Nearby

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Camp with a Challenge Looming

Camp with a Challenge Looming

Camp Thunderpants on Gilligan's Island with the route to Patutu looming in the background, next time!   More ▶︎
Lower Waipakihi Valley

Lower Waipakihi Valley

The route down the lower Waipakihi just follows the river. You can cut off about 5 minutes at the point ...   More ▶︎
360º Kaimanawa

360º Kaimanawa

A nasty little panorama from the top of 1718   More ▶︎
The Biggest Natural Karesansui

The Biggest Natural Karesansui

Acres of Japanese Stone Zen Gardens up on the tops   More ▶︎
We Were Both Enjoying the View

We Were Both Enjoying the View

Cicada turns up to hang out   More ▶︎
Scale of the Waipakihi

Scale of the Waipakihi

Morning sun making makes bright light on the Waipakihi   More ▶︎
Crossing the Waipakihi River

Crossing the Waipakihi River

You have to cross the Waipakihi River many times as you come down this river. Sue is a bit shorter ...   More ▶︎
Happy Trampers in the Waipakihi

Happy Trampers in the Waipakihi

I sent this photo to the local newspaper and they published it   More ▶︎
Trying out my new Olympus Tent in the Waipakihi River

Trying out my new Olympus Tent in the Waipakihi River

And very snug it was too   More ▶︎
Urchin - Waipakihi Hut - Umukarikari - GPX

Urchin - Waipakihi Hut - Umukarikari - GPX

A GPX file of this classic trip   More ▶︎
On top of Urchin

On top of Urchin

Travelling along the tops from Urchin to the Waipakihi and you get great views of Tongariro National Park   More ▶︎
Mt. Ruapehu

Mt. Ruapehu

view on the volcano   More ▶︎
Kaimanawa Tops

Kaimanawa Tops

First trip up on the tops, very taken with the vista!   More ▶︎
Urchin Trig

Urchin Trig

The trig on Urchin, a clear day back to Ngaruahoe   More ▶︎
Buggered

Buggered

My mate on a hot day top of the climb onto Urchin from Waipakihi. Im with pmcke there isnt a ...   More ▶︎
Waipakihi river

Waipakihi river

22.8.2007   More ▶︎
on the ridge

on the ridge

21.8.2007   More ▶︎
on the ridge

on the ridge

21.8.2007   More ▶︎
view on Mt. Ruapehu

view on Mt. Ruapehu

taken on 21st of August 2007   More ▶︎
Lunch on Urchin Trig

Lunch on Urchin Trig

Which ever way the wind is coming from dictates where you sit to have lunch on the Urchin. On this ...   More ▶︎
Urchin-Umukarikari Loop Track

Urchin-Umukarikari Loop Track

This is a new track linking the existing Umukarikari Track that goes to Waipakihi Hut with the Urchin Track that ...   More ▶︎
on the ridge

on the ridge

Photograph was taken in the late afternoon while slowly approaching Waipakihi hut in the valley.   More ▶︎
Waipakihi Thunderbolt Loop

Waipakihi Thunderbolt Loop

A 3 day loop in the Kaimanawas with a lot of enjoyable tops travel   More ▶︎
Urchin-Umukarikari

Urchin-Umukarikari

This is a new track, it has only just been cut through the bush between Urchin and Umukarikari. It is ...   More ▶︎
Crossing the Waikato River

Crossing the Waikato River

This smaller tributary of the Waipakihi is considered to be the official headwaters of the Waikato River. It is probably ...   More ▶︎
Lower Waipakahi Valley

Lower Waipakahi Valley

A nice easy valley with very pleasant camping all the way along its length   More ▶︎
Waipakihi Valley from the Urchin Ridge

Waipakihi Valley from the Urchin Ridge

The is the first view you get of the Waipakihi Valley from the Urchin Ridge   More ▶︎
Looking down into the Waipakihi from the slopes of Motutere

Looking down into the Waipakihi from the slopes of Motutere

The route into the valley heads down this bush ridge then veers off the left. That is Umukarikari beyond   More ▶︎
Camp on the saddle just past Thunderbolt

Camp on the saddle just past Thunderbolt

Beautiful spot to bask in the afternoon sun!   More ▶︎
Marker Tree

Marker Tree

Generations of markers mark the spot where the Tunderbolt Track enters the bush at bushline   More ▶︎
View from near top of Umukarikari

View from near top of Umukarikari

Descending Middle Range

Descending Middle Range

At the western end of Middle Range in the Kaimanawas, taken from Motutere. Mt Ngauruhoe and Urchin to the left.   More ▶︎
Thunderbolt track now easy to find

Thunderbolt track now easy to find

For many years the track to Thunderbolt has not been easy to find. The position is also wrongly depicted on ...   More ▶︎
Urchin - Waipakihi Hut - Umukarikari Trip

Urchin - Waipakihi Hut - Umukarikari Trip

A classic 2 - 3 day trip in the Kaimanawas. Includes open tops, river travel and a comfy hut for ...   More ▶︎
Waipakihi Thunderbolt Loop

Waipakihi Thunderbolt Loop

A 3 day trip in the Kaimanawas following the Middle Range and enjoyable tops tramping. Also a probable night camping ...   More ▶︎
Kaimanawa Tops

Kaimanawa Tops

Looking from the Umukarikari end along the bush ridge towards Urchin. A new track has just been cut along this ...   More ▶︎
Ruapehu at Sunrise from the Kaimanawa Tops

Ruapehu at Sunrise from the Kaimanawa Tops

We were camping out in the Kaimanawas in perfect weather and got this view of Ruapehu as the sun was ...   More ▶︎
Camping on the Tops

Camping on the Tops

A great place to be if the weather is good and you can find some water   More ▶︎
Tops camping in the Kaimanawas

Tops camping in the Kaimanawas

Not a bit of shelter from the wind, but who needs it today.   More ▶︎
Routes from Oturere Bridge to Oturere Hut

Routes from Oturere Bridge to Oturere Hut

Some years ago the prospect of a fast shortcut from Oturere Bridge to Oturere Hut has facinated me. I have ...   More ▶︎

Mangahouhounui GPX

A GPX file of this trip   More ▶︎
Perfect weather in the Kaimanawas

Perfect weather in the Kaimanawas

One of the greatthings about the walk up Umukarikari is the view. That is if you are lucky enough to ...   More ▶︎