There had been very heavy rain in the Tararua Ranges and it continued to rain throughout the first day, hence very few pictures.
The track to the Hut climbed up steadily to about 800m before dropping steeply down a rather gnarly route to a stream. There is no bridge, but the stream is usually easily crossable. On this occasion though we were met with a raging torrent. We had a couple of attempts at crossing but in the end decided it was too risky and a tactical retreat was in order. It was getting dark and neither of us fancied a wet and miserable night in the bush, so we headed back up the steep hill we had just come down and made it to the Mountain House shelter about an hour and half later in the dark. The shelter is not really intended for overnight stays, but needs must.
The next day we headed back by dropping down to the rather lovely Atiwhakatu valley and then back out to the road end.
At Pig Flat.
Our impromtu nights accommodation.
The shelter was a bit cold and draughty, but a lot better than being outside.
The next morning.
The last few pictures were taken in Atiwhakatu valley on the
way back to the roadend.
