Thread: Tira Lodge Kaweka's

The Ngaruroro river will be pretty big so don't count on walking down that until late summer. In November, you could stop at Ballards hut or walk in to Back ridge hut if you want to try for early spring tops hunting. Venison Tops is very nice, but well known, so you might contend with people who've flown in. Going across the Kaweka range (over Kaweka J) the key thing is your experience in tramping as it's quite high and exposed = potential getting lost in mist or hypothermia if weather goes wrong. Easy walking, but cold and rain can cripple you. One idea would be to walk in from Puketitri to Te Puia hut and hot springs, nice bush hunting, then if weather and confidence is good work your way up to Makino hut (I suppose its still there) then on to Ballards. If weather is bad, spend time at Middle Hill hut. Best is to go with a mate, not on your own if your experience is limited.