Cannibal Gorge

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Our second hut hike was to Cannibal Gorge in Lewis Pass. The weather was a bit cooler with some rain early in the day, but we never got soaked.

On paper this hike seemed only modestly more difficult than Whariwarangi. A little longer and about twice the elevation gained and lost. However the numbers don’t factor in all the roots and rocks and clambering up and down creek beds. It was a lot more technical.

The kids really enjoyed the dynamic trail and the two big suspension bridges.

According to a trail sign, it’s called Cannibal Gorge because of a huge amount of human bones, thought to be the spot where victorious warring tribes ate their captives who were not suitable slaves. We ate mostly noodles. Woe to the vanquished.

Kylie did amazing on this hike with a broken toe sustained in Rarangi. Taped the toe, tightened the boot, paracetamol and ibuprofen and away we went. A gorgeous hut at the end of a big meadow was a welcome sight.

Our only two hut mates, Wayne an intensivist and Rupert an ICU nurse (both from NZ- we had a whole code team) had already started a fire. Of note, everyone we met on this hike who was staying in a hut was from NZ.

A group of ladies moved on to the next hut so our family had one half of the place (3 story bunks!) to ourselves.

The kids loved playing in the creek bed and ranging in the meadow. I had to work hard to keep them dry, reminding them we only had one change of clothes!

At least we could dry them a bit on the clothesline in the hut.

Tasty dinner and instant oatmeal breakfast was enjoyed by all. I thought we brought way too many snacks but we went through them all and came out with only a pack of oatmeal and some wraps, plus an emergency macaroni and cheese…

The weather was much more pleasant on the way out and the hike felt a lot easier with all the food gone and the weight redistributed.

A wonderful two days with a decent sleep in between and some fun memories.

Up next, Hanmer Springs! Bye Cannibal Gorge.

Rarangi and friends

From Abel Tasman we drove back down to the east coast to stay with our good friends brother and family, Zac, Leah Fin and Gus in the beach town of Rarangi.

They are pretty amazing hosts considering we had never met them before! Zac grew up in Chilliwack and we are good friends with his brother Sam and his sister Kaitlyn as well as their parents. Kaitlyn’s daughter Rowyn is Mikaya’s best friend and boy do they miss each other.

Our first day we explored the local beaches and an amazing tidal cave in an area called Monkey Bay while the Ws were in school.

The waves here had incredible power! It was a bit dodgy to swim past the breakers but the kids had an amazing time getting pounded and tumbled on the shore. Levi got the most beat up and had some great rides up and down the beach and some good bruises to show for it.

The next day we spent the morning at the Blenheim library, got tacos and then drove out to Whites Bay beach to join  Fin and Gus and Leah on their school beach day.

The kids had fun building dams and then we explored some more caves.

Both Fin and Gus are pretty brave!! I was a little nervous about the far reaches of this cave but they showed the way.

After a beach day we feasted on brisket and macaroni and the kids enjoyed the hot tub.

The next day we ventured to a different part of Rarangi beach and saw how the locals do it. The area felt a bit like Gill road with 4x4s and dune buggies and lots of fisherman.

Zac brought his kayak out and we all took a spin.

Zac and Leah kindly set up their tent trailer in their front yard. Best camp spot ever!!

The boys enjoyed teaching us their version of Dar. I don’t remember their name for it, but apparently this was a gift from Grandpa Josh.

They also played a few rounds of chess. Fin and Gus are very skilled!

Our last night we watched the fourth Harry Potter movie and the kids stayed up late. Fun times.

Overall we had an amazing stay here and it was so nice to get to know Zac and Leah and the kids. We have known their family for years but they were away on the island and now NZ.

I didn’t take enough pictures so I’m putting this one in again.

Amazing hosts with fresh baked bread, brisket, fun confident kids and many many enjoyable conversations. They happily opened up their home and welcomed us despite never having met us before. That is true hospitality. Thanks W’s!!!!

Whariwarangi hut

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After Takaka came the famous Abel Tasman park. Our first family backcountry trip was made markedly easier not having to carry a tent and being guaranteed to dry out.

Thankfully we had amazing weather. Sunny and 20 perfect for hiking. I carried the food, Ty carried the cookware and everyone else carried their own gear, even Mikaya. Zeke and Levi had the water and our hiking snacks.

Zeke bringing the trail to the street and/or counting to 6.

Whariwarangi hut is a converted farmhouse that was built in the 1890s. Still solid!

We arrived with energy to spare. There was basically no complaining about hills or packs from anyone. We dropped our packs to claim a full room for ourselves and ran right to the beach!

After dinner we walked back for sunset.

Double rainbow!

The layout of the hut was lovely and we filled our room nicely.

The weather was great so we cooked and ate outside at the picnic tables.

From Levi’s journal: [We went on a long hike with 25 lb backpacks with a 197m elevation game then we got to the hut and saw wekas there these little birds that can’t fly and have brown and black feathers

] picture included for Levi’s accurate drawing. I may do that more in the future! Here’s a photo for comparison. I think Levi nails the important bits and narrates the colour. Also he is correct walking on barnacles hurt remarkably less with shoes.

From Mikaya’s journal: [I had a backpack and it’s rilly hevy on my sholders and my mom gave us a tick tack. The wekas wood alwas cum out for food and we wood feed them seeds and flowrs and sticks and lefs]

Day 2 we had a tasty breakfast (while defending our oatmeal from wekas) and then set off for separation point to see a seal colony. The hike had some steep pitches which the kids breezed through but gave Kylie a pause. Seeing her kids down on the rock pointing at seals gave her fortitude and she did great after a few deep breaths.

After a big hike it was back to the beeeeeach.

The kids wisely engaged in a timed somersault race which I’m sure was great for their brains and didn’t result in sand in every orifice…

After another night’s good sleep and some worm wrestling we packed up and made short work of the hike out.

We drove straight to Blenheim and ordered a large amount of fried food from a local dairy (dairies here serve fried food but not dairy, I bought long expired margarine and ramen) and polished it off in minutes.

Thanks Abel Tasman and Whariwarangi Hut for making backcountry camping such a pleasure.