This article was published in Tararua Tramper in month 2025
Grandparent trip to Haurangi Hut 1-2 July
Starting from Catchpool car park and Sunny Grove, eleven children aged 6 – 15 and seven adults (ages unspecified), descended on Haurangi Hut in Ōrongorongo Valley. From Sunny Grove we headed for the East Whakanui Track where we appreciated recent trimming by TTC trap line monitors. But it was still pretty muddy!!
Going uphill was gruelling! We had morning tea and lunch plus a couple of lolly stops before reaching the summit at 800m. Refreshed and raring to go, we were soon over the top and just about doubled our pace on the way down to the river, with the children now leading the charge and having to stop and wait for the packhorses (i.e. adults) to catch up.
We were relieved to arrive at the hut where the Catchpool people already had the fire going and the billy boiling for a much-needed cup of tea. Despite being exhausted earlier in the day, some children now found the energy to go and check out the river.
Everyone coped admirably with the interesting sleeping arrangements; people on bunks, under the table, on the deck, and on the floor once everyone else had stowed themselves away. It’s rewarding to see how the children all manage the challenges of a trip like this with different ages, abilities, temperaments and personal space needs.
Our walk out along the Five Mile Track on Wednesday was more leisurely with children once again leading the way. One family had left earlier and so most of the remaining group fitted into two cars to go back to Sunny Grove whilst the final few waited on a sunny bench in the car park.
We were blessed with fine weather on both days which made it all so much easier. (L W)
Helen Foo with Harry and Eddie, Rob Handyside with Lucy, Izzie and Henri, Jim Gibbons with Jack, Zoen and Eva, Chris and Peggy Munn with Zac and Lynne White (trip leader) and Warren White with Finn and Cato.