A Southerner Crossing
It was somehow fitting that the hillside that had been beaten by fire was currently having a good attempt at breaking our morale. The top of Kapakapanui peak in the Tararua range was cleared by an accidental fire in 1903 [1]. Nowhere is this more apparent than on the peaks western slopes, which we were halfway up. It had been a very long day.
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| The final climb to Kapakapanui from the west. Image from http://www.topomap.co.nz/ |
The Southern Crossing of the Tararuas is a classic tramp known for its long history, windy tops and mountain running. Perusing maps in an idle moment it was clear to me that the classic southern crossing is not actually the most southern possible crossing of the range. If Waterworks Road in Kaitoke and Ngatiawa Road near Waikanae could be linked this route would cross the range further to the south than the classic. Thus began the Southerner Crossing.
We began very early at the Norbert Creek track which climbs quickly and pleasantly through beech to the 4WD drive road which drops down to Hutt Forks. The Western Hutt River provided fun and scenic travel with only a few small climbs to avoid gorges. We arrived at the Renata Forks peninsula feeling fresh. Just before we left the river we spotted a large freshwater crayfish which was an interesting diversion from the ridgeline ahead.
The initial part of the ridge above Renata Forks was a delight, very steep ridgeline with just enough trees that it didn't feel exposed or dangerous. However, the gradient soon flattened, the ridgetop broadened and the mind settled in for a three km plod to the track. The last few hundred metres were boggy with a smattering of leatherwood which caused some muted exasperation.
Whilst we chose the direct route from Renata Forks to Renata peak there may be a quicker route along Renata stream, following a smaller spur to Renata Hut. This route would certainly involve less climbing... something for a future trip.
On a previous trip I had stayed a night in Renata Hut which provided sufficient motivation to hold the pace and hit the track for Kapakapanui. All was proceeding swimmingly until the final climb into the open. Here fatigue at last began to announce its presence. We were climbing into a clear sky, but a glance toward the southern crossing informed us that the classic route was deep in murk. This knowledge and some helpful sugars provided the energy to reach the summit.
With darkness not so much at our heels as in our faces we finished off the day with a short descent to the Kapakapanui Hut. From here it was a cursory descent into the Ngatiawa and the roadend the next day.
Overall the Southerner Crossing was a worthy journey, more technical than its classic neighbour due to its river and offtrack travel. The views may not be quite as spectacular but it would certainly be more impressive to run!
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| Hutt Forks |
We began very early at the Norbert Creek track which climbs quickly and pleasantly through beech to the 4WD drive road which drops down to Hutt Forks. The Western Hutt River provided fun and scenic travel with only a few small climbs to avoid gorges. We arrived at the Renata Forks peninsula feeling fresh. Just before we left the river we spotted a large freshwater crayfish which was an interesting diversion from the ridgeline ahead.
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| Koura in the Western Hutt |
The initial part of the ridge above Renata Forks was a delight, very steep ridgeline with just enough trees that it didn't feel exposed or dangerous. However, the gradient soon flattened, the ridgetop broadened and the mind settled in for a three km plod to the track. The last few hundred metres were boggy with a smattering of leatherwood which caused some muted exasperation.
Whilst we chose the direct route from Renata Forks to Renata peak there may be a quicker route along Renata stream, following a smaller spur to Renata Hut. This route would certainly involve less climbing... something for a future trip.
On a previous trip I had stayed a night in Renata Hut which provided sufficient motivation to hold the pace and hit the track for Kapakapanui. All was proceeding swimmingly until the final climb into the open. Here fatigue at last began to announce its presence. We were climbing into a clear sky, but a glance toward the southern crossing informed us that the classic route was deep in murk. This knowledge and some helpful sugars provided the energy to reach the summit.
With darkness not so much at our heels as in our faces we finished off the day with a short descent to the Kapakapanui Hut. From here it was a cursory descent into the Ngatiawa and the roadend the next day.
Overall the Southerner Crossing was a worthy journey, more technical than its classic neighbour due to its river and offtrack travel. The views may not be quite as spectacular but it would certainly be more impressive to run!
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