By Justin Atkinson, 01 June 2024
On a sunny Saturday morning, eight VUWTC hikers (Justin, Iliya, Daniel, Chris, Tram, Hannah, Luke, Britte) arrived at the Hunter carpark in bright spirits. We were heading for the ironically named Ten Man Hut, which it later turned out was completely inaccurate.
Driving four hours and 345km to the small town of Ōwhango, we got some nice views of a snow-covered Mt Ruapehu. We eventually stopped for a coffee at the expensive Blue Hill Cafe, before driving 5min down a backroad to the Tongariro Forest Conservation Area. The carpark sits at the start of the 42 Traverse, a 46km mountain biking and walking track. We crossed over a high river bridge, before setting off on the scheduled 3-4 hour walk to Ten Man at 2pm.
Soon getting lost down a maze of trails, we encountered a lot of dirt bikes and muddy red clay. There was much navigating of slippery terrain and sometimes impassable water patches. The forest was dense but picturesque. Tram and Justin got separated from the others, which produced much confusion. Eventually reuniting, we reached the hut at about 5pm.
We could see smoke coming from the chimney. That was when we realised this was not Ten Man Hut. It was actually almost double: Nineteen Man Hut. Coming face to face with 11 male hunters and their dirt bikes, we made ourselves at home. VUWTC unfortunately brought some diversity, so the original intention of those who named the hut was sadly neglected that night.
The hut only had eight bunks (enough for just us!), but there was space on the floor for another seven. Three VUWTC members were forced to seek refuge in Justin's tent, while a hunter was cast outside by his fellows. It was a pretty nice and spacious bivvy (yet another inaccuracy in the name), with a cute fireplace and retro blackboard. There was even a No. 10 letterbox and an attached animal skull outside!
The hunters all proceeded to get pissed in a calm manner. One of the 11 arrived in a mess late in the evening, having gotten completely lost in the dark. Another became intently curious in a game of Monopoly Deal that us young folk were playing, requiring us to explain every move and thought process in extreme detail. He repeatedly stressed the importance of money, detailed his wide-reaching global travels, and complained about the financial literacy programs of schools these days! They were all inspired by the fact that this group of crazy young trampers from Wellington had travelled all the way to their patch. It was a very fun night!
With some overnight rain soaking Daniel's side of the VUWTC tent (thanks Justin!), we arose the next morning to return to Wellington. We posed for photos with the hunters' dirt bikes and bid adieu. Enjoying yet more red clay, we stumbled upon a marooned dirt bike that had become stuck in a massive puddle. Iliya began trying to rescue it, with half the group eventually pitching in. With enough heaves, we managed to get it out. A shame the ignition wouldn't start though!
With sunny weather continuing, we took an alternative 3hr route back to the carpark with a cool waterfall. After posing for awkward photos at the bridge, we travelled to Taumarunui for a gumboot throwing competition! Justin threw one into a nearby tree surrounded by a very wobbly fence, which made for a fun retrieval mission (a police car even drove past as I vandalised the tree's enclosure!). Heading home, we reflected on our bagging of all the hut in the Tongariro Forest Conservation Area.
