Thread: A few days in the Huxley

Managed a few days in the Huxley end of March. Have been meaning to get in there for a look for a while. Saw a few deer and chamois. Nothing big enough to chase after but a great spot for a look. Bumped a couple of spikers in the river bed one night but couldn’t be bothered with that sort of carry out The bivs had a make over/rebuild recently and they’ve done a great job on it.
I need to find a phone adapter for the spotter as it got a bit tricky holding the phone up manually while it refocused between the multiple camera.

Lovely looking spot, never quite got there.

@Snowgrass thanks for the happy snap of the ode to Tony 'Gatsey' Gates in the log book.The pen has captured the essence of the man well.He was a couple of years ahead of me at highschool growing up in the Hutt Valley.Knocking around with flogged out three naught threes in the Orongas as broken arse teenagers with no money to buy decent gear. A cheerful bubbly guy with a permanent smile.Spending time in the scrub was in his genes- both his parents were founding members of the Tararua Tramping Club.So he wasn't so one dimensional like most of us here - shooting only- he was just as passionate tramping,international Mtn climbing,kayaking,etc a la G Duley.His final job was on the Manawatu Pest Board.
Unfortunately he as a good bugger had his number called out way to early and was a victim of rust way too young.But he crammed in 2 lives in one short life @Snowgrass thanks for the time to reminiss about Gatesy due to your post.RIP
And tomorrow I will in similar vein honour the past diggers on the 25th

Thanks for the write up and photos,nice area.

Thanks for the reply @bluebaiter222. I was wondering if anyone here may have known him. 53yrs is too young to be shooting through.

He crossed the divide but he's still wearing out his boot leather

Thanks @Snowgrass , really enjoyed the poem , quite humbling especially on Anzac day

Beautiful spot

Originally Posted by bluebaiter222

@Snowgrass thanks for the happy snap of the ode to Tony 'Gatsey' Gates in the log book.The pen has captured the essence of the man well.He was a couple of years ahead of me at highschool growing up in the Hutt Valley.Knocking around with flogged out three naught threes in the Orongas as broken arse teenagers with no money to buy decent gear. A cheerful bubbly guy with a permanent smile.Spending time in the scrub was in his genes- both his parents were founding members of the Tararua Tramping Club.So he wasn't so one dimensional like most of us here - shooting only- he was just as passionate tramping,international Mtn climbing,kayaking,etc a la G Duley.His final job was on the Manawatu Pest Board.
Unfortunately he as a good bugger had his number called out way to early and was a victim of rust way too young.But he crammed in 2 lives in one short life @Snowgrass thanks for the time to reminiss about Gatesy due to your post.RIP
And tomorrow I will in similar vein honour the past diggers on the 25th

I used to run into Tony quite often in the Ruahines. Met him one day and he was skiing on little patches of snow (Telemark skiing maybe?) on the Rangi tops. What made me smile was that his girlfriend was lugging the skis for him, trailing along behind while Tony looked for good patches of snow. Tony was the first person I met who was hunting with a .284. I met Tony so often at huts that I got into the habit of writing into hut books "where are you Tony Gates?" if he wasn't at one. I had quite a bit to do with Tony when he worked for MWRC - work was a necessary evil for him that distracted from his recreation pursuits.
Thanks for the memory.

@Tahr you got it spot on about Gatesy and work was a means to an end.You probably know he was an accomplished competitive skier,spending more time on Ruapehu than at work.
No rope tow on the Rangi tops,nor in the Kime Basin on the Tararua Southern Crossing tops.
Reckon Gatesy was a sorta hybrid of Sir Ed,Richie & Steve Gurney- a bloody dynamo

A beautiful spot I must get to on day. I've been into South Temple. A few mates have done V notch pass and out through South Huxley. Better work on my fitness.

Well that's left me speechless. The photo's and poem are sublime.