Car-less tramping take two: to Renata Hut

Earlier this year I proclaimed the good news, that no longer should we rely on cars to go tramping, but we could instead use bikes and the train. Unfortunatly the train let us down, and just days before we set off it was changed to a bus-replacement. Perhaps we should of just driven cars.

Despite this setback, I still know deep down that two wheels are better than four. This time we will not rely on the clearly unreliable Masterton Line, and will instead travel on my favourite, and very trustworthy, Kāpiti Line. From there we will ride to the Kapakapanui road-end, and tramp to Renata hut. 

The plan:

• Early morning train from Wellington Station (there's lots of options and I haven't picked but it will be around 7am)
• Ride from Waikanae station to the Kapakapanui Track. (I will see about leaving our bikes at the neighbouring Ngātiawa River Monastery... or else we can lock them to a tree somewhere deeper in the bush)
• Tramp via Kapakapanui (the peak) and down via Maymorn Juction to arrive at Renata Hut (about a 12km walk with a bigish climb at the start)
• Eat and be merry
• Sleep
• Wake up
• Tramp out a different way - turning left at the Maymorn Juction, following that trail down for a while, and then turning off down a gentle spur for a bit of bush-bashing back to the road-end. (See map below)
• Ride back to Waikanae (maybe get dinner out in waikane if people are keen)
• Take the train home

For kai, you will need to bring your own breakfast (1), lunches (2) and snacks (lots). Dinner will be divided between packs on the train. 

A full gear list will be sent out to those going closer to the time. 

This trip is a MF (medium-fit) trip, as it will likely be a long day, and we will need to keep moving at a moderate pace to avoid too much dark tramping given the shorter winter days. Those who sign up should be up for a trip which will include:

• Multiple river crossings (the Ngātiawa river can get quite full quite fast so weather is important in this case)
• Off-track navigation
• Two long days
• Biking (we will just wear our packs as it is only ~10km, so no special equipment is needed other than a bike and helmet)