Day 1: Flora Car Park to Camp
The group gathered at the Flora Car Park early in the morning, ensuring gear was packed and ready before setting off at 8:45 am. The weather was chilly but dry, making for pleasant tramping conditions. Our first stop was at Mt Arthur Hut, reached after a steady climb along the well-defined track. Here, we took a brief break to adjust packs, hydrate, and enjoy the surroundings before continuing.
Shortly after, we reached the turnoff from the main Mt Arthur Trail near Winter Peak, where we veered towards the Twins. The track from this point became less defined but remained navigable, marked sporadically by cairns. The terrain varied between rocky sections and tussock-covered slopes, demanding careful footing in some areas.
After approximately 5 hours and 30 minutes of tramping, we arrived at our campsite by two tarns located south of Pt 1753. The tarns provided a good water source, though some of the group opted to treat their water as a precaution. It’s worth noting that these tarns can dry up at certain times of the year, or the water may become too green for safe consumption.
At around 3:00 pm, the weather took a turn for the worse, with rain setting in and temperatures dropping sharply. The wind picked up, making for challenging conditions. Fortunately, we had already pitched our shelters, but the deteriorating weather forced us to retreat into our tents for the evening. This unfortunately meant that our anticipated social evening around camp did not eventuate, but we made the best of it, staying warm and dry in our respective shelters.
Day 2: Summit North Twin and Return
Sunrise at Tarn Base Camp
The group rose early, packing up essentials for the morning’s climb and setting off from camp at 7:50 am. Our objective was the North Twin Summit, which we reached after 2 hours and 50 minutes, covering 2.07 km. The route quickly became less obvious, requiring frequent pauses to assess the best way forward. The sidle featured uneven terrain that demanded careful navigation, though conditions improved slightly as we reached more solid rock. However, the final section leading to the summit was more scrambly and exposed, adding a layer of challenge to the ascent.
All summited
Reactions within the group varied—some were cautious, carefully testing each foothold, while others embraced the challenge with enthusiasm, relishing the increased “spiciness” of the terrain. Despite these differences, everyone reached the summit successfully, where we took the time to soak in the breathtaking views and capture some obligatory summit photos.
After enjoying our time at the top, we carefully descended past the trickiest section and stopped for a longer break below, where we refueled before making our way back to camp. The return trip took 5 hours and 45 minutes, covering 4.24 km.
Leah leading tricky downhill section
Grasshopper baby carrier
Once back at camp, we had an extended lunch break and packed up our gear, ensuring we left no trace before setting off again at 3:00 pm for the final leg of the trip. The descent back to Flora Car Park took 4 hours and 30 minutes, with the group arriving back at the trailhead in the evening, tired but satisfied with the successful adventure.
Lunch break at Base camp, North Twin to the left
Trip Summary
• Total distance travelled: 26 km
• Challenges: Uncertain weather, exposed scrambling sections, navigation in less-defined areas.
• Highlights: Stunning summit views, a variety of terrain, and a great team spirit despite the adverse weather at camp.
Overall, the trip provided a rewarding challenge, testing our skills and endurance while offering spectacular scenery along the way. A memorable adventure in Kahurangi National Park!
Participants: Mike (Leader), Astrid, Christine, Clare, Tim, Don, Nicola, Leah (scribe)