"Great fun, first time off trial and we had a couple of hiccups but looking back we got great weather and it was worth the mahi. We stayed in triplex hut that night and headed to sunrise hut early, this is a nice wide track all up hill but easily done in 2.5hrs. We will come back to stay at sunrise as it is an awesome spot pity it was fully booked. We had a second breakfast and left the sunrise at 10am to head to Armstrong saddle and then off trail to Te Atuaoparara peak arriving there at 1.30pm, the way was a mix of bush and following a somewhat track from time to time. From here we traversed down the scree with the plan to join the Waikamaka hut trail via the Waipawa saddle, but we thought it might be quicker to try going down an unnamed valley, but we didn’t actually get the valley we thought and had to traverse around a 12.5m waterfall near the bottom of the valley which is marked on the map once we realised our mistake. This was a bit hairy but we managed. From there it was more river following back to the hut via an unmarked route arriving at Waikamaka hut at 7pm, 33,000+ steps later! Awesome first day to our annual Father and son peak bagging trip. See Rangioteatua peak for t..." — loganscott • Dec 28, 2025

"Went up with 2 adults and 4 kids aged 8-11 up the Mahaukura track (est4-6hrs) took us all of 9hrs as it is a challenging track and we were in no rush with plenty of stops for snacks along the way. We tented as the hut was fully booked and so were the tent sites in the end so a busy time of year. Weather was cool but sunny for the walk up and overcast and mild on the way down, the tents were tucked away under the bush so it was quite warm considering the overnight was forecasted to be 7C. Great walk if you like a challenge but could be done a lot quicker." — loganscott • Apr 24, 2025

"The logged track was just from the hut to the summit, it goes up quickly from the hut and then takes you most of the way around the mountain before heading up the scree. The scree took us longer than most as my son (11yr) found it difficult but most adults would find it challenge. Day 1 we tramped from the car park by the Waka up the farm track which had horses with foals, bulls with cows and calves at foot and ewes and lambs none of which bothered to notice we were there. The track is open and I am thankful it was overcast as the trip home wasn’t and it gets hot. The wind did pick up as we got closer to the hut and howled through the night before dying out around 5am. This took 3.5 hours including stops, it is a good track. Day 2 We went to the carvings for sunrise had breakfast and started our ascent, the track goes up quickly at the start before it flattens and you walk most of the way around the mountain. We found a Pāua slug on trail and plenty of Flora I haven’t seen before but it was flourishing, including what became known as our spiky friend who looks a bit like the top of a pineapple before it flowers (leaves and flowers are very spiky). There is also a cool yarn that o..." — loganscott • Dec 28, 2024

"The Pouakai summit was part of a 3 day 2 night hike we did with 2 adults and 4 kids (aged 9-11). Day 1 We headed to the Holly hut via the holly hut track which took 4hrs 5mins in the rain where we had a late lunch and took the 20min hike to the Bell falls to get the last of the kids energy out of them for the day. We stayed at the Holly hut for 2 nights Day 2 we headed for the Pouakai summit, again in the rain with poor visibility but the swamp board walk made a quick start for the day followed by plenty of stairs and clambering up the mountain. There was still time for the kids to go back to the falls so half of us stayed and dried out by the Hut fireplace and the other half went to the falls. Day 3 We headed home along the Holly hut track again which took 4 hours almost on the dot. The Holly hut track was a good level for the kids with enough up hill to challenge them and enough technical parts of the track (crossing slips and small streams) to feel challenged but not overwhelmed. Unfortunately, the Pouakai Hut and campsite is currently undergoing repairs otherwise we would have attempted the circuit with the kids. While the rain wasn't what we ordered it was a warm rain an..." — loganscott • Dec 23, 2024

"Walked up from Mangawhero falls peak through skifield. Hard rime ice made for good cramponing. -4°C and moderate breeze at top. Returned same way and hitched ride back down to car from Turoa base." — AidanAstwood • Jun 26, 2024