I admit it! Yes I am a Tararua forest park fan/nerd! Thanks for indulging me! When you and Richie had that amazingly fine blue-sky day going up the ridge to Pukematewai and onto the main range - I said to myself "OMG they have had an amazingly fine blue-sky day ...in the Tararua FP!!!" Some trampers have to tramp ages to experience a blue sky day in the TFP! I guess the TFP made up for it what with the next few days with the gusting misty westerly wind and rain. And lets not forget the lichens and mosses on the beech trees in the well-named "Goblin" forest! That's pretty unique too! All the best and thanks for putting the TFP on the agenda!!😀
I'm glad SOMEONE enjoys the Tararuas! They certainly deserve their reputation. And yes, we realised how blessed we were to have some good weather at the tops. But boy, am I glad that is a memory now rather than something I have to look forward to.
Some hikers did the part to Te Matawai Hut thru the creek/river. (its a closed route, supposably) That way you avoid some climbs and mud, but at the end there is a big, almost vertical climb, to the hut. Avoiding mud was everything I needed to hear and was sold. It was supposed to be a clear day with a lil bit of rain in the afternoon. Well it ended up being puketi forrest on steroids. More boldering, than hiking. The rain started around 1pm and got heavier with every minute. At the end it was pouring. The river started to swell and the situation got really dangerous. Thankfully we made it out of the river in time. There was a beautiful hut before the climb, nobody seens to use it anymore. We, totaly exhausted and freezing, stayed there over night. Couple days later, walking out of the Tararuas I found out it was the day Auckland Airport got fludded. Richmond Ranges > Tararuas
Wow!! Sounds da like quite the adventure…but does t sound like one you’d want to repeat anytime soon. The Tararuas are certainly no joke. Glad you got out safely.
Man when you folks crossed stag saddle I was envious, just views for miles... Mt Pureora would of been the same if it was good weather, it would of given context to the whole central north island.
The Appalachian Trail Conservancy has statistics for the Appalachian Trail in USA where only 20% of thru-hikers complete the trail and only 2% do a pure trail.
All this Tararua propaganda and questions haha. I have to come to the South Islands defence and put forward my favourite national park which is probably Nelson Lakes!
Two of our besties comment about the Tararua Range was "they spat us out!" Great to hear of your determination to carry on - persevere. Get the job done! And you did 👏
I admit it! Yes I am a Tararua forest park fan/nerd! Thanks for indulging me! When you and Richie had that amazingly fine blue-sky day going up the ridge to Pukematewai and onto the main range - I said to myself "OMG they have had an amazingly fine blue-sky day ...in the Tararua FP!!!" Some trampers have to tramp ages to experience a blue sky day in the TFP! I guess the TFP made up for it what with the next few days with the gusting misty westerly wind and rain. And lets not forget the lichens and mosses on the beech trees in the well-named "Goblin" forest! That's pretty unique too! All the best and thanks for putting the TFP on the agenda!!😀
I'm glad SOMEONE enjoys the Tararuas! They certainly deserve their reputation. And yes, we realised how blessed we were to have some good weather at the tops. But boy, am I glad that is a memory now rather than something I have to look forward to.
Some hikers did the part to Te Matawai Hut thru the creek/river. (its a closed route, supposably) That way you avoid some climbs and mud, but at the end there is a big, almost vertical climb, to the hut. Avoiding mud was everything I needed to hear and was sold. It was supposed to be a clear day with a lil bit of rain in the afternoon. Well it ended up being puketi forrest on steroids. More boldering, than hiking. The rain started around 1pm and got heavier with every minute. At the end it was pouring. The river started to swell and the situation got really dangerous. Thankfully we made it out of the river in time. There was a beautiful hut before the climb, nobody seens to use it anymore. We, totaly exhausted and freezing, stayed there over night. Couple days later, walking out of the Tararuas I found out it was the day Auckland Airport got fludded. Richmond Ranges > Tararuas
Wow!! Sounds da like quite the adventure…but does t sound like one you’d want to repeat anytime soon. The Tararuas are certainly no joke. Glad you got out safely.
Man when you folks crossed stag saddle I was envious, just views for miles... Mt Pureora would of been the same if it was good weather, it would of given context to the whole central north island.
Yeah, Stag Saddle made up for all the summits that were socked in when we got to them. A special day for sure!
The Appalachian Trail Conservancy has statistics for the Appalachian Trail in USA where only 20% of thru-hikers complete the trail and only 2% do a pure trail.
Yeah, I would say the TA probably has a higher completion rate, but I would suspect the pure trial statistic is similar to the AT
Hi - Will we get some more videos about your after lives, going home etc.
Yes, soon
All this Tararua propaganda and questions haha. I have to come to the South Islands defence and put forward my favourite national park which is probably Nelson Lakes!
I agree with you...don't tell @theecanmole, but I really don't think the Tararuas are very high on the TA popularity list. 😆
Two of our besties comment about the Tararua Range was "they spat us out!"
Great to hear of your determination to carry on - persevere. Get the job done! And you did 👏
Determination...perseverance...stubbornness...whatever you want to call it - I think it is an underrated item in the gear list of a thru-hiker
LOL...Missed you guys too!
Ah gee, thanks! 🥲