Having travelled to Auckland for a wedding, I thought I might as well finally explore the North Island. For the most part, it’s a blank zone in my experience. The Kaimais seemed an obvious self-contained area to explore, considering I’d never been there before, and it would be a different type of vegetation.
Seven huts to choose from, and it took some time to work out where to go on a long, strung-out range. From Matamata, west side, a loop would be a good start.
The weather gods allowed that, at least on the first day. After that, well, the lack of summer continued. I walked out from Mangamuka Hut with the rain coming down and the wind fierce, a 200 mm deluge for the day in Tauranga and 90 mm the next morning before breakfast.
After that, some Kaimai tracks were closed, and options were limited to the northern and southern ends of the range. I could cope with that.
Friends had recommended the Ruahines over the Tararuas. Few people. Firm tracks. The hills are generally 200 m lower. Just as much to see, if somewhat more strung out.
They warned me that there were hill climbs, either 500 m or 700 m to get up onto the ridge, where I could walk along an undulating track, or then drop down to a river in the valley behind.
Plenty of exercise on offer. My knee was holding up okay, but this range would test that.
The plan was an initial loop for a week or so; it turned into 10 days, then two shorter excursions of 2 and 4 nights.
Ambition was high, but as it turned out, the weather was not in my favour once again. Rain and wind, or the two together.
Anyway, I was good to go.
