Yes, I suspect the derivation neve route would be cut off anyway based on what we found on arawhata saddle and destiny ridge.  Arawhata saddle had less snow than March 07 and Destiny ridge was unexpectedly cut off at 2080m.  Ripped!!  Luckily the McCullaugh glacier was ok earlier in the summer and we managed to sneak ...

Let me know if you'd like a copy for Heels 05. We'll bring some along next tuesday.  We'll put some aside for those of you who are no longer in wgtn (as long as you reserve one)....

Yup, Tablelands very easy walking, nice though.  Balloon hut is nice.  Sailsbury Lodge is, well, err, large.  Rock shelters are neat.  It's a nice walk over Gordons Pyramid too, well it was in a blizzard, so I'm sure summer blue skies won't detract from it too much.

Great weekend, I'd just like to thank the other Richie (who I get mistaken for quite a bit) and the boys for being so sh1thouse against france and freeing up the date.

We're even softer than you'd imagine Kieran.  We are leaving saturday morning now and going to tararuas. We might blocakde the Y-Can-I river like the Royal Navy and hang all the pirates.

If you were going to go to Taranaki AND have a car then why not come to the Ruahines instead. There are a few of us heading into the upper Waikamaka/Kawhatau tonight.  Except we have more people keen than seats available.  probably just stay at the hut at the roadend, and look at a medium grade trip (with scope to go harder if people ...

This tarn is the source of the Red Pyke river

Richard and Benj at a well fortified tent site

The prominent peak in the background is Outlaw

Sparrowhawk biv is a quirky combination of a dog box and a standup joined together - with no bunks in the standup part.  It sits just above the bushline on the eastern side of the main range.  On this rather chilly night 8 people fitted inside (note our packs didn't!). Sleeps:  8.  Well we did it - actually it would be better ...