New Zealand Walk: Tramp to plane crash site

In cold clear weather members of the Wednesday Wilderness Walkers, a group within the Manawatu Tramping and Skiing Club, walked the Kaiparoro Trig Tramp in the Wairarapa starting at Kaiparoro Road.

We crossed the river via a temporary steel girder logging bridge and headed up a very steep bulldozed track. This narrowed after about half an hour, leaving forestry and entering bush. The track remains steep and a little greasy until we reached the trig turnoff (50mins).

The next hour meanders pleasantly uphill through attractive beech forest until we reach the bush edge, and 5 minutes later, the trig. The area is in a state of vegetational change.

It was once predominantly red tussock but is now mixed with waist deep celery pine, manuka and dracophyllum.

The surrounding peaks were brilliantly clear on arrival but slowly disappeared into low cloud and mist.

We backtracked to just into the bush and then headed off track down the first southerly spur to a 1952 plane crash and grave. The route is adequately marked and takes about 25 minutes to get there. Care is required coming back but all returned safely.

The crash site is a sombre site and strewn over 50m. We left exploration of tarns on the tops due to the” clag” that had set in. Lunch was in the bush fol-

lowed by a careful walk down. All were out by 3pm.

We then repaired to the Lazy Graze Cafe in Eketahuna where Jill Faulkner was presented with the “Most Spirited Tramper” trophy for 2017.

Thanks to Reporter and Trip Leader Christine and to our drivers. Plots and Statistics Bob and William. Photos, William,Maureen,Allan and Judith.

Above: Congestion at the Kaiparoro Trig. Below: Snacking in the bush.

Above left: Tramping carefully up the steep bulldozed track beyond the bridge. Above right: Remains at the crash site.