Everyone can recall outdoor experiences filed away in a folder called “best forgotten,” and poor preparation is often the common thread in these cases. Getting organised, driving for four hours, and then stepping out in less half a day after deciding to go tramping, sounds like the perfect way to fail. As it happened, the trip turned into an adventure for the “best remembered” folder.
It all started the night before while watching the weather forecast. A huge “H” was predicted to slide its way across the North Island, three days of light winds, foggy mornings clearing to blue, cloudless skies. This was like the promise of one-dollar tickets to the World Cup.
Packing is easy thanks to the Jetboil and Backcountry combination, plus those tasty, energy rich protein bars – shoutout to The Crafty Weka Bite. Add cheese and biscuits, coffee, and powdered milk, and within minutes my food was sorted.
The “R” rating on my mat stands for “really comfortable,” and not for its ability to keep me warm mid-winter. Thanks to the space-saving benefits of Jetboil, Backcountry and Crafty Weka Bites, there was space to add a summer sleeping bag to use as a liner. Carrying a smaller tent is another way to keep warm in winter. My preference has always been tents like the Macpac Microlight, which tend to be warmer than the larger tents available.
Tarawera Trail offers so much for a winter getaway – hot pools, world class vistas of the lake, and mentally refreshing forest bathing. Fat rainbow trout cruise the clear streams that dissect the track. Tui, piwakaka, and silvereye will keep you company, and a ruru has made its home at Te Rata Bay campsite.
The Metservice forecast could not have been more accurate. Dawn temperatures reached close to zero, but after midday the fog melted away, allowing the sun to raise the temperatures into double figures. The surface of the lake remained calm and still all day, providing perfect conditions for picture postcard reflections of the surrounding hills once the fog had cleared. Not long after dinner the Milky Way appeared, sparkling in the crisp, clear winter air above the campsite.
Soon after arriving, a group of paddlers from the Bay of Plenty Kayaking Club landed at the campsite. They had obviously enjoyed several magical hours travelling on the still waters of the lake. Soon after unloading their gear and pitching tents, they all paddled off again to spend the evening at the nearby hot pools. It was a pleasure to share stories with them later that night and the next day before they set off again.
I prefer to use Merrill, Backcountry, Jetboil and Macpac products.
