Haven't been to arête forks hut for a couple years and was amazed to see online that it has been restored to its original state. Open fire and all. Awesome work. But I'm wondering, were the bunks replaced with wire sprung bunks as well?
A real classic. A bit harder to get to than most others in the Tararua's, it doesn't see so many people as say Cow Creek just down the valley.
It's in a very atmospheric spot, but one day a flood will take it out. Kind of surprised it's lasted this long.
Kudos to the guys who've done all the work!
I used to think it was a pretty easy tramp lol. I planned to take my missus on her first tramp here, she only made it to cow creek haha. She still gives me shit about it.
Bunks still the same, wood with mattresses
same as when built, except had canvas replaced.
Hut is identical to when built
track up from cow creek has few big trees down, from the heavy snow fall in the winter. still the quickest route from cow creek
apart from that, its ok. the climbs/descents haven't changed, though :)
Magic spot, marked routes lead to the tops, Waingawa, Pinnacles and table Ridge
And theres a decent fire to cook on - take a billy
This post has been edited by the author on 31 December 2016 at 19:42.
Good job! Arete Forks Hut really is a top spot. A couple of tips; Following Merv Rodgers, I've dropped off the knoll just north of point 1313 on Tarn Ridge - down that obvious spur & into the Waingawa River headwaters, and then down to the hut - and apart from a little leatherwood-bashing, it works okay. This avoids Waiohine Pinnacles. And the gorge route from Arete Forks Hut down to Cow Creek Hut works better than that soul-destroying track, at least when the river is low. A few spots do require pack-floating across deep pools. And watch for a front hitting the upper catchment when you're in the gorge. That flash-flooding really does happen in a flash!
