This article was first published in the Tararua Tramper Volume 96, no 10, November 2024
Grandparent trip to Waihohonu Hut
30 September to 2 October 2024
Assorted grandparents, parents and children set off for Waihohonu Hut from the car park on the Desert Road. This is the short, flat way into the hut. We were dismayed at the large number of vehicles already parked up when we arrived but it was the most glorious day capped off by a full view of the mountains dressed in enough snow to impress the children. We were thankful to find enough beds on our arrival and the children spent the rest of the day playing around the hut.
The following day was also splendid. We visited the Old Waihohonu Hut, went off track down to the river and after lunch walked down to Ohinepango Springs. To our surprise we spotted a pair of whio quietly meandering upstream along the far side of the riverbank. It was a very cruisy day but the hut was full that night. Club member Rob Handysides turned up in the evening with his daughter and grandsons on their Round the Mountain trip.
Rain was forecast for the last day so we set a brisk pace and reached the cars with minimal dampness. Some of the regulars could not make this trip but we had some new faces and a happy time as always.
- Party members
- Chris and Peggy Munn (scribe) with Zach Blundell and his dad Rory
Mike Brown, Diane McAllen and daughter Harriet Brown Anne Hubbard and grandchildren Lila and Tau Porteners