Thread: Is there water on Kaweka J ?

Hi Im going up there next week.

Does anyone know if there's reliable water near the top or do I need to carry heaps ?

I see the topo map shows a blue X just north of the junction to Makahu spur track and that's the synbol for "cold water spring". Real or not ?

I have used water 100yrds lower down than that blue cross at this time of the year, and there is a huge tarn at the top of pinnacle spur that must be two feet deep and 50 ft across.

I still carry water but the amount all depends on how water dependant you are, I have a bad habit of using very little water, sometimes a glass or less a day and I think it's a bad habit to have as often a dehydration headache wakes me in the middle of the night.

If your urine is dark you need hydration.

Yip the tarn at the top of the spur saved me a couple of times.
I'd have thought you'd find it reasonably full this time of year.
Post a few pics of your trip

There's plenty of water up there atm . Cant even see the forestry from the rain.

Originally Posted by 7mmsaum

I have used water 100yrds lower down than that blue cross at this time of the year, and there is a huge tarn at the top of pinnacle spur that must be two feet deep and 50 ft across.

I still carry water but the amount all depends on how water dependant you are, I have a bad habit of using very little water, sometimes a glass or less a day and I think it's a bad habit to have as often a dehydration headache wakes me in the middle of the night.

Im the same really have to make an effort to drink enough water when im not at work , I tried drinking 3 litres of water a day for a few months but then I found I couldn't drink as much beer so gave up.

Hi thanks guys, very helpful . If any problems will snufle round ovrr by the pinnacle.

I dont drink yhat much water eithrr but as you say not a good habit to go dry. Gym bunnies would cut 6" off their barrel to save weight then carry a big camelbak ..

Borax we will learn from your suffering and carry single malt to leave some room to drink water.

Will post pics next week when i get back.

isnt there also a tarn at top of Makahu Spur and maybe even over towards Mad Dog??

Originally Posted by HNTMAD

isnt there also a tarn at top of Makahu Spur and maybe even over towards Mad Dog??

Yes there is but it's much smaller, about 10 ft across and very shallow

Well, it's fairly barren country round there so if you want to stay up high you need water.


So here are a few I found.





Location of Kaweka J Cairn: NZTopo50 BJ37 1891484 5646389 Alt 1724 m
Map references are NZTM WGS84
Distances and directions given below are from the cairn.





Track Tarns 1891549 5646505 120 m 15 deg mag Extensive but shallow



Poled Spring 1891334 5646604 240 m 300 deg mag Under a bank. Below a large swampy area. Two Small pools but looks reliable.



Pool Series 1891293 5646615 280 m 285 deg mag A series of pools in the gully. Below the poled spring. Could dry out.



The Pink Crust 1891631 5646731 365 m 002 deg mag Dry the next day after rain.
I didn't like to pick off the scab but it seems pretty unlikely you'd get drinkable water here.


Topo Map blue cross location. See first post above.
I walked right over this area but there is no tarn or pool there at the moment.
You could drop down 60 -100 vertical metres in the creek to get reliable water.
Cold Spring 1891624 5646944 568 m 323 deg mag Marked on topo map but not found Dec 2016



Dons Spur Tarn 1891723 5643207 315 m 105 deg mag 15m x 20m tarn in small saddle, 30m Sth of spur crest. Down Don’s Spur. Alt 1620 m