Makahu Saddle-Middle Hill Hut, Wednesday Sept 10, 2008. Map: U20
Trampers: Alison Greer, Rosemary Jeffrey, Julia Mackie, Jeanne Van den Hout, Liz Stringer, Loretta Pearson, Robyn Smith, Penny and Arthur Mead, Graham Bell, Gary Bowler, Vic Bullock, Paul Exeter, Kelvin Shaw, Manfred Hausler, Peter Flagter, John Marshall, Ken Ross, Ron Morison, Murray White, Barry Motley and John Gray (reporter)
A group of 22 trampers in two mini-vans arrived at the Makahu Saddle car park at about 8.45 am. Shortly afterwards, 16 set off to walk through and six took the vans around to Kaweka Road to meet them. The weather was cloudy and showers were forecast.
The ‘fast’ and ‘slow’ groups soon sorted themselves out and everyone took a break at the Kaweka Flats Bivvy. We pressed on, still dry, and made good progress across the big gorge, but heavy showers began to fall on the other side. It was time for raincoats, because the weather forecast was correct! This was not the right weather for a diversion to Iron Whare, but it will be well worth a look some other time.
We made our way through to Middle Hill Hut, where the fast group arrived at the same time as the bunch that came up from Kaweka Road. We all had lunch, most in the hut, keeping out of the cold and rain – and it was standing room only for some! It was cosy inside, with so many warm bodies…
Groups of walkers left the hut at intervals for the downhill section to the car park and a change into dry clothes. We were soon warm again and on our way home, arriving in Napier about 4.30 pm. Sadly, it had not been a day to stop and savour the views…
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