Triangle Hut Traverse – Ruahine Forest Park

Highlights and top tips

• A very memorable adventure over the tops in the snow, one we agreed we won’t forget!
• Glimpses of the stunning views that would greet you on a more spring like weekend.
• The camaraderie, support, teamwork and determination that kept our spirits up and meant everyone got home safely.
• Basecamp Rangiwahia glamping experience – very cosy, comfy and welcoming owners who were very flexible and accommodating should plans need to change.
• Welcoming several newcomers to WMTC, and New Zealand
• Be prepared for anything out there!! This trip really demonstrated how important sticking together, checking in with each other and having gear for any weather conditions on the tops is.

Friday 5 September

• The van departed from Wellington Train Station at 4.30pm and we arrived in Rangiwahia for a delicious pub meal at the Apiti Tavern meal at around 7.30pm.
• From Apiti, it was a short 20 minute drive to our accommodation at Basecamp Rangiwahia, where we glamped in the Tabernacles ($50 per person). Although it was late, cold and windy we were very warmly welcomed by the owner, Hash. The alternative option would have been cabins with bedding and heating for an extra $15! We had a very cosy and comfortable night in our pods while the wind raged and the rain poured.

Saturday 6 September 

Deliberations

• We woke up to very heavy rain and took our time in the well-equipped kitchen area to have breakfast, hoping to wait out the worst of it.
• Weather analysis was completed and team discussion held about the day’s plans. A unanimous decision was made to box on with Plan A and aim to head to Triangle Hut via Rangiwahia Hut. The rain was forecast to clear and the snow forecast earlier in the week had also disappeared. Sunday looked like it would be a fairly clear walk out for us.
• Hash offered (perhaps thinking we were slightly mad!) use of their hall facilities if we wanted to take shelter and keep warm, and also offered us accommodation for the night, should we decide to turn back. This was hugely appreciated and reassuring as a Plan B.

The adventure begins

• After a 20 min drive, at around 10.15 am, we arrived at the start of the Rangiwahia Hut track. The rain had lightened to a drizzle, the wind had calmed and so we set off in good spirits.
• The track to the Hut was a steady rise, which got our heart rates up, but it was also very well formed and maintained, making for a fairly gentle amble.
• We stopped for obligatory group photos at the arched wooden bridge. While standing on the bridge, we admired the dizzying distance between us and the Mangahuia Stream 70m below. It’s definitely not a typical 1-2 person DOC swing bridge. A very sturdy construction!
• We enjoyed a leisurely lunch in a very warm and cosy Rangiwahia Hut, where we enjoyed the company of another tramping party and admired the beautiful artwork on the long drops.

The adventure gets real

• Plucking up the courage to leave the warmth behind, we headed up to the tussocky tops of the Whanahuia Range. We began to see what looked like ice on the ground, which gradually turned into a snow smattering…
• By the time we reached the Triangle Hut and Deadmans Track junction, the smatter had turned into a decent cover. At this point it was reasonably calm and dry, so we enjoyed the novelty and magic of the moment.
• Wind greeted us as we began the descent down the tops of the Eastern side of the range. It was much colder, so several stops were had for layering up.
• The snow thickened, covering the tussock and creating a definite winter wonderland, but it made our travel quite challenging. We were all very grateful to Dave for his footprint stomping at the front of the group!

• We decided to stop for a group and final weather check in before losing reception. The weather forecast looked ok overnight and for the morning. As we were nearing the bushline and our Plan B option was to head all the way back to carpark (Rangiwahia Hut was fully booked for that night), we decided to continue on our way.
• As the gradient of the track increased, the snow got a bit more slippery, so we took our time. But as we approached the bushline, it began to recede.

• Hitting the bushline, we embarked on the very steep descent down to Triangle Hut. The Oharu River in front of the Hut was flowing swiftly, so some good river crossing skills were utilised to get everyone across!

The evening

• Once at Triangle Hut, Dave and Leigh got to work on the fire. Finding dry wood was a challenge, but with a little patience a toasty fire was soon crackling to warm us up and reduce the dampness of our clothes.
• Teamwork began with dinner preparation – vegetarian shepherds pie. The delicious and nourishing storm that was cooked up was enjoyed by all. After dinner it was s’mores time – a tasty and fun treat toasting marshmallows over candles around the hut and the fire!
• Six of us slept inside (it’s a 6 bunk hut) and Kirsty, Sam and Josh decided to continue with their plans to test out their new tents. They found spots in the bush on the sides of the hut. Despite a warm invitation to bail to the Hut during the night (there would be room for mats on the floor), they all reported having a cosy nights sleep in their tents, albeit with the slightly rocky ground. 

Sunday 7 September

• As we ate breakfast, the sound of heavy rain on the roof was not music to our ears. The water level of Oharu River had gone down overnight, which made crossing it much easier than the previous day.
• We made our way up the steep incline to the open tops through quite heavy rain. 

• Hitting the tops we were also hit by an icy blast of strong sideways wind, rain and sleet. This had not been in the weather forecast we had seen the previous day and was rather unexpected!! It made for a very challenging traverse, as the sleet stung our faces and the snow was thick to trample through. I struggled to stand upright on several occasions and we all felt quite cold and wet. A huge shout out to Dave for the energy he expended at the front carving out footprints for us again! I think we all had ‘what if’ thoughts racing through our minds, but the true team effort to stick together, keep a look out for each other and our stoic attitudes meant we all got through it safely.
• At the junction of the Deadmans and Rangiwahia Hut tracks, no discussion was needed about the plan (and no hanging around for photos at the sign like the day before!). The Deadmans loop option was abandoned in favour of the known route back to Rangiwahia Hut and the thought of a warm stop-off at the hut on route back to the carpark. The sight of a Hut had never been more welcome!!

• Dave and Leigh went ahead to Rangiwahia Hut and had a first round of hot water jet-boiling by the time the rest of us arrived. After warming up we had a pleasant and much warmer walk back down to the carpark.

All in all, once back in the van and warm and dry, we all reflected on what will be a truly memorable trip and the awesome group of people we had shared the adventure with.

Stats

• Distance – 13.75 km each way
• Saturday: Triangle Hut:
  •             Renfrew Road to Rangiwahia Hut: 1 hr 45 min
  •             Rangiwahia Hut to junction: 1 hour 15 min
  •             Junction to Triangle Hut: 3 hours (Note: slower than expected and DOC times due to weather conditions)
• Sunday: Triangle Hut to Renfrew Rd:
  • Triangle hut to Junction: 2 hours 45 min (Note: slower than expected and DOC times due to conditions)           
  • Junction to Rangiwahia Hut: 1 hour           
  • Rangiwahia Hut to carpark: 1 hour 15 min