5-6 October 2024

Leader: Tony Quayle

Just four weeks ago our planned tramp to this gem of a former NZFS deer culler’s hut was foiled by high winds, with a low level route to the nearby Iron Gate Hut proving a worthy Plan B. This time the weather cooperated, and we nailed it.

The Kapiti contingent of David, Owen, Yingjun and I got away first thing Saturday morning to meet our Pukeokahu regular, Kylie, at the Rangiwahia carpark. We made good time to our lunch stop at Rangi Hut where a hut book entry indicated that the 5 of us might not have the 6 bunk Triangle Hut to ourselves as we’d hoped. The other party - also 5 strong - had a fairly ambitious plan though, of traversing the tops to Howlett’s on Friday then tackling a little used route via Howlett’s Creek to Triangle on Saturday. We were pretty confident that our journey would be quicker than theirs, but there was no point in mucking around waiting for them to beat us to the bunks.

The weather was great, the tops tantalising, the team in top shape, and the walk along the range was delightful. Even the steep, rough-in-places track down to Triangle Hut was pleasant enough travel. And the hut was empty. Although we had visions of the other party running out of daylight after battling the inevitable leatherwood on their route, they did turn up in the evening, tired and wet from many river crossings, but in good spirits - complete with tents. As most backcountry users are, they were great company.

Up at 6:30am Sunday, and on our way at 7:55, we quickly climbed to the misty, breezy tops. The wind was a bit tiring, and Kylie was wanting to get home in plenty of time to cook Roger’s birthday fish and chips, so we flagged away the planned Deadman’s descent in favour of a warm Rangi Hut lunch stop before heading on down to the carpark. A very pleasant surprise along the way was meeting Pukeokahu friends Janey and Stacy, along with two of their friends, trotting briskly towards Rangi on a day trip.

Afternoon tea at Hansen’s in Kimbolton rounded out the weekend nicely.

Those on the trip were:

David Williams, Kylie Gilbert, Owen Cox, Tony Quayle, Yingjun Shelton

Currently there is no photo album for this trip.