Haven't been in the hills since end of April. Have been hunting the Tararuas for a while. began at school in the early 60s, tramping, then got 303 at 14 or so, and carted that around, eventually getting to stumble onto deer and getting one occasionally. Probably visited ever hut while at school, spent most holidays and weekends up there. Since then have regularly tramped and hunted there, except when living elsewhere in NZ. Since retiring few years ago, have spent a bit of time in the hills, mainly hunting but also doing upkeep of some huts.
below are some pics of fairly recent trips, might give an idea of the place, for those that arnt familiar.
Tararuas seem to have a bad reputation, among hunters, might have something to do with the weather and leatherwood. Which is a good thing, the place doesn't get too crowded, except for the usual roar invasion.
Have hunted the bush, probably nearly all of the range. These days, the bush regeneration has been prolific, and often hunting is quite different to 30 years ago or so. With deer out on the open a lot more, tops hunting is much more enjoyable.
Have done a few trips into Arete Forks area a bit lately, its one of the huts group of ex Tararua cullers maintain. Did trips before the Roar, and near the end of it also. One trip was from Arete Forls through to Carkeek hut and on to Mcgregor bivvy and out Holdsworth.
Attachment 111986
Arete Forks is in the head of the Waingawa valley in the background. Bit of a walk in, at least 7 or 8 hours, sometimes longer. The track isn't maintained, so its getting slower every year.
Attachment 111987
Aim was to return the hut to the original design specs for the old NZFS S70 type 6 bunk huts. Some 400 or so were built around the country in the 1960s. The hut had been modified over the years, we restored the standard open fireplace these huts used. And repainted in the original NZFS Orange, and Light green interior. Regen beech had got away and a major felling of beech trees regen was needed also.
Attachment 111988
Attachment 111989
Some of the tops around the Waingawa, Bannister is good if you like leatherwood
Attachment 111992
Tops around the Arete Bivvy
Attachment 111993
The trip from Arete Forks to Carkeek climbs the tops to the Waiohine Pinnacles and then down Carkeek Ridge.
Attachment 111994
The tops around Tarn Ridge, Dorset Ridge, Carkeek and Waiohine Pinnacles
Attachment 111995
The head of the Waiohine valley is one of two ex glaciated valleys in the range
Attachment 111997
Ex Tararua culler Paul Gush doing Repaint of Carkeek hut. Local pilot Jason Deidrich's flies hunters in regularly, especially over the roar.
Attachment 111999
Cakeek hut, as it was in the 1960s, not long after building.
Attachment 111998
Park Forks, in the upper waiohine. An idyllic spot on the way to McGregor bivvy
Attachment 112000
McGregor bivvy, another hut we maintain. when nearing the hut in the bush, met up with a tramper, who was headed where I'd just came from. After giving some direction to him, he proceeded to get lost for about 6 days, with 10 SAR parties out looking for him. Eventually found in the waiohine river bed. Bit worse for wear.
Attachment 112002
The tops around McGregor and Dorset Ridge
Attachment 112001
The Three Kings and southwards from Mitre.
