Trip report Waitewaewae Hut Jan 2nd – 4th 2026.
The first MTC trip of 2026 was to tramp the Tararua Middle Crossing, however, heavy rain and gale force winds on Jan1st put paid to that! So, instead, we went with Plan B, head in from Otaki Forks to Waitewaewae (YTYY) Hut for a couple of nights and have a day trip up to the main range before returning home the same way.
So, on Jan 2 nd , four trampers and ‘Boots’ the dog headed over to Otaki Forks. The day was warm with plenty of cloud cover. The track was easy to follow and well-marked (maybe something to do with it being part of the Te Araroa trail?) The track to the hut sidled along a forested valley edge and there was little opportunity for views. After 3 hours, we found a place to stop for lunch, interestingly all four of us had bought along the now named ‘Furkert lunch’ (named after former MTC member Paul Furkert) a ration of 6 crackers with a slice of cheese and salami for each cracker.
Once refuelled we carried on along the track until we got to the sign giving us options on getting to the hut; up over the slip (1 hour) or the river route (20 mins). We took our chances and headed down to the river. We decided to skirt around the river and see if we could make it to the hut without needing to cross it. Well, that didn’t work… we bluffed out, so we crossed over to the other side. The river was up to our knees with just the odd deep spot to navigate resulting in wet shorts.
We travelled down the true left until we could see the hut - so, just one more river crossing and we were there! However, the river was now a bit deeper in places and we spent some time looking for the best crossing spot. We waded through at an angle, following the shallow line then found a ledge to carefully walk along to avoid the deepest part, unless of course like me you slipped off the ledge and found yourself swimming! We were only 30 metres from the hut so we clambered out and made our way up to the deck for me and my soggy pack to dry out.
We were the first ones there and the hut was looking pretty good. After a cuppa we spent a bit of time relaxing and doing a few hut chores. Full marks to Finlay for giving the toilet a really good scrub and clean.
At around 5pm the TA walkers started to arrive, and the hut quickly filled up, it was going to get busy! As we had bought a tent, we set out to find a pitch, there really isn’t much room around the hut, so we opted to camp by the woodshed. By 8pm all the TA walkers were in bed so we followed suit.
The next day we had decided to walk along the track up to the main range. The hut had a good couple of saws, so we took them with us to do some track clearing and maintenance. To be fair we left the big windfall to the boys, whilst the ladies tackled the smaller debris! We met several TA walkers who all said the same about the weather on the tops, so it was no surprise when we came into the wind cloud and rain. As it was now coming up 4 hours since we left the hut, we decided to
aim for Shoulder knob and then turn back. Coming down the track was pretty good now that most of the windfall had been dealt too. Big ups to Conrad and Finlay who carried back a good-sized windfallen tree for hut firewood.
Once back at the hut, we washed up and got the billy on, the TA walkers started to arrive. Not so many the second night, so it was a little easier to move around. It was an early night again and once again we all settled down. The following morning, we gave the hut a good tidy up, maybe those TA walkers departing early didn’t want to disturb us by putting their mattress up or wiping down the benches, so we did it for them. A good sweep and packing out of others rubbish saw us leaving the hut spik and span.
On the way out we found an easier route to navigate the river and whilst our shorts still got wet, it was a warm day and nobody minded. We once again sidled the river valley with a stop for a ‘Furkert’ lunch. In no time (well 5 1/2hrs!) we found ourselves back at Otaki Forks, to a lovely summer’s day. So, we quickly changed, threw the packs in the car and headed off into Otaki for Ice creams.
Thanks to those who joined me on this trip… Conrad, Michelle, Finlay, Boots and Gail (scribe & trip leader)
