Tramp Reflections 757 - Whirinaki

1–4 June 2007, Map 260 V18

Elizabeth dropped me downtown Cambridge to catch the van and the small hardy bunch (Grant Holmes, Adrienne van Hellemond, John Featherstone and Kevin Bailey) for the 3 hour trip to Minginui. We stopped for a dinner break at Fenton Str Takeaways in Rotorua. John told us the club has eaten here for over 20 years.

Once at Minginui, Gary showed us to our room which included our own shower and kitchen with a 60’s era décor. Grant volunteered to sleep on the camp stretcher, so that the rest of us could sleep well in the comfortable beds.

The next morning showed that the weather was about to change to rain, which chased away any frost that was lurking around. As Gary was busy, his friend (the Great White Hunter) volunteered to take us to the start of our tramp at the Okahu road end. His exploits were many and we heard about them all!

The walk down to Rogers Hut was pleasant even with the rain falling. All streams were bridged. At the hut, a guy and his dog had hot water on for our lunch, which was most welcome. The hut was unique inside with it’s rough sawn timbers and can lids nailed around.

We had been told about the snows of 2006 in the southern end of the park (30cm in 2hrs), but still weren’t prepared for the large scale destruction we were to encounter down the Moerangi Stream. DOC have worked very hard at cutting fallen trees in difficult conditions, as up to 20% have been brought down in some areas. Most of the walk was up the middle of the stream. We encountered 4 pair of Whio (Blue Duck) that day – 6 ½ hrs to the hut.

Firewood cutting with the axe proved to be very dangerous at the Moerangi Hut. Both John and I were struck by flying wood – John on his shin and me on my chin. Dinner over and with Kevin Bailey’s red wine and a nice warm hut, it was that relaxed, calming atmosphere that is unique to tramping.

After a porridge breakfast, I packed up and went for a survey to look for the hunters track across the ridge to Mangamate Stream. I encountered large holes in broken ground with windfalls. It proved to be too much of a challenge so I turned back to meet the group and head up to the top end of Moerangi Stream, where we were greeted by nice bird song as the sun broke through. Grant was improving after a bad cold, but Kevin was feeling the start of one with a migraine.

We took the bulldozed track across to the Mangamate Stream. From there it was thick Toi Toi in the river bed up to the old hut site. The benched track up to the new hut site was a good steady gradient (well done DOC). Three trampers from Germany greeted us with a warm cozy hut (7 ½ hrs walk.) After dark, three more arrived from the Waikato Club (Peter, Mary & Keith) who had completed a loop walk trying to find the ridge walk to Moerangi.

A 5.30 morning alarm started our third day and saw our torch beams making their way down towards Central Whirinaki Hut. The quiet of the morning was broken as trampers called out the hazards; Omga Onga, board, Onga Onga, board, after Adrienne took a tumble on the first icey board across the track. One hour into the walk, approaching the saddle, I reached for my water bladder hose to find it wasn’t there. “Oh darn!” I cursed – (Yeah right!) I had left it in the hut. So with much regret, I returned to the hut. They informed me later that they had had a pleasant 7hr round trip with Adrienne setting a blistering pace. I walked out with the Waikato group.

The Great White Hunter met us at the roadend. As the Waikato group’s plans had changed, they caught a ride back with us to Minginui. It was suggested that we keep in contact, so that small groups on weekend tramps in the same area can join together.

Kevin C