Greys Hut
(Greys Hut: Photo Phillip Collyns 2009)
Maintenance Status
We have no confirmation currently on Greys exact maintenance status. Pressure from the Karamea Locals
led to DOC has agreeing to carry out two-yearly maintenance on Greys. Whether this is minimal
or full maintenance remains unclear.
Location
Karamea catchment (within Kahurangi National park).
Topo Map BQ22. Grid Ref: E1539304/ N5434543.
Altitude 85m.
Greys Hut is located on a river terrace on the Karamea River, 1-2 hours above the
Karamea Gorge. It is a low-use hut, visited by locals, kayakers, and the odd hunter
and angler. The hutbook is an NZFS one from 1987 and
doesn't have a lot of entries. The forest around the Hut is predominantly beech and hardwood.
Access
The route to Greys Hut is up the TR of the Karamea valley and is a mix of track
and river travel. The section through gorge
requires fine weather.
The farmer at the roadend has prohibited access across his land to the
start of the track. A track can be followed along the
river skirting this bit and takes around an hour. The main track goes up
the TR of the river. Just past Old Man rock
there is a short section where a safety chain has been removed. Packs may need to be thrown
across this bit.
Further up there is a gully full of windthrow, which needs to be negotiated.
After this it is a mix of river travel, large boulders, and
sections of track over the headlands on the corners. The route eventually crosses a helipad
and on the left of this is a track leading to the Hut.
You can also paddle down to Greys from the Karamea Bend.
Type
Greys is a standard six-bunk NZFS design with open fire. There are
mattresses and spring bunks.
Condition
Greys is in good condition as of 2009.
Routes
There are numerous routes to Greys from the Tasman Wilderness area and Kahurangi National
Park via the upper Karamea and its tributaries. All require high levels of fitness, bushcraft
and navigation skills.
Phillip Collyns mentions a trip over Bald Knob from the Ugly River
(aptly named after the hordes sandflies to be found there) and down Greys
Stream to the Karamea River. There is a headland just upstream of the
Hut that you have to bash over if coming downriver.
There is mention in the Greys hutbook of an old track up from Kakapo Stream on the TR
of the valley. There is only one report in the hutbook in the past 22 years of anyone using this.
Repairs needed
Nil currently.
Provisions
on site
A broom, a dustpan and shovel, a couple other bits and pieces, and maybe an axe.