Orange the new black for huts
Conservation hut restored to original colour
Once upon a time the NZ Forest Service huts dotted around the bush were all painted a vivid orange. They really stood out and this colour became part of their iconic status.
Then things moved along, the Department of Conservation built new huts and painted them different colours. Now orange is back. Volunteers tidying up back country NZFS huts are restoring the orange decor.
The Wanganui Tramping Club visited one of these huts last November. This was the basic fourbunk Waoirongomai Hut in Remetuka Forest Park reached on a track up the Waiorongomai River. The site began life as a temporary camp built in 1966 to accommodate the first NZFS goat culling teams in the range after which the hut was built. In recent times it was green but the original orange has been restored.
The club’s week programme for March is:
2-3 Saturday-Sunday, pine pulling on Ruapehu, leader Esther
9-10 Saturday-Sunday, Waipakihi
Hut, leader John
10 Sunday, Hukaroa trig, leader Shane
14-17 Thursday-Sunday, Whareroa, leader Mike
16 or 17 Saturday or Sunday, Zeke’s Hut, leader Terry
23 or 24 Saturday or Sunday, Kokowai Track, leaders Sally and Trish
29 Friday, TAC night visit, leader Esther
29-April l Trains Hut, leader Brian 30, 31 or April 1 Saturday, Sunday or Monday, Waitotara farm wander, leader Dorothy
For more information email inquiries@whanganuitramping.org. nz.
The mid-weeks have a full programme of interesting trips every Wednesday. Those who get out on Thursday are in two groups, with longer walks on March 14 and 28 for the TT1 group and a shorter one for the TT2 group on March 7 and 21.
To join weekend trips call the leader by the previous Tuesday at the latest. Call by the night before for day trips. As some trips have limited numbers, leaders have the final say about who to take. For further
information visit our website www. whanganuitramping.org.nz
The next club meeting on Tuesday, March 5 at the Veandercross Lounge,
Whanganui Racecourse, at 7pm will feature a presentation by Suzanne Roberts on her trip to Japan to the Kumano Kodo Trail.