Kia ora koutou
Welcome to our July 2024 newsletter of the Greater Wellington Backcountry Network Inc.
The efforts of our members that have put their hands up to help get the mahi done has been impressive, and to me reflects strong sense of “ownership” of our forest parks, and wanting to help keep our tracks and huts in a good standard. This continues a tradition that began over 100 years ago, that led to Tararua in particular becoming one of the most popular tramping areas of the country.
The past year with funding provided by DOC, and also help from the Te Araroa Trust (Wellington) and Trust House Foundation. we were able to achieve a significant programme in hut and track maintenance. We were also fortunate to continue to obtain our equipment from Stihl Shop Masterton at reduced cost.
Our challenge is to maintain our tracks and huts into the future. Much of the work cannot be done without funding support. We also received donations from supportive individuals which has also helped in achieving our programmes.
The past year year with extra funding provided by DOC, and also help from the Te Araroa Trust (Wellington) we were able to achieve a significant programme in hut and track maintenance.
Our challenge is to maintain our tracks and huts into the future. Much of the work cannot be done without funding support. We also received donations from supportive individuals which has also helped in achieving our programmes.
DOC Wairarapa staff continue to give great support to our programmes. The additional DOC funding for this year was critical in acheiving the work progrm that we did.
A promotion our committee will be embarking on, is “Caring for our Huts“. We will be providing the material at huts so users can do their bit in keeping huts in good condition. Basic, but essential tasks like keeping huts clean of mould, removing surrounding vegetation and other simple tasks help delay deterioration of huts.
Nga mihi nui
Derrick Field – Chair GWBN
Volunteers
Over the last 12 months, 33 GWBN volunteers have spent 112 days doing 2850 hours of mahi on huts and track in the forest parks. Maintenance on 40 tracks totalling 145 kilometres was undertaken as well as work on huts. Thirty GWBN members have made themselves available to achieve this great result. A fantastic effort by everyone.
Huts
Alpha Hut; This was our major hut project this year. A team led by Nic Blair spent 5 days at the hut. The exterior Shadow Clad that was deteriorating was scraped down and an undercoat applied. Followed by two coats of paint. The interior was also painted, after repairs to the ceiling were made. Flashings were fixed, guttering replaced, and metal straps added to handle snow conditions. The deck balustrade was repaired, as were the fire escape window and doorway. The clear lite over the deck was also replaced
Nicholls hut review; This ex Forest Service type hut experiences constant heavy use and over crowding by TA Walkers during the summer months. The hut becomes a bottle neck on the Main Range section of the TA Trail, which also creates a safety risk to walkers wanting to traverse Mt Crawford in less than ideal weather conditions. The GWBN has an agreement with DOC Wairarapa to develop a proposal for future hut accomodation along the Main Range between Te Matawai and Waitewaewae huts. We will be providing more information on this
Tracks
The GWBN has management agreements for the upkeep of 420 kms of tramping tracks. Since the track maintenance program began over two and half years ago, we completed 370 kilometres of maintenance on tracks. Up to 40 volunteers have done over 4600 hours of mahi caring for our tracks.
2023/24 Track Programme; track clearing has been ongoing, with remote tracks being recut during the summer months.
Te Araroa Trail; the GWBN has completed the clearing of tracks used by the Te Araroa trail, through the Forest Park. Last section was from Richards Knob to Waiopehu hut and out to the Poads road end. We have maintained approximately 40 kilometres of these tracks, from Mangaone road near Waikanae to Poads road at Ohau. Funding grants by the Te Araroa Trust and Backcountry Trust helped ensure this work happened. Photo; John Duggan clearing sub alpine vegetation from the Dora track
The GWBN committee regard keeping the more remote, lower used tracks open is also important for ensuring safety and enabling the remote places to be experienced. Recent work on these tracks has been the Mangahao Valley and also the Route from Dundas hut to the Putara roadend via Cattle Ridge and Roaring Stag hut.
The Dundas – Roaring Stag Loop; This was probably the most challenging track project we took on, this year. The team worked from three huts, and regrowth on the tracks was very heavy in most places. Additional team members were sought during work, and 10 hard working volunteers spent total of 15 days getting the tracks on this route to a good standard. Photo left; Jim Hepburn nearing the end of clearing the Dundas to Roaring Stag Loop
Mangahao Valley; The clearing of the Mangahao valley was logistically difficult, with long walking distances. This track was cleared over two trips, totalling 9 days. The team first worked from Te Matawai hut then walked through to Mangahao Flats. Last section to Harris Creek was done from the Mangahao dam road end. Photo left; Volunteers Emma Gregg and Alistair Barr clearing vegetation cut on the Girdlestone Saddle track.
Other tracks maintained this year include Mikimiki, Marchant Ridge, Dobsons, Waiotauru, Waiohine Pinnacle Spur, Remutaka SH2 to Pylon track, Pylon Track to Bucks road, Kaiparoro, Kiwiwhakapapa, Six Disks, Mangahao Dam 1 -College Creek and Gentle Annie tracks.
A project waiting on suitable weather to happen , is installation of “Rafts” in muddy sections on the Plateau on the Waitewaewae track. Funding from local DOC and the Te Araroa Trust (Wellington) is making this improvement possible
2024/25 programme;
Tracks; As we were unsuccessful in obtaining funding to cut the Renata to Elder track, this will be completed next year. If funding is available, other tracks brought up to standard will be Cone Ridge – Winchcombe, Maungahuka to Andersons and Penn Creek. The tracks at South Ohau hut may also be cleared. We are also now at the stage where repeat clearing is needed on tracks we cleared at the beginning of the program and a number of tracks accessible from road ends will be recut..
Huts; Waitewaewae hut is due for an exterior and interior repaint. Also, the roof needs a repaint, or may need replacing. Dorset Ridge hut has had long term water damage at the rear wall and also new aluminium windows will be installed. The woodshed may also be reclad with corrugated iron and floor installed.
Want to support the GWBN volunteers maintain your huts and tracks in the Greater Wellington forest parks? Helping us to keep our huts and tracks maintained enables the enjoyment by the many that recreate in our forest parks. Click here to donate
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This newsletter is published by the Greater Wellington Backcountry Network Inc. To contact us, email is info@tarhc.org.nz