Maungahuka Hut

Slimy slug but no steel ladder: Field Hut, Renata Hut – Tararua Forest Park

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Date: 10 - 12 March 2023.
Trip type: Tramp (MF).
Location: Tararua Forest Park.
Author: Sam Davis.
Trampers: Sam D (co-leader), Anne DF (co-leader), Erik B, Leo P, Jamie HE, James W.

While it was not the trip we had planned originally, our 50km+ Ōtaki Forks circuit tramp had a little bit of everything: views, blue skies, slugs and slips. Our intention had been to stay at Maungahuka Hut on Saturday evening. Maungahuka is known as a difficult hut to reach. It involves climbing a steel ladder, … Read more

Maungahuka Hut – a tramp with a different purpose

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Date: 7-9 December 2022.
Trip type: Tramp(MF).
Location: Totara Flats Hut, Neill Forks Hut, Maungahuka Hut, Tararua Forest Park.
Author: Sarah F.
Trampers: Sarah F and Tony G.

Maungahuka Hut is my favourite Tararua hut, and the hut that inspired my tramping journey (see my report here on why). So when Tony and I heard from Derrick Field, from Greater Wellington Backcountry Network (GWBN), that Maungahuka Hut needed the tap to be fixed after months of being broken, and a new hut book, … Read more

Maungahuka Loop

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Date: 22 - 24 Jan 2022.
Trip type: Tramp: Medium-Fit.
Location: Tararua Forest Park.
Author: Daniel M.
Trampers: Jamie, Amy-Louise, Eoin, Dan.

Sunrise at Maungahuka Hut

Our group of four decided to take advantage of the long Wellington Anniversary weekend to get up onto the Main Range of the Tararuas. Starting (and finishing) at Holdsworth carpark, we’d gain the Main Range via Powell Hut, Mid Waiohine Hut and finally a climb up onto Aokaparangi, before traversing the Main Range to Maungahuka … Read more

Maungahuka Hut

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Date: 19-21 November 2021.
Trip type: Tramp: Medium-Fit.
Location: Tararua Forest Park.
Author: Jon.
Trampers: Natasha (leader), Katie, Jon.

Friday 19 November – Finding fitness and a rest at Field Hut A stunning forecast had three trampers very excited to try for Maungahuka Hut. Fueled after a quick curry and planning session in Otaki, the group made a speedy Friday night scurry up to Field Hut. While Katie and Jon were conditioned from recent … Read more

Aokaparangi Loop

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Date: 12th to 14th April, 2019.
Trip type: Medium fit tramp.
Location: Tararua Forest Park.
Author: Henry Fisher.
Trampers: Tereza Bublikova, Shauna McAuley, Julian Dunster, Emily Fifield, Gareth Robinson, Henry Fisher (leader).

Aokaparangi

INTRODUCTION This route is one of the few opportunities to make a weekend loop from Holdsworth that gets you onto the stunning middle range of the Tararua Ranges. It does, however, require quite a bit of effort to make it work, with multiple steep climbs and descents, and with Powell Hut currently out of commission … Read more

SK Main Range Traverse in sub-48 hours

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Date:  8 - 10 February 2019.
Trip type: Fit Essential Tramp.
Location: Schormann ~ Kaitoke, Tararua Forest Park.
Author: Nick H.
Trampers: Nick (co-leader), Elisabet (co-leader), Gareth, Stuart plus Nick Johns as transport and support crew.

I first heard about this challenge a year or so ago when I found out about the book full of all the previous trip reports, most recently updated and published by Tony and Megan from our club. The challenge itself started out with the simple rule that you need to work until closing time Friday, … Read more

Southern Main range

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Date: 21-23 March 2014.
Trip type: Fit.
Location: Tararuas.
Author: Alistair Young.
Trampers: Mike McGavin (photographer), Andy McDonagh, Shay Bendall, Alistair Young (leader).

It had been five years since I’d last been to Maungahuka, so I signed up to lead the southern main range, a physically demanding trip which takes you across the tops between Bridge peak and Crawford. Friday night: Tramped to Field hut. Saturday: We arose with some hunters at 5:30 am and were away by … Read more