"Didn't the builders of Mangaturuturu Hut choose the site well," said one Wanganui Tramping Club member to another as they trekked out to the Ohakune Mountain Rd after a recent day visit to the club's hut in beautiful weather. This statement is heartily endorsed every time we go into the Mangaturuturu Valley. Here is the ultimate get-away-from-it-all spot and only a 90-minute walk from the road.
Not only is the club a splendid facility in a grove of beech trees with a jaw-dropping view of Mt Ruapehu, but close at hand are streams and delightful waterfalls and fantastic rock and lava formations. No wonder the hut book is full of comments about how great the place is, how it is the best hut on the Round the Mountain Track, and so on.
Mangaturuturu Hut is the product of working bees to raise money and then many weekends using horses and sledges and the strong backs of club members to move timber and building materials from Horopito over swampy terrain and then up and along bush ridge and into the valley. Several club members were builders who kept a watchful eye over the willing workers. Opened in 1958, the hut has been extended in recent times but retains its original character. More than just a monument to our tramping pioneers, it will always be considered the club's beating heart and a place of pilgrimage for every new member.
A visit to Mangaturuturu Hut is scheduled in February.
The midweekers have a full programme of interesting trips every Wednesday. Those who get out on Thursday are in two groups, with longer walks on February 9 and 23 and shorter ones for the TT2 group on February 2 and 16. The Wednesday contact is Margret, phone 344 3899, and the Thursday contact is Barbara, phone 348 9149.
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 as they are responsible for the safety and well-being of everyone on their trips. For information contact Barbara at 348 9149 or visit our website www.wanganui trampingclub.net.
The next meeting at the Deerstalkers' Hall, Peat St, at 7.30pm on Wednesday, February 1 will feature an illustrated talk by club member Iain Elliot on travel in Switzerland. All welcome.
The full club programme for February is: -
Saturday, Sunday or Monday, 4, 5 or 6: Tama Lakes, Tongariro National Park, leader Dorothy
Saturday to Monday, 4 to 6: Aotuhia, eastern Taranaki, leader Tracey
Saturday or Sunday, 11 or 12: Old Coach Rd, Tongariro National Park, leader Frances
Saturday and Sunday, 11 and 12: Mt Kaukau to Red Rocks, Wellington, leader Roger
