Nearby

Lower Waipakahi Valley

Waipakihi Thunderbolt Loop

Waipakihi Thunderbolt Loop

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

Urchin - Waipakihi Hut - Umukarikari - GPX

A GPX file of this classic trip   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 ▶︎
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 ▶︎
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 ▶︎
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 ▶︎
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 ▶︎
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 ▶︎
View from near top of Umukarikari

View from near top of Umukarikari

Marker Tree

Marker Tree

Generations of markers mark the spot where the Tunderbolt Track enters the bush at bushline   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 ▶︎
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 ▶︎
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 ▶︎
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 ▶︎
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 ▶︎
Urchin Trig

Urchin Trig

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

Kaimanawa Tops

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

Buggered

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

Mt. Ruapehu

view on the volcano   More ▶︎
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 ▶︎
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 ▶︎
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 ▶︎
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 ▶︎
Scale of the Waipakihi

Scale of the Waipakihi

Morning sun making makes bright light on the Waipakihi   More ▶︎

Mangahouhounui GPX

A GPX file of this trip   More ▶︎
Desert Road Entry Point

Desert Road Entry Point

Entry to Round The Mountain Track   More ▶︎
Round The Mountain (Ruapehu) - Stage 2

Round The Mountain (Ruapehu) - Stage 2

This is a pleasant two-day walk around the eastern part of the Round The Mountain (Ruapehu) Track. The walk begins ...   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 ▶︎
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 ▶︎
Reflections of Sue in the Waipakihi River

Reflections of Sue in the Waipakihi River

One of many river crossing in the Waipakihi   More ▶︎
Google Earth Route Checking

Google Earth Route Checking

Just making sure that the prominent knob featured in this photo http://tramper.co.nz/?4835 is definitely (I mean, I've checked the topo ...   More ▶︎
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 ▶︎
Let the eye and mind wander

Let the eye and mind wander

A view that got me, the eye drifts all across the tops to future adventures   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 ▶︎
Tops camping in the Kaimanawas

Tops camping in the Kaimanawas

Not a bit of shelter from the wind, but who needs it today.   More ▶︎
3kgs of ice...

3kgs of ice...

It was a tad cold... Hard to get the feet into solid boots   More ▶︎
We Were Both Enjoying the View

We Were Both Enjoying the View

Cicada turns up to hang out   More ▶︎
Hard going in the Oturere Stream

Hard going in the Oturere Stream

Sometimes it is quite fun to get off track, sometimes it isn't. At least this bit only involved water and ...   More ▶︎
The Biggest Natural Karesansui

The Biggest Natural Karesansui

Acres of Japanese Stone Zen Gardens up on the tops   More ▶︎
360º Kaimanawa

360º Kaimanawa

A nasty little panorama from the top of 1718   More ▶︎
Looking west from Thunderbolt towards the Waipakihi

Looking west from Thunderbolt towards the Waipakihi

Ridge top travelling in the Kaimanawas is bliss on a perfect day   More ▶︎
Sue on the summit of Thunderbolt

Sue on the summit of Thunderbolt

Thunderbolt is just another bump on the ridge but because it has a name is a cause for celebration   More ▶︎
Kaimanawa Forest Park - East Taupo Lands Trust Boundary

Kaimanawa Forest Park - East Taupo Lands Trust Boundary

I like to have this track loaded into my GPS whenever I am in the Kaimanawas because the boundary is ...   More ▶︎
Mt Ruapehu with the Waipakihi River in the foreground

Mt Ruapehu with the Waipakihi River in the foreground

Ruapehu dominates the view from the western Kaimanawas   More ▶︎
Waipakihi Hut to Middle Range

Waipakihi Hut to Middle Range

DOC have re cut an old track that gives access to the Middle Range from Waipakihi Hut. The usual route ...   More ▶︎
Above Waipakihi Hut

Above Waipakihi Hut

Looking down towards Waipakihi Hut from near the end of the Umukarikari Track.   More ▶︎
New Waihohonu Hut

New Waihohonu Hut

New Waihohonu Hut   More ▶︎
Round the Mountain: Ruapehu

Round the Mountain: Ruapehu

Combined with part of the Tongariro Northern Circuit, this track forms a loop around Mt Ruapehu. Combined with the other ...   More ▶︎
Wangaehu River - Between Rangipo and Waihohonu Hut

Wangaehu River - Between Rangipo and Waihohonu Hut

Winter   More ▶︎
Waihohonu Hut

Waihohonu Hut

The new Waihohonu hut. taken 29-Jan-2011   More ▶︎
Tongariro Northern Circuit

Tongariro Northern Circuit

This circuit on the Volcanic Plateau passes close to the summit of Tongariro in a spectacular, active volcanic landscape of ...   More ▶︎
Great Walks Information

Great Walks Information

The DOC Great Walks are a set of premium tramping tracks throughout New Zealand.   More ▶︎
Waihohonu Hut

Waihohonu Hut

The best hut on the Tongariro Northern Crossing. New flush! toilets. Three sleeping areas: one cosy room next to the ...   More ▶︎
Waihohonu Hut

Waihohonu Hut

Waihohonu Hut

Waihohonu Hut

A typical lockwood Tongariro National Park Hut. It was supposed to be replaced but they have just built a new ...   More ▶︎

Tongariro Northern Circuit

A complete log of the Tongariro Northern Circuit completed on March 8, 2008.   More ▶︎
Round The Mountain (Ruapheu)

Round The Mountain (Ruapheu)

Stage 1 Round The Mountain Track   More ▶︎
Waihohonu Hut

Waihohonu Hut

This is a new DOC hut on the Tongariro Northern Circuit completed late DEC 2010. It is about a 5min ...   More ▶︎
Waihohonu Bridge - Round The Mountain (Ruapehu)

Waihohonu Bridge - Round The Mountain (Ruapehu)

Bridge near Waihohonu Hut - ideal area for lunch   More ▶︎
Waipakihi Hut

Waipakihi Hut

A telephoto shot of Waipakihi Hut as you approach it from Umukarikari   More ▶︎
Waipakihi Hut

Waipakihi Hut

12 bunk hut in the kaimanawas on a bench above the river a pleasant place to spend a sunny day   More ▶︎
Waipakihi Hut

Waipakihi Hut

Very tidy hut situated on a bench above the Waipakihi River on a Sunny day this would be a great ...   More ▶︎
Socks outside Waipakihi Hut

Socks outside Waipakihi Hut

Just drying off.   More ▶︎
Aproaching Waipakihi Hut

Aproaching Waipakihi Hut

It is a long haul up the Waipakihi River and you are wondering how long it will be, when suddenly ...   More ▶︎
Waipakihi Hut

Waipakihi Hut

A great hut in the heart of the Kaimanawa Ranges.   More ▶︎
Old Waihohonu Hut graffiti

Old Waihohonu Hut graffiti

The youth of today!!!......graffiti on the rafters go back to at least 1918. If you are in the hut take ...   More ▶︎
Historic Waihohonu Hut

Historic Waihohonu Hut

This original Waihohonu hut was constructed in 1904 and is now a historic building with no accommodation. You can stay ...   More ▶︎
Old Waihohonu Hut

Old Waihohonu Hut

This historic hut is well worth the side trip on the Round The Mountain Track (Stage 1) (Ruapehu)   More ▶︎
Mt Ngauruhoe - Tongariro Circuit

Mt Ngauruhoe - Tongariro Circuit

3 JUN 2011 - on the Tongariro circuit between Waihohonu and Oturere Huts. Approx 20min walk north of Waihohonu.   More ▶︎