Walk from Ruapehu to Taranaki

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 3, Issue 46, 29 April 1986, Page 13

Walk from Ruapehu to Taranaki

National Park township's county foreman, Kevin Murcott is planning a walk from the base of Mt. Ruapehu, through three national parks, to Mt. Egmont. He and a group including soldiers from Waiouru and a warden from Waikune Prison are planning to set out on the venture later this year. They intend to map out their walk as they go so a. track can be made, possibly to be ready for the Tongariro National Park centennary next year. Mr Murcott said the walk had not been attempted for many years. He believed the track would be popular as it covered the three national parks of Tongariro, Wanganui River, the establishment of which has been approved in principle, and Egmont National Park. The terrain over which they will be travelling is very rough, so they will keep to the high ridges. After leaving National Park, they intend to cross the Retaruke River, then head north to Lake Hawkes, which Mr Murcott believes will be one of the highlights. They will then head towards the Wanganui River and once they have crossed it will probably stay in the Aotuhia Hut, south of Whangamomoma. Once they have crossed State Highway 43, they will have to walk across farmland to Mt. Egmont. Mr Murcott estimates the walk will take between 11 days and two weeks. Last year, Mr Murcott "finished a four-year project cutting a track to a waterfall in Erua State Forest. He saw the waterfall when flying over the forest."