Lake Waikaremoana 5-8 January

Thurdsay - We started from the Onepoto Shelter through the former Armed Constabulary Redoubt and climbed steadily up to the top of Panekire Bluff. We then followed the undulating ridgeline before reaching Puketapu Trig (1180 metres) and onto Panekire Hut.
Friday - From Panekire Hut, we headed south-west down the range to the top of the Panekire descent. From here we dropped steeply off the range into rolling valleys of beech, podocarp and kamahi forest and the lake. Then onto Waiopaoa Hut for lunch. Then we followed the track along the lake edge to Korokoro Campsite.
Saturday - We set of mid-morning firstly to Maraunui Campsite where we stopped for lunch, then visited Marauiti Hut and finally onto Waiharuru Campsite.
Sunday - We climbed over the Pukehou Ridge following the kiwi enclosure fence line down to Tapuaenui Campsite and then on out to Wanganui Hut for lunch. Our water taxi then took us back to Onepoto Bay and the shuttle van.
Thursday, 05 January 2017

Some of us spent a day before the walk exploring the local caves

Sue

I canna hold it much longer!!

Then we walked to Lake Waikareiti on the Ruapani loop track

You can hire boats to cross the lake

Lake Waikareiti day shelter

Aniwaniwa Falls

Historic trailer - used to transport heavy equipment for the local Hydro construction in the 1920's

We had an overnight camp at Big Bush camp ground before the lake trip

The start of the great walk

Heading up to Panekire Bluff

Paddy and Chris

Anne

Awesome views as we climbed up Panekire Bluffs

Paddy

Bald Knob

Glenda and DW on Bald Knob

Chris

Sue, Paddy, Annie

Panekire hut (the least comfortable of all the huts)

Annie looking out from Panekiri Hut

Going down from Panekiri Hut

Is that a geocache that Sue is reaching for?

Darrel

Looks like a face huh

The trees had them too

Sue being lazy at Waiopaoa hut (lunch stop)

Waiopaoa Hut - spacious and modern

Yes that man is knitting!! He's also very talented on camera and guitar!

Old and new bridge

Korokoro campground

Cooking up a storm (well boiling water anyways)

Checking out Darrel's new tent

We did a side trip to Korokoro Falls in the afternoon

Korokoro Falls were magnificent

Chris behind the falls

The view from behind (you can see Paddy and his orange cap center photo

Sue's turn

Cable wire - Annie was the swing expert

Swans on the lake

Sunset

Sue and Glenda

Floating flower

Bryan

Rest stop

Private hut

Private hut x2

Panekiri Bluffs

Marauiti hut

Waiharuru hut - t'was very flash

Meanwhile...back at our camp ground

Anne and Paddy relaxing by their tent

Darrel also in relaxing mode

Whanganui Hut

Big Bush water taxi arriving to pick us up

The boat ride back - we have completed the Lake Waikaremoana Track

Sue, Glenda and Chris stayed an extra day - this is their view from Lou's Lookout

Lake Waikaremoana from Lou's Lookout

Papakorito Falls

Sue & Glenda at the big rata tree

Almost as old as some members of our club!!