Masterton Tramping Club

Trip report
August 1 - 2, 2026 overnight trip to Mitre Flats Hut

Well the forecast was for minimal drizzle on the Saturday, so 10 brave MTC members headed to the Pines road end for the start of our overnighter. We hadn't even left the cars and allocated all the kindling, when it was slightly too much drizzle to not have raincoats on. Those with colourful pack covers also produced these and we were off across the farmland track with views of a misty valley ahead.
We tramped at a good pace through the scrub and bush, keeping warm by brisk walking, stopping briefly for muesli bars and to discuss different types of gloves. The further north we headed, the weather slowly got less drizzly and drippy and we could sneak views of snow covered bush slopes on the opposite side of the river. The patches of blue sky increased and it had even stopped drizzling by the time we reached the hut for a late lunch.
Following hot drinks, food and changes into drier clothes we spent a good amount of time searching for firewood to replenish the low stocks in the shed. Some members sawed logs while others searched through the bush and fallen trees for pieces to dry out.
An afternoon of word games and quizzes filled in the rest of the afternoon before it was time to discuss what everyone was having for dinner. A few more quizzes, a particularly tricky cryptic crossword and a shared dessert was enjoyed with the hut feeling warm enough to remove layers.
Sunday - The three Army guys in the hut left at 530am so we had the hut to ourself for breakfast and pack-up. All the benches, tables were cleaned, floor swept, rat bait stations topped up, toilet cleaned and firewood brought in to dry. There was a great frost on the grass so we wrapped up warm for the walk out. Blue sky and sunshine kept us company and the temperature felt more pleasant, especially once we got back to the farmland .
A great overnight trip in winter, those on the trip: David B, Gail, Jacqueline, Josh, Katrina, Liz, Michelle, Monty, Nigel and Sandra.

Argyle track exploratory trip. 26 July 2026
Having discovered that there was an right of way connecting the road end to the Tararua Forest park in the Paihiatua district, It was decided that it would be worth a club trip to explore the area and to ascertain the degree of accessibility.
The Argyle track connects the Tararua district side of the Tararua range with the Sledge track, ToeToe track, and Otangane loop track which are usually accessed from the Kahuterawa valley in the Manawatū. The track has an interesting history which goes back far beyond the man it is named after, however Ian Argyle does deserve the credit for the current accessabilty of this most northern section of the forest park.
A short history of his deeds can be found at;
Sledge Track Yeti remembered for opening up the wilderness | Stuff
Three members and a guest signed up to join the trip, with a plan to be out on the track for about 4 hours. While it was tempting to try to complete the Otangane loop or reach the high point of Aruwaru, (767m), how good or bad travel over the tracks was, would dictate where we tramped to.
The drive for three of us from Masterton took about 50 minutes to the Naenae road end, (BN34 262 126 ), where we met Bruce. There was also another car already at the road end, with four younger people planning to complete the loop track.
We had a quick look at the signage at the fenceline where the track starts and noted that it crosses private farmland, but follows a paper road almost up to the ridgeline and the loop track.
We set off a few minutes prior to the other party, and immediately dropped into the
Otangane stream, which most of us managed to cross with dry feet, Josh not being part of that group! The “road” was a benched track running alongside a tributary stream. It was quite boggy after the recent rain, but able to be negotiated without too many mishaps.
While there was a couple of initial OT’s to mark the track, these became fewer as we headed up the track, and despite a footpad taking us to the opposite side of the stream, on a short detour, it was fairly easy to navigate. The climb from the stream to the ridge is reasonably steep, with around 400m of vertical ascent. The track is well created however, with steps, and even hand rails along all of the steepest sections!
We did explore some of the denser areas of the bush as we headed up towards the top of the climb, as there are multiple animal tracks, and evidence of pigs was quite obvious. Part way up we had seen the other party struggling with the conditions, and we guessed that they might end up turning back.
Arriving after about an hour and a half at the loop track on the top of the ridge, we stopped for a quick drink before heading south along the Otangane loop. The track is a bit overgrown in places, but generally provides good easy travel. We travelled 5 minutes until we reached a slightly more open area for a late morning tea, only to find a far nicer open grassed area 5 minutes further on after the stop! The ridge is at 500 to 700 m elevation, covered in mainly open shrubs and small trees with plenty of outlook over the surrounding area and beyond.
The weather was forecast for cool with sunny conditions, which was half right, it was cool!
We carried on south, and took the well-marked turn off to the lookout at .630.
Returning to the loop track we turned north west and by midday we were at the junction of the tracks Aruwaru peak and the loop track. We carried on to .664 on the Aruwaru track, where we found a place to nestle into hillside in the lee of the wind to have lunch. This was about 3 hours after leaving the road end, at an easy pace.
We had almost complete cloud cover, but most cloud was much higher that we were, which meant we had some good views particularly to the Tararua district side, down to Mt. Bruce and across to the Puketoi hills. To the north we could see a lot of the windmills, and as far as the southern end of the Ruahine, and across to the north west the city of Palmerston North.
We decided to head back from this point, retracing our steps along the loop track to the top of the descent. All of the tracks are well marked with directions and some distances, but not travel times, as the tracks are not DOC marked tracks.
The descent took a bit over an hour to the road end, some areas of the track had a
reasonable growth of ongaonga, and Peter managed to brush this for his first ongaonga experience. Advice from the party was generally traditional, in that it wasn’t sympathetic!
Arriving back at the road end the other party’s car had gone, and we assumed they had decided to turned around and headed home.
We were out for 5 hours and 20 minutes at a pleasant pace, having enjoyed the area that we had walked, and with plans to return with intentions to complete more of the tracks.
The potential for a key swap as a crossing was also discussed, possibly in collaboration with another club?

On a last note, at the road end parking is on the verges. There are several gateways to paddocks and sheds on the adjacent farm, all of which are in use, and after speaking to the owner of the farm, he appreciates if parking is kept well away from the gate area’s as he often has trucks and tractors requiring large turning circles to access the property. Be thoughtful of where you park, and be aware there are no toilets or facilities at the road end.

Thanks for an enjoyable day out to the rest of the party.
Bruce Mck., Josh, Peter, Conrad (Leader/ scribe)

Roaring Stag Hut 18 th – 19 th July 2026
The forecast was for a dry weekend as 6 of us made our way to Putara Road end for a relaxed overnight trip into Roaring Stag Hut. The track into the hut along the Mangatainoka river is a little worse for wear following the April 2025 storm. A large slip and fallen trees damaged sections of what was a well-formed track but it’s still easy enough to traverse.
We crossed the swing bridge and headed up to the junction at point 770, where we stopped for lunch knowing we had done our climb for the day! The afternoon was a gentle descent into the Ruamahanga valley, crossing 4 streams along the way. Some fancy footwork meant that we still had dry feet by the time we got to the hut.
We arrived around 3pm, and whilst it was still warm, we went out to gather firewood and restock the wood shed, then it was time for afternoon tea. I had packed in the ingredients to make gridle scones and seeing as the fire was glowing nicely, I cooked them on the top. There was much anticipation at the thought of freshly baked scones - with raspberry jam too.
Whilst we were waiting for the scones to bake, Liz produced cheese and crackers then collectively we realised we had 3 large bars of Whitakers chocolate - afternoon tea was quickly turning into a 3-course meal! …. There were mutterings of ‘not having room for dinner’ but that didn’t stop us!
Once the scones were ready, we refreshed our mugs of tea and enjoyed the ambience of a warm hut, great views, good company and full bellies.
As the afternoon turned into evening, a few more folks arrived until we had 12 people for 12 beds.
The evening was spent enjoying good conversation, quizzes and crosswords. We turned in around 9pm and everyone settled down.
It was a mild night and the hut was still pleasantly warm in the morning. We had a lazy start to the day and finally left the hut at 9.30am. We had decided that on the way back we would go in search of Hidden Lake. We walked back along the track until we reached the start of the ascent, then stashed our packs and navigated our way to the lake. Having found the lake we returned to retrieve our packs and head up to the junction at point 770.
Not long after we started back uphill on the track Tony, a club member, caught up with us. Tony had been up to Cattle Ridge for the night. He had hoped to catch us on the way out and we couldn’t have timed our return to the track better if we tried. Once at the top of the climb and the junction, we stopped again for lunch. Then it was just a hop and a skip down the track and back to the carpark before sundown..
Those on the trip were Nathan, Liz, David, Michelle, Monty and Gail (Trip Leader and Scribe)

Last reminder MTC members - submit your photos by 5pm on the 20th August.

12th July 2026.
A group of five managed to make the most of improved weather on Sunday, to complete a trip around some of the lesser known tracks, and traplines, in the Holdsworth area. Nigel managed to take in both of the Rocky lookouts in the one trip, which provided some good views.

Start researching your photos for the annual photo competition! You must have paid your MTC 2026 subs to enter :) Refer the FMC Photo Comp page for rules and categories https://fmc.org.nz/members-area/members-benefits/photo-competition/

South Wairarapa Tramping Club trip. Rangitūmau, Sunday 12 July (With 3 MTC members and 1 WWF member researching for the Wairarapa Walking Festival). Report from John R.

Dawn brought a day of crystalline clarity after a week of bitter cold and rain. A small convoy—with its origin in Akatarawa and pickups in Greytown, Carterton, Masterton and Double Bridges—proceeded up the valley towards the peak that dominates it.

A short drive from the Lake Mallard gateway brought us to a large woolshed. On foot, we then followed the vehicle track that leads to the microwave and radio communications tower at the summit of Rangitūmau.

As we climbed, our view of the valley below expanded, as did that of the snow-capped Three Kings, rising above cloud that almost hid Pukeamoamo / Mitre.

Rangitūmau seemed to keep receding, and with it the coordinator’s hopes of an early morning tea. But at last we reached the survey mark, 604 metres above the sea.
There Peter said this karakia:

Whakataka te hau ki te uru
Whakataka te hau ki te tonga
Kia mākinakina ki uta
Kia mātaratara ki tai
E hì ake ana te atakura
He tio, he huka, he hau hu
Tìhei mauri ora

Cease the winds from the west
Cease the winds from the south
Let the breeze blow over the Iand
Let the breeze blow over the ocean
Let the red-tipped dawn come with a sharpened air.
A touch of frost, a promise of a glorious day.

Peter and John then recounted the story of Haunui-a-Nanaia, who long ago came this way after pursuing his runaway wife Wairaka down the west coast of Te Ika a Māui.
From the top of Remutaka, Hau saw a lone mountain at the northern end of the valley, which he used as a landmark. He named it Rangitūmau, meaning that it holds up the sky.
Wairarapa Māori express their identity and kinship with the land by saying, ‘Ko Rangitūmau te maunga, ko Ruamahanga te awa, ko Wairarapa te roto’ (‘Rangitūmau the mountain, Ruamahanga the river, Wairarapa the lake’). The saying recognises the mountain at the head of their valley, the great river that drains their valley and the lake at its foot.

Several trampers asked about the origin of the limestone on Rangitūmau, which is weathered into intricate shapes.
The Rangitūmau limestone consists of quintillions of broken bits of shells. Shelly invertebrates living in such numbers need clear water, free of sediment that clogs their delicate filter feeding organs. Also, the water must be less than a few hundred metres deep to allow sunlight to pe*****te, so that diatoms—the start of marine food chains—can live. However, most such sea floor is near land, where sand and mud abound.
The shelly animals that make the Rangitūmau limestone lived on a ridge free of land-derived sediment, shallow enough for light to reach it, and surrounded by deeper water where sand and mud accumulated.

This ridge was one of several caused by the pushing together of the Indo-Australian and Pacific plates, about a million years ago. It slowly rose above the water to become part of the land. Limestone of the same kind and with the same origin is found right along the eastern side of the Wairarapa valley and as far north as Hawke Bay.
Looking north from Rangitūmau we saw Mt Ruapehu looming in the distance (185 kilometres away), reminding us that we’re on an active plate boundary.

Our hosts, Viv and Chris Bunny came up on mountain bikes and stopped to chat with us in the sunshine, then executed flawless hill starts.
We were 11: Peter A, Margaret B, Sandra B, Sheila B, Chris C, Liz C, Stuart H, Katrina M, Cushla M, John R and John W.

Wednesday Walkers 1st July 2026.
Six of us walked up to Blue Range Hut in fine weather. One first timer on this track. There were 5 MTC members and 1 guest. (And some happy dogs !)

Two men cooking breakfast on a campfire at Miki Miki, dated 1923.

Found among photos relating to the Masterton Tramping Club.