By Justin Atkinson, 05 February 2023
I recruited Luke and Laura to explore the Orongorongos at the end of Waitangi weekend. We decided to stay at Haurangi hut. We left Kelburn campus with sunny skies and a warm temp (shoutout to Jackson for meeting us early at the gear shed to grab a plb). Arriving at the Catchpool carpark, we started down the 2hr Orongorongo track. It was mostly dry, despite a small amount of overnight rainfall.
We arrived at the aptly named Midway bridge an hour later. We eventually passed the turnoff to Mt McKerrow, before taking a detour round a section of closed track. Reaching Turere bridge, we posed for some photos. On the bridge, an anonymous group member performed a daring stunt of leaning very far back on the handrail. Sadly they didn't fall backwards and go in the running for best injury at 2023's Billy Awards, but there's always next time...
We relaxed by the river and ate a lunch involving several blocks of cheese and long vegetables. While we considered crossing the river to have a little explore, we decided that the rainfall had made it slightly too high. Maybe tomorrow, we agreed. We headed up the Big Bend track and within 15min arrived at the first, but by no means last, hut of the trip. Turere lodge was pretty nice, but it was deserted.
20min later we passed a cute private hut. We then reached the turnoff to Haurangi hut. After marvelling at the large collection of games and reading material, we dumped our stuff and headed down a nearby shortcut to the river. For a while, we just sat in the sun and chilled. All of a sudden, we had a sudden urge to build a makeshift dam/ crossing/ pile of rocks across the river. Some of us got more stuck in and wet than others (I may be guilty of not being fully committed!)
We returned to Haurangi for dinner. Me and Laura later ventured out for a short wander up the track, where a pretty dodgy section of mud awaited. After a brief wander, we retired to the hut. Chocolate was shared, lighters were borrowed, and card games were played. I got utterly thrashed at hearts :/
We woke up the next morning with various levels of sleep, cooking breakfast in the hut before eating it by the river in the warm morning sun. After a chill time at the river, we packed up and set off up the Big Bend track. We reached the end after 20min. We contemplated walking 45min upstream to reach Papatahi hut, noting that the river was now crossable. However, we decided to take the chill option and return to Turere bridge.
Some of the group were content to relax at Turere's nice swimming holes, while others wanted to cross the river and play a game of Remutaka hut bingo. I joined the latter group, traversing the much clearer and slower river. First we passed a private hut that we initially mistook for Jans hut, before walking on the remains of an old hut (just the floor!) We eventually discovered the real Jans hut tucked away in the bush.
Backtracking to the river, we headed up to TTC's Waerenga hut, before making a 2min dash to Raukawa lodge. Some expert navigation (more like bushbashing!) through the bush followed, leading us to Boar Inn hut, and then WTMC's Paua hut. Admiring the nice green paint, we walked back to the bridge via the river.
After lunch and a little explore of Turere stream, we headed back to the carpark. However, we decided it would be boring if we took the same route. While we were tempted to go up Mt McKerrow, we ended up walking up the slightly easier Middle Ridge track. Admiring some strange plants along the way, we got some decent views before descending to the carpark.
We realised that we couldn't drive back to Welly without an epic music mix. We decided to go for a summery vibe to fit with the beautiful weather, provided by yours truly. Against the odds the others liked my choices. If I'm ever in your car and somehow get control of the music, you probably won't suffer, so there you go!
After stopping at a dairy in Wainuiomata that may or may not have involved some jaywalking right next to a zebra crossing, we peacefully drove off into the afternoon sun back home. Oh btw multiple police cars checked us out along the way, no comment... 🤐