Hunters Hut - Remote Backcountry Shelters on Waymarking.com

This hut is situated approx 5hrs walk from the road end up the Wanganui Valley of the West Coast of the South Island not far from the town of Ross. The 5 hr walk can be extended to longer depending on the conditions in which this hike is attempted. It is not a track up the valley so much as a route in which you follow the river up on the true right. Firstly you will need to park your vehicle at the road end next to an old quarry at the co-ordinates of S43*10.734 E 170*37.709. There is a track of sorts that you will eventually find near the start but along the way you will find a lot of boulder hoping along the side of the river. At the time of year I ventured this one it was extremely frosty and the rocks were covered with a solid shiney ice, so what should have taken 5hrs became 8hrs of hard slog. The tramp up the valley cuts in and out of the bush and it will be reasonably obvious when to stick to the rivers edge or cut into the bush. Don't try to climb high in the bush or negotiate bluffs over the top if it seems possible to do so - unless an obvious track takes you that way as the bush is particularily thick and arduous in places and you may be asking for an extension on the hike time. An hour or two after you start should bring you to Hendes Creek of which if you veer left up this for about 100 metres or so you will be able to cross a swing bridge and then proceed back down the creek and continue up the main valley. Carrying a Topographical Map for this walk is strongly advised and also helps in having an idea as to what to expect for this walk. The next bit of careful negotiating further up the valley will be Annoyance Bluff which will take you on a bush track up over and then climbing down the bluff again soon after in which you will hit Jones flat. The hut is located at the other end of this flat - again stick to the rivers edge when crossing Jones Flat as trying to wind through the scattered scrub is a bit of a pain. The last major bit of labour for this track is the cable box you will have to ride across this river on. Located at co-ordinates S43*13.359 E170*45.393 you will need to climb up and possibly hand reel the cable box to your side if it has not been fastened. There should be a metal clamp type implement in the box and once you climb into the box it is a free ride down to the centre of the cable over the river and then haul yourself on the upward strain of the cable to the other side. Be very careful of fingers on the cable and wheels of the box. It would be easy to severe a finger or two. Once across it is 5 mins walk back along the track to the hut which by now will seem like an absolute God-send. The hut has bunks and mattress for 6 people and is most frequented by the occassional Chamois or Thar hunter passing through. It has an open fireplace which you may just need as some times of the year the hut may only see about 2 or 3 hrs of sunshine due to the proximity of the mountains. Take your own gas cooker etc and go easy on the surrounding bush when fossicking for firewood.

No Dogs Allowed Hunting in area - use caution Accessible in Winter Scenic View Compass & Topographical Map Suggested / Required Weather Permitting Approx 5hrs Hike Time Wear bug repellant!

Type of shelter: hut Sleeps How Many: 6 Reservation required: No Cost: Less than $10 Available Year Round: Yes Enclosed: Enclosed Stay overnight: Not listed

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