That’s partially why we chose Tutuwai it’s a big hut, popular with trampers – I figure hardnut, blood-soaked hunters will be elsewhere. Hunters get out en-masse, hoping to give them a bullet instead. It is ‘The Roar’ at the moment, where bucks throw caution to the wind and bellow their presence, looking for love. We have a bite to eat, and two hunting parties descend on us. Smith Creek Shelter has some pretty brilliant duraseal wallpaper maybe it deters youthful vandals! (and a longdrop). Smith Creek Shelter, not scary at all Cosy Didn’t take photos of all of the slips, they wouldn’t get a mention in gnarlier trips Quite permanent detour marking the lower is still easier. This has us cross a couple of active slips – no worries at all – maybe it’s a health and safety requirement for DOC on such a trafficked route. At one creek, the track deviates large DOC markers indicate to head further up-stream and up the cliff. With advice in our ears we follow the ‘old’ track. Wee firepit by Smith Creekįrom here, we skirt the western edge of Smith Creek for another two km, reaching Smith Creek Shelter at 1:50pm (2.5hrs from roadend). They tell us of track deviations, and that the old track crossing the slips is much better than the detours. We pass a family with dog, having left Tutuwai. Gorse pricks. We pass the intersection with Marchant Ridge at 11:55 (25min roadend).ĭropping, we edge down the clay to Smith Creek (300m, 12:50, 1.5hrs). Efforts have been made to help here with steps and gravel, but even then with the light rain we are slipping and sliding. You can’t miss the well trodden Puffer Saddle track, and we climb from 250m to 460m relatively gently along slippery clay. D’s done a bit of tramping but is borrowing gear, and I am testing a new Ultralight pack from Aliexpress – so we decide to go small. Easter is a chaotic time, and the carpark is full we park beyond the ‘NO PARKING’ signs along the road. We set off at 11:20 from the Kaitoke Scout Camp. We had these plans too, but end up going overnight to Tutuwai Hut in the Tararuas instead. Easter is the last combination of balmy weather and public holidays for many trampers plans are set to travel far and wide.
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