This article was first published in Tararua Tramper, March 2025, pp 10-12, with a map and photos.
Eastern Hutt Hut
MF - Wednesday 15 January
It was just starting to spit as we set off up the Norbert Creek track at 8:50. Twenty minutes later we were climbing in waterproofs and steady light rain, but by the time we were walking down the four- wheel-drive track to Hutt Forks it had stopped. And when we reached the Eastern Hutt River on the far side of the gorge bypass track we had carrot pie for morning tea in the sun. It was sunny for the rest of the day. This was at 11:30.
From there, we made good time up the terraces on the true right of the river until the valley narrowed. Then we waded and rock-hopped up the river itself. Robin slipped off a boulder and fell into the river but didn't seem to do himself any harm.
We got to the hut at about 1330 for lunch. Robin announced it was his 81st birthday. On the way back down the river, Franz said he wasn't looking forward to climbing back over the humps. It was the closest thing to a grumble all day. I think we all felt like that.
We saw a goat at the start of the first hump, the gorge bypass track, and as we climbed down the far side, David and Franz were stung by wasps. David pointed out some Dawsonia superba, the tallest moss in the world.
It was sad leaving the river on such a warm sunny afternoon, so Franz, David and I waded across for a last time instead of using the swing bridge. We returned to the car at 6:30 p.m. Nine hours 40 there and back, 19.2 km and 1,260 metres ascent.
Anthony Hill (leader and scribe), Robin Chesterfield, Franz Hubmann, David McNabb.