January Ruahine Mission

Gidday,

Planning a mish into Ruahines early Jan with my cousin and work mate.

Looking at heading Stanfield, Catte Creek, Mid Po then Ngamoko and then out on the west side up the range and down Shorts track to Limestone road.

Anyone done a similar trip? We’re thinking 3 days, 2 nights.

First day, 6 hour march into Mid Po, enough time for arvo/evening hunt, stay the night then cruisey day the next with 2 hour walk to Ngamoko and there for the night. Last day, big haul out to Limestone road end.

Very much weather dependent with rivers and tops involved.

Can’t imagine it’s gets hunted that much outside of the roar.

Keen to hear any thoughts/advice.

cant wait to see some pictures man and shoot heaps

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Originally Posted by 199p

cant wait to see some pictures man and shoot heaps

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Yea mate, bugger all pics/vids online. Really enjoyed writing trip report from last mission into Iron Bark.
Cousin did Mid Po and Ngamoko maintenance via chopper so he’s keen to walk in and take a look around more. Fizzing

Don't rush. I used to do these trips. One summer I crossed the Ruahines, Kaimanawas and Tararuas. Loved every minute but looking back I was always rushing from one point to another. I wish now I had taken more time.

By January it will be stinking hot if the weather is good. Look out for sunburn if up on the tops a lot. By then the smart deer will only be coming out at dusk, but you will pick up silly yearlings during the day.

There's a lot of steep country in there. Plenty of hidden ground. The slips are goldmines, but be careful of the wind direction change in the evenings.

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Originally Posted by Tahr

Don't rush. I used to do these trips. One summer I crossed the Ruahines, Kaimanawas and Tararuas. Loved every minute but looking back I was always rushing from one point to another. I wish now I had taken more time.

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What is this time thing you speak of? Said the father of a toddler and 2 month old.

I'd spend some time at Kinvigs too. Always lots of sign around there.

Went from Limestone to ngamoko then out mid po in October, plenty of deer about whole way we bowled about 6 and probably seen 12+, was bumping plenty on the track from tops to ngamoko and on mid po main track out, also there was a slight slip on mid po on way out we informed doc took a little while to refind the track hope that info helps.

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Originally Posted by DanL

Went from Limestone to ngamoko then out mid po in October, plenty of deer about whole way we bowled about 6 and probably seen 12+, was bumping plenty on the track from tops to ngamoko and on mid po main track out, also there was a slight slip on mid po on way out we informed doc took a little while to refind the track hope that info helps.

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Gidday. Thanks for the info. Things have taken a turn for the worst as of 06:30 this morning. Random rock in the middle of track did me over haha such a cluts.

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Bro that's far less than ideal, Always seems to happen tho

I’m gutted but holding out hope. Can walk around on it with no pain at the moment and straight into physio after the hospital. Probably dreaming but stranger things have happened.

hope ya grabbed the rock for a reminder

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Originally Posted by 199p

hope ya grabbed the rock for a reminder

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Haha I bloody didn’t but it’ll be there next time. I know what he looks like

It will be waiting to get ya again

Damn bro!

Take it from someone who twisted their ankle every few months in their teens whilst tramping/mountaineering/possum trapping: let it heal properly or it will come back and bite you on the arse. Says someone who now has their ankle fused. Its a right real bastard, but fusing it was the only way to stop the pain and the recurring twisting.

6 Hours is probably a little on the fast side, to get all the way into mid po. I spent 5 nights in there in the roar and went up to nagmoko for one. There are plenty of deer around mid po we struggled up by Ngamoko. The cattle creek stream is the best I’ve found though. My Mrs went in there last weekend with a girlfriend and shot two in the creek. I’ve had the same luck in there before. The river between Mid po and Ngamoko is good apart from one or two deeper crossings it’d be hard work after a rain event.