Queen's Birthday 4-5 June 2022

Leader: Mark Robertson

Following the almost compulsory coffee stop we arrived at the road end to be greeted by a sign board saying 2 1/5 hours to our destination. Great, a nice easy trip, so on that thought we started off into a typical Tararua trip. Steeply up one side then down the other with very little flat land in between, before arriving 4 hours later. Whoever put up that sign board got it wrong.

The trip in was uneventful and passed pleasantly with lots of chatter going back and forth among party members and a quick stop for lunch and to take in the views at the look out point where you could see to most points of the compass.

Arrival at the hut late afternoon found hunters and their dogs camped up inside, trying to warm up after a fall into the river but as time passed with more people arriving they decided to decamp and head on out. For a 6 bunk hut to say it ended up being overcrowded would be an under statement, with people seeking room on the floor and doubling up on the bunks to get sleeping areas.

Two of our party, Kate and Robyn, decided that they were going to camp out in their tents while I elected to stay inside but in hind sight I think that they made the correct decision as it was so cold inside. I know Kime Hut can get cold but Sayers would give it a good run for its money during the winter months.

Departure was at a leisurely pace, again back up a steep hill and down the other side with a lunch stop at the lookout point - though it wasn't very long before being crowded-out again.

The return trip proved a little more time consuming with myself suffering a knee problem which resulted in the return trip dragging out to approximately five and a half hours. I was very grateful for having both Kate and Robyn step up and take my pack from me in the latter stages of the trip, ensuring that I had a safe return to the vehicle.

Again many thanks Kate and Robyn!

Those on the trip were:

Mark Robertson, Kate Livingston, Robyn Wilson

Currently there is no photo album for this trip.