Thread: Rangiwahia tops mission

Managed to score a few nights away in the hills and decided to hit a spot. I've wanted to get too in forever, and it didn't disappoint.

Was an epic couple of nights away in the Ruhaine Tops.
Took the new pack along and holly crap the exo k4 is something crazy, sure puts my ospray to shame the guys make a wicked pack, never come out of a big walk feeling so good especially after i smoked my back racing stockcars.

I saw 20 off hinds, yearlings & and fawns, but no luck on the stags, I spent a lot of time behind the glass both spotter and binos looking in all the nooks and crannys i could find.
Wind played havic and was blowing its tits off at times.

Stunning country, my 1st time in the Maungamahue high point area.
Found a fresh water spring & nice deep tarn to drink from and needed it with the heat and my lack of fitness. The going was tough.

Had a cool moment one morning watching 4 deer playing around chasing each other for about 15 minutes. Sure makes the early mornings watching animals.

I can't wait to get back up in there and push further into the new country,

Cheers
Shane

Sent from my SM-G998B using Tapatalk

Good on ya.

That was cool. Another tear in my eye. You travelled the full length of the sub range.
Great pics. I've got the old record book out of that rain gauge.

AWesome man, glad to hear they're still runnng about up high - heading in to the Ruahines on thursday close to that country but on the east side.

Also cool hearing the exo pack was good, it's definitely on my wish list.

Did you order it directly from them (shipping is brutal aye?)

cheers

Its one of the neatest spots around I reckon. That camp spot can tell some stories! Dont be scared to shoot some of those hinds and fawns. The stags up there really are not much in the way of trophies, but its a really good meat hunting spot and those girls need controlling.

Epic mate, all that walking must be paying off.

Sent from my SM-S916B using Tapatalk

Awesome pics!

Is a beauty of a spot on a good day, normally quite popular though...... Surprised you didn't see anyone else?

Shipping, GST and exchange rate are a killer for sure.

Top tip is to pay in USD it cost me extra pay in NZD but I did not realise until it was too late and because they use FedEx ya got to bend over

Link to the pack for those who asked

https://exomtngear.com/collections/k...00-pack-system

I did have the thought to at least shoot something even if it couldn't be recovered but only the deer i saw final morning was far too entertaining, Was going to hunt deadman's last evening before coming down but was quite cloudy and I didn't feel like sitting around most of the day just to get clouded out so came back a night earlier then i was planning.
Legs were feeling the pain after all my exploring.

What size is your Exo?

Originally Posted by Tahr

What size is your Exo?

I got the 3600 man works out to 70L total, I got the drink bottle holder too and it fits a 1.5 kiwiblue perfectly.

I need to play around with loading the pack as i had lots of air gaps.

@199p have a look at this video with Steve Speck from Exo. https://youtu.be/r6dqF8aNkzs?si=zRjSGz73lID8ofBF

He stuffs in the quilt, puffer, clothes etc in the bottom and doesn't use compression bags. Makes for a really well balanced, efficient carry. I've got the Dry Bag (well worth the investment at point of purchase) insert. Means I can pack this way, and be 100% waterproof. Be cool to see the K4 in the flesh!

Originally Posted by Snoppernator

@199p have a look at this video with Steve Speck from Exo. https://youtu.be/r6dqF8aNkzs?si=zRjSGz73lID8ofBF

He stuffs in the quilt, puffer, clothes etc in the bottom and doesn't use compression bags. Makes for a really well balanced, efficient carry. I've got the Dry Bag (well worth the investment at point of purchase) insert. Means I can pack this way, and be 100% waterproof. Be cool to see the K4 in the flesh!

Will cheek it out man cheers, I dont think it looks all that different packs but the way it holds the load on your hips is like nothing else i have tried.

So far 100% Tahr, easy to say when it costs so much but fully believe it. Especially on the way down as its started to shape to my body.

Normally takes me a few days to recover with my lower back problems and i end up having to carry the weight on my shoulders causing problems with my upper back straps. I'm going to get the rifle carrier as the sling caused some stiffness in my shoulder, never noticed it before but that's because more bits normally hurt more.

Hey @199p what do you mean by pay in USD? The website seems to convert to NZD automatically.

I’m probably a month or 2 from pulling the trigger on a K4 but I’m looking at about $250 for shipping and then potentially the same for GST. Gotta try and get a mate to fwd it over for me but I hate making people go out of their way.

Originally Posted by SPEARONZ

Hey @199p what do you mean by pay in USD? The website seems to convert to NZD automatically.

I’m probably a month or 2 from pulling the trigger on a K4 but I’m looking at about $250 for shipping and then potentially the same for GST. Gotta try and get a mate to fwd it over for me but I hate making people go out of their way.

Bottom Right hand side you can change it back to usd, if you can get a mate too would be great to avoid the extra costs

Bit of an update,

Had this out on a bunch of trips, overnighters and day trips and wont go back, sold a couple of old packs off i just cant fault it apart from the price.
The side pockets are a little annoying and push into the centre but i have found as long as i fill the centre main pocket 1st its less of an issue.
Can fit my tent in the side pocket bloody handy when your setting up in the rain and dont have to open the pack to get it out.

One thing i miss from my old Ospray is a large mesh pocket to chuck your rain jacket into when its all wet.