The Waipakihi (Central Plateau) Rangipo, North Island, New Zealand
By
GuanoGerbil on 28-Jan-09. Waypoint GC1M5ND
Cache Details
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By visiting the external cache listing you are leaving the Geocaching Australia website.
Geocaching Australia is not affiliated with the original listing site for this cache.
Please click here to view the caches listing.
If you wish to log this cache, you will need to log it on the external site.
This will require a separate user account on that site. (More Details)
Logs
We came to the hut last year at New Years and hiked the Thunderbolt the next day. My daughter liked the trip and wanted to come back to this special place. We've left a brand new and never worn jade necklace in this rarely found cache. The necklace is intended to be a gift for the next finder. TFTC.
Very nice replacement cache and yellow logbook. Found in the snow, it's going to be a cold night here!
New Years Eve at the Waipakihi hut with my 13 year old daughter and 14 year old son for the first night of the mission to climb the Thunderbolt. Nice hut found in tidy condition so thanks to the previous users. The river is cold and a swim was refreshing after hiking in on a hot day. The cache was found quickly. Thanks for placing a cache here as these help motivate that kids.
Visiting Waipakihi hut for the first time with a group of 13 midweek trampers from the Manawatu Tramping and Skiing Club. A wonderful, scenic tramp indeed. I had noted that the cache could not be found by the last visitor. It must have gone, the hint is very specific. I brought in a replacement container and logbook which I signed and placed according to the hint. Hope this is OK with the CO (who I did contact through messages). The container is a 100 ml camouflaged plastic screw top jar. I camped out about 2m from GZ and experienced an overnight frost! Thanks GuanoGerbil.
I was very disappointed to having to DNF this cache as it's in such a beautiful spot. Searched for ages around and under water tank, firewood box. Underneath the hut and in the bushes around. Then got help from 3 members of our tramping group. Still no luck, quite sure it's gone
Really surprised when I went to sign the log that it is found so infrequently. Fantastic weekend to be going up the river with lots of swims in a lower than normal stream. Found not under the fire box but by the water tank. Left where found as I could not accurately remember the hint anyway.
During a 6 day tramp from Makahu Saddle (Kaweka’s) to Kaimanawa Road (Off Desert Rd) with a party of 6 people.
Night 1: Tira Lodge (Venison Top)
Night 2: Harkness Hut
Night 3: Boyd Hut
Night 4: Camping beside Mangamaire River (near Parewarewa Ridge)
Night 5: Waipakihi Hut
The weather was fantastic although very hot at times. The endless sunshine was broken only by a thunderstorm when we were walking along Mangamingi stream. The river came up real quick which made it a bit more exciting.
Note that permission is needed from to cross the private land from Boyd hut to Waipakihi hut.
The only people we saw the whole trip was 5 hunters at Boyd Hut.
My companions are not geocachers but were entertained by the cache hunts!
Pleased to get to this hut after a 12 hour day over the tops .. off track. We were a bunch of weary trampers.
Took a bit of hard looking to find the cache as someone else was storing a frypan in the same spot! Nice view from this hut.
Night 1: Tira Lodge (Venison Top)
Night 2: Harkness Hut
Night 3: Boyd Hut
Night 4: Camping beside Mangamaire River (near Parewarewa Ridge)
Night 5: Waipakihi Hut
The weather was fantastic although very hot at times. The endless sunshine was broken only by a thunderstorm when we were walking along Mangamingi stream. The river came up real quick which made it a bit more exciting.
Note that permission is needed from to cross the private land from Boyd hut to Waipakihi hut.
The only people we saw the whole trip was 5 hunters at Boyd Hut.
My companions are not geocachers but were entertained by the cache hunts!
Pleased to get to this hut after a 12 hour day over the tops .. off track. We were a bunch of weary trampers.
Took a bit of hard looking to find the cache as someone else was storing a frypan in the same spot! Nice view from this hut.
I really enjoyed the loop walk over Umukarikari, down to the hut and back up the Waipakihi River then out over Urchin. My waking time was a few minutes over 14 hours. Five hours to the hut and just over 9 back out to the car. Others found the river shower going, which meant urchin carpark to hut took them 12 hours. There were many informal tracks along the river bank through beech and tussock which were generally faster going than the river itself.
Great relief to get out of the cold today. Unfortunately something dead is slowly fermenting under the floor boards. TFTC
Found with GreenblAt and KiwiLeon.
Very glad to see this hut at the end of the first day in the hills for over a year.
Even better, it wasn't full - yet!!
Thanks for the Cache
Very glad to see this hut at the end of the first day in the hills for over a year.
Even better, it wasn't full - yet!!
Thanks for the Cache
After a late start (waiting for the rain to clear) we headed up the Umukarikari track and back down to the river to the hut. Knowing we were ahead of a group of 7 muggles from the Northshore Tramping club and only 2 pairs of fresh foot prints in the some of the muddy part on the track we knew there should be some bunks available for us that night.
After cleaning the boots in the stream before entering the hut we could finally drop the too heavy packs and settle for the night.
Found the cache before the rest of the muggles arrived.
While all the muggles were munging up their freeze dried dinners Nutcase99 was preparing a freshly made spaghetti bolognaise followed by a chocolate pudding covered with custard and jagermeister.
After a night filled with snore symphony we woke up with the skies clear and morning frost.
After breakfast and a fresh espresso we headed off up the hill to the middle ranges.
TFTC
After cleaning the boots in the stream before entering the hut we could finally drop the too heavy packs and settle for the night.
Found the cache before the rest of the muggles arrived.
While all the muggles were munging up their freeze dried dinners Nutcase99 was preparing a freshly made spaghetti bolognaise followed by a chocolate pudding covered with custard and jagermeister.
After a night filled with snore symphony we woke up with the skies clear and morning frost.
After breakfast and a fresh espresso we headed off up the hill to the middle ranges.
TFTC
Found together with KiwiLeon & Nutcase99 . Came in over the Umukarikari and we had made a late start while the weather cleared but put the pace on to keep ahead of a party of seven Northe Shore Tramping Clubbers. We kept out feet dry until 400m from the hut, crossing the Waipakihi, but knowing that we would would soon be sat in front of the fire as we could see the chimney smoking as we got the first views of the hut. Turns out there was enough beds to go round and no double bunking needed.
Nutcase99 cooked up some top notch cuisine and had envious looks from the other hut occupants as they chowed down on their dehy sachets. A couple of rums were had along with some interesting conversations with others at the hut.
Cloud started to clear in the evening and we were greeted with a white frost and frozen outside tap the next morning, but a clear blue sky and no wind. T4TC
Nutcase99 cooked up some top notch cuisine and had envious looks from the other hut occupants as they chowed down on their dehy sachets. A couple of rums were had along with some interesting conversations with others at the hut.
Cloud started to clear in the evening and we were greeted with a white frost and frozen outside tap the next morning, but a clear blue sky and no wind. T4TC
Found in the morning then off for a look at the Eastern side of the river. Reached the tree line after an hour and carried on for enjoying some wind and great views. Picked out the way to Thunderbolt but felt it was too far to go there and back today. Came back to the first of a number of trampers staying the night. One young lass in particular turned out to be a very accomplished tramper indeed. Had a good chat but many more questions about her North island trip came to mind the next day.
TFTC
TFTC
Re-Found with JimmyNZ on our way in to a 3 day tramp of the Waipakihi - Thunderbolt Loop. Was here about a year ago. Cache is still in good condition. Met a fellow cacher "Mac Ross"after seeing his signature logged the day before! Hearing that he had been at the hut for more than one day, i initiated a conversation with him and sure enough, it was him! Lots of good conversation followed about caching, tramping and running! Nice to have met him.
Oh and about 26 people in the hut this Waitangi Weekend and a total of 10 tents!
Oh and about 26 people in the hut this Waitangi Weekend and a total of 10 tents!
I was inspired to do this Kaimanawa Range mountain marathon loop taking in Urchin, Thunderbolt, Waipakihi Hut and the Umukarikari Range all in one day. Some would say it was a bad idea. I thought it was doable. I put the note out there to interested parties to see if there were any takers. Most said that they prefer to do the loop in three days/two nights, which in retrospect seems a bit more reasonable. Someone else suggested five days, which seems a bit too slow. A trail runner that I work with was keen on the one-day option, but he could not get a leave pass for the timeframe I was looking at.
I was staying at the Urchin campground (bring your own water). As early as the night before, I was still wondering if the single day approach was such a good idea. I knew I could physically do it, the weather forecast was looking fine and the days were long. It was a psychological challenge. It’s just a matter of time to get around the route and keeping my head on straight for the duration. So, off I go. I took an anticlockwise approach starting and ending at the Urchin campground. All up, it was 47.5 km with 3,016 m of vertical climbing happiness. Moving time was 11 hr 40 min. Total time was 13 hr 53 min (including an extended stop at the hut). Started with 3.5 l of water. Reloaded with water and had a good feed at the hut.
The day started clear at the lower elevations then clouded up as I gained elevation. It cleared up again after I left the Urchin summit behind and stayed sunny the rest of the day. It was cool enough that long selves were needed but no so cool that you couldn’t work up a good sweat climbing the hills.
I saw only about 13 people on the entire loop. There was a hunter with a tummy bug and a dog just before Urchin. He looked so miserable and disappointed as he was hiking out through the clouds at the Urchin tops. There were four Brit deer hunters just below Urchin, who looked so miserable climbing out of the river valley. There were two kiwi hunters at the tops near Motutere about 3 km west of Thunderbolt who looked happy to be there but disappointed that they hadn’t seen any deer at the tops yet. They reckoned the deer were still in the valleys, and I could confirm that I saw fresh evidence of deer down there. Ironically, they were camping in the river valley. There were a couple of hikers at tops managing their way through the tussock. There was a happy a couple camped with their dog at the wood edge near hut. There was one talkative fellow just after the hut that I regrettably had to cut short—daylight was getting short and I wanted to be off trail before sunset. Finally, there was the lone hunter that I saw on way down to the Umukarikari car park. None of them could believe that I was doing the whole loop in one day and in every case (except for the uber-talkative fellow) they said that I should be moving on and not wasting time.
This cache was found at about 4:00 pm in good and dry condition. Another 3 or 4 hours to go. I can’t believe that it’s been almost a year since the last find. This is a really nice and accessible 12-bunk hut along a great section of track. It deserves more visits.
Photos of the trip are available here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/seamoor/sets/72157650120899511/
Cheers for the cache.
I was staying at the Urchin campground (bring your own water). As early as the night before, I was still wondering if the single day approach was such a good idea. I knew I could physically do it, the weather forecast was looking fine and the days were long. It was a psychological challenge. It’s just a matter of time to get around the route and keeping my head on straight for the duration. So, off I go. I took an anticlockwise approach starting and ending at the Urchin campground. All up, it was 47.5 km with 3,016 m of vertical climbing happiness. Moving time was 11 hr 40 min. Total time was 13 hr 53 min (including an extended stop at the hut). Started with 3.5 l of water. Reloaded with water and had a good feed at the hut.
The day started clear at the lower elevations then clouded up as I gained elevation. It cleared up again after I left the Urchin summit behind and stayed sunny the rest of the day. It was cool enough that long selves were needed but no so cool that you couldn’t work up a good sweat climbing the hills.
I saw only about 13 people on the entire loop. There was a hunter with a tummy bug and a dog just before Urchin. He looked so miserable and disappointed as he was hiking out through the clouds at the Urchin tops. There were four Brit deer hunters just below Urchin, who looked so miserable climbing out of the river valley. There were two kiwi hunters at the tops near Motutere about 3 km west of Thunderbolt who looked happy to be there but disappointed that they hadn’t seen any deer at the tops yet. They reckoned the deer were still in the valleys, and I could confirm that I saw fresh evidence of deer down there. Ironically, they were camping in the river valley. There were a couple of hikers at tops managing their way through the tussock. There was a happy a couple camped with their dog at the wood edge near hut. There was one talkative fellow just after the hut that I regrettably had to cut short—daylight was getting short and I wanted to be off trail before sunset. Finally, there was the lone hunter that I saw on way down to the Umukarikari car park. None of them could believe that I was doing the whole loop in one day and in every case (except for the uber-talkative fellow) they said that I should be moving on and not wasting time.
This cache was found at about 4:00 pm in good and dry condition. Another 3 or 4 hours to go. I can’t believe that it’s been almost a year since the last find. This is a really nice and accessible 12-bunk hut along a great section of track. It deserves more visits.
Photos of the trip are available here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/seamoor/sets/72157650120899511/
Cheers for the cache.
#566 Found on day 52 of a walk from Cape Reinga to Wellington, and day 1 of a N-S traverse of the Kaimanawas/Kawekas. Found a roll of wide black insulation tape at the other end of the hint object which was a win because I could fix my map plastic bags. Cache bone dry inside. I look forward to grabbing other caches at the other huts as I walk through. TFTC!
Fun to score a sneaky cache while working with a group. Too busy to get umukarikari
Found and signed the cache log on the 5th January 2013 after a very long and exhausting walk up the Waipakihi River from the Urchin Track. Had the whole hut to myself overnight. Then back out over the Umukarikari next day - met some runners doing the track over the adjacent range the Middle Range and back out in one day ! Great
Thanks for a very well placed cache
Thanks for a very well placed cache
Spent a night at the hut. Cache was a quick find, and a fresh clean container and log book thanks. 
Popped by to check on the cache after the last log. Sure enough, it had gone. Cache replaced and now good to go.
I had a really good look for this. I even got out the headlamp to examine under the wood box more closely but was unable to find it.
9 people at the hut (or camping nearby) tonight! The weather yesterday was awefull, so I think most people delayed their trips untill today, like us. We camped nearby avoiding the masses. My father and I broke no records getting here, taking a leisurely 7 hours including plenty of stops. Fantasic weather. Down the river tomorrow. The river is still up a bit since the heavy rain yesterday. Plenty of muggles about making it tricky to get and replace the cache, especially when it is flashing blue and red! (cool toy in the cache:) TFTC!
Had to be a little sneaky signing this one, as there ended up being a couple of other parties at the hut! We had the place to ourselves when we arrived, and after a few quick looks I located the cache; but I didn't sign it straight away, and next thing you know we spot another party on the way in! So I quickly whipped the cache out and signed the log in case they were cachers too, and then made a more leisurely entry the next morning before anyone else was really up.
The only downside on this fantastic trip is the bunks at the hut. They're sprung, and extremely saggy, so they're a bit uncomfortable; and on top of that they make a terrible racket whenever anyone moves. Next time (there will be a next time) I'll just put a mattress on the floor in the main room!
The only downside on this fantastic trip is the bunks at the hut. They're sprung, and extremely saggy, so they're a bit uncomfortable; and on top of that they make a terrible racket whenever anyone moves. Next time (there will be a next time) I'll just put a mattress on the floor in the main room!
The Freezer Mice strike again!!!
Now this log will be exactly the same as for the Mt Urchin Tops, as the whole trip is well worthy of a quite significant mention.
Well the start of the Umukarikari track is a bit rude and fierce, as you get straight into the uphill climbing... bit of a shock to the system when you like a casual 1/2 hour or so warm-up.
We made it into the Waipakihi Hut in what we thought was a moderate 4 1/2 hours (not quite the GG 3 1/2 hours) so were more than happy with that effort.
To be fair we did take time to find the other cache at the Umukarikari tops and had a good rest there.
We had always planned to spend the night at the hut, and were pleasantly surprised to find that we had it all to ourselves (a 12 bed palace, which is in great condition as far as back country huts go).
There was time enough for a skinny dip in a brilliant swimming hole, but man that water is very very fresh!
So after dinner the night was spend drinking some wine (yes wine), watching the stars, and picking at chocolate covered macadamia nuts (it was valentines day after all).
The next morning we woke to a cloud covered valley... which wasnt too bad as far as we were concerned, as we were in for a trip making our own track down the Waipakihi River to the Urchin Campsite.
The river length you have to walk is just under 12 kms, and took us 4 hours to do.
Yes we did get wet feet, although TFM # 1 managed to stay dry until about 1.5 kms from the campsite.
The sun had totally burnt off the clouds, and we were glad for the fresh and cool river water (message here... take sunscreen).
Lunchtime at the camp before a 1.5 hour grunt (and we meant grunt) up to the Mt Urchin trig and the summit.
Oh did we mention the FTF on the Mt. Urchin tops on the way up? Many thanks for the placement XC
Then it was all downhill to the track end, and a 5 km doddle back to the car-park.
In all we walked for 11 1/2 hours to do the complete loop.
This is an awesome walk (we actually do plan to do it again sometime).
If you are even remotely thinking about doing this trip... DO IT!!! There is plenty of scope to make this a hut/tent trip over 3 easy days, and the views/scenery are magnificent.
Huge thanks to ALL who have placed caches in here, as without these 'treasures' we probably would still be saying "we must go in there one day...".
Now this log will be exactly the same as for the Mt Urchin Tops, as the whole trip is well worthy of a quite significant mention.
Well the start of the Umukarikari track is a bit rude and fierce, as you get straight into the uphill climbing... bit of a shock to the system when you like a casual 1/2 hour or so warm-up.
We made it into the Waipakihi Hut in what we thought was a moderate 4 1/2 hours (not quite the GG 3 1/2 hours) so were more than happy with that effort.
To be fair we did take time to find the other cache at the Umukarikari tops and had a good rest there.
We had always planned to spend the night at the hut, and were pleasantly surprised to find that we had it all to ourselves (a 12 bed palace, which is in great condition as far as back country huts go).
There was time enough for a skinny dip in a brilliant swimming hole, but man that water is very very fresh!
So after dinner the night was spend drinking some wine (yes wine), watching the stars, and picking at chocolate covered macadamia nuts (it was valentines day after all).
The next morning we woke to a cloud covered valley... which wasnt too bad as far as we were concerned, as we were in for a trip making our own track down the Waipakihi River to the Urchin Campsite.
The river length you have to walk is just under 12 kms, and took us 4 hours to do.
Yes we did get wet feet, although TFM # 1 managed to stay dry until about 1.5 kms from the campsite.
The sun had totally burnt off the clouds, and we were glad for the fresh and cool river water (message here... take sunscreen).
Lunchtime at the camp before a 1.5 hour grunt (and we meant grunt) up to the Mt Urchin trig and the summit.
Oh did we mention the FTF on the Mt. Urchin tops on the way up? Many thanks for the placement XC
Then it was all downhill to the track end, and a 5 km doddle back to the car-park.
In all we walked for 11 1/2 hours to do the complete loop.
This is an awesome walk (we actually do plan to do it again sometime).
If you are even remotely thinking about doing this trip... DO IT!!! There is plenty of scope to make this a hut/tent trip over 3 easy days, and the views/scenery are magnificent.
Huge thanks to ALL who have placed caches in here, as without these 'treasures' we probably would still be saying "we must go in there one day...".
A hut we are always happy to revisit. Done heaps of trips in this area, and this hut has been a haven in bad weather on more than one occasion.
Three muggles were in residence when we arrived, but that didn't stop us locating the hidden treasure. Double boxes a good idea and will ensure it stays dry.
Very hot weather and pesky mosquitos were the only problems during the night, and next morning we set off early to try and beat the heat. Sliced an hour off our previous day's effort, and got out in time for lunch in about 4 hrs. Wonderful idea for a cache, thanks GG for the excuse to visit this great area.
Three muggles were in residence when we arrived, but that didn't stop us locating the hidden treasure. Double boxes a good idea and will ensure it stays dry.
Very hot weather and pesky mosquitos were the only problems during the night, and next morning we set off early to try and beat the heat. Sliced an hour off our previous day's effort, and got out in time for lunch in about 4 hrs. Wonderful idea for a cache, thanks GG for the excuse to visit this great area.
XC on a mission... Taking up the challenge set by GuanoGerbil... Just found On the Umukarikari cache and continued over the ridges to this one. The weather cleared on the way down so managed a peek at some views. Hopefully clear tomorrow.
Got to the Hut around 2pm... Dropped the pack.. whew!! stripped off boots... and then located cache.. Nice one.
Yaay.. and FTF..!! Signed log and swapped out torch. nice one cheers...
Put on sandals and head off down river to get as far as I could before dark... Managed 3 kms over rocky stream and tussocks.. very hard going. Fell into holes among tussock so preferred the river bed.
At last found camp site so set up camp for night after a skinny dip in the river..!! Thank god nobody was about... lol...
Early toast and coffee... Pack up camp and head off downstream again.. Going gradually getting easier apart from one gorge that required a scramble up cliffside... Was heartened to come accross footprints which reminded me I was on the right track..! Whew...
Got to base of Mt Urchin and took a break before climb. Met a trio of hunters heavily armed.! Enjoyed a chat though before donning boots again and up the hill.. Good track although steep but XC is getting used to these... Broke the tree line and enjoyed the tops with clear views all round.
I got to top and left a Geocache as a bonus for those that follow. (One for GG in return...)
Phoned TK from the top to come and collect at carpark to avoid road walk..
Down again and into the trees to enjoy a nice walk among beautiful beech forest to cap off a great walk. Even managed to see a Bush Falcon 8m away in the trees.... bonus....
Met TK on track and enjoyed company on the last half km..
Another mission accomplished.. This is why I LOVE geocaching as I would never do this without those little plastic boxes to find on the way...
Thank you so much for the challenge Marcus and TK for the support.. A great team.
Whats Next....??
TFTC #928
Got to the Hut around 2pm... Dropped the pack.. whew!! stripped off boots... and then located cache.. Nice one.
Yaay.. and FTF..!! Signed log and swapped out torch. nice one cheers...
Put on sandals and head off down river to get as far as I could before dark... Managed 3 kms over rocky stream and tussocks.. very hard going. Fell into holes among tussock so preferred the river bed.
At last found camp site so set up camp for night after a skinny dip in the river..!! Thank god nobody was about... lol...
Early toast and coffee... Pack up camp and head off downstream again.. Going gradually getting easier apart from one gorge that required a scramble up cliffside... Was heartened to come accross footprints which reminded me I was on the right track..! Whew...
Got to base of Mt Urchin and took a break before climb. Met a trio of hunters heavily armed.! Enjoyed a chat though before donning boots again and up the hill.. Good track although steep but XC is getting used to these... Broke the tree line and enjoyed the tops with clear views all round.
I got to top and left a Geocache as a bonus for those that follow. (One for GG in return...)
Phoned TK from the top to come and collect at carpark to avoid road walk..
Down again and into the trees to enjoy a nice walk among beautiful beech forest to cap off a great walk. Even managed to see a Bush Falcon 8m away in the trees.... bonus....
Met TK on track and enjoyed company on the last half km..
Another mission accomplished.. This is why I LOVE geocaching as I would never do this without those little plastic boxes to find on the way...
Thank you so much for the challenge Marcus and TK for the support.. A great team.
Whats Next....??
TFTC #928
