Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
tiful waterfall cascading into a small pool. From here the track moves into leatherwood and
then tussock, reaching
Rangiwahia Hut
(12 bunks) 10 minutes from the waterfall.
Rangiwahia Hut, or 'Rangi Hut' as is posted above its door, is a great place to spend a
night or even two. The large hut has two sleeping rooms, a gas stove, wood burner and wa-
ter. Located just above the bushline, its L-shaped veranda gives a panoramic view of the ex-
pansive farm country below, while on the horizon are the volcanoes of Tongariro National
Park.
8
WARNING
Like on the nearby Tararua Range, trampers need to keep an eye on the weather and
the possibility of strong winds when tramping in the Ruahines. The predominant
northwest winds are the main ones you need to watch carefully. Often it can be sunny
and calm on the surrounding plains, and even at the trailhead, but by the time you
reach the bushline on the Ruahines a northwesterly will be blowing across the ridges,
exposing you to strong gusts and cold rain.
Day 2: Rangiwahia Hut to Triangle Hut
3-4 HOURS, 8KM, 335M ASCENT, 775M DESCENT
The track heads east towards Mangahuia and is rutted to begin with. The tramp up this
broad alpine tussock ridge is easy, though, and if the weather is clear the views of the sur-
rounding peaks and ridges are excellent. Within 30 minutes you climb to a flattish high
point at 1400m, cross it, descend briefly and then begin climbing again. Snow poles appear
here and, about 30 minutes from the flattish high point, you reach a marked junction. The
route south is to the top of Mangahuia (a 20-minute climb), and then along Deadmans Track
back to the car park.
The route to Triangle Hut (left) is marked by snow poles, and descends north from the
junction for 1.5km towards
Maungamahue
(1660m). At times you're tramping along the
edge of some steep cliffs and can see the red roof of Triangle Hut far below. About 40
minutes from the junction the poled route swings east and begins to descend a side ridge in-
to
Oroua Valley
. This section involves a steep descent that is dangerously exposed and diffi-
cult in bad weather.
For the first 20 or 30 minutes you descend through tussock, until you arrive at a marked
track at the bushline. Next is one of the most difficult sections; a wide swath cuts through
