Thread: busy ahiruiri

hey fellas few Qs tonight.

how busy is the ahuriri likely to be over this christmas/nye period?

generally talking the base hut, up to the top hut, trampers/hunters ?

it seems like a fairly popular spot in general for the hunters, is this the case?

Yes to all three q's

yup- i thought so, thanks for confirmation mate- just tryin to make a few last minute back up plans incase my initial planned spot doesnt hold enough oppertunitie for the 10 days ive allowed.

some closer by areas have ok access tracks to walk in on but no huts to seek refuge in, ive got the forecast written down but im sensing that NZ is fairly uncertain of what its guna do from one day to the next

Yip, NZ weather can be unpredictable especially in the mountains so always be prepared - respect river crossings too, the tamest of streams can turn into a raging deathtrap pretty fast after heavy rain, if it looks dodgy wait it out and it will often drop quickly too once the rain stops.

You won’t be alone up there. Mate of mine and his brother are heading in there too.

Good luck to everyone!!

Originally Posted by SiB

You won’t be alone up there. Mate of mine and his brother are heading in there too.

Good luck to everyone!!

i think il bypass it this time an hit it whn its not peak holiday period.. il sus out overlooked spots with tramping trails an do a night or two after my main trip.

its all part of checkin places out an ticking yes or no to go back too for a while until i find some game an not so hectic climbs :O

A lot of places get busy during the summer holidays, especially the ones with easy access and/or 4wd tracks. Still plenty of empty country out there when you get away from the popular spots and tracks though.

The Hopkins is an alternative and has bridges over side rivers if its been raining or melting.
There are a few sandflies if you go for the camping option on the river flats or terraces. Both have lovely camping flats.
You should be right if you walk in for a day; good backup plan. You'll need ground clearance to reach the base hut.

Originally Posted by Bagheera

The Hopkins is an alternative and has bridges over side rivers if its been raining or melting.
There are a few sandflies if you go for the camping option on the river flats or terraces. Both have lovely camping flats.
You should be right if you walk in for a day; good backup plan. You'll need ground clearance to reach the base hut.

cheers for the reminder about getting some bug spray of sorts! i knew there was something i was missing! i'l pick some up on the way!

have had a look at the hopkins, looks good also

Hopkins is probably even busier than the Ahuriri though because there is 4wd access so far up the valley.

If you go somewhere that needs a good sweaty grunt up a hill to get there at least you'll avoid the lazy drive-in hunters.

Originally Posted by GravelBen

Hopkins is probably even busier than the Ahuriri though because there is 4wd access so far up the valley.

If you go somewhere that needs a good sweaty grunt up a hill to get there at least you'll avoid the lazy drive-in hunters.

had that in mind also! think i have a spot in mind closer by to where il start off in, which will mean only a short rip around to the 2nd spot.

i rekoned that would be the case with hopkins too and my vehicle wont get half as far as 4x4s haha

insect repelant....find bushmans friend with strongest deet you can find.
weather...its been over cast with rain for days,this morning the sun came out and nearly blinded me LOL.....got out and found a silly yearling red to bring home for Christmas dinner...then it fair pissed down with rain this arvo....a cheap tarpoline and some string can make a wet day bearable.

The Hopkins has a few surprises,just go

Personally I wouldn’t want to spend 10 days in the ahuriri. Last year we went to elcho on the 23rd December And came out on the 25th and to be honest wasn’t a hell of a lot of people. We stayed one night in elcho and one in red hut and didn’t share either

Ahuriri also has a lot of cyclists but where ever you pick at this time of year a tent is required for a back up if huts are full. My pick would be to climb off the valley floor and hit the tops for a couple of days at a time and try and few different valley's. Some nice wee side valleys off most of the big valleys and basins up high