Cool,
We have a day trip around Tararuas somewhere this Saturday...
So far, the weather doesn't look that great, therefore I will keep a couple of plans on...
 
Plan A - Kapakapanui loop:
This is a 5-6 hour walk starting from Ngatiwana road (Waikanae area) cruising up to Kapakapanui hut going up to Kapakapanui top (or peek or mountain or whatever they call :] ) following the track. (see link)
This is the plan for bad weather as we will be mostly below the bush line.

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/gcZy18cebORh483oSj1PuNnqlNcdyvlMtKltbd0ffzI?feat=directlink

Plan B - Waiopehu loop:
Waiopehu loop starts from Poads road (Levin area) crossing a bit of farm land, going up on Gable end Ridge to Waiopehu top (or peek or mountain or whatever they call :] ) back to the hut and down to the car park. This track would take a bit longer the plan A but it's much nicer. It would be around 4 hours up to the junction, another hour to the hut, stop there to eat something, and 3 hours back to the car park. (see link)
This is the average/good weather trip. We will be up on the tops for a little while but it would be fine under bad weather too.

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/IEKuAE0Ldv-YMMQRYEO_t9nqlNcdyvlMtKltbd0ffzI?feat=directlink

There is a plan C that is also nice but not in Tararuas.
Plan C - Mt. Matthews
This would a trip as nice as Waiopehu loop but slightly shorter (around 6-7 hours) and it's a shorter drive to get there.
From Orongorongo area, we follow the Orongorongo track up to Orongorongo river, up the ridge to Mt Matthews. (see link)
This is also a good weather trip like Waiopehu loop.

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/F6LjuXZZlp6mJPQqt3zRFdnqlNcdyvlMtKltbd0ffzI?feat=directlink

Either way, this will be a light pack trip. Essential gear is required thought.
- Rain coat
- Torch
- Spare of warm clothes (polyprop top and tights or something similar.)
- Quick Snacks to have during the walk (nuts, muesli bars, chocolate…)
- Lunch (whatever you want but prepare before hand as we might not have too much time to stop for lunch if weather is not great.)
- Water

A spare set of clothes to change when get back to the car might be a good idea too but it’s not vital.

As I said, the weather doesn’t look great Saturday and Sunday but it looks good for Monday and Tuesday. Monday/Tuesday good weather might shift to Saturday/Sunday but we never know.
We should be @ hunter’s car part @ 8AM on Saturday and leave as soon as possible. We can stop on the way for some shopping if necessary but lets try to avoid this as we have at least 1 hour drive to the road end.
So far, we have 7 confirmed, 3 almost confirmed.
Please email by tomorrow end of day if you are keen as I need to sort transport for everybody.

Please feel free to contact me for any question.

desorder@gmail.com.

022 169 2007