I got up into the Kaimais for a couple of days tramping. My main mission was to find the old DC-3 plane wreckage at Mt Ngatamahinerua where it crashed in 1963 killing 23 people.
DAY 1 - Thompsons Track to Kauritatahi hut
I dropped my car at the start of Thompsons track and the walked along this 4 wheel drive to the main ridge
It was rough track muddy track and I think it has been awhile since any vehicles went along here
The giant bush dragonflies were zooming around the on edges of the forest
My first view out towards Matakana and the coast at the end of Thompsons track
At the ridge I took the North/South track. This is looking up at Mt Ngatamahinerua
I left the North/South track on walked along the old track
It was well overgrown with cutty grass and hook grass slowing me down
There were some great views of Tauranga, Waihi, Katikati and the coast.
The last km to Kauritatahi hut was through thick mud and bog so I was stoked to get there
Basic backcountry hut with running tank water and bunks
DAY 2 - finding the wreckage
Woke up to be clouded in
Back along the muddy, boogy track
At the tree with the pink paint I headed into the bush following flagging tape I hoped would lead me to crash site
It was tough bush bashing through thick scrub
I found the trig at the peak of Mt Ngatamahinerua where I got some great views West over matamata and the plains
This is looking out past Mt Te Aroha
I spent a long time looking but had a head back after not being able to find the wreckage. I got home to find that the GPS coordinates were down this valley. I will have to come back another time.
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