rocks hut tripa

A select 3 set off at 9am from the Maitai Dam carpark to walk to Rocks Hut for an overnight stay. The conditions were overcast initially, and we donned coats briefly for a shower while walking along the Maitai river, but it soon cleared and we were in sunlight. Towards the top of Dun Saddle the wind picked up and we stopped for a brief lunch in cool conditions on Dun Saddle. Several reports of there being little firewood at the hut encouraged us to collect firewood as we descended towards Rocks Hut, but as it turned could have started collecting firewood 10 mins from the hut instead of 1 hr! It was very windy in places on this section and Richard had a slow motion sit down due to the wind and the cake filled pack he was carrying. We arrived at the hut at approx. 2pm, had a brew then set out collecting more firewood. The big handicap with the firewood was the blunt saw, plus perhaps the hard dry kanuka wood we were collecting. Note to self – watch out for Kanuku springiness when bending – I ended up with a very bruised nose. We got a good fire going and the hut warm, which I am sure my sister Joyce from North Queensland appreciated. We enjoyed views out to the South & out to the snow on Mt Richmond. About 4pm, 2 hardy souls who were doing a marathon walk/run arrived for refueling. They headed off for Browning hut at about 4.30.

The following morning we walked up to the rocks viewpoint before heading out the same route. Conditions were windy and cool, but warmed as we descended from Dun Saddle. We arrived back in Nelson about 3pm. We were all pleased to have finally had our first trip to Rocks Hut – an excellent overnight excursion. I have contacted DOC about the poor condition of the saw.

Participants Richard (leader), Kath (scribe), and non member Joyce.