January 11, 2026
Top Wairoa Hut to Porters Ck Hut
TA km marker 1943.3 to 1960.4
Hiked today: 17.1 km

Our friend from the UK decided not to set her alarm, and since we were so tired after the exhausting long day, we both slept until after 6. Since we slept in the hut, it didn’t take long to pack up, eat our weetbix for brekky and start on the trail. 7.15 saw us starting a steep climb on a very rocky slope, hopping from boulder to boulder much of the way, finishing with scree, taking us up to the mountain top. The wind whistled over the pass and it was challenging to stay upright and on the path.

Again we were treated to a stretch of ridge walking with views again of mountain ranges close by and trailing on into the distance.  Rob managed to get reception at one point where we sat at the summit,, hiding from the wind in the Lee of a large rock. He was able to check the latest forecast which still predicts rain, becoming heavy overnight.

The descent was again a harrowing experience. The path marked on the scree slope was much too steep and any unchecked slide would end in a nasty fall. Knowing my propensity to do just that, I averted disaster by sliding a short bit while sitting down. I haven’t put a hole in my trousers but I’m sure they will never be the same colour again!

On we continued until we reached a river which we were able to cross, not more than knee deep. Hunters Hut was then up another steep climb. As we puffed our way up, we saw some orange metal sheets bent and tangled around trees. This was the remains of a hut which was swept away in a flood. Two rangers lost their lives. The new hut is built way up high and is dedicated to their memory.

In view of the weather, after lunch we continued on to the next hut. The estimated hike time was 4 hours and it took us pretty much all of that to make our way oveer about 4 mountain saddles, scrambling along creeks, navigating very steep scree slopes in strong wind gusts, and jumping over/around lengthy mud puddles.

We could see Porters Creek Hut in the distance and, with a gradual descent through beech forest for the last couple of kms,  we hurried down. We have eaten dinner now and are ready for bed. With us in the hut are Lucien from Germany, and Stu from Perth. If it does rain, there will probably be other hikers who will want to shelter in the hut.