Red Hills Crossover

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Event Status: Cancelled

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From Friday 25 December 2020
To Sunday 27 December 2020

Cost: $7

Description

For those who want to escape to the hills for xmas:

A crossover tramp from Inwood Lookout via Hunter Hut, across the Red Hills to the SH63 Wairau Road end (near St Arnaud), starting from both ends on 25th, finish on 27th, ideally meeting in Porters hut for lunch on 26th. We need to have enough people to start on either end (e.g. 3) and swap cars, and I need to know numbers by Tuesday night (22nd). We should carry tents, as the huts are small and part of Te Araroa. I haven't done this tramp myself, (and am told the part from the lookout to Hunters is very steep!), but it's meant to be one of the more interesting TA sections, and hopefully not too busy this year.

This is the official Te Araroa description:

Hunters Hut to Porters Creek Hut - 9km / 4hr The track undulates south and crosses a number of open boulder elds and streams on its way to Porters Creek Hut (6 bunks). 

Porters Creek Hut to Red Hills Hut - 10.5km / 5hr The track curves around to the Motueka River Right Branch and, once there, sidles above the true right bank to a crossing near the Maitland Creek conuence. The Motueka river can rise, and fall, very quickly after heavy rain. Take care in crossing and be prepared to sit it out if required. The track then climbs and sidles above Maitland Creek's true right bank towards Red Hills Hut (6 bunks), which opened late in 2009 and replaced an older hut.

Red Hills Hut to SH63 – 7.5km / 4-5hr Note: There is no water supply on this route between Red Hills Hut and SH63/St Arnaud After Red Hills Hut, Te Araroa completes the Richmond experience on the Maitland Ridge Track - this was constructed as a MTB track by local volunteers and we are very grateful to share it with them. Take care on this route as it is used by mountain-bikers who may be moving at speed in some areas. From Red Hills Hut an old 4WD track climbs steadily uphill to a rocky knoll at 1050m. Down the ridge to a broad saddle before (at times steep) climbing to a high point of 1200m, through lovely beech forest. Then a long downhill with some zigzags that keep the gradient smooth with open patches that offer occasional views bordering on spectacular. The saddle is at 1040m then another climb follows to the 1300m high point of the track where you have a great vantage point over the surrounding area. Finally, a steep descent (more zigzags) to the Tophouse Road. From Tophouse Road it is 750m to SH63 then an 8km (2hr) walk on the road shoulder to St Arnaud. 

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