Trip Leader: Bob Janssen
With heavy rain predicted for the Buller on the Saturday I decided that for a five-day tramp most of the weather overall should be fine. I left Nelson at 6am to pickup our tramping party, Carole Crocker, Dion Point, Ruth Hesselyn and then Mike Drake.
We had not traveled long before it started to rain; so at this point we agreed to stop in Murchison for a coffee. Shortly after this we drove up the Matiri Valley and headed to a DoC approved parking area. We agreed that because of the low cloud on the ‘Tops' that the route via the west branch of the Matiri that leads up onto the 1000 Acre Plateau was not an option, so instead we preceded on to Lake Matiri.
We headed up the ridge track to Poor Pete's Hut where we kept meeting up with other trampers, so hut space was on short supply. After a cup of tea, Dion recommended that we would find better campsites for tents at Larrikins Hut. However the hut was crowded so we pitched out tents under the shelter of the trees. In the crowded hut, Ruth cooked us a great meal, followed by dessert and wine. This special treat was to celebrate Carole's Birthday.
The next morning it was still raining and visibility was very poor and so we decided to wait for the weather to improve and the cloud to lift, which it did after an hour or so, and the sun came out as we climbed over the Hay Stack. Once on top we were met with more low cloud moving across the ridge from the west, with visibility problems we had a bit of trouble avoiding bluffs and steep terrain, before moving through to safer ground.
We stopped for lunch and then proceeded along the crest of the ridge. It was late afternoon and whilst standing on the ridge directly above where the Hay Stack Hut had been Dion noticed from this vantage point that he could see the roof of the hut. It was quickly decided to go down hill and make camp beside the hut.
The hut turned out to be a new transportable Fish and Game hut (2 bunk). The third day with a bit of cloud hanging round the tops we tramped over the ridge and descended the steep face, sidling in a northern direction until we hit the bush line. On the way we spotted several live powelliphanta land snails and an orange-coloured fungi none of us had ever seen before.
By midday we had bush bashed and scrambled to intercept the cut track en route to Lake Jeanette and arrived at Hurricane Hut mid afternoon. It was a treat to dry our tents, wash our clothes and relax in the sun. On Tuesday morning we were to be in for a fine day, with little wind and good views from the ‘Tops' and an easy stroll along the ‘Tops' at a given point to choose a good leading ridge that would take us into the Whangapeka Valley within proximity of Kings Hut.
As it turned out all the ridges were steep and ‘bluffy' and the gullies were steep and ugly. The short-cut prospects didn't look good. The majority vote decided that we would proceed the long way along the ridge and have lunch and a brew at the Tarn . After lunch we followed the ridge to Nugget Knob, and picked up the track into the Whangapeka Saddle and then followed the track to Stone Hut. We stopped for a brew then after thirteen hours of tramping, feeling weary and foot sore, we arrived at Kings Hut. We were to share the hut with a friendly DoC worker.
The final day we were on the track in good time and arrived at Rolling Junction about 11am. Shortly after we were met by David Blunt, Beverly Muirhead and Mike's wife Heather who treated us with fresh fruit and drinks. A pleasant surprise and much enjoyed by all.