A knee testing trip to Kiwi Saddle Hut with Anthony and a possible wander up the top depending on the wx.
Sunday 24/06/2012
Left Motueka and drove to Tapawera then thru Tadmor and finally to Rolling Junction towards the end of Wangapeka River Road. We parked here and headed up the Wangapeka track.
We walked for three hours to the Kiwi track junction on the way having a view of the top of Mt Patriarch obscured by cloud, the intended destination.
And always some interesting fungi along the way.
Stoney Creek route looks like an interesting way to gain the summit of Patriarch crossing the two southern peaks first. Its an old North West Nelson Forest Park sign, probably from late 1980's.
We crossed over the Wangapeka swing bridge and this is where we left the Wangapeka track
The Kiwi Stream swing bridge is a recently completed swing bridge and now means that when heavy rain falls, you are no longer stuck waiting for the stream to go down.
We headed up to Kiwi Saddle hut using our torches for the last hour, arriving at the hut just after 1800 hours.
Got the fire going, and then the usual eat, drink, check the snow(not much at all), and then sleep.
Monday 25/06/2012
Shitty weather, sleet, rain, some wind so we walked back. Kiwi Sadlle hut is a typical little six bunker.
Heading off in the morning, a bit chilly.
Patriarch obscured by cloud.
Several hours later it sort of cleared a bit.
A quicker trip out as all down hill.
Map of Route
Blah
Hut was clean, fire is open and can get a bit smokey if the wood is not pushed back. Whisky was Ardbeg 10yo, really nice with a smokey fire. No wee books of imaginary friends to send back.
DOC's Kiwi Saddle Hut info
BQ23 Linz topo Wangapeka Saddle
