We "bush-bashed" (through nasty sub-alpine stuff) down into the Mangamaire River Valley where we again camped. Everything outside the tents, including any boots under flies, was frozen in the morning, despite being mid-summer! Amazingly, we found the track over to the Mangamingi River, and from there it is a pleasant walk down to meet the Ngaruroro River).

The track got a bit overgrown along the base of Mt Tapuiomaruahine, forcing me to put my leggings back on to reduce the skin trauma. At Boyd Lodge, Alan and Jim shot up to the Boyd Rocks and told us of the views we missed. We made sure we didn't miss this in the 1994 Kaweka tramp! From Boyd, we crossed the Ngaruroro, headed up the Waitawhero Saddle and dropped into the Oamaru Valley. The Threatened Kiwi poster at the Oamaru Hut features my cousin Murray Potter. There is a steady climb to Te Iringa Hut, which is an hour or so away from the road end.