Eyre mountains

Wondering if anyone has spent a bit of time in the Eyre mountain tops round Helen peaks? Got a 4-5 day trip in the planning stages. Dropped off somewhere on the road to Queenstown Athol / Kingston through mavora lakes and then all going well through the snowdon forest out to Te anau if the second part works out probably more like 8-10 days.

Wondering what the tops are like up over 1600m really steep scree crap or snow tussock. Animal numbers? Will be more of a walk than a hunt but it would be rude not to take a rifle. Under the impression dogs are allowed in the eyre's and snowdon forest as well so idea is for them to come along.

Pm if you don't want too many details made public.

Tops round there are mostly scree. Haven't spent a heap of time up there per se, but the couple of trips I have done in there have been fairly hard going for animals. Keep an eye on your dogs feet is all I can say.

I'm told it gets smashed by choppers round there.

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Originally Posted by kidmac42

I'm told it gets smashed by choppers round there.

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Not too surprising I guess

Hmmm windly then up and over into the Ashton, an amazing turquoise blue lake in google earth... Maybe a day trip along ue tops is in order

Been into Ashton Hut, nice spot. Didn't see any animals but nearly everything was covered with fresh snow at the time so they were probably just more sensible than me.

https://c1.staticflickr.com/8/7442/2...00f77944_o.jpgAshton Valley by Ben, on Flickr

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Originally Posted by GravelBen

Been into Ashton Hut, nice spot. Didn't see any animals but everything was covered with a couple of feet of fresh snow at the time so they were probably just more sensible than me.

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Hoping that white fluffy stuff isn't around... 17-1800m is too high and steep for me in the snow

Easy country to navigate. Low animal numbers but they are there in pockets. Nice spot to camp up by the blue tarn above Windley head basin.

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Originally Posted by JoshC

Easy country to navigate. Low animal numbers but they are there in pockets. Nice spot to camp up by the blue tarn above Windley head basin.

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Awesome was hoping that was the case

Dates are finally set (3years from original), shuttle sorted, permits secured (3 :wtfsmilie: hunting small game and dog) now I just need to lose some weight for the 1200m climb on day two (in less than a month... Yeah right) pack my bag and decide if the tikka 308 is keeping it's heavy laminate stock or going back to the plastic fantastic

Bump

Back from trip report to follow, snow forecast before I left cancelled plan a-c, plan d for hut camping and a decent day up onto the tops.

Only animals harmed, cat eating my leftovers and a pair of magpies...

Body magpies... hate the things. They seem to be increasing in numbers too... pushing out the other birds around here.

Good to hear they let you off the Island for a few days. Look forward to the trip report. Bet it was a bit fresh in the mornings... surprised you didn't hear the odd roar.

The trip went pear shaped before I left he house... Snow to 400m pass I wanted to go through 1500... Plan b. Mavora lakes is around 650 hat was the original exit point.

First night at mavora camp-site: made dinner took dog for a walk, came back to a cat eating my leftovers.... Small game permit for the other side of the valley for rimfire.. Dog chase cat.. That night the idea of sleeping beside the car got interrupted by a nasty front. Snow to 800ish.... Guy I'm heading out wih shows up and we make our way into the first hut.

Night 2 some price drove in to the second hut.... Left rubbish, loaf of bread on the lawn, bottles on mantelpiece, empty gas cans.... U know the prick, and he drove!!!!

Trip had 4 hut nights one interrupted by a possum outside climbing je chimney, could imagine it lighting it's tail on he open fire and 2 dogs giving chase in the hut... Mouse infested place, could be an improvement! Second hut was an improvement, bright orange one in pics. Only problem you had to leave the door a jar or the fire smoked you out..

First morning, magpies chortling, out the door of the hut with a chair and 17HMR magpies stayed well clear next few days. Creek we crossed a few times was originally top of boots level, came up hugely overnight looking at the bank and about 3times the volume when we left.

Old chamoi sign and one set of fresh red prints running away down the scree we must have disturbed. Really nice view into the Ashton Valley from where we pulled the pin on plan c and d. Snow tussock with a healthy dose of white in top. Would have been ok as was hut could have gotten another 6inchs and we're not set up for it, only had food for two nights.

Awesome looking part of the country,thanks for sharing.

Thanks for the pics
Mavora's a magic place, other than running into a bus coming the opposite way on that gravel rd !

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Originally Posted by Frogfeatures

Thanks for the pics
Mavora's a magic place, other than running into a bus coming the opposite way on that gravel rd !

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Got back to the cars and sorting gear and there were two stock trucks and trailers heading for the lake.... Glad I missed them

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Originally Posted by Dundee

Awesome looking part of the country,thanks for sharing.

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Yeah, sure is. There is this white stuff that's cold and changes your plans, don't think you north islanders have heard of it....

I've found you can make the fires in a lot of those wee tin box huts draw much better (taking the smoke up the chimney) by hanging a packtowel or something across the top half of the open fireplace.

Don't think I've been to that particular one though.

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Originally Posted by GravelBen

I've found you can make the fires in a lot of those wee tin box huts draw much better (taking the smoke up the chimney) by hanging a packtowel or something across the top half of the open fireplace.

Don't think I've been to that particular one though.

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Tried that... Body heat from two people and two dogs generates a bit of warmth on a small hut, especially when cooking

Nice one 223nut. Looks like it was a good walk about.