Am wondering if anyone has got any plans (or would be tempted) to head up to the Tararuas on Friday late afternoon/ evening? I would be keen but have no vehicle. Was thinking about perhaps heading up to Pukematawai and Arete during Saturday and then head back to the hut in time for the festivities on Sat night. Also first trip to the Tararuas since arriving in NZ, so keen to get up to a high summit, indeed even Arete is 200m higher than Blighty's Ben Nevis! Only drawback - looks as though could be pretty wet on Sat but could be fairly entertaining higher up so long as the freezing level doesn't rise drastically!
Darren Axe
Darren ap Dafydd (Welsh Rambler)