Waikamaka Hut, Ruahine FP, 12-13 September 2026
Banner Photo: About to head home from Waikamaka Hut
Five signed up for this overnight tramp. Campbell Living was the organiser and suggested we be at the Sunrise car park by 8 am. Sue came up from Norsewood, me from Waipukurau, Campbell, Rebecca and Georgina from Napier. I hadn’t been on an overnighter with a group for a number of years and was looking forward to the adventure. The forecast was cloudy, with wind and showers.
The NTC day party was spotted heading up to Waipawa Saddle
On with our packs after checking everyone’s well-being and away we went. The first 400 metres up the hill from the car park is often a taste of what is to come. When we got to the seat on the Sunrise track before heading down to the Waipawa River, we had a good fuel stop. The track to the river has not been maintained and there are a number of slips where extra care is needed.
Looking up towards the Waipawa Saddle from the riverbed, we knew we had a bit of work ahead. Keeping to the true left is a must and, once over the North branch of the Waipawa River, there are orange markers 500 metres up. Take the track, because it cuts out a lot of river work; when you finish on this section, there is a riverbed slog ahead. As long as there’s been no floods, you should see good tracks made by previous trampers – try to follow these until you come to the big orange triangle at the base of the bush.
It’s a steep descent into the Waikamaka River
We rested up here and took on more fuel to help us up to the saddle through the bush and leatherwood. This section is an embarrassment; it has not been maintained for an extraordinarily long time, and yet it is a fairly popular track. We battled to the saddle, looked back down the valley and could see some of the NTC day-trippers way below.
Over the saddle and down to the Waikamaka River, there is a very steep 200-metre track. Once at the river, it takes about an hour to the hut. Compared to the Waipawa River, this was a pleasant walk, although we all got wet feet.
We arrived at the hut shortly after 2 pm and it felt so good to get packs off and the billy boiled for tea or coffee and a snack. The sun was out so we hung damp clothes on the line; nice to change into fresh clothes. We rested up with lots of banter then it was time to cook dinners. It’s always interesting to see what everyone likes to eat and their preferred brands.
With the fire going and a warm hut, it was into my sleeping bag early and relax, listening to the sounds of nature: wind, rain and forest noise. Lots of strong winds and rain in the night.
Heading back up to Waipawa Saddle on the wet and windy way home (Day 2)
Everyone was up and about shortly after six, with breakfast done and the hut swept by 7.15. The weather was not on our side, with a strong southerly and rain. With raincoats, hats and gloves on, we retraced our steps, over the now very windy saddle and down through the bush to the orange sign. Campbell dropped down to the riverbed and found a phone on the stones… it might have been from one of the day trippers.
We carried on down the river and debated whether to go out to the car park via the river or back up the track to the seat. We had nice warm feet, so decided on back up the track. On the way, I slipped and damaged my left ankle. Rebecca and Sue made sure it was still OK and away we went again, but now with a bit of a hobble.
We rested at the seat then faced the last stretch to the car park. Sue suggested that my pack should be shared to take some weight off the ankle, so Campbell and Rebecca carried it back to the car park, which made a huge difference. Thank you.
I was very happy to complete this overnight tramp and thanks to the team for always making sure that there was someone behind me, checking that I was OK. Thanks for the barley sugars too, Rebecca. We all changed at the car park and headed to the Tikokino pub for coffee and food. It’s always great to finish a tramp socialising at a pub.
Trampers: Campbell Living, Sue Trotter, Rebecca Thompson, Georgina Van De Loo and Phil Enticott
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