Wednesday, 7 January 2026

Te Araroa 06/01/26

Day 107, Deception River to Goat Pass Hut (2217)

It was a beautiful night and the morning promised to be even better. Unfortunately the sandflies woke up soon after me but they didn't disturb my breakfast too much.

Looking up Deception Valley 

And down from the camp spot
A short day as I was starting further up the valley than originally planned. It is a popular hill running route and about fifteen runners passed me at some stage during the day.
Path by the river 

Morning mists
Deception Valley is stunningly beautiful with steep wooded sides and the river rushing down a steep stony flood bed.
A beautiful river

Amazing place
The route description says that there are up to thirty river crossings to make on the way up and although I didn't count them it can't be far off.

In the bush at times
Some of the crossings lower down were quite difficult but they got easier as the river got smaller higher up.

Kilted American after a successful crossing
Navigation was tricky as the path switches from side to side and is only marked in places and sometimes actually goes up the river.

The 'path' is the river in places
Other sections involve steep climbs up and around the gorges that the river has cut.

Looking down from the hut 
The path to the hut is actually a side stream and involves a lot of scrambling over boulders before emerging above the tree line at the hut.
A good twenty bed hut with a fantastic view but without a stove, it could be cold tonight at 1057 meters but there are 15 people here to warm it up.
View from the hut


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