Rats and rocks in the Pureora

Waihaha Hut, Pureora FP, Wed/Thurs 7/8th November 2018
Banner Photo: Waihora Lagoon and the track from the 3’W’s junction (Waihaha, Waihora, Weraroa)

It was so exciting to be getting away mid-week to tramp to a hut, spend the night and tramp back. This was a special outing as it was Lynette’s first night in a DoC hut.

The drive over was plain sailing until we got to drop Alison, Marie and Bruce off to walk down the Waihora Track to the old Te Araroa Trail, leading into Waihaha Hut. The access road had wash-outs but with careful driving and some courage, we got to the end. We checked out a small lake that had little water, and then said our goodbyes.

We drove on to the car park for the direct route in; up the Waihaha Hut Track. The tramp was easy and took about three hours with lots of stops. It follows the river. There are great water-eroded rock formations, through kamahi and scrub and a bit of forest with huge rimus and kahikateas.

No one else was at the hut, except big fat rats. The other trampers joined us a few hours later, having enjoyed their walk . The hut is an ten bunker, so we all had a bunk bed for the night. Yay.

There were whio in the river and more rats on the banks. We tried to set an old clapped-out rat trap, but it had lost its snapping power. The rats got the bait and just a slight knock on the head.

Next morning, after Ted had eaten his bacon and eggs, we walked out to the cars. We had a stop in Taupo and got home early in the afternoon.

Lynette can’t wait to do another overnight tramp.

Trampers: Alison Greer, Ted Angove, Bruce Hodgson, Lynette Morgan, Sue Marshall, Marie Deroles, and reporter Hilary Heath-Caldwell