Stargazing at Atiwhakatu Hut 🔭 #orangebucket

We're staying the night at Atiwhakatu Hut in the Tararua forest park! Situated in the Wairarapa Dark Sky Reserve, you are almost guaranteed incredible views of the night sky. This event was postponed from International Dark Sky Week, but we can still appreciate the night sky and collect data for scientists!

Along with carrying a heavy telescope, we'll also be delivering hut maintenance supplies in a 5kg orange bucket. This is a Greater Wellington Backcountry Network project covering all Wellington region huts!

Route:

It's a 1hr 45min drive from Wellington to the Mt Holdsworth carpark. We'll then walk 1-3hr to the hut. Trip capped to 4 people, as only a few spaces were left when I booked.

Gear:

Please bring overnight tramping gear. Key things are a tramping pack, warm clothing, a windproof raincoat, tramping boots or trail runners, a sleeping bag, a bowl/cutlery, a headtorch, a big water bottle, and a first aid kit/personal medication.

You can borrow club gear (eg packs, sleeping bags), but please ask in advance :)

See the club gear list: https://www.vuwtc.org.nz/resources/gear-list

Food:

Have breakfast on Sunday before arriving at Kelburn. Please bring 1 breakfast, 2 lunches, 1 dinner, snacks and drinks, and some emergency food in case we get delayed. Re drinks, cans and plastic only please, no glass!

Cost:

- Roughly $20 fuel per person

- $10 for your reserved bunk (Atiwhakatu is a standard hut, but must be booked)