Tarn Ridge Circuit 01 - 03/04/2011

Carl and Ian doing a circuit involving Tarn Ridge and the Waiohine Pinnacles and Pinnacle spur.

Friday 01/04/2011
We drove to Kiriwhakapapa Road end to do a bit of a weird walk. At first look it would seem that starting from the Pines road end would be more logical. It would be except it drops our hut/shelter count. As by doing the Kiriwhakapapa Road end we get a hut bag count of six instead of four.

It was a nice easy walk into Cow Creek hut where we stopped for our evening meal. We sort of expected the next bit from Cow to Mitre to be easy as well; as I had been along here about a year ago and it only took a couple of hours. Its the darkness of the night that changes tracks. We lost the way a couple of times either when in scrub or where there was a bit of tree fall. Cranked up the walk time to over three hours. Finally getting into bed after two am (really Saturday) for a well deserved beer. The longer than expected walk that night did not keep Carl from smiling, warm in his icebreaker gear.

Saturday 02/04/2011
A bit of a cold morning sleeping in light weight bags on the Mitre Flats hut veranda. And it was a slow start to the day as we finally headed off after 10am. Not a real problem as the day was looking better every minute and we did not have far to go.

Sunday 03/04/2011
The long day with what did not look like good weather and started in the clag and wind. Left the Tarn Ridge hut and headed off for Waiohine Pinnacles which is a nice easy uphill wander, just one place was a bit narrow and we took care as the occassional blast of wind moved us.

It was pretty obvious in the clag where the turn off to head down Pinnacle Spur was, as there is a handy pole marking it.

Map

Travel Times
Friday 01/04/2011
1800 Left Kiriwhakapapa Road End heading for Mitre Flats hut.
1916 At turn off to Blue Range hut, went for a walk there and back for a hut tag.
1939 Back at the Blue Range turnoff heading for Cow Creek.
2029 At the sign for Waingawa River.
2129 At Cow Creek hut.
2232 Left Cow Creek hut.
0204 At Mitre Flats
Saturday 02/04/2011
1010 Left Mitre Flats hut.
1335 Mitre Peak.
1529 Tarn Ridge hut.
Sunday 03/04/2011
0734 Left Tarn Ridge hut.
0859 Pinnacle Spur turnoff.
1037 Arete Forks hut.
1222 Left Arete Forks.
1517 Cow Creek hut via river.
1619 Left Cow Creek hut.
1729 At the Waingawa River sign.
1838 At Blue Range hut turnoff sign.
1924 At Kiriwhakapapa Road end.