At the southern end of the Kaweka ranges – near the Napier Taihape Rd and not far from the forestry headquarters, is a summit called “The Lizard”. There are no marked tracks on the map so I was expecting a bash to the summit. There is a carpark just off the road and from there a track will take you… somewhere. OK so here’s what … Continue reading The Lizard – Zl1/HB-073

In the Ruahine ranges there are a few summits accessible from the Western side. Tunupo is such a summit. Situated above Alice Nash Memorial Heritage Lodge the track follows a spur up to the ranges. This summit was a 4.5 hour drive so I traveled down the night before. Rather than camping at the hut I chose to camp in the back of my ute … Continue reading Zl1/MW-018 Tunupo

Maramarua is a private forest however the forestry website permits walkers. So one Saturday morning I set off. The gate is marked on the topo map on the end of Symes Road. From there walk the forestry track to the summit. I wouldnt attempt this during the week as there will likely be other vehicles on the road. The AZ is large around the fire … Continue reading ZL1/WK-192 Maramarua

This is a summit near “North Block”, a reserve area near Barryville. There is no track to the summit but the bash up is friendly once you are clear of the plantation. I found a side track to park the ute and walked up to a campsite and bashed up from there. Heading back down I found the 4WD track but it was fairly tough … Continue reading ZL1/WK-040

Well this summit generated a bit of excitement for me. Hauhungatahi is the 4th tallest volcano in New Zealand after Ruapehu, Taranaki and Ngauruhoe. This summit is clearly visible from National park if you are driving south on SH4 towards Raetihi as that large hill on the left hand side of the road. There are no marked tracks on the map to the summit, so … Continue reading Even a SOTA GOAT needs a little help sometimes… ZL1-MW/020 Hauhungatahi

This summit is part of a loop track – so I figured I’d walk the loop up to Otamatuna Ridge, then on to Koaunui circuit track, down tot he stream back to the lodge and then North along the road back to the car. This loop took me 9 hours and there was some stream walking on the way out to the lodge. This is … Continue reading Otamatuna Ridge ZL1/BP-162

Umukarikari is a summit near Turangi in the Kaimanawa ranges. A big summit. 1591 mASL makes it a 10 pointer. 13 if you do it in winter bonus period. I walked up this summit only 2 weeks after cyclone Gabrielle had caused devastation to parts of the North Island, including leveling pine plantations in the area. As such there were a lot of downed trees … Continue reading Zl1/WK-009 Umukarikari

This is a little summit in a pine plantation near Benneydale on Waimiha Road. I received permission form the forestry owner and activated this on the way back from Pureora summit. The walk was short up the track. I could see a disused track at the top and took that however it joined back up with the main track anyway at the top. The activation … Continue reading Zl1/WK-131