This article was first published in the Tararua Tramper Volume 93, no 4, May 2021
Papatahi Hut Tramp
10-11 April 2021
Mr Pancha took a group of senior students from Wellington High School on a weekend tramp to Papatahi Hut in the Ōrongorongo Valley. After he figured out how to work the Tararua Tramping Club’s van, we set off mid Saturday morning.
Our walk started off with a forest path leading us down to the river; unfortunately, this meant we all had to get our shoes wet crossing it. Papatahi Hut is a DOC hut which is about one hour up the river and sleeps 10 people. Our group consisted of 14 students and two adults! We made it to the hut in good time, some of us setting up fly tents and some staying in the hut (see pic of one of the bivvies). As the sun set, our previous good-weather luck ran out and the rain and wind came. The weather got worse overnight with one tent getting flooded and the other caught in gale-force winds. A group of four students was forced to retreat into the hut at 2 a.m.; interestingly enough, we woke up most of the group who were fast asleep in the hut. However, we managed to make it to the morning and, although weary, were all able to tramp out to the car park without any issues. We must thank Toni for six plates of hot chips purchased from the Wainuiomata Golf Course; they were devoured in no time.
Overall, a great weekend and a big thank you to Tina Stewart and Bharat Pancha for taking us. We must also thank the TTC for the use of their van.
- Party members
- Arlo Rea (scribe).