Hi, first post here - Children tramping question

I currently live in Australia, but am returning for the first time in 7 years in june with my partner and my 3 year old daughter. I am wondering if anyone can suggest some REALLY easy to reach huts in the lower north island. my partner and daughter are both very excited at the prospect of sleeping overnight in a genuine new zealand hut in the bush. I used to be a very keen tramper and hunter, but I honestly didnt pay attention to "family friendly" locations in my past. Any suggestions would be appreciated -Richard

Atiwhakatu would be the easiest or Field Hut, both in the Tararuas. There are also a number of easy hikes to some huts in the Orongorongos, but you'll need to be careful of the river level in June.

I have memories of field hut, i used to go up that way and down into penn creek. Has anyone else taken their children into field hut before? my memories include a rather imposing foothill ascent before some nice bush track there.

Yes Field Hut's pretty much up-hill almost the entire way, with few exceptions. The signposted time is about 3 hours. Quick people do it in 2 and sometimes faster, though depending on your daughter it might take much longer than 3, and be prepared to do a lot of carrying just in case. Personally I'd go for Atiwhakatu, but be prepared to camp, especially if you're not leaving first thing in the morning, and even if you're first be prepared for it to be busy. It's very popular with families and youth-style groups since being re-built. The new one has only about 12 bunks but a couple of times (notably Saturdays) I've walked past there seeing several groups of up to 10 or 15 people each all aiming for the hut for the evening. There are 1 or 2 nice'ish camp-sites further along the track beside the Atiwhakatu River, maybe on the order of 30 minutes further but don't quite me on this. If you're going really well by the time you get to Atiwhakatu and if it's a nice day, you could consider popping up the hill to Jumbo Hut, which is a nice hut just above the bush-line so may well have snow in June without being too exposed. It's a 700 metre climb, but for comparison that's about the same as the climb to Field Hut... but keeping in mind you'll have to go much further back the following day. Another option from the same road-end would be Powell Hut, just on the bush-line and possibly also with snow, which would be straight up from the road and it's about a 900 metre climb. With a 3 year old the Atiwhakatu option would probably be a better option in suspect weather, though. All of this (except Field Hut) is here -- http://www.nztopomaps.com/-40.881722,175.449944,13,Map,100 If you want to get an early start on a Saturday morning, you can stay at Holdsworth Lodge (at the road-end) on a Friday night. You have to book, however, and pay the DOC ranger (with cash, not hut tickets). Lodge details are at http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-stay/lodges-cabins-and-cottages-by-region/wairarapa/holdsworth-lodge/

Where are you based in the lower North Island, and what sort of time-frame are you working in? If you're interested in going further north into the Ruahines (north of Palmerston North), many Ruahine road-ends start quite high up, which makes it easier to get into the tussock. The down-side is the road-ends tend to lead further in from the State Highways on either side, so it could take longer to get to than many of the Tararua ones. The Ruahines also aren't too popular in winter, I think because the weather cuts down many of the options for getting far into the range, though there are still many options on the edges. Heritage Lodge is a very accessible back-country hut that's operated by the New Zealand Deerstalker's Association and sits about 100 metres above the Oroua River. http://www.nztopomaps.com/-39.957320,176.006899,14,Map,100 It's an easy walk in and out from Peterson's Road (think 30 minutes, easy down-hill/flattish grade. Sunrise Hut is a popular hut on the eastern side for family groups. http://www.nztopomaps.com/-39.793963,176.172209,14,Map,100 The track to the hut is very switched and well graded, and definitely marketed towards people who've not done much tramping (lots of signs about things to look for in the bush, etc), and from the hut you'll get nice above-the-bushline views with an option to walk around up to Armstrong Saddle if the weather's nice. Longview Hut's a good hut on the eastern side, from the end of Kashmir Road, above the bush-line. It can get extremely windy up there if the weather's like that, though. (It's one of these huts with lines tying it down, and it's very noisy inside when the wind's up.) http://www.nztopomaps.com/-39.953701,176.140451,14,Map,100 Awatere Hut, also on that map, is a little bright orange hunter's hut that'd be easy to get to. It's only 3 bunks so definitely be prepared to camp, but there'd be good camping nearby. You'll need to cross the river outside the front of the hut, so if the weather's really bad take that into account. Rangiwahia's a great hut just above the bush-line on the western side, where people used to carry up their skis, and there's a good opportunity for walking around in the tussock, and views over to Ruapehu. http://www.nztopomaps.com/-39.896765,176.001749,14,Map,100 It used to be extremely easy to get to until a big slip destroyed part of the track about 10 years ago, so a 45 min to 1 hour easy sidle up-hill is now sign-posted at 3 hours because the track detours very steeply up over the top of the slip. I've seen young children up there, but you should definitely be prepared to be carrying your daughter around the slip... maybe someone here who's a parent could chip in with how realistic this is. Enjoy.

Heritage lodge would be a great first trip. It,s a reasonable drive from anywhere (about 1 hr from Fielding or 2.5 - 3 hrs from wellington. Atiwhakatu is also a very nice hut but a bit longer to walk in. If you want a really close to the road end experience try Parawai Lodge at Otaki Forks, it's an old style Tararua hut that has been restored and is only 10 minutes walk over a swing bridge from the car park

For a 3 year old Parawai Lodge at Otaki Forks is a good choice. Some 3 year olds can do a lot more than this but you know your kids abilities. Some 3 year olds would do Fields with no issue but most wont. Atiwhakatu would be achievable by most 3 year olds but expect to take a lot longer than the sign says. Also minimise the gear to be carried by your child. Be very wary of the weather. If it turns cold and wet which in June could be considered good weather then 3 year olds need to get to shelter quick or have all the suitable gear. We might survive an hour or more in sub 0 storm conditions with the wrong gear A 3 year old is just not big enough to survive more than a few minutes

I would think twice about taking a 3 year old up Raingage to Jumbo. It's steep. If you really want to sleep above the bushline in the Tararuas, Powell will be a good option.

3 year old in June. Stay well away from the tops. The risk is just to high. High likelihood of snow gale force winds rain sleet white out etc. Hypothermia is a quick killer of adults Kids dont stand a chance if the weather turns unexpectedly.

Hi, depending on weather and if there's not too much snow, you could consider to walk to the Routeburn Falls Hut, which should be pretty empty that time of year, and makes for a pretty easy walk. Stay two nights, and on the middle day, see how far you can walk up parallel to the waterfall and in the beautiful high plains above it - just amble around and enjoy the views. Check with DOC beforehand to make sure there's firewood up there that time of year! If not (or even if yes, to be sure): Pack a few armfuls. We've done it before. It's heavy, but worth it in winter. It's a short walk, and it's quite doable for adults to bring in firewood for a night or even two. For the slightly steeper bits: Hold her hand so that she is holding your thumb, and your other four fingers go around her wrist. That's a bomb proof grip, and she can add to the strength with her own grip on your thumb. In addition, from how hard she holds on to your thumb, you will always know immediately how safe she feels at any point in time, and you will know before she slips because of her tightening her grip. Try it at home before, you'll be amazed how stable it will make the two of you together. We use this grip all the time and have found it so reliable and strong that we do quite serious trips with our 2 1/2 year old boy now - trips where you really don't want to fall. He has become quite a good tramper, knows to stay away from edges, walks a few kilometres a day himself, and when he's walking holding my hand, we are stable like a goat together. I'm convinced most children and parents can learn that; just go slowly at first and give yourself time to learn. It comes quite naturally. Whenever you're not 100% sure that you can do something, err on the side of caution, especially when tramping with children - in terms of plans, decisions, equipment, food and communications. Clothing for the child: Zero cotton, rain proof gear from head to toes, several layers of polypro AND two or three fleece jumpers and pants. In addition, a child carrier with rain and wind protection ALL AROUND. If you combine that with decent backcountry skills and a conservative approach as far as safety is concerned, you'll be fine. Take a beacon. They can be hired for cheap from many places (google!), and they add a great safety catch to any trip. One more hint: Make sure to look after yourself as well. If you go hypothermic or break a leg, that's bad for your child(ren) too! Happy tramping! Let us know how it went! Matt PS: If you search these forums for some of my previous posts, you will find a lot more information about tramping with children.