The forecast was for rain and wind in the Tararua but we had no unbridged river crossings and only a very short section of exposed tops so we set off on Plan A to reach Neill Forks hut from Waiohine Gorge road end, via Cone, Neill Peak and the unmarked spur NE down to the hut. When we stopped for lunch just above Neill Saddle, we recalibrated our plans to avoid a bush bash in the dark – we hadn’t made enough progress to allow us a good chance of getting down the unmarked spur before nightfall. Instead, we took the track back to Cone peak, along Cone Ridge and down to Neill Forks hut arriving just after 5pm and just before the really heavy rain started. We had a cosy night in the hut with a great fire, a yummy meal and a game of cards. On Sunday we walked back out to Waiohine Gorge in 7.5hrs.
Group photo in front of Neill Forks Hut before setting off. Photo: Caryl.
Everyone composed a haiku or two to tell the rest of the story:
Caryl
Water drops all around
Good boots and gaiters, dry feet
Blazing fire in hut
Long exposure shot of Neill Creek. Photo: Lynsey.
Jo
River-filled bladder
Caught some little shrimpy guys:
Non-vegan water
Tarn at Cone Ridge. Photo: Caryl.
Jo
Dewed moss springs. My knees
Creak down ragged roots, mud, slides,
Swing bridge in the mist
Luke on top of a rock outcrop* enjoying glimpses of the view. *Photo: Jo.
Luke
Tree roots are dog shit.
Banana exploded.
Fruit Burst my hero.
Snack break at a junction. Photo: Lynsey.
Lynsey
Tararua love
Goblin forest in the mist
Tonic for the soul
Group photo in the goblin forest at the high point of Cone Ridge. Photo: Caryl.
Emily
Green, steep, windy, wet
Off-track dreams cut short, warm hut
Green, steep, calmer, wet
One of the steep ascents. Photo: Lynsey.