Carl and myself on a wander from Otaki Forks to Waitewaewae hut for friday night and then out to Poads road via Crawford, Park Forks, Carkeek, Arete, and down South Ohau. A wonderful pile of huts to visit, especially with our Saturday sideways to Anderson Memorial.
Friday (dark blue)
To Otaki Forks and off to Waitewaewae for food, beer, and a nice Ardbeg 10yo whisky. The hut has had some visitors that dont seem to have any idea on how stupid they are. Open packets of food and a bottle of milk and other trash where left on the bench. Some huts need hut wardens.
Saturday (light blue)
Its a bit of a climb up from Waitewaewae but not an unhappy event.
Up to Junction Knob where we discovered a good use for the extensive DOCware that is crowding the Taurarua's. Notice the times are getting longer.
Followed by a quick visit to Anderson Memorial hut where there is a bit of historic rain gauge.
On again to Nichols Hut where we meet a very big pack with slippers and pillow, comfort overriding fast travel :-). Thats our packs beside the monster.
We dropped down following a blue tagged trail that got us easily to Park Forks, thank you who ever you are you have down a great job at keeping a route open.I was last here about 25 years ago and there was a big old looking cairn, or my memory is broken, as the cairn was no longer here.
Up Carkeek ridge past the wasp nest to Carkeek hut, excellent track and not to overgrown.
With the locked cupboard smashed open we see another example of the fine types that get out in the hills. Whats with the senseless vandalism of the remote shelters we all depend on?
Oh well another evening of relaxation with a couple of Ardbegs to toast the day after some tasty food and our last beer.
Sunday (red)
The home leg, from Carkeek hut over the Thompson, Lanchaster pair, to Arete for lunch and then down to Te Matawai with a meal stop at South Ohau hut. Then the final blast down the South Ohau river to a pickup at Poads road. Compare the Carkeek rain gauge with the Mr Anderson one.
Off into the Sunday clag heading towards Carkeek.
Finding Arete via the cairns and a blast of GPS. Stopped at the very welcome Arete hut for a cuppa.
Leaving Arete we hit sunshine and views down the Park valley.
A meal stop at South Ohau hut where we meet a hunter who had been to many places we have been and places we want to go. Always good to find local knowledge. Leaving South Ohau hut we where heading out for food and work. What a terrible way to finish a weekend.
Thank You
Thanks to Carolyn who picked us up from Poads Road and dropped us back at Otaki Forks; and thanks to Mum and Dad for the coffee and ginger crunch.
Huts Visited
- Waitewaewae
- Anderson Memorial
- Nichols
- Carkeek
- Arete
- Te Matawai
- South Ohau
Travel Times
- Otaki Forks car park to Waitewaewae 3h10m
- Waitewaewae to Junction Knob 3h17m
- Junction Knob to Anderson Memorial and back 1h41m
- Junction Knob to Nichols 1h25m
- Nichols Hut to Park Forks 1h24m
- Park Forks to Carkeek Hut 1h27m
- Carkeek Hut to Arete Hut 3h36m
- Arete Hut to Te Matawai 2h9m
- Te Matawai to South Ohau hut 45m
- South Ohau Hut to Paods Road 2h39m
Map of the Journey
A Carl map with nice colors as per day.
Out of the seven huts we visited only one had a fairy tale book in it. Fish that grew legs incremented by one.
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