Thread: Ballard Hut, Kawekas. Worth bringing th gun this time of year?

Evening Team,
Planning a bit of a Kaweka stroll with the Mrs this weekend, Makino hut first night, then out to Ballard for the next night, and back to the car via Middle hill. Just praying for a bit of dry Firewood at Ballard !
Are there any animals to be found near Ballard at this time of year? Or should I save some weight and leave the gun at home?

How well do you know your way around that area


Do you know where the Sunny clearings and feed areas are ?

It will be cold.

Greetings @John P,
There is a fair bit of snow on the Kawekas this morning so the track to Ballard will be icy especially on any shaded clay pans. A good part of the route in is exposed in almost every direction. Not my idea of a stroll. Perhaps a trip left for spring?
Regards Grandpamac.

Take the gun for sure!! probably more likely to see something between the car & the tops on day 1 i reckon, or on your way home once you're in the bush.

Just when you think you've got sika figured out they do the opposite and surprise you (normally when you're not ready for it) take the gun.

Originally Posted by grandpamac

Greetings @John P,
There is a fair bit of snow on the Kawekas this morning so the track to Ballard will be icy especially on any shaded clay pans. A good part of the route in is exposed in almost every direction. Not my idea of a stroll. Perhaps a trip left for spring?
Regards Grandpamac.

Cheers mate, I thought it might be a bit chilly up there. We may still go down and change route from Makino if required, the hot springs might go down all right with the mrs instead
Do you what the ford on Makahu rd is like at the moment? Been sunny up here the last 2 days….

40 to 45KPH winds forecast for the altitude Ballards is at on Sat & Sun. Nowhere near as strong as it can get up there, but still hypotheric on those windswept ridges at this time of year.
And even at that windspeed, it'll take your mind clean off deer.
You'll need full sun and zero wind to see a deer up in that open country in July when all your basically doing is passing through.

Now here's the heads up for you if your determined to check out around that area sometime. Forget the climb out of Ballards Hut to go hunting every day, Studholme Saddle Bivvy has been relocated and renamed "North Whetu Bivvy"
Relocated not a long way from Ballards in a straight line, close to High Point 1379 just as you come out of the bush on the Makino-Ballard track, but just across the stream that runs parallel with the track. Grid Ref 920-525

Ring me for my address to send the box of Heiniken to

Thanks for the tips guys, the Mrs has gone off the idea now, maybe for the best. I’ll save it for another weekend

Next week looks great, go on Monday! I am

Originally Posted by NIMROD

40 to 45KPH winds forecast for the altitude Ballards is at on Sat & Sun. Nowhere near as strong as it can get up there, but still hypotheric on those windswept ridges at this time of year.
And even at that windspeed, it'll take your mind clean off deer.
You'll need full sun and zero wind to see a deer up in that open country in July when all your basically doing is passing through.

Now here's the heads up for you if your determined to check out around that area sometime. Forget the climb out of Ballards Hut to go hunting every day, Studholme Saddle Bivvy has been relocated and renamed "North Whetu Bivvy"
Relocated not a long way from Ballards in a straight line, close to High Point 1379 just as you come out of the bush on the Makino-Ballard track, but just across the stream that runs parallel with the track. Grid Ref 920-525

Ring me for my address to send the box of Heiniken to

Thanks for that @NIMROD,
I knew the Bivvy had been moved and where to but it had slipped my mind, a regrettably frequent event these days. I would love walk in there there at least once.
Regards Grandpamac.

Originally Posted by Sika 8

Next week looks great, go on Monday! I am

haha.... yep you wont see me for small stones and dust either.

Not that this really helps in the area you were planning to head but saw a decent jap stag out on the tops a week or so back out castle camp ways. Was bloody freezing and wind was howling about -4 windchill 11.30am.

Originally Posted by NIMROD

haha.... yep you wont see me for small stones and dust either.

Where are you headed?