Thread: Hello New Zealand

Welcome @Nick-UK, I'm from the opposite end of the South coast (Kent) but been over here 21 years so another 50and I might be classed as a local. Tramping tracks are everywhere plenty here in the top of the south Island.

A group to look up on Youtube are South Island Rifle Walkers, they have a new series starting today.

@Nick-UK
Check your settings, can't send u a pm

Originally Posted by Sharki

@Nick-UK
Check your settings, can't send u a pm

Hi Sharki, many thanks for pointing that out, I'm very backward when it comes to tech, however I think I have managed to enable messages.
Best wishes
Nick

Gidday and welcome along @Nick-UK

I reckon if you participate enthusiastically in this forum, when you get here you won't find yourself having to hunt alone for very long

Originally Posted by XR500

Gidday and welcome along @Nick-UK

I reckon if you participate enthusiastically in this forum, when you get here you won't find yourself having to hunt alone for very long

Hi XR500, thanks for that, I've 5 weeks and coming over alone means I can have a no compromise trip, I just want to dive straight into the deep end of the New Zealand way of hunting in the backcountry. I've got my Stoney Creek shorts, Swanndri shirt and Tatonka backpack.

Originally Posted by Nick-UK

Hi XR500, thanks for that, I've 5 weeks and coming over alone means I can have a no compromise trip, I just want to dive straight into the deep end of the New Zealand way of hunting in the backcountry. I've got my Stoney Creek shorts, Swanndri shirt and Tatonka backpack.

Proper job

Originally Posted by Nick-UK

Hi XR500, thanks for that, I've 5 weeks and coming over alone means I can have a no compromise trip, I just want to dive straight into the deep end of the New Zealand way of hunting in the backcountry. I've got my Stoney Creek shorts, Swanndri shirt and Tatonka backpack.

No reason it can't be done.
But I think someone's mentioned to you before, please rent or buy an EPIRB.
There's stories in the news every year about tourists (and locals!) wasting Search and Rescue's time.

Despite not having ticks or other animals trying to kill you over here, the single biggest killer of people in our bush is drowning crossing a river. I believe in the 1800's it was nick named "The New Zealand death". That and our temperatures during bad weather will hover just above zero, so all your gear stays saturated. Not that this should affect you, but there's been many people drowned attempting to stay on schedule with getting out of the hills on Sunday avo to go to work Monday.
Always have some lightweight spare tucker on board so you can just wait out a swollen river.

Yes, the climate and geography are not to be underestimated. A PLB purchased in the UK (or anywhere in the world) will work in NZ.

Hi Guys, thanks for the tips, especially safety tips, I have been doing research on PLB's, probably get a McMurdo as well as an inreach for texting home . Safety is paramount to me as I'm sure I'll want to get home eventually and start earning enough to get straight back. I've found a Bushcraft course run by OENZ out of Christchurch that looks like it has a big emphasise of navigation and river crossing, I think it would be a great way to start the trip and the dates would work for me.