The team, of Andrew, Liz, Jeremy, Derrick, Steve, and Jim
4 days of tracks clearing has seen the tracks in the Totara Flats area in Tararua recut. Our last effort was almost 3 year ago in 2023. A full day was spent working from the Waiohine Gorge roadend, then on Sunday after waiting for a weather window, six GWBN volunteers flew into Totara Flats hut.
The team was Jim Hepburn, Jeremy Collyns, Liz Nicholson Andrew Bichan and Derrick Field. In the interests of aged representation, half the team was again comprised of Septuagenarian’s.
Andrew at work
The helicopter operator we were planning to use wasn’t available. Fortunately, Tim Williams of Wairarapa Helicopters came to the rescue, despite being in the middle of a busy period of flying work also.
It was 3 very full days by the team to get all of the tracks done before the forecast wet weather. Especially for the Cone Ridge/Totara Creek crew. Everyone was looking tired by the time Tim came in to extract the team and equipment.
Jeremy and Steve
Totara Flats is a booked hut. We missed the busy Saturday night when the 26 bed bed hut was fully booked. Plenty of trampers were encountered heading back out to the Waiohine Gorge roadend.
Clearing the Lower waiohine track was fairly slow going, partly due to the prolific Kiekie ie growth that was cut back far as possible. Progress was bit slow, with about 10 hours commuting and cutting to clear 2.5 kms each day. Last day for the Totara Creek team was hard going, getting back to the hut in time for a 6pm exit by helicopter
Totara Flats hut
Another stage of the 2025-2026 track program done. Total effort was about 230 hours. clearing. Next is the Tauwharenikau recut, in December. Weather permitting. To-date 101 kms of Aorangi and Tararua track have been cleared in the last 5 months by 30 GWBN very keen GWBN volunteers.
Our ability to get these popular tracks maintained is thanks to the generocity of the Carterton District Council who have supported the GWBN track program for the second year.