Blue Range Hut (Easy Medium)

Come along to an overnight tramp and cleanup to Blue Range Hut, nestled in a stunning beech forest near Masterton in the mountains. With a wood-burning fireplace, a sheltered setting, and a short but rewarding climb, it's a great trip for newer trampers! This overnight tramp is also part of FMC's "Love Our Huts", so we will help with giving Blue Range a spring clean and a little love. This is important as huts like Blue Range are more than huts, they’re storm shelters, places we can share share stories, and connect to the wild. They're also bases for important conservation work, allowing conservation workers to settle down for the night!

This is considered an easy medium overnighter in the Tararuas, as the The "Kiriwhakapapa To Blue Range Hut" track, which starts from Kiriwhakapapa campspite, is only 3.4km and has only ONE river crossing; however, it has a gain of 650 metres over that short distance. It will take around 2 hours to traverse, with a gentle start until it kicks up sharply to a steep incline in some spots. However, reaching the hut will be worth it, seeing its beautiful blue brushstrokes of paint contrast with the surrounding scenery, having a calming and serene quality to it.

Trip Route Map

Picnic Table outside Blue Range Hut

We will meet at the Hunter Carpark in Kelburn Campus at 9:30 am and head off around 10:00 am. It takes around two hours to reach Kiriwhakapapa Campsite in the Wairarapa from Kelburn Campus. The hut contains a maximum of four bunk beds, but we can fit some people on the floor and set up a max of 2 tents at some small clearings. I'll max out the trip at 12 people and three car groups.

Rough trip costs is 10$, which only covers fuel. You will need one blue hut ticket which cost 10$ and are seperate from the total trip costs.

Also, if anyone is keen for a shared dinner let me know!

Penthouse cinema has reached out to us about the upcoming adventure film screenings! 
They have kindly offered us select discounts and help with group bookings!!

Discounts: 

Hut Keepers Film cost is now $14 instead of $19.

Climbing Film Tour cost is now $26 instead of $30.

The Mountains on Stage screening is independently distributed so the cost is still $28

Film dates: 
•  3 December: Hut Keepers
•  4 December: Mountain on stage
•  10 December: Climbing Film Tour

By signing up to this trip and filling out the box below stating which film(s) you want to see we will include you into the group bookings of your choice. You will pay at the cinema for the ticket so no worries if you suddenly can't go! 
 

Come support some amazing people and watch epics with us!! 

NEW PLAN due to weather: French Ridge 25th, walk out 26th

We are planning a two-night tramp in the Mt Aspiring National Park. We would leave from Wānaka on the morning of the 25th November and would love for anyone in the area to join us. At the moment, there are two spaces left in my car leaving from Wānaka, and if you are coming from anywhere else you will need your own transport.

25th: Drive from Wānaka to the Matukituki Valley carpark. Tramp 15km to Liverpool Hut (<1,000m ascent). Unfortunately the hut has turned out to be fully booked on this day - we will still go up to see it if we feel like it, but in the evening we will camp in the valley.

26th: A day to explore the valley and the river. We will ultimately tramp to French Ridge Hut on the other side of the valley. This is a 5km walk, with a ~1,000m descent and ~1,000m ascent. Stay overnight at French Ridge Hut.

27th: Tramp out from French Ridge Hut, back to the Matukituki Valley carpark (~17km, >1,000m descent). Return to Wānaka.

You will need to pack for three days of tramping. We will likely plan to share main meals. 

Both huts require booking in advance, so please let us know ASAP if you intend to join!

***COST
$50-$60 is an estimation based on current numbers. French Ridge Hut is $40 per person. There will be an additional cost for fuel and food.