Ikawhenua: Chapter One
The Ikawhenua range sits between the Rangitaiki and Whakatāne rivers, a piece of land some 20km wide but at least 100km long. During the covid lockdown my mind had insistently played a simple dream of fly camping. Aotearoa emerged into alert level two and I decided the Ikawhenua was the place to be. Given I have something of a predilection for over-training it seemed prudent to cut myself off at the pass and pick what appeared to be the easiest hut to get to. Ergo, I selected Mangamako Hut, situated above the stream of the same name and accessed through forestry near Kopuriki. The kayak guidebook warns of the Aniwhenua take-out that "the area is notorious for car theft". This caused me some pause for thought but I eventually decided (hoped) that the car would be safe enough at the Lake Aniwhenua campground, parked conspicuously in front of some nearby houses. Transport situation relatively assured, I pointed the mighty cadex in the direction of lookout road. Ten hair raising ...