Penk Hut | Ferny Gair Conservation Area
Not many visitors here, and half of them seem to be hunters dropping in by chopper for a few days stay. The hut, therefore, is in good condition.
Not much different from any number of similar NZFS S70 huts scattered around New Zealand. Except, deer. Seem to be lots in the vicinity.
Access for those on foot is either from Lake Alexander via Point 1517 and dropping down the appropriate ridge, (take care to get on the appropriate ridge or you may find yourself bluffed out), or by bashing up or down the Penk River.
No track is provided and two awkward rocks in the river gorge cause significant obstacles. One has a rope to assist to abseil up/down a slippery surface, the other is situated in the middle of a tight gorge with no hope of easily climbing around. Chucking the pack, with everything in dry bags, and jumping chest deep into the flow, sandy bottom fortunately, might prove the solution.
So, not so good in wet weather. Climbing out via Point 1380 would be possible if feeling trapped.
category . . . standard hut
hut fee . . . 1 hut ticket or backcountry hut pass, free to camp
elevation . . . 630 m
bunks . . . 6 mattresses
built . . . 1961, renovated 2022: re-piled, re-painted, double glazed, insulation
heating . . . pot belly
water . . . 80 m walk from stream, bucket provided
toilet . . . longdrop
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