among them. Although it is only 3.3kms each way, it will be at least 5 hours to complete the hike. Through this site may be punished by a foot wide, and is not for those with less than average fitness.

The view from the top is totally awesome and well worth the effort. Starting the hike soon there are no tracks that you want in the declining light