Thread: Tramper missing in Tararuas

Originally Posted by Puffin

Certainly an interesting and somewhat alarming read @Tararuas hunter

In light of this would it be possible please to advise what Tararua headwaters you would include in a list to be avoided for this reason, or are they too numerous? I'm thinking of rivers as described; multiple waterfalls and where it is also too steep to climb out. Isabelle Ck historically, though it might be just the one large waterfall with the ability to sidle rather than a trap situation? The upper Tauherinikau is another I've heard to avoid, but again this might just be because it is impassable when in flood. Sooner or later in the Tararuas the need arises to duck off the tops and it would be good to have an idea of headwater routes to definitely avoid - or to only use below a given confluence?
If I didn't have a lot of the old maps that show historical routes and some waterfalls it wouldn't for example be clear to me that the upper Waingawa (that you and the NZHA guys used as an exit route the other year) is fine when the Arete Stream branch is not.

Its a good question @Puffin. But the answer is loonnggg

probably half the side streams are passable, and more with lots of difficulty

The main rivers,, like waiohine,(except mid waiohine gorge) waingawa, otaki (except lower gorge) are easier (generally). the exception being the Upper Ruamahanga, Tauherenikau (Hells gate up) - off top of my head. some of these involve swimming through gorges still, though.
side streams that would be difficult as an exit, would be likes of Chamberlain creek (Dundas route - impassable without ropes), some sidestreams of mangahao,, south mitre, north mitre, Isobelle - (can be sidled) maungahuka, probably others havnt thought of. Arete stream is actually quite passable, just got know where to bypass steep bits. and get thru the scrub

some of these are more passable in low river levels. or visa versa

Lot of spurs are best route, rather than creeks. eg off main range

The Sutch search in 1933 spent 2 weeks wandering down the waiohine. flooding and the Mid waiohine gorge slowed them down, to. The could have exited from the valley over the tops at Angle Knob or thereabouts, but didn't for some reason. probably their condition.