4 Day tramp across the Tararua Range - Holdsworth to Otaki Forks

Our New Year's tramp to welcome 2026. We planned to start at Holdsworth, and overnight at Totara Flats, Neill Forks, Maungahuka, and Penn Creek Huts. We had to adjust our plans around the weather, with a storm forecast for day 3. Day 1 was continuous rain - it's the only time we've had Totara Flats Hut to ourselves, and the fire dried us out nicely. We made it to Neill Forks at lunchtime on day 2, and decided to carry on to Maungahuka. This resulted in a LOT of climbing on day 2. We knew this meant we would have to stay two nights at Maungahuka until the storm passed, but we're happy to stay warm(ish) and dry(ish). We arrived at Maungahuka soaking wet, and with no fire our gear was still sitting in a pool of water when we left. It was a little breezy across the Tararua Peaks and up the ladder, but manageable. Penn Creek Hut was great, but had been left in an appalling state by the group before us - open food on the benches, and deer entrails by the clothesline. We did our best to tidy it up. #tararua #tararuafever #tramping #hiking