Thread: Waipakihi Hut

Originally Posted by slowblink

Hi.
First post on the forum.
Planning on going up to Waipakihi hut in the near future. How close can you get to the hut with a jet boat?
Google earth goes very low-def up the river. Probably something to do with army nearby.

Thanks in advance for all your help.

Mick

In the early 1970's the Govt leased that area for Vietnam training. The Army used to get quite a way up the Waipakahi valley in the M41 medium tank.

Do you have a tank at your disposal?

Originally Posted by NZHTR

If your are talking Kaimanawa's Waipakahi ? you wont get any place up the Waipakahi in a jet boat - shank's pony up that river or over Umukirkiri track . did bump into a Nissan Navara pathfinder heading up bout 3 or so ks .

https://youtu.be/VUwT9gqN8i8?si=Y2dsYGg40YWj0DCI

Originally Posted by XR500

From June onwards the Waipakahi valley, like all alpine valleys is as cold as a bastard. In July last year my drink bottle froze solid under the fly. No deer down low at all. They are all halfway - three quarters of the way up the sides, staying in the sun.

Thanks...might just stay at the Waikoko campground and try my luck around the Urchin and Umakarkari track

Originally Posted by Steffen

Thanks...might just stay at the Waikoko campground and try my luck around the Urchin and Umakarkari track

The Waipakahi faces accessible from the Urchin are a great winter spot. You don't have to go very low. Keep some elevation and glass into the feed belt and gully head areas about 1/3rd down from the top. They can be quite bluffy so watch where you go.