D24- Rodgers hut to Central Te Hoe hut

Today was meant to be an easy one, covering a decent distance, all on well maintained tracks- yea right. Leaving Rodgers the benched mtb track continues south for another 8km to Mangakahika hut. Pumice now dominates the soil and is present in all slips and where the track cuts into the vallyside. There's a bit of snow damage, whilst it's nothing serious it wouldn't be much fun on a bike.
There's a campsite about a km in with picknick tables and a shower block, heated off a wet back, tho with the size of the tank it would take hours to heat so i pass. Mangakahika hut is located 5 mins off the main track in a clearing in the beech. 8 bunks, woodburner and tank. With only a recomended 3.5 hours to go, i have a long lunch.
The mtb track ends here and a standard tramping track continues. A sighn states it has been 'reclassified' as a route due to snow damage and to increase expected times- deja view. Its not too bad to start with- a lot of climbing over and around, but at least there's a recently cut, benched track to retern to. Things deteriorates as it climbs to the saddle between the Waiau/Wairoa and the Te Hoe/Mohaka catchments. By the top
The track dissapers under a mess of splinterd and smashed trees. There's barely and undamaged tree standing in what last year was mature virgin forest.
There's no choice to slowly climb over/through it. Things improve as i loose altitude, and by the time it reaches the bullring creek its easy going again. There's a campsite here but with the creek dry at this time of year water would be an issue. The track winds its way down the valley to the confluence with the Te Hoe river. The major crossings are bridged so dry feet can be retained.
There's a high concentration of stinging ongaonga is this valley. There's warnings in the huts about it and its the worst danger in the area. I've had a numb arm for days on a previous occasion and a severe case can kill dogs and horses. In places it's over head height and covers the track and must be detoured. I opted to wear 2 long sleeve thermals and gloves despite the heat of the day. Wearing shorts would be suicide.
  At the confluence a swing bridge crosses the Te Hoe and it's a further 5 mins to the hut. Central Te Hoe hut is large and of modern design. There's 2 seperate bunk rooms each sleeping 6 and a spacious kitchen with a large wood stove in the centre. Once a busy hut, sinse the track damage its rarely visited.