By Alan Ye, 06 September 2024
We left the hunter carpark on Friday afternoon to Parawai Lodge by otaki forks for a quick weekend trip to Mt Hector. When we got to Otaki Gorge Road I was supprised at how well maintained was despite it being closed. The gravel paved road was definetly better than the emergency track that DOC recommended.
We encountered an wise old bridge keeper just before Parawai. He offered us reflective tape and asked us to stick it to any un-taped track markers(Most markers were marked so we didn't end up using many).
Half of us decided to sleep outside on the deck when we got to Parawai hut. The weather was nice until I was awakened by the rain few inches away from my sleeping bag. Thankfully the wind was gentle that night so I didn't get wet.
Next morning the rain had expired into patches of drizzel. We quickly made our way up to Field hut with nothing of note. The real fun began when we decided to head to Kime for the night. Once we were up Table top, the wind was strong and retlentless that it made drizzle droplets perice through our layers. Rain covers flapped like sails as we made our way to Kime for the next two or so hours.
I never imagined myself getting lost on my way back to a hut from the loo, but that was a real possibility with how foggy it was up at Kime. I also never knew how terrifying it was sitting inside a plastic walled loo with strong winds hitting at it in every direction. Needless to say I had no problem sh*tting myself.
The final day was blessed with good weather. It was so clear that we could see some of the south island mountains behind Wellington. We made a quick trip to Mt Hector before making our way home.
