Jumbo Hut is located on the popular Jumbo -
Holdsworth Circuit in the Tararua Ranges, sitting just above the
bush line at around 1200m. The Hut offers great views across the
Wairarapa Plains and the ranges from Jumbo to Mitre can be seen
from the track just above the Hut. It is a serviced hut with 20
bunks, a water tank, cooking facilities and heating. Not being
quite as popular as
Powell Hut, bookings are not
required at any time during the
year.
Getting to the
Cache
The
best options for picking up this cache are as part of a daywalk to
the Hut or while completing the Jumbo -
Holdsworth Circuit. Both
begin at the end of Mt Holdsworth Road, which has a large carpark
with toilets, picnic areas, a hut and a caretakers
residence.
Jumbo - Holdsworth
Circuit
The Jumbo - Holdsworth
Circuit is around 24km long and generally completed in 2 days, with
a night at one of the Huts along the way. It can also be completed
as a long daywalk (probably best done in the summer months) as was
done when placing the cache. For the really crazy, the circuit is
also a known mountain run, playing host to the annual
Jumbo-Holdsworth Trial Race which has a current record time of 2hrs
16mins.
The circuit, which can be
completed in a clockwise or anticlockwise direction, includes
beautiful beech forest and terrific travel along the tops. Despite
being well marked with snow poles, the alpine traverse to/from Mt
Holdsworth to Jumbo can be dangerous in stormy weather. On a fine,
calm day, however, it's a fantastic place to
be.
Daywalk
As a
daywalk, follow the signs from the Mt Holdsworth carpark
to Atiwhakatu
Hut.
Following the Atiwhakatu River the
track is well graded and offers a nice gentle wander up the valley,
climbing gradually from around 300m at the carpark to 480m at the
Hut.
Just after the Hut is the signposted turn-off to Jumbo hut up
Raingauge Spur Track. From here things aren't quite so gentle and
the Spur has a reputation for being a steep, rough and rooty climb,
ascending the 720m to the Hut is just over 2km. Exactly halfway up
the spur there is a small clearing where its namesake, a rain
gauge, used to be. Once you pop out at the top the Hut is likely to
be a welcome sight to (hopefully) sit and enjoy the
views.
There is an alternative track which is north of the main Raingauage
Spur Track and considered to be a nicer walk, however it
starts/ends around 2kms further north of Atiwhakatu
Hut.
The Cache
The cache is located above the Hut, so requires heading just up the
track towards Jumbo Peak. It is nestled in a bush a few metres off
the Hut / Western side of the track. Please ensure it is replaced
snuggly.
The cache is
an Ammo Can with a Logbook, pencil and pencil sharpener. There is
also a small (and possibly
fitting) prize for FTF. Note that it may be covered in snow during
winter.
Other
Notes
- Ensure you are properly
prepared.
- Make sure your intentions are logged with someone who knows
where you are going.
- The Tararua's are renowned for their changeable
weather so bring extra clothing and food.
- There is some limited cellphone coverage above the bush
line, including at the
Hut.