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DOC Land
Altitude: 256m to 474m. Gain: 364m. Loss: 146m . Gradient: 4 deg (Flat)
Skills: - Prolonged rivers (4/6)
The Huitatariki / Oronui confluence is 5km upriver from the Hikurangi roadend, so if you’re coming from there you’ll have an additional 1.5-2 hrs of walking up what appear to be broad shingle flats to reach the confluence.
From the confluence upriver we start on deceptively broad shingle flats. However, the valley soon narrows to become pools, boulders and bluffs. Crossings are necessary in pools mid-rapid and some are challenging even in low flows. Sidle options may be available on the TR but would require a lot of climbing. Above the park boundary the valley widens again and it’s good going on shingle flats as far as the Mangarata / Oronui confluence. From here the Oronui enters a 6km long gorge which looks tight, winding & challenging on the map. However, the river has lost much of it’s flow at the forks, and it’s rarely over my knees, and easy going on a gravel riverbed even when in the water. The 1s 2km from the Huitatariki were definitely the worst, though thus gorge could be bad enws after heavy rain as there are no sidle alternatives available – easy to get stuck at Oronui Hut.
Oronui hut is located just where the gorge finishes. The river forks, with shingle beds leading north, west and south. Oronui hut is on a terrace 30m above the river between the sth and west fork. Quite a steep, cruel climb for the end of the day, but a good thing considering how many valley-floor huts have been swept away in the Raukumaras. Thankfully there’s tank water so trips back to the river are not required.