A big weekend out in the valley of huts

Mt Matthews Traverse, Remutaka Forest Park

One minute I was strolling down the Wellington waterfront and the next I was charging into the darkness along the Catchpool Track to the Ōrongorongo Valley. Where might I be heading you ask? Rewind a few months and a pint or two to Mat and I scheming over the potential to do a larger Wellington Tramping and Mountaineering Club (WTMC) trip to the club’s Pāua Hut in Remutaka Forest Park. The appointed weekend had come around, with the van setting off from platform 10 with all the leaders and punters at 5pm, sans me, who had some business to tie up in town.

1. Afternoon delight

Catchpool Carpark to Pāua Hut

This is how I came to be careering through the night. It was a most enjoyable if not muggy evening for a walk. I made good time alongside Catchpool Stream and it wasn’t long before I was plodding down the Ōrongorongo river under the stars. I passed Boar Inn and caught a whiff of smoke drifting up the valley. I found a man next to the glowing campfire. The exchange went a little something like this:

“Where are you off to?” he asked.

“Pāua” I replied before walking off down the river.