21-23 March 2025

Leader: Glen Cattermole

Three of us signed up for the tramp. Our intention was a quick there-and-back sojourn along the tops to Herepai Hut. However, it's never quite that simple in the Tararua Ranges.

We met at DW's house in Waikanae Friday afternoon with a plan to walk into Herepai Hut that night. We were instructed to consume a big lunch as no takeaway places would be open in Eketahuna. We departed the Putara Road end by 6 pm and managed to successfully navigate the fabled wasp nest after the second bridge, with head torches required for the last climb to Herepai Hut. The hut had one hunter in residence, with another couple of hunters arriving later that night.

Next morning, we woke to glorious sunshine and clear tops. However, the tops quickly clouded in with increasing windspeed as we started walking up Herepai. The weather continued deteriorating throughout the day, and we were happy to arrive at Dundas Hut around 3 pm that afternoon. There was one hunter in residence who turned out to be a bit of a character and kept things interesting that night.

On Sunday morning, the tops were still clouded in. With forecast strong winds that day, we made the call to walk out via Cattle Ridge and Roaring Stag Huts, requiring a 6 am wake-up and 7am departure. Eventually, the cloud and mist lifted, and we had a pleasant walk down to the Ruamahanga River. The climb to Cattle Ridge was tough yet enjoyable with strong wind on the tops. We cocooned in the sanctuary of Cattle Ridge Hut for a short break before dropping to Roaring Stag Hut, after crossing the spanking new bridge. We took our time to enjoy a pot-luck lunch, combining the dregs of our remaining food, before continuing out to the road end. We made good time on the walk out and were back at the car by 6 pm. We had a brief stop in Eketahuna for a cold drink before the drive back to Kapiti.

Those on the trip were:

David Williams, Glen Cattermole, Mike Carruthers

Photos were not supplied for this report.