The weekend tramping into Mitre Flats hut

 Hi,

My first Friday off was a wet one.  I did get to Mitre10 to buy my plank of melamine to get my wardrobe sorted with more shelves.  But the widgets for fixing the shelves to the gib and existing shelving weren't in stock.  I need a new way to build them.  

Packed for the long weekend tramping.  Went to Janine's on Friday to have dinner with her and Momo and agree a route.

Saturday we left just after 8am and collected Momo from his place before collecting Janine.  Then over the hill to the New World in the Wairapapa for last minute shopping.

We drove to The Pines roadend and packed the last stuff into our backpacks (ok - into Mike's backpack).  Geoff (who led us on our Jolt course many years back at my previous work) was there with some companions - and he got dropped off so I suspect they were repositioning a car at another road end.

Anyway, we set off, in the wrong direction.  And Geoff called out "When I have done this walk previously, I have gone this way", gesturing behind him, where the sign said:  park entrance.

Oh.  

We turned around and went through the gate.  Hahah

Lovely weather for it.  We walked along a farm track for about 40 minutes or so before the park started. 

We start our tramp on farm land

Selfie time

Start of the park 

Tramping in

The track follows a wee river up - but at a distance.  Keeps to around the 500m contour most of the way.  Took us about 4 hours - pretty close to DoC time.  The track is rooty and a little bit up and down.  Steep sections in places where you have to use tree roots to climb.  There are about 6 or 7 streams to cross.  With light rainfall recently the streams were easily negotiated.  I did use Momo and Mike a bit to steady myself to cross.  I kept my feet dry - so yay for that assistance.

Our view of the river

Got to the hut at around 3pm and we were the first ones there.  Mike and I pitched the tent and Janine and Momo had their pick of the bunk spaces.

We relaxed and watched the punters trickle in. It was full by the end of the evening. Sleeps 14. We made vegetarian burgers for dinner.  Pretty yummy too.  At one stage we smelled some burning plastic but it turned out to be some Spanish incense stick that some woman with Geoff's group was using.  Palo santo.  Heheh.  They also played some music.  They were a free spirited bunch.

We also had a frozen dessert for afters.  With a can of whipped cream.  We were the envy of a lot of the other hut residents.  

Mitre Flats hut

Went to bed early and listened to a podcast with the roar of the river next to us providing good white noise. Had a fitful sleep - was a clear night so it got quite low.  Maybe 1 or 2 degrees.  During the night I got a little cold - but pulling the sleeping bag over my head usually sorted that out.

Early morning view of our tent

Up for a lovely morning.  Mike, Momo and Janine had brekkie and packed up for their day trip up to Mitre peak.  They left just before 10am and were expecting to get back around 3pm.

I chopped wood for an hour with the wood pile and the axe.  Cleaned up.  Chatted to punters as they arrived.  Two hunters were staying in the wardens room.  Jo and her Dad (he was from Tauranga and she is from Caterton).  They had a lovely black lab called Tarn.

Jo's Mum had made them some chocolate caramel slice - it was pretty good and reminded me of my mother's awesome slice she used to make.  Mmmm.  Next visit we might have to make that again.

Chocolate caramel square

I read and then made some snacks for my group.  The hut filled up again.  And finally my group got back from their huge effort.  It took longer than they thought - they got back just before 5pm.  Epic.  But they did climb the highest point in this area - and got views to Ruapehu, Kaikoura and Kapiti Island.  

Weta on a rock on our way to the toilet

Mike was chatting in the hut when someone said:  is that you, Mike?  It was Jackie from his first trip to Nepal.  They chatted to each other for hours.

We ate red Thai curry and it was scrumptious.  Followed by another frozen dessert.  The others also enjoyed an Irish coffee that Janine made with real espresso coffee, whisky and the last of the cream.

Off to bed nice and early.  Mike wasn't too far behind me.  Listened to a podcast again.  But I was not feeling super well.  Too much rich food.  Another fitful sleep.  Not quite as cold though.

Walking back to the car

Up and away from the hut by 8.50am.  Good work, team!  Took almost exactly the DoC posted 4 hours to get to the car.

Janine at the end of the tramp - only farm land to go

 

Heavenly iced latte

Dropped into The Offering at Greytown for some late lunch.  Great iced latte.  A 40 min wait on food made us choose cabinet options.  But they were very tasty.

Mike on his climb up to Mite peak

Emptied the packs.  Fed the cats.  Mike did a mountain of washing.  And we slept well in our beds.  Yay!

Have a wonderful week.  Short one for us.

Love,

Angela