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 Susan and Carrie's summer tramping adventures - part 1: January 2023
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Kaimanawa Ranges, January 12-13

Our planned three-day tops exploration in the Kaimanawas got down-sized to a quick overnight to Waipakihi Hut. It wasn’t quite the warm-up we’d hoped for, but did allow us to knock off a bit of the holiday rust.
Day 1: Umukarikari Ridge -- high summer (not)
Day 2: leaving Waipakihi Hut in sunshine
Central plateau volcanoes (self-timer shot)


​Lewis Pass to Lake Rotoroa, January 18-24

Our first Big Tramp of the summer was a 7-day route from Lewis Pass to Lake Rotoroa — via Ada Pass, Three Tarn Pass, the Matakitaki Valley (West Branch, then East Branch), David Saddle and the D’Urville Valley. The scenery was spectacular, the terrain challenging but manageable, and the weather perfect for walking — not too hot, great visibility and only a couple of overnight showers.
Much as we love to get away from highly populated tracks, some of this route was far less travelled than we had anticipated. For 5 days we didn’t see another human and some of the hut books went back 10-15 years! Due to the low traffic, the best place to walk was sometimes hard to find, and on a few occasions we lost significant time scouting around, which resulted in some very long days. The descent from David Saddle (day 5) was particularly challenging and we didn’t make it to our intended destination that night. Fortunately we got off the hill and down to the valley floor at dusk, and stumbled across a perfect little campsite just as it got too dark to go further.
​The last couple of days were a long trudge down the D’Urville to meet a water taxi back to the Lake Rotoroa carpark. Overall it was a pretty tiring trip, but incredibly satisfying. 

Day 1: on the St James Walkway -- Ada Pass hut around the corner to the right; view of Spenser Mountains (Gloriana Peak)
Day 2: view from porch of Ada Pass Hut, looking towards Three Tarn Pass
Day 2 lunch spot: looking back down Maruia River towards Ada Pass (hut visible if you zoom in)
Day 2: in the upper Maruia Valley
Day 2: climbing up towards Three Tarn Pass
Day 2: almost at our campsite, Ada Pass still visible 700m below
Day 2 campsite: at large tarn on Maruia side of Three Tarn Pass
Day 3: setting off toward Three Tarn Pass hoping morning cloud clears
Day 3: at the top of Three Tarn Pass (1850m) -- view of the tarns that give the pass its name
Day 3: looking down the upper West Branch of the Matakitaki River
This heart rock was too big to put in a pocket and bring home ;-)
Day 3: further down the Matakitaki West Branch, still above bush line -- one of many times Carrie almost got swallowed by deep tussock!
Day 4: morning light on Bob's Hut
Day 4: crossing the walk wire over the Matakitaki West Branch
Day 4: outside East Matakitaki hut, looking up-valley
Day 4: crossing a sidestream as we head up the Matakitaki East Branch
Day 4 campsite: about 3km up-valley from East Matakitaki hut
Day 4: looking down the East Matakitaki, sunset on Faerie Queen
Day 5: travel getting rougher as we head up the East Branch
Day 5: view from the upper reaches of the East Matakitaki towards David Saddle, where we're headed
Day 5: starting to breath heavily on the climb to David Saddle
Day 5: Looking back down the East Matakitaki as we ascend
Day 5: another East Matakitaki view from higher up
Day 5: view towards the saddle as we climb
Day 5: almost at the top of David Saddle
Day 5: from the top of David Saddle (1786m), looking back into the East Matakitaki
Day 5: looking down D'Urville Valley from just below David Saddle
Day 5: 9pm and still descending rough ground into the D'Urville
Day 7: in the lower reaches of the D'Urville looking back up-valley (too exhausted on Day 6 to take any photos LOL)
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