Bannister Circuit from Kiriwhakapa

Solo weekend tramp doing the Bannister loop from Kiriwhakapap Road end. Whisky is a 16 year old Mortlach. A dram that dosn't need the winter cold or a fire going.

Mortlach

Friday 22/11/2013
Left Wellington after food tea and packing my pack. Slow drive over the Rimataka's and got to the road end after ten pm. Headed off in the dark to Cow Creek, scared a deer bout ten minutes from the car park. Was an interesting walk in as there where plenty of snails and weird flat red worms out.

Flat red thing?

Got to Cow Creek hut after one am, so really this bit of walk finished Saturday.

Cow Creek hut

Saturday 23/11/2013
Initially the day looked slightly cloudy, which is good walking weather. On up to Cow Saddle in ok heat. The Cow sign is starting to look a bit worn.

Cow Saddle

Is it acceptable to repaint it? Or is it meant to rust away? What is the bush code for bush relics? However by ten thirty as I left the shelter of the bush I was exposed to the full heat of the sun and no breeze. Stifling hot.

Peak 1360 Cattle Ridge

The section from Waingawa to Arete is very interesting, there is a two meter step which is easily ascended as there are plenty of hand holds and nice ledges for feet. Then there are good views of Bannister.

Bannister from above small step

From here it was a slow hot two more hours to Arete, where finally I could get some water.

Arete Hut

Rested up for an hour at Arete and had some view and packed out the rubbish that David Scoullar had left here. It was an hour to the Waiohine Pinnacles and then another hour and a half to Tarn ridge hut. Must be one of the most enjoyable journies in the Tararua's.

Tarn Ridge Hut

Sunday 24/11/2013
An even better day than yesterday, as I left the hut it was blue sky in the Tararua's and clouds on the edges, and great views. Moon view from the hut.

Moon in the North West

Clean view down Dorset Ridge.

Dorset Ridge from 1435 on way up Girdlestone

Great views all over the Tararua's on my way over Girdlestone, Brockett and down Table Ridge.

Bannister

Bannister

Broken Axe Pinnacles

Broken Axe Pinnacles

Approaching Brockett

North face of Mitre

Looking NE along Table Ridge

Another view of North face of Mitre

Tarn on Table Ridge

Looking SW from Table Ridge

Finally at the car and can get my shoes off, that was two blistering hot days in the Tararua's, not at all usual.

Trip Times
Friday 22/11/2013
2213 Left Kiriwhakapa Road End heading for Cow Creek hut
2340 Blue Range Hut junction
0036 Waingawa Junction
0115 Waingawa river
0129 Cow Creek hut
Saturday 23/11/2013
0907 Left Cow Creek hut for Cow Saddle
0945 Cow Saddle (took the long way)
1034 Out of the bush heading to Waiangawa
1158 On Peak 1360 on Cattle Ridge
1215 Waingawa
1256 Peak 1385
1401 Just above the 2 meter step heading for peak 1513
1603 At Arete Hut
1705 Left Arete Hut
1807 Peak 1470 Waiohine Pinnalce
1841 On Tarn Ridge
1940 Tarn Ridge Hut
Sunday 24/11/2013
1059 Left Tarn Ridge Hut
1148 Girdlestone
1245 At Tarn on Table Ridge 
1400 At the bush edge on way down to Cow Creek Hut
1440 At Table Ridge Arete Forks junction on track
1453 Cow Creek Hut
1543 Left Cow Creek Hut
1707 Waingawa turnoff
1805 Bluerange Hut junction
1856 At car Kiriwhakapa Road End


Map of Trip

From Google Earth with NZ topo overlay

Elevation Profiles
The elevation profile is from GPS data and Google Earth. Giving a total gain of 4360 meters and a loss of 4347 meters over the weekend trip.

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

Density Removal Notice

is bible free!