I visited Waiopheu hut in the Northern Tararuas with the Tararua tramping club. We headed in from the Ohau road end and headed up Gable end ridge. The weather was kind of brooding, there was this low cloud hanging over the hills, but it didn't rain, and there was some visibility, so it wasn't too bad. When we got to the hut the weather had cleared and there were beautiful views across the main range, as well as across to the sea. The hut was quite packed overnight. It is a great weekend trip from Wellington or Levin. 

My friend and I decided to go to Blue Range hut on the Eastern side of the Tararuas. We headed out from Kiriwhakapapa car park up towards the hut, which turned out to be quirkily decorated with all sorts of signs ('antenatal clinic' and 'towaway after 2pm') inside.

After lunch, we decided to head down to Cow Creek hut as well. We headed down via Cow saddle, which involved a fun little bush bash following an obscure overgrown track. We got to Cow creek hut, had a quick snack and were started heading back. Things took a dramatic turn when a few minutes from the hut we met an injured party who were waiting for a helicopter call out. We waited with them until search and rescue arrived and then headed back. We did get back in the dark, but we were glad to have been able to help!