Tararua

Maungahuka tarn reflections

Richard — Mon, 21 May 2007 02:25:03 GMT

Maungahuka tarn reflections

A pretty perfect afternoon at new Maungahuka

Waingawa river between Arete Forks and Cow Creek

rob — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 01:03:09 GMT

Waingawa river between Arete Forks and Cow Creek

Eric Duggan in the Waingawa below Arete Fx. This is a bit of a "roulette" tramping route. Sometimes the gorge gravels up and fast times are possible, at other times swimming and grovelling are the order of the day. The up and downs and Onga Onga on the sidle track encourage one to spin the wheel.....

Upper Waiohine River from top of Pinnacle spur

rob — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 01:03:09 GMT

Upper Waiohine River from top of Pinnacle spur

There is great camping on some of the flats down in the upper Waiohone, though travel is slower than you would think.

Upper Park River from near Butchers knob

rob — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 01:03:09 GMT

Upper Park River from near Butchers knob

This view from the main range north of Drac biv conveys the South Island feel of the Upper Park.

Pool in the Park River

rob — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 01:03:09 GMT

Pool in the Park River

Below the bushline the Park gets quite slippery and at one point a large slip has created an imposing cataract. A fabulous summer excursion, in or out of Carkeek.

Girdlestone in snow

rob — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 01:03:06 GMT

Girdlestone in snow

New Tarn Ridge hut just below the ridge.

Aokaparangi at sunset

Richard — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 03:07:18 GMT

Aokaparangi at sunset

Ben Clendon and I were treated to this view on a P-K a few years ago. The cloud cleared off the tops, mist filled the Waiohine and Otaki and our torches went on on top of Aokaparangi after a long day from Herepai.

Storm brewing near Jumbo hut

Richard — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 03:06:38 GMT

Storm brewing near Jumbo hut

Jumbo (or anywhere on the Eastern range) is a great spot for watching the weather over the Wairarapa plain.

Bannister from Pinnacle Spur

Richard — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 01:42:12 GMT

Bannister from Pinnacle Spur

The imposing lump of Bannister lies over the other side of Arete stream in this view from Pinnacle Spur. Pinnacle Spur is the quickest route between Arete Biv and Arete Forks.

Rock step on Bannister Ridge

Richard — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 01:40:45 GMT

Rock step on Bannister Ridge

Bannister is a gnarly ridge by Tararua standards with a few scrambles like this one. Great fun on a good day, can be slippery in the wet!

Tarn on Cone

Richard — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 01:40:07 GMT

Tarn on Cone

Cone is a fragile alpine bogland and travel there should be made with care. A manmade eyesore in the form of a radio mast has been erected near here which feels like a desecration in this gentle place.

Arete from upper Park river

Richard — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 01:39:26 GMT

Arete from upper Park river

The upper reaches of the Park river are superb tramping, with a feeling of remoteness not often obtained in the Tararuas.

Neil-Winchcombe Ridge

Richard — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 01:38:42 GMT

Neil-Winchcombe Ridge

Neil-Winchombe ridge leaves the summit of Mt Hector and links to Cone Ridge dividing tributaries of the Waiohine from the Tauherenikau.

Ridge travel near Isobelle

Richard — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 01:37:23 GMT

Ridge travel near Isobelle

Winter 06 saw the rare convergence of bomber snowfall, fine weather and a weekend.

Eastern Range near North King

Richard — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 01:35:26 GMT

Eastern Range near North King

Mist clears off the tops between Girdlestone and North King.

Ruapae Lakelet

Richard — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 01:34:50 GMT

Ruapae Lakelet

The lakelet between the Ruamahanga and Ruapae stream is a worthwhile excursion from Roraing Stag. Head up the Ruamahanga from the hut until you see a rusty seepage on the bank. Climb onto the terrace there and follow your nose to the lakelet. Fabulous mature podocarp forest surrounds it.

Winter ice on Holdsworth

Richard — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 01:33:43 GMT

Winter ice on Holdsworth

Crampons would have been nice as we grovelled down to Powell Hut on hard ice and in strong wind in winter 06.

Kime and sunset

Richard — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 01:32:12 GMT

Kime and sunset

A rare dose of fine weather at Kime Hut.

Autumn morning at Kime

Richard — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 01:27:51 GMT

Autumn morning at Kime

A light frost touches the tussocks and spaniards near Kime Hut.

Ridge travel near Holdsworth

Richard — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 01:26:42 GMT

Ridge travel near Holdsworth

Ben Clark heads off along the ridge between Isobelle and Holdsworth. The snow was surprisingly crisp by Tararua standards and steps had to be hacked into the ice in a few places.