This addition to the VUWTC Tararua Tramp Week involves 2 groups tramping the Southern Crossing over the weekend, coming out on Sunday. The reason for having 2 groups is so that we can do a car swap, exchanging keys when we meet along the track and driving theother groups vehicle(s) home. One group will tramp from Kaitoke to Otaki Forks and the other from Otaki Forks to Kaitoke. Below plans are outlined for each group.

Southern Crossing

DRIVERS NEEDED (Jack will give you a piece of his Blue Boots as a reward <3 )

Kaitoke - otaki Forks Group

Day 1 Friday 16th: 

Meet at Hunter Carpark at 7:30am, depart at 8am. Arrive at Kaitoke Roadend and on track by 9am. Tramp to Alpha Hut via Marchant Ridge. (8-10h)

Day 2 Saturday 17th:

Tramp from Alpha Hut to Kime Hut, meeting other group on the way, swapping car keys. (5-6h)

Day 3 Sunday 18th:

Walk out from Kime Hut to Otaki Forks, drive back to Hunter Carpark, swap back cars. Make ways home! (6-8h)

Otaki Forks - Kaitoke Group

Day 1 Friday 16th:

Meet at Hunter Carpark at 4:30pm, depart by 5pm. Arrive at Otaki Forks and on track by 6:15pm. Tramp to Field Hut !!Headtorches!! (3-4h)

Day 2 Saturday 17th: 

Tramp from Field Hut to Alpha Hut, meeting other group on the way, swapping car keys. (8-10h)

Day 3 Sunday 18th: 

Walk out from Alpha Hut to Kaitoke Road End via Marchant Ridge, drive back to Hunter Carpark, swap back cars. Make ways home! (8-9h)

**All times are according to DOC**

**Alternative Group Option** 

We are looking at the option of one group doing this route as a trail run over one day from Kaitoke to Otaki Forks on the Sunday. (35km)

Hut Tickets

Each Hut on this trip requires 1 standard hut ticket. This means that everyone should be bringing 2 Blue Hut Tickets.

Hut Ticket Retailers

Gear

Please bring overnight tramping gear. Key things are a tramping pack, warm clothing, a windproof raincoat, tramping boots or trail runners, a sleeping bag, a bowl/cutlery, a headtorch, a 1-2L water, and a first aid kit/personal medication. Bring a pot/cooker if you have them.

You can borrow club gear (eg packs, sleeping bags), but please ask in advance.

VUWTC Gear List

Fitness Levels

Due to some longish days on track and long exposed sections along the tops, this trip will require a moderate level of tramping experience.

Food

You will need to organise your own food for this trip. 

You will need to bring:

• Dinner x 2
• Lunch (x3 for Kaitoke to Otaki Forks group, x2 for Otaki Forks to Kaitoke Group)
• Breakfast x 2
• Snacks!!

Food inspo

Huts do not have gas provided so if you have a cooker you are able to bring along to share with the group please let me know.

Note: Feel free to organise shared meals with others in your group if you wish.