kepelrtrack

Let us say first of all - this one of our top 3 favorite tramps done so far in NZ. It's a lot shorter than the Heaphy Track at about 52kms in length but it is considerably harder, particularly if done west to east. You have two saddles to cross and the walking underfoot is a lot more difficult, mainly in the western half. The route is well marked though not all river crossings are bridged. The rewards for all the effort are: beautiful bush forest; great views at times; a true feeling of wilderness and isolation (we only met 12 people); some great little huts; some good fishing opportunities if you are into that game. We had great weather throughout - this tramp would be a totally different kettle of fish during heavy rain; the rivers can get quickly flooded and there are a number of small creeks to cross. The hut log books had lots of entries from people getting stranded by rising rivers. You must be totally self sufficient on this tramp and be prepared to sit bad weather out.

Beautiful warm sunny day. A taxi (35$) took us from Karamea to the track start. Two short 'mid-calf' river crossings to bypass private land(Paddy's place). There is a flood diversion track here which unfortunately goes on quite a wide diversion. After the crossing there is easy walking on an old gold miners track before hitting more rocky, tree stump sections. The river Karamea was very low and very boulder strewn; route information says you could follow the river as the shortest route - looks like hard work to us. Belltown Hut is a new one sitting in a small bush clearing. It replaces the Little Wanganui Hut which used to sit on the opposite side of the river. Had the hut to ourselves. 3.5 hrs from the start.

The first river crossing

Belltown Hut

Looking back down Wanganui Valley

On Little Wanganui Saddle(at last!)

Stag Flat Shelter and a welcome rest

A lovely sunny day, more cloud later, and the toughest days tramping we have ever done! 1,000 metres of ascent to get over Little Wanganui Saddle and very rough underfoot and also very steep in places. Rough walking by the river with some side creeks to cross and then over a swingbridge - there is an Emergency shelter after 3-4hrs just beyond here. Steeper then and very steep near the top and then a poled route over the saddle before a steep rough descent through bush before getting to a Stag Flats clearing and the basic 4 berth Stag Flat Shelter where we had a brew up and a rest. We would have liked to have spent more time around the saddle but we needed to press on after a slow ascent. Only an easy hour from from Stag Flat to Taipo Hut (recently painted inside). We had the place to ourselves; sunshine, birdsong and tranquility. DOC says 6-7hrs - we took 8.5hrs! What a day to remember - old forests; waterfalls; boulder strewn rivers; high saddle, mountains and some great views.

Karamea Valley from Tabanacle Lookout

Helicopter Hut

A beautiful blue sky sunny day and an easy 4.5hr walk day for us - after 12hrs sleep! Left about 11:00hrs. Reasonable track through some lovely old forest, some boggy sections, for 2 hrs or so to swingbridge where we had lunch by a deep pooled rocky gorge - some lovely reflections in the water. Met a couple coming the other way (met 3 people yesterday). Narrow path over the river initially climbing and then sidling along the hillside - one short section across the top of a waterfall with a cable to assist you. We were just sauntering today and when arriving at such a good viewpoint as Tabernacle Lookout we had a rest for a while. Helicopter Hut suddenly appears through the bush, sitting in a clearing just back from the river. Our favorite hut on this tramp - a cosy 12 bunk place with a small verandah; water is taken from the river. There is a good swimming pool nearby(but very cold even with the sun on it). We had the hut to ourselves again - apart from the sandflies that is.

Taipo Hut

Looking back up to Stag Flats from Taipo Hut

1929 Earthquake slip debris

A beautiful blue sky sunny day and a 7hr walk with no steep gradients and a good track - a superb day. Following the Karamea river initially through old forest(very Lord of the Rings); 2 minor river crossings - river very low. One major slip to climb around higher up before easy graded path took us up through beech forest across Chime Creek to the Wangapeka Saddle at 1009' - no real views here. Rocky descent then through major earthquake slip area and onto Stone Hut(2 DOC workers there repainting it inside and out - nice hut). Easy graded path high above the river for 2+hrs to Kings Creek Hut with a visit to the old atmospheric Cecil King Hut (full of interesting artefacts inside) on the way. 3 other people in Kings Creek Hut(it felt crowded!)

Another lovely blue sky sunny day and an easy 4hr out to the roadend. Easy riverside walking initially, high up, looking down to the river. Narrow and a bit rough in places, in the forest for the most part. The only problem was the amount of wasps about - they were becoming a nuisance - Jo eventually got stung by one that had got caught in her sock. Some open sections later on that were hot work in the sun - the bonus is you get better views. Arrived at Rolling Junction shelter by 13:00hrs - another km to the phone and within an hour we had transport down to Tapawera and a cabin and a hot shower at the very nice campsite there.

Mt Patriarch - from the last section by the river.