22 February

A 6.45am start with 8 keen and excited trampers onboard to experience an early HTC’s 80’s tramp destination, Halfway Hut. Susan had recently experienced it and had indicated the hut was derelict however it makes for a formidable tramp. Halfway Hut is on the Opureke Track which is accessed from Waipunga Road, 6 km from the junction with Pohokura Road (off the Napier Taupo highway). This 6 km is a very rough road and it took about 30 minutes to drive it in the van.

Setting off along an old logging road, using orange markers and tape, taking us past massive totara, rimu, ferns and overgrowth we continued on, stopping for breaks along the way.

After 3hrs 20mins we succeeded in arriving at the helipad and close by, the remains of Halfway Hut, clearly damaged from a falling tree on its roof. There, we enjoyed a sunny lunch spot, then began the return journey along the same path. All of us really gained from the benefit of this suggested tramp and experience of a new tramp destination for many.

We arrived back at Pukahu around 7 pm, just over 12 hours since we had left (many thanks to our driver Murry). Thanks Susan, and we highly recommend again!!

Party: Susan L, Donna W, Judith M, Selina C, Jude H, Colin J, Constanze H, Paula K, Murry A.

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