tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26645942843814054002024-03-13T16:56:20.950-07:00Section Hiking the Te Araroa Trail: Visions of a Long White CloudMy tramp of the Te Araroa trail, from Cape Reinga to BluffJon Moakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14620417636121034748noreply@blogger.comBlogger69125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2664594284381405400.post-8185502041945475112023-10-01T14:29:00.000-07:002023-10-01T14:29:07.630-07:00Orson XL Raider 1<h3 style="text-align: center;"> <span style="text-align: center;"> Orson Raider XL-A better 1 man tent?</span></h3><p style="text-align: center;">Over the break I managed to by another tent for using it is the Orson Raider XL tent and this one is in the orange. You can get this tent in orange and green. I thought the orange would be a better color to buy. The tent is easier to see as well as looking different...</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjubOuwyuCPbbxx2ZBshoFC6cA4XxEUcLXAEVUUNw9WYcb55o51spoW5ktqCRUlyO2Aljnsz5ysw-Vi8fXl8cKmnCpCW3YLHsYlDxA65YbIA9l-dBqK_OmqW8ZoGSRvXXgTBAn4sCFoEx3hFUrsvlfbPUCocyXCK69ZVcGLbwa_VrZjtL9Z4juQki-F4g0x/s1200/orsonRaiderxl1Orangeedited-Copy_638234546878091068.webp" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjubOuwyuCPbbxx2ZBshoFC6cA4XxEUcLXAEVUUNw9WYcb55o51spoW5ktqCRUlyO2Aljnsz5ysw-Vi8fXl8cKmnCpCW3YLHsYlDxA65YbIA9l-dBqK_OmqW8ZoGSRvXXgTBAn4sCFoEx3hFUrsvlfbPUCocyXCK69ZVcGLbwa_VrZjtL9Z4juQki-F4g0x/w640-h640/orsonRaiderxl1Orangeedited-Copy_638234546878091068.webp" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">..the Orson Raider 1 in orange...</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Designed with tall individuals in mind this tent provides plenty of length with a size of 230cm reaching even the tallest of trampers. Often this is a problem as taller trampers find it impossible to fit inside the more shorter offerings from tent manufacturers. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><p style="text-align: center;"><br style="text-align: left;" /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbvOm3waRRIyV9PCo2RdX3Ymh29Gi6QLfu-Yv9SSCHszPuNnHxNjmlWeHxStgd1ARpgHAW0jjviPJLYzFmcHg-Ue5u8ZrdNdTMTdHgb0pZJVqKwXuXbFunLdshQvtWcULgQU0jmPsg9B2OrDm06N3o13TN1Yskb3aBA2hFQfBdYUP_E0wsqIEK-pSc6MAv/s1500/RDRinnertent_638179458541247521.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1500" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbvOm3waRRIyV9PCo2RdX3Ymh29Gi6QLfu-Yv9SSCHszPuNnHxNjmlWeHxStgd1ARpgHAW0jjviPJLYzFmcHg-Ue5u8ZrdNdTMTdHgb0pZJVqKwXuXbFunLdshQvtWcULgQU0jmPsg9B2OrDm06N3o13TN1Yskb3aBA2hFQfBdYUP_E0wsqIEK-pSc6MAv/w640-h640/RDRinnertent_638179458541247521.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...the Orson Raider with the fly removed...</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The dimensions of the tent are 230x90/50x92 which gives room for the tramper and all of their gear inside. The tent has a fly with a 3000 cu cm's head to it making it heavy enough to handle conditions here. It has a 5ooo cu cm's head on the floor and a bath tub base so it is effectively waterproof. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyxqFH9kAOBcYyiaXguUynHygxDOWnl3fUqrQwGtV3t_iCxFLErKcE7Hkwwn2r1iYteNWEiaJ7S7J4v8774zKcMVsWptzdUu98qjQUkwyO_OzR6jEQ1SJghjf9OoKzl7x-l00CAUsL8NLU7Lnh3-6_LKGIdnCocZKqj3DArJckIGomsz7V_iXATzkvsxmT/s1203/orsonraiderxl1layout_638234546876528461.webp" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyxqFH9kAOBcYyiaXguUynHygxDOWnl3fUqrQwGtV3t_iCxFLErKcE7Hkwwn2r1iYteNWEiaJ7S7J4v8774zKcMVsWptzdUu98qjQUkwyO_OzR6jEQ1SJghjf9OoKzl7x-l00CAUsL8NLU7Lnh3-6_LKGIdnCocZKqj3DArJckIGomsz7V_iXATzkvsxmT/w638-h640/orsonraiderxl1layout_638234546876528461.webp" width="638" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">..Dimensions of the tent...</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Raider tent offers easy side entry and an extra area opposite the entry for use as gear storage or for cooking in the tent. There is plenty of space in the tent with a wide vestibule providing space to allow you to use it for cooking, gear storage or what ever else you might need it for. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilr8s6BNiEG6_wzjm7QUn9EGvEq6YjLesBfjW3X1nh8QUM5S-AYXzpJpv_J-XLaoU_g5uN20jVsf9eF7ohh4Ivh0jH9LuJzIsY6MeJTQFFQvIWnDQCnqA6TRrjAHInb8uf0cC8PFvPAJQgOIEu-PO2thEzkRiscf2WYNeoKrXdYdoQEtY_ScaVpKT8P-j8/s1500/RDRZIP_638234570894929591.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1500" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilr8s6BNiEG6_wzjm7QUn9EGvEq6YjLesBfjW3X1nh8QUM5S-AYXzpJpv_J-XLaoU_g5uN20jVsf9eF7ohh4Ivh0jH9LuJzIsY6MeJTQFFQvIWnDQCnqA6TRrjAHInb8uf0cC8PFvPAJQgOIEu-PO2thEzkRiscf2WYNeoKrXdYdoQEtY_ScaVpKT8P-j8/w640-h640/RDRZIP_638234570894929591.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Interior shot showing the taped interior of the tent</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;">With weight of 1.75kg it is heavier then my Copperspur UL 1 but the added water proof-ness and extra pole has led to compromises with the weight. The second pole has given it added rigidity but it has also added to the weight. The tent is fully seam sealed and has a number of useful storage compartments on it...useful for storage of gear and ancillary's.</p><p style="text-align: center;">I had yet to use it so I don't know how it will perform but I hoping it will be fully water proof. I'm looking at some options for camping to practice set up and tearing it down. I have had a go with setting it up and it looks fairly easy.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkJe0KEQ7PrKODHeUKFB_71tbM04dZd_CYCQalTH2KDHSuANv3TetySDHjLcRfY_wj1YHczOtxWZJqcfAZc5QceB5p0XbA3aFwIKo4N10gbmhXeQPR-8aa_MdoPiV0UOMXSVQOFwLkgD8yEnHZtFLEWoWE8OxB6WCzBM8FVHkMbnUAtYVbm7lCcEPh__b0/s1500/RDRtentvent_638179458536507162.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1500" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkJe0KEQ7PrKODHeUKFB_71tbM04dZd_CYCQalTH2KDHSuANv3TetySDHjLcRfY_wj1YHczOtxWZJqcfAZc5QceB5p0XbA3aFwIKo4N10gbmhXeQPR-8aa_MdoPiV0UOMXSVQOFwLkgD8yEnHZtFLEWoWE8OxB6WCzBM8FVHkMbnUAtYVbm7lCcEPh__b0/w640-h640/RDRtentvent_638179458536507162.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Orson Raider: side view of the tent<br /><br /><br />The tent will become my go to went it is rainy and cold and I'm looking forward to use it to its full potential. I'll put some photos of the tent erected when I have them.</td></tr></tbody></table>Jon Moakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14620417636121034748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2664594284381405400.post-60875496968995610862023-05-17T15:31:00.001-07:002023-05-17T15:31:00.156-07:00Huts of the Te Araroa Trail: St James Walkway section<h3 style="text-align: center;"> A look at the huts along the St James Walkway</h3><p style="text-align: center;"> I recently finished walking the St James Walkway and I thought it would be worth looking at the fantastic array of huts you will find along the track. There are seven huts and one shelter along the Walkway and they provide overnight accommodation and sheltered spots for the folk who are tramping here.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_LrDoO9WEYJ8Y96OJaJ4e5jjpSequicJNR8rJRsI3hKacvCbo1P-Mwtdl2BEaDY2x_Tsaik5wi_GkNBRACgxcmsMS5Qx7np9Ln22YwP8s3P93wzjUChx1OWhn-m5lfd3_V_YnRRlRaH4_RcXuOvMc9AsZGFMSxO1pjTZBaBipHMwxJeD2SsZCcrKAuw/s6000/IMG_1014.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_LrDoO9WEYJ8Y96OJaJ4e5jjpSequicJNR8rJRsI3hKacvCbo1P-Mwtdl2BEaDY2x_Tsaik5wi_GkNBRACgxcmsMS5Qx7np9Ln22YwP8s3P93wzjUChx1OWhn-m5lfd3_V_YnRRlRaH4_RcXuOvMc9AsZGFMSxO1pjTZBaBipHMwxJeD2SsZCcrKAuw/w640-h426/IMG_1014.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here I am on Anne Saddle on the St James Walkway</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;">The St James Walkway is a 67 kilometer long track taking in several river valleys and crossing the border of the Lewis Pass National Reserve, St James Conservation Area and Lake Sumner Forest Park. </p><p style="text-align: center;">I walked the St James Walkway from Lewis Pass Tarn to Boyle Village so let's follow the huts in that direction and find out a bit more about each of them..</p><h4>About the St James Walkway:</h4><p style="text-align: center;">In the early 1970's the Walkways Commission and the Department of Internal Affairs were trying to encourage more people into the outdoors. One way was through the construction of easier Walkways which was an early attempt at Great Walks. The St James Walkway was the only one to actually be completed before their interest waned. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjivyDNXCdDthjFYg8DxcO4-lXxeF89I6DoEX2oqd_51Ny63v3Ir7LANT5NhIW4Bb90ZiAj7KHUrmh67Ln5ecJCnM30l2qYDovzY1FKdRx2ZmqPw4krigrX18zWd8_vmutygKE2OBZ5ExTMSvCbsziklov4Qw8m2k450Q3TI_vnG-eU5HoALfeppQtw7A/s6000/IMG_0657.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjivyDNXCdDthjFYg8DxcO4-lXxeF89I6DoEX2oqd_51Ny63v3Ir7LANT5NhIW4Bb90ZiAj7KHUrmh67Ln5ecJCnM30l2qYDovzY1FKdRx2ZmqPw4krigrX18zWd8_vmutygKE2OBZ5ExTMSvCbsziklov4Qw8m2k450Q3TI_vnG-eU5HoALfeppQtw7A/w640-h426/IMG_0657.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Start of the St James Walkway at Lewis Pass</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDa-bR24hfbHT936YBNfFGqO3dPMdTcrj-CA8u3-At26bg--mMXdISH0kd-WxWO7LL1DE06z7f4g2LhQhOGMDRXbmZRIalW5MgsQ8eAR_246v3K0kh7segv_iYy4bKl9DCHviiedftwRez_TJVZuRq4J34SZ8k8t9Ufjp1sj3DOZyQSC_YyALFstoQqw/s6000/IMG_0701.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDa-bR24hfbHT936YBNfFGqO3dPMdTcrj-CA8u3-At26bg--mMXdISH0kd-WxWO7LL1DE06z7f4g2LhQhOGMDRXbmZRIalW5MgsQ8eAR_246v3K0kh7segv_iYy4bKl9DCHviiedftwRez_TJVZuRq4J34SZ8k8t9Ufjp1sj3DOZyQSC_YyALFstoQqw/w640-h426/IMG_0701.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walkways Commission marker on Cannibal Gorge Swingbridge</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;">The St James Walkway is a rough half circuit so you can start from either end and end up back on SH 7. The two ends of the track are separated by 20 kilometers of SH 7 so it is not possible to walk all the way back to your car. </p><p style="text-align: center;">You will need to either hitch a ride back to your start point or use the 'own car' shuttle service offered by the Boyle Outdoor Education Center. For a small fee they will drive you to Lewis Pass Tarn (in your own car) and then take your car back for secure storage at the center. It is worth doing it this way as Lewis Pass Carpark is notorious for vandalism of cars. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ3xB8QwHxvYdKswCR5H_Ga2XvXnsMuI1IPv6aMqbIEoGbqoYMDj0tWJI2fwEEQkPjcUUuvvaUx-2am1otXo2cCGXfgG_UkdEsUgktRMuLLQ055XOeybsjI2MiAGB1t90YmR9XZzHkAxTainMEYp-WjyjcHG98fQMER_EaiOz7nXw8bSIVu84bkOEf6Q/s6000/IMG_7493.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ3xB8QwHxvYdKswCR5H_Ga2XvXnsMuI1IPv6aMqbIEoGbqoYMDj0tWJI2fwEEQkPjcUUuvvaUx-2am1otXo2cCGXfgG_UkdEsUgktRMuLLQ055XOeybsjI2MiAGB1t90YmR9XZzHkAxTainMEYp-WjyjcHG98fQMER_EaiOz7nXw8bSIVu84bkOEf6Q/w640-h426/IMG_7493.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Turn off to the St James Walkway at the Lewis Pass Carpark</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;">Most people tramp the St James Walkway from Lewis Pass Tarn to Boyle Settlement to take advantage of the terrain. This was the direction I walked the track.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><h4>Lewis Pass Tarn to Ada Pass Hut: Day 1</h4><p style="text-align: center;">The first day on the St James Walkway is the walk from the Lewis Pass carpark to Cannibal Gorge or Ada Pass Hut. I walked through to Ada Pass Hut so it was 10 km's over 5-6 hours...</p><p><i>Lewis Pass Shelter:</i></p><p style="text-align: center;">Lewis Pass Shelter is the first structure on the Walkway built as shelter for people tramping the track. It is located next to the tarn at the Lewis Pass Carpark just east of the pass itself. From this carpark there is access to a variety of walks and tracks including the Lewis Pass Nature Walk, Lewis Pass Tarn Walk, Lewis Pass Tops Track and the St James Walkway. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTi_neD315xCvGxVAdWJKMsw_E7sVB0mDluPWVwv4i774fnPYF4gf4Ba_u2iUmYm_FZjGkaD0HDvQB6teru68MhBTtSE79zGCV9CDeY3fz7wTxUAwkyQbQGVmXwWusPE8TMYRoNr3pVmxZy6LpD8TCJt3l76NYEKePCo4WRq6ykOY1d_26W_uQJHS8gQ/s6000/IMG_8309.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTi_neD315xCvGxVAdWJKMsw_E7sVB0mDluPWVwv4i774fnPYF4gf4Ba_u2iUmYm_FZjGkaD0HDvQB6teru68MhBTtSE79zGCV9CDeY3fz7wTxUAwkyQbQGVmXwWusPE8TMYRoNr3pVmxZy6LpD8TCJt3l76NYEKePCo4WRq6ykOY1d_26W_uQJHS8gQ/w640-h426/IMG_8309.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spencer Range is visible from the Lewis Pass carpark</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The shelter is a three sided affair with seating and information panels inside. There is enough space here for about 10 people at any given time. It is mostly water proof and makes an ideal spot to wait if you have transport coming to collect you from this end of the track. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuUfQnDG3L4ZL_L_zsvZkNGyQTseT_zmPskmLm7HjCbde4lvZZ-cCkapIat4DkDHSR0lV_8_C83D5sd6yN2mSgB5MGK1CdBO5z-mGs2CPtFuF3vhl6pnbyTBOUFP7Nd8UtgpyezepDCOTS9KP2LouikiqfVrgQxXToacgnz52QpkcQE2XtaM5tx0r0nA/s6000/IMG_7474.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuUfQnDG3L4ZL_L_zsvZkNGyQTseT_zmPskmLm7HjCbde4lvZZ-cCkapIat4DkDHSR0lV_8_C83D5sd6yN2mSgB5MGK1CdBO5z-mGs2CPtFuF3vhl6pnbyTBOUFP7Nd8UtgpyezepDCOTS9KP2LouikiqfVrgQxXToacgnz52QpkcQE2XtaM5tx0r0nA/w640-h426/IMG_7474.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lewis Pass Shelter, Lewis Pass National Reserve</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR06Zbd6Y9AaH0nOJ_NG8dxSeiauZ6T-Szw6ct-_84DFFCtJ6Vtdjbfdwd00jTjRFB7Ay-qN9OVLfnVr3oWFqCh5fD2ORoS9uG12AlS9KD7-_RFGDC5LiGYakl6sQKpQJ0ATy661XPNVejpujfsf0GlgzT5DhTJnYyZhsOGviqw4ZkGI5AZO0x8ZC1vw/s6000/IMG_8311.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR06Zbd6Y9AaH0nOJ_NG8dxSeiauZ6T-Szw6ct-_84DFFCtJ6Vtdjbfdwd00jTjRFB7Ay-qN9OVLfnVr3oWFqCh5fD2ORoS9uG12AlS9KD7-_RFGDC5LiGYakl6sQKpQJ0ATy661XPNVejpujfsf0GlgzT5DhTJnYyZhsOGviqw4ZkGI5AZO0x8ZC1vw/w640-h426/IMG_8311.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of the rear of Lewis Pass Shelter</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;">There is a small water tank attached to the highway side of the shelter and a vault style toilet to the rear. The shelter is surrounded by Beech forest and it is just possible to see both the carpark and the tarn from inside the structure. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjFe1jUqMIxsTeYKGRab-uWuFlnxnlylxltDYzRyJdCi1rpVGPkPcVbmplSw7pfn0XoYNJStSEnVNsV56gm7lKdAOVH9J862jqh8EeunwGHPRnlBKBWnJiA2uvK7QRI3fNXv8xeHXIPZCSz2q1aYM2KyiLETe1fxbZZrWOj_scGmq3AAdFp0Pfg_8VTQ/s6000/IMG_7476.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjFe1jUqMIxsTeYKGRab-uWuFlnxnlylxltDYzRyJdCi1rpVGPkPcVbmplSw7pfn0XoYNJStSEnVNsV56gm7lKdAOVH9J862jqh8EeunwGHPRnlBKBWnJiA2uvK7QRI3fNXv8xeHXIPZCSz2q1aYM2KyiLETe1fxbZZrWOj_scGmq3AAdFp0Pfg_8VTQ/w640-h426/IMG_7476.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There is a water tank on the side of the Lewis Pass Shelter<br /></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJe3-58FrAsFtnmHBnjvaTAiD21maa69QLL4wksRcVqbRLaAW4xJcxVnet3bqlBYTGhX8ZuTXOIKtdxIWMNP5lr_JjwHYNwVTZ4j7ggrrQ18Q5QE_JtveFq8FZ8hZmOpe7HG6yr0cDIT5s04PRcQTYc63MZYkCj_zzTKnUC0qdHXqMmO7fgKlpX8gylA/s6000/IMG_8310.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJe3-58FrAsFtnmHBnjvaTAiD21maa69QLL4wksRcVqbRLaAW4xJcxVnet3bqlBYTGhX8ZuTXOIKtdxIWMNP5lr_JjwHYNwVTZ4j7ggrrQ18Q5QE_JtveFq8FZ8hZmOpe7HG6yr0cDIT5s04PRcQTYc63MZYkCj_zzTKnUC0qdHXqMmO7fgKlpX8gylA/w640-h426/IMG_8310.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Classic DOC backcountry vault toilet at Lewis Pass Tarn</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Make sure you go have a look at the Lewis Pass Tarn before you leave. It is a really lovely alpine lake with fantastic opportunities for photography. It is less than a two minute walk to the lookout over the tarn from the shelter. On a calm, still day you get a great mirror image of the nearby mountains</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ITUzY5WVoLgQ8u20bE7yXEdQX8KtrXCCJIYEMYtYccgFhacs5Wie9l11rLYTP47oqKdMQ9A75ir4NHYjKgCnQ3mCJgeoIkpovLO1Om4LeVnplG47tCFfccYETyDL3EaIlt1fLDfILqahELP-ovOkgqUa6iE1PucmyhLm_RwXLmXfw_AogpbzLybIYw/s6000/IMG_8313.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ITUzY5WVoLgQ8u20bE7yXEdQX8KtrXCCJIYEMYtYccgFhacs5Wie9l11rLYTP47oqKdMQ9A75ir4NHYjKgCnQ3mCJgeoIkpovLO1Om4LeVnplG47tCFfccYETyDL3EaIlt1fLDfILqahELP-ovOkgqUa6iE1PucmyhLm_RwXLmXfw_AogpbzLybIYw/w640-h426/IMG_8313.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View over Lewis Pass Tarn from near the shelter</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;">From here you start the track proper as you make your way along the St James Walkway to the first hut of the day Cannibal Gorge Hut. </p><p style="text-align: center;">Specifications:</p><p style="text-align: center;">Day Shelter: (Not for overnight stay) water from tank, vault toilet, internal seating</p><p><i><br /></i></p><p><i>Cannibal Gorge Hut:</i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Cannibal Gorge Hut is the first hut along the track and it is sits on the edge of a large river flat about four hours along the track. If you are starting the track later in the day this is the place you should be aiming for as it is within striking distance of Lewis Pass. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_qNnUkpGiQLzEMtfLjfJomWRQWKqwBDcOO5F8EKqlrahz9kXmTfj-c3gS4LGEbaKDmO6nOrdshXlS4c1EUUJhs4b2cGHJGV0cATpVODxvkZfb606Q30aNNthw7INNLp491faHVTFaotTVuldsKVETnNC0eVDTm-zR_kt9RIoz-6NA4pVr-SksWpZITQ/s6000/IMG_0758.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_qNnUkpGiQLzEMtfLjfJomWRQWKqwBDcOO5F8EKqlrahz9kXmTfj-c3gS4LGEbaKDmO6nOrdshXlS4c1EUUJhs4b2cGHJGV0cATpVODxvkZfb606Q30aNNthw7INNLp491faHVTFaotTVuldsKVETnNC0eVDTm-zR_kt9RIoz-6NA4pVr-SksWpZITQ/w640-h426/IMG_0758.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of Cannibal Gorge Hut from across the river flats</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Cannibal Gorge Hut was built in the late 1970's so it is starting to look its age. If the St James ever becomes a Great Walk (as has been suggested) then I would expect all the huts to be replaced or seriously upgrade. For the moment...you gets what you gets!!! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhL5XIyvrApTZ-MrcEklp6yXVdAUeuhkLFej-Y07CdjkCPBbH33ksU0_hodI--GJGYFnXzwOiyYmBas0t82c4Pa2N81wb_NSIA_hznxmqmNH6Z4IP2VNeFIz_eKhhyRMm2xfhB8dfVOrdiTc8D1Wbg4dYYrj55ae25a5rvfWIuxZIR5gNEc0WZyxo-eA/s6000/IMG_0764.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhL5XIyvrApTZ-MrcEklp6yXVdAUeuhkLFej-Y07CdjkCPBbH33ksU0_hodI--GJGYFnXzwOiyYmBas0t82c4Pa2N81wb_NSIA_hznxmqmNH6Z4IP2VNeFIz_eKhhyRMm2xfhB8dfVOrdiTc8D1Wbg4dYYrj55ae25a5rvfWIuxZIR5gNEc0WZyxo-eA/w640-h426/IMG_0764.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cannibal Gorge Hut, Lewis Pass National Reserve</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;">The hut has 20 bunks in an unusual three tier bunkroom set up...there are three platforms for the mattresses to sit on so your head space is lower than usual. There is one bunkroom with 9 spaces and another with 11. I have never seen this set up before but I know there are a couple of other huts across the country organised this way. </div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNqujpOXukBAgrSEO466QCrJZqfNXqZgv-W41IkBMRUjdj2YCRYdgwboKenon7csHGQmol91YbTlUK8X-TTvjxiJpQ8q-r4okobsPQIzo9ib5NehItEHdmPvig6FcLvaOznC3tknE1PA93S3yMaHNj2bNZscebAZgBLrrT1dglxfstE1WAeH7Ui8Lw4w/s6000/IMG_0765.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNqujpOXukBAgrSEO466QCrJZqfNXqZgv-W41IkBMRUjdj2YCRYdgwboKenon7csHGQmol91YbTlUK8X-TTvjxiJpQ8q-r4okobsPQIzo9ib5NehItEHdmPvig6FcLvaOznC3tknE1PA93S3yMaHNj2bNZscebAZgBLrrT1dglxfstE1WAeH7Ui8Lw4w/w640-h426/IMG_0765.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unusual three tier bunks in Cannibal Gorge Hut</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;">There is plenty of living space in the hut and over the summer there will often be a hut warden in residence in a separate bunkroom attached to the hut. There is a good wood burner here and if there is firewood it will quickly heat up the hut and bunkrooms. </div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5FkG1II3A2OLa36LqHMrhHrXmbi6QYWATvmGCv6ELQn4a29NFtvPdfLy2Jf_3yy-sFSPHmQgkqlKQfVi8UUPtClNZXQuRHqgrQKUNSW0WwQRgXC3m1oVROORW4lo7JUIExwO7F65rUTMcHvPnWWikgGgsfisQexpnkU0H1VIcPH5-HqP-JjG9KFzS3A/s6000/IMG_0767.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5FkG1II3A2OLa36LqHMrhHrXmbi6QYWATvmGCv6ELQn4a29NFtvPdfLy2Jf_3yy-sFSPHmQgkqlKQfVi8UUPtClNZXQuRHqgrQKUNSW0WwQRgXC3m1oVROORW4lo7JUIExwO7F65rUTMcHvPnWWikgGgsfisQexpnkU0H1VIcPH5-HqP-JjG9KFzS3A/w640-h426/IMG_0767.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cannibal Gorge Hut: cooking and dining area</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;">I stopped at Cannibal Gorge Hut just long enough to eat some lunch before continuing along the Walkway to my destination for the night...Ada Pass Hut. </p><p style="text-align: center;">Specifications:</p><p style="text-align: center;">Serviced Hut: 20 bunks, water from tanks, wood burner, vault toilets, picnic table</p><p><br /></p><p><i>Ada Pass Hut:</i></p><div style="text-align: center;">Ada Pass Hut is the second along the route of the St James Walkway and it is roughly 5-6 hours from the start of the track up at Lewis Pass. This will be the destination for the majority of trampers starting at this end of the Walkway so bring a tent just in case it is full. </div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeQtypcGDbxA_3TpJDPBJgxuh14nArC8om4-DleYStOpUVThEprBLPpAyM90loFVDN4zYduZvt7Drd_ZmFub3Hw7OI5YMhV3HuiistDnTKgkWJW7ATKsgixUkk_9dCIzeZORbRsem-HEQl51eYtxKaWCk6B9JU2gEVPQLtUlSNi-Y9QxEBlAcjBYzpZg/s6000/IMG_0795.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeQtypcGDbxA_3TpJDPBJgxuh14nArC8om4-DleYStOpUVThEprBLPpAyM90loFVDN4zYduZvt7Drd_ZmFub3Hw7OI5YMhV3HuiistDnTKgkWJW7ATKsgixUkk_9dCIzeZORbRsem-HEQl51eYtxKaWCk6B9JU2gEVPQLtUlSNi-Y9QxEBlAcjBYzpZg/w640-h426/IMG_0795.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ada Pass Hut, St James Conservation Area</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;">The hut is of the 'one big room' type so the bunkroom is separated from the living area by a half wall. These are much easier to heat but it does mean you can sometimes be a bit too hot overnight. I've been to Ada Pass Hut three times now and I really like it...it is not a flash hut but it does the job you need it to do. </div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBQeDPLR17LPB72D372zfeLfC7A7R6kMcO4cjajtAGGV-G1oxyKKo8msqYZjHlZuF4gkx_ryjrKvMpi4g90t5fXlY9r6MwjxKQMlKrqKFY4Lx2pS8_5em6te8o0iNgVlxC-vBwbNEzTND901vp91P_JNNpRV1CxWcOrcSakgX6KgYCKAt5oAiou5bV4A/s6000/IMG_0797.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBQeDPLR17LPB72D372zfeLfC7A7R6kMcO4cjajtAGGV-G1oxyKKo8msqYZjHlZuF4gkx_ryjrKvMpi4g90t5fXlY9r6MwjxKQMlKrqKFY4Lx2pS8_5em6te8o0iNgVlxC-vBwbNEzTND901vp91P_JNNpRV1CxWcOrcSakgX6KgYCKAt5oAiou5bV4A/w640-h426/IMG_0797.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nice veranda at the front of Ada Pass Hut</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There is a stunning view up towards Three Tarn Pass from the hut veranda...this is an entry point to the Matakitaki Valley as well as Nelson Lakes NP. It is awesome to sit outside and look at the mountains that frame your line of sight. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwI-r6kjFS0SU4eMyz-TDDi29crMlrsiMhCpJsooNDoL8PBAbYhP7dZFhJzuHIf2A7K29iHw1YqsKAK2xdV8YM3i4d_osMYRGrALlx8bjsmEVi-HsFiUeWy_xIU6sjqiczicTcoLdNCYzZD47ZcJK44PmpFHy8Uq-8B63kYKevPjhg6EjHOLwOnB78Qw/s6000/IMG_0799.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwI-r6kjFS0SU4eMyz-TDDi29crMlrsiMhCpJsooNDoL8PBAbYhP7dZFhJzuHIf2A7K29iHw1YqsKAK2xdV8YM3i4d_osMYRGrALlx8bjsmEVi-HsFiUeWy_xIU6sjqiczicTcoLdNCYzZD47ZcJK44PmpFHy8Uq-8B63kYKevPjhg6EjHOLwOnB78Qw/w640-h426/IMG_0799.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View to Three Tarn Pass from Ada Pass Hut</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Ada Pass Hut was built in the late 1970's so it is looking a bit tired but it is still a perfectly usable hut with plenty of space for its allotted 14 occupants. If the St James ever becomes a Great Walk this hut will need to be enlarged or replaced to cope with larger numbers. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRhvZ_zf1pYLon1mUI69DPnh5RW69vSJ36ssifnV1HYzorbH3sVb9cmeDpnNWMW4sFvX6SXSraZQKygpb3Q0d-aY-47kapfi4iENfLZ5s-LrwINgilHXvBzpLizsPYnZsOtSY4xydluAhmK0vb0e1mLZoZZxI7F3SzYEU1gyYL9ynkNJNGHUxmylCI5g/s2048/DSCN4816.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRhvZ_zf1pYLon1mUI69DPnh5RW69vSJ36ssifnV1HYzorbH3sVb9cmeDpnNWMW4sFvX6SXSraZQKygpb3Q0d-aY-47kapfi4iENfLZ5s-LrwINgilHXvBzpLizsPYnZsOtSY4xydluAhmK0vb0e1mLZoZZxI7F3SzYEU1gyYL9ynkNJNGHUxmylCI5g/w640-h480/DSCN4816.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ada Pass Hut: living space inside</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">There is plenty of space in front of the hut for tents and of the various huts on this track Ada Pass Hut is usually the one where you might need to camp. It gets traffic from three directions so it can often be full during the holidays and over long weekends.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcA8DfS42VzNjccejGwIEI3TdIdw7YdLcK-RwI8xWb17NcvyaSRJX_rkp-wo08uKNk7k-iK5Scfh6wTAqzc8uBii5IBxC2iWO3x_4Etzjz1u_FUkd7OSqLhBp-PYsdpRP-Y-Tgcu8mPJbxDZns9mJHvB2TB2Wd0OyZ5jOHgOwxhVw18zkcMjnwh8UXKg/s6000/IMG_0801.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcA8DfS42VzNjccejGwIEI3TdIdw7YdLcK-RwI8xWb17NcvyaSRJX_rkp-wo08uKNk7k-iK5Scfh6wTAqzc8uBii5IBxC2iWO3x_4Etzjz1u_FUkd7OSqLhBp-PYsdpRP-Y-Tgcu8mPJbxDZns9mJHvB2TB2Wd0OyZ5jOHgOwxhVw18zkcMjnwh8UXKg/w640-h426/IMG_0801.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...lots of flat space in front of Ada Pass Hut...</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbU3vzicUt2H6TLxQQZbcMAPSw4ggpTcGvoe20pBc0Jv7UeFq48X6boIOmKnlsWhiIDqS4EQyMS3B3_e9Kn779s9eESmBTnHx5PceeF0y5b9-jy7bm7kaRx-hkoFst04T2FQx7ZUZas44IpgdDr3XY0cWXMJ9w61yR2F3GXcYCqMB5VNXeWNc43b9p1w/s6000/IMG_0805.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbU3vzicUt2H6TLxQQZbcMAPSw4ggpTcGvoe20pBc0Jv7UeFq48X6boIOmKnlsWhiIDqS4EQyMS3B3_e9Kn779s9eESmBTnHx5PceeF0y5b9-jy7bm7kaRx-hkoFst04T2FQx7ZUZas44IpgdDr3XY0cWXMJ9w61yR2F3GXcYCqMB5VNXeWNc43b9p1w/w640-h426/IMG_0805.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cooking some kai at Ada Pass Hut, St James Walkway</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I certainly appreciated Ada Pass Hut later that day when it started raining...it would have been a wet old night if you had been camping here and not in a hut. </div><p style="text-align: center;">Specifications:</p><p style="text-align: center;">Serviced Hut: 14 bunks, water from tank, wood burner, long-drop toilet, coal supplied</p><h4><br /></h4><h4>Ada Pass Hut to Christopher Hut: Day 2</h4><p style="text-align: center;">Day two covers the St James Walkway from Ada Pass to Christopher Hut. It is roughly 11 kilometers over 4-5 hours. Some people continue on to Anne Hut which is another 13 kilometers over 4-5 hours making for a long 25 kilometer 8+ hour day. This is what I did back in 2015 when I last walked the track...it was a bloody long way!</p><p><i>Ada Cullers Hut:</i></p><div style="text-align: center;">The first hut you will pass enroute for Christopher Hut is the historic Ada Cullers Hut. This is an old deer cullers hut built in the late 1950's and at one time it would have been home to a pair of hunters shooting deer in the Ada and Christopher Valleys. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiBEuAXCbboajmlc6EVJnAqicU8p4rQY2ZygQTh1LretXLtrbpmhB8PDSG8s2tYX2HUcL48L4AaYV1BEZFtgmWdgVPkWS9ntyA2g-mBhL21EQNCk6zkuR7L-lbsL-3X_jnb0x0VwkYCIgZUjJy3k3FFyyUTtPc5akKZicbLxq_J_dynJjkqfMnEf6jcA/s4320/SING0089.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3240" data-original-width="4320" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiBEuAXCbboajmlc6EVJnAqicU8p4rQY2ZygQTh1LretXLtrbpmhB8PDSG8s2tYX2HUcL48L4AaYV1BEZFtgmWdgVPkWS9ntyA2g-mBhL21EQNCk6zkuR7L-lbsL-3X_jnb0x0VwkYCIgZUjJy3k3FFyyUTtPc5akKZicbLxq_J_dynJjkqfMnEf6jcA/w640-h480/SING0089.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Approaching Ada Cullers Hut, St James Conservation Area</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The hut is right on the confluence of the Ada and Christopher Rivers and is set in a patch of Matagouri trees just back down the Ada River. Originally a small 2 bunker (with canvas bunks) it has been refurbished recently with a coat of paint, a small shelf/bench and four standard DOC bunks with mattresses. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjblsQL7R0piQARXQ_GecqJz8_6hhTCzsX6xdTHMQsqdtCR4C5ZYMkrGLbdc1joPvissi4BLTCzlPKhGbsJC0TAcRciPgBJ4TZzE6LSRi5Mm5rh_RF0pKVCkxssa2p8XOmvm5epKJXAfPbLPxrxgVE6g2CuXrKI20L1kilt1i_dROuxLFgNKRgtflsxPw/s2048/DSCN4834.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjblsQL7R0piQARXQ_GecqJz8_6hhTCzsX6xdTHMQsqdtCR4C5ZYMkrGLbdc1joPvissi4BLTCzlPKhGbsJC0TAcRciPgBJ4TZzE6LSRi5Mm5rh_RF0pKVCkxssa2p8XOmvm5epKJXAfPbLPxrxgVE6g2CuXrKI20L1kilt1i_dROuxLFgNKRgtflsxPw/w640-h480/DSCN4834.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Exterior of Ada Cullers Hut in 2015</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It is incredibly spartan inside with no heating, seating or water tank but there are mattresses so you could actually use it. Water is from the nearby river and would need to be boiled and or treated due to large numbers of Geese in the area. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It would be a great day or over night base for hunters working the local area. There was no-one using the hut this time around but I could see how it might appeal to a lot of folk. I would think about staying here in the warmer months. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOpgxrmPJR5XN-WCfjBd6gI9UOLyI6NTGks7-VNw-5KBo8iJq1yBXkMg2_S-spxz_Qloabidu_wDxrJSZkHQ_6KWMYVmzkN3hBf58WAogt8ru6tit9iDkC8_rTcM-4F1MVYXL8cfK9B52EgGl7ScM581jK6eQXpDPGHcCT1UCNQRl66mH0mODfc7Q8iw/s4320/SING0092.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3240" data-original-width="4320" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOpgxrmPJR5XN-WCfjBd6gI9UOLyI6NTGks7-VNw-5KBo8iJq1yBXkMg2_S-spxz_Qloabidu_wDxrJSZkHQ_6KWMYVmzkN3hBf58WAogt8ru6tit9iDkC8_rTcM-4F1MVYXL8cfK9B52EgGl7ScM581jK6eQXpDPGHcCT1UCNQRl66mH0mODfc7Q8iw/w640-h480/SING0092.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ada Culler Hut: spartan interior of the hut</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_eKd6ED-nWS1nLn9fsA7lueOsDC23pzYnlKQH_SiUPES0M_gtKX2djrCfPvBC-dj8bEahbRtl0jmp78stVaW7N1wBeRiwbHT6Ci89pGBKdhXxcBJnvdJL7igbFvuxMBVpU_QoQ7jhqLrQ2-MW2UqIdsnFSn4C0bHlQoKP5VkvBNvRk11vHeCa2Sv2pA/s1080/504.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="1080" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_eKd6ED-nWS1nLn9fsA7lueOsDC23pzYnlKQH_SiUPES0M_gtKX2djrCfPvBC-dj8bEahbRtl0jmp78stVaW7N1wBeRiwbHT6Ci89pGBKdhXxcBJnvdJL7igbFvuxMBVpU_QoQ7jhqLrQ2-MW2UqIdsnFSn4C0bHlQoKP5VkvBNvRk11vHeCa2Sv2pA/w640-h296/504.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ada Cullers Hut: the door end of the hut</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It is great that these old facilities still exist as they are a link to the outdoor history of New Zealand and can still provide perfectly acceptable shelter to hardy adventurers. </div><p style="text-align: center;">Specifications:</p><p style="text-align: center;">Basic Hut: 4 bunks, water from stream, long-drop toilet</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p><i>Christopher Hut: (2 nights)</i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It was cold and pouring with rain the whole way from Ada Pass Hut to Christopher Hut so there was no way I was adding another 4-5 hours onto my journey to walk to Anne Hut. I stayed at Christopher Hut for two nights as it was windy, wet and snowing the next day. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZsQQY01Mh13SVUT-9pF_jPzNsK3OSL8ADW49yu8I3aMykOClmilk_uSWhB3K8AJkNkxKRMTLX8WKD8KHyeO4ZeD2gOpe_4-Xy-o5guDorAP6eVsAqOqvMDCDKVJ6Eu0IIelIuE3PMaqpYpipZqZG4dUN9YJxXxMxpWyJqSNmSVhZnOeL0aWNNBM_rEQ/s6000/IMG_0837.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZsQQY01Mh13SVUT-9pF_jPzNsK3OSL8ADW49yu8I3aMykOClmilk_uSWhB3K8AJkNkxKRMTLX8WKD8KHyeO4ZeD2gOpe_4-Xy-o5guDorAP6eVsAqOqvMDCDKVJ6Eu0IIelIuE3PMaqpYpipZqZG4dUN9YJxXxMxpWyJqSNmSVhZnOeL0aWNNBM_rEQ/w640-h426/IMG_0837.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christopher Hut, St James Conservation Area</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Christopher Hut was a great place to spend a couple of nights as there were only four of us in the hut and we had plenty of firewood to keep us warm. I was always planning to stay here...back in 2015 I walked all the way around to Anne Hut in one day and it just about broke me. I would suggest to anyone walking this track to stay a night at Christopher Hut and not to walk all the way to Anne Hut. . </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIyKrXGB-ZByjUmyoI0SFk1zLqy9T8u3kyeDmnGI_aByujL6bsUILBMA5fJK99Yt6lxXx29hzYYA3-YeKwWw1CTPph6QlL4InI2wAieQkJTSDGJPue_bwCI3PROWVuSRLCfbHXV0PlmKq8EOmrl6YZJJ7g4tHgnt7Ui6qAIp3lMSxVT1C23tb7Wn_aGA/s6000/IMG_0823.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIyKrXGB-ZByjUmyoI0SFk1zLqy9T8u3kyeDmnGI_aByujL6bsUILBMA5fJK99Yt6lxXx29hzYYA3-YeKwWw1CTPph6QlL4InI2wAieQkJTSDGJPue_bwCI3PROWVuSRLCfbHXV0PlmKq8EOmrl6YZJJ7g4tHgnt7Ui6qAIp3lMSxVT1C23tb7Wn_aGA/w640-h426/IMG_0823.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christopher Hut: the cooking bench</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;">The hut has had a spruce up inside and out thanks to the Jobs for Nature program and it has given it a nice new lease of life. They have also opened up the old warden's quarters here so there is a small three bunk side room with its own fire, bunks and cooking bench. </div><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf36iANStGM_qvVahx988cxYO_pnWBBxTTdGANX3J4TD4EAjd85k9ZILDACU07KCvhUU9Y1DzRfEeCLsfhNoWdu9_oeaK8Ja0USUbbiLjRkp2s_IE3iVlG-wtX6dBchhV3oZkfKaDiLrUS3mikRh3rB5VeFxfnN_ifV_5ptNyH6TPHrTC3Y0cloyQ2yw/s6000/IMG_0824.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf36iANStGM_qvVahx988cxYO_pnWBBxTTdGANX3J4TD4EAjd85k9ZILDACU07KCvhUU9Y1DzRfEeCLsfhNoWdu9_oeaK8Ja0USUbbiLjRkp2s_IE3iVlG-wtX6dBchhV3oZkfKaDiLrUS3mikRh3rB5VeFxfnN_ifV_5ptNyH6TPHrTC3Y0cloyQ2yw/w640-h426/IMG_0824.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christopher Hut: the platform bunks</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf88WpehktRGPXA9S54LhD0eM_L1N777x3RV7qXUCS_EM346Uh4l02d2vgCaWVWxiOu5yxeNj7aOWsefDVc1d4fO-Z4IINiaTguOj03JQpsG3qWynHEuEBK4LRTRmmld5D5Ye_7jO0oqXxuaufbq2oqbXWmC-st4lqld3gXfHbYNuxtAfXWWW_aKmQBA/s6000/IMG_0825.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf88WpehktRGPXA9S54LhD0eM_L1N777x3RV7qXUCS_EM346Uh4l02d2vgCaWVWxiOu5yxeNj7aOWsefDVc1d4fO-Z4IINiaTguOj03JQpsG3qWynHEuEBK4LRTRmmld5D5Ye_7jO0oqXxuaufbq2oqbXWmC-st4lqld3gXfHbYNuxtAfXWWW_aKmQBA/w640-h426/IMG_0825.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption">Interior of Christopher Hut on my recent visit</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;">The weather on the third day of my tramp was atrocious so I just stayed put. It was snowing, wet and windy and -10 degrees outside so it was just too dangerous to contemplate walking to Anne Hut. Real hyperthermia weather...</p><p style="text-align: center;">I spent the day reading, drinking tea and chopping firewood as did the three hunters. We had a good discussion about the Army as all four of us had served at one time or another.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyx7wocjeNtM39gqYRGgcaeoVM2WWomCqQFtUGyLwsun1P5DsIe43CZcyyKyKvRWlZlwSAn4uZj4QDCkwc-UY-UgXTPwBDGO2V5-4GcynDFnbYNDwCvM2UGZFjJSAfn6Uyr9x2o8bLdFMGu12UK4ETjrGCzTQ6AeEZJdqpD-ftjqGrayPZH1mIdILgmQ/s6000/IMG_0815.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyx7wocjeNtM39gqYRGgcaeoVM2WWomCqQFtUGyLwsun1P5DsIe43CZcyyKyKvRWlZlwSAn4uZj4QDCkwc-UY-UgXTPwBDGO2V5-4GcynDFnbYNDwCvM2UGZFjJSAfn6Uyr9x2o8bLdFMGu12UK4ETjrGCzTQ6AeEZJdqpD-ftjqGrayPZH1mIdILgmQ/w640-h426/IMG_0815.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rain and snow flurries in the Ada River Valley</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4E6fXvqAZ2jCNybQW5Qzy5IuLEwW7PwJW-_wlNPYkB5AuIiJK0zrH6uhoOBcPwwQsgSUCYSRLRhmxcy8NA4seoi8s9U3Kt8cd_nR96Mibrrv83YwUggtieHeLvtOtXqV4DGbtE1pxwfW5L5DN-mL-LCOsPoddJQGL2z0aXZFyXvAMq98F5VZSiVID6A/s6000/IMG_0818.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4E6fXvqAZ2jCNybQW5Qzy5IuLEwW7PwJW-_wlNPYkB5AuIiJK0zrH6uhoOBcPwwQsgSUCYSRLRhmxcy8NA4seoi8s9U3Kt8cd_nR96Mibrrv83YwUggtieHeLvtOtXqV4DGbtE1pxwfW5L5DN-mL-LCOsPoddJQGL2z0aXZFyXvAMq98F5VZSiVID6A/w640-h426/IMG_0818.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...at least the rainwater tank got filled...</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;">Because I stayed a second night I was overdue from my tramp and Karen did the right thing and called SAR and the Police. Luckily I walked off the track before they started looking for me but under the circumstances it was the safest course of action. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgphvaOqvEXLCd891-v15nzvLSXDZBON5RiSEA8OWhXuA-ZlwbKzqU4WNdzyKhk9KZ7KGr089syXhFyE5q5B6gAgIzREEqGGglcQ5dszik6QwYLdCyrkE7bcJvVDIzTFIQmg6uswJXBk5F6RbOx-N9QtvCUE-I7niC16LOzKNEJLlcj0Jzo_pYuZNhQFw/s6000/IMG_0813.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgphvaOqvEXLCd891-v15nzvLSXDZBON5RiSEA8OWhXuA-ZlwbKzqU4WNdzyKhk9KZ7KGr089syXhFyE5q5B6gAgIzREEqGGglcQ5dszik6QwYLdCyrkE7bcJvVDIzTFIQmg6uswJXBk5F6RbOx-N9QtvCUE-I7niC16LOzKNEJLlcj0Jzo_pYuZNhQFw/w640-h426/IMG_0813.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...Christopher Hut really was a shelter from a storm...</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;">I had a decent time at Christopher Hut as the hunters staying in the hut with me were friendly but I was ready to move onto Anne Hut the next day. </p><p style="text-align: center;">Specifications:</p><p style="text-align: center;">Serviced Hut: 16 bunks, water from tank, wood burner, wood shed, vault toilet, picnic table. Small side room with 3 bunks and own wood burner. </p><p><i><br /></i></p><p><b>Christopher Hut to Anne Hut: Day 4</b></p><p style="text-align: center;">On the fourth day of my trip I walked from Christopher Hut around Mt Federation and up the Henry Valley to Anne Hut. It is roughly 12 kilometers and takes about 4-5 hours. </p><p><i>Anne Hut:</i></p><p style="text-align: center;">Anne Hut is the newest hut on the on the St James Walkway and is a replacement for an older hut which burnt down in the early 2010's. The hut sits out in the middle of a wide open grassy plateau and is in a much better position than the old site down by the river in the shade of big hills. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQgoFRH2jXvg4hVcfCI5LpW7ZxcKNAg3GIxAeFGD0qbJclISXkaEMPjqfagZObuEy9IcU5pTd6Dc0U6EgtTwJmNaCT2nqgqrQiU5bnEZ_Tnb-uuSqD7lrlATy7yws0uJOYxU-n2qPNf5MVYhmrJKwcZaMC9rnagxD79xmRf0RWVw1sbv40xlMsuVQveQ/s6000/IMG_0935.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQgoFRH2jXvg4hVcfCI5LpW7ZxcKNAg3GIxAeFGD0qbJclISXkaEMPjqfagZObuEy9IcU5pTd6Dc0U6EgtTwJmNaCT2nqgqrQiU5bnEZ_Tnb-uuSqD7lrlATy7yws0uJOYxU-n2qPNf5MVYhmrJKwcZaMC9rnagxD79xmRf0RWVw1sbv40xlMsuVQveQ/w640-h426/IMG_0935.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption">Anne Hut: St James Conservation Area</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The hut was completed in 2012 so it is typical of the new breed of DOC huts with good insulation, double glazing, a veranda and plenty of internal space. Some people don't like these big new huts but they are clean, tidy (for the most part) and comfortable so I don't see what they are complaining about. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihxo62-x6w-6a01RnWU2HiAbUqGNjOoQFrbI4olMmLXnFSHdkmgyVuhfx6Pa7WM3qVC0s_b4ZY1N2A6r8AAU3SzhQGH4GD0rzUjRhUMoO_jOQBfz9TLaBBffbDbJ1fl9TWoZ5EjJwKZF-RAEgB5-up3kYgB7SSFrKryTZR5WY7DQGA4tf9H0S3tqmv4w/s6000/IMG_0938.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihxo62-x6w-6a01RnWU2HiAbUqGNjOoQFrbI4olMmLXnFSHdkmgyVuhfx6Pa7WM3qVC0s_b4ZY1N2A6r8AAU3SzhQGH4GD0rzUjRhUMoO_jOQBfz9TLaBBffbDbJ1fl9TWoZ5EjJwKZF-RAEgB5-up3kYgB7SSFrKryTZR5WY7DQGA4tf9H0S3tqmv4w/w640-h426/IMG_0938.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anne Hut: the dining area in the hut</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I had a complete bunkroom to myself as the hunters were all in the other and the English chap slept out next to the fire. Just as well as I am told I sometimes snore. I wouldn't know because I'm usually asleep...</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW5hYlSYL9pZ0NOYpmenq0GhEEmqAZ7hWRyvA8HFWlJqqrAxIej6CAuZIjWjq3EPUQihBj5HE3p3UvYYzqxEhjE3_7Dg8b7X3094mlAMrvcb0lbryWR-niMVLym43C2idzK43BKYReuiq_HwNGfRktEp7svoQy65WHhZUJGJDdfNQ_TQo5kPBXpYPyOA/s6000/IMG_0939.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW5hYlSYL9pZ0NOYpmenq0GhEEmqAZ7hWRyvA8HFWlJqqrAxIej6CAuZIjWjq3EPUQihBj5HE3p3UvYYzqxEhjE3_7Dg8b7X3094mlAMrvcb0lbryWR-niMVLym43C2idzK43BKYReuiq_HwNGfRktEp7svoQy65WHhZUJGJDdfNQ_TQo5kPBXpYPyOA/w640-h426/IMG_0939.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anne Hut: one of the two bunkrooms</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Anne Hut is directly on the path of the Te Araora Trail so it is often full of TA trekkers over the summer months. From here the TA walkers are either heading to Waiau Pass or along the rest of the St James Walkway to Boyle Village. It was coming to the end of the TA season when I visited so it was only myself, an English tramper and six hunters staying. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBpG4mk7GbyhIQ9g-u4FX4i4-Wv33oTFCU_DZ0NZbrCN8ZwYZ3pwbpkKY2LOMGWK3zQxDdYeAmWvMPZslXI81QC6uohIFwd2sgNc3YKVdbK5q_2RmyQ3S4YXZYOSgvUPDNuJ0Q8ugWwrl6q2BqQ0szABkvbYeuBL-rKXE5aKOFEgsvRu627tqe4NMjRQ/s6000/IMG_0942.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBpG4mk7GbyhIQ9g-u4FX4i4-Wv33oTFCU_DZ0NZbrCN8ZwYZ3pwbpkKY2LOMGWK3zQxDdYeAmWvMPZslXI81QC6uohIFwd2sgNc3YKVdbK5q_2RmyQ3S4YXZYOSgvUPDNuJ0Q8ugWwrl6q2BqQ0szABkvbYeuBL-rKXE5aKOFEgsvRu627tqe4NMjRQ/w640-h426/IMG_0942.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cooking bench inside Christopher Hut</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8vL4i3gw7K7CO4pEZluHP8RXYljZTPA6MYL5asxWUHO7TfR11RO7GgfJp5uVQiSPNuuFfD7OqAbKK5Lyr8BDZV1Ncz5ThSiBUShSMdnz8KRV4EL_faWBgJRyWVPnOl2zUJ-AqxmmtZsfiZS30NCSpjsrI3j72CB4sD7aIGKXMDqKn3oJL1wk81I56aA/s6000/IMG_0943.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8vL4i3gw7K7CO4pEZluHP8RXYljZTPA6MYL5asxWUHO7TfR11RO7GgfJp5uVQiSPNuuFfD7OqAbKK5Lyr8BDZV1Ncz5ThSiBUShSMdnz8KRV4EL_faWBgJRyWVPnOl2zUJ-AqxmmtZsfiZS30NCSpjsrI3j72CB4sD7aIGKXMDqKn3oJL1wk81I56aA/w640-h426/IMG_0943.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There are three tables inside Christopher Hut</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The veranda runs along the north side of the hut and makes for a nice sunny position to sit outside on a fine day. Last time I was here in 2015 I sat outside for nearly two hours getting some rays. It is a great place for drying your gear but do weigh your stuff down with rocks as it is sometimes windy here. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1yEOh9TX3TT1dOOM-u4eckLnw8PquEFHuz4AYYKRhHp_EERfbSCZ1oTzvWtaJotc2JWUCNL0jVJkm9dXfjAQrVa5yEzEJGTk-aLlf9F3QsH1cd5OID6RkxoieyTPElpPQsM15d0FQM5Z8hrmaB09Xb_x8SZjt_5bOpEixyee8wSn0VqzQnvbsV4ehSg/s6000/IMG_0945.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1yEOh9TX3TT1dOOM-u4eckLnw8PquEFHuz4AYYKRhHp_EERfbSCZ1oTzvWtaJotc2JWUCNL0jVJkm9dXfjAQrVa5yEzEJGTk-aLlf9F3QsH1cd5OID6RkxoieyTPElpPQsM15d0FQM5Z8hrmaB09Xb_x8SZjt_5bOpEixyee8wSn0VqzQnvbsV4ehSg/w640-h426/IMG_0945.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View to the Libretto Range from Anne Hut</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Anne Hut is lovely and is the real jewel on this circuit...this is the type and style of hut DOC would build if this track ever gets upgraded to Great Walk status. </div><p style="text-align: center;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGJxe1rJjBQjWiRIPnH2mVhP_NMxbp6u7fI23-NBb746Osg2UTQu_0ZfzcPvAbSdkFjYRkcUFbcsu_s_kn_c1q9HJVu1_1dyqNTDtZhTuYwjUYWgwbyFNLQvM3xpv_NJhZ3Z1nqRhuR8E2TOcjQ_147UiBelllzFZDuqPTM2Ajq8He41EPV8k7mGcRsg/s2048/DSCN4849.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGJxe1rJjBQjWiRIPnH2mVhP_NMxbp6u7fI23-NBb746Osg2UTQu_0ZfzcPvAbSdkFjYRkcUFbcsu_s_kn_c1q9HJVu1_1dyqNTDtZhTuYwjUYWgwbyFNLQvM3xpv_NJhZ3Z1nqRhuR8E2TOcjQ_147UiBelllzFZDuqPTM2Ajq8He41EPV8k7mGcRsg/w640-h480/DSCN4849.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hut warden's quarters attached to Christopher Hut</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;">This was the second to last day of my tramp and in the morning I was walking the 18 kilometers to Boyle Flat Hut up the Anne River to a saddle and then down the Boyle River Valley to the hut.</div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">Specifications:</p><p style="text-align: center;">Serviced Hut: 24 bunks, water from tanks, wood burner, vault toilets, picnic table</p><p><br /></p><h4>Anne Hut to Boyle Flat Hut: Day 5</h4><p style="text-align: center;">This section was covered on the fifth day of my tramp and it is by far the longest section of the St James Walkway. It takes most people 6-8 hours to walk even though the terrain is very gentle...its just a long way. </p><p><i>Rokeby Hut:</i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Rokeby Hut is a small hut about half way down the Boyle Valley when walking from Anne Saddle to Boyle Flat Hut. It is sign posted from the track but is actually fairly well camouflaged in a patch of Beech trees next to Rokeby Stream.</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSBzS80QPxbeSbhrNGR0p0pmVi4dLhsD8Yzfl0oSCaXY_5TsK2ntvFXwMEjck4gdFHwN2580DOOL0sLQXcG_nRSTYy1cKIxqK1Sp_WPrHSAaeNbzRlA4LQT4DwdTmYork2sU81sqhZM2_TYwd5-1QDBsqiwAVO8VlgBPMH4tTri7DXKfcg-H_P4IYI6Q/s6000/IMG_1039.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSBzS80QPxbeSbhrNGR0p0pmVi4dLhsD8Yzfl0oSCaXY_5TsK2ntvFXwMEjck4gdFHwN2580DOOL0sLQXcG_nRSTYy1cKIxqK1Sp_WPrHSAaeNbzRlA4LQT4DwdTmYork2sU81sqhZM2_TYwd5-1QDBsqiwAVO8VlgBPMH4tTri7DXKfcg-H_P4IYI6Q/w640-h426/IMG_1039.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DOC sign to Rokeby hut from the St James Walkway</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcFd4D9VfCqEuspZyFCfwalrs0UJRiQ76RSKM_25IgfnsLgQn-hHO32ga_AnswHqZWrfaEvdb0h5FRM-ymuldY6DMqwGNnjKLKdYC0-WKzvKHCMosSqTlvFEtPmvC1VNaNc7JVDQ5hV7-lf-6BuQpUmz2_vZhleqN_DHIb2fMV4aM8MrpuFQD7jtD0Jg/s6000/IMG_1037.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcFd4D9VfCqEuspZyFCfwalrs0UJRiQ76RSKM_25IgfnsLgQn-hHO32ga_AnswHqZWrfaEvdb0h5FRM-ymuldY6DMqwGNnjKLKdYC0-WKzvKHCMosSqTlvFEtPmvC1VNaNc7JVDQ5hV7-lf-6BuQpUmz2_vZhleqN_DHIb2fMV4aM8MrpuFQD7jtD0Jg/w640-h426/IMG_1037.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rokeby Hut is tucked into the Beech forest</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The hut has been recently painted but it still has the original canvas bunks which are short and quite uncomfortable. It does have a nice wood burner so you can at least heat this hut up. This is the same type of woodburner in the warden's quarters at Christopher Hut and has a small oven on the right hand side. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Bit of damper bread anyone...?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhckvUnIfgiMv2UymVHn3Pw8O-UHiJHm5wP2YETZThqVNjIidmOwHIbErGtvn3oKE2XdruWqYcXkdB-8bS3BLfa8KjCEC32Por_-VWuiJ018ox1_Lh9shz82p1GXGNCmvgXlJDeWN4mHurzXVc771BlRtCYC9_91uxYtr0RUrL11kkKReuhpeXzlSYkUQ/s1066/rokeby-hut-interior-1920.webp" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="1066" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhckvUnIfgiMv2UymVHn3Pw8O-UHiJHm5wP2YETZThqVNjIidmOwHIbErGtvn3oKE2XdruWqYcXkdB-8bS3BLfa8KjCEC32Por_-VWuiJ018ox1_Lh9shz82p1GXGNCmvgXlJDeWN4mHurzXVc771BlRtCYC9_91uxYtr0RUrL11kkKReuhpeXzlSYkUQ/w640-h360/rokeby-hut-interior-1920.webp" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Interior of Rokeby Hut on the St James Walkway</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Rokeby Hut gets a bit of use from the TA trekkers but the far more comfortable Boyle Flat Hut is only 1.5 hours down the valley so that is where most people stay. Still perfectly usable as a hut provided you are less than 5'10" and don't mind a sore back in the morning. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Hu_bc5acL2pPPgyrescQGBHHRkEsKkwrUvOjcgwPPvTPoeKSrWo_ujt9vKZthkrk3GmLdm2KlvdQN3zXWNyi5ksNmcEjlun9ieiiP9AIeHzC0WQSp2pWALSvK8jKfU2LseInKFHhrDYXh-EvG3Ski1HArSyiZO4SVlvjmDb7xyBkxRYsCPyvG_YB_A/s800/Rokeby_Hut_-_St_James_Walkway,_New_Zealand_(102).jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="579" data-original-width="800" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Hu_bc5acL2pPPgyrescQGBHHRkEsKkwrUvOjcgwPPvTPoeKSrWo_ujt9vKZthkrk3GmLdm2KlvdQN3zXWNyi5ksNmcEjlun9ieiiP9AIeHzC0WQSp2pWALSvK8jKfU2LseInKFHhrDYXh-EvG3Ski1HArSyiZO4SVlvjmDb7xyBkxRYsCPyvG_YB_A/w640-h464/Rokeby_Hut_-_St_James_Walkway,_New_Zealand_(102).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rear of Rokeby Hut, St James Conservation Area</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;">This hut was built the same time as Ada Cullers Hut and Anne Cullers Hut in the heyday of the deer culling era in the late 1950's. Another spartan hut but the fact is is still here and able to be used speaks to the soundness of this design. </div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjurf-NPow0M_JYydRAFwPBaMaf9yV8W-j7xEwpShDbwWIisqcYLOg7gmjgYiwH_O997odd4p8NjL212aXwClw0xfIiRVv2UbcH3tb9sFZQw5F2OhJlbuJI_QVi5aySzvPIrglFhUWbTphuHL2A6APH4wSbzQq6x9_ua0nbHq7DBu2h6xGf4GNDVYdwoA/s2048/DSCN4878.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjurf-NPow0M_JYydRAFwPBaMaf9yV8W-j7xEwpShDbwWIisqcYLOg7gmjgYiwH_O997odd4p8NjL212aXwClw0xfIiRVv2UbcH3tb9sFZQw5F2OhJlbuJI_QVi5aySzvPIrglFhUWbTphuHL2A6APH4wSbzQq6x9_ua0nbHq7DBu2h6xGf4GNDVYdwoA/w640-h480/DSCN4878.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Front view of Rokeby Hut on the St James Walkway</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj_Q-b1DaBC-tH0uVrZ5Shq-HSRBrafM3FMIMJ9uwU7A5xvg6xf9SL3x24B2wOA7fBU5hZMtax-KIQ5K0YeHTpNhZ0JSNIxd1vKso-KBmxlFFDovDOWTXr-Zj_g2VHAcnxBmEkRTOXxU7rwCAd7MSNxEwM-YfuRWtZt84oeYAmrGg252M1vLou_VZ_HA/s2048/DSCN4880.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj_Q-b1DaBC-tH0uVrZ5Shq-HSRBrafM3FMIMJ9uwU7A5xvg6xf9SL3x24B2wOA7fBU5hZMtax-KIQ5K0YeHTpNhZ0JSNIxd1vKso-KBmxlFFDovDOWTXr-Zj_g2VHAcnxBmEkRTOXxU7rwCAd7MSNxEwM-YfuRWtZt84oeYAmrGg252M1vLou_VZ_HA/w640-h480/DSCN4880.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...canvas bunks inside Rokeby Hut....</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Make sure you go have a look if you ever happen to be passing by this point...stay if you like the rustic type huts.</div><p style="text-align: center;">Specifications:</p><p style="text-align: center;">Basic Hut/Bivy: 2 bunks, water from stream, open fireplace, long-drop toilet</p><p><br /></p><p><i>Boyle Flat Hut :</i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Boyle Flats Hut is the last on the main route of the St James Walkway and will be the last nights accommodation for the majority of people walking the track. It is located in the mid reaches of the Boyle River Valley about 4 hours from the end of the walkway. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiRcFlrQ2JOcv4Pq6NV2CgjKopP9z6lWVqQyG3IEppfKH7QeQZ6fBO_uvuOjNANUz-wF7TxCfKdEiJgTtvIsSDnI9HLZAl8KElc7jWCKj3EyrdN3sg7cLsLDQWSxIbj8AtI5izCTo52j8L0euwRVrszukDS0OBr8bc7p4PpZpcXzn_RaVZT5SKFPEt1g/s6000/IMG_1056.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiRcFlrQ2JOcv4Pq6NV2CgjKopP9z6lWVqQyG3IEppfKH7QeQZ6fBO_uvuOjNANUz-wF7TxCfKdEiJgTtvIsSDnI9HLZAl8KElc7jWCKj3EyrdN3sg7cLsLDQWSxIbj8AtI5izCTo52j8L0euwRVrszukDS0OBr8bc7p4PpZpcXzn_RaVZT5SKFPEt1g/w640-h426/IMG_1056.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boyle Flat Hut, St James Conservation Area</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This hut was purpose built (like Christopher/Ada Pass/Cannibal Gorge) for the St James Walkway. They used a variety of hut designs to make the Walkway more interesting and this hut has a number of special features. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMENHn3R-uamwgCOh-RDhO30DmBFmaf_ilMZlpejHKSD5BiQpCQ8RZhZC2CSgcZFbzv-u_Wdj-2wOfRD_M1frCW1AQMkVietAoAsLT7N3NFAXZqL7Jw8xEdcJNJGjC1_6YaecGLjYUPpWfMfNUQjw7ZYy9r1BCVUrztSj4vwhS7xmDvzkBdPURo_hF3A/s6000/IMG_1059.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMENHn3R-uamwgCOh-RDhO30DmBFmaf_ilMZlpejHKSD5BiQpCQ8RZhZC2CSgcZFbzv-u_Wdj-2wOfRD_M1frCW1AQMkVietAoAsLT7N3NFAXZqL7Jw8xEdcJNJGjC1_6YaecGLjYUPpWfMfNUQjw7ZYy9r1BCVUrztSj4vwhS7xmDvzkBdPURo_hF3A/w640-h426/IMG_1059.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boyle Flat Hut: view of the interior</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy_dVWfKDUW_36bgTFKq0PmYgsem6Ia_VKFS74g0vngmNwgRitshsxwjlAsLreZEDWU-N1DS6NscbSZxaF9I-6h7-6eqXXrSyjvCmuaKVJqBD7-VDlWupBvgOmluBpWkLlSQO3DHAqXFGw56QbpuppLMByZqjop3rHpoq8NFEyPSLN7EFnnhLwRiWWZg/s6000/IMG_1060.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy_dVWfKDUW_36bgTFKq0PmYgsem6Ia_VKFS74g0vngmNwgRitshsxwjlAsLreZEDWU-N1DS6NscbSZxaF9I-6h7-6eqXXrSyjvCmuaKVJqBD7-VDlWupBvgOmluBpWkLlSQO3DHAqXFGw56QbpuppLMByZqjop3rHpoq8NFEyPSLN7EFnnhLwRiWWZg/w640-h426/IMG_1060.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My pit set up in Boyle Flat Hut</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">One of the cool features of this hut is the padded bench seat along the window. I wish they would do this in more backcountry huts because those wooden benches are murderous on your rear. There is a very nice view out to the river flats opposite the hut from that bench. </div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEtW02YKprNcA9fm-OLBk_uVJmktyPaBiVKvHbzdx_qkdRtGLX3bpSwGXRPXJ9Nr4TgwP0sFTnzswKLfbKVgEAxQ0ZWOfuvHcWUDOpwULfP1rDSOUvkhhKqLorfJ_YfN_FOP6TXv_SbCr7ARsH0UI5GmCEWAhIJ2G7GNFRoJiKCYhocSYGo8u936n-SA/s2048/DSCN4425.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEtW02YKprNcA9fm-OLBk_uVJmktyPaBiVKvHbzdx_qkdRtGLX3bpSwGXRPXJ9Nr4TgwP0sFTnzswKLfbKVgEAxQ0ZWOfuvHcWUDOpwULfP1rDSOUvkhhKqLorfJ_YfN_FOP6TXv_SbCr7ARsH0UI5GmCEWAhIJ2G7GNFRoJiKCYhocSYGo8u936n-SA/w640-h480/DSCN4425.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Awesome padded bench seat at Boyle Flat Hut</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbc2cThJKMQxygK-OAwdcgeigQwRAdkLPUuNg3Af5nzWTNRzi96eM8mgYACMUOR3-y3NUc2auHbCUkp_erklrk919rVj-H0JSw_XmFfH0ZUKvu7kSwOLi9rGoeDFMSIMUOSW1KsvfLEgTU3ZMorB-Pf_3BJPVKO7-ovWUBKWJ8PyzdM0J16WbAPd2FhQ/s2048/DSCN4426.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbc2cThJKMQxygK-OAwdcgeigQwRAdkLPUuNg3Af5nzWTNRzi96eM8mgYACMUOR3-y3NUc2auHbCUkp_erklrk919rVj-H0JSw_XmFfH0ZUKvu7kSwOLi9rGoeDFMSIMUOSW1KsvfLEgTU3ZMorB-Pf_3BJPVKO7-ovWUBKWJ8PyzdM0J16WbAPd2FhQ/w640-h480/DSCN4426.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More interior detail of Boyle Flat Hut</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Another unique feature of Boyle Flat Hut is the large carved map of the St James Walkway on one of the walls. It has excellent detail of the various catchments which make up the track and gives you some perspective on your trek. </div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Gqaf-7guQE2DHuaZGNqfhIYIQLC_q1UVWXmqU4yr4MOM2K8VB-QneXAz4HQTJnj7ZTwXrj_vh15a9EExUCXw3W0SyM2foGccq3iL3lB6Ej4rCH9FSpqhFRoqyL88xW1rwWysGEtcZR68AZFVc1ruZ3GMwsU8AijcD8fPaM2O3BrEj70hLUnhWb9Y-A/s2048/DSCN4427.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Gqaf-7guQE2DHuaZGNqfhIYIQLC_q1UVWXmqU4yr4MOM2K8VB-QneXAz4HQTJnj7ZTwXrj_vh15a9EExUCXw3W0SyM2foGccq3iL3lB6Ej4rCH9FSpqhFRoqyL88xW1rwWysGEtcZR68AZFVc1ruZ3GMwsU8AijcD8fPaM2O3BrEj70hLUnhWb9Y-A/w480-h640/DSCN4427.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Map of St James Walkway in Boyle Flat Hut</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;">This hut is either a Lockwood or Fraemoh's design but it is difficult to decide which company made it. Both companies made kitset wooden houses that could be largely built by people with a modicum of skill. You basically slotted them together on the site which made them ideal as backcountry huts. They are my favorite type of hut and I just love the deep honey color of the wood with its multitude layers of varnish. </div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZhegMHAXroyaNOa6MP0g04sw9KWIGxOszU3lCtUGYzwa9uKIR6S008tXub1vEZjGjEe9NhJp5xrN-51UFUeodV0hclx7rY-IuZzJwPiZYDlGjwJWchh9AA__YIv7gdvwL4TYWwz-Tqvr70K8_0OYPwkZjQwpdnIOfbkKQcuduw9dPbrWPC56Fcj_caw/s2048/DSCN4428.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZhegMHAXroyaNOa6MP0g04sw9KWIGxOszU3lCtUGYzwa9uKIR6S008tXub1vEZjGjEe9NhJp5xrN-51UFUeodV0hclx7rY-IuZzJwPiZYDlGjwJWchh9AA__YIv7gdvwL4TYWwz-Tqvr70K8_0OYPwkZjQwpdnIOfbkKQcuduw9dPbrWPC56Fcj_caw/w640-h480/DSCN4428.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The second bunkroom at Boyle Flat Hut...love that wood!!!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzz4-f8YOHNCEkN-MWMTi1E2ZS1CjNUXDSgR37Gk5aI9JAXPmW-smRlKvmF5zUT4aAukxA4C5NHdXkPX23okbzTCOMkjy2DLxiHl7hP-XcpIAzi7dFrivmUixY4YntkcaLEFJ6l4VmqyO8EnBWLXCGLMTk9N5L0p0YDIoEx4ffu67ELEyI_mOkmvaAVQ/s6000/IMG_1057.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzz4-f8YOHNCEkN-MWMTi1E2ZS1CjNUXDSgR37Gk5aI9JAXPmW-smRlKvmF5zUT4aAukxA4C5NHdXkPX23okbzTCOMkjy2DLxiHl7hP-XcpIAzi7dFrivmUixY4YntkcaLEFJ6l4VmqyO8EnBWLXCGLMTk9N5L0p0YDIoEx4ffu67ELEyI_mOkmvaAVQ/w640-h426/IMG_1057.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last view of Boyle Flat Hut as I was leaving</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;">As I said previously Boyle Flat Hut is the last hut directly on the route of the St James Walkway. There is one other hut just off the Walkway which I will discuss. This is Magdalen Hut. </p><p style="text-align: center;">Specifications:</p><p style="text-align: center;">Serviced Hut: 16 bunks, water from tanks, wood burner, long drop toilets, picnic tables</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p><b>Boyle Flat Hut to Boyle Village: Day 6: Final Day: </b></p><p><i>Magdalen Hut:</i></p><p style="text-align: center;">I have been to Magdalen Hut a number of times and it is one of my most visited huts anywhere in New Zealand. It is not directly on the route of the St James Walkway but many trampers either visit the hut or stay there as an alternate to Boyle Flat Hut. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHgKbgnsn-T7O5uGEF1aryGgvh_-S5sjCLCwsoOafNL_S2RBS7v706WOxC5YCF6zqHFq8XukaFlCv4eHFyLyOZdyJHbOqGMR4grwAeqlVwJ8Stcws-8mhNia6O-NPiMc_dq-vWN7UXQFhz3HpS90fZg5-Nm4XFsO9ssmQiI8U8bbVk6NxIPlCgHclwbQ/s4000/DSCN0050.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHgKbgnsn-T7O5uGEF1aryGgvh_-S5sjCLCwsoOafNL_S2RBS7v706WOxC5YCF6zqHFq8XukaFlCv4eHFyLyOZdyJHbOqGMR4grwAeqlVwJ8Stcws-8mhNia6O-NPiMc_dq-vWN7UXQFhz3HpS90fZg5-Nm4XFsO9ssmQiI8U8bbVk6NxIPlCgHclwbQ/w640-h480/DSCN0050.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Magdalen Hut, Lake Sumner Forest Park</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">From the mid Boyle River swing bridge it takes about 30 odd minutes to walk down to Magdalen Hut. It is clearly marked at the bridge and the track sidles the side of the hills as it makes its way down the Boyle River to the Hut. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI2_rMM4VHc4D6kPKhvP2I3vTPwo_NeFjQpTTJJ2a3quULtN4xfti-XJHhSt5bF2kvuuPjSl9Yj3bsepmKHcoT5g5fcQaMkF81eQXmC-EZIVqcOzQP7dMmx6jlorRSZbO3Mhtpk6sQgbClz9IEhrCEOhZzesxowdURdWa7Bkux5knC--Wu0OuLb7OioA/s4000/DSCN0040.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI2_rMM4VHc4D6kPKhvP2I3vTPwo_NeFjQpTTJJ2a3quULtN4xfti-XJHhSt5bF2kvuuPjSl9Yj3bsepmKHcoT5g5fcQaMkF81eQXmC-EZIVqcOzQP7dMmx6jlorRSZbO3Mhtpk6sQgbClz9IEhrCEOhZzesxowdURdWa7Bkux5knC--Wu0OuLb7OioA/w640-h480/DSCN0040.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the side track to Magdalen Hut</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Magdalen Hut is also quite new being constructed in the early 2010's after the old hut became unserviceable. It is a great wee 6 bunker and the pattern used here has been replicated in a number of places right across the Motu. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqrFSB-SxuEvZBTgIbUH3IBA89xnqNpCVErlI-cmvAjWMH5ZDqjnLnMRsXP8Dp_F-u7YnB806h7r-PiIkPfLcKJAaH8hFCvfd_tVPfh6diUBiRK1XZgRJPKIuDFgymCgQSHHK_voihrTUzKUnbZBwPprl2efGiFFhPYGWwNJubBtGgduik2cHCm8XkQQ/s4000/DSCN0055.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqrFSB-SxuEvZBTgIbUH3IBA89xnqNpCVErlI-cmvAjWMH5ZDqjnLnMRsXP8Dp_F-u7YnB806h7r-PiIkPfLcKJAaH8hFCvfd_tVPfh6diUBiRK1XZgRJPKIuDFgymCgQSHHK_voihrTUzKUnbZBwPprl2efGiFFhPYGWwNJubBtGgduik2cHCm8XkQQ/w640-h480/DSCN0055.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The interior of Magdalen Hut on a nice sunny day</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7g5whyBJifSoDlKgT1s8MWZzUFkJ8BolVeTFyGDZSyuQqyvs5MU7xtV7Wz4fStx1UFtnntVjeh-lw6vXhK0Fxw_ZIMjnOWGTrE71dsYRzOCCZTsDWZsYZNokHG9q0aT5UdE6fnz9w6DJIGxM1Y27P1yFProGNIn1wb2Yn-fl99NZuk4C4gsQxP55yLw/s4000/DSCN0067.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7g5whyBJifSoDlKgT1s8MWZzUFkJ8BolVeTFyGDZSyuQqyvs5MU7xtV7Wz4fStx1UFtnntVjeh-lw6vXhK0Fxw_ZIMjnOWGTrE71dsYRzOCCZTsDWZsYZNokHG9q0aT5UdE6fnz9w6DJIGxM1Y27P1yFProGNIn1wb2Yn-fl99NZuk4C4gsQxP55yLw/w640-h480/DSCN0067.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wood burner and table inside Magdalen Hut</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I last stayed here back in 2021 but I am planning a return trip as part of my Winter 2023 series of tramps. I'm hoping to get up to the hut before the first big snow dump of the year possibly later this month. Of the six times I have stayed here in the last decade I have had the hut to myself on four occasions. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP8IH8a74Zl8d0S1bKtwXmCpoS0xE75MB7h2CMzJ9u8-9eGu6Hi9lO88T_ylQRoLMXjw1TUfl6wxOqcPAu5t4i9p9RVLlza6OfVf4q5sSSXciKUVQAgNvfK1W1kgnpf2VwAh1XwauYGPEu3Q-sxDYO7WyAF40d2nLiMm2tG4EgiirTXqLosCDIRp-wCA/s4000/DSCN0084.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP8IH8a74Zl8d0S1bKtwXmCpoS0xE75MB7h2CMzJ9u8-9eGu6Hi9lO88T_ylQRoLMXjw1TUfl6wxOqcPAu5t4i9p9RVLlza6OfVf4q5sSSXciKUVQAgNvfK1W1kgnpf2VwAh1XwauYGPEu3Q-sxDYO7WyAF40d2nLiMm2tG4EgiirTXqLosCDIRp-wCA/w640-h480/DSCN0084.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Relaxing inside Magdalen Hut back in 2019</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;">FYI: in winter and the shoulder seasons it can get bloody cold here so make sure you have a good sleeping bag in case the firewood shed is empty. Also draw water from the tank before dark as it often freezes on a frosty night and you will find yourself without cooking/drinking water. </div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-TmvqKc641PKS5F_rPTzPLg0EbHBkkEVkKxaiC6l3tDadXbRBCzJJw8DVwQjnfbXNcnRg5O_A2Z1cWckwe9sGVd2XsSs0uaAoEEuKpPnwfZf_VfxtcFi5v2sgqu64Hwjf1UPLWoN2Sv96T2AIj7VMtu4bc5Y-18pkDWpvX-oGpXHEZfSHnIO4vjgL3A/s4000/DSCN0107.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-TmvqKc641PKS5F_rPTzPLg0EbHBkkEVkKxaiC6l3tDadXbRBCzJJw8DVwQjnfbXNcnRg5O_A2Z1cWckwe9sGVd2XsSs0uaAoEEuKpPnwfZf_VfxtcFi5v2sgqu64Hwjf1UPLWoN2Sv96T2AIj7VMtu4bc5Y-18pkDWpvX-oGpXHEZfSHnIO4vjgL3A/w640-h480/DSCN0107.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A frosty morning at Magdalen Hut, Lake Sumner Forest Park</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;">The best time to visit Magdalen Hut is outside of summer as it gets busy as hell due to Te Araroa Trail walkers in the warmer months. I would come mid week to try to get the hut to yourself and if it is full it is just over an hour to walk to the larger Boyle Flat Hut. </div><p style="text-align: center;">Specifications:</p><p style="text-align: center;">Serviced Hut: 6 bunks, water from tanks, wood burner, flush toilets, wood shed</p><p style="text-align: center;">So there you go all the huts and shelters you are likely to encounter along the St James Walkway. There are some real beauties on this track and DOC has provided a variety of huts and shelters for you to stay at while you are walking. </p>Jon Moakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14620417636121034748noreply@blogger.com0Saint James Walkway, New Zealand-42.3919262 172.4914788-70.702160036178839 137.3352288 -14.081692363821155 -152.35227120000002tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2664594284381405400.post-26297022771974762732023-05-14T18:31:00.016-07:002023-05-14T18:31:00.138-07:00 Tramping Equipment: Sea to Summit Ultralight Insulated Sleeping Mat<h3 style="text-align: center;"> A new Sea to Summit sleeping mat for 2023</h3><p style="text-align: center;">Here is a new piece of kit my partner Karen brought me for my birthday back in August of 2022. It is a Sea to Summit Ultralight Insulated sleeping mat. I have already used this beauty a couple of times and it made for a comfortable night's sleep.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY_S67ufWKbUCDx-mNYq0PymYz5iOlfzxtyK_4QUomlIvncUFe_-FTv5ZEKVd0KUQ__phFYSQow_8I_1EYRh6FX9d5hVbzKWg1-HwS6lrhcISbDxgLfNWLAJtTEuyuFtNCsBKLlUF3Elr3H5Z7G8rJQu8ZiILIhXRVqaeWci5FHfNOKoBZapNGUp7L_g/s1200/sts_ultralightinsulated_regular_02_9.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY_S67ufWKbUCDx-mNYq0PymYz5iOlfzxtyK_4QUomlIvncUFe_-FTv5ZEKVd0KUQ__phFYSQow_8I_1EYRh6FX9d5hVbzKWg1-HwS6lrhcISbDxgLfNWLAJtTEuyuFtNCsBKLlUF3Elr3H5Z7G8rJQu8ZiILIhXRVqaeWci5FHfNOKoBZapNGUp7L_g/w640-h640/sts_ultralightinsulated_regular_02_9.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sea to Summit Ultra Light sleeping mat</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: center;">Sea to Summit are one of the larger outdoor gear brands and they make a range of tents, packs, sleeping bags and other outdoor kit for the backcountry adventurer. I have quite a bit of their gear mostly cooking equipment like cutlery, plates, cups and mugs but this is the first sleeping mat I have owned from this company.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKsu0Oq16poMQFJshuBPQo7GG5za731JFUOvWnoqLdOErt4_59mqWPb5IglaqHqyUzWYShKz2UjvjTNurw7ItWgQbUAFzireOcCJFm47Ks0FfjEcslHm5BRN9XgE4GXFUk6af596c1TZ34t_Nq1zs_foWnOUbuqdW3Mcx6XrIBXBSR4yWs9ZLowN2BQg/s890/UL1.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="890" data-original-width="882" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKsu0Oq16poMQFJshuBPQo7GG5za731JFUOvWnoqLdOErt4_59mqWPb5IglaqHqyUzWYShKz2UjvjTNurw7ItWgQbUAFzireOcCJFm47Ks0FfjEcslHm5BRN9XgE4GXFUk6af596c1TZ34t_Nq1zs_foWnOUbuqdW3Mcx6XrIBXBSR4yWs9ZLowN2BQg/w634-h640/UL1.JPG" width="634" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Various inflation settings for the Ultralight Mat</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Ultra Light Insulated comes in a number of sizes from X-Small through to Large. My mat is the large size and it is plenty wide and long enough to fit my 6'3" frame onto with space to spare. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMg4ea0hGIF5H8gkxTN8lkwbmgeA3nEfeEBtrdviYtN7Y4LS7bhHRRBTafhWG4wp2Uduhh84XtMVzTbYln1zQ4BcQkqSAqvuVDTCFyixww1sMMVuyGmgyHyMpLK_kP_loyDBOR_hl4lBGCqHu3E7One_ywprTFvKUoNTmBKyFli672z7POgSPlhtSuvw/s897/UL2.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="806" data-original-width="897" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMg4ea0hGIF5H8gkxTN8lkwbmgeA3nEfeEBtrdviYtN7Y4LS7bhHRRBTafhWG4wp2Uduhh84XtMVzTbYln1zQ4BcQkqSAqvuVDTCFyixww1sMMVuyGmgyHyMpLK_kP_loyDBOR_hl4lBGCqHu3E7One_ywprTFvKUoNTmBKyFli672z7POgSPlhtSuvw/w640-h576/UL2.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sizes in the Ultra Light mat range compared to a water bottle</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Part of the comfort and warmth of the mat is provided by the air cells in the mat. They make small pockets of air under you as you are laying on it which protect you from the ground. The mat has a soft finish to the outer material and it was reasonably quiet when you roll around on it at night. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4mf_jq9IcNd5E5utWj00u4knO7eCMk7AQrJVpfhPssLNIPSdVPni1zp-1SEQjVC9N5hTNH9XO7HazLb8jdiO3vJ9UgNHj8t36PRrsXxG5L454wM4dWWHePakBMuWqidgbbCBXX5hGKBcEz66FUOBMnx99yLox53gRGjp6SKnORg_tn76ZnFpeB3iNfQ/s1200/sts_ultralightinsulated_regular_03_2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4mf_jq9IcNd5E5utWj00u4knO7eCMk7AQrJVpfhPssLNIPSdVPni1zp-1SEQjVC9N5hTNH9XO7HazLb8jdiO3vJ9UgNHj8t36PRrsXxG5L454wM4dWWHePakBMuWqidgbbCBXX5hGKBcEz66FUOBMnx99yLox53gRGjp6SKnORg_tn76ZnFpeB3iNfQ/w640-h640/sts_ultralightinsulated_regular_03_2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Air cell construction adds comfort and warmth</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">When packed the mat is about the size of a large Nalgene bottle so it is a compact item. There is a stuff sack/pump bag for inflating the mat which is becoming a standard feature for most sleeping mats. It only required five bags of air to fully inflate so it is a breeze to use. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHQYxLxRgb4ibHSJw8SdEciHGfi6Bae-9ojW9FLeHAebc6YQpFexXdBls_-d9YajBQ6exGTCFFqYv218fhBAXDOrak6zDp6q_Mk-eN3YRNm9fYGvTH4Zi68J2c_i5bu6lRt_WXKtJHiAV8OgYJIap9RKRJv1halb_A-EwyGoQSMf6TF7lNVIv2-r4Y6A/s1200/sts_ultralightinsulated_regular_04_4.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHQYxLxRgb4ibHSJw8SdEciHGfi6Bae-9ojW9FLeHAebc6YQpFexXdBls_-d9YajBQ6exGTCFFqYv218fhBAXDOrak6zDp6q_Mk-eN3YRNm9fYGvTH4Zi68J2c_i5bu6lRt_WXKtJHiAV8OgYJIap9RKRJv1halb_A-EwyGoQSMf6TF7lNVIv2-r4Y6A/w640-h640/sts_ultralightinsulated_regular_04_4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ultralight mat compared to a drink bottle</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My mat has a insulation layer inside and its R-Value (or measure of how warm it is) is 3.1. This means it would be good to down around 2 degrees Celsius but it would not provide enough warmth for temperatures lower than this. The R-Value can be extended by adding a foam mat underneath but you should really be looking at a mat with a 4.5 or above R-Value for proper winter camping. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKV2J4EUj1Q8568qWn_MTrafdKxGEH7ri5h0FPY68ctI5aW9MZufqSA57QIpmjVI_IsOcEuaQdLQcqZNyTx5mrh2EvbqDuJSlL3BCF3-TxXx4exBSB9zNYMnH7sUOCzfFzmrIl-4ahNqpUpmI6qO1eccE9r0jURyk50BAW1AGdTUD1pztbEKwuqbvbBA/s893/UL3.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="794" data-original-width="893" height="570" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKV2J4EUj1Q8568qWn_MTrafdKxGEH7ri5h0FPY68ctI5aW9MZufqSA57QIpmjVI_IsOcEuaQdLQcqZNyTx5mrh2EvbqDuJSlL3BCF3-TxXx4exBSB9zNYMnH7sUOCzfFzmrIl-4ahNqpUpmI6qO1eccE9r0jURyk50BAW1AGdTUD1pztbEKwuqbvbBA/w640-h570/UL3.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Ultra Light Insulated has a 3.1 R-Value</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This mat would be best suited for use in summer and the shoulder season either side so here in New Zealand that would be from November through March. That is right in the main TA season so this would be the dogs bollox for walking the trail. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">When inflated it is about 2" thick (5 cm) so it is actually quite comfortable to sleep on. It is thick enough for people like me who sleep on their side to keep your hip up off the ground. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIbZ8ZhjvXGrWiHZuSTHQL1HEHWhuJVS-KUFzZnrT48Bc4qGngBNfKqRFo3_NvwTMCU284Lk_Ud48gSCmhbmHP_eof7DTXt7q3pUsia-AFfOuT15bd4HUlD9vwTkmxluvBKz59VSedIY8Y79V8vYHdlD7YTqV-JYPIMSowZthwRtFDMSrCqTFBJ3k_bA/s627/UltralightSpecs.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="627" height="522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIbZ8ZhjvXGrWiHZuSTHQL1HEHWhuJVS-KUFzZnrT48Bc4qGngBNfKqRFo3_NvwTMCU284Lk_Ud48gSCmhbmHP_eof7DTXt7q3pUsia-AFfOuT15bd4HUlD9vwTkmxluvBKz59VSedIY8Y79V8vYHdlD7YTqV-JYPIMSowZthwRtFDMSrCqTFBJ3k_bA/w640-h522/UltralightSpecs.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Technical specifications of the Ultralight Mat</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My mat is 600 gm's in total which is not super light but is quite competitive when compared to other brands like Klymit and Thermarest for the same size and R-Value. Sea to Summit are certainly cheaper with this mat retailing for around $320 as compared to the $550 price for a NeoAir XLite from Thermarest. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqrVSka0b8irVEN7Xm94GcG3CNOaIotvdgVLxJDEopyWN6NeZH8L4om2OEJbAvDrvGh_WVU0DX7twrw3sa9XcyCEi7xN5eHvnibUPJdvhRO0oCSZLnWHfwt9wrsNyOLrF4xGGJzRD0hr5t5bhHLQm61X9APYN5mbxjVTzgj8PtQH0KK4MezZYI8ReFeA/s666/UltraFeatures.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="578" data-original-width="666" height="556" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqrVSka0b8irVEN7Xm94GcG3CNOaIotvdgVLxJDEopyWN6NeZH8L4om2OEJbAvDrvGh_WVU0DX7twrw3sa9XcyCEi7xN5eHvnibUPJdvhRO0oCSZLnWHfwt9wrsNyOLrF4xGGJzRD0hr5t5bhHLQm61X9APYN5mbxjVTzgj8PtQH0KK4MezZYI8ReFeA/w640-h556/UltraFeatures.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><h4 style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></h4><h4 style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">All in this looks like a really good sleeping mat and I look forward to using it in the future. </span></h4><h4 style="clear: both;"><br /></h4><h4 style="clear: both;">The Ultralight in use...</h4><p style="text-align: center;">So far I have only used this mat on one trip which was my <a href="https://nzbushadventures.blogspot.com/2023/01/camping-trip-hawdon-valley-in-arthurs.html">Hawdon Valley camp</a> back in January 2023. As I said at that time I am looking to do more camping trips before I get to old to handle them. My intention is to do several tramping trips a year solely as camping tramps as well as some overnight "Wild Camping" trips. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAnu3vjxFdv8ACUxeGYQEp4kaelYuHZGeLZjksru4PJouZgZVJPLygv3dD3ovNgFPGE8VsSMxtF_u9VGjmsL9lJfMu-XSn0_-C6wVYGpfcFqBTvsdA0dteSu1S1QmULbwugnbkGxLaIIO_5vafWRgPuoJHDk0X9VQoeIHwo7sbruIzm67DIDCscKbJpg/s6000/IMG_8726.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAnu3vjxFdv8ACUxeGYQEp4kaelYuHZGeLZjksru4PJouZgZVJPLygv3dD3ovNgFPGE8VsSMxtF_u9VGjmsL9lJfMu-XSn0_-C6wVYGpfcFqBTvsdA0dteSu1S1QmULbwugnbkGxLaIIO_5vafWRgPuoJHDk0X9VQoeIHwo7sbruIzm67DIDCscKbJpg/w640-h426/IMG_8726.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jon on his camp in the Hawdon Valley</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The sleeping mat performed well and I had a good nights sleep using the mat and my Big Agnes Tent. It is an excellent summer weight mat and it could probably be used down to temperatures around 5 degrees with ease. It was 15 the night I was out and I was actually a bit warm...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz6Dg83jjZ7ENNNTnz9YxWSCkqo2g1py_uiOwW1Yy1Uoq1t3LZ8g_TEIkyfumllMWFccjRhcEtUEbeXQsVHVpWxywFOS7n35K-34EF0yyWdOmGUJlDXqg8mWVPnsxydE1HBGjMyA2f_Uoo8cAfbodvy-6oAmqMmgACWIkfT6xAkSvxs8N8uVxIdGGZ3g/s6000/IMG_8752.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz6Dg83jjZ7ENNNTnz9YxWSCkqo2g1py_uiOwW1Yy1Uoq1t3LZ8g_TEIkyfumllMWFccjRhcEtUEbeXQsVHVpWxywFOS7n35K-34EF0yyWdOmGUJlDXqg8mWVPnsxydE1HBGjMyA2f_Uoo8cAfbodvy-6oAmqMmgACWIkfT6xAkSvxs8N8uVxIdGGZ3g/w640-h426/IMG_8752.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sea to Summit Ultralight mat in the Big Agnes tent</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The mat fitted into my one person tent and it is a good size to allow me to store gear at the head of the tent with the mat laying flat on the tent floor. For most of the day I had it folded up or stashed behind me so I could sit on the floor of the tent to read, cook etc. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7T2Mc1OVJdQK0vhLFwXKNlRYPVeTC3AhwcA5hl2J5TJMW_yjhN-9_szFqfXaDRIjrSyjx57ninCYYs6XXQHTNWDvN8vYtDuyMNiAGTcfNgMDvfJW9mfVdcogbtukUghs8TFn2_J8JfwARuW3_z0jrulf1rugcBRN-19UVq5ZRr91lWl9G3rPdy1kBNg/s6000/IMG_8768.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7T2Mc1OVJdQK0vhLFwXKNlRYPVeTC3AhwcA5hl2J5TJMW_yjhN-9_szFqfXaDRIjrSyjx57ninCYYs6XXQHTNWDvN8vYtDuyMNiAGTcfNgMDvfJW9mfVdcogbtukUghs8TFn2_J8JfwARuW3_z0jrulf1rugcBRN-19UVq5ZRr91lWl9G3rPdy1kBNg/w640-h426/IMG_8768.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gear packed on the last day of the Hawdon Valley camp</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;">This will now become my go to summer sleeping mat and will replace my older Pacific Outdoor mats I have been using for the last 10 years. I am still in the market for a warmer autumn/winter sleeping mat and I am looking at another Sea to Summit product the Ether Light XT. It has a slightly higher warmth rating and is 10 cm's thick so it would be more comfortable. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1pn2JS1d17tiJK7m9miGoqH7ceZHDpdI-ELY-Pd8e0Vlsdq3iUaaAZsUAFbTwWwMzrezUJlFKeMiS8b_mwV1qukHhaik9JPvJRZ_Qe5V03aBnCiR8AS4BcstTWARDunhFqysp4LZX9_7ZH8lz3E2Sy6ugRWxZ_FjLK-Xiag4PoVHXXWycUBmEXha_Xw/s890/Ether1.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="758" data-original-width="890" height="546" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1pn2JS1d17tiJK7m9miGoqH7ceZHDpdI-ELY-Pd8e0Vlsdq3iUaaAZsUAFbTwWwMzrezUJlFKeMiS8b_mwV1qukHhaik9JPvJRZ_Qe5V03aBnCiR8AS4BcstTWARDunhFqysp4LZX9_7ZH8lz3E2Sy6ugRWxZ_FjLK-Xiag4PoVHXXWycUBmEXha_Xw/w640-h546/Ether1.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Sea to Summit Ether Light XT sleeping mat</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As always cost is a factor i.e. I need to save up some money to be able to buy another mat so we will see what happens. Keep an eye out for future trips where I am using this piece of equipment. </div><div><br /></div>Jon Moakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14620417636121034748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2664594284381405400.post-87422742740108384472023-05-10T15:19:00.004-07:002023-05-11T18:27:27.275-07:00A recent visit to the St James Walkway: Part 2: Anne Hut to Boyle Village<p style="text-align: center;">Continuing on from my last post here is my tramp of the St James Walk from Anne Hut to Boyle Village back in April.</p><h3 style="text-align: center;"> ...more from my St James Walkway saga...</h3><p style="text-align: center;">The final two days of the St James Walkway take you up the Anne River to Anne Saddle before descending into the Boyle River catchment. From Anne Saddle you are on the eastern side of the Southern Alps and you spend the remainder of the trip in the Boyle Valley. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6xKL0sCw3UroofVMaxxcyXkyCNicqpjzHERcRa37lmx5l0mMg6Nv_qTsvQFsLNv8gR2Rr0GlGvUzKvNMW1qKG5QGqNL_ZCWEPDcUHYFN2gw3b8iikk09dv40wRpuCjEH_42bs-uIGAwFqyLT9EHJ07E2x_K5yZmgxzFYitKPBBFN9H9qfivVknq1AtA/s6000/IMG_0957.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6xKL0sCw3UroofVMaxxcyXkyCNicqpjzHERcRa37lmx5l0mMg6Nv_qTsvQFsLNv8gR2Rr0GlGvUzKvNMW1qKG5QGqNL_ZCWEPDcUHYFN2gw3b8iikk09dv40wRpuCjEH_42bs-uIGAwFqyLT9EHJ07E2x_K5yZmgxzFYitKPBBFN9H9qfivVknq1AtA/w640-h426/IMG_0957.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heading up the Henry Valley from Anne Hut<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;">Its a long way walking from Anne Hut to Boyle Flat Hut...over 7 hours for me on this trip. It is only 17 km's but I am not used to walking those kinds of distances. It not hard walking as you walk up one valley cross a low pass and then down another valley. </p><h4>Anne Hut to Boyle Flat Hut:</h4><div style="text-align: center;">I was the first out of the hut as is my norm as I really like to walk in the early morning...it is a lot cooler than walking in the blazing heat of the afternoon. I also find the light of the early morning very appealing and it photographs really nicely.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-c_02UuKOUXU3dDQnXns66hSNyAFwIqqC-TyviimDvCMOwCvri8pL75tR8jdEHWJaFVqgK_Z5gyuk_oQ3OZ6qfRsSCX3trtHDQ71Y3Rh7woWp8-IhKSpwbdWBdBoHBDRNBI_02OLn9ei7FqZiBLcI5dxnWzNTvrTb-w9EtOovZm5EC2ahaw_x4sdxdg/s6000/IMG_0950.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-c_02UuKOUXU3dDQnXns66hSNyAFwIqqC-TyviimDvCMOwCvri8pL75tR8jdEHWJaFVqgK_Z5gyuk_oQ3OZ6qfRsSCX3trtHDQ71Y3Rh7woWp8-IhKSpwbdWBdBoHBDRNBI_02OLn9ei7FqZiBLcI5dxnWzNTvrTb-w9EtOovZm5EC2ahaw_x4sdxdg/w640-h426/IMG_0950.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DOC sign outside Anne Hut...17 km's to Boyle Flat Hut</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnllI9jhwiFWKOizZM6dnIhUoJd3TsBzpnwjGWHsa8pP_G5k3sdN3fUB4qHBZfH7ZlfwBFrmRI69v1-IsXZ_53-ujCOPi3f7sCcGv31ausB91lh1LQK94rIOtemuaYKUcyFaCD6Q-gRgi2kRcjypg6cfJypdu2XpqZahAVXbdQJ3nDeiHzGHKVggmH4Q/s6000/IMG_0951.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnllI9jhwiFWKOizZM6dnIhUoJd3TsBzpnwjGWHsa8pP_G5k3sdN3fUB4qHBZfH7ZlfwBFrmRI69v1-IsXZ_53-ujCOPi3f7sCcGv31ausB91lh1LQK94rIOtemuaYKUcyFaCD6Q-gRgi2kRcjypg6cfJypdu2XpqZahAVXbdQJ3nDeiHzGHKVggmH4Q/w640-h426/IMG_0951.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption">Looking up the Henry Valley in my direction of travel</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKtDmKfVSy6-I8EES20iJTSeKTdCjAtA2waMoB0v1_RD3fBNOaJldg1x-Qg33H9SILw01muIN-Hr4FX9ex-i3YWMgwKX7CktS2pFJ-ksVqPvbsWqUFcVH349dXqF143or1ZCTs7aigWeNC4KnmU72ApYsXKLaPDiuPLeWACVmNYPa_WEBfzdgdMtjokQ/s978/AnneMap1.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="838" data-original-width="978" height="548" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKtDmKfVSy6-I8EES20iJTSeKTdCjAtA2waMoB0v1_RD3fBNOaJldg1x-Qg33H9SILw01muIN-Hr4FX9ex-i3YWMgwKX7CktS2pFJ-ksVqPvbsWqUFcVH349dXqF143or1ZCTs7aigWeNC4KnmU72ApYsXKLaPDiuPLeWACVmNYPa_WEBfzdgdMtjokQ/w640-h548/AnneMap1.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Map: St James Walkway in Anne Valley</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It was a beauty of a day with clear blue skies, sun and little wind. I could tell it was going to be warm later in the day so i wanted to get as far along my days journey as possible before it got too warm. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0qxd5xTZUfVVOUar6pmfc8tEZLXYZC5VA97jvQXlrUC5bTGWGpSS0SUNckOHMRBSTXHUwdYK1LXzCAYJl1wavzWVVxbuLnPf2_MwP0KA4vd1lqZiffJTx8CNTwS1IIKNUtkESml7s19PluAIXLU4pko_eQSA1ueDdijkJl8wZ-Q3_JXCKfsm8K2GfPw/s6000/IMG_0953.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0qxd5xTZUfVVOUar6pmfc8tEZLXYZC5VA97jvQXlrUC5bTGWGpSS0SUNckOHMRBSTXHUwdYK1LXzCAYJl1wavzWVVxbuLnPf2_MwP0KA4vd1lqZiffJTx8CNTwS1IIKNUtkESml7s19PluAIXLU4pko_eQSA1ueDdijkJl8wZ-Q3_JXCKfsm8K2GfPw/w640-h426/IMG_0953.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last view of Anne Hut as I set out in the morning</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfRFLjtYs0d7DP37NV14JXp-XogIpjMJKnarKo_tw8gkgamQFYUbeIs2xP_m7fGIARH0ET9riErB8ob7meu6V5x9vUzpjYK3sftLr0MV9dgNRQeyINoEbJ0LzU_IhvULwsudOve2pRNCSeQSsHUFT1xUb-17t5TWfHV9VlbAds5SRrjWYlGZgm71Y7nA/s6000/IMG_0954.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfRFLjtYs0d7DP37NV14JXp-XogIpjMJKnarKo_tw8gkgamQFYUbeIs2xP_m7fGIARH0ET9riErB8ob7meu6V5x9vUzpjYK3sftLr0MV9dgNRQeyINoEbJ0LzU_IhvULwsudOve2pRNCSeQSsHUFT1xUb-17t5TWfHV9VlbAds5SRrjWYlGZgm71Y7nA/w640-h426/IMG_0954.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So long Anne Hut...hope to see you again!!!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I was the only person heading to Boyle Flat Hut that day and I basically had the track to myself except for four TA walkers I passed heading NOBO. I passed two of them near Anne Saddle and the other two as I was about to break out into the Boyle River Valley. It is late in the TA season so these are some of the few remaining trekkers for the 2022/2023 season.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNrpiHwZidaj-9DHPzWr7ZsvLTyLT8d0lXoePgVnceM0T4zuwq2Xhe9COdum9I_XATO16fWvMFciThu6wQ2P4M-f-Tj4G2N3QvT4S029w_ZpNMA-PFwV85w0bPwPaoU-AhjIzn9dyqL7O0EzpbYnILqJ93hlNPWTrTyLgHH4SmZPFLClfl9cC49m7D9g/s6000/IMG_0958.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNrpiHwZidaj-9DHPzWr7ZsvLTyLT8d0lXoePgVnceM0T4zuwq2Xhe9COdum9I_XATO16fWvMFciThu6wQ2P4M-f-Tj4G2N3QvT4S029w_ZpNMA-PFwV85w0bPwPaoU-AhjIzn9dyqL7O0EzpbYnILqJ93hlNPWTrTyLgHH4SmZPFLClfl9cC49m7D9g/w640-h426/IMG_0958.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Upper Henry Valley, St James Walkway</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7yHvIKZPUYvUF8PeDCJkk9HX4SXLbLXojthjZlmRxt8RjYPm7OGHrGLvRqEIozse0gxtGX6Ipw0x_eesaqrwh-T1PtKTV8kwOmN_itDeogKLwZWtfEC91nm0CfyIjqQ0bt3B_sXSQQPnbylTp8wYGvfuLp9Bq3Ll4mBwyGDFhO-DrYrrzBv9nUxB_BQ/s6000/IMG_0960.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7yHvIKZPUYvUF8PeDCJkk9HX4SXLbLXojthjZlmRxt8RjYPm7OGHrGLvRqEIozse0gxtGX6Ipw0x_eesaqrwh-T1PtKTV8kwOmN_itDeogKLwZWtfEC91nm0CfyIjqQ0bt3B_sXSQQPnbylTp8wYGvfuLp9Bq3Ll4mBwyGDFhO-DrYrrzBv9nUxB_BQ/w640-h426/IMG_0960.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heading down to cross the Anne River</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div>About 3 km's down the track you cross to the true left of the Anne River. From here you continue up the valley for about another 2 hours until you get to Anne Saddle. It was shady in the valley as the sun had not yet risen over the surrounding hills. The Anne River Valley is high and narrow so it takes time for the sun to rise. </div><div><br /></div><div>It was a lovely sunny day which made a change from the dull conditions I had the previous couple of days walking around to Anne Hut. </div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzSkvbVbRMevNEcafRJXKtk_79r5pYNOERPshpjx5riFwUTPbx28kz_09-zDV5l9KsVmPzN5nOgVexXbMFeIOrZTo1NnwskXuYjVCTXMyo6c60RcuXEXVsoP6AsLkvWrPmFbwlq5gImqb7LABtUh3aDP0THAOjDifB2nxISpcNwrkGUE1Pxvm1z3lxrA/s6000/IMG_0962.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzSkvbVbRMevNEcafRJXKtk_79r5pYNOERPshpjx5riFwUTPbx28kz_09-zDV5l9KsVmPzN5nOgVexXbMFeIOrZTo1NnwskXuYjVCTXMyo6c60RcuXEXVsoP6AsLkvWrPmFbwlq5gImqb7LABtUh3aDP0THAOjDifB2nxISpcNwrkGUE1Pxvm1z3lxrA/w640-h426/IMG_0962.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anne River Footbridge, St James Walkway</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgha7CBgj0p9RpcHP5F-yus8uZaJcV8fawGfDWVdVRKfQAdlmbQPtEyHvIQ-sPHuHGeC_5U0b2rSmCeu18y6FIrED8c8v2dakgaNDQDG6hhMqBLQ_ttTrwguixZYBE0fZE8q2ivUV4LYJmhlrWbMHZOJfOLErOFgf__cVV-kDcfzdONlqv8C6f7TkP5BA/s6000/IMG_0964.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgha7CBgj0p9RpcHP5F-yus8uZaJcV8fawGfDWVdVRKfQAdlmbQPtEyHvIQ-sPHuHGeC_5U0b2rSmCeu18y6FIrED8c8v2dakgaNDQDG6hhMqBLQ_ttTrwguixZYBE0fZE8q2ivUV4LYJmhlrWbMHZOJfOLErOFgf__cVV-kDcfzdONlqv8C6f7TkP5BA/w640-h426/IMG_0964.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking down the Anne River from the footbridge</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijuhNcjaMXAqcnC4e4gbqoTirKVX4lFRLBXHWEHEaghWgdSBu9TDnmzUJKr4JyHUiByG23cfHSbsbjC0oFCb-yof0oYfgqEQDVO3Gxz2_AhqLbjiWWPZ-Uud3BfXJXMAc9qRsYGtYrKnl77Ks7E1wB2OzfvpubbghiYK0-BCNJW6dKUCF3lLA4ps976g/s6000/IMG_0965.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijuhNcjaMXAqcnC4e4gbqoTirKVX4lFRLBXHWEHEaghWgdSBu9TDnmzUJKr4JyHUiByG23cfHSbsbjC0oFCb-yof0oYfgqEQDVO3Gxz2_AhqLbjiWWPZ-Uud3BfXJXMAc9qRsYGtYrKnl77Ks7E1wB2OzfvpubbghiYK0-BCNJW6dKUCF3lLA4ps976g/w640-h426/IMG_0965.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shady conditions along the Anne River</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Nice easy track up the Anne River Valley for the first couple of hours, the track is mostly on river terraces with the occasional climb over intervening ridge lines. It is about 2-3 hours from Anne Hut to Anne Saddle....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmMQ9-1wv1NkJGRCuzF_61w-3_6gWxZovwbUUdKIjB2ksS5YiaUSX5AqvX4kQeP7nIGlm_DlC_Ln7hLVaPY2V-qEVuEiIYRGktHKrtm2uXnEgkzVaboul-DhhwUwgsfSa7-i9vfAH3in26bR765ZjGEWh18pNk1H8oS09XtrsxQXghqP4WsboK8e5VQg/s6000/IMG_0967.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmMQ9-1wv1NkJGRCuzF_61w-3_6gWxZovwbUUdKIjB2ksS5YiaUSX5AqvX4kQeP7nIGlm_DlC_Ln7hLVaPY2V-qEVuEiIYRGktHKrtm2uXnEgkzVaboul-DhhwUwgsfSa7-i9vfAH3in26bR765ZjGEWh18pNk1H8oS09XtrsxQXghqP4WsboK8e5VQg/w640-h426/IMG_0967.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the true left of the Anne River for the second hour</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFV0weF6hDmZzy3aUodksr-Cu7f5JxjvSxl-Xu-Io8rIbsK2AocrXPsUaF0wVxY9JbtGbbZ8m8tgc1BpPrhpArS1yRD20dLM4uGbXuhg5WNaz5pxUUJvfROUfCCdmgKwqcCOgiQY_BR9Y55IoknQdUKjLfwCUxxXa8gbsWRn05938v7hOXGhuLHRmZzg/s6000/IMG_0968.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFV0weF6hDmZzy3aUodksr-Cu7f5JxjvSxl-Xu-Io8rIbsK2AocrXPsUaF0wVxY9JbtGbbZ8m8tgc1BpPrhpArS1yRD20dLM4uGbXuhg5WNaz5pxUUJvfROUfCCdmgKwqcCOgiQY_BR9Y55IoknQdUKjLfwCUxxXa8gbsWRn05938v7hOXGhuLHRmZzg/w640-h426/IMG_0968.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Anne River is in a much narrower valley</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmtjc7AF4WluE44RUYyTVOGV7LzHyPBmRQ9jlknnHjLzgETfaLbjgjVmMakd_MUsmMa5ko1T6dYegpjLvBcfTeZSaILBwoX97YS2Mec8MLgY8B56WnM-nVVGgpi6PGTPCxf8Er8LBQ9qxRvWL1VkMsqeS9lje9ZoiM8e1FeWZuyn63Vbmnxs9e7O3RoQ/s6000/IMG_0970.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmtjc7AF4WluE44RUYyTVOGV7LzHyPBmRQ9jlknnHjLzgETfaLbjgjVmMakd_MUsmMa5ko1T6dYegpjLvBcfTeZSaILBwoX97YS2Mec8MLgY8B56WnM-nVVGgpi6PGTPCxf8Er8LBQ9qxRvWL1VkMsqeS9lje9ZoiM8e1FeWZuyn63Vbmnxs9e7O3RoQ/w640-h426/IMG_0970.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beech forest along the Anne River</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It is swampy right up the Anne River so there are frequent sections of boardwalk to cross. I like it as it makes for supremely easy walking...not all that interesting though.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi93YjsKJIlfd-BlwxBzi0y_Bz-sEv1uuocXdn-cYiANpbJ5Qjbo7cDJUSc2tGpOSGqq2s0AtaUhGj9of-M6p77ElHfF2V__t0tN49JjGsUmlY_ov2CrlPQBeH_DrBbbI_UdhO9byhE_rlp-mx5vDdOhADxGl8be4_yfSaD-xvL93Ka0TmMgXVopbIe5g/s6000/IMG_0972.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi93YjsKJIlfd-BlwxBzi0y_Bz-sEv1uuocXdn-cYiANpbJ5Qjbo7cDJUSc2tGpOSGqq2s0AtaUhGj9of-M6p77ElHfF2V__t0tN49JjGsUmlY_ov2CrlPQBeH_DrBbbI_UdhO9byhE_rlp-mx5vDdOhADxGl8be4_yfSaD-xvL93Ka0TmMgXVopbIe5g/w640-h426/IMG_0972.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On boardwalk in the Anne Valley, St James Walkway</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9jlUaA6WQhlW_h3cY5GBiI07L8mE4FVZ1IVXyfiopZ8rd9nQo3_JJfPRVtHeDvHAN4qFxQpl2IPtMg7dfUWGG7jD3DJl7G-FiVW51w6Sh29DpjDz3nLFLSmp4KLvktkCGEouqTw5Qai_qe0pDEx7Z4EPZY1fo3H0d0RBrSD1PGPuCq88Pvu93yQb3Rw/s6000/IMG_0974.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9jlUaA6WQhlW_h3cY5GBiI07L8mE4FVZ1IVXyfiopZ8rd9nQo3_JJfPRVtHeDvHAN4qFxQpl2IPtMg7dfUWGG7jD3DJl7G-FiVW51w6Sh29DpjDz3nLFLSmp4KLvktkCGEouqTw5Qai_qe0pDEx7Z4EPZY1fo3H0d0RBrSD1PGPuCq88Pvu93yQb3Rw/w640-h426/IMG_0974.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There are a number of big tussock wetlands in the Anne Valley</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha4Q-zN8Md1aSQ7NZLoTGa6SDTYCe3TxjAUK7_TtlyMxLwwDixTtIuWA20TOc6jn24AWpDWmceDOGPhWXEnjTsU-Iy6faglUJLLrbT-18pG2M7ZY0wk0MBep0R-IgvpdQTkBBIuOe-DmM-gel49OB4ApyGHrCCYloltPrx9F31tCBVCbHV-ASjBzM11g/s6000/IMG_0975.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha4Q-zN8Md1aSQ7NZLoTGa6SDTYCe3TxjAUK7_TtlyMxLwwDixTtIuWA20TOc6jn24AWpDWmceDOGPhWXEnjTsU-Iy6faglUJLLrbT-18pG2M7ZY0wk0MBep0R-IgvpdQTkBBIuOe-DmM-gel49OB4ApyGHrCCYloltPrx9F31tCBVCbHV-ASjBzM11g/w640-h426/IMG_0975.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coming to the end of a boardwalk in the Anne Valley</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span><div><div style="text-align: start;"><span style="text-align: center;">The St James Walkway crosses over to the true right of the river on a second footbridge about 1.5 hours into the day. I stopped near here for a break as it was a good way point to find my location on a map. You are on the true right of the Anne River for the rest of the way up to Anne Saddle. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZejFhSIitvlZVkLe4wV5NxDRmZ1dWPPy7FCTjG46qiTjm62o7vHlP3z3zl4_HbDiqWgeCpuQ1iJ63LpGibzOjE3Ky7-tkfwUW0DQhFQwnFpoujyNJcSja1h7b0TOMU_gllgoPqAi8nYpgrDNNiqWD78WoQ_dwxN-5VRFWaATu4xxOkT_lEELCgVT9Zg/s6000/IMG_0977.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZejFhSIitvlZVkLe4wV5NxDRmZ1dWPPy7FCTjG46qiTjm62o7vHlP3z3zl4_HbDiqWgeCpuQ1iJ63LpGibzOjE3Ky7-tkfwUW0DQhFQwnFpoujyNJcSja1h7b0TOMU_gllgoPqAi8nYpgrDNNiqWD78WoQ_dwxN-5VRFWaATu4xxOkT_lEELCgVT9Zg/w640-h426/IMG_0977.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Second footbridge about 1.5 hours into the Anne Valley</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The ridge below is the most strenuous part of the track along this section of the walkway, this one climbs above a gorge in the Upper Anne River. You climb up a hundred meters before descending back down to the river on the eastern side of the spur...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgecc_GNKkauoKnuWTLs8FBJXmdGbIbUFHYH4mXuTmCe8d523u8jDEBbmIZgvg9mt8P03ut3onKCMm79NPb4AHPW5eWl_1fFeyEeNzw1wiDH5_hV4cNmUrLomhwmGglKEY-jhH1dwrGVRpezT_mCoYBWvIBe_0QR4fLSGF32fm7zMIp2ndmXFDd6iRD_Q/s6000/IMG_0979.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgecc_GNKkauoKnuWTLs8FBJXmdGbIbUFHYH4mXuTmCe8d523u8jDEBbmIZgvg9mt8P03ut3onKCMm79NPb4AHPW5eWl_1fFeyEeNzw1wiDH5_hV4cNmUrLomhwmGglKEY-jhH1dwrGVRpezT_mCoYBWvIBe_0QR4fLSGF32fm7zMIp2ndmXFDd6iRD_Q/w640-h426/IMG_0979.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ridgeline comes right down to river in Anne Valley</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9DJ5qX-KwRYYGP7d9xMX6SgtMtIE9-jz5AKaj_BKTgRBsUGv2asBua5MFiG633wewrsUZOrqDLQ7IpgrcYYz4ns8Si8P48ySRvuxNAKCb5JY-OhlS4LkXWhSFU8qyO8GUh2cpjtkylApxaZUFm7h-Thk__qzMBH96_rram1CuYwORBjGQi11K6MS99w/s6000/IMG_0980.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9DJ5qX-KwRYYGP7d9xMX6SgtMtIE9-jz5AKaj_BKTgRBsUGv2asBua5MFiG633wewrsUZOrqDLQ7IpgrcYYz4ns8Si8P48ySRvuxNAKCb5JY-OhlS4LkXWhSFU8qyO8GUh2cpjtkylApxaZUFm7h-Thk__qzMBH96_rram1CuYwORBjGQi11K6MS99w/w640-h426/IMG_0980.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The St James Walkway climbs over this spur</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxJo4kL5peoh0gGq2wYt5I0RO1BE1tGArhp0UX6bD25Xu58X54E_gY3-Zjnu8jiRZXStDsXL25oZGXo6yWGjavWfcDYtU89xAmBD11qnUlEMJZCtuy8FpIadCi6GgprS8XOL4WeSpf9El1mazuipbTlzJ1luVUmz5CnttOst8ekhwUEr94IlzK4nSpNg/s6000/IMG_0985.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxJo4kL5peoh0gGq2wYt5I0RO1BE1tGArhp0UX6bD25Xu58X54E_gY3-Zjnu8jiRZXStDsXL25oZGXo6yWGjavWfcDYtU89xAmBD11qnUlEMJZCtuy8FpIadCi6GgprS8XOL4WeSpf9El1mazuipbTlzJ1luVUmz5CnttOst8ekhwUEr94IlzK4nSpNg/w640-h426/IMG_0985.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arriving back alongside the Anne River</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">From the far side of the ridge you can see some distance up the Anne Valley to where the valley splits into two branches. You are heading off to the right which is in the direction of Anne Saddle and the crossing into the Boyle River catchment. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLPSk-0t98HGiuDX0qC-5Z6uJ21hGSGt8AI3eCHn0un9q9TT-hdxpCrx3ekutfmoJOoYll4IW8dZViQePaH4jfML_rY1ad45q62y2PtsommOkbto3zoxuThqw4I4QW-JSdX1TXuhwnNdYJIk-mAviUWDiIyeWIxuhdHn_Q4T7P1_D-z-7JLKHdkjsMdg/s6000/IMG_0987.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLPSk-0t98HGiuDX0qC-5Z6uJ21hGSGt8AI3eCHn0un9q9TT-hdxpCrx3ekutfmoJOoYll4IW8dZViQePaH4jfML_rY1ad45q62y2PtsommOkbto3zoxuThqw4I4QW-JSdX1TXuhwnNdYJIk-mAviUWDiIyeWIxuhdHn_Q4T7P1_D-z-7JLKHdkjsMdg/w640-h426/IMG_0987.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You are heading off to the right to climb over Anne Saddle</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;">I stopped for a break near the confluence of the two branches of the Anne Valley. I had been walking for over two hours by this point with another hour to get me to the top of Anne Saddle. I was making slow but sure progress. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkMsYn52l_gsmPJbw6b_aDCXAiBhmOuxm7qcGjtNL0pruP7ndo6qlHxbfAsZcqq_m71cO9PHWECBKFW8Om27nHNKzJpQOuox-rSAya_7DnndWQfG9oeeuHy2PgYj39eYoq5lv3hb_Ugxh74tL2WJ1C8LwnoUd3mCoSjn6DRGCB2MUAyfl77WMs5tFg9Q/s6000/IMG_0989.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkMsYn52l_gsmPJbw6b_aDCXAiBhmOuxm7qcGjtNL0pruP7ndo6qlHxbfAsZcqq_m71cO9PHWECBKFW8Om27nHNKzJpQOuox-rSAya_7DnndWQfG9oeeuHy2PgYj39eYoq5lv3hb_Ugxh74tL2WJ1C8LwnoUd3mCoSjn6DRGCB2MUAyfl77WMs5tFg9Q/w640-h426/IMG_0989.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View back down the Anne Valley from near the valley head</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXlEu5QzSpKeFxtEQxavcgzdrsSUWFjx2YvkDxhKKTFAJezS5RS0oYgP4BU1rzHmFy-4gnGAxq3rCkOQPIC_B4ewhPoWFq7um_wGyA5xM5pzZ2Sz9JfgqKZoYgiLlObje44EwWUUV3c1yR4VV6KUw71vlUOeUE2LMj1I5A6XS7XRFQJFkwd-P6RT-mPw/s6000/IMG_0991.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXlEu5QzSpKeFxtEQxavcgzdrsSUWFjx2YvkDxhKKTFAJezS5RS0oYgP4BU1rzHmFy-4gnGAxq3rCkOQPIC_B4ewhPoWFq7um_wGyA5xM5pzZ2Sz9JfgqKZoYgiLlObje44EwWUUV3c1yR4VV6KUw71vlUOeUE2LMj1I5A6XS7XRFQJFkwd-P6RT-mPw/w640-h426/IMG_0991.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mt Rokeby is part of the Opera Range of mountains</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">You head off to the right when you get near the head of the Anne River and there are marker poles and signs pointing towards Anne Saddle. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYaaV4Xucsp0B5yafbmn9vfnElDuaJJL0GLRx3FXJpMBBCIDb_blihugcAMddb_vxAWQ-CospY6IjLuRLjEu_-ozbE4iejcmOWr1JrzZ0ASYRiHk9YJ7w7ZWRfWtMRIhLspAkyOYHDPurBowETlwR6DDALywZYaO78rHTe4uIjgQ2zCmfZQiDJorb_WA/s6000/IMG_0992.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYaaV4Xucsp0B5yafbmn9vfnElDuaJJL0GLRx3FXJpMBBCIDb_blihugcAMddb_vxAWQ-CospY6IjLuRLjEu_-ozbE4iejcmOWr1JrzZ0ASYRiHk9YJ7w7ZWRfWtMRIhLspAkyOYHDPurBowETlwR6DDALywZYaO78rHTe4uIjgQ2zCmfZQiDJorb_WA/w640-h426/IMG_0992.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The St James Walkway veers to the right in the Anne Valley</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigM-S4DBHTB79JTgCt1nk90TA0t2vIjTheqfB0LiPBNcsTs8dIwaZ9N38Fj_khaLxAZax6cxxNWn1ych2PzGLfbOebq0-q2V6mHXvo9hzbkudH5C9hyPyO-Hp71JAmQ7ApoZZo44YM6Hzzq35ZI-zF2Zm5oI06n6EvCnUjvpeDIUZZnAsb1LYBQPBDEw/s6000/IMG_0993.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigM-S4DBHTB79JTgCt1nk90TA0t2vIjTheqfB0LiPBNcsTs8dIwaZ9N38Fj_khaLxAZax6cxxNWn1ych2PzGLfbOebq0-q2V6mHXvo9hzbkudH5C9hyPyO-Hp71JAmQ7ApoZZo44YM6Hzzq35ZI-zF2Zm5oI06n6EvCnUjvpeDIUZZnAsb1LYBQPBDEw/w640-h426/IMG_0993.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View up the south branch of the Anne Valley</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;">As you can see in the photo below its not much of a saddle to climb all things considered...it is about 1100 meters above sea level but because you are gaining height so gradually it just seems like a slightly higher point along the valley floor. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEuJ5qFfft31yQk0rWfSxzbD4IKLGB2yybmGVm8rSez8S9MPGlcRYQOtJ9g0OAziGiKynkqtj37h-P2hRlS-pXX66MrHxAXziOtpZOHSb81ug3brr1vAeMNkKSZ_KgesctEKepuDD4D5L6LCyynSJKM_-G9i_tqJl2woD41rxoZmmgm0cdhhASb-zFWQ/s6000/IMG_0995.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEuJ5qFfft31yQk0rWfSxzbD4IKLGB2yybmGVm8rSez8S9MPGlcRYQOtJ9g0OAziGiKynkqtj37h-P2hRlS-pXX66MrHxAXziOtpZOHSb81ug3brr1vAeMNkKSZ_KgesctEKepuDD4D5L6LCyynSJKM_-G9i_tqJl2woD41rxoZmmgm0cdhhASb-zFWQ/w640-h426/IMG_0995.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First view of Anne Saddle at end of Anne Valley</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;">Here is the last view I had down the Anne River before heading off towards Anne Saddle. As you can see it is really swampy up here and the track sidles along the hillside just up from the river on slightly drier ground. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvMgBAfLCAzCZSvSBELCU4MWho3uVc_zdQvwO8RaSffjssVdDDmIzefddE_-byWqbmej1w5RN2zvQK0xmIIp9EqyX1m9Z4Vq-sObPmfDU7FP0dYt3FiD0jonuJ507yK3CP7ZAfmRJNPh1vahFlbGUBYqTSnAPRWPhjNI5nN41UIR7tE9Mye3RnIdDKYg/s6000/IMG_0998.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvMgBAfLCAzCZSvSBELCU4MWho3uVc_zdQvwO8RaSffjssVdDDmIzefddE_-byWqbmej1w5RN2zvQK0xmIIp9EqyX1m9Z4Vq-sObPmfDU7FP0dYt3FiD0jonuJ507yK3CP7ZAfmRJNPh1vahFlbGUBYqTSnAPRWPhjNI5nN41UIR7tE9Mye3RnIdDKYg/w640-h426/IMG_0998.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last view down the Anne River Valley</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;">Eventually you reach the swampy head of the Anne River...this is slower going as you pick your way from mud patch to mud patch. As you get closer to the top of the valley the track becomes steeper and rocky but nothing too strenuous. A small helicopter flew over me at low altitude along here...probably transporting hunters to one of the huts up in the mountains.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8fV9kaAhRsfzWBADCtpP_cHQBwd2XsI3kE5j19yxa-1kSyPuKfc8KHjuJ3T3QnB10sV6facjkSJIBJcMV7ljvCZjLHmq4I2W8Ik0eOAK8ZbPHr7pFRe6ynyCSOeUHPYDiWyGjXEvyUAVeJzjhZktNStOn4xmSDuq7l6Wql7XZdlz_dYOqOBcjyAN9yQ/s6000/IMG_0999.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8fV9kaAhRsfzWBADCtpP_cHQBwd2XsI3kE5j19yxa-1kSyPuKfc8KHjuJ3T3QnB10sV6facjkSJIBJcMV7ljvCZjLHmq4I2W8Ik0eOAK8ZbPHr7pFRe6ynyCSOeUHPYDiWyGjXEvyUAVeJzjhZktNStOn4xmSDuq7l6Wql7XZdlz_dYOqOBcjyAN9yQ/w640-h426/IMG_0999.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St James Walkway skirts the bogs near Anne Saddle</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBB-18wsibS9QlZC0wfRpJODGbg3Y5xvNAVwCFb3A-v2UB7cJjzj_o8XSuur9Okxnq6eYYeNwFLgCvauvRCSdDkTHoAdF-JTvSES6pIgOWUFet0ALW9BHty1sJarSC5R-Ir0no3lnJIfSJU5OcbxnsSXyzgDAJHyktaeC_0dNyXCWhvZi-yAQi92lAGg/s6000/IMG_1003.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBB-18wsibS9QlZC0wfRpJODGbg3Y5xvNAVwCFb3A-v2UB7cJjzj_o8XSuur9Okxnq6eYYeNwFLgCvauvRCSdDkTHoAdF-JTvSES6pIgOWUFet0ALW9BHty1sJarSC5R-Ir0no3lnJIfSJU5OcbxnsSXyzgDAJHyktaeC_0dNyXCWhvZi-yAQi92lAGg/w640-h426/IMG_1003.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the last climb to Anne Saddle, St James Walkway</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Below is the steepest part of the track, this is over the last 200 meters before the saddle, it is mildly steep and rocky and requires a bit of care. Honestly, this is one of the easiest saddles I have ever walked over bar Ada Pass on day two!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-EoalW0yS-9h_xspc83R_f7qvil5vzuhldwSXE9DOtiyuPo3kCu4fJaDATwCmM6IaEbXK7tkQAfjNV3VjJHAbsx1Pm-M7hjJWtTvREyf5amCyRwu7fSzdosIZCePgRc3jsKGP61sz-l0sEm9blEa0PWHiOt4UDMYKm5Q0-eI__-Et5zwk-x5yC-uQZg/s6000/IMG_1006.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-EoalW0yS-9h_xspc83R_f7qvil5vzuhldwSXE9DOtiyuPo3kCu4fJaDATwCmM6IaEbXK7tkQAfjNV3VjJHAbsx1Pm-M7hjJWtTvREyf5amCyRwu7fSzdosIZCePgRc3jsKGP61sz-l0sEm9blEa0PWHiOt4UDMYKm5Q0-eI__-Et5zwk-x5yC-uQZg/w640-h426/IMG_1006.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Open forest near the top of Anne Saddle</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJzXsVdi2jhERnLjKTSmOY_rXPyz_nNg6qPT8egE53Gt3d5fnc3ooE475wVwKxbGUNML5S76YISSnpiPy2_9qStuAtstNgIfH8syNzEkLR6As9jAyTLEdlZIjvQNNoB3xfAzo3jVyxL_f7g3HwkFQmGE85s97GM48NHLrDHmYuBvTvV1ngxswBG3PUxQ/s6000/IMG_1009.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJzXsVdi2jhERnLjKTSmOY_rXPyz_nNg6qPT8egE53Gt3d5fnc3ooE475wVwKxbGUNML5S76YISSnpiPy2_9qStuAtstNgIfH8syNzEkLR6As9jAyTLEdlZIjvQNNoB3xfAzo3jVyxL_f7g3HwkFQmGE85s97GM48NHLrDHmYuBvTvV1ngxswBG3PUxQ/w640-h426/IMG_1009.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Atop Anne Saddle, St James Walkway</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The top of Anne Saddle is a long low plateau with a couple of tarns surrounded by marsh land. There are plenty of rocks to sit on here while you have a break although there is not enough space to set up a camp unless you were using a hammock. No big flat areas you could use...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8klISXsHwZ0Ifc8uf0fcoJwoI9HKFp7paEjop77RMXjpLs32W9a6FDYR8PeAofpeNPH46VMAF69Kpsjev34Wgk1jwNnkVW5d9qkWecfb2aw6r77B06SOkh35ZGnsi60UZ3rp-0eSs43V0WOlwqWU7IY7MOabfIyq5IZOMxgrvRi8hD1_70i61UumdpQ/s6000/IMG_1008.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8klISXsHwZ0Ifc8uf0fcoJwoI9HKFp7paEjop77RMXjpLs32W9a6FDYR8PeAofpeNPH46VMAF69Kpsjev34Wgk1jwNnkVW5d9qkWecfb2aw6r77B06SOkh35ZGnsi60UZ3rp-0eSs43V0WOlwqWU7IY7MOabfIyq5IZOMxgrvRi8hD1_70i61UumdpQ/w640-h426/IMG_1008.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anne Valley side of Anne Saddle on the St James Walkway</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcAZdWLk9SVYNGcIPq0Eg3NmqGiz54VCvOL5PFUcd_lHT0ARiRD6S3-SKxZqrfObks_Hz0Ly9xwBnjDuY078Is20ljtTQycB2gblmJfHvEFESZkSmFYT-y1Dd-PfxB7RicOzLsZvlYGqmh60Pz9e7HSIfX5USDeA5xQdzA0Wx5E4Rvw7qfT1qLF1DwdQ/s6000/IMG_1010.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcAZdWLk9SVYNGcIPq0Eg3NmqGiz54VCvOL5PFUcd_lHT0ARiRD6S3-SKxZqrfObks_Hz0Ly9xwBnjDuY078Is20ljtTQycB2gblmJfHvEFESZkSmFYT-y1Dd-PfxB7RicOzLsZvlYGqmh60Pz9e7HSIfX5USDeA5xQdzA0Wx5E4Rvw7qfT1qLF1DwdQ/w640-h426/IMG_1010.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DOC sign at the top of Anne Saddle, St James Walkway</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeBM4781e_5yDDp-4Xw_S8w3yzWqyi-CaXodugFdFhT8fHD8agZ7XS7Ycaq2JhfSu9ziSYk2-Bwy2fmE5xvXvu3qZjxjz4vqkiK4He1Rd4Ef-ve-u9J1U0h-P08mCTsmbD2QXaGsi28IA4tZQ75368WHAICI6u4nmf5lh6DbUsIt5pKyxtsue9eADRjA/s6000/IMG_1013.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeBM4781e_5yDDp-4Xw_S8w3yzWqyi-CaXodugFdFhT8fHD8agZ7XS7Ycaq2JhfSu9ziSYk2-Bwy2fmE5xvXvu3qZjxjz4vqkiK4He1Rd4Ef-ve-u9J1U0h-P08mCTsmbD2QXaGsi28IA4tZQ75368WHAICI6u4nmf5lh6DbUsIt5pKyxtsue9eADRjA/w640-h426/IMG_1013.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anne Saddle is 1136 meters above sea level</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjArhFOjaCf1QJXvR3cOQtyfX9X7_KEcsWhkxSLh2kI7hemAKlnM-GesvfA-xdqlLeNleMKAJaDPqjxmcCtX2f-WC4Rft5Dx8MWjcrsAYAnTAZR4GJJHSOb7VMAz1YMc_uFLyLGRQy54Af759gCoQQRvkNfhrUhzZfG7kp7zA8UU5-8bcuyyzws8RMT6A/s6000/IMG_1011.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjArhFOjaCf1QJXvR3cOQtyfX9X7_KEcsWhkxSLh2kI7hemAKlnM-GesvfA-xdqlLeNleMKAJaDPqjxmcCtX2f-WC4Rft5Dx8MWjcrsAYAnTAZR4GJJHSOb7VMAz1YMc_uFLyLGRQy54Af759gCoQQRvkNfhrUhzZfG7kp7zA8UU5-8bcuyyzws8RMT6A/w640-h426/IMG_1011.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tarns and bogs near Anne Saddle on the St James Walkway</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here I am up on the saddle...it took me about 2.5 hours to reach this spot from Anne Hut and is roughly 1/3 of the way to Boyle Flat Hut. I stopped just off the track and had a snack and water break before continuing on my way...<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD-8-P7haHp0ZKEnMXBwUTx1g-hr6yUlPxs4g87M9MuplF0sf4o3JMwuTERHFxEWNAscumZto86R2kdmw_1cNPlzz9J9jEC7xgSlFUnCHElRZ8cTqCPghBS1R_wsVGhTcdhh8vdqDlDZOuB-b0CwA8loPTyEyVZeFppeklzQXzGBJSaKE4Y7t25J5Zeg/s6000/IMG_1014.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD-8-P7haHp0ZKEnMXBwUTx1g-hr6yUlPxs4g87M9MuplF0sf4o3JMwuTERHFxEWNAscumZto86R2kdmw_1cNPlzz9J9jEC7xgSlFUnCHElRZ8cTqCPghBS1R_wsVGhTcdhh8vdqDlDZOuB-b0CwA8loPTyEyVZeFppeklzQXzGBJSaKE4Y7t25J5Zeg/w640-h426/IMG_1014.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jon Moake atop Anne Saddle, St James Walkway 2023</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEtmVO7FSb4OxO50EP0zH7FpbsP4GGAXA_mI0RtsCJLpO_XuWJTUL_4W2v2bJVH9BLu-UW7oYSY2fUo2rJZEhkguVLDYHuBx3u3obqCJLAdd8GEhDM5YqAoJp2Uy7W3Kism5ZeUWlPsQuumnzHUVhikUvFN-rIUbbjB5z4NacRNTZmBWtmFGrkjPqgWQ/s6000/IMG_1016.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEtmVO7FSb4OxO50EP0zH7FpbsP4GGAXA_mI0RtsCJLpO_XuWJTUL_4W2v2bJVH9BLu-UW7oYSY2fUo2rJZEhkguVLDYHuBx3u3obqCJLAdd8GEhDM5YqAoJp2Uy7W3Kism5ZeUWlPsQuumnzHUVhikUvFN-rIUbbjB5z4NacRNTZmBWtmFGrkjPqgWQ/w640-h426/IMG_1016.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking down the Boyle River side of Anne Saddle</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;">The descent from Anne Saddle used to be abrupt and step but DOC have constructed a new section of track from just off the crest to a point about 2.5 kilometers down the Boyle Valley. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0CRmc8lxeUL_lEDmbp_B2RGE4-FY4ZiCefeKFU23bVCir5aGMEisQanTZXzsQmym32zObBtIGQJIubR4BwlBuk1ch-DaFgqVMhRjE0ELDD40RQBLfXD9VJvvOar9tRK5HqrKCEl4Iv_G4FFAnsbnIFIEhEDdgZw9uwEUPxpR1qOYm_qYnbWmZNIgudw/s855/AnneMap2.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="855" data-original-width="848" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0CRmc8lxeUL_lEDmbp_B2RGE4-FY4ZiCefeKFU23bVCir5aGMEisQanTZXzsQmym32zObBtIGQJIubR4BwlBuk1ch-DaFgqVMhRjE0ELDD40RQBLfXD9VJvvOar9tRK5HqrKCEl4Iv_G4FFAnsbnIFIEhEDdgZw9uwEUPxpR1qOYm_qYnbWmZNIgudw/w634-h640/AnneMap2.JPG" width="634" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Map: St James Walkway, Anne Saddle to Rokeby Hut</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It is a lovely gradual drop down to the mid reaches of the Boyle River Valley. </div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHKhFxbPpWYE-xjxGjYVewSMDprOH2PV9HMcWCiuqKrrNKyOsB5E6lbfpvMPK1pNrEJDAuNe-Hu7kV96xvJUULjNRl_KtWzx18PL5yGN2bYKbSksjxh_IXFuidRudUpywKqRIksyzj7aubUTtm-toayO76GSw6EGrA3Rg0inxQVekU1quun6cNinJxOA/s6000/IMG_1017.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHKhFxbPpWYE-xjxGjYVewSMDprOH2PV9HMcWCiuqKrrNKyOsB5E6lbfpvMPK1pNrEJDAuNe-Hu7kV96xvJUULjNRl_KtWzx18PL5yGN2bYKbSksjxh_IXFuidRudUpywKqRIksyzj7aubUTtm-toayO76GSw6EGrA3Rg0inxQVekU1quun6cNinJxOA/w640-h426/IMG_1017.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Descending into the Boyle River from Anne Saddle</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieRqvaWbr5FkspA95SLSV_UWpMYlnaHoSksvQotLRpYYD3LQX9M4DjejJa4cZgIdF1wn3RNtsrvsbxZFirz34WC6gFxZwa6EmNiS5_0QXpKTrTM4M5PupaWPnWtqR8odFjSNhwjdVuHV57daKdRTHWhpi7gikp8lEUUA11zOJks10a97aZ28nn76c_2Q/s6000/IMG_1019.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieRqvaWbr5FkspA95SLSV_UWpMYlnaHoSksvQotLRpYYD3LQX9M4DjejJa4cZgIdF1wn3RNtsrvsbxZFirz34WC6gFxZwa6EmNiS5_0QXpKTrTM4M5PupaWPnWtqR8odFjSNhwjdVuHV57daKdRTHWhpi7gikp8lEUUA11zOJks10a97aZ28nn76c_2Q/w640-h426/IMG_1019.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the new track section descending to the Boyle River</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;">The track goes through some very nice Goblin Forest and there are a number of pretty streams crossing the track along the way. There are several places where you can do a water supply free of the Goose droppings scattered over all of the flat grassy areas. It is a much nicer way to cover the terrain and a real step up from the track I covered back in 2015. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDxWkTgnSeAG_MqKU7RyEqt4KMjtsgVtvNHuL8mNI1IVi305uocQqqt3di72Bhtv-k_qPWKMMwKb4u_S58qd7duK_LcaapYQRZjOCzJh_LFMfAyyQlEDnkBjzw-dEqLyyeoh2h1ntAZgDJuub8j17Shack6V7GHdiJtfe8Q3uWAUKizZtg_gljTyVE6g/s6000/IMG_1020.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDxWkTgnSeAG_MqKU7RyEqt4KMjtsgVtvNHuL8mNI1IVi305uocQqqt3di72Bhtv-k_qPWKMMwKb4u_S58qd7duK_LcaapYQRZjOCzJh_LFMfAyyQlEDnkBjzw-dEqLyyeoh2h1ntAZgDJuub8j17Shack6V7GHdiJtfe8Q3uWAUKizZtg_gljTyVE6g/w640-h426/IMG_1020.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Easy walking on the new St James Walkway track section</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgciop1pSFsSTk34lF24T_GRqmudL5AyHCYqRcztzsWvtwHYnvWWrtsL00oDH_KyqmYGRwA-UrFsMAeMIZujwaBFBSNlZhDWc9qg-Y7E0XSDrnEWeL_wswx5Y4jYni1BtmR53jFvqqie23kvg2_xywo30A00OuNYKyIlrlyA8qycbgACaptxRMT_NHJpQ/s6000/IMG_1022.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgciop1pSFsSTk34lF24T_GRqmudL5AyHCYqRcztzsWvtwHYnvWWrtsL00oDH_KyqmYGRwA-UrFsMAeMIZujwaBFBSNlZhDWc9qg-Y7E0XSDrnEWeL_wswx5Y4jYni1BtmR53jFvqqie23kvg2_xywo30A00OuNYKyIlrlyA8qycbgACaptxRMT_NHJpQ/w640-h426/IMG_1022.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">End of the descent into the Boyle River, St James Walkway</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;">Eventually you break out into the Upper Boyle River valley, it is really beautiful up there and would certainly warrant another visit just to camp in the area. It's all river flats and climbing over small ridges from here to Boyle Flat about 7 km's further down the valley.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlmqiY73ikV6h4kT1NUsBOau-LMmvuFgZuuRYG2XPRmnLQqMNxtpYy2QErWl-0HKreZMtRrQiU4nx_K9KP5y0voUwp7JBuB1nyZ8rwnc3tkTZK4y94nOeL7TX_PC5VX3_gsuJoLGzkzrOO-Rq6jCGEyrMCb5D_TEK5z4W-XVwHt4ompgo4yaxX9G2gxA/s6000/IMG_1024.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlmqiY73ikV6h4kT1NUsBOau-LMmvuFgZuuRYG2XPRmnLQqMNxtpYy2QErWl-0HKreZMtRrQiU4nx_K9KP5y0voUwp7JBuB1nyZ8rwnc3tkTZK4y94nOeL7TX_PC5VX3_gsuJoLGzkzrOO-Rq6jCGEyrMCb5D_TEK5z4W-XVwHt4ompgo4yaxX9G2gxA/w640-h426/IMG_1024.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First view down the Boyle River Valley</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8CjGDsa0K4xR85C7HjvOSlzU44FE7-mjmDRBJFRULUP3Ulp6ZXq-GFHeBCPmYDQg9_ZfxROZoOsyp4pYfHcos1FiP7p9fT25D7VcskIFiS-4WHSLrHdFewGP66t2KkDPLxHh0OQ1WyY5-UzfljEB6U9GHXDNfj-cBRRNJabXR84A3N4-bqxfKln_eyA/s6000/IMG_1026.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8CjGDsa0K4xR85C7HjvOSlzU44FE7-mjmDRBJFRULUP3Ulp6ZXq-GFHeBCPmYDQg9_ZfxROZoOsyp4pYfHcos1FiP7p9fT25D7VcskIFiS-4WHSLrHdFewGP66t2KkDPLxHh0OQ1WyY5-UzfljEB6U9GHXDNfj-cBRRNJabXR84A3N4-bqxfKln_eyA/w640-h426/IMG_1026.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crossing a stream in the Upper Boyle Valley, St James Walkway</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTQcqrwOdvTyaLZihsDf5rZ2YZlBFmwPrtQafYbYMyNUDaafKhO8v3TVmMh16uzQ1iDPc5KPRNtr6_do1depg_iQ1s_wFykmjC-T2s9csR49vTL0Y-tx0NA_QbBnGq-8xHNeHI2fhWwejU5Ncqen9Lp1WZrBqjolC7V66HPUSOrQuLnmpHvpGuSh0VLQ/s6000/IMG_1028.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTQcqrwOdvTyaLZihsDf5rZ2YZlBFmwPrtQafYbYMyNUDaafKhO8v3TVmMh16uzQ1iDPc5KPRNtr6_do1depg_iQ1s_wFykmjC-T2s9csR49vTL0Y-tx0NA_QbBnGq-8xHNeHI2fhWwejU5Ncqen9Lp1WZrBqjolC7V66HPUSOrQuLnmpHvpGuSh0VLQ/w640-h426/IMG_1028.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Boyle Valley is covered with grassy river flats</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;">There are relatively low hills at this end of the Boyle River Valley and I could see a number of excellent looking camping sites as I made my way down the valley. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh899JHLzAq7D2U-_K5NTj8kjeN0Izf0D6CzwCdlg-8nK5zLpS1jIJPuRO-X090LzZ4CcULVF5_zxPoTxuUI3UG_JY2dF_AOzf4lI7mhC603IJ9ptY1yKh_mnbZnMoyF3svERHoLTVPDEy3nw8rFN9nA-cvWfGRPnpVAYmDc5tiC0NU_ctpR23QozQV_w/s6000/IMG_1030.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh899JHLzAq7D2U-_K5NTj8kjeN0Izf0D6CzwCdlg-8nK5zLpS1jIJPuRO-X090LzZ4CcULVF5_zxPoTxuUI3UG_JY2dF_AOzf4lI7mhC603IJ9ptY1yKh_mnbZnMoyF3svERHoLTVPDEy3nw8rFN9nA-cvWfGRPnpVAYmDc5tiC0NU_ctpR23QozQV_w/w640-h426/IMG_1030.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picturesque stream on the far side of the Boyle River</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9rCBnte7vyV9qmjr6hgB4F534744U0YPNwsmxkS7R82Vhz30V9vLWHkZ_mz4wEeruPr6ZqYGJln2sEIKWz1lB6Ws64Ocy1ZVqOMA31Tae1j9oJOf7k3oQ36FzSSSMR856gRyD5WrXmizwhL2Ql2XVbmu5u1SNbsNxND2Np194A68Epw1uQcJSI91Dog/s6000/IMG_1031.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9rCBnte7vyV9qmjr6hgB4F534744U0YPNwsmxkS7R82Vhz30V9vLWHkZ_mz4wEeruPr6ZqYGJln2sEIKWz1lB6Ws64Ocy1ZVqOMA31Tae1j9oJOf7k3oQ36FzSSSMR856gRyD5WrXmizwhL2Ql2XVbmu5u1SNbsNxND2Np194A68Epw1uQcJSI91Dog/w640-h426/IMG_1031.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View to the Libretto Range from Boyle River Valley</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZokyfSTgCSHH_xeTQMDmvNna3t9RIPEo9JVJPMIvPrSps40Ae2fNtyaS-2xP79KgMrF58eURncKAmYZ0pdk_E8GIv5kbMr72kBaBqmR6WpuwC_F_ZPLeakWXPgHmX4co2tJHOeWnNiMJ_jjHvZt3rn5QJ_IIGKM_HUpB6-XbPD96Dmx2bWzoNEiQ6gw/s6000/IMG_1032.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZokyfSTgCSHH_xeTQMDmvNna3t9RIPEo9JVJPMIvPrSps40Ae2fNtyaS-2xP79KgMrF58eURncKAmYZ0pdk_E8GIv5kbMr72kBaBqmR6WpuwC_F_ZPLeakWXPgHmX4co2tJHOeWnNiMJ_jjHvZt3rn5QJ_IIGKM_HUpB6-XbPD96Dmx2bWzoNEiQ6gw/w640-h426/IMG_1032.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking back up towards Anne Saddle from near Pt. 866</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div>The track is seared into the grass of the river flats by all the passing feet. It is intersected at regular points by deer/pig/people tracks coming down from the hills. Watch for rocks and branches in that long grass...I tripped over an old rotten log walking along here back in 2015 and cut my knee.</div><div><br /></div></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6jbUi7C4t7Qa1aGyKRM8tfisTSjp6G_S1bWhSQjPMiJS0Tc3PUzrfWC8mMItavoleWyh_amv5vqfo5Y5y4S_Z3uqRJXLoDnD-faOVqxz7-SzQJin19Ka8CUkzmiUHlWM0ZgLHXM0POIjCjwyEUsZU8_v1UV1fbtMz6skk81UIuWccnZ3n7EWwkkBFPw/s6000/IMG_1034.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6jbUi7C4t7Qa1aGyKRM8tfisTSjp6G_S1bWhSQjPMiJS0Tc3PUzrfWC8mMItavoleWyh_amv5vqfo5Y5y4S_Z3uqRJXLoDnD-faOVqxz7-SzQJin19Ka8CUkzmiUHlWM0ZgLHXM0POIjCjwyEUsZU8_v1UV1fbtMz6skk81UIuWccnZ3n7EWwkkBFPw/w640-h426/IMG_1034.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Obvious path of the St James Walkway, Boyle Valley</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div>About half way along the track to Boyle Flat you pass the old <a href="http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/canterbury/places/st-james-conservation-area/things-to-do/huts/rokeby-hut/">Rokeby Hut</a>, this is a small 2 bunk hut located inside a small finger of bush on one of the ridges. It is "rustic" in nature; dirt floor, sacking bunks, no lining... but in quite good condition. There is even a classic corrugated iron dog box for the mustering dogs which were once used up the valley.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU-sKdtDbet-fjIoz-2SDi_kWWJsPL1w1J0tWadUoVzd7WAZyiRgfOl9MPk7mQtzVgGO2oHQGgTvBn4Hv7OhiFk8tBaHvx42P80LznWD0IWn_XaJsuzcAZhFRbzwZqjaRoZ9ys_WRDunZ6Mg1GwGQQqQv-5Qv3XQeGmLfjs-OAJws6-ShDN9GIdqwMEg/s6000/IMG_1039.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU-sKdtDbet-fjIoz-2SDi_kWWJsPL1w1J0tWadUoVzd7WAZyiRgfOl9MPk7mQtzVgGO2oHQGgTvBn4Hv7OhiFk8tBaHvx42P80LznWD0IWn_XaJsuzcAZhFRbzwZqjaRoZ9ys_WRDunZ6Mg1GwGQQqQv-5Qv3XQeGmLfjs-OAJws6-ShDN9GIdqwMEg/w640-h426/IMG_1039.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sign to Rokeby Hut on the St James Walkway</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaCGG68G-7pBhJSLdLUoiTs2rC6YwlExESClgMjaG4eBSucx3TQX18bqzlB4xuRlmOcjWKcfvUL6RjrhlY-9XGm061K5-G6rorC2nI7YKGAS7mKurxocoCd6qHIS1N_Epk38btSz-f5DkrszramsyA5s5qNk7W-s8xDgCrpglBBIt1ZJsdKjJvQlKu4w/s6000/IMG_1037.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaCGG68G-7pBhJSLdLUoiTs2rC6YwlExESClgMjaG4eBSucx3TQX18bqzlB4xuRlmOcjWKcfvUL6RjrhlY-9XGm061K5-G6rorC2nI7YKGAS7mKurxocoCd6qHIS1N_Epk38btSz-f5DkrszramsyA5s5qNk7W-s8xDgCrpglBBIt1ZJsdKjJvQlKu4w/w640-h426/IMG_1037.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red roof of Rokeby Hut peeks out of the Beech</td></tr></tbody></table><div></div><br />The hut looks like it has been painted recently...I know quite a few huts in this area have been refurbished or freshened up using money from the Jobs for Nature campaign. Lots of neglected huts have received the first real work on them in decades as the government fronted some money for people laid off during Covid. <br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fxYkdX60qIA/VOpuQs2yQuI/AAAAAAAAFLM/lxzAVf8ravU/s1600/DSCN4878.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fxYkdX60qIA/VOpuQs2yQuI/AAAAAAAAFLM/lxzAVf8ravU/w640-h480/DSCN4878.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption">Rokeby Hut in its bush surrounds on the St James Walkway</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVMWYi07XwyViJ3J0fw1a97yQ-yzyA2bXPAfwfbBRxiRTyzcny0BELzPpGwWwut9SoT81eHx4ObRR4CjMqZ9ckoHus_mBku5BWIv2vHS0PKxHplVE_E9FaPcB_orPmnUYKoRK1Difl_YLgPZ2jgJck-KYamE6JwUackjx4GePO7v9tNB1L0Fl3H1uVtw/s800/Rokeby_Hut_-_St_James_Walkway,_New_Zealand_(102).jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="579" data-original-width="800" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVMWYi07XwyViJ3J0fw1a97yQ-yzyA2bXPAfwfbBRxiRTyzcny0BELzPpGwWwut9SoT81eHx4ObRR4CjMqZ9ckoHus_mBku5BWIv2vHS0PKxHplVE_E9FaPcB_orPmnUYKoRK1Difl_YLgPZ2jgJck-KYamE6JwUackjx4GePO7v9tNB1L0Fl3H1uVtw/w640-h464/Rokeby_Hut_-_St_James_Walkway,_New_Zealand_(102).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rear view of Rokeby Hut, St James Walkway</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1kq6kRxZsDilYghLKRfA3OktJrq9mvz8UNeoMUvra0EN32ebPH5TBmpTQducEBRNZFf0Vo72-54-d3Nko_ndgnQ2aOZ09NRf0rVcz5VRr9QVHCyR_K8e1MN8KJlyRnd1TzstG5NTrIZPSc9gonVOQ49OXJykCo9MR2gajF-IdP7_TdM7kDPFF9uQoyw/s6000/IMG_1040.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1kq6kRxZsDilYghLKRfA3OktJrq9mvz8UNeoMUvra0EN32ebPH5TBmpTQducEBRNZFf0Vo72-54-d3Nko_ndgnQ2aOZ09NRf0rVcz5VRr9QVHCyR_K8e1MN8KJlyRnd1TzstG5NTrIZPSc9gonVOQ49OXJykCo9MR2gajF-IdP7_TdM7kDPFF9uQoyw/w640-h426/IMG_1040.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View down the Boyle River Valley from near Rokeby Hut</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">From Rokeby Hut I continued on my way over the last five kilometers to Boyle Flat Hut. In all it can take from 2-3 hours to cover the ground in the upper Boyle River and I was not moving swiftly. It is easy enough track to cover but the legs do start to get tired a bit earlier than they used to. </div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMXf4cp_oq4FAkNSVt51S4WJO8IiISAVSu9kb2xglLH3-wDOhnyVZhZLlcO8nBu1j0TDJ9lWzS3fKyKVZ_HnrRwjikBWf9T8NIrpXxy9V8g2RVaG4cyMxvJzjMHxwC1P574iDBIpgY2ScpXtxIl7JdklVKMavYuyXDpPeKJhGI0fcCaEcd_YpbB5z2Fg/s854/AnneMap3.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="854" data-original-width="844" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMXf4cp_oq4FAkNSVt51S4WJO8IiISAVSu9kb2xglLH3-wDOhnyVZhZLlcO8nBu1j0TDJ9lWzS3fKyKVZ_HnrRwjikBWf9T8NIrpXxy9V8g2RVaG4cyMxvJzjMHxwC1P574iDBIpgY2ScpXtxIl7JdklVKMavYuyXDpPeKJhGI0fcCaEcd_YpbB5z2Fg/w632-h640/AnneMap3.JPG" width="632" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Map: St James Walkway, Rokeby Hut to Boyle Flat Hut</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNYva3Tr0A1lxygswhDywgvnWHHeCWOJ0ejaFAcPDd5HGOGE_QelZUzfzxCH0Gfz6u8P7FwFT_nkDqQo7bII2pOuQrA1RDOsVpr63s3Qe8NCjY9Ly0gfDIheHwYmdPNlsD5GMrxMqkMxL6BAjeifXfoEChEyvFaquUIkHZoW9Ku7Qspn8xWsRMiJaJ2g/s6000/IMG_1041.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNYva3Tr0A1lxygswhDywgvnWHHeCWOJ0ejaFAcPDd5HGOGE_QelZUzfzxCH0Gfz6u8P7FwFT_nkDqQo7bII2pOuQrA1RDOsVpr63s3Qe8NCjY9Ly0gfDIheHwYmdPNlsD5GMrxMqkMxL6BAjeifXfoEChEyvFaquUIkHZoW9Ku7Qspn8xWsRMiJaJ2g/w640-h426/IMG_1041.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crossing Rokeby Stream on the St James Walkway</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMVdd0H_aTckjYynPKE7MD6c6Ho_bOGC8C-imC-ikQu7LE7TorZS4IYYVFVbRqXwLytgpoXr1fHNiqpOW2n3uzYodnNPAKL3g96qZgOvks1u-myfjvOX1q4e5w6qHw7gmfKqujYmVULUTDOqJbVo55vUm4WMAUL-TFJAGhCgoedFhgq1w3Nhz2NzIGfA/s6000/IMG_1043.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMVdd0H_aTckjYynPKE7MD6c6Ho_bOGC8C-imC-ikQu7LE7TorZS4IYYVFVbRqXwLytgpoXr1fHNiqpOW2n3uzYodnNPAKL3g96qZgOvks1u-myfjvOX1q4e5w6qHw7gmfKqujYmVULUTDOqJbVo55vUm4WMAUL-TFJAGhCgoedFhgq1w3Nhz2NzIGfA/w640-h426/IMG_1043.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matagouri trees between Rokeby and Boyle Flat Huts</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;">The lower reaches of the valley alternate between grassland and Matagouri but you can see your destination off along the valley. You are almost at the end of the days work...</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9clhJ9ZmH7AOtOXlyqkBS1hKMAHsAao-PgClGZkMw1MDFaaAjQcLcNl42-QvIZb5GlpIM69elmAZihAJ1yC2Zh7NXWAHuXNusD1vryHL43D3JrLtZVNpQrrgoHgl1U99GG1bWh0A0LmRjqKcLHZYfbXaEDbJtVO2myP9q1ayth7fswdh9cV8b8JcrmA/s6000/IMG_1045.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9clhJ9ZmH7AOtOXlyqkBS1hKMAHsAao-PgClGZkMw1MDFaaAjQcLcNl42-QvIZb5GlpIM69elmAZihAJ1yC2Zh7NXWAHuXNusD1vryHL43D3JrLtZVNpQrrgoHgl1U99GG1bWh0A0LmRjqKcLHZYfbXaEDbJtVO2myP9q1ayth7fswdh9cV8b8JcrmA/w640-h426/IMG_1045.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The eastern end of the Boyle River Valley, St James Walkway</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpaFaFTRz1E8GmbhU0rNrpgKzr_43AyhxjNqK3IgtsC903OmxL6JWASdmhZ-SXWmLO7X2fmUMR_xYJQAyNMI6c0H2DdiPdw-bqI8PoQVg6iLfROtOLfxgSiT6U3zqEA29GxiGBi1S6K9rL1pNInxItJJkTPI8-axbj5LSHoOzg8KfINWZ_C8aHrcaF1Q/s6000/IMG_1047.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpaFaFTRz1E8GmbhU0rNrpgKzr_43AyhxjNqK3IgtsC903OmxL6JWASdmhZ-SXWmLO7X2fmUMR_xYJQAyNMI6c0H2DdiPdw-bqI8PoQVg6iLfROtOLfxgSiT6U3zqEA29GxiGBi1S6K9rL1pNInxItJJkTPI8-axbj5LSHoOzg8KfINWZ_C8aHrcaF1Q/w640-h426/IMG_1047.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Point about a kilometer away from Boyle Flat Hut</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;">About 4 kilometers down valley you arrive at the swing-bridge to<a href="http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/canterbury/places/st-james-conservation-area/things-to-do/huts/boyle-flat-hut/"> Boyle Flat Hut</a>, my final destination for the day. It is four hours from the swing bridge to the road end...</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixvouAYmWQbFk-0BG3cXn8OENiInqXL8YbPJOCRJumZ14UFSnPla7C2JXQP0XBigitytW_a6YpJf8yD8mZK11Ww55sFiPw69MFoUTAHG5Lc61FVYpmN2bgCkyUaxCAjwk0ELQCyyDEHHncDbs2uAcY2LsRmqiIBDLVgbde3seakqy0qRYwbWQuPEZpUw/s6000/IMG_1049.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixvouAYmWQbFk-0BG3cXn8OENiInqXL8YbPJOCRJumZ14UFSnPla7C2JXQP0XBigitytW_a6YpJf8yD8mZK11Ww55sFiPw69MFoUTAHG5Lc61FVYpmN2bgCkyUaxCAjwk0ELQCyyDEHHncDbs2uAcY2LsRmqiIBDLVgbde3seakqy0qRYwbWQuPEZpUw/w640-h426/IMG_1049.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First view of the Boyle Flat Swingbridge, St James Walkway</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMf3isrdXSb3d2WLtxuk_KrpLq93iLEXmo5GU6NvhwC2rW-CA3rqkth9rIdqvoOam2DDq7lo0ZGQfSc3UBoMp8g89H99jLR83gd4xwAVje9LJhOv2iKWD1xIXRIf9Ax7PmmoW5KvO8Vc821CTh91WXahDNmHOaccffWwtKr_mwvMNmUM6HgzeTGcg7tA/s6000/IMG_1051.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMf3isrdXSb3d2WLtxuk_KrpLq93iLEXmo5GU6NvhwC2rW-CA3rqkth9rIdqvoOam2DDq7lo0ZGQfSc3UBoMp8g89H99jLR83gd4xwAVje9LJhOv2iKWD1xIXRIf9Ax7PmmoW5KvO8Vc821CTh91WXahDNmHOaccffWwtKr_mwvMNmUM6HgzeTGcg7tA/w640-h426/IMG_1051.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Turn off to Boyle Flat Hut from the St James Walkway</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;">I was pleased to head over to the hut as my legs had given out for that day. I don't think I could have walked out to the road end that day if I had too...I was stuffed!!! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUIFRFXWgXqJdnakiKtJJVEk1jQi6zt06eIt0RSMvrnBQ991b8d4c429XeYFY_4eLJNb4AKYrtDNoXNGpazlw-za9irNE8gQdn1Kx4t3lTpIT1CWmem4AB3Uno7htUwQ-MfCICNo5ZEgWsrwunEd3yYLbmCHNRa3sHuQ2AzQx8vdezmGw9ud8YUIK53w/s6000/IMG_1052.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUIFRFXWgXqJdnakiKtJJVEk1jQi6zt06eIt0RSMvrnBQ991b8d4c429XeYFY_4eLJNb4AKYrtDNoXNGpazlw-za9irNE8gQdn1Kx4t3lTpIT1CWmem4AB3Uno7htUwQ-MfCICNo5ZEgWsrwunEd3yYLbmCHNRa3sHuQ2AzQx8vdezmGw9ud8YUIK53w/w640-h426/IMG_1052.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boyle Flat Swingbridge, St James Conservation Area</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdHFKTS3eN0_h6AK_aHH76AragSIv1k6TBd0RV_Ml9wh5APklXBJWKvQIrNOcebjCuITrW4yy2UtCgmAQZCjg-sUYICAgrqSVUKHLu-64wBQbT53mwjIuy2PSrVGCd5yebC9AD1uGpPsluXJyNY5_wfNwIhzXWoTW0x86m56gapqWhkcrO6QwNMlvi2A/s6000/IMG_1055.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdHFKTS3eN0_h6AK_aHH76AragSIv1k6TBd0RV_Ml9wh5APklXBJWKvQIrNOcebjCuITrW4yy2UtCgmAQZCjg-sUYICAgrqSVUKHLu-64wBQbT53mwjIuy2PSrVGCd5yebC9AD1uGpPsluXJyNY5_wfNwIhzXWoTW0x86m56gapqWhkcrO6QwNMlvi2A/w640-h426/IMG_1055.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View down the Boyle River from near Boyle Flat Hut</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;">I've stayed <a href="http://nzbushadventures.blogspot.co.nz/2014/12/boyle-flat-hut-trip-st-james-walkway-12.html">at the hut previously</a> and it is very nice, well maintained and in a prime location. It has sleeping platforms with 20 bunks spread over two rooms. There is plenty of space around the hut and in the nearby forest for tents as the hut can be super busy over the summer now that TA walkers are also using it. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSAYZwfwpX7SAaF2WpIA9FTARrviJPsG_8jF4cvsf-uVFa8GZ9GvKnVPTkBaMf61YeCaHaxQ7-r5CjB16XAl-FzFdMWWUiR6H-wKlVyWOLZ8WJ1Ev-YrYPNtRbO1n3P65hvnQ8ULgFcdu7S0PVSD3cHj_bYRIQVq7TwBUhgwQkd1dRW22G8ZoupIh03A/s6000/IMG_1056.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSAYZwfwpX7SAaF2WpIA9FTARrviJPsG_8jF4cvsf-uVFa8GZ9GvKnVPTkBaMf61YeCaHaxQ7-r5CjB16XAl-FzFdMWWUiR6H-wKlVyWOLZ8WJ1Ev-YrYPNtRbO1n3P65hvnQ8ULgFcdu7S0PVSD3cHj_bYRIQVq7TwBUhgwQkd1dRW22G8ZoupIh03A/w640-h426/IMG_1056.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boyle Flat Hut, St James Conservation Area</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzywQn3lTSN0rC7ipbAgEi1qxf9_zvwI-S2bOFXd-94pasikjrBg92mFVvLQUF7KELuZdInTdqW_cQeUERIE9FkdqZ81EpiFHPS-hY7urpfhV0oEJFbF1rJfpxI8dvPkJtuuR30SctkrdLFAsrCOD1X_-4akdQXSnu5IIm68hqP98JVMGporQmSPEkJQ/s6000/IMG_1057.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzywQn3lTSN0rC7ipbAgEi1qxf9_zvwI-S2bOFXd-94pasikjrBg92mFVvLQUF7KELuZdInTdqW_cQeUERIE9FkdqZ81EpiFHPS-hY7urpfhV0oEJFbF1rJfpxI8dvPkJtuuR30SctkrdLFAsrCOD1X_-4akdQXSnu5IIm68hqP98JVMGporQmSPEkJQ/w640-h426/IMG_1057.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Closer view of Boyle Flat Hut, St James Conservation Area</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;">The inside of the hut is very attractive as it is a classic Lockwood design with that deeply glossed wood inside. I especially like the padded bench seat along the window...the pads make sitting here so much more comfortable.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div><br /></div><div>Very, very nice!!! </div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJEivTv3yakp1ESNTiipUquJMNn4dabFE3sqCfdJ_tPUSLZ7wfAgDC8u-tESfi3_b70j6q_IFsiM4Y9rDuz0Z6oblUOhO1R16XBHXCSdx07G9EVhQvA4JVf0c4HWypVyojVH01mgLiugu3mGk5Y0ClToMk6IL8usR3vsXqyFuTumULBE4i2qdOttebAQ/s6000/IMG_1059.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJEivTv3yakp1ESNTiipUquJMNn4dabFE3sqCfdJ_tPUSLZ7wfAgDC8u-tESfi3_b70j6q_IFsiM4Y9rDuz0Z6oblUOhO1R16XBHXCSdx07G9EVhQvA4JVf0c4HWypVyojVH01mgLiugu3mGk5Y0ClToMk6IL8usR3vsXqyFuTumULBE4i2qdOttebAQ/w640-h426/IMG_1059.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boyle Flat Hut: interior view of living space</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrTRh42J3_nTHqw3kpxoIuevP3PObmQxk-QK5d6bdLSMxQSJy1GY__BBQ8GoC5jPxnEI0y9lh3MF8XhL9VVK6k6lbq3Wx07Z2YgMqBJ1PeboaADHkE9UUYmPhDeaFq40yos3nWdhoxRFl89QcZXuRSxthcf05IRW8SYBT5c5IcxndxHW-cHEiKNeiUnw/s6000/IMG_1060.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrTRh42J3_nTHqw3kpxoIuevP3PObmQxk-QK5d6bdLSMxQSJy1GY__BBQ8GoC5jPxnEI0y9lh3MF8XhL9VVK6k6lbq3Wx07Z2YgMqBJ1PeboaADHkE9UUYmPhDeaFq40yos3nWdhoxRFl89QcZXuRSxthcf05IRW8SYBT5c5IcxndxHW-cHEiKNeiUnw/w640-h426/IMG_1060.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boyle Flat Hut: my pit set up</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;">I got some water from the tank and had a well deserved brew...goddam was it good! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">If you are visiting the hut and the watertank's are empty the alternate source of water is the very nice creek about 50 meters to the north of the hut. Follow the track which goes past the left hand side of the wood shed...it is easy to find. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sWkjxLZ72Rs/VOpuUvdYqoI/AAAAAAAAFL8/Sf918FPbQN4/s1600/DSCN4884.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sWkjxLZ72Rs/VOpuUvdYqoI/AAAAAAAAFL8/Sf918FPbQN4/w640-h480/DSCN4884.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption">Approach to alternate water source for Boyle Flat Hut</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Nice clean looking water in the creek but I would still purify it as who knows what is lurking just upstream.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjloGO7fRgJ7hNsmexmG7O9D11Scjgvs9KSyOmMUUQi4K8R_Qrdl1_ms4JcFsHQepfGHJvVR-vbMaJfy3ky4D7TE7KUfc2vJgvJKOZGDK5SsYcfd87Qs29PsQ3ua8cpB3m6LA2070qKTTvt/s1600/DSCN4883.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjloGO7fRgJ7hNsmexmG7O9D11Scjgvs9KSyOmMUUQi4K8R_Qrdl1_ms4JcFsHQepfGHJvVR-vbMaJfy3ky4D7TE7KUfc2vJgvJKOZGDK5SsYcfd87Qs29PsQ3ua8cpB3m6LA2070qKTTvt/s640/DSCN4883.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption">Unnamed side stream near Boyle Flat Hut, St James Walkway</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It started to rain in the late afternoon at Boyle Flat Hut and gained in intensity through the night. It was still raining the next morning and only abated when I was about a kilometer from the Lower Boyle River swing-bridge. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcllnRT3O92KFy7B_nckCugei6dAfEGCSrpi_0dNCbJNja_-n9_mNwHZaSaocRgls2L0EnHcUQv95iyPpgL4RdQFvHSOtGVSPiGKpUn9Qy9YG7J3b-sA2ptMFkgNAIYE89XRFiwuxge_5ozaDB2ZOZniSp6BAIY20txYlvf7P5cgKRa6W8iYYWiWmo1w/s6000/IMG_1061.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcllnRT3O92KFy7B_nckCugei6dAfEGCSrpi_0dNCbJNja_-n9_mNwHZaSaocRgls2L0EnHcUQv95iyPpgL4RdQFvHSOtGVSPiGKpUn9Qy9YG7J3b-sA2ptMFkgNAIYE89XRFiwuxge_5ozaDB2ZOZniSp6BAIY20txYlvf7P5cgKRa6W8iYYWiWmo1w/w640-h426/IMG_1061.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Its started to rain in the late afternoon...Boyle Flat Hut</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;">I spent the night at Boyle Flat Hut with a father and son party of hunters. They had been at the hut for three nights and hunting the surrounding area with little success. I was surprised as I have seen deer on the flats near the hut several times in the past. They were from Rangiora near Christchurch and we had a good chat about tramping, huts and the St James Conservation Area. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div><br /></div><h4 style="text-align: left;">Jon is official overdue...</h4></div><div style="text-align: center;">So as I mentioned previously I had to stay an extra night at Christopher Hut due to the bad weather conditions. I judged it too dangerous to try to walk around to Anne Hut in the rain, snow, wind and cold on day three of my tramp. As such I was actually late home from this trip from this point on...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Karen did the right thing and called SAR and the Police to report me overdue from a trip. They sent a Police car up to BOEC to see if my car was still there to make sure I didn't crash on the way home. They also called Karen and said that they would start a search for me once I was 24 hours overdue. SAR were just getting ready to head out when I walked into the BOEC the next day..!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCsjZGH4WqO4QzMLIR3lTZE3T1mEu7Wqy98bX5LOTeFazeQeP8O07EctpzXx-aW23fNqfywn6I5kiWAYKI4dz9ZrYFRXsIBg-Sfrea1WXb2CDf-7K3tmLoBsw-8djvHcQXEcYbNl7BHZVac3VEG0iH5uHF9CQjbMp3-MUGd-AdbfA2yBiWvtT5jS3UjA/s6000/IMG_1055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCsjZGH4WqO4QzMLIR3lTZE3T1mEu7Wqy98bX5LOTeFazeQeP8O07EctpzXx-aW23fNqfywn6I5kiWAYKI4dz9ZrYFRXsIBg-Sfrea1WXb2CDf-7K3tmLoBsw-8djvHcQXEcYbNl7BHZVac3VEG0iH5uHF9CQjbMp3-MUGd-AdbfA2yBiWvtT5jS3UjA/w640-h426/IMG_1055.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View towards the Boyle River Gorge from near Boyle Flat Hut</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I just avoided being "...tramper lost in hills north of Christchurch..."</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Nothing I could do of course...there is no cell cover on the St James so I couldn't ring and say I was o.k. I had a PLB but I cannot send messages so that might be functionality I will look for the next time I replace my Locator Beacon. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><h4 style="text-align: left;"><b>Day five: St James Walkway, Boyle Flat Hut to Boyle Outdoor Education Centre (BOEC) (14.5 km's)</b></h4>The last day of the trip was rainy and cold which meant I was unable to use my main camera as it is only water resistant not waterproof. Normally this would be fine as I carry my waterproof action camera for days like that. It works in 4 K and takes decent photos and video though the sound is not fantastic. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVcBuXJaM6jVM33VtUSJ-p2huHwzM3V3UNWzDszh8_G3rfJnlvy2Bj2CwffN-Ig8Dy-Zp7w9Jcyd5JV5O0ZfeK4YdwhffYuWwfphjEPfaQ_gv8-tn8vLKjEMRgcsx_aAmye48xFan6b4mwCMnw5Kdl5exP-WSFa_iHQzZJekQB6u9iqsrH7xkVzbBd3Q/s400/Kaiser600jpg.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="400" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVcBuXJaM6jVM33VtUSJ-p2huHwzM3V3UNWzDszh8_G3rfJnlvy2Bj2CwffN-Ig8Dy-Zp7w9Jcyd5JV5O0ZfeK4YdwhffYuWwfphjEPfaQ_gv8-tn8vLKjEMRgcsx_aAmye48xFan6b4mwCMnw5Kdl5exP-WSFa_iHQzZJekQB6u9iqsrH7xkVzbBd3Q/w640-h480/Kaiser600jpg.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I use a Kaiser Baas X 600 action camera</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"> Unfortunately I packed the wrong charging cable so I was unable to recharge it between days so I had to limit the amount of use. There is a video but there are no photos of the last day of this trip. Instead here are some photos from when I walked this track back in 2015. You can also watch my vlog of the last day walking out to the Boyle Settlement <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsrGtieaMRE">here</a>. </p><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqS6sFVFg9H3vQazxgoEvKxvlgFpjkh2FLxVJqLkrC808Rr8e3aRQ0XQRPZFfNY08HczTH5ZB-ZF3xLbnRQ-KhI_OdJvflX0FCker7LhWLtOOIf7Tyg5VLb4fARbWQkSWfUCJA2ado8q2UziY4vCsOQN7LHHJH0j4uYb-Tgmm9peyr4xQGVq-K8zg0ew/s1369/Boyle4.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="892" data-original-width="1369" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqS6sFVFg9H3vQazxgoEvKxvlgFpjkh2FLxVJqLkrC808Rr8e3aRQ0XQRPZFfNY08HczTH5ZB-ZF3xLbnRQ-KhI_OdJvflX0FCker7LhWLtOOIf7Tyg5VLb4fARbWQkSWfUCJA2ado8q2UziY4vCsOQN7LHHJH0j4uYb-Tgmm9peyr4xQGVq-K8zg0ew/w640-h418/Boyle4.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My vlog about this track section from Boyle Flat to the BOEC</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Another early morning as the three of us staying in the hut overnight headed down valley to the road end at Boyle Village. I was last out of the hut about five minutes after my hut companions and was wearing my full wet weather gear as it was raining quite heavily. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3WJk7hcExfKkKMiwYVFf_HxMs4qLtv-Egu7cex3DVVBjeqv2BSiTYjqjvTmAoegZ95W98K6-XgDFeJo3iI9j9ZSBdihGRssP5ex0VZEGdOn1T2LLvhbw8s45zEAmQ5zkcDpKz_kb93V6Xsij3A3xSWNIf8id7IwHKiRoIzyKuxUcUX4hFDBDdXcM3zw/s853/BoyleMap1.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="821" data-original-width="853" height="616" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3WJk7hcExfKkKMiwYVFf_HxMs4qLtv-Egu7cex3DVVBjeqv2BSiTYjqjvTmAoegZ95W98K6-XgDFeJo3iI9j9ZSBdihGRssP5ex0VZEGdOn1T2LLvhbw8s45zEAmQ5zkcDpKz_kb93V6Xsij3A3xSWNIf8id7IwHKiRoIzyKuxUcUX4hFDBDdXcM3zw/w640-h616/BoyleMap1.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Map: St James Walkway in Mid Boyle River</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>I've walked this part of the track numerous times now so was well acquainted with what lay in store.</div><br style="text-align: left;" /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VS5wpyhXi0s/VOpuWglNrpI/AAAAAAAAFMQ/40avDME6WAY/s1600/DSCN4886.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VS5wpyhXi0s/VOpuWglNrpI/AAAAAAAAFMQ/40avDME6WAY/s640/DSCN4886.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption">Boyle Flat Hut on the St James Walkway</td></tr></tbody></table><br style="text-align: left;" /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Travel through this section is easy, the track is benched from the hut to the first swing-bridge over the Boyle although there are a number of new slips on the track to be tackled. One of the slips is going to be a problem in the future as the whole side of a hill is slowly breaking down. DOC will eventually need to build a new track way up the hill to get past the slip. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ewCV3JOgg-p8KT9LdwLec09o1cOuEhVFrVviI5gvZ6-Hbn1Ipzgdn7OuwsyvdbsdF51Hssk_4gcOQMnlDHYnz6o5vivGxFoObABe8N3wDoo7o-bDu-bue13cxg-vrTqk_O1XiXfv5l0/s1600/DSCN4887.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ewCV3JOgg-p8KT9LdwLec09o1cOuEhVFrVviI5gvZ6-Hbn1Ipzgdn7OuwsyvdbsdF51Hssk_4gcOQMnlDHYnz6o5vivGxFoObABe8N3wDoo7o-bDu-bue13cxg-vrTqk_O1XiXfv5l0/w640-h480/DSCN4887.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption">Track between Boyle Flat and first swing-bridge, St James Walkway</td></tr></tbody></table><br style="text-align: left;" /> I really like the Upper Boyle Valley because the forest is dense...similar to a West Coast track.</div><div><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivR7eNkRnSJ0beSnfDEgXPF9mFGL0d-mJky4geUlYF9prH_KRfEploAUMACAsZ3wRV5f2J6u_EBuBOx6cKLt5Op_lSzEFPWbgSs4Ui2zLpeY79avGQu7Rniy6ieHVtcLUGKhR2mhJtdQo/s1600/DSCN4888.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivR7eNkRnSJ0beSnfDEgXPF9mFGL0d-mJky4geUlYF9prH_KRfEploAUMACAsZ3wRV5f2J6u_EBuBOx6cKLt5Op_lSzEFPWbgSs4Ui2zLpeY79avGQu7Rniy6ieHVtcLUGKhR2mhJtdQo/w640-h480/DSCN4888.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption">Lush track side growth, Boyle Flat track, St James Walkway</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-L5SbblKqonbygi_dYWQNI5mnTmueNnwvTe7aK3TeVZUeegIa1Lgzj5PQ4DGf_vyRR3GcxWRQ8ZCAAxpMPgDS_GzCK4o3aqK7OArZeD09SXNa0IUX96_fpLS0CSMedxTannTmxc_3PLM/s1600/DSCN4889.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-L5SbblKqonbygi_dYWQNI5mnTmueNnwvTe7aK3TeVZUeegIa1Lgzj5PQ4DGf_vyRR3GcxWRQ8ZCAAxpMPgDS_GzCK4o3aqK7OArZeD09SXNa0IUX96_fpLS0CSMedxTannTmxc_3PLM/w640-h480/DSCN4889.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption">St James Walkway: Boyle River view south</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Eventually you reach the old stile which separates the upper valley from the cattle flats around St Andrews. The swing bridge is about 100 meters further down the track from this spot. You are actually in the Lake Sumner Forest Park once you cross this fence...it is a bit weird but a small section of the Boyle Valley actually sits in that park rather than the St James Conservation Area. </div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYqDaVhozQ7HmYwnzUcWJPZSV0kFAqMP3ZGbrWpY6Y1RspzB-l16Cx9OhnoGr4fnghWXapGRvgZgMSWbqDZJw5kON953agaM1rJiVOOLp2LJZag1jtaWo6VMOxKg8dCDrY2t3vH6Lub5Y/s1600/DSCN4890.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYqDaVhozQ7HmYwnzUcWJPZSV0kFAqMP3ZGbrWpY6Y1RspzB-l16Cx9OhnoGr4fnghWXapGRvgZgMSWbqDZJw5kON953agaM1rJiVOOLp2LJZag1jtaWo6VMOxKg8dCDrY2t3vH6Lub5Y/s640/DSCN4890.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption">St James Walkway: the stile just before Boyle swing-bridge</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;">It takes an hour to get down to the swing-bridge over the Boyle River from Boyle Flat Hut. From here you cross the river and climb up a series of switch back track sections to the top of a plateau. You are walking over the plateau for quite a while before descending back down towards the flats further down the Boyle River. </div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCyFRjACykSlKveTMDDXKBBwR9C5zNCoQARR5cLSVatl_iYqNKh9iU4PopliuT_mCVN-zw-viozoEyRbYBQFputYv02VHLKouNgxqO0o_nuTYDJWy4dyzaAWN3Iff6xPVnxxapsd2YURc/s1600/DSCN4891.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCyFRjACykSlKveTMDDXKBBwR9C5zNCoQARR5cLSVatl_iYqNKh9iU4PopliuT_mCVN-zw-viozoEyRbYBQFputYv02VHLKouNgxqO0o_nuTYDJWy4dyzaAWN3Iff6xPVnxxapsd2YURc/w640-h480/DSCN4891.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption">Swing-bridge over Boyle River, St James Walkway</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">On the day the track was wet, slick and muddy so care was required at several points when traversing muddy bogs. Normally you have to carefully jump from log to log...you can plough through but you will end with mud up to your knees. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Dry conditions will probably shave at least 40 minutes off the usual time between the two swing bridges over the Boyle River. </div><br /></div><div></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVmJ4dDatSmVAcIU41PkaiRmqhrePp_npXcHKJe4RQp6QSDIpZGqmWs3MmiNijTsjjBxtwy20VnYWLPWkHLYfDRf0xhwZJt-rjMZXQISs6BtIUZv3MhuG963rmJm40aEUnRSZLzUKMvpA/s1600/DSCN4892.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVmJ4dDatSmVAcIU41PkaiRmqhrePp_npXcHKJe4RQp6QSDIpZGqmWs3MmiNijTsjjBxtwy20VnYWLPWkHLYfDRf0xhwZJt-rjMZXQISs6BtIUZv3MhuG963rmJm40aEUnRSZLzUKMvpA/w640-h480/DSCN4892.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption">Nice dry conditions on the St James Walkway</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUuDvNuhxUdZP4ErfkOfvImAUgrdv77L2zl4KWN-Pr7qGjFiaHa3dxI603QtJysrVz-xzx0r9HiCGBkNbHryVYYyoLF17LfylJOj0IHIklE6xvtsFa4iHu865cn6UVvQA8lRh9HblDpDk/s1600/DSCN4893.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUuDvNuhxUdZP4ErfkOfvImAUgrdv77L2zl4KWN-Pr7qGjFiaHa3dxI603QtJysrVz-xzx0r9HiCGBkNbHryVYYyoLF17LfylJOj0IHIklE6xvtsFa4iHu865cn6UVvQA8lRh9HblDpDk/s640/DSCN4893.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption">St James Walkway: near St Andrews Flats<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;">NB (2021): DOC have cut a new track section through here which avoids most of the worst mud and undulations. The new track is slightly uphill from the old one and clearly marked...it is a nice piece of track and easier to walk along than the old track. It starts near the high point over looking Magdalen Hut and continues down valley for about four kilometers. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikToeBCceKRY2224W2WShR73u2gyPrL5Po4xNOFpbwFpVZYyi8v-4P5u-ntCbleAkG3tKj2dnPzDOdSaA4M5Pgc-5rGn0FYpz8Er9BfPPPeUbthXCxgLqUKFxB1qlGY8FenxTkXZHPJA3T5fjEXdTMAUmlLSjvH6oJ6a1Tx4JpOG7RiblUNi41-KgTfA/s1251/BoyleMap2.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="817" data-original-width="1251" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikToeBCceKRY2224W2WShR73u2gyPrL5Po4xNOFpbwFpVZYyi8v-4P5u-ntCbleAkG3tKj2dnPzDOdSaA4M5Pgc-5rGn0FYpz8Er9BfPPPeUbthXCxgLqUKFxB1qlGY8FenxTkXZHPJA3T5fjEXdTMAUmlLSjvH6oJ6a1Tx4JpOG7RiblUNi41-KgTfA/w640-h418/BoyleMap2.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Map: St James Walkway in lower Boyle river</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">It rejoins the old track close to the photo below...</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI0ybXi4bsR4z1Cp5LZmytN0p17o3F1ut4NuEvuhD0Oe2V1eNOjZ4WON7rQZ5DfZohLJT27W686SY0lL5HQEr21iiQ84FYc9eQn0wFpvvEqhxS7RmKhjtLWdB71hhGqrcJ1vRwPMNVD3U/s1600/DSCN0026.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI0ybXi4bsR4z1Cp5LZmytN0p17o3F1ut4NuEvuhD0Oe2V1eNOjZ4WON7rQZ5DfZohLJT27W686SY0lL5HQEr21iiQ84FYc9eQn0wFpvvEqhxS7RmKhjtLWdB71hhGqrcJ1vRwPMNVD3U/w640-h480/DSCN0026.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption">St James Walkway: half way to Boyle Village</td></tr></tbody></table> <br /><div style="text-align: center;">I love catching my first view of the lower Boyle swing-bridge as it means you are nearly finished. From the bridge there is only the last fairly easy walk of about 1.5 kilometers out to the road end. </div></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_3yMJXh4FGgKEDmYS2nVUfGbOYWhoZn8qOeWEoQs2po1HcM_N1y-cvYzVYnx-ztsGo37n4cCVejtJUlGqLjO7malOveN7tSefgCelFmEG9jZ89NKEVJvdAMxtC5-fZ9PQ4avvB9VKOM0/s1600/DSCN4894.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_3yMJXh4FGgKEDmYS2nVUfGbOYWhoZn8qOeWEoQs2po1HcM_N1y-cvYzVYnx-ztsGo37n4cCVejtJUlGqLjO7malOveN7tSefgCelFmEG9jZ89NKEVJvdAMxtC5-fZ9PQ4avvB9VKOM0/s640/DSCN4894.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption">St James Walkway: lower Boyle swing bridge...a beautiful sight!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">If you want to cut about 30 minutes off your walk then look for the side track to the St Andrews 4 W/D road. It is much quicker to walk the final two kilometer's of the track down this road. The side track is marked by the red cross on the map below...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">If you are a purist just stay on the main track and it will eventually dump you out by the BOEC....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-yjrKyoNz_aH-aMyoqUV07t9zKL3jCjvAvT6SCoOSfT53ufOEmNwVEo8C0Uc3igkcn3CZxr-pCub74QQweT6vVPXJs_S2a4qnpu5I7xuCtspuPdd3mo4Nef2_GuP_m3AQQTCTkjEtQqg/s1066/BoyleMap.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="781" data-original-width="1066" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-yjrKyoNz_aH-aMyoqUV07t9zKL3jCjvAvT6SCoOSfT53ufOEmNwVEo8C0Uc3igkcn3CZxr-pCub74QQweT6vVPXJs_S2a4qnpu5I7xuCtspuPdd3mo4Nef2_GuP_m3AQQTCTkjEtQqg/w640-h468/BoyleMap.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Map: lower Boyle River Valley, St James Walkway</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-eXOf0VFxalx0PrH55V-Vw_gbAXGR-Q3HVHBtYE72-QehjwHEnJShWF8-p7ZxVslGKrgCnpiEt2Pl5pG7Z-OhKhRg4YB5aOYXsgOsjSe2VwhUXuziga1W9i_4OC-SV9ZdcV1cjl8rSMs/s4000/DSCN0137.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-eXOf0VFxalx0PrH55V-Vw_gbAXGR-Q3HVHBtYE72-QehjwHEnJShWF8-p7ZxVslGKrgCnpiEt2Pl5pG7Z-OhKhRg4YB5aOYXsgOsjSe2VwhUXuziga1W9i_4OC-SV9ZdcV1cjl8rSMs/w640-h480/DSCN0137.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the 4 W/D road from the Boyle swing bridge to the BOEC</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It took me about four hours to walk from Boyle Flat to the Outdoor Education Center which is the standard time for this track. I am hoping to come up here for a trip into Magdalen Hut as part of my Winter 2023 series starting soon. I will make sure to film that trip and attach it to the end of this post. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><b>Access:</b> From SH 7 (Lewis Pass Highway), the track starts at Lewis Pass Tarns, southern terminus is at Boyle Village.</div><div><b>Track Times:</b> Day one: From Lewis Pass- 2.5 hours to Cannibal Gorge Hut, another 1.5-2 hours to Ada Pass Hut: Day two: 3 hours to Ada Cullers Hut, another hour to Christopher Hut. Day three was a pit day! Day Four: 5 hours to Anne Hut from Christopher Hut</div><div><b>Hut Details:</b> Cannibal Gorge Hut: serviced, 20 bunks, water tank, wood burner, toilets, wood shed: Ada Pass Hut: serviced, 14 bunks, water tank, wood burner, toilets, wood shed: Ada Cullers Hut: basic, 4 bunks, water from stream: Christopher Hut: serviced, 20 bunks, water tanks, wood burner, toilet, wood shed: Anne Hut: serviced, 24 bunks, water tanks, wood burner, toilets, wood shed: Boyle Flat Hut: serviced, 20 bunks, water tank, wood burner, toilet, wood shed</div><div><b>Miscellaneous: </b>Severe avalanche risk<b> </b>in Winter/Spring, some un-bridged side streams. The walkway is in a high alpine area and as such is prone to extreme weather. </div><div><b>You Tube:</b> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hefCi2Z9Ymc">Anne Hut to Boyle Flat Hut</a></div><div><span> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsrGtieaMRE">Boyle Flat Hut to Boyle Settlement</a></span></div></div>Jon Moakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14620417636121034748noreply@blogger.com0Saint James Walkway, New Zealand-42.3919262 172.4914788-70.702160036178839 137.3352288 -14.081692363821155 -152.35227120000002tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2664594284381405400.post-6434125359060590072023-05-10T15:18:00.000-07:002023-05-10T15:18:35.271-07:00A recent visit to the St James Walkway: Part 1: Christopher Hut To Anne Hut<p style="text-align: center;"> I recently walked the St James Walkway from Lewis Pass to Boyle Village. The last 2-3 days of the track are also a section of the Te Araroa Trail. Here for your edification and education is the section from Christopher Hut to Anne Hut...</p><h3 style="text-align: center;">...Adventures along the St James Walkway...</h3><p style="text-align: center;">Continuing on from the start of my tramp on the St James Walkway lets look at day four of my trip. At the end of the previous post I was having a pit day at Christopher Hut due to bad weather. </p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWjIiR7ls-_-G05fFSRr7T7oVfwRRPSj4bu04M-Vbyq1_xNBdnzJ4QqJvIkoTOb-IfTwpME2778R4F02zeko6Y5RNC6GGegVqxNSpWE5p1dSt9SCa9yCW3Rdj009DxM_jhghT4YntvwMtU4mluqUFRl4_bHbh6u5jw6S-Y6bW9oESZdrfv_fWGA1s_8Q/s6000/IMG_0934.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWjIiR7ls-_-G05fFSRr7T7oVfwRRPSj4bu04M-Vbyq1_xNBdnzJ4QqJvIkoTOb-IfTwpME2778R4F02zeko6Y5RNC6GGegVqxNSpWE5p1dSt9SCa9yCW3Rdj009DxM_jhghT4YntvwMtU4mluqUFRl4_bHbh6u5jw6S-Y6bW9oESZdrfv_fWGA1s_8Q/w640-h426/IMG_0934.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption">On the approach to Anne Hut on Day four</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;">On day four I set out from Christopher Hut on the 4-5 hour trip to Anne Hut further along the walkway. It is by far the easiest day of the track as you are walking across flat grassy plains for most of the way. The only difficult part of this trip was a bit of a dodgy track on the true right of the Henry River where a section of track had collapsed into the river. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><h4>Day 4: Christopher Hut to Anne Hut</h4><div style="text-align: center;">The weather on day four of my trip was much better so I was able to continue my trip. I set off from the hut at 8.00 am on the 13 km, 5 hour trek to Anne Hut on the far side of Mt Federation. The whole day was valley travel so most of the walking was across flat grassy ground. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf46JMA0EcMWjQCdm7LTlwM1apBAvio2lRtahBtzTlWv_7L5GSuIe8Ky7J23gMWjZ45gQG4PQRrMrko_sTnV3cO3WJvCZupdJsuGbZf1RPZ1zIYJheNrTlct9KvirydEP25bETTCO9COcfkCbbr4a-Fd783355Fq4RoBjGAaIJr9q1XgWBeo8t8ZJg3g/s6000/IMG_0832.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf46JMA0EcMWjQCdm7LTlwM1apBAvio2lRtahBtzTlWv_7L5GSuIe8Ky7J23gMWjZ45gQG4PQRrMrko_sTnV3cO3WJvCZupdJsuGbZf1RPZ1zIYJheNrTlct9KvirydEP25bETTCO9COcfkCbbr4a-Fd783355Fq4RoBjGAaIJr9q1XgWBeo8t8ZJg3g/w640-h426/IMG_0832.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tucking into a brew on the morning of Day 4...Christopher Hut</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;">It was still cloudy and a little cold as I started walking and the cloud at the far end of the valley looked a bit menacing but in the event it was a fairly pleasant walk. The Spencer Mountains had a good coating of snow on them from the weather the previous day. I could see the occasional avalanche track running down the snow slopes especially on the Faerie Queene.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0cT3-WKXQiPBPCR3WX-XZW9R6EiwvNqjBJCov3NfYyFq5e851sIgetWaA8PyI6b0ztbZlFAk1IzN8pHgjlViyC9GKRKASkmsEaujRVtT4frK0tpoCwF_hMu2LZmWq4w-zFXslge-ulOsSece0ZPdxyIVl3qzFKVULTcrGlpo1-zHiZpm6-lyXRC3wQg/s6000/IMG_0833.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0cT3-WKXQiPBPCR3WX-XZW9R6EiwvNqjBJCov3NfYyFq5e851sIgetWaA8PyI6b0ztbZlFAk1IzN8pHgjlViyC9GKRKASkmsEaujRVtT4frK0tpoCwF_hMu2LZmWq4w-zFXslge-ulOsSece0ZPdxyIVl3qzFKVULTcrGlpo1-zHiZpm6-lyXRC3wQg/w640-h426/IMG_0833.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Faerie Queene was well covered with snow</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><br style="text-align: left;" /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWs9V0uJao_kvYsXH3Np5LRHwlRVgiA43Wh9RwoXuZ-jxlA9rC0-aIHqBlSNdlzvDzOxy9HNTG-wHrJ3Ffc82pOYSwly4POJOLF0yOm3N0COFjL7Hpwj5YpvDhWGhD4wNs27OF1tcnB8RPn03yOft4BjysiR2-aw1DtAGmVVsUOXnPBl1pfirM8yNCKg/s6000/IMG_0834.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWs9V0uJao_kvYsXH3Np5LRHwlRVgiA43Wh9RwoXuZ-jxlA9rC0-aIHqBlSNdlzvDzOxy9HNTG-wHrJ3Ffc82pOYSwly4POJOLF0yOm3N0COFjL7Hpwj5YpvDhWGhD4wNs27OF1tcnB8RPn03yOft4BjysiR2-aw1DtAGmVVsUOXnPBl1pfirM8yNCKg/w640-h426/IMG_0834.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snow on the Faerie Queene emphasizes the size of the peak</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><br style="text-align: left;" /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There was a dusting of snow down the valley on the Glenrae Hills around Lake Guyon. Anyone coming in over Fowler Pass would have had a slippery and cold journey. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghORpEwy9OwNHVSux7dsSb123aWtB_njJ4jW5k9vnpZrvZk0VrHBovGq3IGSQsce2ofdFoKK-JtbD8MABzKihRdNxc-z1TE2_UpKTLMtlltD-___YTb0pRxpVGD1F7NXDNzvxmXkIWMpBErkqQORbor2bm-cqbUB8SYEE4qkpPvNL2fdnF0jD0q4CdMQ/s6000/IMG_0835.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghORpEwy9OwNHVSux7dsSb123aWtB_njJ4jW5k9vnpZrvZk0VrHBovGq3IGSQsce2ofdFoKK-JtbD8MABzKihRdNxc-z1TE2_UpKTLMtlltD-___YTb0pRxpVGD1F7NXDNzvxmXkIWMpBErkqQORbor2bm-cqbUB8SYEE4qkpPvNL2fdnF0jD0q4CdMQ/w640-h426/IMG_0835.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking down the Ada Valley from in front of Christopher Hut</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I was pleased to be on the move once again but sad to leave my refuge at Christopher Hut. It had been a great place to spend a couple of days and I hope I get to visit it once again. I will have to find some reason to come back up here...maybe a trip up the Christopher River.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAeny-qvw0Yi1PjtgbgmRRzf80lQCIDeEpMTWvZqYXHxFmcLsVs99FTxwS5R6T-dnIJTV3-d5jwPW_HUQOPYn58ym996L1cQVXmlP9t5sTzRfyitOPXDBgSygbGszVB7uF_zKA02Z9RjrQX1a_YgUD5l3RHZIHCvv7V6Cf01lsg3Gufkq2QE5x1Avdyg/s6000/IMG_0837.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAeny-qvw0Yi1PjtgbgmRRzf80lQCIDeEpMTWvZqYXHxFmcLsVs99FTxwS5R6T-dnIJTV3-d5jwPW_HUQOPYn58ym996L1cQVXmlP9t5sTzRfyitOPXDBgSygbGszVB7uF_zKA02Z9RjrQX1a_YgUD5l3RHZIHCvv7V6Cf01lsg3Gufkq2QE5x1Avdyg/w640-h426/IMG_0837.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christopher Hut, St James Walkway</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><br style="text-align: left;" /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The first part of the day was walking across the river flats to the bottom of Mt Federation near Ada Homestead. This part of the track was easy walking as it is just flat ground covered with scattered grass, tussock and some Matagouri trees. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMlYOy70uu030xWevAK697sala8ojNJKeedQGE9WaUFNXZxRxZ23KzMGbIEN2FjJjJBV4sxfGw8Uog7CgG7iwlrnnLMzFJlXJzuN4U7XhVoCIqOV7cjEFGxTYC1CjUOX8HZkYN9xAl8-YuHskddgC67slZMv55nL-tbt9-OT65FeWaXKWEdt6wDZSBrQ/s6000/IMG_0838.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMlYOy70uu030xWevAK697sala8ojNJKeedQGE9WaUFNXZxRxZ23KzMGbIEN2FjJjJBV4sxfGw8Uog7CgG7iwlrnnLMzFJlXJzuN4U7XhVoCIqOV7cjEFGxTYC1CjUOX8HZkYN9xAl8-YuHskddgC67slZMv55nL-tbt9-OT65FeWaXKWEdt6wDZSBrQ/w640-h426/IMG_0838.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I prepare to set off to Anne Hut, St James Walkway</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><br style="text-align: left;" /></p><div style="text-align: center;">If you are lucky you will see some of the wild St James horses near here...they often congregate on the bush edge close to Christopher Hut. These are descendants of farm animals released in the early 20th century to provide a supply of hardy animals for St James Station. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It must be a hard life up here for them in winter as they sometimes get three meter snowfalls in this area. Unfortunately I did not see any this trip although the hunters said they had been active before the bad weather arrived. One of the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJK_2kz3Qx0">Kiwi vloggers</a> I follow had multiple interactions with them when he visited last week so I was just unlucky this time around. </div><p style="text-align: center;"><br style="text-align: left;" /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tLODlSaBT7o/VOpt6M1Y5RI/AAAAAAAAFGU/eIECshuBjV8/s1600/DSCN4839.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tLODlSaBT7o/VOpt6M1Y5RI/AAAAAAAAFGU/eIECshuBjV8/s640/DSCN4839.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption">St James Walkway: wild St James Horses from 2015 </td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">As I said the start of the day is easy travel across expansive grasslands this then turns into a miserable rocky, swampy grovel around the lower slopes of Mt Federation. The track is hemmed in between the Ada River and Mt Federation making for a lot of climbing and descending spurs. This is never good terrain for a track but at least it only takes an hour to get past this section. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmp2qdQKZ_xbbDM52Vbb-dnrHJ5-3hgC_lce4CJ12ZbPYCyx6dqsjTJ1i6fldhQke1ouQnUfRuab-wEWuiwSpagXx3tVBZjsVgEdbXVTWZMesbZ-xdHGE78urCIufJ01mEnoV1n5Cm-96E6c0v0-gHMN5OvCrKoscOAcRfz_LXoNWDT8feTwJtb0V9rA/s6000/IMG_0841.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmp2qdQKZ_xbbDM52Vbb-dnrHJ5-3hgC_lce4CJ12ZbPYCyx6dqsjTJ1i6fldhQke1ouQnUfRuab-wEWuiwSpagXx3tVBZjsVgEdbXVTWZMesbZ-xdHGE78urCIufJ01mEnoV1n5Cm-96E6c0v0-gHMN5OvCrKoscOAcRfz_LXoNWDT8feTwJtb0V9rA/w640-h426/IMG_0841.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heading towards Mt Federation on the St James Walkway</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><br style="text-align: left;" /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigZapPtu0YezrHTdWr1jDCSn4F2GWOItpkl9B-bylzwoYoR57AtmIlBOdn25CFAIRUO2BPuvzxgLY9Gx0H_ltlR0ixknnUYqk0ZHhwjKVdy5_96VJ-REyZu7QfXtAz9m2eGxFDnG5B6xsWiNj5znQyhAVOG5ba_ywzzZDJPlQWXEFAsVCDWKNsmlbikg/s6000/IMG_0842.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigZapPtu0YezrHTdWr1jDCSn4F2GWOItpkl9B-bylzwoYoR57AtmIlBOdn25CFAIRUO2BPuvzxgLY9Gx0H_ltlR0ixknnUYqk0ZHhwjKVdy5_96VJ-REyZu7QfXtAz9m2eGxFDnG5B6xsWiNj5znQyhAVOG5ba_ywzzZDJPlQWXEFAsVCDWKNsmlbikg/w640-h426/IMG_0842.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Faerie Queene from further down the Ada Valley</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><br style="text-align: left;" /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXZ9p7udoYkn-mykp41MZZTP3iMutQyXXdnXD2tDlOMS-VwuxV9yRy9eOmk1iiZnILIRTO7etLGza3vQHRjheo0_HH8geImYMwHjdaDnuhqeqLT-LZKdzRZanfhnmGMdJTD8s-T2Eojc9d5VEuqruPf-pirT0aVYpsKZuLOApC7aOF3vQDfgJl7iK4pQ/s6000/IMG_0844.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXZ9p7udoYkn-mykp41MZZTP3iMutQyXXdnXD2tDlOMS-VwuxV9yRy9eOmk1iiZnILIRTO7etLGza3vQHRjheo0_HH8geImYMwHjdaDnuhqeqLT-LZKdzRZanfhnmGMdJTD8s-T2Eojc9d5VEuqruPf-pirT0aVYpsKZuLOApC7aOF3vQDfgJl7iK4pQ/w640-h426/IMG_0844.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking east towards the distant Ada Homestead</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><br style="text-align: left;" /></p><div style="text-align: center;">The walk down the Ada Valley is through a mixture of Matagouri and tussock. I could see a lot of wild pig sign around here as well as obvious tracks from the wild horses. The track is well marked with snow poles but the ground path is really obvious and easy to follow.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRvSdEVfXPzgh7dmxoR5bZXwP1CMFZpSk-XEASaoDtxpAFv5Lmm6qlT32E40J4-1mN7sSzOG4lGhBE6hj13brLCDd4rsI8HJXASDh9JppynS6uMFtSijaH9MhLu0ph8gD5inu_nlW30ihQNc9oPwl84Ex3TrT1mc0OjmYjxXfQz35z1FpRNtHF12MuBA/s6000/IMG_0846.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRvSdEVfXPzgh7dmxoR5bZXwP1CMFZpSk-XEASaoDtxpAFv5Lmm6qlT32E40J4-1mN7sSzOG4lGhBE6hj13brLCDd4rsI8HJXASDh9JppynS6uMFtSijaH9MhLu0ph8gD5inu_nlW30ihQNc9oPwl84Ex3TrT1mc0OjmYjxXfQz35z1FpRNtHF12MuBA/w640-h426/IMG_0846.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matagouri trees in the Ada Valley, St James Walkway</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzhaRnAkrGqYGM_eSvLd1aWn1n3S8R6Og8Iy3OOD_3476rkkoH8J-UKQYANBW2Fp5QqW1NIMY4w-nQwlQyZLFqmIwhzuvUURgmj6NrDLt6mxxEy_pE0D_serlQhSj8N5L8NCMJgaqB3pB7tt14KBQ_YsYmYSAp2Q8x5Kkgg-z9AlbVdcOz-8HXnxjEqA/s6000/IMG_0849.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzhaRnAkrGqYGM_eSvLd1aWn1n3S8R6Og8Iy3OOD_3476rkkoH8J-UKQYANBW2Fp5QqW1NIMY4w-nQwlQyZLFqmIwhzuvUURgmj6NrDLt6mxxEy_pE0D_serlQhSj8N5L8NCMJgaqB3pB7tt14KBQ_YsYmYSAp2Q8x5Kkgg-z9AlbVdcOz-8HXnxjEqA/w640-h426/IMG_0849.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Faerie Queene from near Ada Homestead, St James Walkway</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><br style="text-align: left;" /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjcPd-u0TKt6i89mPt0TMZtrJ3kKoiv_jWLY2-Ij9GXl67oT98cd2p53c0k8Lo6uZ2z0v0OGtjqFpDVh55534ed5A9t03WqDSZ7vcpr8IrCRQgpUmEao3xbWsjP0aGsBTaFrrpIOX6ZrHGXxrxgWA0ypCOeSUqJkN2LKS8MHuHRxDVolBSmdsyDMdotA/s6000/IMG_0851.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjcPd-u0TKt6i89mPt0TMZtrJ3kKoiv_jWLY2-Ij9GXl67oT98cd2p53c0k8Lo6uZ2z0v0OGtjqFpDVh55534ed5A9t03WqDSZ7vcpr8IrCRQgpUmEao3xbWsjP0aGsBTaFrrpIOX6ZrHGXxrxgWA0ypCOeSUqJkN2LKS8MHuHRxDVolBSmdsyDMdotA/w640-h426/IMG_0851.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">End of the Ada River flats near Mt Federation</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><br style="text-align: left;" /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mt Federation juts down to the edge of the Ada River as you make your way past Ada Homestead. The river flats shrink from about 3 kilometers wide to less than 500 meters. From the flank of Mt Federation to the rivers edge would only be 20-40 meters wide at the narrowest point.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4kftKVatOFnDCwprbatwXsVUjwQeMeLjRRRb8BDFgJYtTk4qb770IS5Yqo6IosWCY7yZVLw55pUx32Qs2p1UoLojUAto0Mi5MGdEafrYEDfN1FcLuvKFU_1Ge51Z8wgUa5JiaURC1CkcWoCpfgBayOHgJB9fCt6ahWy9PgQx4sX3jXR9rLIz_FnmJeQ/s6000/IMG_0852.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4kftKVatOFnDCwprbatwXsVUjwQeMeLjRRRb8BDFgJYtTk4qb770IS5Yqo6IosWCY7yZVLw55pUx32Qs2p1UoLojUAto0Mi5MGdEafrYEDfN1FcLuvKFU_1Ge51Z8wgUa5JiaURC1CkcWoCpfgBayOHgJB9fCt6ahWy9PgQx4sX3jXR9rLIz_FnmJeQ/w640-h426/IMG_0852.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Northern side of Mt Federation (1612) from the St James Walkway</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This is the end of the easy travel for the next hour or so: from this point the track is irritating. It runs up and down the lower slopes of Mt Federation, you are never more than 100 meters from the river but because it is swampy you cannot walk on the river terraces. It is also over grown in a number of spots. <br /><br />As we say in Kiwiland...noice!!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjLQJvQl1hasjGqSdrVVLH9ZBDkNpI8SMu1PD4IVEcTz7A1VC3HfIatDe9LkUhhtPcF9wJjwrKLN3WHhasTrvL2Xfgc35TgtiUTaHeWMW4FLdoQoK0h2LZFB0rpsLfWHWQD-QFz5QI2NThM1A93Hr0Oo_KrTSSGLr3lOczjKxN8dHaapAmm29ZDuk0DA/s6000/IMG_0855.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjLQJvQl1hasjGqSdrVVLH9ZBDkNpI8SMu1PD4IVEcTz7A1VC3HfIatDe9LkUhhtPcF9wJjwrKLN3WHhasTrvL2Xfgc35TgtiUTaHeWMW4FLdoQoK0h2LZFB0rpsLfWHWQD-QFz5QI2NThM1A93Hr0Oo_KrTSSGLr3lOczjKxN8dHaapAmm29ZDuk0DA/w640-h426/IMG_0855.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The river flats contract as you start to round Mt Federation, Ada Valley</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib9gt7Ma8cAWTzLmD9O28keiZ5ondTkqb-Po1K6w7Y1CpFKBv_hIjJCgFZDg45kWWSha7zbuWh60V_a5O7r3Z3-bQNMDUAUSQmyJoLF32weBPGvzeue2N2zS_wHNZ4wUQ3LlsQjvg7VOpMI8z2XPT4GLOML2rCsv4Obg-LK6lSOJdTbsfjuqZEryhXpQ/s6000/IMG_0860.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib9gt7Ma8cAWTzLmD9O28keiZ5ondTkqb-Po1K6w7Y1CpFKBv_hIjJCgFZDg45kWWSha7zbuWh60V_a5O7r3Z3-bQNMDUAUSQmyJoLF32weBPGvzeue2N2zS_wHNZ4wUQ3LlsQjvg7VOpMI8z2XPT4GLOML2rCsv4Obg-LK6lSOJdTbsfjuqZEryhXpQ/w640-h426/IMG_0860.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Indistinct track around Mt Federation, St James Walkway</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><br style="text-align: left;" /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvqgUSZCNTrevOlaC5vXFpCOLXW9FJIuHjh_hNx3ZosuigxEiH-Z1_bEcI3Vllt68ZhqQhhm0DhzW6RmkkrHnN3aDmZXvajpJBfcRA43XUTxerGrzO47rKaP5atiQzNQWCc7qejMcKbny9VYBfLrCAeSLykWU3YncvzQbgNhv62-5B0xZKjEdLSIr73w/s6000/IMG_0862.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvqgUSZCNTrevOlaC5vXFpCOLXW9FJIuHjh_hNx3ZosuigxEiH-Z1_bEcI3Vllt68ZhqQhhm0DhzW6RmkkrHnN3aDmZXvajpJBfcRA43XUTxerGrzO47rKaP5atiQzNQWCc7qejMcKbny9VYBfLrCAeSLykWU3YncvzQbgNhv62-5B0xZKjEdLSIr73w/w640-h426/IMG_0862.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Geese on the banks of the Ada River near Ada Homestead</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><br style="text-align: left;" /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">That is Ada Homestead in the distance on the true left of the river. This area once housed a working sheep and cattle station on leased DOC land between the Spencer Mountains and <a href="http://www.doc.govt.nz/stjames">St James Conservation Area</a>. It is usually un-occupied only being used when DOC teams have work to do up these valleys. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyq-lRxPuT4XGuZiRDrtgeBJkwfjxPQTrlaICoMcxv7kTwnZOkr5-5eBMUp890ZF2ikkmJep22u77DApa0XqX-JFCBIOVhVgrhInsJor7zgOG9lYCSPA97uhjHtmcHKse19kF6SQAyQ6XIoITUnkPk-yoSK2kIud_ctzvOC7bLGJSxR6C5FQN41XlKsg/s6000/IMG_0864.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyq-lRxPuT4XGuZiRDrtgeBJkwfjxPQTrlaICoMcxv7kTwnZOkr5-5eBMUp890ZF2ikkmJep22u77DApa0XqX-JFCBIOVhVgrhInsJor7zgOG9lYCSPA97uhjHtmcHKse19kF6SQAyQ6XIoITUnkPk-yoSK2kIud_ctzvOC7bLGJSxR6C5FQN41XlKsg/w640-h426/IMG_0864.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Distant view of Ada Homestead, St James Walkway</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><br style="text-align: left;" /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6uFMyulNOGA/VOpt8vgksyI/AAAAAAAAFG4/fDLwooN6Qeg/s1600/DSCN4843.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6uFMyulNOGA/VOpt8vgksyI/AAAAAAAAFG4/fDLwooN6Qeg/s640/DSCN4843.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption">Close up of the Ada Homestead from the St James Walkway (2015)</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There is a limited view up the Waiau River Valley from near Ada Homestead. You can see up the valley towards Waiau Pass and the north eastern edge of Nelson Lakes NP. This is the route the Te Araroa Trail follows so this section of the St James Walkway is very busy over the summer months. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvbro0hq5SZvX6YZaIP2HkqArNuKGEugeK_beUiB9sLJmnaLdQOrRz-jC3_UotoHrrpIUAUGtu86DOq1vq1xxj87Pslq2g9jRENUl7fNa68ddx17_2FLT1eE6SvbXOU2465J9sgs8CMALjHO7vh8Zg-k5WUqkqZ3wS5JrJ2_oIHB8DYofsD3mLpMvLJw/s6000/IMG_0866.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvbro0hq5SZvX6YZaIP2HkqArNuKGEugeK_beUiB9sLJmnaLdQOrRz-jC3_UotoHrrpIUAUGtu86DOq1vq1xxj87Pslq2g9jRENUl7fNa68ddx17_2FLT1eE6SvbXOU2465J9sgs8CMALjHO7vh8Zg-k5WUqkqZ3wS5JrJ2_oIHB8DYofsD3mLpMvLJw/w640-h426/IMG_0866.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption">View up the Waiau River Valley from the St James Walkway</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><br style="text-align: left;" /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtsrDR1Daax7RBcMOBAh_8mNJ7LSS7bhBae3MrRJ2F9Q972CNZxGB3nnHWQeGfTQ6S8zwV9DUNrgIziHxFzAdFvbV5lxb8JLpE1QKj8zXt8PcuR_dAhq8Tbo23YyUyk25i-xVWZ7S07VYF7CA0VkpM2EGyO8bs-XtxMl3xNbltCu1Tx59WBwtnCouJ0Q/s6000/IMG_0873.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtsrDR1Daax7RBcMOBAh_8mNJ7LSS7bhBae3MrRJ2F9Q972CNZxGB3nnHWQeGfTQ6S8zwV9DUNrgIziHxFzAdFvbV5lxb8JLpE1QKj8zXt8PcuR_dAhq8Tbo23YyUyk25i-xVWZ7S07VYF7CA0VkpM2EGyO8bs-XtxMl3xNbltCu1Tx59WBwtnCouJ0Q/w640-h426/IMG_0873.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View up the Waiau River Valley from beyond Ada Homestead</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">You have to climb up the flank of Mt Federation near the Waiau-Ada confluence to avoid swampy terrain. The track weaves in and out of some Matagouri and low scrub. There are a couple of small slips where the track has washed away. I just about fell off the track as it crumbled away beneath me so watch your footing. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1nXQHAXd4NCFJdbhInX_YaehWth7qWoDyUQnncAqWku_-Ji-zPX4Re0Fh3B50dqiFAQVfh1f0uAdzuxOejPwKbiR6Dr0Xq6xjSbGNcPPDS0OlotI-GCQdSREc6PteTwwNZjU5W3WDXyfm3L-MORCtWfv519U8VRacRALg6PnKi0XdOnMEWQjXRZgaNA/s6000/IMG_0868.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1nXQHAXd4NCFJdbhInX_YaehWth7qWoDyUQnncAqWku_-Ji-zPX4Re0Fh3B50dqiFAQVfh1f0uAdzuxOejPwKbiR6Dr0Xq6xjSbGNcPPDS0OlotI-GCQdSREc6PteTwwNZjU5W3WDXyfm3L-MORCtWfv519U8VRacRALg6PnKi0XdOnMEWQjXRZgaNA/w640-h426/IMG_0868.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St James Walkway sidles along the bottom of Mt Federation</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><br style="text-align: left;" /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSbG_3P3veiEa_v3r6mpSIHtEb_FFD95HUrgT9JApCaJc_VsehrDvIHov2_bdLx_N6gT-TS0giP7_iaajqv35yYZicmy0xX-kKOSi9cKnfehHOVEPOaatEa2s-M8v42keG1ohej89csRUuetQzLVC8n_PrmioE53HNV8JQq1myYi5mKdBN6bHH5QfAug/s6000/IMG_0870.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSbG_3P3veiEa_v3r6mpSIHtEb_FFD95HUrgT9JApCaJc_VsehrDvIHov2_bdLx_N6gT-TS0giP7_iaajqv35yYZicmy0xX-kKOSi9cKnfehHOVEPOaatEa2s-M8v42keG1ohej89csRUuetQzLVC8n_PrmioE53HNV8JQq1myYi5mKdBN6bHH5QfAug/w640-h426/IMG_0870.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View east along the Waiau River Valley towards McArthur Bridge</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSFXIq2-PnVI0LD3x5OdANfXF-I1dxK7HBFMbxxnpBnBjNAcExRbWkih7qy63pREBO2ctUY7XQlbhG1Of0ik1j3NHVrIwyyDh_WztdgQJrXL4-EntihXPCv66Z6Yuy6ggvnGZRsIjT-jAQlZGROV4adSBp_M0ZOCw6hRlSd7ibKBg9lAdQ5ILNGrLPow/s6000/IMG_0874.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSFXIq2-PnVI0LD3x5OdANfXF-I1dxK7HBFMbxxnpBnBjNAcExRbWkih7qy63pREBO2ctUY7XQlbhG1Of0ik1j3NHVrIwyyDh_WztdgQJrXL4-EntihXPCv66Z6Yuy6ggvnGZRsIjT-jAQlZGROV4adSBp_M0ZOCw6hRlSd7ibKBg9lAdQ5ILNGrLPow/w640-h426/IMG_0874.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last section of the Ada River heading towards Waiau Confluence</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The track from Waiau Pass joins the St James Walkway near Ada Homestead. Te Araroa walkers often need to walk some distance up the Christopher Valley to cross the river. As you can imagine the combined flow from the Ada, Christopher and Waiau Rivers can be substantial at times. <br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsE3Hu409nShzjCvX4CuaGnJ465vvllNKF4Ydc4qTPfVfBxbCbh0BY_bGs52MEaejNpY5bdoaUU55x-G1TYjcw5HNGgXP7uaaf3jsmLncpE9lrBYsGamf2itPAJx4te1LYIYMNRmIoK4XAutWTQBUBYXCmlXO5RHkk6PUiPIxxZWlMpe3zXZMesTtqBQ/s6000/IMG_0878.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsE3Hu409nShzjCvX4CuaGnJ465vvllNKF4Ydc4qTPfVfBxbCbh0BY_bGs52MEaejNpY5bdoaUU55x-G1TYjcw5HNGgXP7uaaf3jsmLncpE9lrBYsGamf2itPAJx4te1LYIYMNRmIoK4XAutWTQBUBYXCmlXO5RHkk6PUiPIxxZWlMpe3zXZMesTtqBQ/w640-h426/IMG_0878.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another view up the Upper Waiau Valley...route of Te Araroa Trail</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><br style="text-align: left;" /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWg9bIGFuzfIkP_H8imqZbS9tuzHP0osA2nu1iBFvPKTjxj0yvj8S4BGnyGlioQJsIIsp0vUjUP_TpGRXrDd-2YThRlUx0benn0Lg3hiqrWSoB4sX2BMVKVdr2idiJdrFKeiNw8DVoOfe7Wf1gnd9wFjmPCVEgAmjPPephronh_OLdKvroF_IUD-YVXg/s6000/IMG_0879.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWg9bIGFuzfIkP_H8imqZbS9tuzHP0osA2nu1iBFvPKTjxj0yvj8S4BGnyGlioQJsIIsp0vUjUP_TpGRXrDd-2YThRlUx0benn0Lg3hiqrWSoB4sX2BMVKVdr2idiJdrFKeiNw8DVoOfe7Wf1gnd9wFjmPCVEgAmjPPephronh_OLdKvroF_IUD-YVXg/w640-h426/IMG_0879.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View down the Waiau Valley towards McArthur Bridge</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkGx7OGUmUu4eKunLlIImG8V6tKSq5Y9kzNLqsSI0WomFk1d3ihGt8qfwZai1YUhJMEUWK3BPlQSAoGTcpN6Ur7e3Ns5CORG5eqOtPhfipTSn1JZOwPxUM0NuOSrdzTY3ciy9I-_myCOfkR0pDYi6wKeAyD1lGCNduCqgYaQ9h1LZca4VdIAgNgiEQRQ/s6000/IMG_0883.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkGx7OGUmUu4eKunLlIImG8V6tKSq5Y9kzNLqsSI0WomFk1d3ihGt8qfwZai1YUhJMEUWK3BPlQSAoGTcpN6Ur7e3Ns5CORG5eqOtPhfipTSn1JZOwPxUM0NuOSrdzTY3ciy9I-_myCOfkR0pDYi6wKeAyD1lGCNduCqgYaQ9h1LZca4VdIAgNgiEQRQ/w640-h426/IMG_0883.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Turning into the Henry Valley from the Ada Valley</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Once around Mt Federation there is a 2-3 hour walk up the Henry River Valley to contend with. In summer take LOT'S of water with you from Christopher Hut/Anne Hut as this section is exposed, hot and bone dry: there is no potable water at all. There are huge numbers of Geese in the Waiau, Ada and Henry Valleys so any river water there is suspect.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This is a massive valley, the far side would be 4-5 km's away at this point.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0T0jBp6_tcnfMc0MQilGEqE4T-UAR2CbHCrZuAyA9xIIJvTA-P6j-s1MrDI_PxHEjbAGXqPgrv2u6FkUM9801UROjypJZeXZI77NiwZhqWo7RTT5Zu_lL34-CHDfZsSlZ2IjiVFa4i4RAIv5SYQjyhpvrE3ehfTc7SpVbxxo8KPHo2Rhz5dYdLQsXjQ/s6000/IMG_0886.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0T0jBp6_tcnfMc0MQilGEqE4T-UAR2CbHCrZuAyA9xIIJvTA-P6j-s1MrDI_PxHEjbAGXqPgrv2u6FkUM9801UROjypJZeXZI77NiwZhqWo7RTT5Zu_lL34-CHDfZsSlZ2IjiVFa4i4RAIv5SYQjyhpvrE3ehfTc7SpVbxxo8KPHo2Rhz5dYdLQsXjQ/w640-h426/IMG_0886.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the St James Walkway heading into the Henry Valley</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It was cold and cloudy the day I walked to Anne Hut and the sun did not appear until late in the day. Luckily the worst of the weather was finished so I managed to make it around to the hut without too many difficulties. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisLP9SVWNZf9ComvqRYbjRdNBPdNxzcZnMmV_zIb6BaN8JnVxmn36tZPVQsp0xp7zyb0aCIdbFKYlxHMk8rainIaSW_Z4RaMYt4ryE6_0C8cKioh1FwhvkHKMR7UItZ-ev8Wk7ql2oNENvT7y8NBTsBnc_K-B4CIViWHiVMWCrjZJff1yRr1XUPUX-OA/s6000/IMG_0888.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisLP9SVWNZf9ComvqRYbjRdNBPdNxzcZnMmV_zIb6BaN8JnVxmn36tZPVQsp0xp7zyb0aCIdbFKYlxHMk8rainIaSW_Z4RaMYt4ryE6_0C8cKioh1FwhvkHKMR7UItZ-ev8Wk7ql2oNENvT7y8NBTsBnc_K-B4CIViWHiVMWCrjZJff1yRr1XUPUX-OA/w640-h426/IMG_0888.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mt Jervios (1862) lurks under cloud, St James Conservation Area</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><br style="text-align: left;" /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivNUq6Zd0OmJfVuzRiW5ER9zG1gqM6kkYD9SfQ35F_Lbzi2bpjF72cAG5SRGKro2Z9LMk1Xc8vmS-56w9HI2vM8Yq3nY4AxMR4aKVwV000HhezK9gh34GSQFedHhh6J4DtDeRcBX3M72WBx3r36ze2x8ThTgX9O8Oby5Ll62Ckyxuulf4vHkNyBTN2BQ/s6000/IMG_0891.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivNUq6Zd0OmJfVuzRiW5ER9zG1gqM6kkYD9SfQ35F_Lbzi2bpjF72cAG5SRGKro2Z9LMk1Xc8vmS-56w9HI2vM8Yq3nY4AxMR4aKVwV000HhezK9gh34GSQFedHhh6J4DtDeRcBX3M72WBx3r36ze2x8ThTgX9O8Oby5Ll62Ckyxuulf4vHkNyBTN2BQ/w640-h426/IMG_0891.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View down the Waiau towards Glenrae Range and McArthur Bridge</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><br style="text-align: left;" /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As you make your way up the Henry Valley you cross a succession of low ridges. These look like moraine walls from some ancient glacier. There are a lot of glacial erratic's around...rocks left behind by some retreating glacier. This whole valley is at around 1000 meters so it is very likely there were big glaciers here during the last ice age. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7wmba4-Nqs6HsQVnPawpDOTbH9lhuXfC_Xq1C2gvQ8ZC264LvmN3ayM71Ng8jRj1Q6AIEVxwshjOmg1GuFx3szInX30wUCkfjJ2Pfxn7zjOmJqsCC9pKVFfX9aASKdNy7UL9POcpNWz6dnYEwNUcu5JHz7ViX7HePkOx_Lk_JVqJSFCKA-08fWaAIRQ/s6000/IMG_0892.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7wmba4-Nqs6HsQVnPawpDOTbH9lhuXfC_Xq1C2gvQ8ZC264LvmN3ayM71Ng8jRj1Q6AIEVxwshjOmg1GuFx3szInX30wUCkfjJ2Pfxn7zjOmJqsCC9pKVFfX9aASKdNy7UL9POcpNWz6dnYEwNUcu5JHz7ViX7HePkOx_Lk_JVqJSFCKA-08fWaAIRQ/w640-h426/IMG_0892.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old glacial moraine terraces in the Henry Valley</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><br style="text-align: left;" /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfzP1G4sOxCWTdd2vg_wndoQLJnj7dbzV9WjPo6-GF_0vOLyteGwiQ90mMvosrcfQHNEbpxczorCpNUsXZKfdzEygEyamzPXOc_KzRSA-QA91kmWR48a1qOEn251joVGo1MhnAC-rjeoK1K3ppZ2NCN1c5KXwb4bu_TuEPy14FKGU7CjHBZIi7wbXyvQ/s6000/IMG_0893.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfzP1G4sOxCWTdd2vg_wndoQLJnj7dbzV9WjPo6-GF_0vOLyteGwiQ90mMvosrcfQHNEbpxczorCpNUsXZKfdzEygEyamzPXOc_KzRSA-QA91kmWR48a1qOEn251joVGo1MhnAC-rjeoK1K3ppZ2NCN1c5KXwb4bu_TuEPy14FKGU7CjHBZIi7wbXyvQ/w640-h426/IMG_0893.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View east towards Mt Jervois...St James Walkway</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><br style="text-align: left;" /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvloitJKcQW3tq8WKtiv1qhBC0gHWzd7euueJ1meKWgkoBwwFhUH76prTrYfvsEsi8BxwsUqS62hu6oQ6XvxwcPW4E-tePRVNQNE--lG483ovGbZjoGWpFBjsEp0KPhenxOIIRumcnJVu2I4nTF33TcOr7XgAcV9VD_Qhsj7VFz5vlJUXIv1oS7ri6Ng/s6000/IMG_0894.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvloitJKcQW3tq8WKtiv1qhBC0gHWzd7euueJ1meKWgkoBwwFhUH76prTrYfvsEsi8BxwsUqS62hu6oQ6XvxwcPW4E-tePRVNQNE--lG483ovGbZjoGWpFBjsEp0KPhenxOIIRumcnJVu2I4nTF33TcOr7XgAcV9VD_Qhsj7VFz5vlJUXIv1oS7ri6Ng/w640-h426/IMG_0894.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boardwalk over a marsh area...St James Walkway</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><br style="text-align: left;" /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The walking through here is easy but tedious as hell...it is up and down over the small ridges with low swampy grasslands in between the ridges. I was happy to climb over the last ridge onto a plateau which stretches from here all the way to the Henry Suspension Bridge. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRv8E1cUmQdDBsCkcV2PtvKRj6J66adHQTbea9GEi_-oNJCqRB6YlhFf0yu-Yjj_BYneeRVawhqJOTYmcfiU84NwfltbcIIGUkmhO0jfg13m0wxLoZLHfRqYdl2WbD-eS0xSGVoOzDhRI7jN3nPe8sRxOGxo0wE_yjCIpF0cQpdjEPyCrRKzPv994wLw/s6000/IMG_0895.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRv8E1cUmQdDBsCkcV2PtvKRj6J66adHQTbea9GEi_-oNJCqRB6YlhFf0yu-Yjj_BYneeRVawhqJOTYmcfiU84NwfltbcIIGUkmhO0jfg13m0wxLoZLHfRqYdl2WbD-eS0xSGVoOzDhRI7jN3nPe8sRxOGxo0wE_yjCIpF0cQpdjEPyCrRKzPv994wLw/w640-h426/IMG_0895.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The last ridge before the Henry Swing Bridge</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><br style="text-align: left;" /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0XyxF2IVu_nuhXOVDab_e2DUFejfILRyPUSB3RCiJ5Wrhij4qPP_RREiH32-MJBRBh5UNnAcixjXGmBA-tQfO-wFUhO1ySqcs7jWNdtZXhmTy2aKKpSkWm5872KwMsj56PJYPS9oBPrYU8SpziMq-49uXX4hcT0819tmulXjD-9kGr_C14SqAPXHWVQ/s6000/IMG_0897.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0XyxF2IVu_nuhXOVDab_e2DUFejfILRyPUSB3RCiJ5Wrhij4qPP_RREiH32-MJBRBh5UNnAcixjXGmBA-tQfO-wFUhO1ySqcs7jWNdtZXhmTy2aKKpSkWm5872KwMsj56PJYPS9oBPrYU8SpziMq-49uXX4hcT0819tmulXjD-9kGr_C14SqAPXHWVQ/w640-h426/IMG_0897.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking across a small plateau down towards the Henry River</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhrOGL4jX7RK1MUooavB1OukKD97jNAUWl9QiPz1tnWRTnbeFvwbPrFC1POVgt3idByfShuQ8hGyYwp-6QO73UImDVENcxtXIyhzAXqpopE2okjGdzk7h8CH6WYeuTJmUUssjThVu9GV22I7Eb1uRN9YYKSoxf_4iDdfSIzzSjFZE0UAEUfVaehOWxgg/s6000/IMG_0901.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhrOGL4jX7RK1MUooavB1OukKD97jNAUWl9QiPz1tnWRTnbeFvwbPrFC1POVgt3idByfShuQ8hGyYwp-6QO73UImDVENcxtXIyhzAXqpopE2okjGdzk7h8CH6WYeuTJmUUssjThVu9GV22I7Eb1uRN9YYKSoxf_4iDdfSIzzSjFZE0UAEUfVaehOWxgg/w640-h426/IMG_0901.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Track markers along the St James Walkway route</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Eventually you connect with an old 4 W/D track half way up the valley- you follow this for the rest the way to the hut and it makes for much faster travel. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AeWg2T_nJFc/VOpt-VE-9iI/AAAAAAAAFHU/wGhWH5xYP1o/s1600/DSCN4846.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AeWg2T_nJFc/VOpt-VE-9iI/AAAAAAAAFHU/wGhWH5xYP1o/s640/DSCN4846.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption">St James Walkway: sign on edge of 4 W/D track in Henry Valley</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Apparently there is a side track connecting the St James Walkway with this 4 W/D track near the Waiau River but I didn't see it. If you can find it use it as it would probably save you 30-40 min's walking time.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyO7ywvdacC5owLBJHmxH9rD-DJnJT6vX93C-7aOTnQxVlhCcsbB5I9kOPPh8uYdOvcbubP_NikvAH29OQYh2JRrwWF-fjtrHXJLn5hN-YnBZp2B4cA4f7KJuRumyR95KWqtmi1HWYMTrl8toBsapllPp-J1rGACe7zItjZW7UD1TkNrxQXnJ4LoULcg/s6000/IMG_0908.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyO7ywvdacC5owLBJHmxH9rD-DJnJT6vX93C-7aOTnQxVlhCcsbB5I9kOPPh8uYdOvcbubP_NikvAH29OQYh2JRrwWF-fjtrHXJLn5hN-YnBZp2B4cA4f7KJuRumyR95KWqtmi1HWYMTrl8toBsapllPp-J1rGACe7zItjZW7UD1TkNrxQXnJ4LoULcg/w640-h426/IMG_0908.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the Henry Valley 4 W/D track enroute to Anne Hut</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><br style="text-align: left;" /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEdCoRF02tZfH__Xveehgbve4zNXjFafn2jkbPTX0HUjyheZfZBreoqL18tk81zJUZclZSVz7B3XbX2clx0GG9BxFfod5NpH-TMb44-3GHhf21UEc2bSlW2jW-Iw6-vSDQBkDxIC14EQCf-WJuljswaLnNnHYDkoSr9mm7IKW2-IiOoh374a5JsVP4cQ/s6000/IMG_0910.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEdCoRF02tZfH__Xveehgbve4zNXjFafn2jkbPTX0HUjyheZfZBreoqL18tk81zJUZclZSVz7B3XbX2clx0GG9BxFfod5NpH-TMb44-3GHhf21UEc2bSlW2jW-Iw6-vSDQBkDxIC14EQCf-WJuljswaLnNnHYDkoSr9mm7IKW2-IiOoh374a5JsVP4cQ/w640-h426/IMG_0910.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The 4 W/D track goes all the way to Anne Hut</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><br style="text-align: left;" /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">You get to a point where a side track veers off the main 4 W/D track and heads towards the patch of Beech forest near the Henry River Swingbridge. It is sign posted but suffice to say look for the junction as it is usually very difficult to ford the Henry River except in sustained dry weather. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3iNbGZTicB2P0S-mXw_YzeuTJv2lYuGjFwRTuLqkmjQ13t_qABsr8e3Eg_Gq2yrBfXv4lt3_z1QfmN-MfFcxZb4I-B9RXtJR3AZLc3exCizvmFnrXmUyuq5a6E3jxVUCMVgSmnAH1UVrx4YCnwoGkvAuva4y4JCFFYrCMLfugYgwPdBkiMnQ3srk0IA/s6000/IMG_0911.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3iNbGZTicB2P0S-mXw_YzeuTJv2lYuGjFwRTuLqkmjQ13t_qABsr8e3Eg_Gq2yrBfXv4lt3_z1QfmN-MfFcxZb4I-B9RXtJR3AZLc3exCizvmFnrXmUyuq5a6E3jxVUCMVgSmnAH1UVrx4YCnwoGkvAuva4y4JCFFYrCMLfugYgwPdBkiMnQ3srk0IA/w640-h426/IMG_0911.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beech trees mark the location of the Henry River Swingbridge</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><br style="text-align: left;" /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMfp4WgltNqNyGCG_QDtBhAOp_lDrtw68KYO2-RG4teWahSWZfQB_MC-T-0os_oMvC5BvQJi2pQVp_O0pnkAD7OEjJDahuvvB2XJXarhoFJfzWyaYHgx9mlqgBp_Q0jra1xrjsEQb4F90ZenacT1Y1OHAo2o6jKW8iyWZ3xc294d68bk2KkOlxETX2iA/s6000/IMG_0913.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMfp4WgltNqNyGCG_QDtBhAOp_lDrtw68KYO2-RG4teWahSWZfQB_MC-T-0os_oMvC5BvQJi2pQVp_O0pnkAD7OEjJDahuvvB2XJXarhoFJfzWyaYHgx9mlqgBp_Q0jra1xrjsEQb4F90ZenacT1Y1OHAo2o6jKW8iyWZ3xc294d68bk2KkOlxETX2iA/w640-h426/IMG_0913.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Descending down to the Henry River Swingbridge</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Eventually you reach the Henry Swing bridge...it was quite sporty crossing it. The wind had come up and it was swaying back and forth alarmingly as the wires need tightening. You need to cross this bridge as the 4 W/D ford further up the valley looked deep and swift. The bridge was built because people have died trying to cross the Henry River.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /> Far better to play it safe and follow the track instead.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirEviyYrsGfnaZyk1KZjEgG-Fj_gF-zKL_vcIPcXJifJ0pZYBrggA4OoeVbEq5IapqO1uYR-fy3dtK2RYkIVnMfoRx1F4jHtCxANwDoPsXwMpJceGFBxBL5-9Xbv4snaJPMfXWNLrOPERHFyAsxD0o0mTLjG-aSdgSnbwhDPU2B2WUpNzluorc_N64xA/s6000/IMG_0915.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirEviyYrsGfnaZyk1KZjEgG-Fj_gF-zKL_vcIPcXJifJ0pZYBrggA4OoeVbEq5IapqO1uYR-fy3dtK2RYkIVnMfoRx1F4jHtCxANwDoPsXwMpJceGFBxBL5-9Xbv4snaJPMfXWNLrOPERHFyAsxD0o0mTLjG-aSdgSnbwhDPU2B2WUpNzluorc_N64xA/w640-h426/IMG_0915.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swing-bridge over the Henry River, St James Walkway</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><br style="text-align: left;" /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnDJagSNabnw3Se9GGXqaAMFzSNEsLyiohJWe_j6jGSROLvbqoFyIQNCsP1ruJYsUIAJ0XJG2xm-5qqLTxJHAx6Cq9Cgc795PXWDvSDSxXU3qtywrg0_5KF4Hs5N0BhkplNZUi1UxLy2idV3zAPsgV7RPFgxsB2ReHOBxu7k53HI3oHT_NfxVPnnEQdg/s6000/IMG_0917.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnDJagSNabnw3Se9GGXqaAMFzSNEsLyiohJWe_j6jGSROLvbqoFyIQNCsP1ruJYsUIAJ0XJG2xm-5qqLTxJHAx6Cq9Cgc795PXWDvSDSxXU3qtywrg0_5KF4Hs5N0BhkplNZUi1UxLy2idV3zAPsgV7RPFgxsB2ReHOBxu7k53HI3oHT_NfxVPnnEQdg/w640-h426/IMG_0917.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Henry River Swingbridge is about 100 meters across</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1a6w7oJtfXwmIXi21qSJSyVmC98s8ZTrIUBE8rVx7JCrp3zowpMHYuUVOA7lw4QsK-ubdZsjsda_v002P1WbBSGKlmVwm63EWfDAdLfVRNxpJEVnTs5jjN6wR8eQmSaqbUFIrehvOkbrnlDW8gkDe8fXbwe5ca_RAutO5fVq3s5mw3ja6940TTO38ZQ/s6000/IMG_0919.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1a6w7oJtfXwmIXi21qSJSyVmC98s8ZTrIUBE8rVx7JCrp3zowpMHYuUVOA7lw4QsK-ubdZsjsda_v002P1WbBSGKlmVwm63EWfDAdLfVRNxpJEVnTs5jjN6wR8eQmSaqbUFIrehvOkbrnlDW8gkDe8fXbwe5ca_RAutO5fVq3s5mw3ja6940TTO38ZQ/w640-h426/IMG_0919.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View back over the Henry River Swingbridge</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><br style="text-align: left;" /></p><div style="text-align: center;">The track on the far side of the Henry Swingbridge is bloody dodgy...a slip has taken away a section and you have to climb over a couple of gaps in the track. A fall would not be good as you are about 20 meters above the river here. I stopped to talk to some DOC workers near here and they said a couple of guys were coming in to blast a new track as it was so dangerous. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJBuebTR1apZm_w-8bFihVr3VQynRxoD1yaLO8gjdkJH_nlObXpWsyHYPLfQqp6O24q0GLZJLhGHlwP2_g5lWKva9z448kb70LUBHyfuO_LZq2zcCH-rhmSgjTQ3DEDvTsibSoFJH-Wbn4G3kd6LODfbWPcCunJG1hfFbscToTGO-wrWK6r0vBvuYYAg/s6000/IMG_0918.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJBuebTR1apZm_w-8bFihVr3VQynRxoD1yaLO8gjdkJH_nlObXpWsyHYPLfQqp6O24q0GLZJLhGHlwP2_g5lWKva9z448kb70LUBHyfuO_LZq2zcCH-rhmSgjTQ3DEDvTsibSoFJH-Wbn4G3kd6LODfbWPcCunJG1hfFbscToTGO-wrWK6r0vBvuYYAg/w640-h426/IMG_0918.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View down the Henry River from the swingbridge</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_XJvlU3DYt6PjlLvVUgeJEqJ0MfCvEHyo6erAS_U2edYauP0xAWF25eaOZnFfoJYBgLJVtn34XOtqYSPrmt1ma0hjrcbJsGV8VRF__pAMy8T1oTWQAtaZE1Q0c0N1Z_XKsOQnCEy5M2Gu8tm12Tmrhcd60tEqscRrXYswB2uKGjJizcDPGsqTLSLKhg/s6000/IMG_0921.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_XJvlU3DYt6PjlLvVUgeJEqJ0MfCvEHyo6erAS_U2edYauP0xAWF25eaOZnFfoJYBgLJVtn34XOtqYSPrmt1ma0hjrcbJsGV8VRF__pAMy8T1oTWQAtaZE1Q0c0N1Z_XKsOQnCEy5M2Gu8tm12Tmrhcd60tEqscRrXYswB2uKGjJizcDPGsqTLSLKhg/w640-h426/IMG_0921.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dodgy cliff side track near the Henry Swingbridge, St James Walkway</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">After the swing-bridge you walk across some river flats to the 4 W/D track leading up to Anne Hut. The track meanders along the river and then crosses a couple of side streams before emerging near the ford over the Henry River. It is about 1.5 kilometers from the bridge to the 4 W/D track...</div><p style="text-align: center;"><br style="text-align: left;" /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFoyff-EdmzlDUTfS6lhFPWzoPybArC-mSPDAg0EvjrIJmeVocL041MVMzi7Ha-aaVwkWQeYtLfBvp2oK1vNNVII4vAeMNhnquxtLUe4hGaVx7hLI_ttn2sHdblRPb16KgEZ6sQAM1UfMemoKGVwlqlrgGVpHOfUFCnvILo5cgzn1rULYyS9TVMalNow/s6000/IMG_0924.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFoyff-EdmzlDUTfS6lhFPWzoPybArC-mSPDAg0EvjrIJmeVocL041MVMzi7Ha-aaVwkWQeYtLfBvp2oK1vNNVII4vAeMNhnquxtLUe4hGaVx7hLI_ttn2sHdblRPb16KgEZ6sQAM1UfMemoKGVwlqlrgGVpHOfUFCnvILo5cgzn1rULYyS9TVMalNow/w640-h426/IMG_0924.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walking along the Henry River towards the 4 W/D track</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><br style="text-align: left;" /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">You ascend one last hill on the 4 W/D track onto a flat plateau...it is then a flat 2 km walk to Anne Hut sitting temptingly out on an open plain. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHHXceVZ3m70sYtXy3XzB_eeG4eQtPEMf1Wxl4NSzosSMSwGqXKQ9uCqK6gT3ReQHupO-0Cw0KHfGreDZIJFBeSPMqEXsbYv3jdClga9vx3fac1A4FIwhHLBfYYk170aTP_YgxLIPSNBjlA5Zg7wqYd0JucCW2n-QF5AFA8pgU12kBpFKyDogPAuib0g/s6000/IMG_0928.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHHXceVZ3m70sYtXy3XzB_eeG4eQtPEMf1Wxl4NSzosSMSwGqXKQ9uCqK6gT3ReQHupO-0Cw0KHfGreDZIJFBeSPMqEXsbYv3jdClga9vx3fac1A4FIwhHLBfYYk170aTP_YgxLIPSNBjlA5Zg7wqYd0JucCW2n-QF5AFA8pgU12kBpFKyDogPAuib0g/w640-h426/IMG_0928.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the 4 W/D track coming up from the Henry River</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizFQUAp2QBWDu0etr2BmqC3qsL2ubzZpUg6PUDXVpJEAGtvgTnnsKH9Cthop1qtAAeoR_qiFjARaNu6zoV5nk_8ShS1EslIOv876yw1O3CLUuMzjKOQJp0-TIUuimsFnzLQunQrmGY8nFqrlfILpkTHueBLPGQvAksycxE-aBocjdhZugvGOuCwudhbw/s6000/IMG_0926.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizFQUAp2QBWDu0etr2BmqC3qsL2ubzZpUg6PUDXVpJEAGtvgTnnsKH9Cthop1qtAAeoR_qiFjARaNu6zoV5nk_8ShS1EslIOv876yw1O3CLUuMzjKOQJp0-TIUuimsFnzLQunQrmGY8nFqrlfILpkTHueBLPGQvAksycxE-aBocjdhZugvGOuCwudhbw/w640-h426/IMG_0926.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the plateau Anne Hut sits on...St James Walkway</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><br style="text-align: left;" /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">On a hot sunny day it takes an age to cover those last kilometers but with the cloudy conditions it was quite a pleasant stretch on the way to the hut. I could see smoke coming from the chimney and a guy outside chopping wood so I knew there were people in residence. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRKYcWnOQqd-X_NiO7xiTykQYRIOGH9oiImQVVi-IWjf8QLnjzPOAeRJK3MctNTXRbBdDHvkmI4ofkMn7kh9eWvTvF26hAnuegBeBekbAXJRFJCDsY9_fBNdvdmb3YwyqJePLN8V8__qOPGVFzZUUoDAbiPOWA7g38JLZMiFnG9D4TDao8CGrLzki2dw/s6000/IMG_0933.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRKYcWnOQqd-X_NiO7xiTykQYRIOGH9oiImQVVi-IWjf8QLnjzPOAeRJK3MctNTXRbBdDHvkmI4ofkMn7kh9eWvTvF26hAnuegBeBekbAXJRFJCDsY9_fBNdvdmb3YwyqJePLN8V8__qOPGVFzZUUoDAbiPOWA7g38JLZMiFnG9D4TDao8CGrLzki2dw/w640-h426/IMG_0933.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First and distant view to Anne Hut, St James Walkway</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4fDpzSTwdt6MTUtGvPHujU6hnwCXB3o9oX9-OyMgvfS_knIlcowl1zu1ATNJHezMmjJDdEZTD3Nib6LZyNumdJdk1FlEzXra0RejvRpz6d6TePVrYgWRLtOXIGiV7TpgstnnkbA3YCVJ0AgCWAog3GdJRCqyMc5dtlIF_ae4IdcFSP6qmoWn0tMvM3A/s6000/IMG_0930.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4fDpzSTwdt6MTUtGvPHujU6hnwCXB3o9oX9-OyMgvfS_knIlcowl1zu1ATNJHezMmjJDdEZTD3Nib6LZyNumdJdk1FlEzXra0RejvRpz6d6TePVrYgWRLtOXIGiV7TpgstnnkbA3YCVJ0AgCWAog3GdJRCqyMc5dtlIF_ae4IdcFSP6qmoWn0tMvM3A/w640-h426/IMG_0930.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anne Hut sits on a wide open plateau above the Henry River</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><br style="text-align: left;" /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdLylov_NMaCw_o4RrRcFD82j1v0wtAxj6uQIRHDFNpn8b6g53mFVWAA6luALyMNkC3aWSWu_VZEZBWtKTsEeq6oVkP9khQB7_kkBWuv_l7ZbW6yqLfGCyIlbmoM3cv4PL4bkBPia_7aiAO4TQEIsheQKIB0bSoVsetq-Sw4omFPZpVRVHCHRPAMII3w/s6000/IMG_0935.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdLylov_NMaCw_o4RrRcFD82j1v0wtAxj6uQIRHDFNpn8b6g53mFVWAA6luALyMNkC3aWSWu_VZEZBWtKTsEeq6oVkP9khQB7_kkBWuv_l7ZbW6yqLfGCyIlbmoM3cv4PL4bkBPia_7aiAO4TQEIsheQKIB0bSoVsetq-Sw4omFPZpVRVHCHRPAMII3w/w640-h426/IMG_0935.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...nearly at Anne Hut on the St James Walkway...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/canterbury/places/st-james-conservation-area/things-to-do/huts/anne-hut/">Anne Hut</a> is a total cracker...it is fairly new and nicely repositioned from its old shaded location closer to the Henry River. The old hut was down by the river and in the shade of some tall hills so it was cold and damp. It is a lovely hut and is very popular as the St James Walkway, St James Cycleway and Te Araroa Trail all pass by here. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dQ68B--3RRs/VOpuAcS8AlI/AAAAAAAAFHw/vqTUT9TOLZY/s1600/DSCN4849.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dQ68B--3RRs/VOpuAcS8AlI/AAAAAAAAFHw/vqTUT9TOLZY/s640/DSCN4849.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption">Anne Hut in the St James Conservation Area<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There was a new intentions book in the hut left there in late January and it already had 10 pages of visitors marked in it. That is how busy it is over the summer months...</div><p style="text-align: center;"><br style="text-align: left;" /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfcnIZBKFX4qG_q4MmskcN-PNGogsxLpZxEnil-7C5uGj5uSOE3IedXIMpBTooE3uV78c7Qv1ux5B0EuWFt3H_48wzNIWKXfJS08CezeFOwp-Xz6N02vE_75tKck8TG9aAUWE-fTvq_MK1e-qfhNpYN-bBvOQ98MHF039oeTaI4RLAiyGAYacqG5yT_Q/s6000/IMG_0938.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfcnIZBKFX4qG_q4MmskcN-PNGogsxLpZxEnil-7C5uGj5uSOE3IedXIMpBTooE3uV78c7Qv1ux5B0EuWFt3H_48wzNIWKXfJS08CezeFOwp-Xz6N02vE_75tKck8TG9aAUWE-fTvq_MK1e-qfhNpYN-bBvOQ98MHF039oeTaI4RLAiyGAYacqG5yT_Q/w640-h426/IMG_0938.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anne Hut: interior tables and benches...</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><br style="text-align: left;" /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcxIGXmlarcNpKkeANTUUqvIWPeuA9pY7kIhbs7AfV9E3EEYLf_5ibPfsbYffsaB6C1CUuz8hLVABp1Pqmwe6o6gT4AnbYRYEsKzSwOzeD04biMBDtGJeXZQc2qNaxtQ7lbZBI0_ST47tIU5mQvbIPuWOXUGdg11rLtOTfCRSgbOo6W1XXPCjisiXbOg/s6000/IMG_0939.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcxIGXmlarcNpKkeANTUUqvIWPeuA9pY7kIhbs7AfV9E3EEYLf_5ibPfsbYffsaB6C1CUuz8hLVABp1Pqmwe6o6gT4AnbYRYEsKzSwOzeD04biMBDtGJeXZQc2qNaxtQ7lbZBI0_ST47tIU5mQvbIPuWOXUGdg11rLtOTfCRSgbOo6W1XXPCjisiXbOg/w640-h426/IMG_0939.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span>St James Walkway</span>: Anne Hut...one of the bunkrooms</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><br style="text-align: left;" /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGmmFbqBIFsCMXaHt3DEQJBrPXw-lnRm9c0fAJ8aUwYoN3aiok3VL2HH3sgG-DB4COfuUtrWTV0yT7w8GeoTqXgGd82Z8xK7WnFK9tAQ7Klw9f5Uosol5UsmakrOjJvD_RvWl8Jo9zYZW_iE1fj-vsIzLhsQGWku0lyKyGGbt9VzvIk8HKo9Rl7hATpA/s6000/IMG_0942.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGmmFbqBIFsCMXaHt3DEQJBrPXw-lnRm9c0fAJ8aUwYoN3aiok3VL2HH3sgG-DB4COfuUtrWTV0yT7w8GeoTqXgGd82Z8xK7WnFK9tAQ7Klw9f5Uosol5UsmakrOjJvD_RvWl8Jo9zYZW_iE1fj-vsIzLhsQGWku0lyKyGGbt9VzvIk8HKo9Rl7hATpA/w640-h426/IMG_0942.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span>St James Walkway: Anne Hut</span> cooking bench</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><br style="text-align: left;" /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT6f5PZO9qevyKS5lqvdz8-ossvs7Ivdh7ukgioAySw1bmLAIA1xxqR_Y0p2zKwwUHpTe6-RGDwGROkUKFvYqdZntwGwr8QVJvxfpWfUKTpSe1FRoRyjgw2hupR2eBJiveEA_iAGWT9IY/s1600/516.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT6f5PZO9qevyKS5lqvdz8-ossvs7Ivdh7ukgioAySw1bmLAIA1xxqR_Y0p2zKwwUHpTe6-RGDwGROkUKFvYqdZntwGwr8QVJvxfpWfUKTpSe1FRoRyjgw2hupR2eBJiveEA_iAGWT9IY/s640/516.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption"><span>Anne Hut: the wood burner is centrally located<br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcPEjaregxfs1pXYzQKo53PWlxROrRvOG_B1FmWReYhMNHrXtsxKH2J7LfJPJfEtKORILeuBYXFm9EaQpi7pNqlCFUUXl5IC0lu4E1Kq-I_XMa4DwHjgvm7-7hUKvSQ5xrXbvcilFi6LpCincDZxVehoymJ0-_uG8PVxPZ3uODrinwpCqkHsWA0WfTWw/s6000/IMG_0943.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcPEjaregxfs1pXYzQKo53PWlxROrRvOG_B1FmWReYhMNHrXtsxKH2J7LfJPJfEtKORILeuBYXFm9EaQpi7pNqlCFUUXl5IC0lu4E1Kq-I_XMa4DwHjgvm7-7hUKvSQ5xrXbvcilFi6LpCincDZxVehoymJ0-_uG8PVxPZ3uODrinwpCqkHsWA0WfTWw/w640-h426/IMG_0943.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span>St James Walkway: </span>Anne Hut living space</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><br style="text-align: left;" /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The hut was rebuilt in 2012 after the old Anne Hut burnt down. It is big: 24 bunks, warm (well insulated), spacious, well appointed with a big wood shed (but no damn wood) and multiple rain water tanks. Very, very nice.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1t6V2rAcwdHdgMiab3mhIJ6oeBcPDxFSkz3rVGj2tLaEH680rdT2ZNq2Ow6wUWuyEhXrRg3--x_HXSRJgCrvgyLgdEVyzXY_sU7NmykCGbV0ekC_VcP41KuFra6lP2y2Wv8xvIFgujYA-EvWsVrN53tcHG0jCF2lmcznsp2qfHJpLvhLhxzSJRjYHFQ/s6000/IMG_0945.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1t6V2rAcwdHdgMiab3mhIJ6oeBcPDxFSkz3rVGj2tLaEH680rdT2ZNq2Ow6wUWuyEhXrRg3--x_HXSRJgCrvgyLgdEVyzXY_sU7NmykCGbV0ekC_VcP41KuFra6lP2y2Wv8xvIFgujYA-EvWsVrN53tcHG0jCF2lmcznsp2qfHJpLvhLhxzSJRjYHFQ/w640-h426/IMG_0945.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gear drying on the veranda at Anne Hut, St James Walkway</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Look at that view, awesome!</div><p style="text-align: center;"><br style="text-align: left;" /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I1HpREa2NBg/VOpuA8qO05I/AAAAAAAAFII/cvUYnqayzRY/s1600/DSCN4850.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I1HpREa2NBg/VOpuA8qO05I/AAAAAAAAFII/cvUYnqayzRY/s640/DSCN4850.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption">View down Henry River Valley from Anne Hut</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">I noted with interest that the hut was connected to the ground with massive concrete piles, which leads me to believe that it must be bloody windy up here sometimes. It must get some shockingly deep snow as the hut is probably at 800-900 meters in the middle of a wide open semi alpine plateau. In the middle of a winter storm it probably has snow drifts up against it. <br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EZ9F2pbu4DE/VOpuBTTUP5I/AAAAAAAAFIA/ROXAfk8oZlo/s1600/DSCN4851.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EZ9F2pbu4DE/VOpuBTTUP5I/AAAAAAAAFIA/ROXAfk8oZlo/s640/DSCN4851.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption">View up valley from Anne Hut to Opera Range</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I shared the hut that night with four hunters and a slightly eccentric English tramper. The hunters had had little success as DOC had recently shot most of the deer on the surrounding hills. Seems a bit crazy when the Roar was starting but it was probably some stack of money that had to be spent or lost. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The English guy had been in the country since the end of December and had just been tramping the whole time. He said he comes over every couple of years and spends three months tramping. He had been up most of the valleys on the West Coast including a pile that few Kiwi trampers visit. He had spent the previous night camped up near Anne Saddle.</div><p style="text-align: center;"><br style="text-align: left;" /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jRdc9qGcfeY/VOpuB8OejnI/AAAAAAAAFIE/C_nC2Xb0TKI/s1600/DSCN4852.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jRdc9qGcfeY/VOpuB8OejnI/AAAAAAAAFIE/C_nC2Xb0TKI/s640/DSCN4852.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption">Dusk at Anne Hut on the St James Walkway looking east towards St James Range</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><br style="text-align: left;" /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cTZH5w2b3r8/VOpuCAuxWtI/AAAAAAAAFIQ/rfe5V_FEPbc/s1600/DSCN4853.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cTZH5w2b3r8/VOpuCAuxWtI/AAAAAAAAFIQ/rfe5V_FEPbc/s640/DSCN4853.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption">Nightfall Anne Hut looking west towards Opera Range</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;">There was very limited firewood at the hut so we had a rather meagre fire that night. It was sufficient to warm the hut up and with six people in the hut breathing and cooking it kept it just warm enough overnight. Quite a pleasant night all around with me spending some time talk to the English dude and the hunters. </p><div style="text-align: center;"><p>Come back soon for the conclusion of my St James Walkway adventures where I walk from Anne Hut to the Boyle Outdoor Education Center with a night at Boyle Flat Hut enroute.</p><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Access:</b> From SH 7 (Lewis Pass Highway), the track starts at Lewis Pass Tarns, southern terminus is at Boyle Village.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Track Times:</b> Day one: From Lewis Pass- 2.5 hours to Cannibal Gorge Hut, another 1.5-2 hours to Ada Pass Hut: Day two: 3 hours to Ada Cullers Hut, another hour to Christopher Hut. Day three was a pit day! Day Four: 5 hours to Anne Hut from Christopher Hut</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Hut Details:</b> Cannibal Gorge Hut: serviced, 20 bunks, water tank, wood burner, toilets, wood shed: Ada Pass Hut: serviced, 14 bunks, water tank, wood burner, toilets, wood shed: Ada Cullers Hut: basic, 4 bunks, water from stream: Christopher Hut: serviced, 20 bunks, water tanks, wood burner, toilet, wood shed: Anne Hut: serviced, 24 bunks, water tanks, wood burner, toilets, wood shed</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Miscellaneous: </b>Severe avalanche risk<b> </b>in Winter/Spring, some un-bridged side streams. The walkway is in a high alpine area and as such is prone to extreme weather. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>You Tube:</b> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9-CshnlWLQ">Christopher Hut to Anne Hut</a></div></div>Jon Moakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14620417636121034748noreply@blogger.com0Saint James Walkway, New Zealand-42.3919262 172.4914788-70.702160036178839 137.3352288 -14.081692363821155 -152.35227120000002tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2664594284381405400.post-9394682065857800122023-03-05T16:33:00.001-08:002023-03-05T16:33:25.234-08:00Tramping Equipment: Orson Indie 1P UL Tent<h3 style="text-align: center;"> Another tent for the tramping equipment cupboard</h3><p style="text-align: center;">Over the weekend I brought myself a new lite weight tramping tent to add to my already extensive stable of shelters. It is the one person Orson Indie 1P UL Tent which is another lite weight shelter for use on my tramping and back country adventures. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiVRgEaLVwPj9diw2svFt_eGFJJHL0BmjseDJboGt5B3_TBfzjmXgXsx7eworG2sgpB-wRRxwTiEc8cN8nXCnaepIXJ9RHGb09MZVaKXQnO3QIscR2ZAHiOqTSyqlEzXqz5KvR0f47j_xbn_aCx-WZqzdOqTCzIqkL7k0h5pAuhohxqKefL6Bq6TMCBg/s876/Indie1.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="872" data-original-width="876" height="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiVRgEaLVwPj9diw2svFt_eGFJJHL0BmjseDJboGt5B3_TBfzjmXgXsx7eworG2sgpB-wRRxwTiEc8cN8nXCnaepIXJ9RHGb09MZVaKXQnO3QIscR2ZAHiOqTSyqlEzXqz5KvR0f47j_xbn_aCx-WZqzdOqTCzIqkL7k0h5pAuhohxqKefL6Bq6TMCBg/w640-h638/Indie1.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Orson Indie 1P UL tent</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Orson tents are made in conjunction with <a href="https://www.intentsoutdoors.co.nz/">Intents Outdoors</a> an Auckland based importer of outdoor equipment. Orson is their new in house brand manufactured overseas to NZ specifications. Intents Outdoors have existed from the mid 2000's and provide a range of outdoor gear including tents, shelters, camping gear, camp kitchen and car camping items. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3RalkymFV0w4q0pITLcOHw0boy87vRYAaIqztnkScK4oEtLRddm0oq3nEUHAbyhKCqlIVXlswEDF84kAf3TYWQmHWW9UHt_x4od5wWw-6V2GXRBrRYH6yuraI8ViD6VQPFwwWLq4uckXfQrS9SwHooITHoQ50KkZUQNXgPYRIx5-MjKc0s4f55yZ0bQ/s1891/Intents1.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="933" data-original-width="1891" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3RalkymFV0w4q0pITLcOHw0boy87vRYAaIqztnkScK4oEtLRddm0oq3nEUHAbyhKCqlIVXlswEDF84kAf3TYWQmHWW9UHt_x4od5wWw-6V2GXRBrRYH6yuraI8ViD6VQPFwwWLq4uckXfQrS9SwHooITHoQ50KkZUQNXgPYRIx5-MjKc0s4f55yZ0bQ/w640-h316/Intents1.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Intents Outdoors website</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Indie 1P UL is a tarp shelter which means it can be erected with a treking pole or optional tent pole. I always carry a set of trekking poles so it makes sense to use a tarp tent as a lite weight shelter. The Indie 1 weighs in at just over 1 kg and is long enough, wide enough and tall enough to provide space for myself, my sleeping pad and my gear. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiRRB6kOCjJWAbLomPdBD0NKtgBNE6ReYz0cIBB2EXzNRA_5reE4iZZf-nirlaXVTpsxoIWbXzXI5KC_BuLTmPqME-wFf1aoEnnLBAa7CVu-2BrmaW1eSaP9chAjHMP3kNZhKJi0S1i5kI_fsyndaqCfN9Cwr7THk_yBTr29oyUOtX3ruaQHXT1EojSg/s857/Indie2.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="857" data-original-width="851" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiRRB6kOCjJWAbLomPdBD0NKtgBNE6ReYz0cIBB2EXzNRA_5reE4iZZf-nirlaXVTpsxoIWbXzXI5KC_BuLTmPqME-wFf1aoEnnLBAa7CVu-2BrmaW1eSaP9chAjHMP3kNZhKJi0S1i5kI_fsyndaqCfN9Cwr7THk_yBTr29oyUOtX3ruaQHXT1EojSg/w636-h640/Indie2.JPG" width="636" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dimensions of the Indie 1P</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Indie 1 is a pyramid style tent with a outer fly with a 4000mm water rating and a 8000mm rated floor. It will have significantly more water protection than my Big Agnes tent which will allow me to camp further into the summer shoulder seasons. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrHibLOAKXrBd7ligt1R5B3FHbo2_E5USdNHwrs11wBTfHy_bBBDSaPVC-wahmB27Honr6rxJvKJXsGXu3CFYFU_Ol5MOPbaxtr3uL5S_6HagTDsmWwQKuO2OgwQIWLtMBetzuK4Hayih5e6YYH7dmi4HU0AYp0mutnZtqWRX5WBVOUEttPkta9nCoeQ/s861/Indie3.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="858" data-original-width="861" height="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrHibLOAKXrBd7ligt1R5B3FHbo2_E5USdNHwrs11wBTfHy_bBBDSaPVC-wahmB27Honr6rxJvKJXsGXu3CFYFU_Ol5MOPbaxtr3uL5S_6HagTDsmWwQKuO2OgwQIWLtMBetzuK4Hayih5e6YYH7dmi4HU0AYp0mutnZtqWRX5WBVOUEttPkta9nCoeQ/w640-h638/Indie3.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Indie 1P UL tent in green...side view</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The tent is available in either bright orange or a mid green color (mine is green) and they are a combination of sil nylon, polyester and netting material. It has one vestibule and one opening and needs to be pegged to the ground to erect. The outer fly and inner tent can be erected separately, together or outer first so the inner can be kept dry if erecting in rain. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrMx8AjdbqQhBpxW54-O6laLjj0Op6jtMFp5AG0H1rpRNbCFX9aQGvc0WFP6E7oZknPcVa9Ynv96R-AXPTpp3saVvGZqKyVqCXICSn8zo3xlFwGitcSlpjy7sdKyps-eRGMP2wpV5XJWAK1DifoMlBg627507X8p8DA4HGKk1E2b8QYZyYoo2rEaBmBQ/s751/Indie4.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="749" data-original-width="751" height="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrMx8AjdbqQhBpxW54-O6laLjj0Op6jtMFp5AG0H1rpRNbCFX9aQGvc0WFP6E7oZknPcVa9Ynv96R-AXPTpp3saVvGZqKyVqCXICSn8zo3xlFwGitcSlpjy7sdKyps-eRGMP2wpV5XJWAK1DifoMlBg627507X8p8DA4HGKk1E2b8QYZyYoo2rEaBmBQ/w640-h638/Indie4.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can also buy the Indie 1P in this bright orange color</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The tent packs down to a relatively small size and has its own waterproof stuff sack for storage when not in use. There is a set of 9 Y shaped aluminium pegs and I will replace 2-4 of these with longer V stakes for the foot and head. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh168am_H9VZk29I8sWWv0SmkGwaIbegk3te1xPIkTDVupAWvnRaE-_hIRhHgB5yLI2Wkb8ut7sN-WYPsYEU38g3S4qQQSyKNEh-bIzNd0e3FeDU8MmrCmC5oGunAe8RZKR388vopPdmNvyvSyHCN4rsN_iinfDTcalXZ1LGBl0blrWwsQ_KUD7wQUp1Q/s752/Indie5.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="743" data-original-width="752" height="632" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh168am_H9VZk29I8sWWv0SmkGwaIbegk3te1xPIkTDVupAWvnRaE-_hIRhHgB5yLI2Wkb8ut7sN-WYPsYEU38g3S4qQQSyKNEh-bIzNd0e3FeDU8MmrCmC5oGunAe8RZKR388vopPdmNvyvSyHCN4rsN_iinfDTcalXZ1LGBl0blrWwsQ_KUD7wQUp1Q/w640-h632/Indie5.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Indie 1P comes with a waterproof drybag</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The inner dimensions of the Indie 1P are roughly the same as my Copper Spur UL 1 and like that tent this is a single person shelter. The Indie is a little bit taller so I will have to take some care when pitching as it will probably be more prone to wind. This is a minor problem for me as I do not often pitch my tent on exposed hills. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTiFeQMSETjtgfc1GFfYz7FK4vpoHmXfhQyWFdqCyYDRThhRS6cDHJVJD5-zFKKGfAz9FzoUyDRmQ2TxhTe-FL4Jgbg7DBjUcs9lOcxqVtYJPktJ54M_LUz7U_2YPzaVnEofenNcH1e7c3Iqmz9NAvSWuUyOf8QkolEV5o3L8zOAwnEcxjYlefkxnP2Q/s788/Indie10.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="646" data-original-width="788" height="524" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTiFeQMSETjtgfc1GFfYz7FK4vpoHmXfhQyWFdqCyYDRThhRS6cDHJVJD5-zFKKGfAz9FzoUyDRmQ2TxhTe-FL4Jgbg7DBjUcs9lOcxqVtYJPktJ54M_LUz7U_2YPzaVnEofenNcH1e7c3Iqmz9NAvSWuUyOf8QkolEV5o3L8zOAwnEcxjYlefkxnP2Q/w640-h524/Indie10.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I have seen a number of other people using this tent here in New Zealand and it is the main shelter of one of the tramping vloggers I like to watch. I brought this tent from Hunting and Fishing at Tower Junction and it cost $350 NZ Dollars. This is the first time I have seen these tents here in Christchurch and H & F had a good selection of the Orson tent range in stock. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgga1H1_-2wqtLnsnAWuwPjdJS5LWSKR17rZY_a__ahuDd5fyBiqS4oSK9O2OahV2omfMueAhQdk67e31dsl6an6GDrRw9lEsZgKyeJntA5a_D5YGLhnSnlH7TZd4Yn6CfUp85sSgnjyMpK5JlW7_v90o184RoqH_QZcwA5YdZplmZunKNtd8HdF3eezw/s819/Indie11.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="819" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgga1H1_-2wqtLnsnAWuwPjdJS5LWSKR17rZY_a__ahuDd5fyBiqS4oSK9O2OahV2omfMueAhQdk67e31dsl6an6GDrRw9lEsZgKyeJntA5a_D5YGLhnSnlH7TZd4Yn6CfUp85sSgnjyMpK5JlW7_v90o184RoqH_QZcwA5YdZplmZunKNtd8HdF3eezw/w640-h488/Indie11.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There are two optional additions to this tent with either a metal or carbon fiber pole available and a ground sheet cut to the correct dimensions for the tent. I have ordered a metal pole for the tent but I'm not sure if I will order a ground sheet to go with it. The pole cost $30 from Intents Outdoors an online store here in New Zealand.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPzUk8bIliR3HPTVQyl9mbnuvC2uADKiBBIZ1QC7eqlRiEtAe-pnlrUwNB-3vKPTM0JLvIO6NUGaDEkDdw36ZXLAk4HYWa7mRcuRdvPLxoH1hVTgP4_bRYymkAq8qT75iKOyQByRhksUb-Bh-uI9Tu831mmO3grBLUIUqt694YUG-nUlZrmS6BYb21Ig/s900/Indie7.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="599" data-original-width="900" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPzUk8bIliR3HPTVQyl9mbnuvC2uADKiBBIZ1QC7eqlRiEtAe-pnlrUwNB-3vKPTM0JLvIO6NUGaDEkDdw36ZXLAk4HYWa7mRcuRdvPLxoH1hVTgP4_bRYymkAq8qT75iKOyQByRhksUb-Bh-uI9Tu831mmO3grBLUIUqt694YUG-nUlZrmS6BYb21Ig/w640-h426/Indie7.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I have already ordered one of the optional Indie metal poles</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I usually cut some plastic sheeting to size for a footprint and use this as it it is lighter and more durable than a nylon groundsheet. I have also used Tyvek and space blankets for ground sheets in the past so I will have to decide what I want to use with this shelter. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7wkfcWq7YtJoE0UEgQ6DC_AX_pvIJXozz2RaGPfApKxNBf8XsJHU3V5kji0i3OD4DDDkq1XllV4v4euLDHARM-p4aY0-zGfigdsMQTs9UZ2sqpYZV00uVSLojvke8is0KIODHbll_u2kh3Joc3JmvBld4YAiOWP8TwXeGdSnLHaoilzU1e7ybECxF8A/s754/Indie8.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="749" data-original-width="754" height="636" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7wkfcWq7YtJoE0UEgQ6DC_AX_pvIJXozz2RaGPfApKxNBf8XsJHU3V5kji0i3OD4DDDkq1XllV4v4euLDHARM-p4aY0-zGfigdsMQTs9UZ2sqpYZV00uVSLojvke8is0KIODHbll_u2kh3Joc3JmvBld4YAiOWP8TwXeGdSnLHaoilzU1e7ybECxF8A/w640-h636/Indie8.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Optional Indie1P footprint is about $60 NZD</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> I am looking forward to getting this out and into the backcountry to see how it performs. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><h4 style="clear: both;">The Indie 1 in use...</h4><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There is nothing to see here yet as I have not had the opportunity to pitch the tent. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here are a couple of photos I found showing the tent pitched. This particular instance is using the optional metal pole you can purchase for this tent and a treking pole. I have already ordered one of the poles from Intents Outdoors and I expect it to arrive in the mail sometime this week. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgslxiwk4zuTKA49ehShcaBIiQMxbm4xQmAMwpa810U8XbOMLZjGw0aUJc_fCbwvyk-hjblheCF1XH97Rcldei14wiast9uxK8del2zZWLPw4NDRWRhEv4_ZyWOZKXDr0Xw5i5vnGaD3aOPk8XSQF9RG-md1Weo1to8p8fh-zBHzflmdOuHnLO1MQ78qg/s600/Indie12.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgslxiwk4zuTKA49ehShcaBIiQMxbm4xQmAMwpa810U8XbOMLZjGw0aUJc_fCbwvyk-hjblheCF1XH97Rcldei14wiast9uxK8del2zZWLPw4NDRWRhEv4_ZyWOZKXDr0Xw5i5vnGaD3aOPk8XSQF9RG-md1Weo1to8p8fh-zBHzflmdOuHnLO1MQ78qg/w640-h640/Indie12.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Side view of a pitched Orson Indie 1P using trekking pole</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP87W9U4ruGxAAydKYJCsarv8dyAmpF8l9u39dubV5OmD2Z6AR9BVPO2FJ-kgt2tSQiFeI3pusVhgBbop7PDbAE7YfskwRtVQZuubslSAqCfvX7crSX3MVe1iy_32wqc3b8mC0Rw_pAiL16po4cefj5loNaRbB3Fa9vetUoR6KHM8ZYHq5CRzEN_tU3w/s865/Indie6.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="865" data-original-width="865" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP87W9U4ruGxAAydKYJCsarv8dyAmpF8l9u39dubV5OmD2Z6AR9BVPO2FJ-kgt2tSQiFeI3pusVhgBbop7PDbAE7YfskwRtVQZuubslSAqCfvX7crSX3MVe1iy_32wqc3b8mC0Rw_pAiL16po4cefj5loNaRbB3Fa9vetUoR6KHM8ZYHq5CRzEN_tU3w/w640-h640/Indie6.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another view of a pitched Orson Indie 1P with metal pole</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;">I will be taking this outside and pitching it as soon as we have some dry weather so I can practice raising and lowering before I need to use it on a tramp. I will add some photos to this post when I have been able to do so.<span style="text-align: right;"> </span></p>Jon Moakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14620417636121034748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2664594284381405400.post-66439161984308792082023-01-26T12:02:00.002-08:002023-11-09T13:47:34.247-08:00SI Section: Hakatere Conservation Area, Walking to Manuka Hut<h3 style="text-align: center;"> Further adventures in the Hakatere Conservation Area</h3><p style="text-align: center;">My second proper tramp of the year was along a short section of the Te Araroa Trail in the Hakatere Conservation Area. From the Hakatere-Heron Road I walked along the TA to Manuka Hut roughly a distance of about 6 kilometers one way.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlgHWIsMSkLgz_rrbf0pXzz1yzdYysMMx4zjBDTTSV1lTgJDjnW6-21Fwn7gCc8rvaOZdK8kroWccM0JaK1ZEKvpaN602nYgyHy6RHW7fRFjQ_s6EeCbAGUpqwzLz4f-EBJ3RaHAGbRrh7HoBwVscWHwtpxuTq8mbAPElYX6mcRlfaA-IXWlIGHFwy5Q/s6000/IMG_8967.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlgHWIsMSkLgz_rrbf0pXzz1yzdYysMMx4zjBDTTSV1lTgJDjnW6-21Fwn7gCc8rvaOZdK8kroWccM0JaK1ZEKvpaN602nYgyHy6RHW7fRFjQ_s6EeCbAGUpqwzLz4f-EBJ3RaHAGbRrh7HoBwVscWHwtpxuTq8mbAPElYX6mcRlfaA-IXWlIGHFwy5Q/w640-h426/IMG_8967.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hakatere-Heron Road, Hakatere Conservation Area</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Now that I have finished the Great Walks I will be looking to walk more TA sections in the coming years. I have been slowly chipping away sections of the Trail but I would like to put more of a focus on covering some of the tracks. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJUhORI3R3L2DEk_6lvQ4RO63tiTIkJ7SJZFnGDfoYjkhJ8dWbRvOIF2fzZXoErvzLkS0iHtNVlaFLYnwb-QVX4ww_bKnMczCAsdAOd6jXLBEhiLV3DsRaaDqcl6kt6__yYoaxogSwIeIE84bIcwCEHs4ruIjPDEo4-pojF4OB9yFCvridT2YWHsINYQ/s6000/IMG_8825.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJUhORI3R3L2DEk_6lvQ4RO63tiTIkJ7SJZFnGDfoYjkhJ8dWbRvOIF2fzZXoErvzLkS0iHtNVlaFLYnwb-QVX4ww_bKnMczCAsdAOd6jXLBEhiLV3DsRaaDqcl6kt6__yYoaxogSwIeIE84bIcwCEHs4ruIjPDEo4-pojF4OB9yFCvridT2YWHsINYQ/w640-h426/IMG_8825.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Start of Castleridge Station Access Road</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Hakatere Conservation Area is one of the newer DOC parks which came about as the result of the tenure process over the last decade or so. A large amount of land was taken back into Crown hands as a result of the process and designated for recreation use. Vast areas of the central South Island from Tasman District right down to Invercargill now officially belongs to the country. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOnyqYu0CUYmm-t8rBEBacmgAkdHjqXbrSC5wddYzcGwWy64fEhQj_J0YSWSqE36h_pLM1E3E2jKIhxWyBHP8R23PHdrktUWyVe3RDcZf8wWt7r54S_Y8Tqq_jOFcLm7tnAv4WG2WxW_f7OnAo-cMjXK3mB1gMfAjmNTshibJnc-k7CXBUMpAirBTBSQ/s6000/IMG_8826.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOnyqYu0CUYmm-t8rBEBacmgAkdHjqXbrSC5wddYzcGwWy64fEhQj_J0YSWSqE36h_pLM1E3E2jKIhxWyBHP8R23PHdrktUWyVe3RDcZf8wWt7r54S_Y8Tqq_jOFcLm7tnAv4WG2WxW_f7OnAo-cMjXK3mB1gMfAjmNTshibJnc-k7CXBUMpAirBTBSQ/w640-h426/IMG_8826.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There is very limited parking off the Hakatere-Heron Road</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Te Araroa Trail runs right across the Hakatere Basin basically from the Rakaia River to the Rangitata. Along the way it also crosses private farmland but the TA Trust has negotiated a walking corridor across several stations to allow the trail to proceed. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt1NqLjHzNta2VU-5i9-kdCbi7-EsjB8kKiYsgqW1ykgOdkYnHFV45t8KTQTeMNWSCs4t61AICLPY02OivuaRyvgjZclxU3BTouqZ0nPH3kE63TXsGrcmRHL-NMWV6DELuxcimEasMv22TKXotNjyW1eONwMZ79vazy0FpDwXpXe63tI9HNCropADaNA/s6000/IMG_8968.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt1NqLjHzNta2VU-5i9-kdCbi7-EsjB8kKiYsgqW1ykgOdkYnHFV45t8KTQTeMNWSCs4t61AICLPY02OivuaRyvgjZclxU3BTouqZ0nPH3kE63TXsGrcmRHL-NMWV6DELuxcimEasMv22TKXotNjyW1eONwMZ79vazy0FpDwXpXe63tI9HNCropADaNA/w640-h426/IMG_8968.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Te Aroroa Trail sign on Hakatere-Heron Road</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This section starts by crossing land belonging to Castleridge Station but then moves onto DOC land after covering about 2 kilometers. So lets set out along this section of the trail as we head for the classic musterer's hut on the Manuka Creek.</div><div><br /></div><h4>To Lake Emily and Manuka Hut...</h4><div style="text-align: center;">From the turn off on the Hakatere-Heron Road it is about 6.5 kilometers to reach Manuka Hut along old 4 W/D tracks and tramping tracks. To start with you are walking down the access road to Castleridge Station but then move onto an old farm track as you head towards Lake Emily. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5sCdpL6Tk66vFdyuR33Y3ebLlBCU7C7g5mX6OYKE0TM1wJLE3HsjQvWWkaoL6jSt-fgRGGAqflkGXJPki2zpC5v3t0o-52RJyZ1wrRRE428bdAVKpbNgDFw5h6Y1UTG083tpIKH5Z95T8JofhPRiXjF0jRt3oZrdmdjynRQSULK7Ld9_yTcRFQFnUcw/s6000/IMG_8830.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5sCdpL6Tk66vFdyuR33Y3ebLlBCU7C7g5mX6OYKE0TM1wJLE3HsjQvWWkaoL6jSt-fgRGGAqflkGXJPki2zpC5v3t0o-52RJyZ1wrRRE428bdAVKpbNgDFw5h6Y1UTG083tpIKH5Z95T8JofhPRiXjF0jRt3oZrdmdjynRQSULK7Ld9_yTcRFQFnUcw/w640-h426/IMG_8830.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Castleridge Station Access Road, Hakatere Basin</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyGNrOoXydmbhmmVJg1fXJA-JdAERxxuWgiIHmaPHQzkTqgKDkVCCelUypcv84W7hELpbk4tExGG-PRpr-6Ns8ieev72fNeAzdblPnEKBc4sgTxS0a1OR4IE5z4pKR4hjED-r8YG8LS-FtURaA09wFzse1Ca2Xk8E549Ueq-4DZHehJmZEDFqlepfZwA/s1487/ManukaMap.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="842" data-original-width="1487" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyGNrOoXydmbhmmVJg1fXJA-JdAERxxuWgiIHmaPHQzkTqgKDkVCCelUypcv84W7hELpbk4tExGG-PRpr-6Ns8ieev72fNeAzdblPnEKBc4sgTxS0a1OR4IE5z4pKR4hjED-r8YG8LS-FtURaA09wFzse1Ca2Xk8E549Ueq-4DZHehJmZEDFqlepfZwA/w640-h362/ManukaMap.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Map: Castleridge Station to Manuka Hut</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKClHqxxBwESICgA7-GQo0v06Cr5QCD6DXpyqi2ipY2oxAzpvrhb_xydfjNxes-DWxmsmsH-ymZ3ebreIpdidKWnU8maQ4nrE7LmyiyvSTMbdUSVemfyXbVEAgS1SQVkZOjababP4KQuBJJl63YqnEcllHPRd_nDZXGOjQ7UsXdSTqS9XdDbi5P4Caqw/s6000/IMG_8834.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKClHqxxBwESICgA7-GQo0v06Cr5QCD6DXpyqi2ipY2oxAzpvrhb_xydfjNxes-DWxmsmsH-ymZ3ebreIpdidKWnU8maQ4nrE7LmyiyvSTMbdUSVemfyXbVEAgS1SQVkZOjababP4KQuBJJl63YqnEcllHPRd_nDZXGOjQ7UsXdSTqS9XdDbi5P4Caqw/w640-h426/IMG_8834.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Please stay on the marked trail to maintain access</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">You will reach a farm gate after about a kilometer multi use track so look out for other walkers, MTB riders, horse riders and four wheel drives. I saw all of these groups as I made my way to the hut. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz6wU5AelLPFOPMpKwYKP0-_D9b_F6bqJfbDOycBOrhWwcTUDyrfPIGv9awZ2l_c20w6b3ovZzEVUuhQSCzBnC731MqKVkp8C-kGopZHDRgvOPQArr1ZBb4C9Og5cnQ3PF7nnS50iN4nY-gO5fkxKaoqmvnioQER7wLHWgu90SH_8prELWqMawK7gIrw/s6000/IMG_8835.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz6wU5AelLPFOPMpKwYKP0-_D9b_F6bqJfbDOycBOrhWwcTUDyrfPIGv9awZ2l_c20w6b3ovZzEVUuhQSCzBnC731MqKVkp8C-kGopZHDRgvOPQArr1ZBb4C9Og5cnQ3PF7nnS50iN4nY-gO5fkxKaoqmvnioQER7wLHWgu90SH_8prELWqMawK7gIrw/w640-h426/IMG_8835.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Start of Stour River Track, Hakatere Conservation Area</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Past the farm gate the track starts to climb up over some low rolling hills which are characteristic of this area of the country. There are views towards the Castleridge Homestead and a large marsh contained within a nearby basin. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZC8xOWTUIVabEoNFUO4YrriVYNOq6M0EWxs0oJp7ddk82AdhrGNI6wurImsA04l5uaXNEZl6XTR9raGhuoTVxmqTtW3SClIE9RMH_RxSn83ix7EtFhl0a6l81W5JO95uQqXvUp08FacWWkcaGhiyILLKdIgdM1RRdR37snmnSgnr25vB_1mBsWU7hKA/s6000/IMG_8837.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZC8xOWTUIVabEoNFUO4YrriVYNOq6M0EWxs0oJp7ddk82AdhrGNI6wurImsA04l5uaXNEZl6XTR9raGhuoTVxmqTtW3SClIE9RMH_RxSn83ix7EtFhl0a6l81W5JO95uQqXvUp08FacWWkcaGhiyILLKdIgdM1RRdR37snmnSgnr25vB_1mBsWU7hKA/w640-h427/IMG_8837.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marshland near Castleridge Station</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There is very little track marking across the farmland and I thought I might be in the wrong place until I spotted some classic DOC markers on snow poles. These mark the route across the station and it is important you stay on the track as that is the only part of the farm the TA Trust have negotiated to use. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgfWwUj_PXeoBuvfSKEErZncDKPqYYmUgiOq-plhTUhMQaYIh7Wt4t7tbtjhFfuM9t1elk3nsVSBghTxLn13gRBY5CmSHby7KBPKms_xFL0hlPhMQnUI6KMUW6PwXikcQY1a47n_ZmfH-NsLdu9U8F1rKcu_Z6Y_gz_HfD--xkm4KAmhzXTdXU5oWnaA/s6000/IMG_8840.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgfWwUj_PXeoBuvfSKEErZncDKPqYYmUgiOq-plhTUhMQaYIh7Wt4t7tbtjhFfuM9t1elk3nsVSBghTxLn13gRBY5CmSHby7KBPKms_xFL0hlPhMQnUI6KMUW6PwXikcQY1a47n_ZmfH-NsLdu9U8F1rKcu_Z6Y_gz_HfD--xkm4KAmhzXTdXU5oWnaA/w640-h426/IMG_8840.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snowpoles marked the official Te Araroa access</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The track is rough, ready and dusty and basically follows the bottom of several ridges as it makes its way deeper into the Hakatere basin. I would imagine it is a mud pit in the winter as the soil through here is that glacial flour you get on high alpine plains. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT3EZxEZkTvzhO_H3S0rNDmyBY4AaRflpzBTcWMX7do9t3636H-yca3F8nZggWdHBntxQuSnBIucea9KzJY69CAnXw6sUOAICYISM22V2yRVt6xvsYyWQEBVF6hzCkfHv9LeNMxe23l5i2jcUKkUIpEdGne2VNRPw4Iz_w_Elcyso5gUH4f1AtDV7CVQ/s6000/IMG_8842.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT3EZxEZkTvzhO_H3S0rNDmyBY4AaRflpzBTcWMX7do9t3636H-yca3F8nZggWdHBntxQuSnBIucea9KzJY69CAnXw6sUOAICYISM22V2yRVt6xvsYyWQEBVF6hzCkfHv9LeNMxe23l5i2jcUKkUIpEdGne2VNRPw4Iz_w_Elcyso5gUH4f1AtDV7CVQ/w640-h426/IMG_8842.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Distant Mt Somers Range covered with cloud</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXMiV9qYUOWHodLYSYsIhXRcjg_vq0YwDJZ3TQQ_uhNKZM4mKcWswqdtqixtRyyHnSdHXv8xC2ABvCvAesF-XAqeV7BLbdTWj8P7NWPYytJcFXp_ss8ljcP66SAFh5YZU4WptfOp3E7sdiCT8S3t-_j_e5NwEAH53TvpAiYdhgUjU-2XqAp4EazYlPnw/s6000/IMG_8844.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXMiV9qYUOWHodLYSYsIhXRcjg_vq0YwDJZ3TQQ_uhNKZM4mKcWswqdtqixtRyyHnSdHXv8xC2ABvCvAesF-XAqeV7BLbdTWj8P7NWPYytJcFXp_ss8ljcP66SAFh5YZU4WptfOp3E7sdiCT8S3t-_j_e5NwEAH53TvpAiYdhgUjU-2XqAp4EazYlPnw/w640-h426/IMG_8844.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking back towards Castleridge Homestead</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-3HJOlc8q-gSvT7O8uHCjqEbckDdf7WuSrwU7JfW1k0sGBzQZswwRoPdHwe2IyQ3stuZKcZXqq9yUmvxdjQ6zLx64ft1oBOJtRJ8YfOPFwztF7uBhg84qTAGgdn2-byA5mb2Md4Mhp5aRnTuGVxoHGHJUESL33xLkztGTkmUU6QmpEdPPlVUa3QqYow/s6000/IMG_8846.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-3HJOlc8q-gSvT7O8uHCjqEbckDdf7WuSrwU7JfW1k0sGBzQZswwRoPdHwe2IyQ3stuZKcZXqq9yUmvxdjQ6zLx64ft1oBOJtRJ8YfOPFwztF7uBhg84qTAGgdn2-byA5mb2Md4Mhp5aRnTuGVxoHGHJUESL33xLkztGTkmUU6QmpEdPPlVUa3QqYow/w640-h426/IMG_8846.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Golden Spaniards next to Stour Valley Track</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I noted this warning sign along the track warning visitors to stay off the farmland. You must stay on the track as you do not have a right to roam freely in New Zealand. If we want to maintain access to tracks like this we have to abide by the rules the landowners have imposed. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdeUXMPLqeeQTEYjqK2nyu4MN22DtyPSy7_T4Sn8dmf9NCdV_83ZQMah5nNBxRA4ExBbfYLSFByQr-hV8r4YDtvRe3y-3awjtPekwxXPr2-6oZ0faAAXYkUh9RVKxi4hH-hfCxAMRzRWVgZTopTne6Q-Am6qsU_OLG6BQndbUphOqId7aHnirol_3a2g/s6000/IMG_8949.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdeUXMPLqeeQTEYjqK2nyu4MN22DtyPSy7_T4Sn8dmf9NCdV_83ZQMah5nNBxRA4ExBbfYLSFByQr-hV8r4YDtvRe3y-3awjtPekwxXPr2-6oZ0faAAXYkUh9RVKxi4hH-hfCxAMRzRWVgZTopTne6Q-Am6qsU_OLG6BQndbUphOqId7aHnirol_3a2g/w640-h426/IMG_8949.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Do not cross farmland...stay on the marked track!!!</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Once over the first hills the Hakatere Basin is laid out before you...you can see far up the Stour River Valley and the course of the track is plain to see. You are making your way towards Lake Emily which is close to the border between DOC land and the station. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSPO3ppfM8C8OHC2jkCTL2Zefle1uIEwPk8sRlzCjW_u8Q67wPPdYr-Qi-ngfMsHHBAybgvT9X6d1XpLFxUadYmem-zH2j6Fv1YUTkZa_tstV5CnWbC2jC1QXach4ytUGPFKmYhsPzWkfSDMI8_EyvfRwPL2jxaqV_K9ttWQ631l7YTniSxTqZFsUjlw/s6000/IMG_8848.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSPO3ppfM8C8OHC2jkCTL2Zefle1uIEwPk8sRlzCjW_u8Q67wPPdYr-Qi-ngfMsHHBAybgvT9X6d1XpLFxUadYmem-zH2j6Fv1YUTkZa_tstV5CnWbC2jC1QXach4ytUGPFKmYhsPzWkfSDMI8_EyvfRwPL2jxaqV_K9ttWQ631l7YTniSxTqZFsUjlw/w640-h426/IMG_8848.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Western end of Clent Range, Hakatere Conservation Area</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFySM8gZqsJnVIvBBuXICbJpGYxaOKxAmRFknylvBrSfn55T947PPcnDBbVKD1FGqEghZ9-Z3fFU-L2rZeYfu0mmTHoYPxbvui1pSJx22SbZiEVUwKRp20PsqCC7iOprfiQn_spcrOcUOsy8u1t-vsgxVsiWymo4zIzWr6eD7Wp8fCLsD1TRHizEYQ0A/s6000/IMG_8850.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFySM8gZqsJnVIvBBuXICbJpGYxaOKxAmRFknylvBrSfn55T947PPcnDBbVKD1FGqEghZ9-Z3fFU-L2rZeYfu0mmTHoYPxbvui1pSJx22SbZiEVUwKRp20PsqCC7iOprfiQn_spcrOcUOsy8u1t-vsgxVsiWymo4zIzWr6eD7Wp8fCLsD1TRHizEYQ0A/w640-h426/IMG_8850.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Distant Emily Hill...Manuka Hut is beyond this range</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2iyRWSjy7h3EEcf7JKSfIFfOQ6nnX6dhlAOXCtlyLu4PKWX74J4xUE3swVhUQDdt54ByDC3LiR851dqAw1UmgkFiYylwrPeA_-Cl69QIeDsfE7GVEscjNvTGRUH5-yzVd-GA_kVEEbwIoMlk7Id0QQtdVKbV6wAqWQ2pjHVaJYzwaOiWUVDiSbpOfsg/s6000/IMG_8852.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2iyRWSjy7h3EEcf7JKSfIFfOQ6nnX6dhlAOXCtlyLu4PKWX74J4xUE3swVhUQDdt54ByDC3LiR851dqAw1UmgkFiYylwrPeA_-Cl69QIeDsfE7GVEscjNvTGRUH5-yzVd-GA_kVEEbwIoMlk7Id0QQtdVKbV6wAqWQ2pjHVaJYzwaOiWUVDiSbpOfsg/w640-h426/IMG_8852.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First view of Lake Emily, Hakatere Conservation Area</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq96NSY1k4OB17RQ8x6KHkJJxuRuk3xKl3h_ybUYcULbN_zFuIs2HMknl7fNriTG3YsDpuoiBV55gxrKCQQiedP5Cq2JzvVxCWbHyLUE9KH5zzXkQ1Ql_DkBe_OMrUfSvjtFLoGBpkI371ntCMuxPJh2Tc72P4E6ZIAbyL4fzE_w-tx_9dcIjB-IFhwg/s6000/IMG_8854.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq96NSY1k4OB17RQ8x6KHkJJxuRuk3xKl3h_ybUYcULbN_zFuIs2HMknl7fNriTG3YsDpuoiBV55gxrKCQQiedP5Cq2JzvVxCWbHyLUE9KH5zzXkQ1Ql_DkBe_OMrUfSvjtFLoGBpkI371ntCMuxPJh2Tc72P4E6ZIAbyL4fzE_w-tx_9dcIjB-IFhwg/w640-h426/IMG_8854.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hakatere Conservation Area is a desolate place</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After about two kilometers you will arrive at a fence and cattle stop which marks the divide between Crown land and Castleridge Station. There is a DOC sign here and a map showing the boundary of the Conservation Area. It basically stretches from here right through to Mt Somers and north towards the Rakaia River. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJKYHQuUyF_L9y3QzN9HbU-4EJvS8ynQ2phy8iWaVCPy2ggNWPdTjz0scXtNtR2PxU4MMVOl4C_SFPzioKI3-cWCBs2wsRMjkON9WdkRwMDK9kMWFBwsWaAjikshjhx8OLAWZ5jbb3ovZFwhstmXWpNd5Xmxn5k88ur69_L63EuwOwBwsESC5fvNxi9g/s6000/IMG_8857.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJKYHQuUyF_L9y3QzN9HbU-4EJvS8ynQ2phy8iWaVCPy2ggNWPdTjz0scXtNtR2PxU4MMVOl4C_SFPzioKI3-cWCBs2wsRMjkON9WdkRwMDK9kMWFBwsWaAjikshjhx8OLAWZ5jbb3ovZFwhstmXWpNd5Xmxn5k88ur69_L63EuwOwBwsESC5fvNxi9g/w640-h426/IMG_8857.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boundary of Castleridge Station and Hakatere Conservation Area</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU0U2fX2uSyEtxNy-4EUu3jIZSL182Nd_qM5Gl2pLF86qhRtmaacTRVifdWaFXN-LPYuPU0Z1MFPShWdojcAMDwATq4L8sF6lpDGenipJDlzleKVFa_j3y-k3-CAHPi4i-gkUoX24dHWN-I245YdIe1MfWRT9bc6woN6z9FD1Hv19kcqEILi3FLZasqg/s6000/IMG_8858.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU0U2fX2uSyEtxNy-4EUu3jIZSL182Nd_qM5Gl2pLF86qhRtmaacTRVifdWaFXN-LPYuPU0Z1MFPShWdojcAMDwATq4L8sF6lpDGenipJDlzleKVFa_j3y-k3-CAHPi4i-gkUoX24dHWN-I245YdIe1MfWRT9bc6woN6z9FD1Hv19kcqEILi3FLZasqg/w640-h426/IMG_8858.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DOC sign and map near Lake Emily</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">From the cattle stop it is 4.5 kilometers to Manuka Hut and there are separate MTB/4 W/D tracks and walking tracks. To start with both follow the 4 W/D track around to Lake Emily. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheDMnNncn2DtLnlRKtXbLJTtFwxLY_VOmyuXJyw3MyRlXdFdyDhwl5PFQ2Ow97s_W8izrzfxgSOV8ac0tK61YyojE2YB8gQFCAx9rRIeTNTFNO5OwRKeoAxtRu95GlIzaJTxwLrImWnQy6hRZ8hWgb71Ad0zNWds_ghqcA-kAMDjqVVoGj2t7ffQjk_w/s6000/IMG_8863.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheDMnNncn2DtLnlRKtXbLJTtFwxLY_VOmyuXJyw3MyRlXdFdyDhwl5PFQ2Ow97s_W8izrzfxgSOV8ac0tK61YyojE2YB8gQFCAx9rRIeTNTFNO5OwRKeoAxtRu95GlIzaJTxwLrImWnQy6hRZ8hWgb71Ad0zNWds_ghqcA-kAMDjqVVoGj2t7ffQjk_w/w640-h426/IMG_8863.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It is 4.5 kilometers to Manuka Hut from this sign</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoXQzWtBBWE6IylndvXeuvlDRoUXBFkfIrwqJtmszLHhO2aPbkwjV10xZMTKFCPj_nsZGANFebK3OGX2IcfTGOaTvZJVw6bVFoGGigAoQLv0-oPYTyYnOt5hb4zBYTkCGRkfX7JCHttvwsxnNeOYwowQlcVg30M6Qc7qOhFYStNcGdnFfGOeezX8YjwQ/s6000/IMG_8859.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoXQzWtBBWE6IylndvXeuvlDRoUXBFkfIrwqJtmszLHhO2aPbkwjV10xZMTKFCPj_nsZGANFebK3OGX2IcfTGOaTvZJVw6bVFoGGigAoQLv0-oPYTyYnOt5hb4zBYTkCGRkfX7JCHttvwsxnNeOYwowQlcVg30M6Qc7qOhFYStNcGdnFfGOeezX8YjwQ/w640-h426/IMG_8859.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Manuka Hut Track starts at end of Emily Hill</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwJkeK13025zu8nDd1uSXS5mLosuK2iy3-LcxoH20xE9Tc5xSjSsWxqCjXLOT3uidg0MRY7SYPGvDpfla-NKoHl7Th5MfixuGMJJn1kuUdC_XpzBcrydVRjuchS886HwMYmNeCvjw7xWhGQ1IbIkOjQ9UCK5Pi4vSEQ2Br398fvY2i6rRWSSBvt54_uA/s6000/IMG_8861.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwJkeK13025zu8nDd1uSXS5mLosuK2iy3-LcxoH20xE9Tc5xSjSsWxqCjXLOT3uidg0MRY7SYPGvDpfla-NKoHl7Th5MfixuGMJJn1kuUdC_XpzBcrydVRjuchS886HwMYmNeCvjw7xWhGQ1IbIkOjQ9UCK5Pi4vSEQ2Br398fvY2i6rRWSSBvt54_uA/w640-h426/IMG_8861.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Map of the Hakatere Conservation Area</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I was passed by several 4 W/D vehicles as I walked this section...they were probably going up to have a look at Manuka Hut or they might have been exploring the Stour River. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtkUxfSD-lvGRg_ln-UIHRwY9PGCOqOSHFZhbtOhTtu1qmFXLfMqfEmsNgHJC0bKvO3XoajdlIf_kfjPmSEIDxgobs6vZU9THN85A4Kk1HHCJf3CqxMcUAttWDBERgMpigWO-FUjaEEDQG8AQ9nKoTtqeZGr31o570rHp_V7vWqa-h5HWxTi-J2jDSDg/s6000/IMG_8865.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtkUxfSD-lvGRg_ln-UIHRwY9PGCOqOSHFZhbtOhTtu1qmFXLfMqfEmsNgHJC0bKvO3XoajdlIf_kfjPmSEIDxgobs6vZU9THN85A4Kk1HHCJf3CqxMcUAttWDBERgMpigWO-FUjaEEDQG8AQ9nKoTtqeZGr31o570rHp_V7vWqa-h5HWxTi-J2jDSDg/w640-h426/IMG_8865.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Four wheel drives passes me...Stour Valley Track</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Lake Emily is a moderately sized alpine kettle lake which occupies a depression in between several hills. It was probably a kilometer long by 400 meters wide and is surrounded by areas of swamp right around its fringe. There were a lot of water fowl on the surface and I could see various Ducks, Geese, Swans and Herons.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyBYEYPDObtPcW8NolP9gd8FnYRCbg_UVC6AYzZSXrWdUwUS2QQze3tt_S9iLGJh-8dal--QAKOnmn0LV-2pC4noDfMdV63719WrVXZbYsxpTvm8RNl4sLG1HfKzhwfTbiElJK5cue7zIrkAzlMmp7PvtaiwGTM7IxXb06YX9o0SjCHQIBIOx8UTNrbg/s6000/IMG_8870.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyBYEYPDObtPcW8NolP9gd8FnYRCbg_UVC6AYzZSXrWdUwUS2QQze3tt_S9iLGJh-8dal--QAKOnmn0LV-2pC4noDfMdV63719WrVXZbYsxpTvm8RNl4sLG1HfKzhwfTbiElJK5cue7zIrkAzlMmp7PvtaiwGTM7IxXb06YX9o0SjCHQIBIOx8UTNrbg/w640-h426/IMG_8870.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Good view of Lake Emily...note waterfowl</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAnndUIGgtqUxpH48l5w7nQUVt_t8sjMmud8nCO7RGiSt5g9leZb_MmCaOjPCcUnTVPvDYqyuDViZS-j8qw2WFIeyiw1tQmRU2XbLscYW6F9q2RajiXnO29KHagEKe6Jv5edczh0MyxvDPZ1YPBqWkLUs8v-XY1U5O-S1AxJJlmqfO39a_zjaGT10JhQ/s6000/IMG_8867.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAnndUIGgtqUxpH48l5w7nQUVt_t8sjMmud8nCO7RGiSt5g9leZb_MmCaOjPCcUnTVPvDYqyuDViZS-j8qw2WFIeyiw1tQmRU2XbLscYW6F9q2RajiXnO29KHagEKe6Jv5edczh0MyxvDPZ1YPBqWkLUs8v-XY1U5O-S1AxJJlmqfO39a_zjaGT10JhQ/w640-h426/IMG_8867.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...wetlands encicle Lake Emily, Hakatere Conservation Area...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4HQfUYKhJJCZ7Uf-Zkbp0Jrv8SJb0P3S-38_vpS6whrE-NRuNZfHJDbuCh-5Nh9ArpoetGlftTU-N359bPB9fq9VHZmzkWZGSGm-qg71voXc2sckP1THsmcu7RmE3yGyylQmg8-yRqk_Y6iKPXJlueCtV2z98Fle9dyypA-I0aXHW4q1742E2NNKMyA/s6000/IMG_8869.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4HQfUYKhJJCZ7Uf-Zkbp0Jrv8SJb0P3S-38_vpS6whrE-NRuNZfHJDbuCh-5Nh9ArpoetGlftTU-N359bPB9fq9VHZmzkWZGSGm-qg71voXc2sckP1THsmcu7RmE3yGyylQmg8-yRqk_Y6iKPXJlueCtV2z98Fle9dyypA-I0aXHW4q1742E2NNKMyA/w640-h426/IMG_8869.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking back along my route in Hakatere Conservation Area</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The track is slowly heading up the Stour River Valley and you can follow the track right around to the Ashburton Lakes Road if you want to. This is a popular MTB ride and I saw a number of riders following this route. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE9QYpDdsvg5EqGNHYM4z5KY7RPCi7wJUPemA1hfyvAFkxSnbS5t6Va39bFi4Mb8rqnFslWcnckyFpgGQs4LoJq7Ts1DDbKlaMf1LiDFNfWKW2MHgtp45cadges2lqy3PzPvZyvz3H1uMK-wBVOPY1igynS6Xy3KSmnqBF6pn9HnbpIghCQV_xJKko4A/s6000/IMG_8871.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE9QYpDdsvg5EqGNHYM4z5KY7RPCi7wJUPemA1hfyvAFkxSnbS5t6Va39bFi4Mb8rqnFslWcnckyFpgGQs4LoJq7Ts1DDbKlaMf1LiDFNfWKW2MHgtp45cadges2lqy3PzPvZyvz3H1uMK-wBVOPY1igynS6Xy3KSmnqBF6pn9HnbpIghCQV_xJKko4A/w640-h426/IMG_8871.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Climbing up to start of Manuka Valley Track</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I was heading for the TA track which heads around the right side of Emily Hill before dropping down into the Stour River West Branch. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Ymc4M1VFQRf5ITLywGB6ue6eYK2Svs2i1pqNjC0IGf1ChLbb7dJiGIenZNtI9U5OB-FH4k1q7b3zCyNfC3KlsouvAH9MEZ4l-tTT4sKP_IC26YqSVmyiGssQ9lkXcEaHDLbry72io3_myWg997pI6Tv-iLgz1jiBNsI2ncZtr1wzTbbW3bx580dfgw/s6000/IMG_8874.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Ymc4M1VFQRf5ITLywGB6ue6eYK2Svs2i1pqNjC0IGf1ChLbb7dJiGIenZNtI9U5OB-FH4k1q7b3zCyNfC3KlsouvAH9MEZ4l-tTT4sKP_IC26YqSVmyiGssQ9lkXcEaHDLbry72io3_myWg997pI6Tv-iLgz1jiBNsI2ncZtr1wzTbbW3bx580dfgw/w640-h426/IMG_8874.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Te Araroa branches off the Stour Valley Track</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">From the junction you head off along a typical section of tramping track that you will find right through the South Island High Country. There is little vegetation around except for low tussock grass, gorse, Matagouri and a few Spaniard plants. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4jreWsS5fP24rPeGtaiUKa82C6pzZ3lchw59jmxggBrgB-p4N-ex_8daXxs-qYU61x5DOG8VHHLRjuYclevEcmWajUiMi1ecyHES0tOQPgTvmRyilVrBg3W5_PwFNPWq6jj2g1N7nkn9Eb2BdeJVpeuuE-uxeJOxjWx0CIkcyq4r_qo2MDjOS046GCA/s6000/IMG_8877.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4jreWsS5fP24rPeGtaiUKa82C6pzZ3lchw59jmxggBrgB-p4N-ex_8daXxs-qYU61x5DOG8VHHLRjuYclevEcmWajUiMi1ecyHES0tOQPgTvmRyilVrBg3W5_PwFNPWq6jj2g1N7nkn9Eb2BdeJVpeuuE-uxeJOxjWx0CIkcyq4r_qo2MDjOS046GCA/w640-h426/IMG_8877.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lake Emily, Hakatere Conservation Area</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5nNusInyK3saizKIXmIZCC54UR9PKI57dKx4wUwv4xZl57qVeJFSJHvgPaSIsukhF686BDe4Xd6_6hXGPnHRI2BgPbDtxk_3RupmAeBCnQU6sc25DQZU9cgkLAcJovSNuJ7uhoVzu4_I8YKKxMESxmpfCIBNFxrAtY_4S_XCski4J6LxXINv0pc1dKQ/s6000/IMG_8879.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5nNusInyK3saizKIXmIZCC54UR9PKI57dKx4wUwv4xZl57qVeJFSJHvgPaSIsukhF686BDe4Xd6_6hXGPnHRI2BgPbDtxk_3RupmAeBCnQU6sc25DQZU9cgkLAcJovSNuJ7uhoVzu4_I8YKKxMESxmpfCIBNFxrAtY_4S_XCski4J6LxXINv0pc1dKQ/w640-h426/IMG_8879.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...heading for eastern end of Emily Hill....</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2r40nFsWtRtjTwu-tgQOT2HUo4O89SfdPmHAt89yENwxJ5y8EphObRa-jE6cAQZGp7IS3PoYpsoncVRSo9Bd4yDyV7T5Rb6wkxaB0oWNlfP-wuu4mfUekJEQs2GiZV2uVfiZMgXZ4Jb8Pk-ucd0rwo4yY3O8QCV0o27mRIfezz2lAHyHnJ-Sx-qW9Ww/s6000/IMG_8880.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2r40nFsWtRtjTwu-tgQOT2HUo4O89SfdPmHAt89yENwxJ5y8EphObRa-jE6cAQZGp7IS3PoYpsoncVRSo9Bd4yDyV7T5Rb6wkxaB0oWNlfP-wuu4mfUekJEQs2GiZV2uVfiZMgXZ4Jb8Pk-ucd0rwo4yY3O8QCV0o27mRIfezz2lAHyHnJ-Sx-qW9Ww/w640-h426/IMG_8880.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clent Ranges lies to south of Manuka Hut Track</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The track sees you climbing to a low saddle on the eastern end of Emily Hill onto a ridgeline with views down to the Stour River West Branch. As you climb higher you have some excellent views down the Stour River to the Clent Hills and Manuka Range. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In between is a huge golden valley of tussock quintessential aspects of these alpine basins in the South Island. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieFfyQKxp8XqhNBju_pe1i3D0p46aw7E56Lp7UhUyT2Tr84-8W_z8RDgQrqE760r3OLJj9P0PjYKcp9PcGpVZcEVg7Sw_e1g08hxKYJgLVO8xIxlMDSlJSCrHSkrugBVjp8lKzP_vcqxuDhZTKnxxh6AwpL8btG2BNJF_r84j19qa0PfkxnQUcbCAS_A/s6000/IMG_8881.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieFfyQKxp8XqhNBju_pe1i3D0p46aw7E56Lp7UhUyT2Tr84-8W_z8RDgQrqE760r3OLJj9P0PjYKcp9PcGpVZcEVg7Sw_e1g08hxKYJgLVO8xIxlMDSlJSCrHSkrugBVjp8lKzP_vcqxuDhZTKnxxh6AwpL8btG2BNJF_r84j19qa0PfkxnQUcbCAS_A/w640-h426/IMG_8881.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking back across the Hakatere Conservation Area</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPXP850XJ3RZ8B863Ju6xE1TIVqOtLN9M60dKD23tyHOvE0f7Lkm41oCWaRmPsSbVp2LXPTJIDF86Styg31NTQ4qRe10bQzFkGZzRa2hOdeVl_z47tHh2xTJYgzwJacyFHwNBnjMpafZzqJ9gJxE2pa6Cvbn-4uxt2-hZvF5PYudyrDiTjRZ71sh8fBA/s6000/IMG_8882.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPXP850XJ3RZ8B863Ju6xE1TIVqOtLN9M60dKD23tyHOvE0f7Lkm41oCWaRmPsSbVp2LXPTJIDF86Styg31NTQ4qRe10bQzFkGZzRa2hOdeVl_z47tHh2xTJYgzwJacyFHwNBnjMpafZzqJ9gJxE2pa6Cvbn-4uxt2-hZvF5PYudyrDiTjRZ71sh8fBA/w640-h426/IMG_8882.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Long view down the Stour River Valley to Pt.978</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQnXrOSsXZ_ccSdM_9ZtoLIq76BFYCQjfKO9We8K7f_FnKIXWjgFVqvajUE-eyAGmX9nqueX2n770uN3qKaqG99vhm-Ys-jQxyEUW-qAoaYRevu8374FrwEVslxxouiwco0KocBIbsCvciDEWBhAAhQUdy-owCs3VXWybdOHg74Fd-qpUkPko8beRKog/s6000/IMG_8883.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQnXrOSsXZ_ccSdM_9ZtoLIq76BFYCQjfKO9We8K7f_FnKIXWjgFVqvajUE-eyAGmX9nqueX2n770uN3qKaqG99vhm-Ys-jQxyEUW-qAoaYRevu8374FrwEVslxxouiwco0KocBIbsCvciDEWBhAAhQUdy-owCs3VXWybdOHg74Fd-qpUkPko8beRKog/w640-h426/IMG_8883.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Golden tussock covers the Hakatere Conservation Area</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I really like to visit this area...I can see why so many Kiwi artists have used the high country in their paintings. It really is beautiful in a very distinctive way. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicE9jSVZ62IeYDsL5f7zs7A0fQADUpsBrbn_TE1CiJqQkTlUg5Ml88gZasSHV07U0LQpdjFY78b2n0jFRiDZGzVaFLQ6antb4K1bqqdBmz_kjDtsvvfWHm4FJKv6B0F_X-b3uG9Mrsor4Z3-i8ErMi0bnqLOqX3RqcvfnW8papAd3PIO3qUzWwiNOptg/s6000/IMG_8884.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicE9jSVZ62IeYDsL5f7zs7A0fQADUpsBrbn_TE1CiJqQkTlUg5Ml88gZasSHV07U0LQpdjFY78b2n0jFRiDZGzVaFLQ6antb4K1bqqdBmz_kjDtsvvfWHm4FJKv6B0F_X-b3uG9Mrsor4Z3-i8ErMi0bnqLOqX3RqcvfnW8papAd3PIO3qUzWwiNOptg/w640-h426/IMG_8884.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View back towards Lake Emily, Castleridge Station</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCjySOfbbX80AZ3byY4AWdc5_CKomH4zcQSCWPlhJuwphOgNpt26SAyir2gZQy0aespwur2Mcy2ddno4cgG1zqWWVvD749H93wYvDOvZRpMWZh64fgWZGe7PBvVnTXZNcIuRGiSp0F9QDlZkzh9LjEag03FO2gCw0rDwvh1CBjjyoMd6V1pqaIAi2BGw/s6000/IMG_8885.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCjySOfbbX80AZ3byY4AWdc5_CKomH4zcQSCWPlhJuwphOgNpt26SAyir2gZQy0aespwur2Mcy2ddno4cgG1zqWWVvD749H93wYvDOvZRpMWZh64fgWZGe7PBvVnTXZNcIuRGiSp0F9QDlZkzh9LjEag03FO2gCw0rDwvh1CBjjyoMd6V1pqaIAi2BGw/w640-h426/IMG_8885.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clent Range, Hakatere Conservation Area</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Just before you reach the crest of the saddle you pass through a field of Golden Spaniard plants and waist deep tussock before emerging at the top of the ridge. From here you have a panoramic view of the upper reaches of the Stour West Branch right up to near Manuka Hut. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhml9jhBloYHHixJ6QoT9yrhtnUl7JYNoQW17cg1Yk5ue5Gbpca_dV1GgFeInPO-QiPkID63XU4qL623ZVqNh6Os9uFC9jfaEo_pzMhKaYT1NHYw2jwSbNom_Ig1fyovJ5TP0SxAkGEE2Pf4AFHB6oXoSvTB3hZ8K4-l4SRhufl8gDTX8j68PqqK8JyeA/s6000/IMG_8902.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhml9jhBloYHHixJ6QoT9yrhtnUl7JYNoQW17cg1Yk5ue5Gbpca_dV1GgFeInPO-QiPkID63XU4qL623ZVqNh6Os9uFC9jfaEo_pzMhKaYT1NHYw2jwSbNom_Ig1fyovJ5TP0SxAkGEE2Pf4AFHB6oXoSvTB3hZ8K4-l4SRhufl8gDTX8j68PqqK8JyeA/w640-h426/IMG_8902.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Golden Spaniards dot the side of Emily Hill</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1xu2w35lx_KdTau3SlhNE-K9EWpQMCwkbV7dSx7csoOl25feQjeBaRdAOLRcpl4lh6RhjlM7BJSJCM6FY1klQRg8Ds8HaFt82MHspGULaydi105dJIty4OGfCBmxLrAIGqpwGR9K3WcjcWWb2CAPEOhRuZFdwGo5hjC5uG4AtBXok3Ot_cEvq2en56Q/s6000/IMG_8899.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1xu2w35lx_KdTau3SlhNE-K9EWpQMCwkbV7dSx7csoOl25feQjeBaRdAOLRcpl4lh6RhjlM7BJSJCM6FY1klQRg8Ds8HaFt82MHspGULaydi105dJIty4OGfCBmxLrAIGqpwGR9K3WcjcWWb2CAPEOhRuZFdwGo5hjC5uG4AtBXok3Ot_cEvq2en56Q/w640-h426/IMG_8899.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waist deep tussock on Emily Hill, Hakatere Conservation Area</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH_jf38-M-0bOe9wwVJ3uVgpT8RZZj33txz8iasQJg0DHDPUv0H68gq6eIVCYCL88ZFRU5qKpSUJMcJKBE0-DrTUnSIDpccE9LQkFgyxQLdY5hEupyGxRrbRZ6orPUpJUZb-FkFVTdPJHQdly-JanQ2iM-HjuNEQtwzznxiUat9Iqu-ompwr0l1zVS9Q/s6000/IMG_8895.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH_jf38-M-0bOe9wwVJ3uVgpT8RZZj33txz8iasQJg0DHDPUv0H68gq6eIVCYCL88ZFRU5qKpSUJMcJKBE0-DrTUnSIDpccE9LQkFgyxQLdY5hEupyGxRrbRZ6orPUpJUZb-FkFVTdPJHQdly-JanQ2iM-HjuNEQtwzznxiUat9Iqu-ompwr0l1zVS9Q/w640-h426/IMG_8895.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alpine daisies on the track to Manuka Hut</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ7a4b6RFbgxVVKCmYeX2swWvyuLAJdzNRr5XYc7Wr1WfOLW3VY9i_vU_TnkZ4s_lneFaORKhq8CeOwDSvwwr0Te5fHiSKHnO3P9QA27MYhWW3BZaa-BABPF-C3obr-UKw_ZkVH3DVYInLMt5aawOu_S7A1VfEzR3d8ntyMlsbhQSxQeWj6R1v_9Tfbg/s6000/IMG_8893.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ7a4b6RFbgxVVKCmYeX2swWvyuLAJdzNRr5XYc7Wr1WfOLW3VY9i_vU_TnkZ4s_lneFaORKhq8CeOwDSvwwr0Te5fHiSKHnO3P9QA27MYhWW3BZaa-BABPF-C3obr-UKw_ZkVH3DVYInLMt5aawOu_S7A1VfEzR3d8ntyMlsbhQSxQeWj6R1v_9Tfbg/w640-h426/IMG_8893.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View down to upper Stour River West Branch</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Manuka Hut is not in plain view as it is behind a ridge but it would be visible if it was out on the valley bottom. It is off to the right of the gravel river bed you can see in the photo below. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNwQspfqyqdeWiCUtB-jssJSghzKWkazI3o_37Ta_9Yhyu9K24hldFnSjwg6sgfdsrDnR60JNcW0T1eAy5g_gmjlbJnMBRlNWxz92CDK2eVmKwgg5fYRZfViTZMLtXPRS9QdR0_ea1rdoiNORyL87wURlp5MCWgQgwQ4R3xLdxI78JGWSuj3aJJ3bVjw/s6000/IMG_8890.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNwQspfqyqdeWiCUtB-jssJSghzKWkazI3o_37Ta_9Yhyu9K24hldFnSjwg6sgfdsrDnR60JNcW0T1eAy5g_gmjlbJnMBRlNWxz92CDK2eVmKwgg5fYRZfViTZMLtXPRS9QdR0_ea1rdoiNORyL87wURlp5MCWgQgwQ4R3xLdxI78JGWSuj3aJJ3bVjw/w640-h426/IMG_8890.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Manuka Hut sits near the northern end of the gravel</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;">After making your way down the eastern face of the escarpment you walk for about 1.5 kilometers up the valley to a river coming down off the Manuka Range. Manuka Hut is tucked in behind a low ridge at the end of the Manuka Range. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLLIQPrndpgTxIOkCzUGSEGWYi6BdkqoWR6yelzzMvoJEUp3Tlbn2AHS4oz-NbpZPUGRURPRg_W3JDdg82hR_kJ4WbV-CsF60TnASi5i9JebmJ3jd_xpUodOnyR6UxJuCKwVDusDhZH1rD5rAguxCiCcCX0tbK0ysudIL8uAAAy4jMmM7GJbbPp5Jyog/s1080/Manuka1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="1080" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLLIQPrndpgTxIOkCzUGSEGWYi6BdkqoWR6yelzzMvoJEUp3Tlbn2AHS4oz-NbpZPUGRURPRg_W3JDdg82hR_kJ4WbV-CsF60TnASi5i9JebmJ3jd_xpUodOnyR6UxJuCKwVDusDhZH1rD5rAguxCiCcCX0tbK0ysudIL8uAAAy4jMmM7GJbbPp5Jyog/w640-h296/Manuka1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Manuka Hut is tucked behind the Manuka Range</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Manuka Hut is an old musterer's hut that became part of the DOC estate after tenure review. It is typical of many of the DOC huts in the central South Island...old station accommodation. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfigqcVU9VqRcqOmcIvaf3-g6iYWaDaW6uqsdPwPXNbNq4r2VYi2fSifgnC769k8UfBAqKVD2nj9V9wWmza-qPq67Euo_0b79i04iKglMy4Qzpiv6L5Zn1cZ_BasDqAfK4123zOn9uUPlkDV7AuToeEY8SBojbKvpIjK-4alYs5Dvx8JZbkFAM_W-MIg/s2500/Manuka2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1875" data-original-width="2500" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfigqcVU9VqRcqOmcIvaf3-g6iYWaDaW6uqsdPwPXNbNq4r2VYi2fSifgnC769k8UfBAqKVD2nj9V9wWmza-qPq67Euo_0b79i04iKglMy4Qzpiv6L5Zn1cZ_BasDqAfK4123zOn9uUPlkDV7AuToeEY8SBojbKvpIjK-4alYs5Dvx8JZbkFAM_W-MIg/w640-h480/Manuka2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Manuka Hut with Manuka Range to the rear</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYfnCLAnklvXVnco5oGbdmMnsa4k3RJJoE_BmX7wyJgk997ptGL2ab70vIvTzsYu9Br10KC-tmXRGnGidRMC4h-zrl956LMVzYfL1MCJbWhbvXPYAXykw54R3f0AIQTQDB-H7jd4skU5x83LutbMmc4-8vcW6YuvGhHSv_W2P3e-_B6dMTnsIr28RjGw/s1463/Manuka7.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="976" data-original-width="1463" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYfnCLAnklvXVnco5oGbdmMnsa4k3RJJoE_BmX7wyJgk997ptGL2ab70vIvTzsYu9Br10KC-tmXRGnGidRMC4h-zrl956LMVzYfL1MCJbWhbvXPYAXykw54R3f0AIQTQDB-H7jd4skU5x83LutbMmc4-8vcW6YuvGhHSv_W2P3e-_B6dMTnsIr28RjGw/w640-h426/Manuka7.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was nice and sunny at Manuka Hut</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM2_MLoAg849sqM7-tNnFnzcM8wZol-E2craTkkGb1O3pFnzRKrsRmFnhiwFRov-ZsPsTfpGII9L1ylrSQXLsbQPb7eEIxqruiQA_xqNHNWYBpHeNssQic6ADP_XJiVCD16e0JKTl1UrTt24L0f63OANnc1GF4PojrC2yUrGEx6VO8XEN83pOol89TTg/s4032/Manuka8.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM2_MLoAg849sqM7-tNnFnzcM8wZol-E2craTkkGb1O3pFnzRKrsRmFnhiwFRov-ZsPsTfpGII9L1ylrSQXLsbQPb7eEIxqruiQA_xqNHNWYBpHeNssQic6ADP_XJiVCD16e0JKTl1UrTt24L0f63OANnc1GF4PojrC2yUrGEx6VO8XEN83pOol89TTg/w480-h640/Manuka8.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Front entrance to Manuka Hut</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> It is corrugated iron lined with ply and has 6 bunks, a dinning table, a small side bench and a open fireplace There is basically no firewood in the immediate area as there are no trees here. It is well positioned to catch the sun and was very warm inside the day I was there. You would need a good warm sleeping bag if straying here outside summer. </div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqS4zM9dnvohdAoDUkhzQpCdQE5gnAlvFZAtHBu3sH15BA-os7Hzy1WR5iyAZ8bQdSvwwYECeg6U6By_iRHY3mBWE-ec7WR6VNdBkjhIbtYpdtCbgzlka9BD7Tsc2GYCRr0v-0tuJ2KI9baPQQ4oJQ3qmzyKoR6SaeCHsdRlP8pG3svLKvmBosFRzldg/s1080/Manuka10.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="1080" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqS4zM9dnvohdAoDUkhzQpCdQE5gnAlvFZAtHBu3sH15BA-os7Hzy1WR5iyAZ8bQdSvwwYECeg6U6By_iRHY3mBWE-ec7WR6VNdBkjhIbtYpdtCbgzlka9BD7Tsc2GYCRr0v-0tuJ2KI9baPQQ4oJQ3qmzyKoR6SaeCHsdRlP8pG3svLKvmBosFRzldg/w640-h296/Manuka10.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...Manuka Hut has six bunks...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFehCJoabUmRpuJinOT08I_anVMNPBGXGGpcWheT9r0YYbIGTxzz0ejXPpXEQorWEhaI9BoSpT0aFNVwmkULiI-iSqr78dXkc8am_U-8fxWwm8S6idVmbf4LFJUiPHW_K9KCuIGvSSKFh6vBnK6vAAFIEXYXENKfLf2wd-K8W1IKdMaOWM5A4EZ8XxJQ/s1080/Manuka11.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="1080" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFehCJoabUmRpuJinOT08I_anVMNPBGXGGpcWheT9r0YYbIGTxzz0ejXPpXEQorWEhaI9BoSpT0aFNVwmkULiI-iSqr78dXkc8am_U-8fxWwm8S6idVmbf4LFJUiPHW_K9KCuIGvSSKFh6vBnK6vAAFIEXYXENKfLf2wd-K8W1IKdMaOWM5A4EZ8XxJQ/w640-h296/Manuka11.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Open fireplace in Manuka Hut (but no firewood)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I was at the hut only long enough to take some photos before hot footing it back down the valley. It was getting on into the afternoon and I had a three hour walk to get back to my car ahead of me. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5_p2i6I6oPwhWh3HpdiKWUb0xknK1BtAYPZq7gYjjhXR-kEDmBa-1GP2gOqfdpeR8JSGBre6Rni4BV_6X70Mw-u8V2QqbjJ5cHRISOrQJaxEkuVsd6QTSVoL64WUKO0_5GlHaleT_YJITigN1a0fqqjWcXnLZ_KiEyfmBdZP492j0L7UkwFAJp22DVA/s1080/Manuka12.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="1080" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5_p2i6I6oPwhWh3HpdiKWUb0xknK1BtAYPZq7gYjjhXR-kEDmBa-1GP2gOqfdpeR8JSGBre6Rni4BV_6X70Mw-u8V2QqbjJ5cHRISOrQJaxEkuVsd6QTSVoL64WUKO0_5GlHaleT_YJITigN1a0fqqjWcXnLZ_KiEyfmBdZP492j0L7UkwFAJp22DVA/w640-h296/Manuka12.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...Goodbye to Manuka Hut...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;">It took me about 45 minutes to walk back down the valley and up to the top of the escarpment once again. The valley walking was easy enough but it is quite steep walking back up that escarpment. You can follow the 4 W/D track back down to the junction with the Stour River Track. This is flatter but also adds a couple of kilometers to your journey. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhecKCdoJV3vaQR8sBvhG5F1TrW9D110xTIqEojgPpR-b4LcgM8iWrlaJlcMsvTNYljNPs_7xY0UR75BaOMiyBd85GNtOluhyYmCydRSX-C0Vas5Upl5ETVhj1G_7V5UnBAFzinGrMIYqN18mHJPvLmdd_k6fP3W4CF-kAmkh4Lx9zddjaHdMVtVtqSyQ/s6000/IMG_8891.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhecKCdoJV3vaQR8sBvhG5F1TrW9D110xTIqEojgPpR-b4LcgM8iWrlaJlcMsvTNYljNPs_7xY0UR75BaOMiyBd85GNtOluhyYmCydRSX-C0Vas5Upl5ETVhj1G_7V5UnBAFzinGrMIYqN18mHJPvLmdd_k6fP3W4CF-kAmkh4Lx9zddjaHdMVtVtqSyQ/w640-h426/IMG_8891.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Manuka Range to the east of Emily Hill<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As you make your way back off the escarpment you have a grandstand view of the Stour River Valley and Clent Range. The 4 W/D track goes up the valley and around the eastern end of the Clent Hills. It is possible to ride a MTB around the Clent Hills on the tracks and along the Hakatere-Heron Road...it would be a 30+ kilometer circuit.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuyrlZXIBanmbwC45F9xSH3tfq9lnDNq27NmqDDJwOihZQcoR_ANqbXVypJqUqiMm-5vXBxlGkUW02Fa58b4hIC68-Y-q5gsPP4IJDNqKZGv7r_kEyLlsC2x75oiXry8FtwLzv1-Ih58Z7n67_fqSfMXLlJuUeBsbg0UOxPK78BPmDYU-jD2cztOavMg/s6000/IMG_8901.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuyrlZXIBanmbwC45F9xSH3tfq9lnDNq27NmqDDJwOihZQcoR_ANqbXVypJqUqiMm-5vXBxlGkUW02Fa58b4hIC68-Y-q5gsPP4IJDNqKZGv7r_kEyLlsC2x75oiXry8FtwLzv1-Ih58Z7n67_fqSfMXLlJuUeBsbg0UOxPK78BPmDYU-jD2cztOavMg/w640-h426/IMG_8901.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mt Barossa is covered by cloud, Hakatere Conservation Area</td></tr></tbody></table></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFY5w9-hY7ZcP9zBuQd8KMICzBaKTc55H938snDABfi7LoT6nZIRN7Rw5hW064b36d5yMOhkGrGM0byehjEvkdyMzq3QU-Ak9Yr4QL6G4WlekXvOd2mMx3vrRzlseDAfzVswTRab12V0pSmOBsv3EPEtGzYQ1O5CrwYWMShj8Gsgwi5phXivD47uUTsQ/s6000/IMG_8897.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFY5w9-hY7ZcP9zBuQd8KMICzBaKTc55H938snDABfi7LoT6nZIRN7Rw5hW064b36d5yMOhkGrGM0byehjEvkdyMzq3QU-Ak9Yr4QL6G4WlekXvOd2mMx3vrRzlseDAfzVswTRab12V0pSmOBsv3EPEtGzYQ1O5CrwYWMShj8Gsgwi5phXivD47uUTsQ/w640-h426/IMG_8897.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Closer view of the Alpine Daisies, Hakatere Conservation Area</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I headed back along the route I had followed that morning and it was easier walking as it is all downhill to the Stour Valley Track. Along the way I stopped to have a closer lok at one of the Golden Spaniards...they are bristling with spikes and thorns. It is a defense against browsing by animals though I can hardly imagine what ancient animal wanted to eat these. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs1mKdVBqvBtLudHmlg1tNUDC1jpGQrx5HeRmXj4MX1wkQ2wQ-pkoOmK0uUwZNBBpReVcz928K3RBden1PocikLWE-x37aaEwmahwuDlWdkwxI7HRDdqvHgkslyxn6JPDS_yhA2KNT06RwUQDFNa4urpGb3vhNUbvzU-1QXdpgdGFyHr-MRrw4GHpk6g/s6000/IMG_8905.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs1mKdVBqvBtLudHmlg1tNUDC1jpGQrx5HeRmXj4MX1wkQ2wQ-pkoOmK0uUwZNBBpReVcz928K3RBden1PocikLWE-x37aaEwmahwuDlWdkwxI7HRDdqvHgkslyxn6JPDS_yhA2KNT06RwUQDFNa4urpGb3vhNUbvzU-1QXdpgdGFyHr-MRrw4GHpk6g/w640-h426/IMG_8905.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Close view of a Golden Spaniard plant</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">You head back along the TA Trail passing Lake Emily as you go. The wind had picked up some so there were a few waves out on the lakes surface. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpRdmLq5W9SoSlLZkHfRG2mPG8s7Ua6MeELMcBHsPOyIHA1mRmfxoOdHX6K03mu06eNVy3BAX7pYCAIpXTZtzgjZlvUMSbSMdNsyLdE4OPNq2-YhopSgQnwF1Ipnkin4khcmssZ7Kxi5xr7iXIsGFjR3Hq_UhcI6-Q1XJb_ML95uQQEKMbCRuqJXA8dA/s6000/IMG_8910.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpRdmLq5W9SoSlLZkHfRG2mPG8s7Ua6MeELMcBHsPOyIHA1mRmfxoOdHX6K03mu06eNVy3BAX7pYCAIpXTZtzgjZlvUMSbSMdNsyLdE4OPNq2-YhopSgQnwF1Ipnkin4khcmssZ7Kxi5xr7iXIsGFjR3Hq_UhcI6-Q1XJb_ML95uQQEKMbCRuqJXA8dA/w640-h426/IMG_8910.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View south west from Emily Hill</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFjwiL2gMS7UzIuFBwWy5HdzqmRAMASSclywV8KjUsgYqenREXdAEuItmdrYwtlyjecjSUFFDHK9x_ISWI6ILc1SKEgSfUu1yPamm4mwew8XKPqENBRWlINtZK1wrfX9iQgw4i90y-q2kxZZg6vW1cMmRNUTG9Bq8G7Xnj8iIdr51NdS9JI10QaJJDdg/s6000/IMG_8911.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFjwiL2gMS7UzIuFBwWy5HdzqmRAMASSclywV8KjUsgYqenREXdAEuItmdrYwtlyjecjSUFFDHK9x_ISWI6ILc1SKEgSfUu1yPamm4mwew8XKPqENBRWlINtZK1wrfX9iQgw4i90y-q2kxZZg6vW1cMmRNUTG9Bq8G7Xnj8iIdr51NdS9JI10QaJJDdg/w640-h426/IMG_8911.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Te Araroa Trail in the Hakatere Conservation Area</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuTzPjg7n6doooe29JaC7x_LUy_yymXF7wWVywaFA6eYS0ezRN2ywnEupbIjkSfzJQqTp_7JYZAIVI-rsh9YNe5-WBXLeLgx0jx70-WicMICFMmkVO3n1dmon8FP-ym42y6zQ3K9yylo-Yrl-Yu6D2ZDtLkNhXBP8bw7xQOtfQzxkwYnuxdHLkh3-5vg/s6000/IMG_8914.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuTzPjg7n6doooe29JaC7x_LUy_yymXF7wWVywaFA6eYS0ezRN2ywnEupbIjkSfzJQqTp_7JYZAIVI-rsh9YNe5-WBXLeLgx0jx70-WicMICFMmkVO3n1dmon8FP-ym42y6zQ3K9yylo-Yrl-Yu6D2ZDtLkNhXBP8bw7xQOtfQzxkwYnuxdHLkh3-5vg/w640-h426/IMG_8914.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wind blows wave crests across Lake Emily</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The TA route takes you back along the track to the junction with the Stour Valley Track where you turn right and continue walking back towards Castleridge Station land. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHWVpvJ1VdtlJClFl3iuR6MDUpmA5yVaVVtFQL8yIujAtDrdwU6d4xdnsCohyrfGJIBDU-NW5Zih4_8-VT5ZNQe53MVgKfGFd0P7_5M7f026cU020VYfN87wV0wbCLWBx4oDo4any1CZWtJuqHrvwp5NH6_jFP_-coZ8SWWuhSsXW4gI9Q5UTXodimlA/s6000/IMG_8915.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHWVpvJ1VdtlJClFl3iuR6MDUpmA5yVaVVtFQL8yIujAtDrdwU6d4xdnsCohyrfGJIBDU-NW5Zih4_8-VT5ZNQe53MVgKfGFd0P7_5M7f026cU020VYfN87wV0wbCLWBx4oDo4any1CZWtJuqHrvwp5NH6_jFP_-coZ8SWWuhSsXW4gI9Q5UTXodimlA/w640-h426/IMG_8915.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stour Valley Track heading back to Castleridge Station</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6TOO8QnsBJ9NA2DRyUMnhfFnt7k6BqGiu0OkP3CuOrwd4x4b_o1-FAMjX4emXFpadWD2p3MWcG4XXsw2kXhBs6dIZJQ_oRYX60akjjWTw6HM-W3aWiKOo0RUenbIaP9hEofDKbfSXdRNQTthCshCdwR_o0NkBQckUy6KLuWtO6xT0xtrBNm_fyl_wuA/s6000/IMG_8917.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6TOO8QnsBJ9NA2DRyUMnhfFnt7k6BqGiu0OkP3CuOrwd4x4b_o1-FAMjX4emXFpadWD2p3MWcG4XXsw2kXhBs6dIZJQ_oRYX60akjjWTw6HM-W3aWiKOo0RUenbIaP9hEofDKbfSXdRNQTthCshCdwR_o0NkBQckUy6KLuWtO6xT0xtrBNm_fyl_wuA/w640-h426/IMG_8917.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lots of pest control traps along the Stour Valley Track</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_lKtUC11xF3TtLgTLCG_yosQZcTGhRuuclr8SqbdAumd6hHcpbPkLTmOLAQOmsAspqmQRnrwQXSxETqS1CE7yjm1XE6jXHDTxOhEzeGRCPOqBnUS26bNjqBziRCLAB-AosdzEerQYKl-7zEp35Kj-Zu-bCkKl8zYwg5NVC-xEiP6i5YPjl0kuQ9U4ew/s6000/IMG_8922.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_lKtUC11xF3TtLgTLCG_yosQZcTGhRuuclr8SqbdAumd6hHcpbPkLTmOLAQOmsAspqmQRnrwQXSxETqS1CE7yjm1XE6jXHDTxOhEzeGRCPOqBnUS26bNjqBziRCLAB-AosdzEerQYKl-7zEp35Kj-Zu-bCkKl8zYwg5NVC-xEiP6i5YPjl0kuQ9U4ew/w640-h426/IMG_8922.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bleak desolation of tussock land near Lake Emily</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There isa long expansive view out over the Hakatere Conservation Area. You can see out to the north west to the gap between the mountains through to the Rakaia River. In the far distance you can see some of the higher peaks of the Southern Alps. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhch9Ck3zVPDQ6ZxJ6nAUDWULfDn1nXVHqZoXP2tVRYRp0a3N2j7BCoI1kIwlp57kRnaJSgBRsw99l93Kg5Fm8lZWKe1HUZ2G92XF5TwSfBTOKMtoiU8jPElLJh0KLsw1VAfV_a6MHYkiNj4-n_T5JACZ6gNHnzJBA6cojxQLdP1A4-5ukSP2EH95JMfA/s6000/IMG_8925.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhch9Ck3zVPDQ6ZxJ6nAUDWULfDn1nXVHqZoXP2tVRYRp0a3N2j7BCoI1kIwlp57kRnaJSgBRsw99l93Kg5Fm8lZWKe1HUZ2G92XF5TwSfBTOKMtoiU8jPElLJh0KLsw1VAfV_a6MHYkiNj4-n_T5JACZ6gNHnzJBA6cojxQLdP1A4-5ukSP2EH95JMfA/w640-h426/IMG_8925.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View west to Lake Heron, Hakatere Conservation Area</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFjuM0tUuPfzunvAknl8EWsskfdjT0rzehkcrOiWGRqeHyNNigMgDDsYjQvbmv0JpNH0i1dg_bTTkL6zDE46ghEv7jKO2RBalkZQG69UwwqVh-plqE-1Kiu9m2YSw-0EedljshwPe520MLKnW83N5wEcou4ggISdMD8qkPWLiCpneYxnIlWwOUPeQ25g/s6000/IMG_8926.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFjuM0tUuPfzunvAknl8EWsskfdjT0rzehkcrOiWGRqeHyNNigMgDDsYjQvbmv0JpNH0i1dg_bTTkL6zDE46ghEv7jKO2RBalkZQG69UwwqVh-plqE-1Kiu9m2YSw-0EedljshwPe520MLKnW83N5wEcou4ggISdMD8qkPWLiCpneYxnIlWwOUPeQ25g/w640-h426/IMG_8926.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mt Somers Range emerges from low cloud</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxSBaF-SmupU-qFFz6NRcPxtiaBpdk57gCV5e33WiL73LO1tdCmPwmG_oWScbyyu2Iq3NOsM5CNPDCGNo5k4BXQlOdldLZnKMD2SBt2eZmTZpJp-3Q55R5bfj2RY0vTDv4NFmVXuwlPgseyeumRzYkUpO72DLIrBss2-0DRdyoECPhs9JirsP6i7Al9A/s6000/IMG_8927.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxSBaF-SmupU-qFFz6NRcPxtiaBpdk57gCV5e33WiL73LO1tdCmPwmG_oWScbyyu2Iq3NOsM5CNPDCGNo5k4BXQlOdldLZnKMD2SBt2eZmTZpJp-3Q55R5bfj2RY0vTDv4NFmVXuwlPgseyeumRzYkUpO72DLIrBss2-0DRdyoECPhs9JirsP6i7Al9A/w640-h426/IMG_8927.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Manuka Range from the Stour Valley Track</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOr__k4V_QmkEfktiwN2szCpXS7ODmjVmWggDuWT9ELmUIMhyCMfXRzCR1f9T2fj1iS6JisHbFpz2zrIU2H2zX4wuOaUGUwK3J2Tv-zzZv3E40UPy2_HMtuWJ2oFs91KK_BlphABI2gBMCCCrFzPUHvJu0XYpN4QatCwb7x0CEwdbDBEbEj4WRXwilaA/s6000/IMG_8928.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOr__k4V_QmkEfktiwN2szCpXS7ODmjVmWggDuWT9ELmUIMhyCMfXRzCR1f9T2fj1iS6JisHbFpz2zrIU2H2zX4wuOaUGUwK3J2Tv-zzZv3E40UPy2_HMtuWJ2oFs91KK_BlphABI2gBMCCCrFzPUHvJu0XYpN4QatCwb7x0CEwdbDBEbEj4WRXwilaA/w640-h426/IMG_8928.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Rakaia River is 20 kilometers in that direction</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I stopped for some lunch in the shade of the DOC signs at the edge of Castleridge Station land. I had a sandwich I brought on the way and a drink. I also took the opportunity to tape up a couple of my toes that had started to rub. It was quite a warm day so I was thankful for the limited shade the sign provided. </div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQxPr_ILHUe9z8xmo7YptJ6brXOoVpr7ERAwD-KdYxecnQujvc78zauOZXi3tnR78R2f37byiiu8mLkon83_PTYBXECoSO4YUL_aPUUGy08Qc5rf6VNwA16__BY-qCgmAu0ceNT9NYso5RG7t78erSyIgdRvu3Td0_C5VaBALa03gWvB5gfFfrtWuq9A/s6000/IMG_8930.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQxPr_ILHUe9z8xmo7YptJ6brXOoVpr7ERAwD-KdYxecnQujvc78zauOZXi3tnR78R2f37byiiu8mLkon83_PTYBXECoSO4YUL_aPUUGy08Qc5rf6VNwA16__BY-qCgmAu0ceNT9NYso5RG7t78erSyIgdRvu3Td0_C5VaBALa03gWvB5gfFfrtWuq9A/w640-h426/IMG_8930.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Vaude 40l day pack...Hakatere Conservation Area</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjopAHCp5oWprLchAjNcBkYDGZY1hwGrdY01LCTxOT7Zy1p_0uKe-ZkbjkxI5Xsaw2diwVWiXIjdmitf0lu8lTwPzNnd6hvn3UwrDfGbBTP40qrLjWqwPDPJYrq5Nzmy9RTx1OAe6eTBWCF1I_Ntpdy8sd03Q5306Gxev4Mc9yN2xzZsaJGwHVIL5NZQw/s6000/IMG_8934.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjopAHCp5oWprLchAjNcBkYDGZY1hwGrdY01LCTxOT7Zy1p_0uKe-ZkbjkxI5Xsaw2diwVWiXIjdmitf0lu8lTwPzNnd6hvn3UwrDfGbBTP40qrLjWqwPDPJYrq5Nzmy9RTx1OAe6eTBWCF1I_Ntpdy8sd03Q5306Gxev4Mc9yN2xzZsaJGwHVIL5NZQw/w640-h426/IMG_8934.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...bring plenty of water on this track...</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxzT1KZ6QEumiernwEpPDsj0pL4Pp5L2otC10LAz_hTAnRxCIqe1EVVTF9Aax2A-r4g9CVKHrCX5KaPromcgmQfGtylgt-EYUMfR8S8Qc08S_iiRKYjxJTdz6AXQrunRFZnRV39x0i_Z5FeMddRMiTBC0NLOZT4FIFtmcYvyi2HZkcj6zVqZOFsDsoTQ/s6000/IMG_8935.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxzT1KZ6QEumiernwEpPDsj0pL4Pp5L2otC10LAz_hTAnRxCIqe1EVVTF9Aax2A-r4g9CVKHrCX5KaPromcgmQfGtylgt-EYUMfR8S8Qc08S_iiRKYjxJTdz6AXQrunRFZnRV39x0i_Z5FeMddRMiTBC0NLOZT4FIFtmcYvyi2HZkcj6zVqZOFsDsoTQ/w640-h426/IMG_8935.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...running repairs to the feet at lunch...</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I had an excellent view down the hill to Lake Emily and beyond to Emily Hill which backs onto it. It was most pleasant sitting in the sun and taking in my surrounds. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6jDkocMvCMwva-KaNxSDsS2SqTTA3K_h9C6VOs_9B4nBNplgUSkXbRl9P7F7ECxTIAQoh01MqJEAipZ0VGCCMFbAvr9hJcp-X1OK1kPoflesHaakAU5ZUZbSqgYSxkDqBcH1ao2giya4J_yXmRenksemvJ1JGtMDH9FkOSld1NjT27gAJNFHFJSDwsQ/s6000/IMG_8931.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6jDkocMvCMwva-KaNxSDsS2SqTTA3K_h9C6VOs_9B4nBNplgUSkXbRl9P7F7ECxTIAQoh01MqJEAipZ0VGCCMFbAvr9hJcp-X1OK1kPoflesHaakAU5ZUZbSqgYSxkDqBcH1ao2giya4J_yXmRenksemvJ1JGtMDH9FkOSld1NjT27gAJNFHFJSDwsQ/w640-h426/IMG_8931.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emily Hill backs Lake Emily, Hakatere Conservation Area<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf80fd51YAdBeyy3cjxJu6zsLOJQTkoTRe7GiYnKU7Pxg1j7OsxHffJyIhQmTSVjD32aP-xk10rRb9b1ZedIs0o3WpP9A9DiXVaxVvvr1RDWl2U1-9hypDXVP4xp2nYKt20lJofTQUdHowBh0r7M2Jwb9iDQ7SYi2bgqXyHCdk55xlutxs60PQ-V1F8g/s6000/IMG_8932.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf80fd51YAdBeyy3cjxJu6zsLOJQTkoTRe7GiYnKU7Pxg1j7OsxHffJyIhQmTSVjD32aP-xk10rRb9b1ZedIs0o3WpP9A9DiXVaxVvvr1RDWl2U1-9hypDXVP4xp2nYKt20lJofTQUdHowBh0r7M2Jwb9iDQ7SYi2bgqXyHCdk55xlutxs60PQ-V1F8g/w640-h426/IMG_8932.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lake Emily with Emily Hill and Mt Somers Range to rear</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I noticed there is an unmarked farm building on the far side of Lake Emily...it looked like a backcountry hut from the shape. I know that a lot of these high country stations have started building huts and tracks as an alternate source of income. There was a side track skirting around the edge of the lake to the building...</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgYq0SzP2AvrUsGJGycUM5UpwR3LFOVgd_zXOqX709a95ibpbjUZPzdkWtIITJTEo-gIHh4V3hLgBgMKhZNCB5GjBbd-X9jIJfgXKlZo47DbgsDE08b-QkeWGNEJQ3V6f93_tKhBRApLR2BIXxEpKNDm2qIX2OoPYbO5VuW9NjZiHt1xiIzlhOHf7V1w/s6000/IMG_8933.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgYq0SzP2AvrUsGJGycUM5UpwR3LFOVgd_zXOqX709a95ibpbjUZPzdkWtIITJTEo-gIHh4V3hLgBgMKhZNCB5GjBbd-X9jIJfgXKlZo47DbgsDE08b-QkeWGNEJQ3V6f93_tKhBRApLR2BIXxEpKNDm2qIX2OoPYbO5VuW9NjZiHt1xiIzlhOHf7V1w/w640-h426/IMG_8933.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...there is a station hut at the base of Emily Hill...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There isn't a whole lot of vegetation out in the Hakatere Conservation Area so it can seem a bit bleak. Personally I think it has a stark beauty all of its own and it is one of my favorite places to visit here in New Zealand. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5SPvcNU5ygxJUoqdcKhS9ufZZBSWGruaFZNvgNP4O0e1BDUQFXhV2kLZY62TjvMx158wWoPwJo3Gu4J78jDxgklsgxkg3EQ3f7BAwxk1BIOsRhO5nAVZvqywbpbUO52XeacUt752Lkg-FB-tALqFHadnr-WdBlJzZk5W2thSsvMEgO0qf_2JKMsblYg/s6000/IMG_8936.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5SPvcNU5ygxJUoqdcKhS9ufZZBSWGruaFZNvgNP4O0e1BDUQFXhV2kLZY62TjvMx158wWoPwJo3Gu4J78jDxgklsgxkg3EQ3f7BAwxk1BIOsRhO5nAVZvqywbpbUO52XeacUt752Lkg-FB-tALqFHadnr-WdBlJzZk5W2thSsvMEgO0qf_2JKMsblYg/w426-h640/IMG_8936.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Classic scene from the Hakatere Conservation Area</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">On the way back to the car I passed this patch of wild growing Heather and exotic flowers. They were running down a hillside in the bed of an old dry river. I imagine some seed was dropped here at some time in the past and it just spread naturally. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It was a rare touch of color in an otherwise brown and tan color palate...</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSIDltAXe1LZnoyTN2JLarPWCF2Md3jFwlL4Fny9IHk0Bla52nlsB76uPpmOIUILRT3NtuptG_3nFORnbxyopef1UI6AZghsnYGaxslEIScHA7I9z2xUSeP2d-VjFXDPjIA5EfT6eFvrUtUn87BMdFR9ld9se95FZYj98w-qdJMhihOq27A8DdTHNxIQ/s6000/IMG_8937.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSIDltAXe1LZnoyTN2JLarPWCF2Md3jFwlL4Fny9IHk0Bla52nlsB76uPpmOIUILRT3NtuptG_3nFORnbxyopef1UI6AZghsnYGaxslEIScHA7I9z2xUSeP2d-VjFXDPjIA5EfT6eFvrUtUn87BMdFR9ld9se95FZYj98w-qdJMhihOq27A8DdTHNxIQ/w640-h426/IMG_8937.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heather and exotic flowers along the Stour Valley Track</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The morning clouds had started to clear as the afternoon run on so I got better views of the higher peaks around me. There was a nice vista out across the plains to Emily Hill and the Mt Somers Range which backs it. Some of the peaks in the Mt Somers Range are as high as 2500 asl. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrV3kI3fiUqu_eEJACLybcmDr11byd-BFvzUQ90LTg6WtCNEk1vEzxR99qL3jQ5Dif8xKfyRKaEuD1-SHltSyRFGwdxOd906z3S65PRWu3gcno4282-l624IbjazRWU5alBQMK94uHuB-ALqyipGpIN5Aj3kRjCtCkRW_A6JRZmbK6c8va1ak5LRXFnw/s6000/IMG_8940.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrV3kI3fiUqu_eEJACLybcmDr11byd-BFvzUQ90LTg6WtCNEk1vEzxR99qL3jQ5Dif8xKfyRKaEuD1-SHltSyRFGwdxOd906z3S65PRWu3gcno4282-l624IbjazRWU5alBQMK94uHuB-ALqyipGpIN5Aj3kRjCtCkRW_A6JRZmbK6c8va1ak5LRXFnw/w640-h426/IMG_8940.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful weather in the Hakatere Basin</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">From the side of the Clent Hills you have a good view down the gap at the head of the Hakatere which runs through to the Rakaia River. The valley is probably about 30 kilometers long through here. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHcFLYwtL2CwscIOOUFc7sZJ9kvGXhO_FU4OVBML12MJyjBmDmGq5cskyTcKhfx7RViJ1fQVPv9ECGMmXlwmRYmaRtrfaAYvW_RDANIeIpFaG3FUfiV33s8tzxG5f3BznA0vNKiQXhawLFWOC-S-qOVvNR6M1jM73kGsQr0XErWPgMTQ-XEWb9-Q4DDg/s6000/IMG_8941.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHcFLYwtL2CwscIOOUFc7sZJ9kvGXhO_FU4OVBML12MJyjBmDmGq5cskyTcKhfx7RViJ1fQVPv9ECGMmXlwmRYmaRtrfaAYvW_RDANIeIpFaG3FUfiV33s8tzxG5f3BznA0vNKiQXhawLFWOC-S-qOVvNR6M1jM73kGsQr0XErWPgMTQ-XEWb9-Q4DDg/w640-h426/IMG_8941.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking across Hakatere Conservation Area to Lake Stream</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj62W5HYcls4T-Ms6tXJ9leNC1NPaovlmMAmVRWkYNNz6dJ2_At5ASoLmRO42IirX6mUjTXsAdfI1gppa-8GU-T308qVv6UgtT2CpJ74wFCF5fTW0lO7cye2FexTZ-ILtJ__ZwwMSf61q5cW5y2fMQPJUeWRoqdT8xk-bh4BIkLopLk5xlcJWczNuQfiA/s6000/IMG_8943.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj62W5HYcls4T-Ms6tXJ9leNC1NPaovlmMAmVRWkYNNz6dJ2_At5ASoLmRO42IirX6mUjTXsAdfI1gppa-8GU-T308qVv6UgtT2CpJ74wFCF5fTW0lO7cye2FexTZ-ILtJ__ZwwMSf61q5cW5y2fMQPJUeWRoqdT8xk-bh4BIkLopLk5xlcJWczNuQfiA/w640-h426/IMG_8943.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A couple of 4 W/D stop to chat, Hakatere Conservation Area</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1_DmDMLZBDFkDuY324dlzEcS_faoddWO3vdJSxaB8Xiq27wVRRsEF1MVruSAc15SneaqJMAtLSdngdUHbXwWlrKK45M5h-1zKMH6dzfqX_6XoFqks3nj1hxMnWEQrVCiMFXDVfYqXk0_8PGQ-7JwGb9n1tvPQwXUev0YX_LqtTb_BAWaizQlvxk-9gw/s6000/IMG_8944.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1_DmDMLZBDFkDuY324dlzEcS_faoddWO3vdJSxaB8Xiq27wVRRsEF1MVruSAc15SneaqJMAtLSdngdUHbXwWlrKK45M5h-1zKMH6dzfqX_6XoFqks3nj1hxMnWEQrVCiMFXDVfYqXk0_8PGQ-7JwGb9n1tvPQwXUev0YX_LqtTb_BAWaizQlvxk-9gw/w640-h426/IMG_8944.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heading back to Hakatere-Heron Road</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Hakatere Basin is best viewed on a day with blue skies and a small amount of cloud. It really brings out the stark nature of the terrain in the area...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9jK3HsrHcc_RUDfQX54Km9afWKMEZl86q2VH7pAXB2RjIesA25M8-Ya6O5D21AJ7HqablhAiuYDKi-g394mFZEIo5OQJgeM3phRQH7eHHC403Zn-9b_Glip35Z6Aeoinchq_C1wbqyqn0tbl9swxBSf_vc64RTlQSPecxf3H4UpVuF-r0wGRlFqM4aA/s6000/IMG_8945.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9jK3HsrHcc_RUDfQX54Km9afWKMEZl86q2VH7pAXB2RjIesA25M8-Ya6O5D21AJ7HqablhAiuYDKi-g394mFZEIo5OQJgeM3phRQH7eHHC403Zn-9b_Glip35Z6Aeoinchq_C1wbqyqn0tbl9swxBSf_vc64RTlQSPecxf3H4UpVuF-r0wGRlFqM4aA/w640-h426/IMG_8945.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mt Taylor is blocked from view by cloud</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwGq42WHyhWrUP3-fOXrsmNABX-NMVUHl3z61GLN51tm2LRJKRK0BVswGZAyWdDp09vko5MCk9er6bgP91Z7g-Dp7_Cg-1JIsnI0cidXVAemNyFfzoqzMvhK6p-PNKNXLazLkspylpsl94kUhOSQU_Rfz5tdXbteScRgN533SHy5hZEAuuZnyxClNX0Q/s6000/IMG_8948.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwGq42WHyhWrUP3-fOXrsmNABX-NMVUHl3z61GLN51tm2LRJKRK0BVswGZAyWdDp09vko5MCk9er6bgP91Z7g-Dp7_Cg-1JIsnI0cidXVAemNyFfzoqzMvhK6p-PNKNXLazLkspylpsl94kUhOSQU_Rfz5tdXbteScRgN533SHy5hZEAuuZnyxClNX0Q/w640-h426/IMG_8948.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Southern end of Manuka/Mt Somers Ranges</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I stopped to have a look at one of the private property signs along the side of the trick. The TA Trust have negotiated access across the Castleridge Station but I am sure the farmer would much prefer to bar recreationalists from the land. There are a lot of legal issues to do with access here in New Zealand as we do not have a 'right to roam' as they do in other countries. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It is essential that all users comply with the demands set by the landowners or we could lose access to large sways of land if they decided to bar visitors. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLDO8ksOjPsjwMYZswFcL-wjG-G8DU6uqqEdV7RHuJLNghwHgM97_JpXhuPVYE4PoLj3eewxtt85yUn1MKdoNinCHdRqBvJ3U1ko2v65r1V7SW____FtRE3QcFpNnw_kVO7Z1RwZvnDFsqzLQFl_1EIvdgcn5WyPzAFXpkyu4JjyueeAmDG-VyqYXZYg/s6000/IMG_8950.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLDO8ksOjPsjwMYZswFcL-wjG-G8DU6uqqEdV7RHuJLNghwHgM97_JpXhuPVYE4PoLj3eewxtt85yUn1MKdoNinCHdRqBvJ3U1ko2v65r1V7SW____FtRE3QcFpNnw_kVO7Z1RwZvnDFsqzLQFl_1EIvdgcn5WyPzAFXpkyu4JjyueeAmDG-VyqYXZYg/w640-h426/IMG_8950.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The farmers want you to stay on the official route!!!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7fgbcOwcxNiPFw_TE4s-DVeqfrREihwvi69VO7Bw4sU7qvCsmzjwdx_uq9Qp_n6IiNwCKfXUqHeZvVTkcti7FDzhdbMNT4XeQ5nyi_QiywWS_IfyA3RVdb7RRUeenTSEwQU00si6NPbShPKbCDltuu1wXys6vfrpLfbeYQHSBnsunCkKWd3AXqETbPQ/s6000/IMG_8952.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7fgbcOwcxNiPFw_TE4s-DVeqfrREihwvi69VO7Bw4sU7qvCsmzjwdx_uq9Qp_n6IiNwCKfXUqHeZvVTkcti7FDzhdbMNT4XeQ5nyi_QiywWS_IfyA3RVdb7RRUeenTSEwQU00si6NPbShPKbCDltuu1wXys6vfrpLfbeYQHSBnsunCkKWd3AXqETbPQ/w640-h426/IMG_8952.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last view up the Stour River Valey</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">You eventually come up over the last rise and spy Castleridge Homestead. From here it is about 1.5 kilometers to the road end. I had been walking for nearly 5 hours by this point and even with sun screen I was cooked like your Sunday roast!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">If you are gong to be spending much time walking in this type of exposed terrain I recommend you wear a long sleeved shirt for protection. Also make sure you have lots of water, sun glasses and a god sun hat...you will need them.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlVH4QajyYp9FUd7sjxBrafgNN3HwqToGl6cssG_RR0JyGxJmWfHXtt_GHG3TK6QCxxx8R0oy7D94TU8uKRUKTEk4PzJrdhltBOllv78RHXljeOeghFWtILx_m74qiMmrfjOZMkroLR6k79-748iNCEaTLgPKjh44jw8GUWOhYKGzcF88T9qi2xeCOaA/s6000/IMG_8955.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlVH4QajyYp9FUd7sjxBrafgNN3HwqToGl6cssG_RR0JyGxJmWfHXtt_GHG3TK6QCxxx8R0oy7D94TU8uKRUKTEk4PzJrdhltBOllv78RHXljeOeghFWtILx_m74qiMmrfjOZMkroLR6k79-748iNCEaTLgPKjh44jw8GUWOhYKGzcF88T9qi2xeCOaA/w640-h426/IMG_8955.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Castleridge Homestead from the Stour Valley Track</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOXi42jsByHPXwL_hnixso2m6-aC7FSGy4ryBwJZyRshahxPVBDodQ5ZrYj39-jaG8-P8gfwBUvbrRsOPBgkMxBvXR6TO-YCuAYsGDvpMxXKTDYYfG9Jq1_nRx7nrNm1RzDnSgDuMyUwx7GzejKv_vCDcGRnO1WtoRwF3LXKFUpbsPLtQzxek13TUE3g/s6000/IMG_8957.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOXi42jsByHPXwL_hnixso2m6-aC7FSGy4ryBwJZyRshahxPVBDodQ5ZrYj39-jaG8-P8gfwBUvbrRsOPBgkMxBvXR6TO-YCuAYsGDvpMxXKTDYYfG9Jq1_nRx7nrNm1RzDnSgDuMyUwx7GzejKv_vCDcGRnO1WtoRwF3LXKFUpbsPLtQzxek13TUE3g/w640-h426/IMG_8957.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweet relief from the sun...Hakatere Conservation Area</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Soon I was back at the farm gate and on the last 500 meters back to my car...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimThDQmlaoXroHmPmcNQWR5VQwKTmkB8E-KriLq90SxLS-_2LrLrqbFqEIbPBChT-hoR2hE2yODTGzLHpqDBeVlAPtkkqqgsN8_Iq40w26jtA0yLodNBOe08M1d_5pjbZTCZKmTvEGQNDjaC5_iBxpE8XFJrgTOKCLU5kb8Sry2wodEPo1hs5Ay3h-MA/s6000/IMG_8959.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimThDQmlaoXroHmPmcNQWR5VQwKTmkB8E-KriLq90SxLS-_2LrLrqbFqEIbPBChT-hoR2hE2yODTGzLHpqDBeVlAPtkkqqgsN8_Iq40w26jtA0yLodNBOe08M1d_5pjbZTCZKmTvEGQNDjaC5_iBxpE8XFJrgTOKCLU5kb8Sry2wodEPo1hs5Ay3h-MA/w640-h426/IMG_8959.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Farm gate marks end of Stour Valley Track</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWIoF0Ey0-SYJPCIqesj8Bhy912mUNnSDgMwc7kl6TyZdOS7kL-e8vf9IyDGkxpa6wY-XwQmC3eahnks127Z9mc3k1HmDv07HFX5G_8BpWVsHIZVRAssZ5tKQ1AMD_2eWQMXEEQHM3mzVejz_4xHpZiHz125wEOwpl_ak6bLtcwCXV3FzloiqBqz_Abg/s6000/IMG_8963.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWIoF0Ey0-SYJPCIqesj8Bhy912mUNnSDgMwc7kl6TyZdOS7kL-e8vf9IyDGkxpa6wY-XwQmC3eahnks127Z9mc3k1HmDv07HFX5G_8BpWVsHIZVRAssZ5tKQ1AMD_2eWQMXEEQHM3mzVejz_4xHpZiHz125wEOwpl_ak6bLtcwCXV3FzloiqBqz_Abg/w640-h426/IMG_8963.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heading along Castleridge Station Access Road</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />Here is a curious thing...I passed this Gooseberry bush as I made my way along the Castleridge Station Access Road. It was totally covered in fruit just waiting to go into a pie. There were no other plants like it in the area so I can only assume an errant berry was throw down here and took root. <br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBx0FzhczP64Yjcu7EnYImjjJosB3tLxMyMsdOtgU8eNCvp-RdkXni5lsqJHwhgR99eVD-mXupwpaJNIfWOEImh_Aerhm4fM3x2G-TGBETBhp95vqgfC19DIjNMxIB0G19_cL0ZRt205r_Non2ASyT9pYAPW2xWgBBsSvH3CLOFiF40q0SdPNH9ocHnQ/s6000/IMG_8961.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBx0FzhczP64Yjcu7EnYImjjJosB3tLxMyMsdOtgU8eNCvp-RdkXni5lsqJHwhgR99eVD-mXupwpaJNIfWOEImh_Aerhm4fM3x2G-TGBETBhp95vqgfC19DIjNMxIB0G19_cL0ZRt205r_Non2ASyT9pYAPW2xWgBBsSvH3CLOFiF40q0SdPNH9ocHnQ/w640-h426/IMG_8961.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gooseberry bush along the Castleridge Station access road</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkm3VIHHU8e6Kdzy9MRAo23fezGetZO47DkPsBVoE2vKvEGW6zUyOC8bOwTUFKXnOC8tZB4EdOoGV4fyK4YKs1CKM4E3syXa1B4PllXyovvVqX2wHiO22MWed1YvmM4UW2eUQ6RgPBL_JGxIstWh8F_EK4AdCgrwoB3zcBm8BrHfThrbjxJqMSRiQSHA/s6000/IMG_8965.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkm3VIHHU8e6Kdzy9MRAo23fezGetZO47DkPsBVoE2vKvEGW6zUyOC8bOwTUFKXnOC8tZB4EdOoGV4fyK4YKs1CKM4E3syXa1B4PllXyovvVqX2wHiO22MWed1YvmM4UW2eUQ6RgPBL_JGxIstWh8F_EK4AdCgrwoB3zcBm8BrHfThrbjxJqMSRiQSHA/w640-h426/IMG_8965.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...Silver Surfer comes into view again...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It was a very pleasant walk but I was pleased to finally get back to the car. I was a bit de hydrated, sun burnt and footsore and I sure did enjoy getting out of the sun as I set off for home. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><h4 style="clear: both;">At the Hakatere Crossroads:</h4><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A place you will pass on your way to and from destinations in the Hakatere Conservation Area is Hakatere itself. There is nothing there except a crossroad but it marks the transition point from the sealed Ashburton Gorge Road and the gravel roads in the Hakatere. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2hzAla2xrly2HUkXfDrj5abeV0xt8yVV6jJ9RJfZ3-3X6EAeAyB8EVuIR5F19bKSckLh_-5gULS1nXy-fB-yS1tIszoWvbNzUN-0eoUBiZEMmSW_saPNH_yMfsqhxHoKe9f-KMqOh3-X4nytzLa-bDQf3A3fRtcj4VB642xQto3lYtQqx_ED0XrNusg/s6000/IMG_8970.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2hzAla2xrly2HUkXfDrj5abeV0xt8yVV6jJ9RJfZ3-3X6EAeAyB8EVuIR5F19bKSckLh_-5gULS1nXy-fB-yS1tIszoWvbNzUN-0eoUBiZEMmSW_saPNH_yMfsqhxHoKe9f-KMqOh3-X4nytzLa-bDQf3A3fRtcj4VB642xQto3lYtQqx_ED0XrNusg/w640-h426/IMG_8970.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Intersection of Hakatere-Potts and Hakatere-Heron Road</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;">From the crossroad you can access Lake Clearwater and Mt Sunday along the Hakatere-Potts Road. If you go right here it will take you to Lake Heron Settlement and the northern part of the Hakatere Basin. </div><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDWenxA72KN6t3ZxwAgJ9mc6iKLOZJmj_nrTmMh-4fZl2wmsf88G4De8xiVRTlxTUWtzOgiLI4lGwO0qpR_kQz905nhYkaxWJ6A386I9disg48zTcNebMqSLKfPCfvR2OdVGNkHU4SKXeC5VBgGtTsUH1FCKkXTLXl28AiUTAj9sxrxkwjylDyqNbVSw/s6000/IMG_8971.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDWenxA72KN6t3ZxwAgJ9mc6iKLOZJmj_nrTmMh-4fZl2wmsf88G4De8xiVRTlxTUWtzOgiLI4lGwO0qpR_kQz905nhYkaxWJ6A386I9disg48zTcNebMqSLKfPCfvR2OdVGNkHU4SKXeC5VBgGtTsUH1FCKkXTLXl28AiUTAj9sxrxkwjylDyqNbVSw/w640-h426/IMG_8971.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Turn right to head to Lake Heron, Hakatere Conservation Area</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There is an interesting collection of old farm cottages at the cross roads and this is the location of the original Hakatere Station homestead from the mid 1800's. It is worth spending some time having a look at the various buildings here before setting off back to Christchurch. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyX3a8B1pDtoRsuyQrv5NzTKAQQmK23J9MhJ0yRU_HcszjMpRQ0F30No1X9eLEW9ptPXRzOU96cf_uQ5mMWANmw0pBcO-Ah5y49FOWOt7S4BF_a8EHUfBR7_H2Ay4JO1wjdrPve3C_Rla2kV2iNV2bPjyF8ynMKVYMz--_89N08YGQKIVAr7xnCtV8cA/s4320/IMG_2800.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3240" data-original-width="4320" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyX3a8B1pDtoRsuyQrv5NzTKAQQmK23J9MhJ0yRU_HcszjMpRQ0F30No1X9eLEW9ptPXRzOU96cf_uQ5mMWANmw0pBcO-Ah5y49FOWOt7S4BF_a8EHUfBR7_H2Ay4JO1wjdrPve3C_Rla2kV2iNV2bPjyF8ynMKVYMz--_89N08YGQKIVAr7xnCtV8cA/w640-h480/IMG_2800.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the historic buildings at Hakatere Crossroads</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8IcmF3QyhTaw9H6qggf_kZpHZlYs0WVvEAITEZdfvN78HmB5OUY3UVtj1BHWMa9bZFe7FY5kXcau_kjEOfSGUESul0lQIUdYorrUikE7ekOU87L1TSH6lqC9atus3rPHun6zTbYI_oIr4ZmEDZBqvQD88xCx5gqHCKB9SCxN2LR6U19LCZvZWNcnYHA/s4320/IMG_2802.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3240" data-original-width="4320" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8IcmF3QyhTaw9H6qggf_kZpHZlYs0WVvEAITEZdfvN78HmB5OUY3UVtj1BHWMa9bZFe7FY5kXcau_kjEOfSGUESul0lQIUdYorrUikE7ekOU87L1TSH6lqC9atus3rPHun6zTbYI_oIr4ZmEDZBqvQD88xCx5gqHCKB9SCxN2LR6U19LCZvZWNcnYHA/w640-h480/IMG_2802.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Historic Places plaque at Hakatere Station</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7lvO3KhNGdapoWj8c64AznbraalBWFgSFb2Ctm-R8SUlawIOlZHhMCVroU-V1pB1-joBW-jUX8Epv0GXRyCYUqq2vqYEnHYspf8UK_sW2J_0cbpAa3jyJeBpaqt9730xuVGV2g0w7jfoPy2HqmnrlZKYDarb8BMoEPs3QFjjhVoQkAeFn_r9GzdZTHA/s4320/IMG_2801.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3240" data-original-width="4320" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7lvO3KhNGdapoWj8c64AznbraalBWFgSFb2Ctm-R8SUlawIOlZHhMCVroU-V1pB1-joBW-jUX8Epv0GXRyCYUqq2vqYEnHYspf8UK_sW2J_0cbpAa3jyJeBpaqt9730xuVGV2g0w7jfoPy2HqmnrlZKYDarb8BMoEPs3QFjjhVoQkAeFn_r9GzdZTHA/w640-h480/IMG_2801.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Original Hakatere Homestead at Hakatere Crossroads</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As I have said before there are some great opportunities for getting outdoors in the Hakatere Conservation Area. If you have never visited you must drive up there sometime to see for yourself. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div><b>Access:</b> From Rakaia on SH1 follow Thompsons Track to Tramway Road and Mt Somers village. Join Ashburton Gorge Road to Hakatere Station and then follow Hakatere - Heron Road. There is a Te Araroa sign just before you reach Castleridge Station. </div><div><b>Track Times: </b>MTe Araroa Trail to the ridge overlooking Manuka Stream is 2-3 hours walking. It is approximately 6 kilometers from the Hakatere-Heron Road to the ridge. </div></div><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Miscellaneous:</b><span style="text-align: left;"> It is 12 km's along gravel roads from Hakatere Station to the Te Araroa Trailhead at Castleridge Station. This is in the shadow of the Southern Alps so it is a alpine area with the resultant changeable weather. Access over winter can be blocked by heavy snow and ice. This is a remote area so make sure you have sufficient clothing, equipment and consumables to sustain your stay. </span> </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Jon Moakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14620417636121034748noreply@blogger.com0Ashburton Lakes 7771, New Zealand-43.5358338 171.2543633-71.846067636178844 136.0981133 -15.225599963821153 -153.58938669999998tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2664594284381405400.post-53768821426020497282022-07-04T18:32:00.002-07:002022-07-04T18:32:43.673-07:00Tramping Equipment: Macpac Uber Lite down jacket<h3 style="text-align: center;"> ...My new winter clothing items...</h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here is my latest outdoor equipment purchase the <a href="https://www.macpac.co.nz/macpac-mens-uber-light-down-jacket/114097.html">Macpac Uber Lite</a> down jacket. I brought this recently in the Macpac winter sale and with the sale prices and club membership discount it cost me only $99 New Zealand dollars. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhErUFdKI9KBwvThJfAZ81O4Jqe6g7unMVSigUYz7M9MT1MYmEP0G_NPLP7jv8mtpFQO_GmLB34pXeodekmry182Z-iL4VJ9bNZjHmTJcvkSWgR4sCK5J_BtfKEwciriVFmSPHsGcm63Qf2ls_xfCfxd5L1hHmWc19nUAEsxTTMV7KXZmJnsQGckD8o/s6000/IMG_4223.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhErUFdKI9KBwvThJfAZ81O4Jqe6g7unMVSigUYz7M9MT1MYmEP0G_NPLP7jv8mtpFQO_GmLB34pXeodekmry182Z-iL4VJ9bNZjHmTJcvkSWgR4sCK5J_BtfKEwciriVFmSPHsGcm63Qf2ls_xfCfxd5L1hHmWc19nUAEsxTTMV7KXZmJnsQGckD8o/w640-h426/IMG_4223.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Macpac Uber Lite Jacket</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I have previously owned a down jacket for using on my tramping trips but have not used it for several years as it became too small to fit my body. I could not do the zip up on the front as my advancing years and increasing chonk meant it was too small. You must be able to zip up your down jacket to keep in the air which warms you. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDC-jnYlOQoI_dXp46W6XofJOs2bY-50G_OHIGeYtHYBX-2KFJW0-9K9Ewo677VucMLh8aAz5b_6qKrA-vyxuZpn2ZqFtNPaf8JKsEUawnM88ZUHAerixjI5g5sr2CrzPvbuJY7vT6mGwjmF0t1BsCk30H34WhxRdrGlAESglrrmbItG_gvCzICOYA/s6000/IMG_4225.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDC-jnYlOQoI_dXp46W6XofJOs2bY-50G_OHIGeYtHYBX-2KFJW0-9K9Ewo677VucMLh8aAz5b_6qKrA-vyxuZpn2ZqFtNPaf8JKsEUawnM88ZUHAerixjI5g5sr2CrzPvbuJY7vT6mGwjmF0t1BsCk30H34WhxRdrGlAESglrrmbItG_gvCzICOYA/w640-h426/IMG_4225.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Front zipper on the Uber Lite from Macpac</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">As you would have seen my go to warm layer is a Hunting and Fishing fleece top. these have many good features the best of which is ease of drying, warmth when wet and durability. The main problems with these tops is their bulk and weight...my fleece easily tops 500 gm's. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Down jackets by comparison are super lite weights and pack down to basically nothing. this jacket is around 300 gm's and packs down to the size of a 600ml coke bottle. Down is significantly warmer for weight than fleece but they are useless if wet and are not as robust as your average fleece jacket. </div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQE20m6SDueKfpML8nJJdBWWEnuu62obU-u8-OtC3Z4OQsT8k1TyaPr_QwX0Xcch_SecNt_Z58khbkykazgsdPf8dmy1khqAm875P7FypxEbRt8Geoygbe8hAihLcXEA_eQsJ4RPZrYk4q3TJ45eHDnIH5rqDGC0aelZoPTJTzdggwIMmjJPB5IDpL/s6000/IMG_4226.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQE20m6SDueKfpML8nJJdBWWEnuu62obU-u8-OtC3Z4OQsT8k1TyaPr_QwX0Xcch_SecNt_Z58khbkykazgsdPf8dmy1khqAm875P7FypxEbRt8Geoygbe8hAihLcXEA_eQsJ4RPZrYk4q3TJ45eHDnIH5rqDGC0aelZoPTJTzdggwIMmjJPB5IDpL/w640-h426/IMG_4226.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...the Uber Lite weighs in at 300 gm's...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Here are some specifications about the Uber Lite jacket:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Inner fabric: 100% Nylon</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Fill Type: 90/10 RDS Duck Down</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Fill Power: 650</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Fill Weight(gms): 120 (4XL)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Main Fabric: 100% Nylon</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Weight: 320gms (size 4XL)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The Uber Lite has a main zip up the front of the jacket from waist to neck and a padded collar around the neck to retain heat. It has two external zipped pockets and two internal pockets for gear storage. The fit is loose rather than athletic and sizes range from XS to 4XL in the men's jacket. There are jackets with and without a hood but hooded jackets go to size 20/3XL only!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9UpEkMYXc1AszIKhawY2PNrlZp3CKUUy-C8TwWB0jSE3WNsZtxPGyymViQ060JdFWGGDlCa9T-6tanrkSjYcCcH7xi91BQPh4GASjGEU6dKp4Krne5i1-_POhcZGV4UvRmjk7Dmo_s_O4zDZWNBF4vceyE_ljVNzH8xzTwx3VprTOeEOnrx8uVfBd/s1590/Uber1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1590" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9UpEkMYXc1AszIKhawY2PNrlZp3CKUUy-C8TwWB0jSE3WNsZtxPGyymViQ060JdFWGGDlCa9T-6tanrkSjYcCcH7xi91BQPh4GASjGEU6dKp4Krne5i1-_POhcZGV4UvRmjk7Dmo_s_O4zDZWNBF4vceyE_ljVNzH8xzTwx3VprTOeEOnrx8uVfBd/w426-h640/Uber1.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Macpac Uber lite jacket...front</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNMCO67tRMugTDrdiN5_QVhYueQgOkXoN87tl014czBb27Lx518ib613StkePmrrPGMI8tSUd_HSMWyu6nU6fd_wSl3muy9w34cNOsSNb38MazPMy4HvsCihKtbiYCHoMI3VdYbjmLVecCmdQUD_wLASt7qL3TFuSsxah77cYkAnBK9yIi5wPhJrT8/s1590/Uber2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1590" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNMCO67tRMugTDrdiN5_QVhYueQgOkXoN87tl014czBb27Lx518ib613StkePmrrPGMI8tSUd_HSMWyu6nU6fd_wSl3muy9w34cNOsSNb38MazPMy4HvsCihKtbiYCHoMI3VdYbjmLVecCmdQUD_wLASt7qL3TFuSsxah77cYkAnBK9yIi5wPhJrT8/w426-h640/Uber2.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...zip pockets on the Uber Lite jacket...</td></tr></tbody></table><br />The Uber jacket comes with a nifty waterproof Nylon bag which is the correct size to hold the jacket. Remember...stuff your jacket into the carry bag and do not fold it or roll it. All down products should be stuffed and not folded to prolong life of the insulation. <br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8j8LJeObZBcvxMS_WwXVSKvQDMmju3z2LCDCQs0solMn-WOuQI2YphWg-ggZ1IY6MEA_tQ7fZLjQ8reTYKCzrrwbnRjcCSazuNdafFGmi8g_g78ciqcgHw0kyxBMN1y_b5aczJ8pMEJys4ZYi0ki7GXcogfxM1FqSRVsfxuwMtcvwkXaO5z4trjpz/s1590/Uber3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1590" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8j8LJeObZBcvxMS_WwXVSKvQDMmju3z2LCDCQs0solMn-WOuQI2YphWg-ggZ1IY6MEA_tQ7fZLjQ8reTYKCzrrwbnRjcCSazuNdafFGmi8g_g78ciqcgHw0kyxBMN1y_b5aczJ8pMEJys4ZYi0ki7GXcogfxM1FqSRVsfxuwMtcvwkXaO5z4trjpz/w426-h640/Uber3.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loose fitting through the back...Uber Lite</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">There are four colors with Black/Blue/Olive Oil/Tapestry and I currently own two Uber Lite jackets one in Olive Oil and one in Tapestry. Only the Tapestry and Olive Oil go up to size 24/4XL the black and navy blue variants are only to size 20/3XL...</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6KUlfmukz7n1mDsHnFinW1miX8A9bR9jHddk3q0OMa3dEFuaijL0dfBVIhhLwM0s46Qkk950m7_k-cpj_zUdB8YmeT-rh-NGUpHcCdLnyX_ibCKb8coV_9AHVyr3qbdPUf1bcZiBrKEeyptN9Lz02urNVvGlBelER14VdgzGexLTeXM08NV9bfKyl/s1590/Uber1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1590" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6KUlfmukz7n1mDsHnFinW1miX8A9bR9jHddk3q0OMa3dEFuaijL0dfBVIhhLwM0s46Qkk950m7_k-cpj_zUdB8YmeT-rh-NGUpHcCdLnyX_ibCKb8coV_9AHVyr3qbdPUf1bcZiBrKEeyptN9Lz02urNVvGlBelER14VdgzGexLTeXM08NV9bfKyl/w426-h640/Uber1.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Uber Lite in 'Olive Oil' color...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEfHoJVjkCaGp58qgYYjAvIPdWPVfb7N6HVOblQqZd7CsRDJSUhBx5KudgaIbOVK6OfJ9TOSq7N8N0q3gwK3gWoVeEjEUX1kJM1HgX196IW9gCzzeA7kBhiVUVimP-0fPDkrQBqH54gZp4QrL1pmkfZrlulRNlsyjcghX8uDSTWWsaeHphzuQ716Vl/s1590/Uber4.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1590" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEfHoJVjkCaGp58qgYYjAvIPdWPVfb7N6HVOblQqZd7CsRDJSUhBx5KudgaIbOVK6OfJ9TOSq7N8N0q3gwK3gWoVeEjEUX1kJM1HgX196IW9gCzzeA7kBhiVUVimP-0fPDkrQBqH54gZp4QrL1pmkfZrlulRNlsyjcghX8uDSTWWsaeHphzuQ716Vl/w426-h640/Uber4.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Uber Lite jacket in 'Tapestry'</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I have only worn the jacket a couple of times so far and I find it comfortable, warm and easy to use. I took it with me on my recent Christchurch 360 Trail trip and it worked well. I will put up some photos of the jacket in action once I take it out on some adventures. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbn0JlVFwoNJ0fozW8jfKCozBTw-p-hyZ5z_WTHg0objU6Qh0nbe9FwH0KgwA1iS_G4f36qJ5tj6fiukl24H0q5uGCagz3U-kl-IOtxOkfwC2NI5z9BLxaLxmUppYLQJAaSZ6LAlRl36fbT98GfbQvslGSG0k9QCjYpj5GdpiodtZ3HETylu6Jx2KU/s6000/IMG_4224.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbn0JlVFwoNJ0fozW8jfKCozBTw-p-hyZ5z_WTHg0objU6Qh0nbe9FwH0KgwA1iS_G4f36qJ5tj6fiukl24H0q5uGCagz3U-kl-IOtxOkfwC2NI5z9BLxaLxmUppYLQJAaSZ6LAlRl36fbT98GfbQvslGSG0k9QCjYpj5GdpiodtZ3HETylu6Jx2KU/w640-h426/IMG_4224.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wearing my Uber jacket on the Christchurch 360 Trail</td></tr></tbody></table></div><p style="text-align: center;">Here I am at a park at McCormicks Bay on the way to the end of this section of trail...</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsLqcros_p4svpGW2Y6C9ZHkl-iTcA5Qrfd8NuIzptYMX8acjFlCi1dH0dIth9PCUX-DJFVCoJE7FdyBjatP9LOWYpM-9cN1Q1KAv2aPkgnATyum3itajbmlWfuy3dxfE-4xPme2xPtMu7yy8bLeOk7BaUO2Si2mUvNyCrv_UCp1pfgo88uoFfsaos/s6000/IMG_4227.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsLqcros_p4svpGW2Y6C9ZHkl-iTcA5Qrfd8NuIzptYMX8acjFlCi1dH0dIth9PCUX-DJFVCoJE7FdyBjatP9LOWYpM-9cN1Q1KAv2aPkgnATyum3itajbmlWfuy3dxfE-4xPme2xPtMu7yy8bLeOk7BaUO2Si2mUvNyCrv_UCp1pfgo88uoFfsaos/w640-h426/IMG_4227.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At Indie's Park while walking from Scarborough to Mt Pleasant</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">You are sure to see my Uber Lite jackets going into the future and the next opportunity will probably be when I visit the Able Tasman Coast Track in early August. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p><b>You Tube:</b> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_PKHFh5LIdI">Macpac Uber Lite jacket</a> </p><p><br /></p>Jon Moakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14620417636121034748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2664594284381405400.post-58722957535086645932022-04-20T12:39:00.003-07:002022-06-08T13:48:57.213-07:00Tramping Equipment: Canon M50 Mark II camera<h3 style="text-align: center;">A quick look at my tramping camera...</h3><p style="text-align: center;">I recently upgraded my camera equipment from the older point and shoot camera I had to a new Canon mirrorless camera with more advanced features. I am hoping that the new camera will enable me to produce better quality images for both this blog and my You Tube channel. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiycmTdSpEROeo6NpFSsLUptmq2oS-XpCLdz_dpEFNXlIeheJMfQQkmuFw6jkW31FptGADRJmu2gq0NEbaSqTa_puLJeiv-WXfmuCnL0ZM4m_jfiDZw8N33H0l9l_gDEeAuNiWCeE5SC5n8u8dXNRWT9mIetw1kdluqj_-e2P1gnZYFdoqEAA04ejMi/s6000/IMG_0542.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiycmTdSpEROeo6NpFSsLUptmq2oS-XpCLdz_dpEFNXlIeheJMfQQkmuFw6jkW31FptGADRJmu2gq0NEbaSqTa_puLJeiv-WXfmuCnL0ZM4m_jfiDZw8N33H0l9l_gDEeAuNiWCeE5SC5n8u8dXNRWT9mIetw1kdluqj_-e2P1gnZYFdoqEAA04ejMi/w426-h640/IMG_0542.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Self portrait at Punchbowl Falls in March</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;">I thought I would have a quick look at my camera gear after this new purchase. </p><h4>My old camera gear:</h4><p style="text-align: center;">Up until the last year I have been using a succession of cheap point and shoot cameras I have been buying off Trade Me. The quality of the images from any digital camera made after 2015 are good enough to post on the blog and I was happy to use a simpler camera when tramping. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimZAZyVZyFhZrUUP0bh6nvQXIiYwZObcH4Oyser_NY2t97sAtcBhQSeAIoe4vPhV2cgvwlAnSacRpGP-tEp3H6FU2-B0Qw7o1Ear5V9Me_qqvF-yWKD_ESSoztPotMyaqU5SRInJplogi7w-JkvQGWIWGNp-NAOc8HTgt3W5Xpgl_dBX4Y0iXObQyP/s6000/IMG_1268.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimZAZyVZyFhZrUUP0bh6nvQXIiYwZObcH4Oyser_NY2t97sAtcBhQSeAIoe4vPhV2cgvwlAnSacRpGP-tEp3H6FU2-B0Qw7o1Ear5V9Me_qqvF-yWKD_ESSoztPotMyaqU5SRInJplogi7w-JkvQGWIWGNp-NAOc8HTgt3W5Xpgl_dBX4Y0iXObQyP/w640-h426/IMG_1268.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two of the previous cameras I have used</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;">For the most part I have been using various models of the popular Canon Powershot camera which can be had for anywhere from $40-$100 dollars second hand. They are still excellent cameras and if you want something better than a phone camera this is a good start point. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE2jAa6jjBxWB60rhO_HI2Rso5SVVmDW0XFzIepXCvmvKUjtN9K7jbXJU2XvofiiAYBS2qWhX8_MmOekihR4_QV7Cl0C_9lAwp7NaNJxlt_m-KIAvw9iAU-oykTg7xB_9avk29UaQCQ_K0sPRSsHPcDHOlKTbAp-X2oaksayWJFJ0zR5_-sbDMecCB/s6000/IMG_1270.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE2jAa6jjBxWB60rhO_HI2Rso5SVVmDW0XFzIepXCvmvKUjtN9K7jbXJU2XvofiiAYBS2qWhX8_MmOekihR4_QV7Cl0C_9lAwp7NaNJxlt_m-KIAvw9iAU-oykTg7xB_9avk29UaQCQ_K0sPRSsHPcDHOlKTbAp-X2oaksayWJFJ0zR5_-sbDMecCB/w640-h426/IMG_1270.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An older Canon SX170IS digital camera</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;">This was fine when I only needed photos for my blog but once I started my <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuQahS20roJ5Zd2QxCBdGag">NZ Bush Adventures</a> channel on You Tube I needed to up date my equipment. The main problem is that older digital cameras will only film in 720p HD which is not high enough quality for good You Tube production. </p><p style="text-align: center;">The number relates to the number of pixels...720p is fine for photos but the standard for video is now 1080, 2820 or 4 K. Filming in Fine High Definition (FHD) means clearer, sharper video with better color saturation. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzFPG945Srltn_wU1LKnjdofGrWUntI2iedBcGAYqroe-G2Am8-FzepvM9v6en6HL6K8n4eFlq7lSNT0emTKMIkxevUVSzEBN4_Aj-UC2we17Ehh7KgEQB7SDghNMTxUQJYa43ojPupfD5Sp_LWMb4dOdFANwFiZ_-7AzsVfDAayXbWRqIxn3Fj7Tk/s6000/IMG_1269.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzFPG945Srltn_wU1LKnjdofGrWUntI2iedBcGAYqroe-G2Am8-FzepvM9v6en6HL6K8n4eFlq7lSNT0emTKMIkxevUVSzEBN4_Aj-UC2we17Ehh7KgEQB7SDghNMTxUQJYa43ojPupfD5Sp_LWMb4dOdFANwFiZ_-7AzsVfDAayXbWRqIxn3Fj7Tk/w640-h426/IMG_1269.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Canon SX410 would only film in 720p HD</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;">I have been unable to find a second hand camera that was cheap enough and also took at least 1080 FHD film and photos. After much research I decided I needed to bite the bullet and invest in some brand new photo equipment to drag me into the second decade of the 21st century.</p><h4>Canon M50 Mark II:</h4><p style="text-align: center;">My new camera is a Canon M50 Mark II. This is a mirrorless camera with interchangeable lenses and the ability to add other photography equipment like tripods, microphones, lights, filters and lens hoods. This camera is in the style of a DSLR but on a smaller scale...lighter, more compact but with the features of a full frame camera. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDx8t1KEdTxYp1gRktSUM_T3vFf87RG5w88WPowuTr5modjyIulJLZ1j555laKDPJxZ1f41rX9CPDddMNjQjmZ3ExYgMRfuz0zlcRzeVWliUAOc81n8mUW0MHXp32dVZO2Daz8HcIQMiLxMEZoin-mCtmUfbjtrhI6z79mUcp2Dz0I58WU6S3LjKYd/s800/M50A.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDx8t1KEdTxYp1gRktSUM_T3vFf87RG5w88WPowuTr5modjyIulJLZ1j555laKDPJxZ1f41rX9CPDddMNjQjmZ3ExYgMRfuz0zlcRzeVWliUAOc81n8mUW0MHXp32dVZO2Daz8HcIQMiLxMEZoin-mCtmUfbjtrhI6z79mUcp2Dz0I58WU6S3LjKYd/w640-h640/M50A.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Canon M50 Mark II mirrorless camera</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I have upgraded so that the quality of both my photos and videos are better. The new camera allows me to make use of a range of specific lenses suited to different conditions and particular subjects. It is also able to film in 1080 FHD and 4 K so the quality of the films are a lot better...sharper, greater focus and color corrected.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrfkfDHcgf5PzeMCs0jz9XyOs1dvhrcyvyB7U4oSWAAiDKtWK8jMtvFuFazDko8BhTunCJZs5hdP9TCYGCDY_pP9sg-u3_wyk9_F70xAXxdLYYzZfwXQOxf7rdjPwyxtUKAco4mXZIPfOXmXUTxAWMwSLT44oTPye4FeD5E73IoLn3FCRUfQUXCnZB/s750/0e522-canon-eos-m50-top-view.webp" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="440" data-original-width="750" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrfkfDHcgf5PzeMCs0jz9XyOs1dvhrcyvyB7U4oSWAAiDKtWK8jMtvFuFazDko8BhTunCJZs5hdP9TCYGCDY_pP9sg-u3_wyk9_F70xAXxdLYYzZfwXQOxf7rdjPwyxtUKAco4mXZIPfOXmXUTxAWMwSLT44oTPye4FeD5E73IoLn3FCRUfQUXCnZB/w640-h376/0e522-canon-eos-m50-top-view.webp" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Canon M50 Mark II...view of the top controls</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: center;">The M50 is one of the more commonly used cameras for vlogging as it has many of the ideal features to make it good at this role. In particular the ability to film in 4 K, the flip screen, image stabilization, touch screen, ability to change lenses and plug for a exterior microphone. I'm still coming to terms with using it as I am not a photographer (yet) but the potential is obvious. </p><p><br /></p><h4>Ancillary camera equipment:</h4><div style="text-align: center;">While the M50 is fine right out of the box a few ancillary items will make it more useful and easier to use. I am slowly acquiring all of the equipment I need to make the best use of the camera and this will be an ongoing task as photography gear is heinously expensive here in New Zealand. I will look at a couple of items I have already brought....</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><i>Camera Bag:</i></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I purchased a new Lowe camera bag to hold some of the gear I need to have to make the most of the camera. The one I brought is large enough to hold the camera itself, a couple of extra batteries and some SD cards. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKcvdQS_JzQLC0jhVYs4P3wikxzpoNCQsTj_CpuwS0ixyr8_pc8zYWI2CugtaEt6IWPVuzf5uNOgR_2bRobzOWCa6kqmkvU61mNzy6w2V0IHL_5SJvzlIpieV8JQr0EFkZXVlFNUJnIQDRECVksq2OBqVxChiR2PygxTK_tvxqaJLlV3Ba39JaBcHW/s765/LowePro.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="765" data-original-width="765" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKcvdQS_JzQLC0jhVYs4P3wikxzpoNCQsTj_CpuwS0ixyr8_pc8zYWI2CugtaEt6IWPVuzf5uNOgR_2bRobzOWCa6kqmkvU61mNzy6w2V0IHL_5SJvzlIpieV8JQr0EFkZXVlFNUJnIQDRECVksq2OBqVxChiR2PygxTK_tvxqaJLlV3Ba39JaBcHW/w640-h640/LowePro.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My LowePro camera bag</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The bag has one large pocket for the camera and several smaller one for other gear and fits on the hip belt of both of my main tramping packs. </div><div><br /></div><div><i>Microphone:</i></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">One of the features of the Canon M50 is a port for an exterior microphone...a vital part of a vlogging rig. Some commentators believe that the audio is more important than the film itself so a good quality microphone is a vital piece of equipment. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM3d80XDWM5kMSuzMPZPvP01hiCrMOIpeD_Db2EMKH8ObG6xzuiZ-Xlr962c0vggb_lBKsEGNYFh6JZxd6zoX7FqgiTksY8Zb_SrWMrY2BOyZ5UGPByPWwRYLnZdaGX_JkyHrYe-5o1UjLfv3f57JBBPAawbyIZ0in2yRAFq3eWPY_iVcJkHUP-fvK/s6000/IMG_1263.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM3d80XDWM5kMSuzMPZPvP01hiCrMOIpeD_Db2EMKH8ObG6xzuiZ-Xlr962c0vggb_lBKsEGNYFh6JZxd6zoX7FqgiTksY8Zb_SrWMrY2BOyZ5UGPByPWwRYLnZdaGX_JkyHrYe-5o1UjLfv3f57JBBPAawbyIZ0in2yRAFq3eWPY_iVcJkHUP-fvK/w640-h426/IMG_1263.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Boya microphone kit</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I brought a Boya microphone off Trade Me for a very acceptable price...it is a Cardioid type with a fluffy wind sock to cut wind noise. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEialrM0S8kSUXcOYpXlUISGhvJI-v1xIxK-MZ1FmBFCiHwyc1TM6RFV_WtUo6yGReqhc_yfYVTa4ilVNuemWtBuQTCKwpY1EhDym9hO70jI9zj3KsCqYOmypv-PVnsMNk4EaD7s9Z6KyBFrc6qm-Qsc7WUYsaRH9Gh8ptUo66gNSuiQkWie3icggylF/s6000/IMG_1272.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEialrM0S8kSUXcOYpXlUISGhvJI-v1xIxK-MZ1FmBFCiHwyc1TM6RFV_WtUo6yGReqhc_yfYVTa4ilVNuemWtBuQTCKwpY1EhDym9hO70jI9zj3KsCqYOmypv-PVnsMNk4EaD7s9Z6KyBFrc6qm-Qsc7WUYsaRH9Gh8ptUo66gNSuiQkWie3icggylF/w640-h426/IMG_1272.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boya Cardioid microphone model BY-MM1</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I have used it on several of my vlog posts and it will eventually become a piece of gear I always carry with me. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><i>Filters/hoods:</i></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Filters are basically like sunglasses for your camera and help deal with intense sunlight which might over expose your photos. There are a variety of types and a range of companies making filters for any size and type of lens. I brought a set of filters for the M50 from a company called K&F Concepts...available through Trade Me.</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixAiTF4h2Ca9QklwqOz4-ffFoACM_OKZGQbj-zCgQ2-dqeIrhR25LFPdxCb4OzZiqwKR4QchaLDO7UxlRDkpUQxdLrMOnl8dxWLj9THOYEwfAABt-Mu_C0By0mC35wap4u4-7xV0AEsGFTa91HOWXqfLoCNX_uC_n-UjPsTvLuUyvZzD4TGTnQYuMm/s6000/IMG_1261.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixAiTF4h2Ca9QklwqOz4-ffFoACM_OKZGQbj-zCgQ2-dqeIrhR25LFPdxCb4OzZiqwKR4QchaLDO7UxlRDkpUQxdLrMOnl8dxWLj9THOYEwfAABt-Mu_C0By0mC35wap4u4-7xV0AEsGFTa91HOWXqfLoCNX_uC_n-UjPsTvLuUyvZzD4TGTnQYuMm/w640-h426/IMG_1261.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Various filters: Carry wallet, UV, variable ND and solid ND</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;">The set included a UV filter to enhance photographs of water, a variable filter with the ability to decrease/increase the darkness level and a solid dark filter for extreme sunlight. I also have a lens hood for the camera to stop sunlight flares off the lens.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjsESvIhWt_QHxZuuPgK0jeFwIUjHVPmDfYYnDv4CU9ARXp3aiMHjSpWZlgKBAehCtP-QL549Ra0VFhmXEjgFldcdh9C79-S-lT-F3EoR5Tm4pf5pEawrcukrwGeyjtTsLQVcczUpSKlPN6ZW7eI8mza43Dz9drgVR5XXg5xj1eAo4W21stljXARSr/s6000/IMG_1267.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjsESvIhWt_QHxZuuPgK0jeFwIUjHVPmDfYYnDv4CU9ARXp3aiMHjSpWZlgKBAehCtP-QL549Ra0VFhmXEjgFldcdh9C79-S-lT-F3EoR5Tm4pf5pEawrcukrwGeyjtTsLQVcczUpSKlPN6ZW7eI8mza43Dz9drgVR5XXg5xj1eAo4W21stljXARSr/w640-h426/IMG_1267.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Various caps for camera and spare lenses</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Additionally I have a series of lens caps to protect the fragile contact points on my kit lens and my EF 35-80 lens. </div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>EF to EF-M lens Adaptor:</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;">An EF to EF-M adaptor allows you to use full frame lenses on a mirrorless camera thus gaining some of the advantages of using the larger lens. I have an older DSLR with a couple of EF lenses so buying this adaptor meant I could make use of the existing lenses I already had.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju6ZbpQ_vSLp8PW8DQRMsOG-18T6YzEiWbnVydKwrcN3W1tYLcMkp72Av3vFwxwqKCLPOeulH1fi9kyTNAd5Y2vabI8wmWpiLi5OKZNScMME0MtjLbhO-I9yG2qMMwePmpNf1Y9MbxEh3ezv-qxfqxechyqRmx8WCh_W57y_9Xla83GxT9ARbNpdGC/s1060/EFtoEFM.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="836" data-original-width="1060" height="504" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju6ZbpQ_vSLp8PW8DQRMsOG-18T6YzEiWbnVydKwrcN3W1tYLcMkp72Av3vFwxwqKCLPOeulH1fi9kyTNAd5Y2vabI8wmWpiLi5OKZNScMME0MtjLbhO-I9yG2qMMwePmpNf1Y9MbxEh3ezv-qxfqxechyqRmx8WCh_W57y_9Xla83GxT9ARbNpdGC/w640-h504/EFtoEFM.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Canon EF to EF-M lens adapter</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">There are a lot of second hand EF lenses on the market as they have been the Canon standard for the last 20 years so I will gradually acquire some new or second hand lenses to enhance my photography kit. </div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>Spare batteries:</i></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">You only get the one camera battery with the M50 kit so I have purchased three additional off brand batteries for the M50. I also purchased a USB type battery charger so I can re charge them from my power bank in the field. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7c4IvT-SJ6ughult07b7Nq8KnS5LZmHF3s_2OGeRZwsfwur5v3w1Ab8Vp9IgBng8uRKusWKq99PTS-GVA5BQy--5XxaUQoyKK_KU4RkSnxCF-3CYueWjSFTs-seYMGjMFknCqyWI2_0QPCIw4qkqxM1LTeIN3bA_jtKKVqg4WFCqr3n7mDyGcH1PN/s6000/IMG_1266.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7c4IvT-SJ6ughult07b7Nq8KnS5LZmHF3s_2OGeRZwsfwur5v3w1Ab8Vp9IgBng8uRKusWKq99PTS-GVA5BQy--5XxaUQoyKK_KU4RkSnxCF-3CYueWjSFTs-seYMGjMFknCqyWI2_0QPCIw4qkqxM1LTeIN3bA_jtKKVqg4WFCqr3n7mDyGcH1PN/w640-h426/IMG_1266.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My USB charger and spare batteries</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;">With the kit battery and three spares I should have enough battery power for 4-5 days without recharge. </div><div><br /></div><div><h4>My camera gear list:</h4><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here is a complete list of the equipment I have for the camera at this stage. </div><div><br /></div><div>Canon M50 Mark II, with 14-45 EF-M kit lens*</div><div>Canon EF to EF-M lens adaptor (allows me to use EF lenses on a EF-M camera)</div><div>Canon 35-80 EF lens (I already owned this lens from a previous DSLR camera)</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCuHmGGChb4p5grZd5RPZTBJUU33mOqwZhGIgoTkXJBhMOfvPGKF4DzG_aw-rMOKnq5SYX8JfIod-Ee2trh0S9-xbyftzIDR9thlG3gmn2XqOWryc-gqiq0EltuGdetmOTkyj4nv_xNynezlQ5J2tb7ZrM6oFab4pSB1dwxtdF5bt0kpbRhSOfutYk/s6000/IMG_1279.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCuHmGGChb4p5grZd5RPZTBJUU33mOqwZhGIgoTkXJBhMOfvPGKF4DzG_aw-rMOKnq5SYX8JfIod-Ee2trh0S9-xbyftzIDR9thlG3gmn2XqOWryc-gqiq0EltuGdetmOTkyj4nv_xNynezlQ5J2tb7ZrM6oFab4pSB1dwxtdF5bt0kpbRhSOfutYk/w640-h426/IMG_1279.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...a Canon 35-80 EF lens I already owned....</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Canon lens hood (49mm)*</div><div><br /></div><div>LowePro Camera Bag</div><div><br /></div><div>K&F Filter set (49mm) (MCUV/ND adaptive/Polarizing filter)</div><div><br /></div><div>Boya Cardioid microphone set*</div><div><br /></div><div>4X LH12E batteries* plus a USB type charger</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoy5UaSuorte50dXgVfGJB2qVndQuz4MU00t_xCj9REMy5cm6yGXKUCxPHSZBOfXV907quOni19pPw0DKYzT-7Iu9e_2VXxv62ru3WmLXjhllb9BYuFtw7cb_QPm5HRrEKdy3jteA_azzMOQdbLLyEXazu5JepYSNJ-D8maSdVqCyZxmfG7QPAPT6b/s6000/IMG_1262.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoy5UaSuorte50dXgVfGJB2qVndQuz4MU00t_xCj9REMy5cm6yGXKUCxPHSZBOfXV907quOni19pPw0DKYzT-7Iu9e_2VXxv62ru3WmLXjhllb9BYuFtw7cb_QPm5HRrEKdy3jteA_azzMOQdbLLyEXazu5JepYSNJ-D8maSdVqCyZxmfG7QPAPT6b/w640-h426/IMG_1262.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You will need cleaning tools for your camera</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I usually just carry the camera, kit lens and microphone (*) on my tramps...the other equipment I take as and when required. I could use a portrait lens (fixed 50mm) and a 12-22 EF lens for my vlogs but they will require time to acquire as a decent lens is from $400-$900 in New Zealand. </div><div><br /></div><br /><h4>A selection of example photos...</h4><div style="text-align: center;">I have been using the camera for a couple of weeks now and have included a couple of photographs to give you an idea of the images I can capture with this camera. The greatest increase has been on my vlogs so have a look at my <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuQahS20roJ5Zd2QxCBdGag">You Tube channel</a> to see the change in quality. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt8jQv5leaxv0ywKsFs9L074LZhIe1a7A4rFfl3Grdea5WVg_1PNoObkj7rwv25qWrb_-J8aqgZsBKfjl32gI7CiCqzZTL_pIpQoG572XYIdqlpz1RL2P4AaCyY2ahtImpJ2u16XVHM0Ivkr0qhjmQlpQcFZQW81xKZfjc-6AbnQp4DLCN2eE4THqY/s6000/IMG_0124.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt8jQv5leaxv0ywKsFs9L074LZhIe1a7A4rFfl3Grdea5WVg_1PNoObkj7rwv25qWrb_-J8aqgZsBKfjl32gI7CiCqzZTL_pIpQoG572XYIdqlpz1RL2P4AaCyY2ahtImpJ2u16XVHM0Ivkr0qhjmQlpQcFZQW81xKZfjc-6AbnQp4DLCN2eE4THqY/w640-h426/IMG_0124.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Otamahua/Quail Island from Gilpins Track</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg22xVwoIvb_mZWNVP3-vfXP01mYhiMKi69ELWMiydGeTO0Jai3MQZiT9L9Tm1_rWF7hfIt71U4qfBtpidLmXKpYxcbc17m0ZHPhN0usSM8qZ5TX-EnROjkXSlA8xbNYbQJKDdxy8rEyCdlkO8OUBt3lXL5fPdk1Ayg1sxMq9QszBbswV_0I6JOwL58/s6000/IMG_0147.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg22xVwoIvb_mZWNVP3-vfXP01mYhiMKi69ELWMiydGeTO0Jai3MQZiT9L9Tm1_rWF7hfIt71U4qfBtpidLmXKpYxcbc17m0ZHPhN0usSM8qZ5TX-EnROjkXSlA8xbNYbQJKDdxy8rEyCdlkO8OUBt3lXL5fPdk1Ayg1sxMq9QszBbswV_0I6JOwL58/w640-h426/IMG_0147.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lyttleton Harbor and Mt Herbert</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqYckcXUjtEHDvW3kI-KadIUH4u4OL0IRuoPyT2Ms0oHheoIDUesvuqILdqZhfIO9C42TXbKzw7ejb5IvochlpsA4EmNDj1WRBSm96Qk8J6jRXI_s0jIQAzjLjPIQ2PkNa8fK06rKFYERC5d4Ux0IbTwCmkrVZ1t_oxbgQNO_B2k6x91pyFgWBtKMS/s6000/IMG_0841.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqYckcXUjtEHDvW3kI-KadIUH4u4OL0IRuoPyT2Ms0oHheoIDUesvuqILdqZhfIO9C42TXbKzw7ejb5IvochlpsA4EmNDj1WRBSm96Qk8J6jRXI_s0jIQAzjLjPIQ2PkNa8fK06rKFYERC5d4Ux0IbTwCmkrVZ1t_oxbgQNO_B2k6x91pyFgWBtKMS/w640-h426/IMG_0841.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A photo taken up the Otira Valley on the M50</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfOrdpknuluB3WRn31SfSU5Uv_vdvzblyjAf7qOwu322Khve_WP5JYJW_xr7VD7GaAR32E1wTaUm5LEReA_3aVL1milZkoJyclDj7oWi_-XsDTu5jWAZpY4mnM3QEXwCf2ZX9Zze_r-WK6wBgEDehAQTprK7gvpmQXholZeM-IT09WySJi0PrF8Pvt/s6000/IMG_0847.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfOrdpknuluB3WRn31SfSU5Uv_vdvzblyjAf7qOwu322Khve_WP5JYJW_xr7VD7GaAR32E1wTaUm5LEReA_3aVL1milZkoJyclDj7oWi_-XsDTu5jWAZpY4mnM3QEXwCf2ZX9Zze_r-WK6wBgEDehAQTprK7gvpmQXholZeM-IT09WySJi0PrF8Pvt/w640-h426/IMG_0847.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A photo taken up the Otira Valley on the M50</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmXaNjfwJzycdKfP-I52e5AheL0tEzq__fQlNbI3lPl1tonIS8h8f6dP5AgRpXPCcctjqEsZzfQNh2yriwiUpRX_0KguImn5JDrTzxtJNDSTzU5_YcvY6VhKbH6ZKLZYaicEJ-eZb2sXEbQTmfByIn8Tvp-VxMfSKuzOi2W2QxeKLSwpaa0VwKCyY8/s6000/IMG_0319.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmXaNjfwJzycdKfP-I52e5AheL0tEzq__fQlNbI3lPl1tonIS8h8f6dP5AgRpXPCcctjqEsZzfQNh2yriwiUpRX_0KguImn5JDrTzxtJNDSTzU5_YcvY6VhKbH6ZKLZYaicEJ-eZb2sXEbQTmfByIn8Tvp-VxMfSKuzOi2W2QxeKLSwpaa0VwKCyY8/w640-h426/IMG_0319.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">North face of Mt Rolleston from Bealey Valley</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7QNJYvGB_wBwgbSEZb59exUu8qKz4a_ZbGpX1R7WXPCNdFXJPm3jz377phWzsPwWKracnl8elfoRUtlj0e4N_vyV3BLtBrxQJaHprBdstv9eUA8m7N75PW1o2cmCqIqZUkCMI8BBcj-isjfIOW2to8So1BWHizZXlk-O2NgFCbej9SBiXg9UmJ0jI/s6000/IMG_0496.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7QNJYvGB_wBwgbSEZb59exUu8qKz4a_ZbGpX1R7WXPCNdFXJPm3jz377phWzsPwWKracnl8elfoRUtlj0e4N_vyV3BLtBrxQJaHprBdstv9eUA8m7N75PW1o2cmCqIqZUkCMI8BBcj-isjfIOW2to8So1BWHizZXlk-O2NgFCbej9SBiXg9UmJ0jI/w640-h426/IMG_0496.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">South Island Robin</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAbCzRQuMFT4FJSuAQbIU12pWpKC8xjGM2dTigsflIcSbH6lL6aHDiUlML3sC7Iiw2z5dEYoJRRU8TwA5nv9TbLnHWB74IfABcKu9sdjOiDZbB1UvSpKG9j8j8Nwr6ZFIU6796zjAcpP0Z5_yMZVlBAL6w75AoK4kD0wXPE9nPiaoohDW1FnWg19iv/s6000/IMG_0497.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAbCzRQuMFT4FJSuAQbIU12pWpKC8xjGM2dTigsflIcSbH6lL6aHDiUlML3sC7Iiw2z5dEYoJRRU8TwA5nv9TbLnHWB74IfABcKu9sdjOiDZbB1UvSpKG9j8j8Nwr6ZFIU6796zjAcpP0Z5_yMZVlBAL6w75AoK4kD0wXPE9nPiaoohDW1FnWg19iv/w640-h426/IMG_0497.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">South Island Robin</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLT3S9puYXXnFk2cCdj4ltSUjrWUGZK8o9-MbVFxs3taTSjVDyz4kibQmMXsnVwhlTvBicFS3K_imiOPla_HU5kcfFpSCd0q1aPUp3PSNta5m3jNGmUMWfhPQCO-lEmv71iADyU5UKZee2AL0-374v3OzkutqWEshV4RoeqFSebNi3tmsVNVpGSmif/s6000/IMG_0601.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLT3S9puYXXnFk2cCdj4ltSUjrWUGZK8o9-MbVFxs3taTSjVDyz4kibQmMXsnVwhlTvBicFS3K_imiOPla_HU5kcfFpSCd0q1aPUp3PSNta5m3jNGmUMWfhPQCO-lEmv71iADyU5UKZee2AL0-374v3OzkutqWEshV4RoeqFSebNi3tmsVNVpGSmif/w640-h426/IMG_0601.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bealey River from the bridge near the village</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I am slowly learning about digital photography but you can already see that using a quality camera can bring improvement to my blog images and vlogs. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Jon Moakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14620417636121034748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2664594284381405400.post-37267476166374069572022-02-07T13:29:00.003-08:002022-02-07T13:29:47.073-08:00A pack for every adventure...<p> </p><h3 style="text-align: center;"> My three most used backpacks...</h3><p style="text-align: center;">I am a bit of a gear collector and have quite a good selection of outdoor equipment to take on my adventures around the country. While your basic gear load may be the same each trip I believe that individual trips will require some specific gear for a safe and comfortable experience. Items like food, packs, sleeping bags, tents and clothing will vary with the conditions you expect to face. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgw6qLg6Y0A3zODKZz3FN_6AWzrUnCqpqvCX-f_7o26aRdwdvQZOFgbOdbVGK_WgZ0B2qnZJKFzeFQMxWmTRPsR3AYgYW5WuMeGDVUuBCjPtAME7mKZnsP5npbWVYmQztcnYx1rW82K_a7IwSyq-TH30t_tzFxQg5E9nf91ken3ArEJTp9diBbEhejp=s4000" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgw6qLg6Y0A3zODKZz3FN_6AWzrUnCqpqvCX-f_7o26aRdwdvQZOFgbOdbVGK_WgZ0B2qnZJKFzeFQMxWmTRPsR3AYgYW5WuMeGDVUuBCjPtAME7mKZnsP5npbWVYmQztcnYx1rW82K_a7IwSyq-TH30t_tzFxQg5E9nf91ken3ArEJTp9diBbEhejp=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My standard day trip load...</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;">I have multiple tents, cookers, sleeping bags and packs which I tailor to a particular trip. When it comes to packs I currently own five decent packs with sizes ranging from 40 liters right up to 75 liters. This gives me the ability to choose a backpack that will best fit the type of trip I am planning. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg0uSRNaPO7ZmjO1h0QoZ8N2R_nLSHxGuV_TRkbB97jTqNPUNFF-28sQqCskxaLmMqs7cD-IFohL1uCmpOytvtLYotp6VRqZC2rrFzUWwNDj5tSEbwv3T_o6Izj2VAy64w6PrjupwxgCJKfi57xhkBsOndyS7zK_hqaSqJKdgN35s_r_-jIYeLsBbaC=s4320" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3240" data-original-width="4320" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg0uSRNaPO7ZmjO1h0QoZ8N2R_nLSHxGuV_TRkbB97jTqNPUNFF-28sQqCskxaLmMqs7cD-IFohL1uCmpOytvtLYotp6VRqZC2rrFzUWwNDj5tSEbwv3T_o6Izj2VAy64w6PrjupwxgCJKfi57xhkBsOndyS7zK_hqaSqJKdgN35s_r_-jIYeLsBbaC=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rainbow Reach on the Kepler Track...Atmos AG 50</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;">What I find though is that I keep using three main bags as between them one or the other will fulfill every need I may have. The three packs are the Vaude Brenta 40, the Osprey Atmos 50 AG and the Osprey Volt 75. </p><p><br /></p><h4>Vaude Brenta 40l: </h4><div><i>Used for: </i>Day trips, overnight trips:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I am a big fan of Vaude products and I currently own three Vaude backpacks ranging in size from 40 liters to 65+10 liters. Vaude is a well regarded German outdoor equipment manufacturer and their tents, sleeping bags and packs are some of the best in the world. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgq6RbZMLCD_koRmA3bedhx-gfmxNJuyRO5VJt9xy4jGCUb6Ujo9DsUyF3Ymd2DDAmu162dI_iqpoQTl3rUZh9yv__vLvV44Oxt_aGqac-9WwN6glm6GtoP4GWYGCW14FSlUgs2vOaUcqMWxu3keObS8XKSPF5mo0QEWBlKtqx0mGyboga8iOSI7q7W=s1024" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgq6RbZMLCD_koRmA3bedhx-gfmxNJuyRO5VJt9xy4jGCUb6Ujo9DsUyF3Ymd2DDAmu162dI_iqpoQTl3rUZh9yv__vLvV44Oxt_aGqac-9WwN6glm6GtoP4GWYGCW14FSlUgs2vOaUcqMWxu3keObS8XKSPF5mo0QEWBlKtqx0mGyboga8iOSI7q7W=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I also own a Vaude Astra 65+10 pack....</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjBgmIDNLAjn6XyxTTd62XcpEl4uZew8V-xb5k0KU2p32rH0gJx8u4qN4pmzBKAgUgwtmj3o7739DAu71JeUfk6eLzwYJ3qcQn-0O7oVO5ZZs24oGDMbfaWCg7_bWgwAvR6wDK2Ygpx4fl2R5Kl-TEod84jOJqaUKjeTjYr1gDBCFl6MfhCXAABkT3B=s4000" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjBgmIDNLAjn6XyxTTd62XcpEl4uZew8V-xb5k0KU2p32rH0gJx8u4qN4pmzBKAgUgwtmj3o7739DAu71JeUfk6eLzwYJ3qcQn-0O7oVO5ZZs24oGDMbfaWCg7_bWgwAvR6wDK2Ygpx4fl2R5Kl-TEod84jOJqaUKjeTjYr1gDBCFl6MfhCXAABkT3B=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...and a Vaude Brenta 50l pack...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I have one of their lighter backpacks which I use for short overnight trips and as my day tramping bag. This is the Brenta 40l pack and it has all of the features of its bigger 65 and 75 liter cousins. It is really a bit big for day trips unless I need to haul a lot of warm gear, ice axes or crampons. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjIwwVFCA3gXqDE7r393r1-PYQsZEXVXnWUKi_5jllk8kNIIiz2Bug067PIoKT60uDpHvzMhnpXsDOFbkyEhzHNdPO-EALERXZXAssca31cLIOdcXS5wk3EPrkTAzkgsF4yNGa0KcY9e4A55ZaDEAd9QCgQWrvNnEhKcMjgyNc9vxCy0_ygnOoiQ3VG=s768" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="768" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjIwwVFCA3gXqDE7r393r1-PYQsZEXVXnWUKi_5jllk8kNIIiz2Bug067PIoKT60uDpHvzMhnpXsDOFbkyEhzHNdPO-EALERXZXAssca31cLIOdcXS5wk3EPrkTAzkgsF4yNGa0KcY9e4A55ZaDEAd9QCgQWrvNnEhKcMjgyNc9vxCy0_ygnOoiQ3VG=w640-h640" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vaude Brenta 40l pack is also red</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here is what I usually carry in the Brenta 40 for a typical day trip...clothing, safety equipment, wet weather gear and water. Added to this would be food for the day including some snacks, lunch and drink powders. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEguzzDu9rnfUtPd93HdL27eh2Bg2sbuYeRDrpSz3osOEuqKXHytw5IJ-tNqRxnsVKy2UQA7Ssa-3y7EbUysIWuDmeYG0DayJrK6DE40HRoez76bBZTvaPxnzvFRi4500NBEMiFh4HpuvicCfPplXvxLHr3cE4Ts_oapnc1zyFa8aREUA3-DqzaTfm3O=s4000" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEguzzDu9rnfUtPd93HdL27eh2Bg2sbuYeRDrpSz3osOEuqKXHytw5IJ-tNqRxnsVKy2UQA7Ssa-3y7EbUysIWuDmeYG0DayJrK6DE40HRoez76bBZTvaPxnzvFRi4500NBEMiFh4HpuvicCfPplXvxLHr3cE4Ts_oapnc1zyFa8aREUA3-DqzaTfm3O=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Vaude Brenta 40 with a typical day trip load</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I have been using the Brenta 40 for four years now and it is an excellent pack. It has a really good harness system and provided you don't overload it it is comfortable for many hours. Ventilation is excellent and it is tough enough to take a few knocks without compromising its structure. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhHhyYFJJpju3H9m7W2pJKEAes1_hX_dTldszB9zs2_WNZ3mjFWeYtU68PwdOT1h_sBjqIBuifXIuvpBOQQo3zUleCTEQ9BzrBMaQWaMD1FZlfjpSCRwRQ9DA0ljA4isBWOsoTpiVFakk50ltSfgPZ24nktjVORaWstw1OXOp0PrAab9kQGtqCkBMd-=s782" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="345" data-original-width="782" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhHhyYFJJpju3H9m7W2pJKEAes1_hX_dTldszB9zs2_WNZ3mjFWeYtU68PwdOT1h_sBjqIBuifXIuvpBOQQo3zUleCTEQ9BzrBMaQWaMD1FZlfjpSCRwRQ9DA0ljA4isBWOsoTpiVFakk50ltSfgPZ24nktjVORaWstw1OXOp0PrAab9kQGtqCkBMd-=w640-h282" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Brenta has an integral rain-cover contained in a small pocket on the bottom of the tent although I always carry my gear in a plastic bag to stop water ingress. No pack is totally waterproof despite what outdoor companies tell you and it is awful to need warm dry clothing and open your bag to find it is all soaking wet. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjS4Js2IBQhVxErOrGhvfJhtaY0JDcwH291nkMst2txHLtQW9mGT0OIl1B-UBwIaBIhRGmEj-9f7usEAhMoI_jxNMuSUnhCn98VhYTNGHvtB3Cji-wvdBihvixALZu18O50ZD8U6M-O-QzrTYr3d5GtUDUo3tlgJZmFn3uQjgWhKl54zH34nb2pAulJ=s4320" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3240" data-original-width="4320" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjS4Js2IBQhVxErOrGhvfJhtaY0JDcwH291nkMst2txHLtQW9mGT0OIl1B-UBwIaBIhRGmEj-9f7usEAhMoI_jxNMuSUnhCn98VhYTNGHvtB3Cji-wvdBihvixALZu18O50ZD8U6M-O-QzrTYr3d5GtUDUo3tlgJZmFn3uQjgWhKl54zH34nb2pAulJ=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Atop Mt Herbert in 2021 on a windy day</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj_wh31-nSaXm2YQi_DRuVEExUOfAkhvGWIqlgrH4jCib_hr0bMyPIe6TfLWpJIxZY5IfKXJe0mngTHewlVkig7IThcyLnHpx6Hxc-HmSKEXZVwzsewaLl5v88yisKpCzyyopY9vhHqDBUenTkovcHgO6GLfC54CkiTBxjunoIJnJbnmihYFpsfD9fI=s4000" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj_wh31-nSaXm2YQi_DRuVEExUOfAkhvGWIqlgrH4jCib_hr0bMyPIe6TfLWpJIxZY5IfKXJe0mngTHewlVkig7IThcyLnHpx6Hxc-HmSKEXZVwzsewaLl5v88yisKpCzyyopY9vhHqDBUenTkovcHgO6GLfC54CkiTBxjunoIJnJbnmihYFpsfD9fI=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Break time on the Bealey Valley Track...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjdtsgsEbENWr8xRiJJHM2_17_3VaNoYgLXHgLa5ZbXkD98URSDV7bV1XMxbpK2xuA2u2kIviDrNxmlD3VqZ9FfuuOa-ufC3fY1qCg7eLZx6aTKx8KFJQG1XMfOYIYGsehvHwKwBgDwF8VbHzK1MDEwUpHOeb3M9Qs4eImhPDKR3nIbB51I150Gzvn5=s4320" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3240" data-original-width="4320" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjdtsgsEbENWr8xRiJJHM2_17_3VaNoYgLXHgLa5ZbXkD98URSDV7bV1XMxbpK2xuA2u2kIviDrNxmlD3VqZ9FfuuOa-ufC3fY1qCg7eLZx6aTKx8KFJQG1XMfOYIYGsehvHwKwBgDwF8VbHzK1MDEwUpHOeb3M9Qs4eImhPDKR3nIbB51I150Gzvn5=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heading for Packhorse Hut with the Brenta</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgm-qr2qpRq3_vB8au9X5aZbc6y6uVeo-nrzIs0ii-pcNxh4KCxWcgAz8BqsmxveNmR2ee0Z06umX17AgWwWkwB42z1Tu07AayjVh7FRSPleSZF-BLp7uk398OKUhFN3ONf7lW9H_1txaSjO8bx8X-EjIimYkipLX2NnbYYu-q3j8Nt3B2BlWH2z89L=s4320" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3240" data-original-width="4320" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgm-qr2qpRq3_vB8au9X5aZbc6y6uVeo-nrzIs0ii-pcNxh4KCxWcgAz8BqsmxveNmR2ee0Z06umX17AgWwWkwB42z1Tu07AayjVh7FRSPleSZF-BLp7uk398OKUhFN3ONf7lW9H_1txaSjO8bx8X-EjIimYkipLX2NnbYYu-q3j8Nt3B2BlWH2z89L=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lunchtime at Bushline Hut, Nelson Lakes NP</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: center;">I am happy to give the Brenta 40l eight out of ten stars...</p><p style="text-align: center;">It is a stylish, comfortable and well thought out pack and a pleasure to use. After four years of use it still looks good and I do not anticipate any problems with it in the near future. You are certain to see it on my adventures for some time to come.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><h4>Osprey Atmos 50 AG:</h4><div><i>Used for: </i>Overnight trips to bookable huts, Great Walks, Te Araroa Trail sections</div><div><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;">Beside Vaude the other pack brand I favor is Osprey from the United States. Osprey have an excellent name among the outdoor community for high quality gear with a lot of thought going into the set up, materials and technology they use. They are a weight conscious brand and they have probably the best range of lite weight packs on the market bar specific UL manufacturers like ULA, Gossamer Gear & Hyperlite etc. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh--vU5NAEMCPfZTUUBiXAk3uZQOIm8cnh85qqOULSrxr6NQzzctOnpHClu_79BMgG0PwbIgIPrAyU33rLBCl7Z9Ez0kj9e-IhhBQWkqebYXshz8pWPx4g9r__9HVHne9bmGotWQdTV6KzRJ-3QTiSxfL64ChnpiuljP8ZDWbJ8ENXwKfZOu6rEvJ0J=s1776" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1184" data-original-width="1776" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh--vU5NAEMCPfZTUUBiXAk3uZQOIm8cnh85qqOULSrxr6NQzzctOnpHClu_79BMgG0PwbIgIPrAyU33rLBCl7Z9Ez0kj9e-IhhBQWkqebYXshz8pWPx4g9r__9HVHne9bmGotWQdTV6KzRJ-3QTiSxfL64ChnpiuljP8ZDWbJ8ENXwKfZOu6rEvJ0J=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An array of Osprey packs in an outdoor store</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">A lot of my multiday tramping trips over the last 2-3 years have been to bookable huts, remote huts or Great Walk huts. The thing with all three categories of hut is that you are either guaranteed or highly likely to have a bunk for the night. This means you don't have to carry any camping equipment with you saving weight and space. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgcr6LC-DABUSIwE0WqzT8iMSCRT675AjqeXU8jYaHX0XMsQaPQpi11MEVGptK98PNJfetWjpRUfgIRJMLZaqJ8v68Y2eaKNvdxxf-dH-EWcgZDMPRrW0y9qDGgyJ5kjmu4utoF_msxt5jyNXZ9inMZhVvxzHgtumum7t3s9QNjoeR514gUfL18Syqy=s4320" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3240" data-original-width="4320" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgcr6LC-DABUSIwE0WqzT8iMSCRT675AjqeXU8jYaHX0XMsQaPQpi11MEVGptK98PNJfetWjpRUfgIRJMLZaqJ8v68Y2eaKNvdxxf-dH-EWcgZDMPRrW0y9qDGgyJ5kjmu4utoF_msxt5jyNXZ9inMZhVvxzHgtumum7t3s9QNjoeR514gUfL18Syqy=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...guaranteed bunk for the night on the Great walks...</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;">If you do not need to pack a tent, mat and ground sheet in your pack you can get by with a smaller pack. This is the main reason I brought a Osprey Atmos 50 AG pack. This pack is more than big enough to carry 3-5 days of equipment and I have used it exclusively on all of my Great Walk tramps from 2018 to the present. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEith6SBcdKjiB1EuQp8hxHvt5CToLCaayirlRsOfvA8oKhC4eaBJ2X8Qkj2Y97slhQuL6lCzAJprk1mVFMVf0fSGVpPV7gNLJwBmS2x31nneZzFOSpyv-zx8M4Tw2wBpgT_1E1fmsJ5LLkNo1-57_72j9HlYpYzp7seHlG87o6MrA3Zo_bvE0Dt4SEF=s1200" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEith6SBcdKjiB1EuQp8hxHvt5CToLCaayirlRsOfvA8oKhC4eaBJ2X8Qkj2Y97slhQuL6lCzAJprk1mVFMVf0fSGVpPV7gNLJwBmS2x31nneZzFOSpyv-zx8M4Tw2wBpgT_1E1fmsJ5LLkNo1-57_72j9HlYpYzp7seHlG87o6MrA3Zo_bvE0Dt4SEF=w640-h640" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Osprey Atmos 50 AG pack</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The primary use of my Osprey Atmos pack is for 2-3 night tramps where I will be staying in a hut. In a pinch I can carry my camping gear with this pack but it is a squeeze so I use my heavy life Volt 75 pack for those trips. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here is a typical equipment load for one of these trips...this is without food:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhV8y4u2dOjec6tdCL4Y5ZLpEoLMH2a2p0svWuxQlOO3QffYB88FcYoGR5T1V_I_YdzD8ZXnkZZhU0L6xBcLvuFZv1bJjJ9ducyrB73gkCy7MUbwZWMy8VOdueglYCvJZKVR-9LdOg_2pZieN5eFC--GBw7MpD0bM11XO0GWnaf8Hphm45x_pdQgn76=s4000" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhV8y4u2dOjec6tdCL4Y5ZLpEoLMH2a2p0svWuxQlOO3QffYB88FcYoGR5T1V_I_YdzD8ZXnkZZhU0L6xBcLvuFZv1bJjJ9ducyrB73gkCy7MUbwZWMy8VOdueglYCvJZKVR-9LdOg_2pZieN5eFC--GBw7MpD0bM11XO0GWnaf8Hphm45x_pdQgn76=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Osprey Atmos with an overnight load...Great Walk or bookable huts</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Specifications for the Atmos 50 AG are as follows:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjTXPOJb7gaStH5xaS00lTZDOvTYwdwhpfHKhHolIcW6a4PPAnnuSNucaQLD8GB-UsdT5hdPX0G7HT8DCuZB4DwD644SwkbugH5tkm3WXdcqH6kE27mhm1u1EdwBMsZ7mVBHVtao2S2Ijci-wrSIyEctIcNRIVftVJtyZ4tuKhpaLFXeynMDAiAkMur=s646" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="442" data-original-width="646" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjTXPOJb7gaStH5xaS00lTZDOvTYwdwhpfHKhHolIcW6a4PPAnnuSNucaQLD8GB-UsdT5hdPX0G7HT8DCuZB4DwD644SwkbugH5tkm3WXdcqH6kE27mhm1u1EdwBMsZ7mVBHVtao2S2Ijci-wrSIyEctIcNRIVftVJtyZ4tuKhpaLFXeynMDAiAkMur=w640-h438" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Atmos 50 has become my 'go to' pack and I use it on around 60% of the tramps I am doing. I has gone to most corners of the South Island and Rakuira now but has yet to see any service in the North Island. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhFbHXiMGXGFgrGUq07onPGcREUMBEIIc16qvPNIDj9uYNGYJXeSYDw69P7RLfm1NQP9ZoPC9yLpPfbvbjh8geQixYzdQA_yRYExE0Fx24CATKrRyaDa-Eq0K81qyYYZaHNdHnbONfQzW6sbGyORxi7uMqt8_UsjFO6iQNb7wqy-HsTLY4Lk77FvZRk=s4320" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3240" data-original-width="4320" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhFbHXiMGXGFgrGUq07onPGcREUMBEIIc16qvPNIDj9uYNGYJXeSYDw69P7RLfm1NQP9ZoPC9yLpPfbvbjh8geQixYzdQA_yRYExE0Fx24CATKrRyaDa-Eq0K81qyYYZaHNdHnbONfQzW6sbGyORxi7uMqt8_UsjFO6iQNb7wqy-HsTLY4Lk77FvZRk=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Atmos hanging in Lakehead Hut in 2020</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh4afdwy37NTtMoDabypsnlWKl3_UQPPMqSl5J2qxSE5tagw8KuJ52sIXKuxouPaXxZS6JIFhcwkHQRqfIfsXAsr8lzpA58Hr2_TphVdSpmfnc5VYalVddkWL_RYX0fxBFs4FWZoA9c4ozCQjAFUdbGA3xof6zAfhkQ7RyA9lpZ0nBu-g4Uoln7dQus=s4320" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3240" data-original-width="4320" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh4afdwy37NTtMoDabypsnlWKl3_UQPPMqSl5J2qxSE5tagw8KuJ52sIXKuxouPaXxZS6JIFhcwkHQRqfIfsXAsr8lzpA58Hr2_TphVdSpmfnc5VYalVddkWL_RYX0fxBFs4FWZoA9c4ozCQjAFUdbGA3xof6zAfhkQ7RyA9lpZ0nBu-g4Uoln7dQus=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A map check stop in the Hawdon Valley....</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhrUW5JQMpGomgH9vULhdHa2vVOa3WKsm58eXSrJ5hyrJJtV8vvtch1jVJZ3cJnxRV0-CR5fkbdIONxWMHuRmfd-P2RtrztHZ6glp1TSvq4A1cxpgdmeitjU2I84len_QKo7hfhIKtfvCv9uEEM6pqDFaq6Zf9yc-_2ve5znuQmmdUdiziz8pQwtAPV=s4032" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhrUW5JQMpGomgH9vULhdHa2vVOa3WKsm58eXSrJ5hyrJJtV8vvtch1jVJZ3cJnxRV0-CR5fkbdIONxWMHuRmfd-P2RtrztHZ6glp1TSvq4A1cxpgdmeitjU2I84len_QKo7hfhIKtfvCv9uEEM6pqDFaq6Zf9yc-_2ve5znuQmmdUdiziz8pQwtAPV=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Atmos 50 on the Rakuira Track back in 2019</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;">The shoulder harnesses on Osprey packs are always good but it is spectacular on this pack. I have carried it for 7-8 hours before and my legs give out way before my back does. It is comfortable and has great ventilation across the back with their patented Anti Gravity system. The waist belt is fantastic and molds around your hips for exceptional weight carrying ability. I have recommended this pack to dozens of people over the last four odd years...</div><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgvQmygY4xXEidTuzp9LvZeP79jR_R8R2ahyLPGu1D4mLyedZjkI3RbystWc9wa2z5WYZ9iQBrhs-eGV4D8ZjJovtjAlthqQYMhMvQFRBVtVcdceVGwd9n0q0OqexTVUoCQeWEOhklfwBJ0X5qWDZGNiEa-DAnYF6mSBVHL6ZMprus8A4QRxYFHeTnd=s4320" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3240" data-original-width="4320" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgvQmygY4xXEidTuzp9LvZeP79jR_R8R2ahyLPGu1D4mLyedZjkI3RbystWc9wa2z5WYZ9iQBrhs-eGV4D8ZjJovtjAlthqQYMhMvQFRBVtVcdceVGwd9n0q0OqexTVUoCQeWEOhklfwBJ0X5qWDZGNiEa-DAnYF6mSBVHL6ZMprus8A4QRxYFHeTnd=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Atmos is the most comfortable pack I own...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhS9nr13i7J521XlbdrpFWCU-odU8ZBKAO-uSI307bgCFD_vYohytXD_xEfzskPrCZTkS7LdjGYM5sTw4R4b2ztnBan-bAWsUz7P_QKy6Cd-y7jStc-bTwehmLffaLcya0hqm2GMNcl8PieIRQi0u5ju0n2Q5h9RcTfPeU2qFxv27HNicIZFWfWzQxp=s4000" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhS9nr13i7J521XlbdrpFWCU-odU8ZBKAO-uSI307bgCFD_vYohytXD_xEfzskPrCZTkS7LdjGYM5sTw4R4b2ztnBan-bAWsUz7P_QKy6Cd-y7jStc-bTwehmLffaLcya0hqm2GMNcl8PieIRQi0u5ju0n2Q5h9RcTfPeU2qFxv27HNicIZFWfWzQxp=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Turkey Flat in the Waimakiriri Valley enroute from Carrington Hut</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: center;">The Atmos 50 AG gets nine stars out of ten from Jon...only nine because any pack would more or less need to carry itself to get ten stars!!!</p><p style="text-align: center;">I am going to be sad when this pack finally gives up the ghost as it has become a solid companion on many adventures. I almost want to buy another and store it away for later use that is how much I like this wee beast...</p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><h4>Osprey Volt 75:</h4><div><i>Used for: </i>Heavy loads...longer trips from 3-7 days, camping, Winter trips:</div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;">The third pack I would like to talk about is my Volt 75l pack which I purchased back in 2018 as a heavy load replacement for my Vaude Astra. The Volt is basically a big olde sack that I can fill with all the equipment I usually carry as well as a full set of camping gear. With a bigger load carrier all your gear can stay safe on the inside of your pack and not hanging precariously on the outside. </div><div><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiqJ6MjxoNNekY55xpE5wpReAqN5S2eTkIRge998yAcUGXhqReByyC7TP1OVK9OzLn-PeMck6NI8dh0wPmtoJTYd41bFWgwEqefrMheeXIXcx4TGSqu8tnwcVkm08DU3Ux7cZy35EMMMFZ5yca2MAZppY9fR60hb-e8EriDAFP92ZKDO5MEOtkeKLei=s1517" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1517" data-original-width="1133" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiqJ6MjxoNNekY55xpE5wpReAqN5S2eTkIRge998yAcUGXhqReByyC7TP1OVK9OzLn-PeMck6NI8dh0wPmtoJTYd41bFWgwEqefrMheeXIXcx4TGSqu8tnwcVkm08DU3Ux7cZy35EMMMFZ5yca2MAZppY9fR60hb-e8EriDAFP92ZKDO5MEOtkeKLei=w478-h640" width="478" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Osprey Volt 75l pack...heavy load carrier</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;">This is my gear load out with camping equipment included. This includes a tent, sleeping mat, ground sheet and sometimes a small tarp for more living space. </div><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgcPf8pk5BALIPIDHAFcGEVVQ16OiQH39Gkke8XYVwyYImc3FTvaceTga9XLegVPZfejFbWdZPnpiBukmCFvS3iCbR6baUDof9xNwQgQlXxGz3sfqT5oVVX4hypP86h2610P__0I1eyTMeilN45kdVt9U5tAMmedRzmnQc91Df4HCri3aaTqgPPV94J=s4000" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgcPf8pk5BALIPIDHAFcGEVVQ16OiQH39Gkke8XYVwyYImc3FTvaceTga9XLegVPZfejFbWdZPnpiBukmCFvS3iCbR6baUDof9xNwQgQlXxGz3sfqT5oVVX4hypP86h2610P__0I1eyTMeilN45kdVt9U5tAMmedRzmnQc91Df4HCri3aaTqgPPV94J=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A full load...gear for a multiday or camping trip</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">My Volt is the heavy load carrier amongst these packs...it is the one I use if I am carrying a multiday load of food and gear. It has plenty of internal space for my usual load of equipment plus space for a tent, sleeping mat and camping accessories if required. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here are some specifications for the Volt 75l.....</div><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj9z31bCYx8JlRiUFecLDkhnQWHo8LrtZK4V1dqhg2oKaRkN-TpB5nlyw_6fgioiTrG9bRXovZV_LQIYNTMTTb5oZh2EUIT0wNIHFIiSHuBeEnXDOgybuBjMAMXJRfKFDlMY3ML639ZYV77souKF32ZJpWf4rw_Lmo3S6FRxdOYdafMJnE_l6rzuth8=s637" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="637" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj9z31bCYx8JlRiUFecLDkhnQWHo8LrtZK4V1dqhg2oKaRkN-TpB5nlyw_6fgioiTrG9bRXovZV_LQIYNTMTTb5oZh2EUIT0wNIHFIiSHuBeEnXDOgybuBjMAMXJRfKFDlMY3ML639ZYV77souKF32ZJpWf4rw_Lmo3S6FRxdOYdafMJnE_l6rzuth8=w640-h430" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This pack has not seen as much use as the other two...my style of trips over the last couple of years have heavily favored Great Walks, day walks and trips to bookable huts. I have used it most notably on my tramp of the Travers-Sabine Circuit and on the Casey-Binser Saddle trip. Now I have finished all the Great Walks I will be looking for more multiday trip ideas with the potential for camping. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh1gsJTWfjA-F9-Ee1a0l7Dw57x8Tt2I3BBciesEF7aQUm8eE1ZaZAJhgk9LzmifcqKZyAh2iyPHoU15wRg8Knx36h5MWT6uSaFJYklIlYDU3qF2La67pnliBaLZg-34NSfBRe6IZz2x6Fn0_fZRu6BAZkHiWqWFtJICHEJelLB2kTOk7Z1GpK-KNWx=s4320" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3240" data-original-width="4320" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh1gsJTWfjA-F9-Ee1a0l7Dw57x8Tt2I3BBciesEF7aQUm8eE1ZaZAJhgk9LzmifcqKZyAh2iyPHoU15wRg8Knx36h5MWT6uSaFJYklIlYDU3qF2La67pnliBaLZg-34NSfBRe6IZz2x6Fn0_fZRu6BAZkHiWqWFtJICHEJelLB2kTOk7Z1GpK-KNWx=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Volt 75l near Hallelujah Flat in Arthurs Pass NP (2020)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;">The Volt 75 reminds me of Macpac packs I have seen...it is made from heavier duty materials and will last for a lifetime of tramping. New Zealand outdoor gear was traditionally built tough as we were very limited as to the gear you could get here. You brought a pack and expected it to last you a lifetime which some of them did. It is only over the last 20 years that overseas manufacturers have seen fit to sell their gear here in volume. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjvT4U4JVaO4WZtl-TVIRVvpzw6Ys5MPuDCIFiSJFd5_56TKXL1Q6mYiQW6fPaTsLSBt0MW0N-FOTzP0PubrMQMjDdAGprsGkBBomlJwBmu8BdZm9uoriQrTvSsRMvXSB6gRuSyxJ9S5UzYy1-UYBwTw7YKBxR1lShRkm-8x4J-qOBMD9aJpu33qcXt=s1590" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1590" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjvT4U4JVaO4WZtl-TVIRVvpzw6Ys5MPuDCIFiSJFd5_56TKXL1Q6mYiQW6fPaTsLSBt0MW0N-FOTzP0PubrMQMjDdAGprsGkBBomlJwBmu8BdZm9uoriQrTvSsRMvXSB6gRuSyxJ9S5UzYy1-UYBwTw7YKBxR1lShRkm-8x4J-qOBMD9aJpu33qcXt=w426-h640" width="426" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The <a href="https://www.macpac.co.nz/macpac-torlesse-65l-hiking-backpack/115001.html">Macpac Torlese</a> is similar to the Volt 75</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Volt is WAY lighter than any Macpac pack...1.8 kg's as opposed to something like 2.2-2.6 kg. For comparison...the Macpac Torlese pictured above is similar to the Volt but weighs 2.4 kg. That is 600 gm's heavier for less carry space. </div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgGnFAn6prdBm_66OkLEGXivCh_CB-MgKt-F1KU_IAsMLb96zKm3GGpScxuQ2GkOzjCk3NNIM3K1tVUPHaThkjFR3jEwse2v5PeykMlYtwgn2O-oKDEA4D5OypyAJIUTqT_Dl3MdsD30PTf7-PdYiPRfYMoJLCyfHkfA4I8yeLvnYJf5eh_unkzhlAp=s4000" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgGnFAn6prdBm_66OkLEGXivCh_CB-MgKt-F1KU_IAsMLb96zKm3GGpScxuQ2GkOzjCk3NNIM3K1tVUPHaThkjFR3jEwse2v5PeykMlYtwgn2O-oKDEA4D5OypyAJIUTqT_Dl3MdsD30PTf7-PdYiPRfYMoJLCyfHkfA4I8yeLvnYJf5eh_unkzhlAp=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On Howard Saddle enroute to Sabine Hut (2018)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I have found the Volt to be a really comfortable pack and it has just enough technology to make it competitive. Even with a heavy load you arrive at your destination at the end of the day feeling good. The pack has both excellent shoulder straps and waist belt and it can be adjusted to fit most medium to larger trampers.</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiQgMO3_ROIxQqHV_KzMsAsGqS1Biajm89iKW0u-XqHpyl4E1F_B-1liVhHYxBQUym_sf_4bFgHZkreUqC--WgD65xkBqCD6qd42sjF4cVYKoiPFjotR-RsMVtzxGvmmOXbvGtG8I_dZald4y61QJ7DaBuGZZmcWu-Cke31EQ9fm8K-e23Tm88utcmP=s4000" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiQgMO3_ROIxQqHV_KzMsAsGqS1Biajm89iKW0u-XqHpyl4E1F_B-1liVhHYxBQUym_sf_4bFgHZkreUqC--WgD65xkBqCD6qd42sjF4cVYKoiPFjotR-RsMVtzxGvmmOXbvGtG8I_dZald4y61QJ7DaBuGZZmcWu-Cke31EQ9fm8K-e23Tm88utcmP=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Volt 75 is an excellent heavy load carrier...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;">My one complaint about the Volt is inadequate airflow across my back...you get a bit sweating carrying it. It is a solid form shaped harness so not much air can get to your back. In reality it is not that bad and certainly better than many other brands. I have just been spoiled by the harness setup on the Atmos 50 which is the best I have ever used. </div><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg12KVjRsptOmi9TVNST1NcbxuUY2DPTjibY6yFF7dLa-5bxur4XCuw-1dl9_U-o0hSCKi325cvlGxUZCFXMQGyZSkvqTFbN-eQvOxqoFsMNDvaH_d6We1p0n9_CE4t-4hMe-jHWj7LSVg_U-wrEuw_QDRJUY5cO6z-d8JL8D0Tb-0TjsK2IL1HwbIE=s4000" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg12KVjRsptOmi9TVNST1NcbxuUY2DPTjibY6yFF7dLa-5bxur4XCuw-1dl9_U-o0hSCKi325cvlGxUZCFXMQGyZSkvqTFbN-eQvOxqoFsMNDvaH_d6We1p0n9_CE4t-4hMe-jHWj7LSVg_U-wrEuw_QDRJUY5cO6z-d8JL8D0Tb-0TjsK2IL1HwbIE=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lakehead Track on the way to Kerr Bay in 2018</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_G0h3RRo_ksSUNkeutXV-PvQpChvO0-QCCu8WLtrI9vfVl0tqMFOr0DELRv73jNzt3Z0fQVsZtA5TnY5zhlb3YCTTlQjQI7cE4QPjaJNP3ufJBSoPIAsk1qZ7I6L4QD1yEFdEYfLg3TVFztTwe8MBtL2rnhopxm-T7s9wB07SqVCQADSnw6mC-OlD=s4000" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_G0h3RRo_ksSUNkeutXV-PvQpChvO0-QCCu8WLtrI9vfVl0tqMFOr0DELRv73jNzt3Z0fQVsZtA5TnY5zhlb3YCTTlQjQI7cE4QPjaJNP3ufJBSoPIAsk1qZ7I6L4QD1yEFdEYfLg3TVFztTwe8MBtL2rnhopxm-T7s9wB07SqVCQADSnw6mC-OlD=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Volt 75 is a rugged yet comfortable addition to my Gearshed...</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I would give the Volt75 seven stars out of ten.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> I think it is a really awesome bit of kit and worth buying if you can find one. I will be using it for many years to come and my next outing with it will probably be a camping trip along the Abel Tasman Coast Track I am contemplating for later this year. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><h4>My other packs:</h4><div><i>Vaude Brenta 50</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>Used for: </i>Overnight trips to bookable huts, day walks in Winter:</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Another excellent pack from Vaude this was my main day trip pack from 2014-2018 and filled the roll admirably. I have also used this on a couple of overnight tramps including to Carrington Hut, Packhorse Hut, Nina Hut, Lake Daniell and to Rod Donald Hut. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg0HOKYNwg2S5ZYj7Bzlhem6xMU7UTRR0s9vRfHRpZNboCDcDVRlpCoK_BEmdX2QEOGK0Ah0gyDYRMHEwVZfbPY6M7SQ4ZRxvV4qXeRpmYJtz8ucXpF1-YBjZyaue4O0pYOfsKs1ZOZe3laq4N-bWtM0EHSOKT8PIXxTdaY9bjH52fQehEnygpSFN7o=s4000" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg0HOKYNwg2S5ZYj7Bzlhem6xMU7UTRR0s9vRfHRpZNboCDcDVRlpCoK_BEmdX2QEOGK0Ah0gyDYRMHEwVZfbPY6M7SQ4ZRxvV4qXeRpmYJtz8ucXpF1-YBjZyaue4O0pYOfsKs1ZOZe3laq4N-bWtM0EHSOKT8PIXxTdaY9bjH52fQehEnygpSFN7o=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Brenta 30 up the Otira Valley</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Karen used this pack on the Abel Tasman Track in 2019 and thought it was good even though it was a little too big for her. Georgia also used it when we went up to Packhorse Hut to act as hut wardens back in 2019.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjaCAQh-wppcnsVad7ZDrdjgMQWcuCL85kCl0O3F2irK-anFtwkzYxOUfatIZVYolO4eEDoVcWxpoX1QTGDKbH7lPVqwLPyXkM4SpzADINtZb4JjY17V740xtDI6LObGWHxkEDNNm6Cn82D7A7CSlDpuBr4ScRid2SwExrg5A_fTJNgsNfReSEyUi5o=s4000" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjaCAQh-wppcnsVad7ZDrdjgMQWcuCL85kCl0O3F2irK-anFtwkzYxOUfatIZVYolO4eEDoVcWxpoX1QTGDKbH7lPVqwLPyXkM4SpzADINtZb4JjY17V740xtDI6LObGWHxkEDNNm6Cn82D7A7CSlDpuBr4ScRid2SwExrg5A_fTJNgsNfReSEyUi5o=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Karen crossing Awaroa Inlet wearing the Brenta 50</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgXKKynQz8mPSM4p75quQXg2_dL2SMDUDrIehizx3T_u7Q8r104qA1rkmgFbbfE-itjggyA7h0aFBKiVF0tD5FhzbE9o_AOcKcd1KQ2wuMNxSQVwynGCMj2i9e2a3lmOGKC8FThCajuru-ioWs7iSgurkvx80Z8wql8eDKIHSULy7Z60cVBpGBKa3fl=s4000" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgXKKynQz8mPSM4p75quQXg2_dL2SMDUDrIehizx3T_u7Q8r104qA1rkmgFbbfE-itjggyA7h0aFBKiVF0tD5FhzbE9o_AOcKcd1KQ2wuMNxSQVwynGCMj2i9e2a3lmOGKC8FThCajuru-ioWs7iSgurkvx80Z8wql8eDKIHSULy7Z60cVBpGBKa3fl=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Georgia's feet got hot so into the river she went...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I still have this pack in my gear cupboards and will not dispose of it as it still has plenty of life left in it. I might use this for a short section hike in the Abel Tasman later this year although I now use the Atmos for those type of trips.</div><div> </div><div><br /></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>Vaude Astra 65+10</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>Used for: </i>Heavy loads...longer trips from 3-7 days, camping, Winter trips:</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This was the first new piece of equipment I brought when I started tramping again back in 2012. I brought a stash of new gear including a tent, sleeping bag and mat at that time and it was the start of my current gear shed. My choices at the time were dictated by my army gear and early tramping experiences before I knew anything about UL gear or lightening your load. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiHCa5cJRpXrvfp9fAMR5C39_poDDCMPLwfTL57Vlzl-X8lnaSkSUH23lLoh5QQlMFXmb0eVjgwVO4Vk-oKFVPlOE-WsAgoqNSBNqJWlAqMgyMHBHCmkekmL08jxSL30WujTKIK9WA4z1Aqgj43gfwiEODcTZRin4yXCiV9m0g_6TfkNHUTESDZXqzD=s4000" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiHCa5cJRpXrvfp9fAMR5C39_poDDCMPLwfTL57Vlzl-X8lnaSkSUH23lLoh5QQlMFXmb0eVjgwVO4Vk-oKFVPlOE-WsAgoqNSBNqJWlAqMgyMHBHCmkekmL08jxSL30WujTKIK9WA4z1Aqgj43gfwiEODcTZRin4yXCiV9m0g_6TfkNHUTESDZXqzD=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Astra on the Casey-Binser Circuit back in 2012</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Astra was my main overnight tramping pack from 2012 right up to 2018 when I replaced it in use with the Atmos 50 and Volt 75. It went to many different areas of the South Island such as the Casey-Binser Circuit, Wharfedale Hut, St James Walkway, Queen Charlotte Track, Hawdon Hut, Te Ara Pataka and Fyffe Hut to name a few. It was the pack I used on my first new Great Walk on the Abel Tasman Coastal Track in 2016. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhIvZAyGhjmD_aR34EYXeb38N_vQGQH5RyWORAiUbmvMpCdsLv-JS3MYUvhYsC8l36_Wq2uwVcNa9BKjR8H9hd1WdYDAgdzeA2EwIHs_rybEcDx5Gg3Gnd4u5sSm2uF2WoUnA1A7uXeFgffvWXbVb1dMrM8yCifGDEWcZF893Guf7bfDN9VIbbVT9hE=s2048" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhIvZAyGhjmD_aR34EYXeb38N_vQGQH5RyWORAiUbmvMpCdsLv-JS3MYUvhYsC8l36_Wq2uwVcNa9BKjR8H9hd1WdYDAgdzeA2EwIHs_rybEcDx5Gg3Gnd4u5sSm2uF2WoUnA1A7uXeFgffvWXbVb1dMrM8yCifGDEWcZF893Guf7bfDN9VIbbVT9hE=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the start of the St James Walkway in 2015</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I am fond of this pack which is why I haven't sold it on Trade Me as it is a rugged, well designed bit of kit with some really good features. It is still my only 65 liter pack which is a good size for trips of 3-7 days. It also has an excellent harness with the ability to size to a persons torso. This means people other than myself can use it. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhy-wz2c_d-6NstEb21TtSON5BayHzeReBvIjZy3qVWlpq8n0njVssDtudJq9AA1I8LSwMF1_OKF4g_d6jN9VFP_oUeXY-sv5eL2QLaEs9op5D9zftQI_dnJkQa5DdPA1mOI18mcSamMsp0D_UNIjanL8u_vYij8L0DmGvmL7qvHKxNsZ8lvMoGrBbY=s1600" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhy-wz2c_d-6NstEb21TtSON5BayHzeReBvIjZy3qVWlpq8n0njVssDtudJq9AA1I8LSwMF1_OKF4g_d6jN9VFP_oUeXY-sv5eL2QLaEs9op5D9zftQI_dnJkQa5DdPA1mOI18mcSamMsp0D_UNIjanL8u_vYij8L0DmGvmL7qvHKxNsZ8lvMoGrBbY=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Up the East Hawdon Valley in 2015</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The main reason it doesn't get used more is two fold. It is heavy...it started at 2.2 kg's but I managed to get the weigh down to 2 kg by removing some straps etc. The other reason is that I have been visiting a lot of bookable huts and Great Walks and it is too big for these type of trips. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhM6KsFOkdEL-DuSTHbOZfIaEKnh3CaauC3VWG77jgep0nHQ-697MG_WHlRl9pw14AU2Hh2Zjbzox6ZltPyoK9dC9lHigY9nZwDdel1OT3a1ezpIlKJGRurfMuxnr9LTxgWVpOo2GGZq69EEveETbdav0-UwuNdqVvmPxnbBTaRKFAcUfjV6EVCi5hG=s4000" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhM6KsFOkdEL-DuSTHbOZfIaEKnh3CaauC3VWG77jgep0nHQ-697MG_WHlRl9pw14AU2Hh2Zjbzox6ZltPyoK9dC9lHigY9nZwDdel1OT3a1ezpIlKJGRurfMuxnr9LTxgWVpOo2GGZq69EEveETbdav0-UwuNdqVvmPxnbBTaRKFAcUfjV6EVCi5hG=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Astra visits the Abel Tasman Coastal Track</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I may sell it or give it away at some stage but I will be sad when I do so...</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><h4>Future acquisitions?</h4><div style="text-align: center;">I am in the market for a suitable 30-35l pack for my day tramps as my current stable are all a little big for this purpose. Ideally I would love to buy either another Vaude or Osprey pack to fill this role but Vaude is not readily available anymore and the price of Osprey packs has rocketed since Covid hit. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhc5vMcaahLwFkpX8c1GSkmXTq21XSCtXIxL4rJNstTVpecc0uoQzou5qX3W9BGSMiOVNl2qJZI3rTa8YzJfpUQoYjd5yBEZyvH24lld1NNpxF0hqEuUL6jw5nmvPn-SllQAjqixewsqMLZf0mT3j-aLYJcj5hnuGaENoifWxwgofTVOp07CcbEKhvW=s1200" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhc5vMcaahLwFkpX8c1GSkmXTq21XSCtXIxL4rJNstTVpecc0uoQzou5qX3W9BGSMiOVNl2qJZI3rTa8YzJfpUQoYjd5yBEZyvH24lld1NNpxF0hqEuUL6jw5nmvPn-SllQAjqixewsqMLZf0mT3j-aLYJcj5hnuGaENoifWxwgofTVOp07CcbEKhvW=w640-h640" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Osprey Talon 33 retails for NZD $299!!!!!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Ideally I would like a Vaude Brenta 30...Vaude have a whole family of packs in the Brenta range from 25-55 liters and they all have the same harness system. This means you can dial up or down the sizes and they will all be just as comfortable. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjEE3INXzAwrC_TY-LRhB__62lNOYXjO7Sc2BA2xcNyz3BI0cVqjI64IW8ooz2nteO7XeadUWBDLuWm5jN_Mf138C-PETMaz5wSDglDq7oa-KWnxLfvzfZltcaEnLktj5txw_BauVAnmC7mMNpiH_ipWQDMuBiWIF6ZUi4vUt07xxX9WWndj4hsUIy-=s1000" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjEE3INXzAwrC_TY-LRhB__62lNOYXjO7Sc2BA2xcNyz3BI0cVqjI64IW8ooz2nteO7XeadUWBDLuWm5jN_Mf138C-PETMaz5wSDglDq7oa-KWnxLfvzfZltcaEnLktj5txw_BauVAnmC7mMNpiH_ipWQDMuBiWIF6ZUi4vUt07xxX9WWndj4hsUIy-=w640-h640" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Vaude Brenta 30l pack</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I can buy one overseas but not here in New Zealand which bothers me but that's what its like living at the bottom of the world. I look at this size range every time I'm in an outdoor store but have yet to find one that suits my requirements. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The search goes on....</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Jon Moakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14620417636121034748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2664594284381405400.post-51842406197483722962022-01-23T17:38:00.003-08:002022-01-23T17:46:56.435-08:00Tramping food: Dutch style fruit bread<p style="text-align: center;"> </p><h3 style="text-align: center;">..Krentenbrood...great for breakfast, lunch and dessert!!!</h3><p style="text-align: center;">I was looking for something different to take with me on my recent tramp of the Heaphy Track and after a bit of consideration I decided on some of this delicious fruit bread. Rosedale Fruit Loaf is a specialty dense fruit bread made by the Delamine Food Company here in New Zealand. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhDl8GwJSnnOampnfdovtgnlw6EAYU-KhC8c6472_bJ6HjetJ4O87OShJjIGK83gJfRUkHQZ5SpcrhD2c-kiiGwjYs0PMvJ7Dt5sTobd6fWw8rJeQiTWvl0lTBwDtnDtEfUciNbKDBhF1vgspUxTnWTQmpT775BlDt8rDC9zTCg-9dKeqW4-HCapy0D=s719" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="719" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhDl8GwJSnnOampnfdovtgnlw6EAYU-KhC8c6472_bJ6HjetJ4O87OShJjIGK83gJfRUkHQZ5SpcrhD2c-kiiGwjYs0PMvJ7Dt5sTobd6fWw8rJeQiTWvl0lTBwDtnDtEfUciNbKDBhF1vgspUxTnWTQmpT775BlDt8rDC9zTCg-9dKeqW4-HCapy0D=w640-h600" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rosedale Dutch style Fruit loaf or Krentenbrood</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;">The bread comes packed in a sturdy plastic bag and due to the ingredients and baking process it is shelf stable and totally usable for up to 10 days. You will find it at most supermarkets and it will either be in the baked goods section or specialty bread section. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEixiYCzWLr7Ltf1cWdoIwcPP0U5A5pQ7zopaxgoTJhyK_MAm5MGuA78Tl175-Dl4-mzZKflKLachHCFJGmzm7qpKZsyC78ks_MvhtVssSZIUSpLBVQyYo3pylDF9wlceGanY_NAvdM1lEBAGQd-4zUEepFJy571ofziuM3vKpTsePZ5B3Wh6QBoNcdJ=s4608" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEixiYCzWLr7Ltf1cWdoIwcPP0U5A5pQ7zopaxgoTJhyK_MAm5MGuA78Tl175-Dl4-mzZKflKLachHCFJGmzm7qpKZsyC78ks_MvhtVssSZIUSpLBVQyYo3pylDF9wlceGanY_NAvdM1lEBAGQd-4zUEepFJy571ofziuM3vKpTsePZ5B3Wh6QBoNcdJ=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Krentenbrood is packed with dried fruit and peel</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;">This fruit loaf is good for all meal periods but it would be best as a breakfast option as it is sweet. I could see myself eating this with a strip of Prosciutto or some Salami but then I am freaky and like to mix sweet and savory items together. A loaf of this bread could easily last you for one of the longer South Island sections of the TA. </div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjYjvKPq808pcfXisnYLBSrSNqv-GxCllab2H-W6ebI3ixVGsqcofjw0DF5DrFoPqrzshyR7hbmJdfYaasF4IY6p3pAzmr-lSw1eJgubHLsxIYuzCosuo1RhP3Z13gMtNbBxuwMKwXMzBLU2d0sG_q-Fb6X4iw6wkQH2roPAVAkssduyng4AUvmXG9K=s4608" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjYjvKPq808pcfXisnYLBSrSNqv-GxCllab2H-W6ebI3ixVGsqcofjw0DF5DrFoPqrzshyR7hbmJdfYaasF4IY6p3pAzmr-lSw1eJgubHLsxIYuzCosuo1RhP3Z13gMtNbBxuwMKwXMzBLU2d0sG_q-Fb6X4iw6wkQH2roPAVAkssduyng4AUvmXG9K=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rosedale Fruit loaf with other breakfast options...</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;">The loaf comes unsliced and you can cut it to whatever thickness you desire...in my case that is bloody huge chunks about 2 cm's thick. It is good fresh or toasted and while it can be eaten without anything it is so much better with some kind of spread. I have had this bread with butter and margarine but it is also a great loaf for fruit jams, marmalade, conserved fruit, nut butters or honey</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg5Cab-Wwm5RQR5SqGTf4rXOguFBDU47XquhmCCCG8XUctk8LbZ0AMZsJPxTM2tmj14FT_FZF_f466B2Iu2lSAXlWgjZXsXTH9ALoaxq5F9do1qFwLv9F_HWUjn7KG6SF-CRY57ZtJfsziEmQBAhTb73qJTqyOC_lY78CencYPHR3QyOSNJEgFRe3Ip=s4608" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg5Cab-Wwm5RQR5SqGTf4rXOguFBDU47XquhmCCCG8XUctk8LbZ0AMZsJPxTM2tmj14FT_FZF_f466B2Iu2lSAXlWgjZXsXTH9ALoaxq5F9do1qFwLv9F_HWUjn7KG6SF-CRY57ZtJfsziEmQBAhTb73qJTqyOC_lY78CencYPHR3QyOSNJEgFRe3Ip=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Slices of the Rosedale Fruit Loaf...looks good!!!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgiMCX0UkPMUYxLc9vTLa28xPAshH4p_nxQeu48j55QTFjxdfYQLPv1z8oFNnjkZYvnG7AMWfyy72E3FL8JAB31wlg6nNq-G73tHVZGrsFUFLSZ_NfmR8mh-CNUui6WqeARY4c_GhArncuk8XHlpfKF3Bnh33_yAcypp40LKKy0LILzcIovskkNQlAq=s4608" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgiMCX0UkPMUYxLc9vTLa28xPAshH4p_nxQeu48j55QTFjxdfYQLPv1z8oFNnjkZYvnG7AMWfyy72E3FL8JAB31wlg6nNq-G73tHVZGrsFUFLSZ_NfmR8mh-CNUui6WqeARY4c_GhArncuk8XHlpfKF3Bnh33_yAcypp40LKKy0LILzcIovskkNQlAq=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rosedale Fruit Loaf is a dense fruit bread...</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">With a slice or two of salami or cheese it is a complete breakfast meal option and I have had nothing but a chunk of the loaf and coffee for breakfast a number of times on a trail. It is also a lovely dessert for the end of the day as the sweetness of the fruit and peel is very appealing after the main meal. I was having it morning and evening for the first three days of the Heaphy Track. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjnlkdxmLBpK4F-hI39ZtG0VKxZfJD1GYhSL-5DB8fKqYSe7qs2Zr5c26n2wZcQA6UZhaeEs1mgSuDVMzhsrIuge1wiPs0Aq89uKHRZSk_5lf-bUFHfbJ7XDZLsknQJJgK1UOAo-oBo4B1mIt14E0gLVnJ2Op8oFWLmojUt4150-pY3Nj1pM1xatWnC=s454" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="302" data-original-width="454" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjnlkdxmLBpK4F-hI39ZtG0VKxZfJD1GYhSL-5DB8fKqYSe7qs2Zr5c26n2wZcQA6UZhaeEs1mgSuDVMzhsrIuge1wiPs0Aq89uKHRZSk_5lf-bUFHfbJ7XDZLsknQJJgK1UOAo-oBo4B1mIt14E0gLVnJ2Op8oFWLmojUt4150-pY3Nj1pM1xatWnC=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ingredient list for Rosedale Fruit Loaf</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiYfbtbAu71W7dYKeKGZLorwEuIEotAITSJU0OpxoA1j1uXzq1q7-7bWz6auMDFfJUXXB7wGnWZjEbF3zZuoKWg4DSkOMMry22wji_sYwMbJwykiptzIRaJ1zjeOnW8OCO1tFZ4ctlRwDo5cYIHTszPZ9AxZyS8taUcjtIlcOeCCj8vZRAeB1gBHoGy=s4608" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiYfbtbAu71W7dYKeKGZLorwEuIEotAITSJU0OpxoA1j1uXzq1q7-7bWz6auMDFfJUXXB7wGnWZjEbF3zZuoKWg4DSkOMMry22wji_sYwMbJwykiptzIRaJ1zjeOnW8OCO1tFZ4ctlRwDo5cYIHTszPZ9AxZyS8taUcjtIlcOeCCj8vZRAeB1gBHoGy=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Krentenbrood is great fresh....</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">There are a couple of negative points to the bread...it is on the heavy side with a loaf weighing 450 gm's. That is the same weight as 2/3 of a 24 hour ration for me on a typical day!!! This is not a problem if there are four of you to distribute the food weight but it is significant if you are humping everything on your own back. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It is also uncommon in smaller food shops like a rural Four Square but is readily available in any of the larger supermarkets. </div><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjBfpoKi4o9CJQr3PTcTaV0Shbmsjqo-5vbrwqVbk2m-sLv5muZWnlWkh89W7SI-I6qJ7Ya_CluG1nTRLrBhF7TCstSZO-JGuuEJBg0WURMYnvaNc2b1CCs05-hE958ryudWKhLBXZIKMIVnb8sFjqxj2pFdwPQzc0a7gvHvjVerSUmFk-ZCf4uB5d_=s4608" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjBfpoKi4o9CJQr3PTcTaV0Shbmsjqo-5vbrwqVbk2m-sLv5muZWnlWkh89W7SI-I6qJ7Ya_CluG1nTRLrBhF7TCstSZO-JGuuEJBg0WURMYnvaNc2b1CCs05-hE958ryudWKhLBXZIKMIVnb8sFjqxj2pFdwPQzc0a7gvHvjVerSUmFk-ZCf4uB5d_=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...or toasted with your favorite toppings</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;">The other factor is it is a bit sticky so you have to wash your hands after handling it or they will get all your gear dirty. Apart from that it is all good as far as I am concerned. A loaf of this bread costs between $5-$6 NZ dollars at this time. It is definitely something you should consider the next time you are planning a menu for a tramp.</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi3KmGd-otnB8K3zqIPGzX7BDJd01lcFIITtockpfywFSWf9NlXXy8hSEtuFBEF51a3vK3mw1abuNim8fh72rYMIpxJ7vjtdosZeZrN12yhlvqfPtcNDRbInfqOvGK0qZYViNDD6cK6fIoh2WBkwPrTb17BfC3eA_PMEDMBgDoK0GOuyj_NhqNkM6HR=s455" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="348" data-original-width="455" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi3KmGd-otnB8K3zqIPGzX7BDJd01lcFIITtockpfywFSWf9NlXXy8hSEtuFBEF51a3vK3mw1abuNim8fh72rYMIpxJ7vjtdosZeZrN12yhlvqfPtcNDRbInfqOvGK0qZYViNDD6cK6fIoh2WBkwPrTb17BfC3eA_PMEDMBgDoK0GOuyj_NhqNkM6HR=w400-h306" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nutritional Information for Rosedale Fruit Loaf</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Here is a blurb about these fruit loafs from the Delmaine Food company website...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjSdL65kJ_HaAde6MEeiC7Vn7mPSycD3cn4tp4HYwPZrjxDt_4zzx4QUJ_UHJTJzX813BS2ppwn1CGpx93qYlqvj9HkSylfHs9LSNrFYMMAdmPvAX9om81njVy0nsXRxH3pdH3tZbBcNtNpwGBuOgNpPTk217tZq4UdZ3dwrM2con7-HvCPVr5PcX-d=s1046" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="181" data-original-width="1046" height="110" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjSdL65kJ_HaAde6MEeiC7Vn7mPSycD3cn4tp4HYwPZrjxDt_4zzx4QUJ_UHJTJzX813BS2ppwn1CGpx93qYlqvj9HkSylfHs9LSNrFYMMAdmPvAX9om81njVy0nsXRxH3pdH3tZbBcNtNpwGBuOgNpPTk217tZq4UdZ3dwrM2con7-HvCPVr5PcX-d=w640-h110" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Keep an eye for the next appearance of this fruit loaf on a tramp...I am taking some on the Routeburn with me!</div></div>Jon Moakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14620417636121034748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2664594284381405400.post-23055452383598838602021-10-19T12:36:00.000-07:002021-10-19T12:36:54.826-07:00SI Section: Havelock to Pelorus Bridge Campsite: October 2021<h3 style="text-align: center;"> ...Havelock to Pelorus Bridge on the Te Araroa Trail...</h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I recently had the opportunity to walk the Havelock to Pelorus Bridge section of the Te Araroa Trail. This is the first TA section I have managed in more than a year and is one of the linkages between the Queen Charlotte Track and the Richmond Ranges. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYlgTopRwmxJfIk7OJDMx7yKuaMo0GTjFkN6FBR0oZ-Z14x2q1dktV0VxTyJrkaSyOTEN57TU6zJ_IxLRfD_I980Sf4TB9k1px4f-5IRxmBVNmUBBlt0MAfS-DR2j8h2Uy4UMBEI68zuUF/s2048/Havelock1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYlgTopRwmxJfIk7OJDMx7yKuaMo0GTjFkN6FBR0oZ-Z14x2q1dktV0VxTyJrkaSyOTEN57TU6zJ_IxLRfD_I980Sf4TB9k1px4f-5IRxmBVNmUBBlt0MAfS-DR2j8h2Uy4UMBEI68zuUF/w640-h360/Havelock1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On SH6 just outside Havelock enroute to Pelorus Bridge</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Most of this section is either road walking or following farm tracks between the two points although the last kilometer or so is through some very nice forest. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUENYDPXXdVJZZhr_LQ6OJHkIdVex3qAlYgoXALRq-t_afozfWWL9P269Rbw5EA9x2dv26pD3gEBq2siqRlLa419kA7_8qou0UWEHLjSEZAIId2uaMCE6fC3RCCgpIUg9cTHPepAlrkSYb/s1537/HavelockMap1.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="695" data-original-width="1537" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUENYDPXXdVJZZhr_LQ6OJHkIdVex3qAlYgoXALRq-t_afozfWWL9P269Rbw5EA9x2dv26pD3gEBq2siqRlLa419kA7_8qou0UWEHLjSEZAIId2uaMCE6fC3RCCgpIUg9cTHPepAlrkSYb/w640-h290/HavelockMap1.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Map: Te Araroa Trail- Havelock to Daltons Bridge </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">From Havelock you walk along State Highway 6 (SH6) for about two kilometers where you take Te Hoiere Road to a bridge over the Pelorus River. Along the way you pass the estuary for Pelorus Sound which surrounds the small town of Havelock. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHYd21DNcu-uKM22G6Q3cbtearQiO0VHFJG89AlWKDTgQTwxYEh3SCsU4Kcs9AM-IBJaFizIRht8fUD3Ue3M9BTBNmpMCeEzPofRaBNpJkYS65bBhtEv-w75TzSMwg5HXb0uA6eOCzafAY/s4000/20211014_104351.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHYd21DNcu-uKM22G6Q3cbtearQiO0VHFJG89AlWKDTgQTwxYEh3SCsU4Kcs9AM-IBJaFizIRht8fUD3Ue3M9BTBNmpMCeEzPofRaBNpJkYS65bBhtEv-w75TzSMwg5HXb0uA6eOCzafAY/w640-h480/20211014_104351.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pelorus Sound from just SH6 outside of Havelock</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjezgNt-Vnr3rowcf9iFDFa6fdUQW3KeT8sjMuZWr0oUncO2dtgE74kDKjTrskvXq4mgOVp3_qbJ2Ymn2JUqlBaKRlljYn-VSPMUFQ5HGniBQ8BKhq91ZXCluSETLsS012hqwoNUeBW5RL7/s4000/20211014_105050.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjezgNt-Vnr3rowcf9iFDFa6fdUQW3KeT8sjMuZWr0oUncO2dtgE74kDKjTrskvXq4mgOVp3_qbJ2Ymn2JUqlBaKRlljYn-VSPMUFQ5HGniBQ8BKhq91ZXCluSETLsS012hqwoNUeBW5RL7/w480-h640/20211014_105050.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Turn off to Te Hoiere Road from SH6</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Prior to this year you had to road walk all the way to Daltons Bridge just past Canvastown but this section is now away from the busy Highway and along a quiet rural road. It is a much better option....</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioLE-Mz2cFxc7rVxxEpC972WeYD5zPmy04f17WjMhRoLR4JpOJiirWoY-3bjMW7Rh-HxoKPCr4CozzSyU1uwdOezXaY1RPyhBtt5Ru8q0lXZagZa5egQanXC8bu6F8wpdXoNfg_wdvwJP_/s2048/Havelock2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioLE-Mz2cFxc7rVxxEpC972WeYD5zPmy04f17WjMhRoLR4JpOJiirWoY-3bjMW7Rh-HxoKPCr4CozzSyU1uwdOezXaY1RPyhBtt5Ru8q0lXZagZa5egQanXC8bu6F8wpdXoNfg_wdvwJP_/w640-h360/Havelock2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Te Hoiere Road, Te Araroa Trail</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;">At the end of the road you turn left along Kaiuma Bay Road and walk for about 12 kilometers along this rural road. This is typical TA road walking...you just put your head dawn and move your feet. </div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeqrb9Zic0mFYgy1wnsbZ1K1iJyomy-dfIxuXW3OerNv4h9VilH7rNu8F2QdADOm4F3eJZQ2r5pzq9uQfB7qTqX5GULGwhPwUP7WbwCgKmUD-806eXmVlVL34DnKJunWgfu0h_COUfSj_D/s1024/Havelock3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeqrb9Zic0mFYgy1wnsbZ1K1iJyomy-dfIxuXW3OerNv4h9VilH7rNu8F2QdADOm4F3eJZQ2r5pzq9uQfB7qTqX5GULGwhPwUP7WbwCgKmUD-806eXmVlVL34DnKJunWgfu0h_COUfSj_D/w640-h360/Havelock3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We follow the TA sign left along Kaiuma Bay Road</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-muYcRigTcw07rLwA9IvHGDSRP-J81YOA7SfhJ0dAn0DneiXugKgrU36lyrAGL0y6bT42_xkVc5IOSjoG2E7fx13kDKegBedXhbW6zT9uYYt80UrkNNNarA8i7q3T0iHgF7OGZR30EIw_/s2048/Havelock8.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-muYcRigTcw07rLwA9IvHGDSRP-J81YOA7SfhJ0dAn0DneiXugKgrU36lyrAGL0y6bT42_xkVc5IOSjoG2E7fx13kDKegBedXhbW6zT9uYYt80UrkNNNarA8i7q3T0iHgF7OGZR30EIw_/w640-h360/Havelock8.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of several small bridges along Kaiumu Bay Road</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">When you get to the turn off for Daltons Road you cross a stile and follow a grassy pathway along the side of the Pelorus River for about four kilometers across farmland. This is a specific TA easement so stay on the path and do not jeopardize access to this section of the trail...follow the poles with the orange triangles/bands as this is the track.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXV2Er-TcXtC7PxezWsPchxkjXuMhpz_zcEg-JP5Yb5HkcIHrkB7HCFHicDyQL_TjIjfrp-gNyP0Pdalpz_0pqlGvySvHi7iF_4VMtt1pf5wnpIfKVHuxiFjQO-wbFGh8R_TypGUMzULPn/s2048/Havelock4.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXV2Er-TcXtC7PxezWsPchxkjXuMhpz_zcEg-JP5Yb5HkcIHrkB7HCFHicDyQL_TjIjfrp-gNyP0Pdalpz_0pqlGvySvHi7iF_4VMtt1pf5wnpIfKVHuxiFjQO-wbFGh8R_TypGUMzULPn/w640-h360/Havelock4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joining on to Daltons Bridge Track, Te Araroa Trail</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR2hdY5fi_jAixkWmm_7ng1O8ucnznO7VVpoDFzFJISlqTcArB_HetGleAWstN_UJO9-ztiFwDn-zUp0Wx893I0tyjENijPtz6d3NYPMf6bE0w0bCWnKbzlZO8_bfeKicLL9-mFcP2kSeW/s1394/HavelockMap2.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="687" data-original-width="1394" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR2hdY5fi_jAixkWmm_7ng1O8ucnznO7VVpoDFzFJISlqTcArB_HetGleAWstN_UJO9-ztiFwDn-zUp0Wx893I0tyjENijPtz6d3NYPMf6bE0w0bCWnKbzlZO8_bfeKicLL9-mFcP2kSeW/w640-h316/HavelockMap2.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Map: Te Araroa Trail- Daltons Bridge to Pelorus Bridge </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;">The track is fairly obvious as it gets a lot of use and while there are some boggy patches close to the start it is a fairly decent track for the rest of its length. </div><div><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ9vrdkJLlsJn5q8KgGnFa43bPzOcs801bkxK80vRl_lZ8hie99wZqIilxuV7BwoR3ws6K_r-sbo05iD2ssl4pFexSbzSFyJgBL_x1XZojM2slwHTsjPq97BeDBtapxZ9lWLydnynCYnTT/s2048/Havelock5.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ9vrdkJLlsJn5q8KgGnFa43bPzOcs801bkxK80vRl_lZ8hie99wZqIilxuV7BwoR3ws6K_r-sbo05iD2ssl4pFexSbzSFyJgBL_x1XZojM2slwHTsjPq97BeDBtapxZ9lWLydnynCYnTT/w640-h360/Havelock5.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You walk for six kilometers along the Pelorus River bank</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmhj0-TDuErMpIV-mHvQH3AzI7RcasSGlbNhwvUjQ2PLr3sY_tyuL4BP3ZTN0sE9l9FQR73WxpOQ0Sdm0Rx_gjWBuNPMezcles4F6IOV_wTsL4-FGYts-b4t9C57LAyXShdWy-pW9R2FJc/s2048/Havelock7.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmhj0-TDuErMpIV-mHvQH3AzI7RcasSGlbNhwvUjQ2PLr3sY_tyuL4BP3ZTN0sE9l9FQR73WxpOQ0Sdm0Rx_gjWBuNPMezcles4F6IOV_wTsL4-FGYts-b4t9C57LAyXShdWy-pW9R2FJc/w640-h360/Havelock7.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the TA between Daltons Bridge and Pelorus Bridge</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Eventually you will find your self at the end of the farmland and the start of the Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve. There is another stile here that will take you into some nice Beech forest for the last kilometer or so of your walk. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj926NBr4An-lCBViQro2jWmLprg0IpNgTnjgEBxFo9ZIe7hOiZDdkvTMvAgLzir9lKrLbYZxKQka3ok1hEn8AH6ufI_r02D81sPkI5Q352w4E4LgTj2OQI8n-eEb765xW_8RLiFTjyH6cf/s1024/Havelock6.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj926NBr4An-lCBViQro2jWmLprg0IpNgTnjgEBxFo9ZIe7hOiZDdkvTMvAgLzir9lKrLbYZxKQka3ok1hEn8AH6ufI_r02D81sPkI5Q352w4E4LgTj2OQI8n-eEb765xW_8RLiFTjyH6cf/w640-h360/Havelock6.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crossing into Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve, Te Araroa Trail</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPvOOqAyYm5r-yI_IIvYvrTxa7AQb5TqhzMwSVvhxdTL-_Z5tZLPAy_w1qUDlpf5b5a_10qdHRnOGmS-L_oL-Ytw5x7h8OVOK19AO1QXsmWg8bcqdU-UsgDdBrFkEac8OpxRmaXx8BU968/s4320/IMG_8763.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3240" data-original-width="4320" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPvOOqAyYm5r-yI_IIvYvrTxa7AQb5TqhzMwSVvhxdTL-_Z5tZLPAy_w1qUDlpf5b5a_10qdHRnOGmS-L_oL-Ytw5x7h8OVOK19AO1QXsmWg8bcqdU-UsgDdBrFkEac8OpxRmaXx8BU968/w640-h480/IMG_8763.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View back down the Pelorus River Valley, Te Araroa Trail</td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve is sandwiched between Richmond Forest Park and the road walk from the QCT. It is a taste of what awaits you over the next couple of weeks in the Richmond Range and Nelson Lakes NP. You will be walking through Beech forest from here to the river valey after Waiau Pass.</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKqE6C1QBRz7_xnsJNHcGNltu045HkaYMQnjoDcVyTGLIns48y7ajtJ0GIfoe72BVE63l_aXy-SuCkMa53XzQ4oi2lGrjlEc_aPUAhHyChtwF0IIQ3yDXRPV3uhviPuFIqZ_kidhA7-poy/s4320/IMG_8767.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4320" data-original-width="3240" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKqE6C1QBRz7_xnsJNHcGNltu045HkaYMQnjoDcVyTGLIns48y7ajtJ0GIfoe72BVE63l_aXy-SuCkMa53XzQ4oi2lGrjlEc_aPUAhHyChtwF0IIQ3yDXRPV3uhviPuFIqZ_kidhA7-poy/w480-h640/IMG_8767.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First trail marker...Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl9knQGNBlqtgyx5_IBy-r1F2eu6ObTc-ttxXh_0smSubnKfrPRuZhF7YLhh3E66fIfgX1ek2k1Qh0RAry3iSaFEnAtHKTz1fb6oFP2qmTQtqna5sSOH4xEFXrbtuD_yjnxBBR7suggL-Z/s4320/IMG_8772.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3240" data-original-width="4320" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl9knQGNBlqtgyx5_IBy-r1F2eu6ObTc-ttxXh_0smSubnKfrPRuZhF7YLhh3E66fIfgX1ek2k1Qh0RAry3iSaFEnAtHKTz1fb6oFP2qmTQtqna5sSOH4xEFXrbtuD_yjnxBBR7suggL-Z/w640-h480/IMG_8772.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heading further into Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The TA route follows the Circle Loop Track from here to the Pelorus River bridge...there are two tracks which make up this walk. You can follow either path as both lead back to SH6. I followed the right hand or up hill route as I know this quickly levels out into a nice flat forest walk to the Rai River bridge. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBnCuetHWxOFgFWfjioVQAh0qdYlyYhG4VY_Iy2XEwkQSMD2emy6u7PMml0Z1FjjrdzGYPIiQBXZyO9h9g5ZBp0eHkbWFoZIeB8zPuHBMUwNqf_hbsmSCSEvIJtCrbXq1N36Au1M7OMKsJ/s4320/IMG_8761.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3240" data-original-width="4320" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBnCuetHWxOFgFWfjioVQAh0qdYlyYhG4VY_Iy2XEwkQSMD2emy6u7PMml0Z1FjjrdzGYPIiQBXZyO9h9g5ZBp0eHkbWFoZIeB8zPuHBMUwNqf_hbsmSCSEvIJtCrbXq1N36Au1M7OMKsJ/w640-h480/IMG_8761.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the Circle Loop Track, Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJDdSXm9_6Exw6zwNCCT5yrHnInvuJR9Zvj3-83XvZZGUDBrHZbFVZ4O7E9emHH_18reffQnzNsBZ77J4ohNDQV3lOunQYTDlmlwewRbHmo78faGiMiW_69HcExrQoRw6ZBFjPZLEy1io7/s4320/IMG_8771.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3240" data-original-width="4320" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJDdSXm9_6Exw6zwNCCT5yrHnInvuJR9Zvj3-83XvZZGUDBrHZbFVZ4O7E9emHH_18reffQnzNsBZ77J4ohNDQV3lOunQYTDlmlwewRbHmo78faGiMiW_69HcExrQoRw6ZBFjPZLEy1io7/w640-h480/IMG_8771.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Following the right branch of the Circle Loop Track...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There are a mixture of different Beech species in this forest with the largest being Red Beech. One of the Red Beech had fallen over a couple of hundred meters up the track and you could see just how big these trees are. The amount of detritus on the forest floor from the one tree was enormous..</div></div><div><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIZJCXKUvoDNR_JLKgbVlUjYk4UH58r3KhYRJTWK2G6MNBtNZnQybm9shvsbbTh-zvEWaUkfzY5WI4J3l7Bu-Q9qjPMPE2mPh87r869Lpx7Gtx6XLF77rBIeKnRt1EVCpzX0kv78hkWg4v/s4320/IMG_8777.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3240" data-original-width="4320" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIZJCXKUvoDNR_JLKgbVlUjYk4UH58r3KhYRJTWK2G6MNBtNZnQybm9shvsbbTh-zvEWaUkfzY5WI4J3l7Bu-Q9qjPMPE2mPh87r869Lpx7Gtx6XLF77rBIeKnRt1EVCpzX0kv78hkWg4v/w640-h480/IMG_8777.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fallen tree along the Circle Loop Track...Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLm7GMfm1AkdiGtGbXYKY75N-O7zkYtH3EePSGkFSEFowDCBLFI-_4r8MK0OhLYftuSUewFdMPGHXxbaYKdNfO2Vu92ymdHG7song-PFlLtZpV_OWrTOgyr8cLp9kzRnJQQVEehabl7aEW/s4320/IMG_8780.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4320" data-original-width="3240" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLm7GMfm1AkdiGtGbXYKY75N-O7zkYtH3EePSGkFSEFowDCBLFI-_4r8MK0OhLYftuSUewFdMPGHXxbaYKdNfO2Vu92ymdHG7song-PFlLtZpV_OWrTOgyr8cLp9kzRnJQQVEehabl7aEW/w480-h640/IMG_8780.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...there is a lot of timber there...</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The track meanders through the forest for about 600 meters...it is rough and ill defined but just follow the orange track markers and you will not get lost...</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitoi19V6DRWo2CMaZmaC2_CqPKrmDr6T37NNEDp9WBSXUNHYuHhYt1u8i2z7z_9fng8Hj2MTgLQcDC9KvRW9rIiOJlrE-5EhwndxxK1K6gwCNPXTWpCBqBOnetMiSZSfKRqAZz8AhA-ekH/s4320/IMG_8781.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3240" data-original-width="4320" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitoi19V6DRWo2CMaZmaC2_CqPKrmDr6T37NNEDp9WBSXUNHYuHhYt1u8i2z7z_9fng8Hj2MTgLQcDC9KvRW9rIiOJlrE-5EhwndxxK1K6gwCNPXTWpCBqBOnetMiSZSfKRqAZz8AhA-ekH/w640-h480/IMG_8781.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the Circle Loop Track heading for Pelorus Bridge</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br />There is an active pest trapping program at work in this reserve and you could see trapline marking and traps right along the course of the walk. Traps are denoted by either coloured tape of triangles and if you see tape tied to a tree there will be a trap close by. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj54yKTyOwkw8AMjvGta0nLU56tRQnaeAJbBlRdNGRuBKbkUV5yMzB_pZ7Rdw6ymy-pAXsXviKmFVA4ac17a5Aqj97bV9rv5HxFNmO9btfczPcakrzYAVtjpMMJU1fBt0MrQiuifRA2Gxyb/s4320/IMG_8783.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4320" data-original-width="3240" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj54yKTyOwkw8AMjvGta0nLU56tRQnaeAJbBlRdNGRuBKbkUV5yMzB_pZ7Rdw6ymy-pAXsXviKmFVA4ac17a5Aqj97bV9rv5HxFNmO9btfczPcakrzYAVtjpMMJU1fBt0MrQiuifRA2Gxyb/w480-h640/IMG_8783.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trapping line marking on the Circle Loop Track</td></tr></tbody></table></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilJXd6FDEuWN1tw6rf_PWscOvcrcQoJwXz2zhnKwxUpvc_GOXQ_1YGkzG6fNS655XPMVMepyfcn-yyU7M6ghJOH_bXj-tyLC8-tRmzxbPs_UwHw0m_fZgENxByD_VXYsYPQeTNctVsDC5d/s4320/IMG_8784.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4320" data-original-width="3240" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilJXd6FDEuWN1tw6rf_PWscOvcrcQoJwXz2zhnKwxUpvc_GOXQ_1YGkzG6fNS655XPMVMepyfcn-yyU7M6ghJOH_bXj-tyLC8-tRmzxbPs_UwHw0m_fZgENxByD_VXYsYPQeTNctVsDC5d/w480-h640/IMG_8784.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...the tape denotes a trapline...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ4x71VJqEXmYcNLJT9ybD5yZz0atHIxVg3rMTKg9WHPowpJaW0BXsioCd9NGbER10sGQJ-kg9iwlO1Ai9NNkpSOyBV4Thu2J9TJRZp1zbDuKIyXPENNYK52fEEAlDO6cGYq_bXPQQEH3c/s4320/IMG_8786.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3240" data-original-width="4320" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ4x71VJqEXmYcNLJT9ybD5yZz0atHIxVg3rMTKg9WHPowpJaW0BXsioCd9NGbER10sGQJ-kg9iwlO1Ai9NNkpSOyBV4Thu2J9TJRZp1zbDuKIyXPENNYK52fEEAlDO6cGYq_bXPQQEH3c/w640-h480/IMG_8786.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...here is the trap at the end of the trapline marking...</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6JIiHotsPIQtFH8wDfIuHX6g-B_FybHgTiCQj7sn1HPGbE22MRF7PAENIEbD85f-yWzll4QWefcKv1ZJY8E3nbcmgwb7pZrEGbeuJm5Z2k8zQZTPbrkjlt7qdcIi5U2zAFTy6XiR_c4hp/s4320/IMG_8789.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4320" data-original-width="3240" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6JIiHotsPIQtFH8wDfIuHX6g-B_FybHgTiCQj7sn1HPGbE22MRF7PAENIEbD85f-yWzll4QWefcKv1ZJY8E3nbcmgwb7pZrEGbeuJm5Z2k8zQZTPbrkjlt7qdcIi5U2zAFTy6XiR_c4hp/w480-h640/IMG_8789.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mature Red Beech along the Circle Loop Track</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">You will eventually reach a set of stairs that lead down to the approaches to the suspension bridge over the Rai River. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2DcuhsuApFCkvkTHV3FcA5e_KeDX2V-0lqoHcLUJiOHcL54J2SkXaKlq3YaLc9A0fsMZSl-OAguvNgVFSZZbnjIHfGAbdjNBdCZCAy62Gvq0MkKYapkrb5GfOey60XuVvbHMxoQJ787tB/s4320/IMG_8717.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3240" data-original-width="4320" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2DcuhsuApFCkvkTHV3FcA5e_KeDX2V-0lqoHcLUJiOHcL54J2SkXaKlq3YaLc9A0fsMZSl-OAguvNgVFSZZbnjIHfGAbdjNBdCZCAy62Gvq0MkKYapkrb5GfOey60XuVvbHMxoQJ787tB/w640-h480/IMG_8717.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stairs led to the Te Araroa Trail....and Daltons Bridge</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDLiZ-BXoGYCT5FpYaG8_Onz-8LdEkD8Jffe31QFIAqDtNzvmTDNF5z7fGZCZO8A-KjvgnSuxMw3PCcq4141RzBt3P3rEXl6u8lOzFGJyjMcB_WOBoz6Rbexp51leGrjDaoiBa42RJShbT/s4320/IMG_8794.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4320" data-original-width="3240" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDLiZ-BXoGYCT5FpYaG8_Onz-8LdEkD8Jffe31QFIAqDtNzvmTDNF5z7fGZCZO8A-KjvgnSuxMw3PCcq4141RzBt3P3rEXl6u8lOzFGJyjMcB_WOBoz6Rbexp51leGrjDaoiBa42RJShbT/w480-h640/IMG_8794.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Suspension Bridge over Rai River...Te Araroa Trail</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Rai River is a moderately sized waterway that feeds into the Pelorus River just down from the Pelorus River Bridge. It was high on the day I visited as it had been raining for the proceeding couple of days...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJhPdZQ2YoNYKHavy8q4iRTFwZaeXK_eQ0wVsvKmG_9E0h5BxUHj2AjRwcm0C3IJsq_8zhXSMpAP_j_0cAeX7_O5LB5fht-iZW6w0xHQNS4RgCqbJWeoBBgBLBAu5t9cPLPu4ur8whyphenhyphenb5w/s4320/IMG_8796.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3240" data-original-width="4320" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJhPdZQ2YoNYKHavy8q4iRTFwZaeXK_eQ0wVsvKmG_9E0h5BxUHj2AjRwcm0C3IJsq_8zhXSMpAP_j_0cAeX7_O5LB5fht-iZW6w0xHQNS4RgCqbJWeoBBgBLBAu5t9cPLPu4ur8whyphenhyphenb5w/w640-h480/IMG_8796.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rai River suspension bridge...Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8jFDsNUuYKHC2szByU5dcgJviqFZYjQM9efJ8BFls1YB34ahDJFU6K6sOqpeBm_LTz-hIwaJKMgLUrgsgvsR8TDZKao6sDB7rNZkeF8y0T3JEZBHyIRBJEsyuIo8Tyt6teyrfjmkEwNCF/s4320/IMG_8715.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3240" data-original-width="4320" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8jFDsNUuYKHC2szByU5dcgJviqFZYjQM9efJ8BFls1YB34ahDJFU6K6sOqpeBm_LTz-hIwaJKMgLUrgsgvsR8TDZKao6sDB7rNZkeF8y0T3JEZBHyIRBJEsyuIo8Tyt6teyrfjmkEwNCF/w640-h480/IMG_8715.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rai River from the suspension bridge...Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After the Rai River there is just 300 meters till you reach SH6 once again and the end of your days walk. There are glimpses of the Pelorus River as you walk and a nearby lookout point gives good views down to the river itself. </div><div><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghRGXNx9VtEgIie_myXmu5jRHlZ75jt0VPjwKW-l3_TPKgVVXgNYyN7b5qwkjwSs3J-secwh748UO3ESiDxhcNHdbU94SkVBfpSWFqq466Ovht1Ax8e-hA8lSjR5O6dLFlyeZsal0onsYQ/s4320/IMG_8799.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3240" data-original-width="4320" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghRGXNx9VtEgIie_myXmu5jRHlZ75jt0VPjwKW-l3_TPKgVVXgNYyN7b5qwkjwSs3J-secwh748UO3ESiDxhcNHdbU94SkVBfpSWFqq466Ovht1Ax8e-hA8lSjR5O6dLFlyeZsal0onsYQ/w640-h480/IMG_8799.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the Circle Loop Track, Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAwqh3y3R22EnGb83Vppg2LAA7iJOPttXUBakKoSmIBaBlEsNTv1Qw80Zm0bil-EDFbPyi8nn5Kw0RyPaJUO4JGmhpsTd5E39cPU_58ts6FsyVx6wDHOLfhoQ9p-4YzwBdNcMcf1TJN68T/s4320/IMG_8703.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3240" data-original-width="4320" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAwqh3y3R22EnGb83Vppg2LAA7iJOPttXUBakKoSmIBaBlEsNTv1Qw80Zm0bil-EDFbPyi8nn5Kw0RyPaJUO4JGmhpsTd5E39cPU_58ts6FsyVx6wDHOLfhoQ9p-4YzwBdNcMcf1TJN68T/w640-h480/IMG_8703.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pelorus River from a lookout on the Circle Loop Track</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Just past the lookout you get your first view of the Pelorus River Bridge...you are close to the road and the noise of traffic using this main highway grows louder and louder. When you start out the next day you will be walking up Maungatapu Road which is directly opposite the Circle Loop Track entrance...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjffYmcYRn9Ooydm6lHJ1BfytU_LepXUOTGWyuernJlT4n9vA43IgVFzRnfQRly7kCSCxT8hoGQe6uopbxBA7NWoo8P8jkE1lHmQda0IQDZvCUQ3NWVYouG8xl_CGMjm08MAkCR1trujWCo/s4320/IMG_8808.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3240" data-original-width="4320" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjffYmcYRn9Ooydm6lHJ1BfytU_LepXUOTGWyuernJlT4n9vA43IgVFzRnfQRly7kCSCxT8hoGQe6uopbxBA7NWoo8P8jkE1lHmQda0IQDZvCUQ3NWVYouG8xl_CGMjm08MAkCR1trujWCo/w640-h480/IMG_8808.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First view of the Pelorus River Bridge....</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcnPb0NBNtxoYfo6r08W6UYx8my2WwQsFGqWcQAmzmdjrtvswRYYgK_MFp4JZFRBFJ5sXT5uD1vunOocAsNe2XuJ2yVQUz03BAXHTGS4gc6rbeGN_MChgUGPBna42tcR1gVFQFKrBdN-0w/s4320/IMG_8810.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3240" data-original-width="4320" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcnPb0NBNtxoYfo6r08W6UYx8my2WwQsFGqWcQAmzmdjrtvswRYYgK_MFp4JZFRBFJ5sXT5uD1vunOocAsNe2XuJ2yVQUz03BAXHTGS4gc6rbeGN_MChgUGPBna42tcR1gVFQFKrBdN-0w/w640-h480/IMG_8810.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back at SH6 at Pelorus Bridge, Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVn5khpisNWMrlqOxPIfWoYvmzBJaC8JWluFN1IaypmWLLaLWoxlKs24FAqeyWL04gHt3ePXO5VVEUH5PIG6Cv-VAm71akSy_pIfpK2ByttdnIZeUUFbQpvomXPuyz9o_FLcNUXXf41C41/s4320/IMG_8814.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3240" data-original-width="4320" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVn5khpisNWMrlqOxPIfWoYvmzBJaC8JWluFN1IaypmWLLaLWoxlKs24FAqeyWL04gHt3ePXO5VVEUH5PIG6Cv-VAm71akSy_pIfpK2ByttdnIZeUUFbQpvomXPuyz9o_FLcNUXXf41C41/w640-h480/IMG_8814.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The end of the Havelock to Pelorus section...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Pelorus Bridge was built way back in the 1930's and has been in constant use ever since. There have been several plans to replace it with a two lane structure as it is on the main highway from Nelson to Blenheim but you are looking at several billions of dollars and an awful lot of hassle. It keeps getting put in the 'too hard' basket...</div><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbtZUbuXMEITUyafKc8bBiSJmreWx7vgFdUQmPA9EXEUPKfi6Jvmf_W50OjeDwSWgrluOTHl0Cb_gYyMNB4ZTQnvG9V61xEGlEwS2SseQKMk7FgpIg3gTVobtlNPCCDFUVK2s-rFM9G8rB/s4320/IMG_8815.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3240" data-original-width="4320" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbtZUbuXMEITUyafKc8bBiSJmreWx7vgFdUQmPA9EXEUPKfi6Jvmf_W50OjeDwSWgrluOTHl0Cb_gYyMNB4ZTQnvG9V61xEGlEwS2SseQKMk7FgpIg3gTVobtlNPCCDFUVK2s-rFM9G8rB/w640-h480/IMG_8815.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pelorus Bridge, Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIJNvDzm9vtm_OyqkViG0Aym3h0fJ2RngSIkdG3cjd0kIvGUio_CkgY_fsWxnaG7FVMfkoVZClTYhpcXQ1ND-mQor8OQwO8gUtiDN9S0ytCyKQA4VZj8TiOFvZ53lXeC9CmOJdv7Zk19my/s4320/IMG_8816.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3240" data-original-width="4320" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIJNvDzm9vtm_OyqkViG0Aym3h0fJ2RngSIkdG3cjd0kIvGUio_CkgY_fsWxnaG7FVMfkoVZClTYhpcXQ1ND-mQor8OQwO8gUtiDN9S0ytCyKQA4VZj8TiOFvZ53lXeC9CmOJdv7Zk19my/w640-h480/IMG_8816.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Kahikatea campsite is on the opposite side of the river...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">If you are staying at Pelorus Bridge for the night and it is warm then go for a swim in the river. I have been in here several times over the years and it is awesome in the middle of summer. Obviously it is hideously cold over winter and dangerous in flood so consider that before jumping in...use some common sense.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Please do not jump off the bridge...several people have died that way. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ6R_BEElvDnzskSlJ8rO6M46AWggcs2ClnYBliilL9i3Ms7hImM0wRGNfPEZrydqtOLy4c5L9KOk3DdahEy_AoXOe0s0MRuf3BJBtyG-Q2pbMZXOSnL8rv_jzta2f6tB-7qByKanvk1dT/s4320/IMG_8692.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3240" data-original-width="4320" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ6R_BEElvDnzskSlJ8rO6M46AWggcs2ClnYBliilL9i3Ms7hImM0wRGNfPEZrydqtOLy4c5L9KOk3DdahEy_AoXOe0s0MRuf3BJBtyG-Q2pbMZXOSnL8rv_jzta2f6tB-7qByKanvk1dT/w640-h480/IMG_8692.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Downstream view of the Pelorus River, Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">The main DOC office and a café are on the opposite side of the fbridge so you will need to head over to get yourself a campsite for the night. Be aware that this is a favoured Kiwi Christmas and New Year holiday spot so it pays to pre book if you possibly can. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">The café does an nice cup of lifers juice...</span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBSDlKuvHsjXhp3D3VE4AeIgcjb6LY_HqX5rH-m2dF-oKrMAhXiN1gg5GIgKiBCIVrmKmojv2VvnbG1wtx-OLfi_KzOzRxL_T9Uyf8e8TadrXMbCeRb50cU6ujscOmkzWtjIvPMW7BWIu3/s4320/IMG_8821.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3240" data-original-width="4320" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBSDlKuvHsjXhp3D3VE4AeIgcjb6LY_HqX5rH-m2dF-oKrMAhXiN1gg5GIgKiBCIVrmKmojv2VvnbG1wtx-OLfi_KzOzRxL_T9Uyf8e8TadrXMbCeRb50cU6ujscOmkzWtjIvPMW7BWIu3/w640-h480/IMG_8821.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entrance to the café and DOC office at Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfzOP68irvBAd1-y6RmbDJVfU-MWIAumZN-p9hry_Cgx8OoEu68N3rWC7maAPt-XZlvJXMzDNFtAReEhOi7ypbJpOB_oKKEEDDgo3LzuzShqekFQd7JLJyBmhR0r_eza6Y1hTpGZtcvIGn/s4000/DSCN0073.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfzOP68irvBAd1-y6RmbDJVfU-MWIAumZN-p9hry_Cgx8OoEu68N3rWC7maAPt-XZlvJXMzDNFtAReEhOi7ypbJpOB_oKKEEDDgo3LzuzShqekFQd7JLJyBmhR0r_eza6Y1hTpGZtcvIGn/w640-h480/DSCN0073.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kahikatea Campsite at the Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;">So another short section of the Te Araroa Trail completed...I have the other connector from Anakiwa to Havelock on my to do list for this year. Hopefully I get a chance to show you the new tracks they have built for TA walkers on that route very soon.... </div><div><br /></div><div><div><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><b>Access:</b> <span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">SOBO from <span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">Havelock</span> via <span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">SH6 road, Te Hioere Road, Kaiamu Bay Road and Daltons Track to Pelorus Bridge. </span>NOBO from <span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">Pelorus Bridge follow Daltons Track, Kaiamu Road, Te Hioere Road and SH6 to Havelock.</span></span></span></div><div><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><b>Track Times:</b> <span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">20.7</span></span> km's or 5<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">-6</span> hours </span></div><div><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><b>Hut Details:</b> No huts on this section of the TA. DOC campsite at Pelorus Bridge.</span></div><div><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><b>Miscellaneous: </b>The first section is road walking along a busy highway for two kilometers. The remainder is either rural road or across farmland. Please keep to the marked track at all times. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></div><div><br /></div>Jon Moakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14620417636121034748noreply@blogger.com0Pelorus Bridge 7192, New Zealand-41.3021015 173.5428694-69.612335336178845 138.3866194 -12.991867663821154 -151.30088060000003tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2664594284381405400.post-5394000867552700272021-05-31T18:49:00.001-07:002021-05-31T18:49:00.221-07:00Points along the Trail: Camping at Kerr Bay, Nelson Lakes NP<h3 style="text-align: center;"> <span style="text-align: center;"> A winter visit to Kerr Bay campsite...</span></h3><p style="text-align: center;">I recently spent a couple of days up in Nelson Lakes National Park day walking some of the shorter tracks there. I stayed a night at the Kerr Bay Campground between St Arnaud township and Lake Rotoiti. Kerr Bay Campground is a DOC facility with powered and unpowered sites for caravans, camper vans and tents. </p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqi_eKt2ctW-lqdoYDx6AUKifve0hqWU4zlR_nc3yq_IF41BuMi53NQz_GvmdKfV8zd0uxymjah166ARKbSI_7JV1CFo84WrgFJ9Cm_wp5KYKF_JWcSoN4PWtw60BZaMS4L67w9wN9aNs/s4320/IMG_7395.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3240" data-original-width="4320" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqi_eKt2ctW-lqdoYDx6AUKifve0hqWU4zlR_nc3yq_IF41BuMi53NQz_GvmdKfV8zd0uxymjah166ARKbSI_7JV1CFo84WrgFJ9Cm_wp5KYKF_JWcSoN4PWtw60BZaMS4L67w9wN9aNs/w640-h480/IMG_7395.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kerr Bay Campground, St Arnaud</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;">To access from SH63 turn off onto Kerr Bay Road and follow down to the campground near the main boat ramp. Bookings are required from December through to the end of April, over Easter and any week there are speed boat races on Lake Rotoiti. T</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMLyDpj6cElikHO5z07ZkoJSUaT-p4tH6dsURaiN0MZGLx0ihLy8s7_oTeRl7wtQRmVpUaP69S4KZmUm4yA2mWbnZCtUxO-nl7tciVu6aEyDddc_GIKHRBWL8MAEI7NZ3iq12d964BH0QK/s757/StArnaudStreetMap.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="561" data-original-width="757" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMLyDpj6cElikHO5z07ZkoJSUaT-p4tH6dsURaiN0MZGLx0ihLy8s7_oTeRl7wtQRmVpUaP69S4KZmUm4yA2mWbnZCtUxO-nl7tciVu6aEyDddc_GIKHRBWL8MAEI7NZ3iq12d964BH0QK/w640-h474/StArnaudStreetMap.PNG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Map: St Arnaud and the start of Nelson Lakes NP</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span><div><div style="text-align: start;"><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">The rest of the time you have to go to the St Arnaud DOC office on View Road off SH 63 to book a site and pay your camp fees.</div><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW2j8R3sO2PLTBWMGE2FLPveQZggnsfnWy52hCKhEdWxABR2b_1WIlBuYAhVOhcKntxKY13rMiILEZejElK0CpdPLV2ECSxGBy96x3RN8AYMXNeU3j7HMCC_ZOkIzXwKc2Ktcu_KamMyk/s520/KerrBayMap.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="377" data-original-width="520" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW2j8R3sO2PLTBWMGE2FLPveQZggnsfnWy52hCKhEdWxABR2b_1WIlBuYAhVOhcKntxKY13rMiILEZejElK0CpdPLV2ECSxGBy96x3RN8AYMXNeU3j7HMCC_ZOkIzXwKc2Ktcu_KamMyk/w640-h464/KerrBayMap.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Map: set up of Kerr Bay Campground, St Arnaud</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi38L5gexgDo0VGVVhyphenhypheniUiihjlPU1Tn-6AH2_JHdCWBu0qpc7vKGSGhBq4XOXPJn3t6dEdM5BjCvbC_rAOWZTn-xFRZxsY3tpFtGTU-Uw7WtLLgDjkX6Tg5KlPmG13W65Mzy2w6joauAE0/s4320/IMG_7393.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3240" data-original-width="4320" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi38L5gexgDo0VGVVhyphenhypheniUiihjlPU1Tn-6AH2_JHdCWBu0qpc7vKGSGhBq4XOXPJn3t6dEdM5BjCvbC_rAOWZTn-xFRZxsY3tpFtGTU-Uw7WtLLgDjkX6Tg5KlPmG13W65Mzy2w6joauAE0/w640-h480/IMG_7393.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Kaka Zone at Kerr Bay Campground...tent specific</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;">There are both grass and hard surface pads available and the whole campground had a major overhaul last year while the country was mostly empty of tourists. There has been a lot of work done on the camping sites and both the amenity block and the camp cook shelter have been repainted and renovated. </div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYs_AlxJym_CrMOhk2lsJ1rJOnqi2Iw5DfbNUKHczhGwszTtsZRoVbDxa3fOK6jw5dl1t-cKmVi59S6QCpQ5AVh_EBwYf9ADWOdtkc6M0IuyeoFOaN0GqgX2nJnBBA3HEy40BKP7okHOw/s4320/IMG_7394.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3240" data-original-width="4320" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYs_AlxJym_CrMOhk2lsJ1rJOnqi2Iw5DfbNUKHczhGwszTtsZRoVbDxa3fOK6jw5dl1t-cKmVi59S6QCpQ5AVh_EBwYf9ADWOdtkc6M0IuyeoFOaN0GqgX2nJnBBA3HEy40BKP7okHOw/w640-h480/IMG_7394.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Silver Surfer parked up at my site at Kerr Bay</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I was car camping and using one of my Coleman tents on this trip...a smaller two person tent that I use for base camp trips such as this one. At 2.2 kg it is light for a car camping tent but too heavy for tramping purposes (I have a lighter Big Agnes tent for that role). It performed well on this trip but it was really too cold for camping...I should just have stayed in a motel for both nights I was scheduled to be in the area.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMa9JbyA661ytHaEjyZU1kTKpZ6DebAcd8GmPbckYIURbFhYXZUKfz18_8RIgFUELUG20x68D9KPfBEa3se42dLntQ8VNG9MIHy82N1BrDWLDXhweTqvRvIghYcFt4YszuKcySBb9lfpg/s4320/IMG_7396.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3240" data-original-width="4320" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMa9JbyA661ytHaEjyZU1kTKpZ6DebAcd8GmPbckYIURbFhYXZUKfz18_8RIgFUELUG20x68D9KPfBEa3se42dLntQ8VNG9MIHy82N1BrDWLDXhweTqvRvIghYcFt4YszuKcySBb9lfpg/w640-h480/IMG_7396.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Coleman Camper 2 is set up behind the car</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQBfqudfMlfzbhwWySSmVWiNiYyX4EEYAwrpmUswRcajTJyq56nJaRmfi-m_5Z9gromPpaHI09zMD0vUEe7_sn7Sx1RTCLJavkTJ4cpz0NyJl1bB6z8KipdsWJY34-GZK_r8B3YW5__VE/s4320/IMG_7397.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3240" data-original-width="4320" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQBfqudfMlfzbhwWySSmVWiNiYyX4EEYAwrpmUswRcajTJyq56nJaRmfi-m_5Z9gromPpaHI09zMD0vUEe7_sn7Sx1RTCLJavkTJ4cpz0NyJl1bB6z8KipdsWJY34-GZK_r8B3YW5__VE/w640-h480/IMG_7397.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nice protected site for the tent at Kerr Bay Campground</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA43_FNCRu-rkEFYFcj8wyGX9lup9fBSywFtph3Jt0vbsDtcSz81ZibkcbdFlheuKOrz8oadImZc4ZQP6sgI7lbG1N6fpUttZEjfIiA5S5QZ7wSskibiEzD5EVSNZwekwxPNTko2_yEJg/s4320/IMG_7399.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3240" data-original-width="4320" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA43_FNCRu-rkEFYFcj8wyGX9lup9fBSywFtph3Jt0vbsDtcSz81ZibkcbdFlheuKOrz8oadImZc4ZQP6sgI7lbG1N6fpUttZEjfIiA5S5QZ7wSskibiEzD5EVSNZwekwxPNTko2_yEJg/w640-h480/IMG_7399.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plenty of free space in the mostly empty Kerr Bay Campground</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I was in the Kiwi Zone which is a mixed camping/caravan area so there was a hard pad to park the car on and plenty of grass areas around it for the tent. Each of the sites have their own picnic table and each site is sheltered by a couple of trees. It is a nice set up and one I shall be taking advantage of going forward. </div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibrZqnZR1d2C5SP9aFyJ3H0qcxAFEKxLuf5MXxSk_B9YrI_KHMeveFiQNYpkDWUPa0i68GQihMgGEZ3diKHPfpgC0w6LC0Fp02meq7Q6Ha3Rq72BNEwMZ40gR3SeIsd_eSEHcVHyplIX4/s2560/20210507_153818.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2560" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibrZqnZR1d2C5SP9aFyJ3H0qcxAFEKxLuf5MXxSk_B9YrI_KHMeveFiQNYpkDWUPa0i68GQihMgGEZ3diKHPfpgC0w6LC0Fp02meq7Q6Ha3Rq72BNEwMZ40gR3SeIsd_eSEHcVHyplIX4/w640-h384/20210507_153818.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking down to the Lake and Mt Robert from Kerr Bay Campground</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It was a quiet night at the campground as there were only about 6-7 camper vans and myself in the campground. It was a little cold...I had my Marmot -10 degree bag so I was warm enough in my pit but my face got cold as it dropped down to -2 degrees overnight. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I had a closed cell foam mat under my airbed to insulate from the ground but I probably need a down filled air bed for these winter camps. I don't know that anyone makes a car camping air bed with down inside but it is something I shall be investigating. </div><div><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinKeb8NQAUYYnDsw9tDkZN5Z-HduYC4674erATOC9gNHXcMmgw8gzyPN5ipyZCdP5PCA9JYiX89B7ZeLYk80ReKhqp2o6PYO-rIElSP7RxdbcAg6XbIyw35tHF47vq7auB3KtEahQdH9o/s4320/IMG_7398.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3240" data-original-width="4320" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinKeb8NQAUYYnDsw9tDkZN5Z-HduYC4674erATOC9gNHXcMmgw8gzyPN5ipyZCdP5PCA9JYiX89B7ZeLYk80ReKhqp2o6PYO-rIElSP7RxdbcAg6XbIyw35tHF47vq7auB3KtEahQdH9o/w640-h480/IMG_7398.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My camping air bed in the tent, Kerr Bay Campground</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD2sZzB_RkaRK4bdKvyXo3dAvlj6TDmUIbf2fsssEZryZLSIDdPjHmoej_pPXBdEXMrITu9YeHG9fawfYaUD43NUR1rK0QYqSogoD1tny_O9eZzqsGsrWrO5pBqeMXtZio2XZS_55ZuyU/s2560/20210507_174701.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2560" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD2sZzB_RkaRK4bdKvyXo3dAvlj6TDmUIbf2fsssEZryZLSIDdPjHmoej_pPXBdEXMrITu9YeHG9fawfYaUD43NUR1rK0QYqSogoD1tny_O9eZzqsGsrWrO5pBqeMXtZio2XZS_55ZuyU/w640-h384/20210507_174701.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was reading Karen's Willard Price books on this trip...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I actually had a Kiwi walk right past my tent at around 8 pm just as it got dark...it was literally a couple of meters away and while I could make out its shape I couldn't really see any detail in the dark. Still amazing as it is a busy area right on the edge of the National Park and not a place you would expect to see our rare national bird.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><h4>Campsite facilities at Kerr Bay:</h4><div style="text-align: center;">Kerr Bay Campground is well set up with all the facilities you might need when staying overnight at this locale. There is a very nice camp cook shelter and a set of toilets/showers/laundry attached to the camp to make your stay more comfortable. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjbJt-REBBtbHBQzwYtA9z0Fm_-zmSG6xg-Z6WsIhuHL9vzFmJcbyyRyjWa25vvNjenk7aZ11Fc39OtHBbPFaRDbvyrjVz_6WLsl8wlZjZ50yAuHkNXRkq2HUnKHOgWAOmlfOMpPdecws/s2048/DSCN0057.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjbJt-REBBtbHBQzwYtA9z0Fm_-zmSG6xg-Z6WsIhuHL9vzFmJcbyyRyjWa25vvNjenk7aZ11Fc39OtHBbPFaRDbvyrjVz_6WLsl8wlZjZ50yAuHkNXRkq2HUnKHOgWAOmlfOMpPdecws/w640-h480/DSCN0057.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cook shelter at the Kerr Bay Campground, St Arnaud</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgId9tHhFLjFDKKOs3D2tbKhD_JuNKs_ccdFGphYYKQKjqvFwZY0ATanOrQT6b8WdwAxnz-EmfQhaemeXuqIQKk-xmZfeYplkvtwCRaU8ejA5nZJ7XqW2SLjfHx88LOjzzdHicwNI_2R6c/s4320/IMG_7402.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3240" data-original-width="4320" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgId9tHhFLjFDKKOs3D2tbKhD_JuNKs_ccdFGphYYKQKjqvFwZY0ATanOrQT6b8WdwAxnz-EmfQhaemeXuqIQKk-xmZfeYplkvtwCRaU8ejA5nZJ7XqW2SLjfHx88LOjzzdHicwNI_2R6c/w640-h480/IMG_7402.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...it is called Blechynden Shelter...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The cooking shelter is a three sided building with three large tables, bench's and a seat right around the walls of the building. It has a stainless steel bench with two sinks with both hot and cold water. There is a Zip on the wall for boiling water and a free four burner gas hob for use by those people staying in the campground. Filtered water is available inside the shelter and there is a filtered water tap outside for refilling those camper van water tanks before you leave. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2coyH8DGlfff0c3BNs1bin0uI-Kob-IGL6c1qhL4WY2_CmXjZLtQfCOM5fdAXElLCyvW39-MKFOs2kxA1GDUwHLDejOBtC8NDvo09TbaNWcl9wLwi0Spf_yNG-Fc_S7ivprYSK-qHcA8/s2048/DSCN0058.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2coyH8DGlfff0c3BNs1bin0uI-Kob-IGL6c1qhL4WY2_CmXjZLtQfCOM5fdAXElLCyvW39-MKFOs2kxA1GDUwHLDejOBtC8NDvo09TbaNWcl9wLwi0Spf_yNG-Fc_S7ivprYSK-qHcA8/w640-h480/DSCN0058.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kerr Bay Shelter: the hob and one of the dining tables (2018)...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz09kwGBrSPoY75Nw0NxQc3wDFySvxmymYaW0uvxzuHggj8q5ezru1AGpr-aC646xwolPtb7lgwt3Pq2wk85VOBl9w1i8F1BwwVCdid-TS8YkF6HzfGMbErnNT3CKDQKPbcsVt5fW_7Vs/s4320/IMG_7401.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3240" data-original-width="4320" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz09kwGBrSPoY75Nw0NxQc3wDFySvxmymYaW0uvxzuHggj8q5ezru1AGpr-aC646xwolPtb7lgwt3Pq2wk85VOBl9w1i8F1BwwVCdid-TS8YkF6HzfGMbErnNT3CKDQKPbcsVt5fW_7Vs/w640-h480/IMG_7401.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The newly painted interior of Blechynden Shelter at Kerr Bay</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">There are some awesome views of Lake Rotoiti and Mt Robert from inside the cooking shelter which makes for fine dining with a view. They have also put some Clearlite panels in the roof so it is much lighter inside than it used to be. You will find recycling bins and rubbish bins at the cooking shelter and others scattered around the campground. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizfu2CcLpcP0OgDh-7fkyL_a-NX45EmfcBxGeGIHGr1mJCP-_JnVWf2aZOaJ1ewjVdg-Bx4Vl1VN_z0eOWE27fyMF5r5RpLPyeBfN1Xqc2GLaa6eP1ZvsF0eT6MSZKnJmulGRQ7D0EsUA/s4320/IMG_7400.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3240" data-original-width="4320" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizfu2CcLpcP0OgDh-7fkyL_a-NX45EmfcBxGeGIHGr1mJCP-_JnVWf2aZOaJ1ewjVdg-Bx4Vl1VN_z0eOWE27fyMF5r5RpLPyeBfN1Xqc2GLaa6eP1ZvsF0eT6MSZKnJmulGRQ7D0EsUA/w640-h480/IMG_7400.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of Lake Rotoiti from inside the shelter at Kerr Bay Campground</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">There is a combined shower/laundry block at Kerr Bay Campground with token operated hot water showers and coin operated washing machines/dryers. You get the tokens for the facilities from the St Arnaud DOC office on View Road. One token is good for six minutes of hot water or 30 minutes of cloths drying. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">There is a new set of toilets located right next to and opposite the shower block. Both the toilet block and the shower block were totally renovated in December of 2020 so they are now very flash. All these facilities are located opposite the cooking shelter at the Lake Rotoiti end of the campground.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_m4b_fitDMuk58VUM4pisaMMyIv85WEvoIVaIBS-vYnM0hqR0xHye4cZ09NKiQ3srXyMLowToDe5x0vZBHDD_KP9M8wCP1KFAKuEk9OaSdCfM_hofCkrcWddCtROzJCJmjnQyysG5G7A/s4320/IMG_7408.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3240" data-original-width="4320" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_m4b_fitDMuk58VUM4pisaMMyIv85WEvoIVaIBS-vYnM0hqR0xHye4cZ09NKiQ3srXyMLowToDe5x0vZBHDD_KP9M8wCP1KFAKuEk9OaSdCfM_hofCkrcWddCtROzJCJmjnQyysG5G7A/w640-h480/IMG_7408.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DOC sign at the entrance to Kerr Bay Campground, St Arnaud</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Lake Rotoiti boat ramp and dock are located right outside the entrance to the Kerr Bay Campground. There is a carpark here where several of the tracks start that go along this side of Lake Rotoiti including the Lakehead Track to Lakehead Hut and the Travers Valley, St Arnaud Range Track, Loop Walk and Honeydew Track.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmvViIzkFW-7fKIE0TZXu0OUOj2lBbTnYNPovGQTUaMrMvEYlQ4jrBp5OMLav9Lu53N-e4cLIqIaZ0zf4q3THCtveb29guMhzT3Knvk118DeHUSBWYxFvPq-WEdAuaQa5xmYghsW0bnco/s4320/IMG_2084.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3240" data-original-width="4320" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmvViIzkFW-7fKIE0TZXu0OUOj2lBbTnYNPovGQTUaMrMvEYlQ4jrBp5OMLav9Lu53N-e4cLIqIaZ0zf4q3THCtveb29guMhzT3Knvk118DeHUSBWYxFvPq-WEdAuaQa5xmYghsW0bnco/w640-h480/IMG_2084.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Start of the Lake Rotoiti track network at the Kerr Bay carpark</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">One of the tracks I walked was <a href="https://nzbushadventures.blogspot.com/2021/05/mt-robert-circuit-nelson-lakes-np-7-may.html">the Mt Robert Circuit</a> which loops around the northern side of the mountain with a start and finish at the Mt Robert carpark. This is the main route to Angelus Hut if you are adding it to your Te Araroa Trail experience. You have an excellent view of Mt Robert from the campground at Kerr Bay and in fact you can see Paddy's Track from the wharf. </div><div><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrd7BvBpdyWgnK0CErr0gdzUyFj6bMFFo8g9WuyB3f0btAt2_N7x6G4gL5BXQy8rPGrq1ZFqOJUX_vZAzREKsv3GPE9iNzfctbfjc7Fea_eGTDWfIKYnDTw90_2zXhmLM_qJXa906nOR4/s4320/IMG_7403.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3240" data-original-width="4320" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrd7BvBpdyWgnK0CErr0gdzUyFj6bMFFo8g9WuyB3f0btAt2_N7x6G4gL5BXQy8rPGrq1ZFqOJUX_vZAzREKsv3GPE9iNzfctbfjc7Fea_eGTDWfIKYnDTw90_2zXhmLM_qJXa906nOR4/w640-h480/IMG_7403.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mt Robert is visible across Lake Rotoiti, Nelson Lakes NP</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjJ4Z-a9Z589K95R-HoAkF-DrBC914qkLxOh-sIKVOhz-x2H89njQ3O97f1O2jGTl42tVi-Ztc4Ca0j5vMGev8VQK0XDtly_7f_k0b0oFD9LtnIoXZ0eclMVBOMzxcijttLXRT2PekRns/s4320/IMG_7405.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3240" data-original-width="4320" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjJ4Z-a9Z589K95R-HoAkF-DrBC914qkLxOh-sIKVOhz-x2H89njQ3O97f1O2jGTl42tVi-Ztc4Ca0j5vMGev8VQK0XDtly_7f_k0b0oFD9LtnIoXZ0eclMVBOMzxcijttLXRT2PekRns/w640-h480/IMG_7405.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sun setting on the St Arnaud Range, Nelson Lakes NP</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Kerr Bay Campground is a well appointed and well located place for you to use as a camping spot while passing through Nelson Lakes National Park. For both SOBO and NOBO trekkers it lies directly on the path through to Travers Saddle, Waiau Saddle, Red Hills and the Richmond Ranges. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>Jon Moakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14620417636121034748noreply@blogger.com0Nelson Lakes National Park, South Island, New Zealand-42.0075113 172.6316661-70.317745136178843 137.4754161 -13.697277463821152 -152.21208390000004tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2664594284381405400.post-2826496893821223522021-05-26T17:32:00.006-07:002021-05-26T17:34:31.392-07:00Points along the Trail: Lake Tekapo Village<h3 style="text-align: center;"> <span> </span> Visiting Lake Tekapo while on the Te Araroa Trail<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span></h3><p style="text-align: center;"><span>There are a number of small settlements you must pass through while walking the South Island legs of Te Araroa Trail and Lake Tekapo Village is one of them. Lake Tekapo (or Tekapo) is a small village on the northern edge of the Mackenzie Country between the Two Thumb Range and Twizel. </span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6bygA_ohoxooT9BsZDtkWkrEoDpqOZ_kWapOOIXo76ccpoaSzQXsKgKmS7_WLoHabYZ1dfi_7QTl40x4gFNobd_fFbbB2x5aHCLL32606yua6lgzb_941sqDi_NmASU8w_fwxT1r_Lx0m/s4320/IMG_7188.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3240" data-original-width="4320" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6bygA_ohoxooT9BsZDtkWkrEoDpqOZ_kWapOOIXo76ccpoaSzQXsKgKmS7_WLoHabYZ1dfi_7QTl40x4gFNobd_fFbbB2x5aHCLL32606yua6lgzb_941sqDi_NmASU8w_fwxT1r_Lx0m/w640-h480/IMG_7188.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking north to the Two Thumb Range from Lake Tekapo</td></tr></tbody></table><span><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">It is a tourist stop over point on the route to Aoraki/Mt Cook, Wanaka and Queenstown and serves as the rural service hub for the local area. Every TA trekker will have to pass through Lake Tekapo as it sits right on the trail and is the only resupply point between two 3-4 day sections. There are about 100 permeant residents in Lake Tekapo but over the summer and long holiday weekends it is much busier as it is becoming a holiday home mecca. There are now over 1200 homes in Tekapo up from less than forty 25 years ago...</div></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDuZfXHLJXH8LND-JB4h7iH6_Z1BF9ulofqCCikbnzY6KndJbPevPsCo6AF_Msz7WsHg29iM_3TNIDqCd0hAqf7YMx8nrmMhdRCFQEaxsAHW21X9sxEg1tCM8J70Evj-zmXPbKIsGht18P/s2048/Lake_TekapoVillage.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1229" data-original-width="2048" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDuZfXHLJXH8LND-JB4h7iH6_Z1BF9ulofqCCikbnzY6KndJbPevPsCo6AF_Msz7WsHg29iM_3TNIDqCd0hAqf7YMx8nrmMhdRCFQEaxsAHW21X9sxEg1tCM8J70Evj-zmXPbKIsGht18P/w640-h384/Lake_TekapoVillage.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Main drag of Lake Tekapo Village...restaurants and gift shops</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXY_clrHl4e2qER2rf0wRHHdItkv32ebR2B9sm56qAelqhu9F_MyWnqEu4aereegOqoDIvjmUeoTOz43cIjOaDtYKg0LHslaZemGVvb0yjdAhlWNZOeSgE3XBbSMeydp_gvOY_gjdlJjHa/s949/TekapoMap.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="949" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXY_clrHl4e2qER2rf0wRHHdItkv32ebR2B9sm56qAelqhu9F_MyWnqEu4aereegOqoDIvjmUeoTOz43cIjOaDtYKg0LHslaZemGVvb0yjdAhlWNZOeSgE3XBbSMeydp_gvOY_gjdlJjHa/w640-h440/TekapoMap.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Map: Lake Tekapo Village, Mackenzie Basin</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Tekapo has limited services but can provide the essentials such as restaurants, a supermarket, accommodation and it also acts as a transportation link with public transport to and from the village. Most people will spend 1-2 days here resting, cleaning gear and resupplying before setting off once again along the trail. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ycyTOAmlEZRus9FU5zkyvPUn9L45nWbNMTL2ofmIU2qB1mzKOQV2eQFZV2Xoa2FG65z-c52338lf73dUli8d6SonRJjpUwNEb4j4ETzhosIrjX3oJkkV0IZ7KTifct5vpXaSttkyXmDj/s4320/IMG_7187.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3240" data-original-width="4320" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ycyTOAmlEZRus9FU5zkyvPUn9L45nWbNMTL2ofmIU2qB1mzKOQV2eQFZV2Xoa2FG65z-c52338lf73dUli8d6SonRJjpUwNEb4j4ETzhosIrjX3oJkkV0IZ7KTifct5vpXaSttkyXmDj/w640-h480/IMG_7187.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lake Tekapo from near the Church of the Good Sheppard</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I thought it might be useful to look at what you can expect to find at Lake Tekapo and I will talk about resupply, accommodation options and things to do if you are spending a zero day here. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><br /></span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span>Lake Tekapo Village:</span></h4><div><span><br /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span>My partner Karen and I recently visited Lake Tekapo Village and spent a day there while completing a camper van holiday around the lower South Island. We were heading north back to Christchurch from Aoraki/Mt Cook,</span><span style="text-align: center;"> Lake Tekapo was our last stop for this trip. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWpjh901j2njqV9uSQF9KruJmVjZhJoepO7RmCNJaKfqhayd30o85xSO6FkJPb7zPSJi3tufXSjoT5wAnNazbySWGmd1O9RFeQLWfQWREGIh8X6oYUH9DZDbY6ki5Ez_n6zX8XTKs-VzGP/s4320/IMG_7174.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3240" data-original-width="4320" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWpjh901j2njqV9uSQF9KruJmVjZhJoepO7RmCNJaKfqhayd30o85xSO6FkJPb7zPSJi3tufXSjoT5wAnNazbySWGmd1O9RFeQLWfQWREGIh8X6oYUH9DZDbY6ki5Ez_n6zX8XTKs-VzGP/w640-h480/IMG_7174.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aoraki/Mt Cook from Glentanner Holiday Park</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">After checking into our accommodation we went down to the Church of the Good Shepard (no crowds at all...) where I proceeded to disassemble numerous shorefront rock cairns much to Karen's amusement. Have a read of my post about <a href="https://nzbushadventures.blogspot.com/2020/07/a-critique-of-instagram-rock-stacking.html">the damaging effects of unnecessary rock cairns</a> I posted late last year. We visited the Dark Skies Centre and had a look at the various shops and the new 4-Square supermarket along the main drag. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkE46jrYfvjbUWXznqwFgSrmpuvflXpErBkDW9VRM4rhieK75RgGkILbSYaSokPMDga0h4fBA8c237J7y6qNyDn1MNyvDI6uXLUVsPuotxjU5KBJ_Iwxt7WWnPvUYjU0ur2pdEkAaOxe4/s4320/IMG_7185.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3240" data-original-width="4320" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkE46jrYfvjbUWXznqwFgSrmpuvflXpErBkDW9VRM4rhieK75RgGkILbSYaSokPMDga0h4fBA8c237J7y6qNyDn1MNyvDI6uXLUVsPuotxjU5KBJ_Iwxt7WWnPvUYjU0ur2pdEkAaOxe4/w640-h480/IMG_7185.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Church of the Good Shepard, Lake Tekapo</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcFqoPNwQolm_U8uZFMXnOmSVvHaZnNIuqIngptTN6savnPTJRWA2SJa4DLWXzYT-AiHurEQzrEjr8qyxG7nhVVzh0SFz4HGLwPcvWOCrQTToFJHOEkC1brmd6AUxJT_fZcjAHAN__iso/s4320/IMG_7188.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3240" data-original-width="4320" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcFqoPNwQolm_U8uZFMXnOmSVvHaZnNIuqIngptTN6savnPTJRWA2SJa4DLWXzYT-AiHurEQzrEjr8qyxG7nhVVzh0SFz4HGLwPcvWOCrQTToFJHOEkC1brmd6AUxJT_fZcjAHAN__iso/w640-h480/IMG_7188.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Two Thumb Range from near Lake Tekapo Village</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The next morning we drove up to the top of Mt John for the spectacular views off the whole Mackenzie Basin. It costs $10 to drive up this private road to near the observatory but it is well worth it as you can see for tens of kilometers from the hill top carpark and cafe. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmWj0RXr3tjBCzzhvYQWq3dSpBSkQmF6deyXkN-If3couOpwMW5xWHp4YBuTLR72rVNkcS2xI9vBkQprsKbLQhQiDUq6c4CQ0gjUz2xTbk3-AuOTp2ieijFP5jwFLctRqtk1NBYUy4XXQ/s4320/IMG_7193.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3240" data-original-width="4320" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmWj0RXr3tjBCzzhvYQWq3dSpBSkQmF6deyXkN-If3couOpwMW5xWHp4YBuTLR72rVNkcS2xI9vBkQprsKbLQhQiDUq6c4CQ0gjUz2xTbk3-AuOTp2ieijFP5jwFLctRqtk1NBYUy4XXQ/w640-h480/IMG_7193.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lake Tekapo Village from Mt John, Lake Tekapo</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Up33WzdNyA5iagOR99jLKpEiWUl8Br8s0OkzUpKA2GaAPdbg1lXHAIm_C36FcdjO6twR3SIjYAisHqRAFWx4mAR7tuS9LMDbHo-e-eHW_HfvWKEGl5XKm7gZiugadJy9l8lAPGxJjMg/s4320/IMG_7199.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3240" data-original-width="4320" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Up33WzdNyA5iagOR99jLKpEiWUl8Br8s0OkzUpKA2GaAPdbg1lXHAIm_C36FcdjO6twR3SIjYAisHqRAFWx4mAR7tuS9LMDbHo-e-eHW_HfvWKEGl5XKm7gZiugadJy9l8lAPGxJjMg/w640-h480/IMG_7199.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A rainbow visible from the top of Mt John, Mackenzie Basin</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf7QyTqIwWFHUuCzb25MZaRdC5V_qlv3VkqP1psOn13_CXggJ0hMEOKga2MoLVFvHNWikiVjrIhRMDaz3q70lTuPIaFFgTGUp8wfcorKZhKuFlqY2agfrb5igMiV27H0WZ21JuONGSNMA/s4320/IMG_7192.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3240" data-original-width="4320" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf7QyTqIwWFHUuCzb25MZaRdC5V_qlv3VkqP1psOn13_CXggJ0hMEOKga2MoLVFvHNWikiVjrIhRMDaz3q70lTuPIaFFgTGUp8wfcorKZhKuFlqY2agfrb5igMiV27H0WZ21JuONGSNMA/w640-h480/IMG_7192.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lake Alexandria from the carpark on Mt John, Lake Tekapo</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeNo7dDhwSXAuChtSMYmsNnGGH5lbN78MYe6eju7IpjAUm7GJwNkVsR95dryxpm-Us1Ogrvpc4aS3r6y7qHRilKn1kOiN0n5nUvQpkzzdQEURebLnLhvGfq88bHObZB3DBrEGw4pyPE2k/s4320/IMG_7201.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3240" data-original-width="4320" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeNo7dDhwSXAuChtSMYmsNnGGH5lbN78MYe6eju7IpjAUm7GJwNkVsR95dryxpm-Us1Ogrvpc4aS3r6y7qHRilKn1kOiN0n5nUvQpkzzdQEURebLnLhvGfq88bHObZB3DBrEGw4pyPE2k/w640-h480/IMG_7201.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Jucy Chaser at the upper carpark, Mt John, Lake Tekapo</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><span>It was cloudy and windy the day we visited but on a clear day you can see as far as Aoraki/Mt Cook, Twizel and across Lake Tekapo to the Two Thumb Range. </span></p><p><span><br /></span></p><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span>Food options in Lake Tekapo:</span></h4><p><span><i>Supermarket: </i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span>A brand new 4-Square supermarket was built in Tekapo in late 2019 and it makes shopping for food so much easier. It is a medium sized store but it has everything you will need to resupply for the next three to four day sections to Twizel or Geraldine. It is located at the western edge of town and is very obvious from the Tekapo-Twizel Road. It is the only food store in Tekapo so if it does not have what you need you will be heading for either Twizel or Geraldine. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMn6JhaOrqp73-v5X-Xsk_z4fv9Tk22yk74gUsR61VgtTuoArD48Mh3sPcpaak-rJgrwvOHS0c9QSkapriBE7eEqTs3kOG3MPw2duPNoQxFCcTuAA6TcLuRKKa0eKk7TD0zDqWVN3Wkfph/s1920/Tekapo-Four-Square.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1920" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMn6JhaOrqp73-v5X-Xsk_z4fv9Tk22yk74gUsR61VgtTuoArD48Mh3sPcpaak-rJgrwvOHS0c9QSkapriBE7eEqTs3kOG3MPw2duPNoQxFCcTuAA6TcLuRKKa0eKk7TD0zDqWVN3Wkfph/w640-h400/Tekapo-Four-Square.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span>4-Square is an independent Co-Op brand which tends to have medium to small supermarkets in these smaller country towns. You will also find 4-Square markets in Havelock, Picton, Methven, Hanmer, Wanaka and Te Anau. They are slightly more expensive than some of the larger chain markets but not so much that the prices are exorbitant. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span>You will get to know them well while walking the Te Araroa Trail. </span></p><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFYUQeXlwRuGaIIsujgTuu4DGRgKexocO-k8WckN_SlN9q5bHVWqe_iua3plyzNxwp6CqQGCi8jYu4KoZgQCQ7AT4082DpvsvGAaOmTs2zlSVLbBvLsIGFgSrDAMJnZ83LMR_TbKYzgkis/s560/Mackenzie-Four-Square-1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="460" data-original-width="560" height="526" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFYUQeXlwRuGaIIsujgTuu4DGRgKexocO-k8WckN_SlN9q5bHVWqe_iua3plyzNxwp6CqQGCi8jYu4KoZgQCQ7AT4082DpvsvGAaOmTs2zlSVLbBvLsIGFgSrDAMJnZ83LMR_TbKYzgkis/w640-h526/Mackenzie-Four-Square-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lake Tekapo 4-Square: aisle 1 and2</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgibDyNiMvSaryLXQDFonwvEv65a49pPYzzZrPtzplClKhjs28ChmNCLGaxrfYqqMxczDA8UQhDbB-WjN2ReziIeHLefxb3EmynolGwmcrFR3OjwkEunHYnQ3NkPs1Pc6Xxtq2WdWjcVmrH/s560/Tekapo-Four-Square-3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="460" data-original-width="560" height="526" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgibDyNiMvSaryLXQDFonwvEv65a49pPYzzZrPtzplClKhjs28ChmNCLGaxrfYqqMxczDA8UQhDbB-WjN2ReziIeHLefxb3EmynolGwmcrFR3OjwkEunHYnQ3NkPs1Pc6Xxtq2WdWjcVmrH/w640-h526/Tekapo-Four-Square-3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lake Tekapo 4-Square:aisle 3-4</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;">As well as all the normal items you would expect they also sold Backcountry freeze dried meals, milk powder, gas canisters, stove alcohol (methylated spirits), first aid supplies and a limited supply of hardware items such as tape, socks, gloves, wool hats etc.. They had a good selection of meat, cheese and cold cuts to choose from including prepackaged salami, ham and chicken.</div><br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVxcelLg8tLbGjb3HkNwayqCbZK2Xj_rySsNBPv4-rqA405cxcsoY4g-0FXfRdwXEs_mLAvrbrwurUegmLJwHrXq4IHfYVMsdSpdh0FYR9vyJDNZQOotG8-3asreM9e4nDxuiW3l0Uj0wi/s560/Tekapo-Four-Square-4.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="460" data-original-width="560" height="526" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVxcelLg8tLbGjb3HkNwayqCbZK2Xj_rySsNBPv4-rqA405cxcsoY4g-0FXfRdwXEs_mLAvrbrwurUegmLJwHrXq4IHfYVMsdSpdh0FYR9vyJDNZQOotG8-3asreM9e4nDxuiW3l0Uj0wi/w640-h526/Tekapo-Four-Square-4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lake Tekapo 4-Square:cold store items</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">The supermarket is the only off license place to buy alcohol and as with all supermarkets in New Zealand it sells wine, cider and beer but not spirits. </div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYP5KWbU5FtthQomxr4mQSH3b_IKwVgZfRwFP8Iz94X8xVnfTHqFh0R9kItJQvA-hgaLmK1iNxIS3tVbEKsz2NEKPMW_44VmqR1u1q8B-wxxv6j7n_O7pyIr1enG1okiJwxQvA0kPhgQMA/s1024/TekapoFourSquare.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYP5KWbU5FtthQomxr4mQSH3b_IKwVgZfRwFP8Iz94X8xVnfTHqFh0R9kItJQvA-hgaLmK1iNxIS3tVbEKsz2NEKPMW_44VmqR1u1q8B-wxxv6j7n_O7pyIr1enG1okiJwxQvA0kPhgQMA/w640-h480/TekapoFourSquare.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lake Tekapo 4-Square:frozen section...ice and pizzas!!!</td></tr></tbody></table></div><p style="text-align: center;">I was mentally making a list as I walked the aisles and I could easily have put together a nice varied menu for at least a week from the goods sold in the store. The only other place to buy limited grocery items is at either of the two service stations in town but they mostly just sell snack foods.</p><p><span><i><br /></i></span></p><p><span><i>Cafes, restaurants and takeaways:</i></span></p><p></p><div style="text-align: center;">There are a number of types and styles of restaurant in Lake Tekapo catering from takeaway meals right through to semi fine dining restaurants with table service. We went out to dinner as a treat for our last night in the camper van...our meal was at a nice Japanese restaurant called <a href="https://kohannz.com/">Kohan</a> and we had some Kirin beer and sushi, tempura, tonkatsu and breaded lamb chops all of which were delicious. </div><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhqINPtfA4-ONljHPckJMB6Ao7BeLL6cHPP7_Rg9r3wuqgfnmVFg27t8vzCX62OH5RhbRiltRzENQQtl-2XYTYoPE_durqlsXeqZGpW_4Zm0BsnwGAZYZWhCCrmezJIg8ZAieM7oYxbE4/s1600/Kohan.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhqINPtfA4-ONljHPckJMB6Ao7BeLL6cHPP7_Rg9r3wuqgfnmVFg27t8vzCX62OH5RhbRiltRzENQQtl-2XYTYoPE_durqlsXeqZGpW_4Zm0BsnwGAZYZWhCCrmezJIg8ZAieM7oYxbE4/w640-h360/Kohan.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The side entrance to Kohan Japanese Restaurant, Lake Tekapo</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;">There are a number of other restaurants and cafes in the village they range from cheap takeaways to full multicourse dining experiences. Some of the most obvious are Doughboys Bakery, Jade Palace Chinese Restaurant (a TA tradition...), Peppers Blue Water Cafe/Restaurant, Mackenzies Cafe Bar and Grill and the Dark Skies Diner. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg66zCYyYNeoReSO8JNN73W9vAFhMPCyoA7PoCsLu6fUaBSr4-rhjXhPpK-jBJEVjflGifJw8AvnVgxXYo6Pgco05JFRK2RkY5vABjfanurqALi9RydN7uFTGRXi7_vk_sOlB8FpLB_aHPm/s550/JadePalace.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="309" data-original-width="550" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg66zCYyYNeoReSO8JNN73W9vAFhMPCyoA7PoCsLu6fUaBSr4-rhjXhPpK-jBJEVjflGifJw8AvnVgxXYo6Pgco05JFRK2RkY5vABjfanurqALi9RydN7uFTGRXi7_vk_sOlB8FpLB_aHPm/w640-h360/JadePalace.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jade Palace Restaurant, Lake Tekapo Village</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">You will need to check the opening times of all of these eateries as they have shortened their hours since Covid 19. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL9q0RYK-z0X1EeNQMr0naKBQRLGe8Acek34w2eJ2Koh0uRHBCELQJWKQMrkUGC-FW8KdZ38MVZEULeBA8WW2gM1wPhu3mPJRzN7yLTOTaTi7i9Rl3ieoaJDz9rOMJ-GRQ6bQIdjE0Pr1D/s800/DarkskiesDiner.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="562" data-original-width="800" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL9q0RYK-z0X1EeNQMr0naKBQRLGe8Acek34w2eJ2Koh0uRHBCELQJWKQMrkUGC-FW8KdZ38MVZEULeBA8WW2gM1wPhu3mPJRzN7yLTOTaTi7i9Rl3ieoaJDz9rOMJ-GRQ6bQIdjE0Pr1D/w640-h450/DarkskiesDiner.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dark Skies diner, Dark Skies Center, Lake Tekapo Village</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL9q0RYK-z0X1EeNQMr0naKBQRLGe8Acek34w2eJ2Koh0uRHBCELQJWKQMrkUGC-FW8KdZ38MVZEULeBA8WW2gM1wPhu3mPJRzN7yLTOTaTi7i9Rl3ieoaJDz9rOMJ-GRQ6bQIdjE0Pr1D/s800/DarkskiesDiner.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">There are several more eateries but these are just a selection...try searching online for [restaurants + lake tekapo] for more information. Takeaway meals are available from Kohan/Jade Palace/Doughboys (fish and chips etc.) and a small sushi restaurant next to Aotea Gifts.</p><p><br /></p><h4 style="text-align: left;">Accommodation in Lake Tekapo:</h4><p style="text-align: center;">There is a full range of accommodation in Lake Tekapo Village from backpackers and campgrounds right through to four star high end resorts. <span style="text-align: center;">We were staying at the </span><a href="https://laketekapo-accommodation.co.nz/" style="text-align: center;">Lakeview Motels and Holiday Park</a><span style="text-align: center;"> next to the new hot pool complex along the shore of Lake Tekapo.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjywtWLRyz2F3ZE3OjpPGzvoF4uL0o6faSiaPHhUb6BIikUnzmOt610h0hhRy2odfsDtE9F3maD0qU9yCkX6WRMErzuUVG1TcYA0T5ou2n1oyvw7GrIFLbFdQQ3bUWpsVve6Y5cgFuDCeV5/s800/TekapoHolidayPark.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="559" data-original-width="800" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjywtWLRyz2F3ZE3OjpPGzvoF4uL0o6faSiaPHhUb6BIikUnzmOt610h0hhRy2odfsDtE9F3maD0qU9yCkX6WRMErzuUVG1TcYA0T5ou2n1oyvw7GrIFLbFdQQ3bUWpsVve6Y5cgFuDCeV5/w640-h448/TekapoHolidayPark.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reception for Lake Tekapo Motels and Holiday Park</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;">The camp has had a lot of work done on it recently and is now graced with top notch facilities. We had a lake front powered van site and could see down to the lakefront and out to Mt John and the Two Thumb Range on the far side of the lake. They have camp sites here as well as motel units with access to showers, cooking facilities and laundry.</p><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKRn3FjVgN_WmyUUzyTxgKbjjdSBzEGixd1WweF_ba9zPHwrSSd8kiU9-mcbsiq7XZLUaY2qMgwKVx1uY4nV0Mn7VTHQoDWAmMQt5D-2GxUwwxckAwwoia3Llnwe0dETnGa-qHkJ4liC8/s4320/IMG_7191.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3240" data-original-width="4320" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKRn3FjVgN_WmyUUzyTxgKbjjdSBzEGixd1WweF_ba9zPHwrSSd8kiU9-mcbsiq7XZLUaY2qMgwKVx1uY4nV0Mn7VTHQoDWAmMQt5D-2GxUwwxckAwwoia3Llnwe0dETnGa-qHkJ4liC8/w640-h480/IMG_7191.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Many camper-vans at the campgrounds, Lake Tekapo</td></tr></tbody></table></div><p style="text-align: center;">Most people walking the Te Araroa Trail will stay at the <a href="https://www.yha.co.nz/hostels/south-island-hostels/yha-lake-tekapo">YHA Lake Tekapo</a>...it is brand new and very, very flash. They have a variety of rooms available from multi user bunkrooms right up to 2-4 person rooms with Queen Size beds and attached bathrooms. All YHA's have cooking/dining areas, a lounge and laundry facilities. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJJnPykZmJUZ2Ay1dbVHg2JhyT4fG39dTeIZ44J76Bml4nHeflWRZEEwTwyWvXnhHZRRW1SSzt-niZpLY2sRJ76ikc1An_wmwGX7ivRwLqeXUD-V-izdKVNecO1qqN_CztX5MjMCn4doPF/s1024/YHATekapo1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1024" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJJnPykZmJUZ2Ay1dbVHg2JhyT4fG39dTeIZ44J76Bml4nHeflWRZEEwTwyWvXnhHZRRW1SSzt-niZpLY2sRJ76ikc1An_wmwGX7ivRwLqeXUD-V-izdKVNecO1qqN_CztX5MjMCn4doPF/w640-h426/YHATekapo1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">YHA Lake Tekapo...two years old!!!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqcRhKAk-C9yAt83eZ8TncK0gDF_yypaT6X_drypc-f_rYVnun8ZCqo6SNnYlPUBq39EpG1PwgOemmX3pvQfB9BQzj3vAJTcmWAyYNPdCC7j2NZWbnYjzbOdaPhdYmbhdoHgCnwujw2iEH/s1500/YHATekapo2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqcRhKAk-C9yAt83eZ8TncK0gDF_yypaT6X_drypc-f_rYVnun8ZCqo6SNnYlPUBq39EpG1PwgOemmX3pvQfB9BQzj3vAJTcmWAyYNPdCC7j2NZWbnYjzbOdaPhdYmbhdoHgCnwujw2iEH/w640-h426/YHATekapo2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lake Tekapo YHA has multiuser bunkrooms...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;">It is located right in the center of Tekapo and has stunning views out over the lake and the surrounding mountains. The 4-Square supermarket it 100 meters away and it is also located right next to the Kohan Restaurant, MacKenzies Bar and Grill and the Dark Skies Center. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;"> </span></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipKMo89jHDoz8IuseY7Tz9ZBDMS5LBq8-kieFs_LBq_aO5-TqTyYNC7Uqp0TIeoo3ComPt-_dzRSA_zrP5pFEdyoFo6zCvwjhELu9c3d0WH-aQrVP5Ev6iqXY1-AIKLnMYSP-LGLZGlVCN/s1500/YHATekapo3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipKMo89jHDoz8IuseY7Tz9ZBDMS5LBq8-kieFs_LBq_aO5-TqTyYNC7Uqp0TIeoo3ComPt-_dzRSA_zrP5pFEdyoFo6zCvwjhELu9c3d0WH-aQrVP5Ev6iqXY1-AIKLnMYSP-LGLZGlVCN/w640-h426/YHATekapo3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...YHA Lake nice double rooms/suites!!!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: center;">There are a couple of high end hotels and resort style motels in Tekapo the most obvious is the<a href="https://www.peppers.co.nz/bluewater/"> Peppers Bluewater Resort</a> directly opposite the supermarket on the Tekapo-Twizel Highway. Karen has stayed here before and she said it was lovely with nicely appointed rooms, a cafe/restaurant and some good amenities. She raved about the resort so it sounds like a decent place to stay if you want to pamper yourself. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNDBxXCjokQIYm_isn-kO3iSbbHBJFPMX745S8QwHIsXCM6PPKklMMEtyR16B8d4te6v5ILas4Wv3l2sLHD5TTPcehDZo74P2Zx334nlsXllw3sFbexcVV9I9yzChqLloSUCOCHqXM8a7Y/s650/PeppersTekapo.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="401" data-original-width="650" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNDBxXCjokQIYm_isn-kO3iSbbHBJFPMX745S8QwHIsXCM6PPKklMMEtyR16B8d4te6v5ILas4Wv3l2sLHD5TTPcehDZo74P2Zx334nlsXllw3sFbexcVV9I9yzChqLloSUCOCHqXM8a7Y/w640-h394/PeppersTekapo.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjinK3oivZHW0FKQrCNN7I5AuYJrbl7AitcxKu-DorcywBfkgIsEvOT5ZYLcXig12x3Tm4u5NIv36aCf3LJs5GTOLIJM9ju7BRRAsc5hJNTXRPfrWpJNF_j2hqrS-3quF0aztoZbHbPAh9T/s877/2-Bedroom-Lake-View-Peppers-Bluewater-Resort.t49447.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="585" data-original-width="877" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjinK3oivZHW0FKQrCNN7I5AuYJrbl7AitcxKu-DorcywBfkgIsEvOT5ZYLcXig12x3Tm4u5NIv36aCf3LJs5GTOLIJM9ju7BRRAsc5hJNTXRPfrWpJNF_j2hqrS-3quF0aztoZbHbPAh9T/w640-h426/2-Bedroom-Lake-View-Peppers-Bluewater-Resort.t49447.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Suite room at the Peppers Bluewater Resort Lake Tekapo</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There is also the <a href="https://www.laketekapo.com/">Lake Tekapo Village Motel</a> down near the YHA and Dark Skies Center. It has decent looking rooms ranging from self contained suites right through to top line apartments and is very centrally located for any service you might need. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRdYk4ekXp04CMXX2Tb4-75SKQvvZVMzDHMAY01QfO4ynBM922Us_hzO7l1oI30x9PGLYxVB-BTKwMOpZ_aTvWbaXUbgghgUVKU12G8JCM6sYuU25XJ_TwKBTrnwoese9GI8tvSIpls-QT/s1054/TekapoVillageMotel.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="697" data-original-width="1054" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRdYk4ekXp04CMXX2Tb4-75SKQvvZVMzDHMAY01QfO4ynBM922Us_hzO7l1oI30x9PGLYxVB-BTKwMOpZ_aTvWbaXUbgghgUVKU12G8JCM6sYuU25XJ_TwKBTrnwoese9GI8tvSIpls-QT/w640-h424/TekapoVillageMotel.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Suite at Lake Tekapo Village Motel</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Personally I would probably stay in the YHA...it looks nice...certainly one of the better appointed YHA's I have seen here in New Zealand and good value for money. </div><p><br /></p><h4 style="text-align: left;">Things to do and see in Lake Tekapo:</h4><p style="text-align: center;">Lake Tekapo is really a point most people will pass by or only stop in for a short break while driving between other larger towns. Regardless it is actually a nice destination to visit in its own right and if you are walking through on your way north or south you might as well have a look at the attractions there.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAw7I0FOVRbok0W6Y4wpFHnMRnFyiRPhDdXJwHPN50GIemfGCjG9G_CFpVqes7wL1vRlT7O9HsQy-MYcv2JQBvVU7QM1awZZEjXEeLUJyDcOyvqZOoeLeg3KXLzj3xrEW8DLwAfxGPvht2/s1024/TekapoFlowers.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAw7I0FOVRbok0W6Y4wpFHnMRnFyiRPhDdXJwHPN50GIemfGCjG9G_CFpVqes7wL1vRlT7O9HsQy-MYcv2JQBvVU7QM1awZZEjXEeLUJyDcOyvqZOoeLeg3KXLzj3xrEW8DLwAfxGPvht2/w640-h360/TekapoFlowers.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The footbridge over the Tekapo River</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;">The first and most obvious (because you walk right past it is the Church of the Good Sheppard down on the Lake Tekapo waterfront. This is a magnificent stone church with awesome vistas out to the lake and lovely stained glass windows inside. It is not open everyday because of the lack of tourists but even just walking around the outside is well worth the effort. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7h3KOJ0vROgIeh7vY0lHXZKYdFxS6dzcTpcZnvt3cz65vjydUZs7pvMmGUN7FcNb7EyAXuVaQEGTUQKGapT4LVJ_J43tPVAkIGu4JhMC5eZo_3zmUkS3VCX5mlsByKzfYEodGdzJld98u/s4320/IMG_7185.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3240" data-original-width="4320" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7h3KOJ0vROgIeh7vY0lHXZKYdFxS6dzcTpcZnvt3cz65vjydUZs7pvMmGUN7FcNb7EyAXuVaQEGTUQKGapT4LVJ_J43tPVAkIGu4JhMC5eZo_3zmUkS3VCX5mlsByKzfYEodGdzJld98u/w640-h480/IMG_7185.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Right next to the church is a statue to the sheepdog in the form of a collie on a stone plinth. Mustering sheep on the highcountry stations would be impossible without sheep dogs and I'm sure many a Sheppard is closer to his/her dogs than their wife/husband/partner. They probably spend more time together anyway....</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuHqOq57Mm4Qg0dsaILJWOkMFMxF3ix20gIw5-xI1pyRZm_A4_0q8d3zHhUjNGsmyg0gDFf_mDQjKc8L74uNYU7HeTskdoaoeYI01TUutOQpML5UjKeREgGizcJux5dKbP_B5wTKsXCTno/s1024/TekapoDogStatue.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1024" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuHqOq57Mm4Qg0dsaILJWOkMFMxF3ix20gIw5-xI1pyRZm_A4_0q8d3zHhUjNGsmyg0gDFf_mDQjKc8L74uNYU7HeTskdoaoeYI01TUutOQpML5UjKeREgGizcJux5dKbP_B5wTKsXCTno/w640-h426/TekapoDogStatue.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Statue to the Sheepdog, Lake Tekapo waterfront</td></tr></tbody></table> </div><div><div style="text-align: center;">There is easy access to the lake front near the Church of the Good Sheppard and you will often find people in the area taking photos with the lake as a backdrop. In the spring the whole lakefront is covered in colorful luppins in pink, purple, red, yellow and white. They are an invasive plant but they are also beautiful and have become so endemic they can never be fully erradicated. there is a pedestrian path from here back into the center of Tekapo village. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwPQyYAKmuRISpeno-WWnKwm5gNurl9LFiNSmmlEalwPlQVSeOMzGp6fErflDU3AdNSYyHh3dIuY-iuwAvlodCLbY8yKYKWD1XAxyP0aQ93QxtqaxcUdD4lr-r5kPjpFHj_3CjwlE5zrlL/s4320/IMG_7187.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3240" data-original-width="4320" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwPQyYAKmuRISpeno-WWnKwm5gNurl9LFiNSmmlEalwPlQVSeOMzGp6fErflDU3AdNSYyHh3dIuY-iuwAvlodCLbY8yKYKWD1XAxyP0aQ93QxtqaxcUdD4lr-r5kPjpFHj_3CjwlE5zrlL/w640-h480/IMG_7187.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tekapo lakefront near the Church of the Good Sheppard, Lake Tekapo</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: center;">Probably of interest to your average TA trekker will be the new swimming and hot pool complex down by the Lakeview Motels and Holiday Park. You follow the road around towards Mt John and there is an ever expanding complex similar to Hanmer. It is well set out and has hot spas, saunas, hot pools and swimming pools...entry is from $29 NZ dollars.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY7wWC5btygKauXQb6wkKhYF2iDOGIpChEuGqY6o_LOSj0w4mTg_bsynON8wphYw6EO1HmJaH-6WPyIarsWKFxCy54CnbYNXYG5AZ6uegk1aPbsSAT6CYCUhHaZRx1LBHEP7vfxU608yQk/s800/TekapoHotSpring.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY7wWC5btygKauXQb6wkKhYF2iDOGIpChEuGqY6o_LOSj0w4mTg_bsynON8wphYw6EO1HmJaH-6WPyIarsWKFxCy54CnbYNXYG5AZ6uegk1aPbsSAT6CYCUhHaZRx1LBHEP7vfxU608yQk/w640-h360/TekapoHotSpring.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lake Tekapo Pool complex, Lake Tekapo Village</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;">If you are interested in astronomy and stargazing you should visit the Dark Skies Center and look into one of their Dark Skies Experiences. Lake Tekapo is a UNESCO Dark Sky Reserve with the internationally important Mt John Observatory to the west of the village. The whole Mackenzie basin is one of the best places in the world to look at the night skies. There is a shop and cafe/restaurant at the center and nighttime tours to Mt John can be booked here.</p><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrlEQ2LZUtyQ0LUSfybK8SvNVIPlT0TIiL-vGgsLfin-bO0uzIa0-ZTFiCO6gJjKBN3ndczcBnCuty9zfBqCqU-muZOH-A1mN_AuyIjXbSSbsDzooDFWLrk8rjOgU6_dcrYHFHtiUsYUfa/s1280/DarkSkyCenter.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrlEQ2LZUtyQ0LUSfybK8SvNVIPlT0TIiL-vGgsLfin-bO0uzIa0-ZTFiCO6gJjKBN3ndczcBnCuty9zfBqCqU-muZOH-A1mN_AuyIjXbSSbsDzooDFWLrk8rjOgU6_dcrYHFHtiUsYUfa/w640-h360/DarkSkyCenter.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dark Skies Center at Lake Tekapo Village</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: center;">If you want to keep those legs going how about a 2-3 hour walk to the summit of Mt John on the Tekapo-Mt John walkway. It has some awesome views of the surrounding area as the Mackenzie Basin is fairly flat. There is a small cafe at the Observatory if you need refreshing after the climb. </p><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYiXyafYjZo1fmmMMnJ2uU2O7lSeenTcWGmpy0OYbpz4abPK2MU-4W1fFGF5SyobLKRB3VaE3zRfFZgX6pJla6NZYB7xqzmnx5ckfIvTR6lUS_ePj6_FFhM3rsWT1OuOBE1KfGqdN9N6Nt/s4320/IMG_7194.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3240" data-original-width="4320" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYiXyafYjZo1fmmMMnJ2uU2O7lSeenTcWGmpy0OYbpz4abPK2MU-4W1fFGF5SyobLKRB3VaE3zRfFZgX6pJla6NZYB7xqzmnx5ckfIvTR6lUS_ePj6_FFhM3rsWT1OuOBE1KfGqdN9N6Nt/w640-h480/IMG_7194.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lake Tekapo and Two Thumb Range from atop Mt John. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span><br /><div style="text-align: center;">There are many more things to see and do in Lake Tekapo such as 4 W/D tours, ATV tours, horse riding tours, bike hire, MTB tracks, hunting and trout fishing. You may or may not have the time, inclination or money to indulge but you could certainly spend a couple of jam packed adventurous days in the area. </div><br /><br /><br /><i>NOBO/SOBO from Lake Tekapo:</i><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span>After Lake Tekapo village you are setting off SOBO along the hydro canals for Lake Pukaki about 30 odd kilometers away. You can either walk this section or hire a bike and ride the section as there is a MTB track from Lake Tekapo to Twizel. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNQR-9hLaX17kBjQwYAHIy9ylGgPSpkSZ5EdWwKdZ0b8xFPg1BB67CiCHQgWvSWhFyvmcK1p2yIPEhN6GIFAXCRYo9T71ntQD0LJ9j9mFWjHMpsdRn5ioKrfDGseGkvQf1cD4ESBlLrZLT/s4320/IMG_7200.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3240" data-original-width="4320" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNQR-9hLaX17kBjQwYAHIy9ylGgPSpkSZ5EdWwKdZ0b8xFPg1BB67CiCHQgWvSWhFyvmcK1p2yIPEhN6GIFAXCRYo9T71ntQD0LJ9j9mFWjHMpsdRn5ioKrfDGseGkvQf1cD4ESBlLrZLT/w640-h480/IMG_7200.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View out over the Mackenzie Basin from Mt John, Lake Tekapo</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJTsxn8sI3ccNBUQcVrvUNWunw4E02bPH8YQLMdV_JihYP3-h0nncn4SXYLswKnakUODDjkXZGPvFaLPSzh8kLgQ2XRGUbtO6htiH_-q0ZFq80ZkfFcd3-OrwyQrpPSDNDhQmXNoV6xZfm/s800/TekapoCanal.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJTsxn8sI3ccNBUQcVrvUNWunw4E02bPH8YQLMdV_JihYP3-h0nncn4SXYLswKnakUODDjkXZGPvFaLPSzh8kLgQ2XRGUbtO6htiH_-q0ZFq80ZkfFcd3-OrwyQrpPSDNDhQmXNoV6xZfm/w640-h428/TekapoCanal.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The hydro canal between Lake Tekapo and Lake Pukaki</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;">From Lake Pukaki you head further south...first to Twizel and the Lake Ohau Track and then onwards to Lake Hawea, Wanaka and Queenstown. You are on the last 400 odd kilometers of the trail heading south to Bluff...</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7dPluAKF2dCzKga7VOTr6pEGPY1y6_XjXffLnu3dR8DroiRFRwxW2JaCTrATpoa5JOZwB8fZ0DqTYaXYhal_A7H1AZU_6d6d87SMh4-AjUmGHcAYugWTsrBGgdOTC5YPhY19ASywrfGCc/s4320/IMG_7180.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3240" data-original-width="4320" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7dPluAKF2dCzKga7VOTr6pEGPY1y6_XjXffLnu3dR8DroiRFRwxW2JaCTrATpoa5JOZwB8fZ0DqTYaXYhal_A7H1AZU_6d6d87SMh4-AjUmGHcAYugWTsrBGgdOTC5YPhY19ASywrfGCc/w640-h480/IMG_7180.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...Lake Pukaki is your next destination!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;">If walking NOBO you are heading into the Two Thumb Range towards the Rangitata River, Rakaia River and Arthurs Pass NP. If going this way you need to get onto Lillybank Road at the eastern edge of Tekapo and head on out into the backcountry.</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq-p0eidAVueajYDgrnZLiclbHNlZ_pTuO7R6m7mBEJ7-NbNqTG812fiyMalKmbOhEUuK1EmU534np_zZnhqEqxScQEDz80kKglisDZNuPIc2y13cbmYc_jkPO5yh-t29yQSLJ5fhqfR0n/s512/Lillybank.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="384" data-original-width="512" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq-p0eidAVueajYDgrnZLiclbHNlZ_pTuO7R6m7mBEJ7-NbNqTG812fiyMalKmbOhEUuK1EmU534np_zZnhqEqxScQEDz80kKglisDZNuPIc2y13cbmYc_jkPO5yh-t29yQSLJ5fhqfR0n/w640-h480/Lillybank.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking towards Tekapo Village from Lillybank Road</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span>Cheers all...I hope to see some of you on the trail!!!</span></p></div>Jon Moakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14620417636121034748noreply@blogger.com0Lake Tekapo 7999, New Zealand-44.0060533 170.4793485-72.316287136178843 135.3230985 -15.695819463821152 -154.36440149999999tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2664594284381405400.post-71654386752167330992021-05-20T19:23:00.004-07:002021-10-19T21:52:58.613-07:00A Backcountry Hut Users Guide:<h3 style="text-align: center;"> <span style="text-align: center;"> ...10 rules to live by when using backcountry huts...</span></h3><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Here are a set of ten golden rules to follow when utilising any of the backcountry huts here in New Zealand...These are relevant to both Kiwi trampers and our international visitors..</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYsoyYd8LhLth1bBvrJB7jIzO0mQliz8yn8D-MpI5cRaoMYhCUgEWXjWOiHvNmk8f2QS3SmqfWgxGFgPt8MGIS8eoqF-RC7z6mAgKMhOkn6W0iCyGZG3Ys2i-BNkjJo6LUWbVBcD7DSrw_/s7079/DSCN0116-PANO.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2260" data-original-width="7079" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYsoyYd8LhLth1bBvrJB7jIzO0mQliz8yn8D-MpI5cRaoMYhCUgEWXjWOiHvNmk8f2QS3SmqfWgxGFgPt8MGIS8eoqF-RC7z6mAgKMhOkn6W0iCyGZG3Ys2i-BNkjJo6LUWbVBcD7DSrw_/w640-h204/DSCN0116-PANO.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Interior of West Sabine Hut, Nelson Lakes NP</td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><br />1. Keep huts clean and tidy. A broom, brush and pan are provided—please use them, and leave muddy equipment outside. </p><p class="MsoNormal">2. Conserve gas when using gas heaters and cookers. During cooking always open a window or door to allow dangerous carbon monoxide fumes to escape. Keep an eye on boiling water/food, and be sure to turn gas heaters off overnight and make sure it is properly off when you leave. </p><p class="MsoNormal">3. Take care using wood burners, keep the fire contained and never leave it unattended. Only burn dead dry wood and be careful with hot ashes. Make sure the fire is extinguished before leaving. Use wood sparingly and replace any you use for the next visitors. </p><p class="MsoNormal">4. Share huts with others by being considerate, make room for late comers and keep quiet if others are sleeping. Share boiled water with other trampers to help conserve gas. </p><p class="MsoNormal">5. Carry it in, carry it out—recycle ALL your rubbish. Take two bags, one for recycling and the other for rubbish/food scraps to carry out with you and dispose of responsibly. Refer to the Environmental Care Code on the <a href="https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/know-before-you-go/care-codes/">DOC website</a>. </p><p class="MsoNormal">6. No smoking in huts, take your cigarette butts out with the rest of your rubbish. </p><p class="MsoNormal">7. Hunters must follow the <a href="https://www.police.govt.nz/advice-services/firearms-and-safety/firearms-safety/arms-code">New Zealand Arms Code</a>; see also the <a href="https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/things-to-do/hunting/">DOC hunting pages</a>. </p><p class="MsoNormal">8. No dogs allowed inside huts. </p><p class="MsoNormal">9. Before leaving, close doors and windows securely. </p><p class="MsoNormal">10. Always pay hut fees.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6E2yFNrgFk-AJ7t5ee-JHWZN2aJ7y76vUPczsLCQQvHewDvcMr5mjmsOuGX9_168TWhzd2TQp8u8K_W6BJFQumVFgjJ3dNNXcGsvy9OMukt2JLI0qaC_VaTnc4x5_MY5KHpYUjtT3YoY7/s1024/Lower+Princhester.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1024" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6E2yFNrgFk-AJ7t5ee-JHWZN2aJ7y76vUPczsLCQQvHewDvcMr5mjmsOuGX9_168TWhzd2TQp8u8K_W6BJFQumVFgjJ3dNNXcGsvy9OMukt2JLI0qaC_VaTnc4x5_MY5KHpYUjtT3YoY7/w640-h428/Lower+Princhester.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lower Apirama Hut, Takatimu Mountain Range</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">These recommendations should be followed along with the tenants of <a href="https://visionslongwhitecloud.blogspot.com/2018/06/leave-no-trace-ethics-considerations.html">Leave No Trace (LNT) theory</a> to protect and conserve these precious resources...</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Also have a look at my previous post: <a href="https://visionslongwhitecloud.blogspot.com/2016/10/doc-huts-guide-for-ta-trekkers.html">DOC Huts, A guide for TA Trekkers</a>...</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>Jon Moakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14620417636121034748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2664594284381405400.post-81724617737448486132021-01-03T22:31:00.001-08:002021-05-20T17:21:12.226-07:00My Te Araroa section plan for the 2020/2021 season<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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The year without mass tourism...</h2>
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I have been working on my annual plan for the tramping excursions I intend to undertake over the 2020/2021 season. This is a planning exercise I do every year...I find that if I do not have a clear list of trips to cross off as I go I don't get out very often. </div>
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I recommend that you sit down in late May/early June and plan your agenda for the coming year. This allows time to identify potential destinations before the DOC online hut booking system rolls over.<br />
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What we can expect over the next year..</h4>
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I am interested to see how things will be different as this will be the year without mass tourism. At the moment the borders are closed tight to any tourists...only expatriate New Zealanders returning to the maternal bosom are allowed back into the country. Covid-19 still has the world firmly by the throat so I do not see our borders opening to anybody but Australia and the Pacific Islands in the near future. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Most of the Air New Zealand fleet has been mothballed...(photo from <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/covid-19/413235/air-nz-slashes-domestic-flights-by-95-percent">Radio NZ site</a>)</td></tr>
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It is quite likely that we will have NO TOURISTS coming here for the first time in recorded history. Economically it will be a kick in the teeth for our country but I am curious to see what a New Zealand summer sans the tourists will be like. We may decide we like it that way...</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">I am hoping for better weather in Fiordland this year....a wet December 2019</td></tr>
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The focus for 2020/2021 is knocking off the last two Great Walks and some longer multi-day trips to Abel Tasman NP, Arthur's Pass NP and the Cobb Valley. I will also be returning to Paparoa National Park for a couple of missions.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">I have planned a return to Paparoa National Park...</td></tr>
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I will be visiting a new park...Kahurangi NP. I have tramped in Kahurangi before back in the 1980's and 1990's. There is much to do there but it is at the top of the South Island (400+ km's away...) so a bit difficult to access from Christchurch...it is not a weekend trip destination. If you are going it is for a week or more...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQNpEhyeurMEe3BlCKpPuF_3W2ccEL6Ktr_ydF9sktZFxejTtlRYlPFMAQRiYUoyO98yDGKYMd4I0W3AdxdYg2ln-WX7qHHpMcFB2C4syDXSsjsqmsQrEvSnAM6ruho_OAOdRM9a2AZcfv/s4320/IMG_4858.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3240" data-original-width="4320" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQNpEhyeurMEe3BlCKpPuF_3W2ccEL6Ktr_ydF9sktZFxejTtlRYlPFMAQRiYUoyO98yDGKYMd4I0W3AdxdYg2ln-WX7qHHpMcFB2C4syDXSsjsqmsQrEvSnAM6ruho_OAOdRM9a2AZcfv/w640-h480/IMG_4858.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lake Cobb from the Peel Ridge Lookout, November 2020</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Update January 2021: I have placed my Te Araroa Trail plans into hibernation for the rest of this year as I am concentrating on getting those Great Walks ticked of my to do list. I will be spending a lot more time from 2021 onwards on the TA as I look to cover more ground on the trail. <br /><br /></div>
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Jon Moakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14620417636121034748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2664594284381405400.post-10877411931495735932020-11-26T12:30:00.008-08:002023-11-06T14:12:44.393-08:00An overview of camping in New Zealand<div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><h3 style="text-align: center;">Camping in a New Zealand context...</h3><div style="text-align: center;"><br />I thought we could have a look at backcountry camping in the New Zealand context. Camping is the norm for outdoor people in countries other than New Zealand...if you are staying somewhere over night you will be camping under the stars, in a tent or under a tarp.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKAsbxM09sWyw7uc4aOyiCgW7pBAbAOhO2s1dp93N3M3e1PcdFV1hU_EczPgQgv3rgKNPnfzkKvUbNyH0StP50JilXd24mlx6N5QaQJo34qO8Jq6QhnnvRLaYEAgBq4fp83NCcQfDMvkqA0c83PHVMFV9_9gKkOjMl30WXJvZXwY8p-IOFWQkfOCvz82JV/s854/USCamping.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="854" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKAsbxM09sWyw7uc4aOyiCgW7pBAbAOhO2s1dp93N3M3e1PcdFV1hU_EczPgQgv3rgKNPnfzkKvUbNyH0StP50JilXd24mlx6N5QaQJo34qO8Jq6QhnnvRLaYEAgBq4fp83NCcQfDMvkqA0c83PHVMFV9_9gKkOjMl30WXJvZXwY8p-IOFWQkfOCvz82JV/w640-h426/USCamping.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Camping is the norm in the US and Canada</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">New Zealand is slightly different...we are blessed in this country with an extensive network of public huts ranging in size from bivouacs the size of a dog box right up to luxurious mansions like the 80 person Pinnacles Hut in the Coromandel Peninsula. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaM5qERvFpxRksHQQd79XApXsSTop60XypIm32JSATQxWw_A61bPf1-yH4ThWusFK2pqKAKGhdrx_MNTE9XGXGNsLscaPdo8p5GKBbxjxF8kljIm3fPxsNrbcJGaCgjso_T9BZvkCbbHA/s1600/Minchin.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="431" data-original-width="648" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaM5qERvFpxRksHQQd79XApXsSTop60XypIm32JSATQxWw_A61bPf1-yH4ThWusFK2pqKAKGhdrx_MNTE9XGXGNsLscaPdo8p5GKBbxjxF8kljIm3fPxsNrbcJGaCgjso_T9BZvkCbbHA/s640/Minchin.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption">Huts range from tiny Minchin Bivy in Arthur's Pass NP.....</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJa0kwZrt2iEuLEHwePFTxhAMNDkkXGp-yEb42jyR8-_7dzebdFy9ZZSv7U9XD9mNbTVMJ8Icd-QUSq9nkyPBRdggc4XFPNOuz3V904yKO8_57IYje35uq8R9AqU3XSnZhjLtBBPKuDNM/s1600/pinnacles-hut.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="1066" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJa0kwZrt2iEuLEHwePFTxhAMNDkkXGp-yEb42jyR8-_7dzebdFy9ZZSv7U9XD9mNbTVMJ8Icd-QUSq9nkyPBRdggc4XFPNOuz3V904yKO8_57IYje35uq8R9AqU3XSnZhjLtBBPKuDNM/s640/pinnacles-hut.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption">...to the monster 80 bunk Pinnacles Hut, in the Coromandel Peninsula</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This profusion of huts has dictated the way people plan trips when they visit the outdoors in New Zealand. A lot of people will string together a chain of huts along a track while ignoring the mass of wild country which surrounds them. There are very few destinations or tracks which have no huts along their course...in fact you have to go out of your way to find places where there are none.</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ieW7h-3zVqmPZQp3CAXf_Zg70gjI2uHMCoTm96REDqxFYJfmDEPkKPffYcpAmJFEV96jGqDn_UH3C2ppVSKs7i8OynXz8xlBNumGUTOWLXmmVqFV1Sl7CV_tEpFUp_O5yxQ5t9XOISs/s1600/IMG_3760.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ieW7h-3zVqmPZQp3CAXf_Zg70gjI2uHMCoTm96REDqxFYJfmDEPkKPffYcpAmJFEV96jGqDn_UH3C2ppVSKs7i8OynXz8xlBNumGUTOWLXmmVqFV1Sl7CV_tEpFUp_O5yxQ5t9XOISs/s640/IMG_3760.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption">The West Coast of the South Island is camping heaven....</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />While we do have this wide network of huts there are still times when you need or want to spend a night out under the stars or in your favored outdoor shelter.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifBZdwz0GDOM_Bkw8MCqWiw6xi8X4uxpa0H44J2B18VyNbpdaT0ZjffbaO5ga3VTiLROR3oaiz-oS_6MOQ1eQOKU_uhjdkLowAGDVINh0In8WG5Iv-mVCZxRhr-HOQK0mmY4kr7tl2eTY/s1600/DSCN0151.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifBZdwz0GDOM_Bkw8MCqWiw6xi8X4uxpa0H44J2B18VyNbpdaT0ZjffbaO5ga3VTiLROR3oaiz-oS_6MOQ1eQOKU_uhjdkLowAGDVINh0In8WG5Iv-mVCZxRhr-HOQK0mmY4kr7tl2eTY/s640/DSCN0151.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Great camping on the beaches of the Abel Tasman National Park...</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Lets have a look at what kind of gear you will need, where you can camp and do an overview of my personal camping set up. </div><br /><br /><h4>Why camp when there are huts?</h4><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;">So...I hear you say...Jon why are you camping when New Zealand has over 900 backcountry huts to use?<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhptB6Wm_sqKJi07PEP91qbMo22t7zbsWXZ4qUkAFiilpF7JBj-Vco4X6NPQK7OqhgZf6Dy1noJdnwWY65LzGz_H8WNVZBSFgWeuNC88_Co5SldI5xxdxxx97Ndf15C99xpYyZoUrPpJ-w/s1600/crow-hut-wide-1200.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="783" data-original-width="1200" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhptB6Wm_sqKJi07PEP91qbMo22t7zbsWXZ4qUkAFiilpF7JBj-Vco4X6NPQK7OqhgZf6Dy1noJdnwWY65LzGz_H8WNVZBSFgWeuNC88_Co5SldI5xxdxxx97Ndf15C99xpYyZoUrPpJ-w/s640/crow-hut-wide-1200.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption">Why camp when you have places like Crow Hut to stay in?</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The answer is simple...some places I want to go to do not have backcountry huts or the huts are not in a convenient place. A good example of this is the Queen Charlotte Track, it has no DOC huts even though it is a trail used by a great many people each year. What it does have are numerous campsites in prime locations so this is where you are going to stay.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjuL4uhS3LCHYmsabbxbE369QctMG9H51mTwOxty8nwJ4eSUQGjLB-m2sgmZ9rQXn4gsSiFqzxXWaHdHM4A5WOjOTqt7smWdYFHpjGdTd_5oCo3CeZOY9Dhp_phl-QsqPY7NVWUwEIOB8/s1600/DSCN6299.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjuL4uhS3LCHYmsabbxbE369QctMG9H51mTwOxty8nwJ4eSUQGjLB-m2sgmZ9rQXn4gsSiFqzxXWaHdHM4A5WOjOTqt7smWdYFHpjGdTd_5oCo3CeZOY9Dhp_phl-QsqPY7NVWUwEIOB8/s640/DSCN6299.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption">The DOC campsite at Cowshed Bay, Kenepuru Sound, Queen Charlotte Track</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Accommodation on your chosen track may be private...and private huts tend to be really expensive. On the QCT the campsites cost less than $20 per night while the private lodges and resorts cost several hundred. Great Walk huts are also quite expensive (average $40 per night for Kiwis and over $120 per night for international visitors).<br /><br />That $5 a night basic campsite is starting to look good...<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs2LYspGgfeMwYahWlZSRPtV7Xdb9WvVypf9mbAn9rht20XqNpfSiEKzaqS7-Rdine5vkmEvXYKX4PW3mI-ABTGBtezOp4x3SzOXG5tmsoDJchPBFDftJDuY8rJitCdbPxKY6cWIwp7Ag/s1600/IMG_2886.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs2LYspGgfeMwYahWlZSRPtV7Xdb9WvVypf9mbAn9rht20XqNpfSiEKzaqS7-Rdine5vkmEvXYKX4PW3mI-ABTGBtezOp4x3SzOXG5tmsoDJchPBFDftJDuY8rJitCdbPxKY6cWIwp7Ag/s640/IMG_2886.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption">It costs $5 per night at basic campsites like Woolshed Creek, Mt Somers</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Huts are awesome but they can also be crowded, hot, smelly and noisy places. Many are the legends of the roof raising snorer, the midnight bag rustler or the overly amorous couplings which huts are renown for. If you are in a tent the stinks, noises and shifty behaviors are yours alone.<br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdmz0yafPVBVcvifHEaNb-DsGRUHuhQ0KqpvXvJnYDyM1hyphenhyphen6-p9w5Ukcf6BjztecsDIO3WumO1vSM4rgWXQ9v0bInbq5J0S5fm7yEMZDkIGWicd8qS12WDOlA0YeIQ97E3bSP81avDTE8/s1600/busyhut.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdmz0yafPVBVcvifHEaNb-DsGRUHuhQ0KqpvXvJnYDyM1hyphenhyphen6-p9w5Ukcf6BjztecsDIO3WumO1vSM4rgWXQ9v0bInbq5J0S5fm7yEMZDkIGWicd8qS12WDOlA0YeIQ97E3bSP81avDTE8/s640/busyhut.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption">A busy Homer Hut, Fiordland National Park...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Another reason to camp is the sheer joy of being outside at night under the cover of a tent or tarp. Camping brings you closer to nature...you can see it, feel it, smell it and hear it much better when you are outside in its bounty. We have no dangerous animals here in New Zealand so there is nothing coming to visit you if you are sleeping in a tent...no Bears, Moose, Wolves, Snakes or Lions.<br /><br />Only Drop Bears so don't forget your Vegemite...<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1u4kP0xAYSeligqnaN0V94kBXfbo6OZtmmXDBW_OaySHaPTdvjay_8o_Iavu2-4Eg2gU5Ri7osfjafXezCqwU0XSWg2foFEhOVBvNu6jvlBUGNePFlNBc_9g-I0xA9VAsJlTWrM2b8OE/s1600/Dropbear.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="300" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1u4kP0xAYSeligqnaN0V94kBXfbo6OZtmmXDBW_OaySHaPTdvjay_8o_Iavu2-4Eg2gU5Ri7osfjafXezCqwU0XSWg2foFEhOVBvNu6jvlBUGNePFlNBc_9g-I0xA9VAsJlTWrM2b8OE/w290-h400/Dropbear.jpeg" width="290" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption">Beware the Drop Bear....</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In reality I spend most of my outdoor nights in a hut but I do like to have an occasional tenting adventure where I can enjoy my interaction with mother nature on closer terms. </div></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><br /></div><h4>Where should I camp? DOC campsites/private camp grounds/wilderness camping:</h4></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;">There are several options for finding camping spots when you are tramping in New Zealand: wild camping, public campsites and private campsites. Each of these have different rules attached to them and there is usually some form of charge depending on the type of site you use.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Wild camping:</i></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">To start with the easiest...camping in the wild. You are entitled to camp on any DOC land provided you are more than 100 meters away from the track or any huts. There is no charge to camp in these places. If you are at a designated DOC backcountry camp site then yes there are charges attached...usually $5 per night but check for local details.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPG__GKt1RbfvbpXThhlTZlkqqmYstWLohyphenhyphenYMYUWXL481Fv-U9AD7urx1nMevz-p2OI_JQZ5TwWYo3sxuo3kQQDZPXDPBnWWEQO32V5q9z6-x49k_uWeYKHPNenTzI3e9o8YmEG19X23E/s1600/DSCN3539.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPG__GKt1RbfvbpXThhlTZlkqqmYstWLohyphenhyphenYMYUWXL481Fv-U9AD7urx1nMevz-p2OI_JQZ5TwWYo3sxuo3kQQDZPXDPBnWWEQO32V5q9z6-x49k_uWeYKHPNenTzI3e9o8YmEG19X23E/s640/DSCN3539.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption">Basic campsite on the Lake Christabel Track...flat ground, river for water, wood etc.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-RQRg46i3gj4Msjfs5qKajrfZC80aMuwHCVtlEAPnOF-fqWA7JlzX69jwSI9Ng3N1WijFet0pQY2jnU2hnzCrI_iNcimuNlU5_RzDNipYBlriNGn4s025kHwA0fm3ysAxFc7G4-FeIZQ/s4320/IMG_5356.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3240" data-original-width="4320" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-RQRg46i3gj4Msjfs5qKajrfZC80aMuwHCVtlEAPnOF-fqWA7JlzX69jwSI9Ng3N1WijFet0pQY2jnU2hnzCrI_iNcimuNlU5_RzDNipYBlriNGn4s025kHwA0fm3ysAxFc7G4-FeIZQ/w640-h480/IMG_5356.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A wild campsite on the Andrews-Casey-Binser Circuit, Arthurs Pass NP<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL6Yo5Ue1AbKh3v4W8NYr8LZblzJliTgN1L9EJD8OQdT8vr0H9XLyOmiVa2sxBJ1rdlj94m2pqM1kSLCs9H80ha7XNeMj1d9nr269twDQS0t2vW4xlNCF56LTejx3xyj9rMogZSYzayGg/s4320/IMG_5435.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3240" data-original-width="4320" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL6Yo5Ue1AbKh3v4W8NYr8LZblzJliTgN1L9EJD8OQdT8vr0H9XLyOmiVa2sxBJ1rdlj94m2pqM1kSLCs9H80ha7XNeMj1d9nr269twDQS0t2vW4xlNCF56LTejx3xyj9rMogZSYzayGg/w640-h480/IMG_5435.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tent city near the new Casey Hut II, Poulter River Valley<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">There are some exceptions to these rules...for instance where camping is specifically forbidden for biodiversity or safety reasons, along any of the Great Walk tracks, close to DOC huts unless specifically allowed and in areas of cultural or historic significance.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzdhvMT-olLuMGQNi9WzzR618Sxxbrq6hBmXfBh30nVB89l8EY3nS4D9c9BB4uxCg-LMWthFc0_m5dmL6tyRZ_LUvLtnzCPvRKPZhMi2G6Io4imaigkXONXI2HqlZO_WsG1SkTXfLP0b0/s4320/IMG_5438.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3240" data-original-width="4320" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzdhvMT-olLuMGQNi9WzzR618Sxxbrq6hBmXfBh30nVB89l8EY3nS4D9c9BB4uxCg-LMWthFc0_m5dmL6tyRZ_LUvLtnzCPvRKPZhMi2G6Io4imaigkXONXI2HqlZO_WsG1SkTXfLP0b0/w640-h480/IMG_5438.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This tent is a little too close to Casey Hut II...<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2WKfK0zPOGa1cmQjY2hkMAaYQM_KUwXWAsehIrArN4R7LWETyk3UT3E-LClBXOsye7HLhpbzvud7HFGRy98JzfqFdHZdytxlh46L0i-7minPGLlKPjIatW2R56axshRXQO9XSK1qyIp8/s1600/IMG_0260.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2WKfK0zPOGa1cmQjY2hkMAaYQM_KUwXWAsehIrArN4R7LWETyk3UT3E-LClBXOsye7HLhpbzvud7HFGRy98JzfqFdHZdytxlh46L0i-7minPGLlKPjIatW2R56axshRXQO9XSK1qyIp8/s640/IMG_0260.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption">No camping is allowed anywhere along the Milford Track...</td></tr></tbody></table><br />There will be no facilities provided in bush campsites so follow LNT best practice for waste removal, water gathering, fires and toileting.<br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNgiRRQIAfENH3aT4yyADC5TOap4qVsWv6C_b3vM7PMchDMTYHwFZbT2zcGnN_-t6tZGTkEJiFK4n5HUQnoArgOPj0C81ODoLO83Oj4xsRGZnnyE0FkScRx0Q1868gv0LXrTk2mCxc89s/s1600/The-Seven-Principles-of-Leave-No-Trace-2013.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="910" data-original-width="643" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNgiRRQIAfENH3aT4yyADC5TOap4qVsWv6C_b3vM7PMchDMTYHwFZbT2zcGnN_-t6tZGTkEJiFK4n5HUQnoArgOPj0C81ODoLO83Oj4xsRGZnnyE0FkScRx0Q1868gv0LXrTk2mCxc89s/s640/The-Seven-Principles-of-Leave-No-Trace-2013.jpg" width="452" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption">Please practice Leave No Trace (LNT) when wild camping...</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Public camp sites:</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">The next option is at backcountry campsites that are usually provided by DOC but also by local and regional councils, trust boards and private organisations like tramping & climbing clubs. Some of these will charge for their use...do some investigation before you set out to see if, where and how to pay.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtyEhpD6Cehg7Qwb8y4Xk8ZuI9gHYsgFUBfCiVQC39FNa4e61N1irQbsOWnHKy4HnZOUbfuG11MID-3VtVxiq8rqcd4XOYcTdFlBAnmVnkszTEbzDVYlgs4hEoatZujjYm8IyUV5mXMrM/s1600/IMG_4063.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtyEhpD6Cehg7Qwb8y4Xk8ZuI9gHYsgFUBfCiVQC39FNa4e61N1irQbsOWnHKy4HnZOUbfuG11MID-3VtVxiq8rqcd4XOYcTdFlBAnmVnkszTEbzDVYlgs4hEoatZujjYm8IyUV5mXMrM/s640/IMG_4063.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption">DOC campsite at Marble Hill, Lake Daniell Track, Lewis Pass</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Facilities will vary at these sites but you will usually find water, toilets and fireplaces at most of them.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR-nY2frzeIdP-7LUGw5EzZLSXS7liBdNn2icAHOG6Apty6CJOXTG2Y9zUk0h71Xo_0HSUrD0cVvrp5BOSo0XKLyf4zby90EuA-76GU96FcZ6mJMFhhXyWQH8QL-vg_QhlnsNOQJHe8Evg/s2560/20210507_153818.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2560" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR-nY2frzeIdP-7LUGw5EzZLSXS7liBdNn2icAHOG6Apty6CJOXTG2Y9zUk0h71Xo_0HSUrD0cVvrp5BOSo0XKLyf4zby90EuA-76GU96FcZ6mJMFhhXyWQH8QL-vg_QhlnsNOQJHe8Evg/w640-h384/20210507_153818.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DOC Kerr Bay Campground, Nelson Lakes NP</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtP80riviFQLKXcu2mIixtpdX-_KbMAX5aK8cxGS-erS0pp3q3_WQ5RVHOe27G8W6xnkU7ssY4aAUTAmZ0d8NW8BEuF45t2Re530lyLRONoCd76QJJQ84cbw1-Zpl23f7HWBwcaQDDzZoj/s4320/IMG_7458.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3240" data-original-width="4320" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtP80riviFQLKXcu2mIixtpdX-_KbMAX5aK8cxGS-erS0pp3q3_WQ5RVHOe27G8W6xnkU7ssY4aAUTAmZ0d8NW8BEuF45t2Re530lyLRONoCd76QJJQ84cbw1-Zpl23f7HWBwcaQDDzZoj/w640-h480/IMG_7458.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DOC Lake Rotoroa Campground, Nelson Lakes NP</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> The Department of Conservation have a handy free guide books with details of all of the <a href="https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-stay/stay-at-a-campsite/conservation-campsites-brochure/">DOC camp sites and camp grounds</a> or you can look for a <a href="https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-stay/stay-at-a-campsite/">campsite online</a>.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjagl6FIxsM0CBR9v7AfMSTnRBKPWILDcaYY45yDUjbSJoMAZ_m0vaCGYd9GzmAdUVR6ZX_dT5vxiU-n23p8efMBt43mXOOGalBeiESWBKPCZnG75wNQw6lsB7xJTWtAiys0bbJpLjjHGY/s1600/CampsiteMap.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="789" data-original-width="1115" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjagl6FIxsM0CBR9v7AfMSTnRBKPWILDcaYY45yDUjbSJoMAZ_m0vaCGYd9GzmAdUVR6ZX_dT5vxiU-n23p8efMBt43mXOOGalBeiESWBKPCZnG75wNQw6lsB7xJTWtAiys0bbJpLjjHGY/s640/CampsiteMap.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption">There are DOC campsite guides available.....</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><br /><br />There is also a bit of information in the guide about camping etiquette in New Zealand.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Private campgrounds:</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">The last option is private campsites....there is a long and beloved history of camping holidays in New Zealand so the whole country is liberally covered with good camping grounds. Private camps are usually more developed and can feature holiday cabins, tent sites, toilet blocks, pools, cooking shelters, showers and other facilities.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_17Fc6QRi6oAnXDgWnR9d5J9FdtjKvvUPLPaQmaBGaeveklK5rCjSxUtS22iyeY7-ObFj9v4XCXaIzgA08ixOL5tKBu6KNz5cSHrJl2U1BKsLS5mB4jzCohqhnViNhifh0y-8WYJMJls/s1600/MistletoeBay.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="417" data-original-width="1600" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_17Fc6QRi6oAnXDgWnR9d5J9FdtjKvvUPLPaQmaBGaeveklK5rCjSxUtS22iyeY7-ObFj9v4XCXaIzgA08ixOL5tKBu6KNz5cSHrJl2U1BKsLS5mB4jzCohqhnViNhifh0y-8WYJMJls/s640/MistletoeBay.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption">The campground at Mistletoe Bay has campsites and holiday bach's...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhic6BIR3m_Pn5zRsB7X3VF9m9M5zkBqoyiSRAG1ar7i2msfVfnt4d-irx-hL7n_EfucWsgEPEJw87ss4vKWwY05gIX-Pv7Phe7OhbXhBzjM1oYQh_Yu9A2ide3PRdIYBRxmh6XRTMtix4/s1600/DSCN6333.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhic6BIR3m_Pn5zRsB7X3VF9m9M5zkBqoyiSRAG1ar7i2msfVfnt4d-irx-hL7n_EfucWsgEPEJw87ss4vKWwY05gIX-Pv7Phe7OhbXhBzjM1oYQh_Yu9A2ide3PRdIYBRxmh6XRTMtix4/s640/DSCN6333.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption">There is a nice camp kitchen at Mistletoe Bay...</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMWa980Uoaf4mR0VeKKKicV6nmmxgBkfqu6pU4J11SfzLIOqbBwLQMiANIzXMvrhW6kWg8DzECIc8-1m87FGOnjhwZI_b-DaeF9GiiFbSvkV8vcVzRC0OGiFTlXu4RHlgX_bZKJwK9TesL/s4320/IMG_5625.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3240" data-original-width="4320" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMWa980Uoaf4mR0VeKKKicV6nmmxgBkfqu6pU4J11SfzLIOqbBwLQMiANIzXMvrhW6kWg8DzECIc8-1m87FGOnjhwZI_b-DaeF9GiiFbSvkV8vcVzRC0OGiFTlXu4RHlgX_bZKJwK9TesL/w640-h480/IMG_5625.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pohara Campground in Golden Bay has varied accommodation and facilities<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Most will charge for their use but there are a surprising number of free camp grounds still available so do your research. The majority of them are coastal but there are campgrounds in most small rural towns right around the country.<br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZGayziZKzhwHfObd2WN6hUk9DQ5kfQOwFVf4ExyjGA8NheCf3NVQDvN2kvOdUdsWGAzhkngD0sIVDRiw_ighPJOs4hEbBEPt_37sRrps56PoSWg0ezPftHin1wUq7NQIGl_HcgO49Tvc/s1600/Urupukapuka-Bay-Campsite-in-New-Zealand.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="700" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZGayziZKzhwHfObd2WN6hUk9DQ5kfQOwFVf4ExyjGA8NheCf3NVQDvN2kvOdUdsWGAzhkngD0sIVDRiw_ighPJOs4hEbBEPt_37sRrps56PoSWg0ezPftHin1wUq7NQIGl_HcgO49Tvc/s640/Urupukapuka-Bay-Campsite-in-New-Zealand.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption">Private campgrounds have more amenities...Urupukpuka Bay in the Bay of Islands</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">There are a number of online sites with details of camp grounds around the country one is The <a href="https://nzcamping.com/">New Zealand Camping guide</a>.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxVddAmbSJc8q-tM1jvVMPxf35XG_4w6S82EP81Ekqk5XNDjEL9wwskKT5Un0cVTxw-bTY5yVHBK3zQIaU-O66Fbgoo5fnvIkd3SUvtf9_es2GV2xGTchSEKd1bJTViPhzV8eZEcWGOt0o/s4320/IMG_6576.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3240" data-original-width="4320" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxVddAmbSJc8q-tM1jvVMPxf35XG_4w6S82EP81Ekqk5XNDjEL9wwskKT5Un0cVTxw-bTY5yVHBK3zQIaU-O66Fbgoo5fnvIkd3SUvtf9_es2GV2xGTchSEKd1bJTViPhzV8eZEcWGOt0o/w640-h480/IMG_6576.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Set up in the Hanmer Top 10 Holiday Park</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Another is the website for the <a href="https://top10.co.nz/">Top Ten Holiday Parks</a> organisation which is the largest holiday park group here in New Zealand.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Freedom Camping:</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div>The other controversial camping option that we should discuss is freedom camping. Freedom campers will find public spaces like car-parks, river margins, beach fronts and road margins and stay there for the night. Usually these are people in cars, caravans or vans converted into campers but people also freedom camp in tents. The majority are international tourists travelling New Zealand on a limited budget.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQnFCQr1ixCLDg2d2oxECgA7Ir_xlUsq4UswPxCy1X5F_CRnkAtSi944UxKutiPwyjTx2G-oeJestNgSFQDsqvDosBZ5_sbyZUXvAIOraI_MUgHEu8IQmWlzbCrlP6FNM9gudFHF7ZN_8/s1600/FreedomCampers.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="710" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQnFCQr1ixCLDg2d2oxECgA7Ir_xlUsq4UswPxCy1X5F_CRnkAtSi944UxKutiPwyjTx2G-oeJestNgSFQDsqvDosBZ5_sbyZUXvAIOraI_MUgHEu8IQmWlzbCrlP6FNM9gudFHF7ZN_8/s640/FreedomCampers.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption">Freedom camping is becoming a problem in New Zealand...</td></tr></tbody></table><br />The problem with freedom camping is that people camp at unsuitable places with no toilets, rubbish disposal or other amenities. They also tend to congregate in the same place and there have been incidents of crime, excessive drinking, littering and irresponsible behavior. Increasing numbers of local authorities have introduced by-laws making this type of activity illegal and hefty fines can and are issued to people on a regular basis.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG_Fpp8aMP5q43QhxaZNgzcnUdEl0xifwtpbLUcRDYRlP8ClG8lphTP_fcAamkBdfAcialShkqszs722VxJ8JVY8aB6EpzrAEXKX1i0BmrxOTN_6LZucKeY9XN09rYR2uuVHYysAZ3xJk/s1600/FreedomCampNotice.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="976" data-original-width="1464" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG_Fpp8aMP5q43QhxaZNgzcnUdEl0xifwtpbLUcRDYRlP8ClG8lphTP_fcAamkBdfAcialShkqszs722VxJ8JVY8aB6EpzrAEXKX1i0BmrxOTN_6LZucKeY9XN09rYR2uuVHYysAZ3xJk/s640/FreedomCampNotice.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption">Some regions have fines of up to $400 for illegal freedom camping...</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Never try to freedom camp if it is illegal in the place you want to stay...instead go pay $20-$30 and stay in a established campground. A lot of tourists towns have designated freedom camping sites so use them if provided.<br /><br /> Don't take the piss and irritate the locals by camping where you are not allowed to!!!<br /><br /></div></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><h4>What gear will I need?</h4></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;">When I am talking about camping gear I am primarily talking about camping while I am out on a tramping trip. Weight is more of an issue when it comes to tramping as you will be carrying all of the gear on your back. Obviously you wont be humping that 16 kg multi room mansion of a tent you use for car camping. You are far more likely to be carrying that super lite tent that weighs less than a kilo.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAe7Euz06RvhSrWTtpdUTxff4w6o0tH_Xa1bXM0rnVmtdE8ZNvXgIeTK-kVORdvUzLhKJuK3jdRj_K6cG5JTB78rEy1N7wSfhC5H9GKC5L6M12eALR5rdwqGgKkEqjK27WN0MpPmWvMRc/s1600/glamping-cover.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="620" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAe7Euz06RvhSrWTtpdUTxff4w6o0tH_Xa1bXM0rnVmtdE8ZNvXgIeTK-kVORdvUzLhKJuK3jdRj_K6cG5JTB78rEy1N7wSfhC5H9GKC5L6M12eALR5rdwqGgKkEqjK27WN0MpPmWvMRc/s640/glamping-cover.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption">Ahhhhhhh....NO...not like this idiocy!!!</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW59ezU_n5JQG71_2-r9qO3bWgucSMUYL4RXA1u-m_y4TIBPCdAuVn7GZHnnjNtzH8IihGZNUtMGdbAe2DrunYkxsO4AcYHOkjFEDY2UCdLR3duy-d3aRYztUIuBuhNgphVIc5-IVasn4/s1600/DSCN6270.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW59ezU_n5JQG71_2-r9qO3bWgucSMUYL4RXA1u-m_y4TIBPCdAuVn7GZHnnjNtzH8IihGZNUtMGdbAe2DrunYkxsO4AcYHOkjFEDY2UCdLR3duy-d3aRYztUIuBuhNgphVIc5-IVasn4/s640/DSCN6270.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption">...more like this: Luxe Lightwave on the QCT in 2017...</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Here is what I think you need at a bare minimum to camp successfully while tramping, this gear will protect you from any weather, keep you dry, warm and reasonably comfortable. It wont be fancy glamping luxury but it will be good enough for a couple of nights.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1-hfjCllsW49jhTQdTuH2q1lJn9O-c5sXF4kFdl2ci4Pa67oXuFNczvcb7eqsCAxpDysJ1AVqDPpAGpNq-oHYQ6NUDJVvw7YCOwR4iLQPM_85UNHzTNKGH9EYRRXxhk3DALmuZmQMmpc/s1600/DSCN0165.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1-hfjCllsW49jhTQdTuH2q1lJn9O-c5sXF4kFdl2ci4Pa67oXuFNczvcb7eqsCAxpDysJ1AVqDPpAGpNq-oHYQ6NUDJVvw7YCOwR4iLQPM_85UNHzTNKGH9EYRRXxhk3DALmuZmQMmpc/s640/DSCN0165.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption">All your camp gear should fit into your pack.....</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Specific gear required for camping while on a tramping trip:</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Tent, 1-2 person as light as possible without compromising safety</div><div style="text-align: center;">Ground sheet to protect the tent floor</div><div style="text-align: center;">Sleeping mat/pad/airmat/closed cell mat</div><div style="text-align: center;">Sleeping bag or quilt suitable for the conditions</div><div style="text-align: center;">Air pillow (optional)</div><div style="text-align: center;">A sponge or similar for wiping spills and puddles</div><br /><br /><br /></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;">As well as a tent you will need ancillary gear to make life more enjoyable...things like sleeping mats, ground sheets, air pillows etc. You will probably need a heftier sleeping bag or quilt as you are more exposed to weather when in a tent or tarp. After all you have only a thin sheet of nylon protecting you from all Mother Nature can chuck at you...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha7EgL1SH0ZMaDqOEpPIr5e1JSKe01UcKiV9rpmHAdwXYwVJdAbauM6emxu-r2UUbEk0j7yKy8JghwNypiaMGEa_OOvTG_V5WKvNst8I-8BP7cuQFdeTnqZY-H-b5fdciSbnpwsY3hPDQ/s1600/ExpedSynmat.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha7EgL1SH0ZMaDqOEpPIr5e1JSKe01UcKiV9rpmHAdwXYwVJdAbauM6emxu-r2UUbEk0j7yKy8JghwNypiaMGEa_OOvTG_V5WKvNst8I-8BP7cuQFdeTnqZY-H-b5fdciSbnpwsY3hPDQ/s640/ExpedSynmat.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">An air mat provides comfort and insulation from the ground...Exped SynMat HL</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">You will need a sponge or cloth for wiping up water..if it is raining then getting in/out of the tent will introduce water to your living space so you want to mop that up and get it outside. I usually carry a large Chux cloth for this purpose.<br /><br />Remember weight will be important so try to only carry what is really necessary and take the lightest version of anything you will be carrying.</div></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><h4>My personal camping setup:</h4></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;">Here is the gear I am currently using when I expect to be camping by myself while out on a tramp. I will go through each piece of gear and offer a few comments on its use and purpose.</div><br /><i><br /></i><i>Tent:</i><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">My current go to tent for one person is my Big Agnes Copperspur UL1 tent which I brought back in late 2017 and have been using since. It is big enough for myself and has plenty of room for storing my pack, boots, poles etc. either in the vestibule or inside the tent itself.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6vGmphLLc7KEcAwLBBOMOVgEf6RNS-DaVG3U0XjIByn3iAu9pJ9_hpHhEAcuvwK9xFet-kz6dQ19e_Cf7dGr34rxcyFy1Cjf8YL0VjeWfCJeiGiiDGylj0-46ZvnINKUE9Xx0Ry7uAY0/s1600/CopperspurFastFly.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6vGmphLLc7KEcAwLBBOMOVgEf6RNS-DaVG3U0XjIByn3iAu9pJ9_hpHhEAcuvwK9xFet-kz6dQ19e_Cf7dGr34rxcyFy1Cjf8YL0VjeWfCJeiGiiDGylj0-46ZvnINKUE9Xx0Ry7uAY0/s640/CopperspurFastFly.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption">The Copperspur UL1 can be set up as a tarp shelter.....</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The tent is perfect for me as it is light weight, it packs small and has great features while still being robust enough for most weather conditions. I probably wouldn't use this on a tops trip as Im not sure it could stand up to heavy wind.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjixcTXwfE1c_TtvxqmAPNQ-dV4v6KPNk8xx2E6ax5dKC1sU61veZ3rmmgARoNNFKw6xxbJVdfbg4yZ8XEcPrAY9S9TnWycA166s6E4sBFTPz4SOkvvO2b1MKjB7fsbcucmT3k9B28ASoE/s1600/Copperspurjpg.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="384" data-original-width="512" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjixcTXwfE1c_TtvxqmAPNQ-dV4v6KPNk8xx2E6ax5dKC1sU61veZ3rmmgARoNNFKw6xxbJVdfbg4yZ8XEcPrAY9S9TnWycA166s6E4sBFTPz4SOkvvO2b1MKjB7fsbcucmT3k9B28ASoE/s400/Copperspurjpg.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption">The Copperspur UL1 unpacked...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />I really like it and my only concern is the lightweight nature of the floor which needs a ground sheet to protect it from sharp debris. </div><br /><br /><div><i>Ground sheet:</i></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I am currently using either a sheet of Tyvek (a waterproof house barrier wrap) or a space blanket cut to size under my tent. The ground sheet provides additional protection from damage to your tent floor while also blocking water and cold seeping up from the ground.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYQO03EjRNWgBTXVG-a7ftEu0Kb5uFHotTSogNsi7znpqg4wug2P7lgBK3M1RvWej7lngAXh6R7Ur4pxRy-RjdDriCOAXmpSSfqfObyx-cKvDP2M9NpiYtPlwguboRO9r9bIULpQ83Kdg/s1600/Foil-Blanket.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYQO03EjRNWgBTXVG-a7ftEu0Kb5uFHotTSogNsi7znpqg4wug2P7lgBK3M1RvWej7lngAXh6R7Ur4pxRy-RjdDriCOAXmpSSfqfObyx-cKvDP2M9NpiYtPlwguboRO9r9bIULpQ83Kdg/s640/Foil-Blanket.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption">Use a cut to size space blanket for a ground sheet</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The mylar these blankets are made of is very resistant to punctures as it molds around debris rather than piercing it.. I cut mine to size and I find they are good for several trips if you carefully refold them after every use and store them in a small zip-loc bag.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY2wcEIHjcFeki9GjUxUf7GoSTnTeDmwU1m_A2K_WTBpf2U2_5fgl87cEr5XZniN1Vl6D0iGb0SkcfkZzRiQQopw11YAPGZm85g8hP6ePNE8ur9h5uHc_WSt9ptMu9JN3bq8XMyS1H68c/s1600/DSCN0079.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY2wcEIHjcFeki9GjUxUf7GoSTnTeDmwU1m_A2K_WTBpf2U2_5fgl87cEr5XZniN1Vl6D0iGb0SkcfkZzRiQQopw11YAPGZm85g8hP6ePNE8ur9h5uHc_WSt9ptMu9JN3bq8XMyS1H68c/s640/DSCN0079.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption">You can just see my ground sheet under the tent at Totaranui campground</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">A folded up space blanket takes up about the same space as a muesli bar and weighs less than 100 gms so it makes a great ground sheet. The only downside is it will blow about in the wind so you have to make sure you secure it so it doesn't blow away when pitching your tent. I normally slide it under the tent once I have pitched it.<br /><br /></div><br /><i>Sleeping pad:</i><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">The ground is cold...if you have no insulation from the ground you will quickly become chilled even with a thick layer of forest debris and a tent floor under you. It is also hard so you need something to provide you with comfort and insulation if you hope to sleep well.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzCjHGHDjwYBK8f0qVwqgZLvm0SYsWzIoPKfektUcwZDTQ5nzBJds8XFHJHpiOFZlWtjjrdGoSkfvpI3ilZuy0J8cH6YJpvyL1ZDD8H-i5WOA_ct6r6FJZbyeQrTnA66-d3Da837s9m4U/s1600/IMG_0764.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzCjHGHDjwYBK8f0qVwqgZLvm0SYsWzIoPKfektUcwZDTQ5nzBJds8XFHJHpiOFZlWtjjrdGoSkfvpI3ilZuy0J8cH6YJpvyL1ZDD8H-i5WOA_ct6r6FJZbyeQrTnA66-d3Da837s9m4U/s640/IMG_0764.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption">Even in a leafy forest the ground is super hard...</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br />The choice of insulation is up to you...closed cell foam mats are cheap and virtually indestructible but they offer little comfort due to the thin nature of the material. Air pads or air mattresses are better for comfort but are less rugged...punctures are common with them.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_QntAKKbffYIodK8l8yoc0AbNOMQ1DrWvgsd9dFjk74ZC3ZBrqQyjS4ykoSuM11UJ7CFfIrExn9r_ryPryGLb6uXbepwCOlgWRvaHhFzhyzbexuMYIA8TFl4GvmmMH3AWw-u5eyYzCCY/s1600/Thermal-foam-mat.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_QntAKKbffYIodK8l8yoc0AbNOMQ1DrWvgsd9dFjk74ZC3ZBrqQyjS4ykoSuM11UJ7CFfIrExn9r_ryPryGLb6uXbepwCOlgWRvaHhFzhyzbexuMYIA8TFl4GvmmMH3AWw-u5eyYzCCY/s640/Thermal-foam-mat.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption">My closed cell foam mat has reflective material for heat retention...</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I personally use an insulated air mat when I am camping. I have two good mats...the first is a lite Thermarest NeoAir which I use for Te Araroa trail section hiking. Thermarest pads have been favored by long trail hikers the world over for decades they are great mats but eye wateringly expensive. I also have an Exped SynMat which is warmer as it is filled with insulation and I think more comfortable but the downside is the greater bulk and weight.<br /><br />I use whichever mat I think will best suit the trip I am on. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcsnhO27Q5r9VnIklPakcFxk4w_AJC1k5RJdLcZ8jQ5eUI-Ewl7icl9mQkGOTZaYiLBfWy576nQY8bpKlkYxP_dSmHQJC3cbPF2bTMY2yZyv_xXZT2mQ3k8ad43RBjWcuqfsooj7a0Eho/s1600/Thermarest.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcsnhO27Q5r9VnIklPakcFxk4w_AJC1k5RJdLcZ8jQ5eUI-Ewl7icl9mQkGOTZaYiLBfWy576nQY8bpKlkYxP_dSmHQJC3cbPF2bTMY2yZyv_xXZT2mQ3k8ad43RBjWcuqfsooj7a0Eho/s400/Thermarest.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption">The Thermarest NeoAir sleeping pad...</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I also own a Kiwi Camping closed foam mat which I would take if there was snow on the ground as they provide a bit more insulation in those harsh conditions.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Air pillows:</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div>I never used to carry an air pillow with me when I went out for a tramping or camping trip. Usually I would make do with a rolled up polar fleece or jacket stuffed into one of my shirts but it is not a comfortable way to spend a night.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX7ZzXZpjrra7ErrTdeMvX5O8kTCHAQAWKNwB6WSLvtxLAxob4ePCYgGWFN15msfXOEGWZPOZQHretfWvn6B5lll0zBNrCmP72504EBwn_Q391MSIKjtr3w_0FpeLQqAU5xxLgj5kruCU/s1600/IMG_2093.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX7ZzXZpjrra7ErrTdeMvX5O8kTCHAQAWKNwB6WSLvtxLAxob4ePCYgGWFN15msfXOEGWZPOZQHretfWvn6B5lll0zBNrCmP72504EBwn_Q391MSIKjtr3w_0FpeLQqAU5xxLgj5kruCU/s640/IMG_2093.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption">Using a rolled jacket as a pillow at Anchorage Hut, Abel Tasman NP</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div><br /></div><div>Karen brought me a Sea to Summit inflatable pillow last year and it has revolutionized how I sleep. It is so much more comfortable when you have a pillow and I get less of the headaches I used to find myself with when I woke in the morning. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoBGdKDkEHW1NObyqtseHKDX66OWdexht5rJzs7BcW4vKHGIg2CSt0SQRIa5wE3ydNLXUt-9HlvTwYMMIF5I3Gt5MLLz6Lj3CmkP9a4S38vBSfYPXTMCe9iHXQ49bEz3bEEvFKw3dwnEQ/s1600/AerosPillow1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoBGdKDkEHW1NObyqtseHKDX66OWdexht5rJzs7BcW4vKHGIg2CSt0SQRIa5wE3ydNLXUt-9HlvTwYMMIF5I3Gt5MLLz6Lj3CmkP9a4S38vBSfYPXTMCe9iHXQ49bEz3bEEvFKw3dwnEQ/s400/AerosPillow1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption">My Sea to Summit Aeros Pillow.....</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />Mine is a Sea to Summit Aeros (regular size)...it is 34(L)x24(W)x11 thick when inflated, it weighs 79gms and packs down to a small size.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfruJgBKBkuebIrbTPxiMxbF5m7Lq84J7KcmW-qQ_qNcTst2JjSLwNih2SBZ6RTaxgyXxVYLalEBYyEJjcARaZpyOFvqi9q4NUOtGhftULF6g5Pv3HPEG9r-v0oQvrVtpqAMacv2x28ek/s1600/AerosPillow2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfruJgBKBkuebIrbTPxiMxbF5m7Lq84J7KcmW-qQ_qNcTst2JjSLwNih2SBZ6RTaxgyXxVYLalEBYyEJjcARaZpyOFvqi9q4NUOtGhftULF6g5Pv3HPEG9r-v0oQvrVtpqAMacv2x28ek/s400/AerosPillow2.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption">The Aeros pillow packs down to a tiny size...</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div> Wither camping or in a hut I always take an air pillow with me now. </div></div></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><br /><i><br /></i><i>Sleeping Bag/Quilt:</i><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I have been using a Macpac NZAT down quilt for the last two years and find that it is more than enough cover for when I am staying in a hut. It is light (850gms), large enough to cover my tall body and filled with 350gms of excellent 850 loft down which is good down to zero degrees if I wear clothing to bed.<br /><br />I am a hot sleeper so anything more than this is too much for Jon and leaves me sweaty and ill rested. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHBCG82RXbaKO8syEfwXhblBmF3DRSQfzIHUpEbjvp1c_tBsfHed-87ScVtolzb_H-84H3mhmNH1Ir72uDDsPibVczQqTToSB7GGMC_B_ndz5qbWPFEAAglMYMbo596_FfFvJElVWThk0/s1600/IMG_1139.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHBCG82RXbaKO8syEfwXhblBmF3DRSQfzIHUpEbjvp1c_tBsfHed-87ScVtolzb_H-84H3mhmNH1Ir72uDDsPibVczQqTToSB7GGMC_B_ndz5qbWPFEAAglMYMbo596_FfFvJElVWThk0/s640/IMG_1139.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption">My NZAT down quilt in Hawdon Hut back in 2019....</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">If I was going to be camping over Spring/Autumn/Winter I would use my Exped Ultralite sleeping bag which is good down to -5 degrees. It is an excellent piece of kit and weighs only 950 gms. You are far more exposed to the wind in a tent so you need to ensure you are going to be warm enough at night.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRh9AECm0UGVysZyaxuGipDUvpLeiSFvk-Em4jdYldOGsNX3qH7Y2LQzQgUjnIPulm1ruZo4_uNoalBa_hFrDE65lshP6I6I1SFUE3bbO2t3bCwUzsF7dPmZi_YUJ1Hhj4BUOy8_j35-s/s1600/DSCN0074.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRh9AECm0UGVysZyaxuGipDUvpLeiSFvk-Em4jdYldOGsNX3qH7Y2LQzQgUjnIPulm1ruZo4_uNoalBa_hFrDE65lshP6I6I1SFUE3bbO2t3bCwUzsF7dPmZi_YUJ1Hhj4BUOy8_j35-s/s640/DSCN0074.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption">My Exped Ultralite sleeping bag at Carrington Hut, Arthur's Pass NP</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I open sleeping bags up and use them like a quilt so the Exped bag is just a warmer take on the NZAT quilt but just not optimised for that task.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><h4>All the tarps/tents I own...a list:</h4></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;"> If you are like me (and most other trampers...) then you have a pile of gear stacked up somewhere waiting to be used. I currently own two tarps and five tents...they are different sizes and for different purposes. You will never find one tent that fits all your needs but you can certainly try.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here is a list of all the shelters I currently own:<br /><br /></div><br /><i>Tarps:</i><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br />I only own two tarps at the moment...one is a shelter for camping while the other is an emergency day shelter.<br /><br />1. Oztrail Hiker Fly, 3.5(W)x2.1(L), 550gms (with pegs)<br />2. DD Tarps, 1.4(L)x1.4(W) Magic Carpet Tarp, 174gms (with pegs)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmUS65pvTkK5s-VXec32EU6oQWArj6x9fzEbKs-wPcIkU6Yax3Ui3jKpBNF6nEMiYFplah2lOYTwoyEhyTQOU1fkfdVq2l0AlRzePcZp5zqM8MfrYcKZw_YHTBikZLoE2A-r1Tu1kow1A/s1600/OztrailTarp.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmUS65pvTkK5s-VXec32EU6oQWArj6x9fzEbKs-wPcIkU6Yax3Ui3jKpBNF6nEMiYFplah2lOYTwoyEhyTQOU1fkfdVq2l0AlRzePcZp5zqM8MfrYcKZw_YHTBikZLoE2A-r1Tu1kow1A/s400/OztrailTarp.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption">My Oztrail Hiker Tarp....</td></tr></tbody></table><br />I am currently in the market for a good lite tarp to replace the Oztrail as it is nearly 10 years old and not ideal for the kind of tramping I do.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Tents:</i></div><br />I have both tramper tents in a variety of sizes and materials and car camping tents...<br /><br /><br />1. Big Agnes Copper Spur UL 1, 2.24(L)x1.10(W)x98(H), 950gms<br />2. Luxe Lightwave II (1-2 person): 2.4(L) x 1.55(W)x1.05(H), 1.3 kg<br />3. Macpac Nautilus (2 person): 2.2(L)x1.4(W)x1.0(H), 2.1 kg<br />4. Coleman Spirit 2 (2 person): 2.6(L) x 1.4(W) x 1.0(H), 1.9kg (Car)<br />5. Coleman Camper 2P (car camping tent), 2.4(L)X1.2(W)X1.0(H), 2.2 kg (Car)<br />6. Coleman Coastline 3 (car camping tent): <span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;">2.6L x 2.25W x 1.4H + 1.60V , 7.6 kg (Car)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"></span><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;">(L= Long, W=Wide, H=High, V=Vestibule)</span><br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5XgnBKDeGXyUgx1qBcXfcBVO1J69mVnMycyGlf0h-05lwjorO6zpTCKrsGMuczO9XeW9NnciWFiop2LpREj6esC_dQ9BlMoHdn4H1EZhRHWX34IUSMkTTwe1ChLLTxlddhTJDaf2itJk/s1600/macpac_nautilus.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5XgnBKDeGXyUgx1qBcXfcBVO1J69mVnMycyGlf0h-05lwjorO6zpTCKrsGMuczO9XeW9NnciWFiop2LpREj6esC_dQ9BlMoHdn4H1EZhRHWX34IUSMkTTwe1ChLLTxlddhTJDaf2itJk/s400/macpac_nautilus.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption">Karen brought us a Macpac Nautilus tent in 2020....</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp0NSTsYHPdljOfgJfx-xdpGhwUoKODBgWoFGgRxP_bQWvEc63hCh_pAp02cyCZNuEWRU1cr-t9r_-P56_hh7oQ2RTpT-9xHCO2YtAvYQgmrYvP_a8EiAHiyCvdaCq0RpWAGbxNY_B9tY/s1600/MacpacNautilus2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="603" data-original-width="900" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp0NSTsYHPdljOfgJfx-xdpGhwUoKODBgWoFGgRxP_bQWvEc63hCh_pAp02cyCZNuEWRU1cr-t9r_-P56_hh7oQ2RTpT-9xHCO2YtAvYQgmrYvP_a8EiAHiyCvdaCq0RpWAGbxNY_B9tY/s400/MacpacNautilus2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption">The Macpac Nautilus can be used in snowy conditions...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">My car camping tents are the Coleman Spirit 2, Coleman 2P and the Coleman Coastal 3......</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXC_Qf50ifrnilA9wRWjSIdioFqh24sEArCPscqkjVbu3ldP0vt3Bb11Ky_gfLM61pgfNaeQq35-ETKmikbuSYMMkOQ23ayYlBTfwzd338L3gxywd9NxKYp-0igwhi_04eDb2qwXknNqaK/s4320/IMG_7397.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3240" data-original-width="4320" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXC_Qf50ifrnilA9wRWjSIdioFqh24sEArCPscqkjVbu3ldP0vt3Bb11Ky_gfLM61pgfNaeQq35-ETKmikbuSYMMkOQ23ayYlBTfwzd338L3gxywd9NxKYp-0igwhi_04eDb2qwXknNqaK/w640-h480/IMG_7397.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Coleman 2P set up at Kerr Bay, Nelson Lakes NP in 2021</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I'm hoping to get the Coastal 3 out on some trips I have planned for this year.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnhiVdXgELeUDCQqK0PZjM0byNleSddBr1mnqHeYWeP5WXx0VaUZrn1Kirl-A2xkKMPWZLsBdcw5WzMnjgJe2wow0FPIM-1Koogf7IWVaHD5ozEzIStp9vPbghoIWSyDKYsymPoQoQIj8/s1600/Coleman5.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1500" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnhiVdXgELeUDCQqK0PZjM0byNleSddBr1mnqHeYWeP5WXx0VaUZrn1Kirl-A2xkKMPWZLsBdcw5WzMnjgJe2wow0FPIM-1Koogf7IWVaHD5ozEzIStp9vPbghoIWSyDKYsymPoQoQIj8/s640/Coleman5.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption">I have a 3 person Coleman Coastline 3 tent for car camping</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhqYj_CeV5aN_N61SORTHJNSQ0hLvLQLdpMtVAskJ9TnYTy6uoKSxbKovkg7A4KCsG63pCQF_Ktd9vjQJvn_TTraiRYAfIQ5xtgJK2XQ_IwIo6rlKjkEJ5oMPWt2QCTczu4OkxmAwobIil/s4320/IMG_6575.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3240" data-original-width="4320" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhqYj_CeV5aN_N61SORTHJNSQ0hLvLQLdpMtVAskJ9TnYTy6uoKSxbKovkg7A4KCsG63pCQF_Ktd9vjQJvn_TTraiRYAfIQ5xtgJK2XQ_IwIo6rlKjkEJ5oMPWt2QCTczu4OkxmAwobIil/w640-h480/IMG_6575.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coleman Coastal 3 at Hanmer Holiday Park in 2021</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">For more information about my tent collection have a look at the<a href="https://nzbushadventures.blogspot.com/2013/10/shelter-hiking-fly-luxe-lightwave.html"> post about my shelters</a>...</div></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><br /></div><h4>Jon's camping adventures: A selection of examples...</h4><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on">I spend almost all of my time in backcountry huts when I am staying overnight in the outdoors so I do not use my shelters as much as I should. I am pragmatic...I love camping but if there is a lovely dry hut with seats, a firebox and thick mattresses I am going to use it.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1au6j_50kJClN1bF5lBG1-l6ChAS-zUT-WYGogZ5WF3fN4aAYS08FYQPRAWVSIfsRtJXO0Y7LXEi7IbWYMfanPiJzDrOxvLSl4mTT0a2814WSwTjBk1lG5xE80nWNWcBZoKMxXNljuqQ/s1600/IMG_3981.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1au6j_50kJClN1bF5lBG1-l6ChAS-zUT-WYGogZ5WF3fN4aAYS08FYQPRAWVSIfsRtJXO0Y7LXEi7IbWYMfanPiJzDrOxvLSl4mTT0a2814WSwTjBk1lG5xE80nWNWcBZoKMxXNljuqQ/s640/IMG_3981.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption">Its hard to turn down a lovely warm hut to camp...Manson-Nicholl Hut </td></tr></tbody></table><br />I have camped on a number of occasions when there were no huts at the places I was visiting and needed to camp instead. Additionally, I always carry a shelter with me when I go out as a safety measure.</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"> Here are a couple of examples where I used my tent/shelter for overnight accommodation instead of a hut. Note this is a small selection...I have camped more than this but I just don't have any photos of the occasion...</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><i>Kerr Bay Campground, Nelson Lakes NP:2021</i></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><i><br /></i></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;">I recently spent a night camping at Kerr Bay Campsite in Nelson Lakes NP while walking some of the day walks in the park. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJrPHuZeK-66tSmsiJEEz6rMHWqLNkKtFxjROrDpjvayO716yY0sPMdGWpJhqssco6B9TxTR60V5jtsiX3A0ucoSDZzCSiuW9y15EImqT1xWkPDLNrH6g-A04osUL_vQMuyTejTgxjP914/s4320/IMG_7403.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3240" data-original-width="4320" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJrPHuZeK-66tSmsiJEEz6rMHWqLNkKtFxjROrDpjvayO716yY0sPMdGWpJhqssco6B9TxTR60V5jtsiX3A0ucoSDZzCSiuW9y15EImqT1xWkPDLNrH6g-A04osUL_vQMuyTejTgxjP914/w640-h480/IMG_7403.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I walked the Mt Robert Circuit around Mt Robert</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I was using one of my Coleman tents on this trip...a smaller two person tent that I use for base camp trips such as this one. At 2.2 kg it is light for a camping tent but too heavy for tramping purposes (we have a lighter Macpac tent for that role). It performed well on this trip but it was really too cold for camping...I should just have stayed in the motel for both nights I was scheduled to be in the area.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMa9JbyA661ytHaEjyZU1kTKpZ6DebAcd8GmPbckYIURbFhYXZUKfz18_8RIgFUELUG20x68D9KPfBEa3se42dLntQ8VNG9MIHy82N1BrDWLDXhweTqvRvIghYcFt4YszuKcySBb9lfpg/s4320/IMG_7396.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3240" data-original-width="4320" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMa9JbyA661ytHaEjyZU1kTKpZ6DebAcd8GmPbckYIURbFhYXZUKfz18_8RIgFUELUG20x68D9KPfBEa3se42dLntQ8VNG9MIHy82N1BrDWLDXhweTqvRvIghYcFt4YszuKcySBb9lfpg/w640-h480/IMG_7396.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Coleman Camper 2 is set up behind the car</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQBfqudfMlfzbhwWySSmVWiNiYyX4EEYAwrpmUswRcajTJyq56nJaRmfi-m_5Z9gromPpaHI09zMD0vUEe7_sn7Sx1RTCLJavkTJ4cpz0NyJl1bB6z8KipdsWJY34-GZK_r8B3YW5__VE/s4320/IMG_7397.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3240" data-original-width="4320" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQBfqudfMlfzbhwWySSmVWiNiYyX4EEYAwrpmUswRcajTJyq56nJaRmfi-m_5Z9gromPpaHI09zMD0vUEe7_sn7Sx1RTCLJavkTJ4cpz0NyJl1bB6z8KipdsWJY34-GZK_r8B3YW5__VE/w640-h480/IMG_7397.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nice protected site for the tent at Kerr Bay Campground</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA43_FNCRu-rkEFYFcj8wyGX9lup9fBSywFtph3Jt0vbsDtcSz81ZibkcbdFlheuKOrz8oadImZc4ZQP6sgI7lbG1N6fpUttZEjfIiA5S5QZ7wSskibiEzD5EVSNZwekwxPNTko2_yEJg/s4320/IMG_7399.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3240" data-original-width="4320" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA43_FNCRu-rkEFYFcj8wyGX9lup9fBSywFtph3Jt0vbsDtcSz81ZibkcbdFlheuKOrz8oadImZc4ZQP6sgI7lbG1N6fpUttZEjfIiA5S5QZ7wSskibiEzD5EVSNZwekwxPNTko2_yEJg/w640-h480/IMG_7399.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plenty of free space in the mostly empty Kerr Bay Campground</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I was in the Kea Zone which is a mixed camping/caravan area so there was a hard pad to park the car on and plenty of grass areas around it for the tent. Each of the sites have their own picnic table and each site is sheltered by a couple of trees. It is a nice set up and one I shall be taking advantage of going forward. </div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibrZqnZR1d2C5SP9aFyJ3H0qcxAFEKxLuf5MXxSk_B9YrI_KHMeveFiQNYpkDWUPa0i68GQihMgGEZ3diKHPfpgC0w6LC0Fp02meq7Q6Ha3Rq72BNEwMZ40gR3SeIsd_eSEHcVHyplIX4/s2560/20210507_153818.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2560" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibrZqnZR1d2C5SP9aFyJ3H0qcxAFEKxLuf5MXxSk_B9YrI_KHMeveFiQNYpkDWUPa0i68GQihMgGEZ3diKHPfpgC0w6LC0Fp02meq7Q6Ha3Rq72BNEwMZ40gR3SeIsd_eSEHcVHyplIX4/w640-h384/20210507_153818.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking down to the Lake and Mt Robert from Kerr Bay Campground</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It was a quiet night at the campground as there were only about 6-7 camper vans and myself in the campground that night. It was a little cold overnight...I had my Marmot -10 degree bag so I was warm enough in my pit but my face got cold as it dropped down to -2 degrees overnight. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I had a closed cell foam mat under my airbed to insulate from the ground but I probably need a down filled air bed for these winter camps. </div><div><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinKeb8NQAUYYnDsw9tDkZN5Z-HduYC4674erATOC9gNHXcMmgw8gzyPN5ipyZCdP5PCA9JYiX89B7ZeLYk80ReKhqp2o6PYO-rIElSP7RxdbcAg6XbIyw35tHF47vq7auB3KtEahQdH9o/s4320/IMG_7398.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3240" data-original-width="4320" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinKeb8NQAUYYnDsw9tDkZN5Z-HduYC4674erATOC9gNHXcMmgw8gzyPN5ipyZCdP5PCA9JYiX89B7ZeLYk80ReKhqp2o6PYO-rIElSP7RxdbcAg6XbIyw35tHF47vq7auB3KtEahQdH9o/w640-h480/IMG_7398.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My camping air bed in the tent, Kerr Bay Campground</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD2sZzB_RkaRK4bdKvyXo3dAvlj6TDmUIbf2fsssEZryZLSIDdPjHmoej_pPXBdEXMrITu9YeHG9fawfYaUD43NUR1rK0QYqSogoD1tny_O9eZzqsGsrWrO5pBqeMXtZio2XZS_55ZuyU/s2560/20210507_174701.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2560" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD2sZzB_RkaRK4bdKvyXo3dAvlj6TDmUIbf2fsssEZryZLSIDdPjHmoej_pPXBdEXMrITu9YeHG9fawfYaUD43NUR1rK0QYqSogoD1tny_O9eZzqsGsrWrO5pBqeMXtZio2XZS_55ZuyU/w640-h384/20210507_174701.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was reading Karen's Willard Price books on this trip...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I actually had a Kiwi walk right past my tent at around 8 pm as it got dark...it was literally a couple of meters away and while I could make out its shadow I couldn't really see any detail in the dark. Still amazing as it is a busy area right on the edge of the National Park and not a place you would expect to see our rare national bird.</div><div><br /></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>Hanmer Holiday Park, Hanmer Springs, February 2021:</i></div></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><p>Karen and I set off on Friday morning for a weekend of camping and tramping up at Nelson Lakes National Park. Karen has yet to sample its many splendors so we were going to base camp at Kerr Bay and explore the area. Sounds like an excellent idea doesn't it...unfortunately we never made it there.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO8ToPIxE-A3QGuy0Uzb29Jy30DQs1fCXSjVwcabB6vMzWBS0yp3TlxNx-L-Xqkpvzr9EOQhbBFb8hTIqIsoD53vbXL-ke1lgzXPgFMqIgBlMl2HeKEkNbbQLdxfbwUCfnpHAgV_66rmg/s4320/IMG_6584.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3240" data-original-width="4320" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO8ToPIxE-A3QGuy0Uzb29Jy30DQs1fCXSjVwcabB6vMzWBS0yp3TlxNx-L-Xqkpvzr9EOQhbBFb8hTIqIsoD53vbXL-ke1lgzXPgFMqIgBlMl2HeKEkNbbQLdxfbwUCfnpHAgV_66rmg/w640-h480/IMG_6584.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A busy Hanmer Top 10 Holiday Park....</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>There are road repairs underway between Lewis Pass and Maruria Springs (there always are...) and a large stone was thrown up by a passing truck into my windscreen. It looked at first like we were going to be ok but a crack started to expand across the windscreen. Bugger......</div><div><br /></div><div>We stopped at Springs Junction to check it and decided that we had to turn back for Christchurch as it looked like the whole windscreen was going to crack. I could actually see it expanding as I watched. I taped up the window as best I could and we started back over the Lewis Pass once again... </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZQulcqfh-o1mPwIPbhgALwSzYqZH1F4oOzMDjxfNDJ7w6CGwVbSNL-345pD0ZDUJJxSWGkuJf0KLWvu6qvYiKcfhefH1YaJhQYu6OugnlPFtHWiU3vcdvfwxWB8udem63_EivjH0KygA/s4320/IMG_6579.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3240" data-original-width="4320" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZQulcqfh-o1mPwIPbhgALwSzYqZH1F4oOzMDjxfNDJ7w6CGwVbSNL-345pD0ZDUJJxSWGkuJf0KLWvu6qvYiKcfhefH1YaJhQYu6OugnlPFtHWiU3vcdvfwxWB8udem63_EivjH0KygA/w640-h480/IMG_6579.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That window be buggered.....</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>It looked like our weekend was over but as we drove the crack stopped growing so I suggested to Karen that we just bail on Kerr Bay and stop for a couple of nights in Hanmer instead. So that is where we headed...</div><div><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzyPQ5GvP1zaYuqA8jW_M0FfP-inXCTCqGGqdJhF6Lz8Sfyl7MRbD7MZg_EAdvJA-Ff9rEGLw4r9e3i0ucGPIRlbt9tF2PktjiKzhHoyiYVdkzR2GJ72sX8l1_esKfxRx0e1AbAjvG2f0/s4320/IMG_6574.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3240" data-original-width="4320" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzyPQ5GvP1zaYuqA8jW_M0FfP-inXCTCqGGqdJhF6Lz8Sfyl7MRbD7MZg_EAdvJA-Ff9rEGLw4r9e3i0ucGPIRlbt9tF2PktjiKzhHoyiYVdkzR2GJ72sX8l1_esKfxRx0e1AbAjvG2f0/w640-h480/IMG_6574.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Coleman Coastline 3P tent set up for our stay...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZoA8stOQbOjnrDRbolb9tVQY43eYqdTLxW_gs54brLGdPnmx1hVUVwldp9BGcirZ-tmsqPOSA6iHTTU5GuwHMNcOsZobMnL36RvXV8LJzEAsRhXJAVHvK5zqT_0avAVcMD4-LUimhlH4/s4320/IMG_6576.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3240" data-original-width="4320" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZoA8stOQbOjnrDRbolb9tVQY43eYqdTLxW_gs54brLGdPnmx1hVUVwldp9BGcirZ-tmsqPOSA6iHTTU5GuwHMNcOsZobMnL36RvXV8LJzEAsRhXJAVHvK5zqT_0avAVcMD4-LUimhlH4/w640-h480/IMG_6576.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Late afternoon sun at Hanmer Top 10 Holiday Park</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>There are two camp grounds at Hanmer and we got an excellent spot for two nights at the Hanmer Top 10 Holiday Park on the edge of the township. The park was busy but as it was early on a Friday they still had some spots for the weekend. We set up camp on our allotted area and proceeded to relax for the rest of the afternoon. The Holiday Park is awesome and has a great level of amenity so it was actually better from a camping stance than the more basic campsite at Kerr Bay. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKAbQaKh85R4q98tcveDRt42f_8JLXTDMphRALkEv9bFZNZEnXrv2n318SrlTZCUkDdCAbIzJaSUbRQHKvTauJl7GnPG2auNdIllfcKck15vCoNQXnmZ69ccSoTDxFfRAbC0MpkiAvPPQ/s4320/IMG_6585.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3240" data-original-width="4320" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKAbQaKh85R4q98tcveDRt42f_8JLXTDMphRALkEv9bFZNZEnXrv2n318SrlTZCUkDdCAbIzJaSUbRQHKvTauJl7GnPG2auNdIllfcKck15vCoNQXnmZ69ccSoTDxFfRAbC0MpkiAvPPQ/w640-h480/IMG_6585.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our car camping brew/cooking kit....</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>We had a nice couple of days in Hanmer...we didn't have our togs with us so no visit to the pools but we did go for a couple of walks in the forest and we went down to the village and had a walk around the shops. It was lovely and peaceful if not the action packed weekend we had planned for....</div><div><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoWPnhfGbzkOZ-yZmjAUz3BRFqSLWx6QrlSYZeIDMYVTeilkiEAI0sReQ5jxekVtpWfcY3BpLTqB6RQYgjzIHmVMKvM2enf_GX8D4h0ghgeHWCbz3QxuO_Aafpqc5GxQHTkcLJpiGjmho/s4320/IMG_6586.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3240" data-original-width="4320" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoWPnhfGbzkOZ-yZmjAUz3BRFqSLWx6QrlSYZeIDMYVTeilkiEAI0sReQ5jxekVtpWfcY3BpLTqB6RQYgjzIHmVMKvM2enf_GX8D4h0ghgeHWCbz3QxuO_Aafpqc5GxQHTkcLJpiGjmho/w640-h480/IMG_6586.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Delicious smoked chicken dinner wraps....yum!!!</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>One thing we did do was hire a couple of MTB's from the camp ground we were staying at and we went for a ride through the forest on the Easy Rider Track. </div><div><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilPl-74Fi59VbPA0IuT5uM5TdKYkMeSTJy7lwPKSjfpgbkdEc6xAliR2LAcgGs3LAQaBiHgKS1vJQpp7s_aX52IqvA_DPmVJGcn8usdxIxn0GRIARAeJN6YnYdnNL1IXzebullAuIBrm4/s4320/IMG_6587.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3240" data-original-width="4320" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilPl-74Fi59VbPA0IuT5uM5TdKYkMeSTJy7lwPKSjfpgbkdEc6xAliR2LAcgGs3LAQaBiHgKS1vJQpp7s_aX52IqvA_DPmVJGcn8usdxIxn0GRIARAeJN6YnYdnNL1IXzebullAuIBrm4/w640-h480/IMG_6587.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All meals enjoyed with a refreshing beverage of course...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>This is the easiest of the various MTB tracks around the Hanmer Heritage Forest and is a combination of single track and forestry roads. </p><p><br /></p></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><i>Totoranui campground, Abel Tasman NP:2018</i></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on">I set out on a trip in early 2018 to walk the Inland Track in Abel Tasman NP...starting from Totaranui I made it to Awapoto Hut on the first day of the trip where I promptly fell over a tree root and injured myself. This forced me to head back to Totaranui as I was only on Day 1 of a four day trip and the terrain ahead was difficult with no bail out options till I got back to Marahau. </div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZc6cVgPiZFa0BsJ0OcNHG7DRiknQmallnoQqn3SNW62qh0xd2ufIdWhsakRIOrKikAHtTxXMQIAnvvWcTzQQGn3Xi7o4tO_RpvIomW4Pwe4Yuda-UmVfKw6U46wf6GGKp0b_YpRUveo0/s4000/DSCN0076.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZc6cVgPiZFa0BsJ0OcNHG7DRiknQmallnoQqn3SNW62qh0xd2ufIdWhsakRIOrKikAHtTxXMQIAnvvWcTzQQGn3Xi7o4tO_RpvIomW4Pwe4Yuda-UmVfKw6U46wf6GGKp0b_YpRUveo0/s640/DSCN0076.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Big Agnes UL1 at the Totaranui campsite in 2018</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPWKX3Drn5K3HNWQMbBHHdmyX5Tuhkr6iRS8d9ooDU6NaQwqxPu2dnT2jFblYUKkMLhc2lIZ2atDzvscnjc1AYCnxbC8km6OGD5CVy9-by-r5ZvXrB2v4s86kv7ZPFXOIVlwENW5G3_yU/s4000/DSCN0079.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPWKX3Drn5K3HNWQMbBHHdmyX5Tuhkr6iRS8d9ooDU6NaQwqxPu2dnT2jFblYUKkMLhc2lIZ2atDzvscnjc1AYCnxbC8km6OGD5CVy9-by-r5ZvXrB2v4s86kv7ZPFXOIVlwENW5G3_yU/s640/DSCN0079.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I stayed at Totaranui Campground after visiting Awapoto Hut, Abel Tasman NP</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWyJLo3J5DEnatcIJ4Di0_OQUk4VFdpwX8S9jl4VUvy48VIli4_JFw7gjVJTkhnZsSirsYKASblpq4Or_cIpRCnD0VBQJulnatOGuDV3f8j8p82Qt0kv3OC6DN8w4Y2piwGPU8AxlxzBg/s4000/DSCN0080.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="485" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWyJLo3J5DEnatcIJ4Di0_OQUk4VFdpwX8S9jl4VUvy48VIli4_JFw7gjVJTkhnZsSirsYKASblpq4Or_cIpRCnD0VBQJulnatOGuDV3f8j8p82Qt0kv3OC6DN8w4Y2piwGPU8AxlxzBg/w643-h485/DSCN0080.JPG" width="643" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption">Closer detail of the Big Agnes Copperspur UL1 at Totaranui campground</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><br /><div>I limped back down to Totaranui and stayed for a night in the camp ground as I waited for the first water-taxi to take me back to Marahau the next morning. I set up in the Great Walk campsite and had a very enjoyable night using the fine facilities there.<br /><br />I feasted like a King as I had three full days of rations in my pack...</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZAR9s72PNuEvKgzvi25jYdfabXGwSQ-EqH9kU8JfTaUzaOewYb-cqDt9A2VTN7NDeMYwWL7XA1fO51Z4v8O9eORwB7aHKlpHyaVHYNrZrj6uWPF-jIe-i_sUUZjMvVjR4kYRGOQpX6es/s1600/DSCN0078.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZAR9s72PNuEvKgzvi25jYdfabXGwSQ-EqH9kU8JfTaUzaOewYb-cqDt9A2VTN7NDeMYwWL7XA1fO51Z4v8O9eORwB7aHKlpHyaVHYNrZrj6uWPF-jIe-i_sUUZjMvVjR4kYRGOQpX6es/s640/DSCN0078.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption">Dinner number two at Totaranui campsite...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8SYbnrkbmt6-LXLGLceOpHHFVZFQO1agJk9Vul1QjLSJlJJZMsQSAjra54Flre1WsVqooBvD7XOhqPjM8KjxoSOTLD8kobQ-BC6S3ZckXLnUwbAIyuiYrAmFNvIZWgD1_vMao69vPPC0/s1600/IMG_2026.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8SYbnrkbmt6-LXLGLceOpHHFVZFQO1agJk9Vul1QjLSJlJJZMsQSAjra54Flre1WsVqooBvD7XOhqPjM8KjxoSOTLD8kobQ-BC6S3ZckXLnUwbAIyuiYrAmFNvIZWgD1_vMao69vPPC0/s640/IMG_2026.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption">The Great Walk kitchen shelter at Totaranui campground in Abel Tasman National Park...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on">I have said to Karen that we must go for a camping trip to Totaranui Campgrounds some time as it is an excellent spot with great facilities and close to a beautiful beach. </div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><br /></div></div></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><i>Queen Charlotte Track:2016</i></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on">You have two options for accommodation on the Queen Charlotte Track or QCT. The most common option people use is staying in the B and B's, holiday homes, lodges and resorts which exist on this particular track. These range from the most basic holiday bach to proper resorts at Portage, Furneaux Lodge and Mistletoe Bay. </div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgslT5V69ze7de1NQ0bn02sFSIEwBgsgOcKrNO1TVedXxxeVRC1vlbk-QV9-VwkALZLajhJBiY5hPmz7fUEddYXw2YbRjEP4ADxnL9nq6LmT8zrRmLsF87KHGWpV1lLD5s00b7TIbSCwLU/s4000/DSCN6240.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgslT5V69ze7de1NQ0bn02sFSIEwBgsgOcKrNO1TVedXxxeVRC1vlbk-QV9-VwkALZLajhJBiY5hPmz7fUEddYXw2YbRjEP4ADxnL9nq6LmT8zrRmLsF87KHGWpV1lLD5s00b7TIbSCwLU/s640/DSCN6240.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I stopped at Furneaux Lodge on the QCT for a refreshing cider or three...</td></tr></tbody></table><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on">The other option is to camp which is what I did when I walked the track back in 2016. There are both private and DOC campsites along the track and I stayed at a combination of the two. The campsites I utilised were; Madsens Camp (Private), Bay of Many Coves (DOC), Cowshed Bay (DOC), Mistletoe Bay Campsite (Private) and Davies Bay (DOC). </div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUM0r6hAjmfRoCecyjIQZIcAkL2xuvp8edk0-wfAsRJGLMj2v1l4bBDlpuj1AAAdP99PKArspkvRCFT9ysjmS8wG7CsftfDS7yIjYo8FN4nhbdC-NIxLiNy_ljRrqOLdlXQvAUi3ZqcGo/s4000/DSCN6242.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUM0r6hAjmfRoCecyjIQZIcAkL2xuvp8edk0-wfAsRJGLMj2v1l4bBDlpuj1AAAdP99PKArspkvRCFT9ysjmS8wG7CsftfDS7yIjYo8FN4nhbdC-NIxLiNy_ljRrqOLdlXQvAUi3ZqcGo/s640/DSCN6242.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Luxe tent set up at Madsens Camp, QCT</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Madsen's Camp is attached to a holiday home about an hour past Furneaux Lodge and was a great wee camping spot. There were a couple of other people staying there and the guy who owns it was super helpful. I walked down to his wharf and got a feed of fresh mussels off the rocks there...beautiful!!! Check it out if you are doing the Queen Charlotte Track...</div><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6PNuWh6NLdcQUiw_sUxLX6KsD32Hfj5hAqdNs4ltbu6zPa-Uk5SiMvC6IEG7qOGUAUwSMzVuxi17jy2YP-wlPl0PrGuEWcJ17PMWB_gMuJTvq-QQwSanKSJxC6BhPFGmtf6Zpqg_Y-qY/s4000/DSCN6270.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6PNuWh6NLdcQUiw_sUxLX6KsD32Hfj5hAqdNs4ltbu6zPa-Uk5SiMvC6IEG7qOGUAUwSMzVuxi17jy2YP-wlPl0PrGuEWcJ17PMWB_gMuJTvq-QQwSanKSJxC6BhPFGmtf6Zpqg_Y-qY/s640/DSCN6270.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the DOC campsite at Bay of Many Coves on the QCT</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmlnVL-D1LXsdDqURIUJ3pNkZqTqq8zofB0XuaJMJgR3o2nR8JyHY7kx8-po1CudjEFN5QUI8tCG1VfnbRzubKkBMl4-RrdUfgSG0QOPLFkH1lz7BVeCIasnpb-p75hxF6yGsVj-rbKYk/s4000/DSCN6269.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmlnVL-D1LXsdDqURIUJ3pNkZqTqq8zofB0XuaJMJgR3o2nR8JyHY7kx8-po1CudjEFN5QUI8tCG1VfnbRzubKkBMl4-RrdUfgSG0QOPLFkH1lz7BVeCIasnpb-p75hxF6yGsVj-rbKYk/s640/DSCN6269.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption">DOC campsites on the QCT have camp kitchen shelters...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;">The DOC campsites are located roughly three hours apart right along the length of the track. Some of them are located high on the ridges which feature on this track but most of them are at or near sea level. Both Camp Bay and Cowshed Bay are accessible by road while the others can only be accessed by foot, MTB or boat.<br /><br /><br />All of the DOC campsites have a cooking shelter of some type...usually a basic three sided structure. The ones at Camp Bay and Cowshed Bay were brand new and very flash. </div><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGxNtHXeKH7rFcfWOYs43U8XlPzk9rDWp4dCqaSOaihftUQ_hEer_r4DhDUk2GDnkAXC1wYTjei2MQWaV_fTvVQ3GrEvPwi7dm4M3_iwPGAKtqMuzOk5PkbCqIyyu0sEIy-0O277o5R0c/s4000/DSCN6301.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGxNtHXeKH7rFcfWOYs43U8XlPzk9rDWp4dCqaSOaihftUQ_hEer_r4DhDUk2GDnkAXC1wYTjei2MQWaV_fTvVQ3GrEvPwi7dm4M3_iwPGAKtqMuzOk5PkbCqIyyu0sEIy-0O277o5R0c/s640/DSCN6301.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The campsite at Cowshed Bay was quite busy...QCT</td></tr></tbody></table><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Mistletoe Bay was once owned by DOC but is now a private resort...they have campsites and van/caravan sites here and an excellent kitchen/toilet building with a great kitchen and lounge area.There are also bookable resort bungalows if you wanted a break from the camping. </div></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3rTVzpaCgPZ_Qmkp535d7PI0kNh97Wxn2USH9yzIo9JvsR5muF8J75ClZQm1r52ih2T_zpMpJi4eZjR2JqZ1fPgBuY64LakeuEHVU0idtxqQY6BRx3pNTGvc2F2QERuQ7wv7pZww9jj8/s4000/DSCN6271.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3rTVzpaCgPZ_Qmkp535d7PI0kNh97Wxn2USH9yzIo9JvsR5muF8J75ClZQm1r52ih2T_zpMpJi4eZjR2JqZ1fPgBuY64LakeuEHVU0idtxqQY6BRx3pNTGvc2F2QERuQ7wv7pZww9jj8/s640/DSCN6271.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside my tent at Mistletoe Bay campsite on the QCT</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;">While it would be nice to stay in the resorts I think everyone should experience the QCT as a camping trip as the weather in the area is generally good and the campsites are not too dodgy. </div><i><br /></i></div><div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div style="clear: both;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="clear: both;"><i>Ryde Falls campsite, Oxford Forest Park, Canterbury:2013</i></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><br />Back in 2013 I went for an overnight trip into Ryde Falls in the Mt Oxford Forest Park here in Canterbury. This is normally a day walk but there is a scratch campsite next to Coopers Creek which flows past the waterfall that I stayed at. </div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS_JX2CdyHerS4t8g1OV5ALr9pHTkrpsc5b5tTrluDhXpU6wBgc9Oc1OTLhkZghlQZu9YAQ04gw1aarSiz5jL6gHs1sSp-eZw09pGLCyK7V8XozJyfjaQ0iFzIuJKBsBK4uOVfqiNg9jU/s1600/RydeTent.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS_JX2CdyHerS4t8g1OV5ALr9pHTkrpsc5b5tTrluDhXpU6wBgc9Oc1OTLhkZghlQZu9YAQ04gw1aarSiz5jL6gHs1sSp-eZw09pGLCyK7V8XozJyfjaQ0iFzIuJKBsBK4uOVfqiNg9jU/s640/RydeTent.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption">Using my Coleman Spirit 2 at the Ryde Falls campsite back in 2013</td></tr></tbody></table><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><br />I had quite a nice night camping here using my Coleman Spirit 2 tent I carried at that time. I was the only person there in the evening and I lit a fire and sat on a log seat and listened to the gurgle of the river and the sound of Morepork/Ruru in the nearby forest.<br /><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqDkIRl1iCA_w8l939Rg2rxrixZ0fFs9_ZBJq3tlvekmsQSFZKAuw_dTtU6zv3zzts04lJYHaCLSh4EGxmAlckp2ut05tN5VpjfJjUZaJWGf0qhW4Fvd-MHpQzfaoxQPmfe0c_MwsB7SI/s1600/IMG_1810.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqDkIRl1iCA_w8l939Rg2rxrixZ0fFs9_ZBJq3tlvekmsQSFZKAuw_dTtU6zv3zzts04lJYHaCLSh4EGxmAlckp2ut05tN5VpjfJjUZaJWGf0qhW4Fvd-MHpQzfaoxQPmfe0c_MwsB7SI/s640/IMG_1810.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption">A much younger Jon at the Ryde Falls campsite in Mt Oxford Forest in 2013</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWX34Z8oHc_6JnOh25UDAJm5WY0tpZEAo3YuJT7FIvzJ53Cy9yMKzvtUblDntSTSmDu2kmvbk4jXd6SESo73IlczXo-efhV6HlENwHLwpgSIpPuSagVj34DFXyyrkNJbo5reF4p9aN-uQ/s1600/IMG_1804.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWX34Z8oHc_6JnOh25UDAJm5WY0tpZEAo3YuJT7FIvzJ53Cy9yMKzvtUblDntSTSmDu2kmvbk4jXd6SESo73IlczXo-efhV6HlENwHLwpgSIpPuSagVj34DFXyyrkNJbo5reF4p9aN-uQ/s640/IMG_1804.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption">The Ryde Falls campsite is super basic...but usable!!!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on">That campsite needs a lot of work...to say it is very basic would be the most generous commentary in the world...but it sufficed for a night. </div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Mt Richardson, Canterbury Foothills:2015</i></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />I spent a night up on Mt Richardson camping under my tarp back in 2015..it was a nice wee spot to camp as it was tucked into a grove of Beech trees and protected from the wind. The only problem with the camp was lack of water as there are no rivers, streams, lakes or tarns up there. You are so much closer to nature under a tarp...you can see, feel, smell and touch it.<br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHfFR97ijdxcbboEUOyhS98T6ABGY3MZNvl9qT74duff36hyphenhyphenr6R3-ysAbL-gxgKT0-GCw4FhnLlyyfx8yGdn-RUAqx2fm-HkpZe3rl6y2n86RfFZjFYG-tVT32O_ddl3txJWctEnm_UTM/s1600/ShelterCamp.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="268" data-original-width="400" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHfFR97ijdxcbboEUOyhS98T6ABGY3MZNvl9qT74duff36hyphenhyphenr6R3-ysAbL-gxgKT0-GCw4FhnLlyyfx8yGdn-RUAqx2fm-HkpZe3rl6y2n86RfFZjFYG-tVT32O_ddl3txJWctEnm_UTM/s640/ShelterCamp.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption">My Oztrail Tarp set up on Mt Richardson, Canterbury Foothills</td></tr></tbody></table><br />When I was in the Army in the late 1980's a tarp was our usual mode of shelter and it was o.k provided it isn't too wet or windy. Sometimes you had to get creative with using your pack for a wall or cutting turf squares to stop the wind. Pin one end to the ground and elevate the other...<br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiE2wZKqYDR4h6qJvkSCYFLVfsRvcTWAAt-voOUzqBZ3Wu0oEWb7TlBcfh_kYjBxWR3Av-q1KKTs3-8FMvXj_F0hZUUGfMxEEXHsQ8Wu3uxwmmcHPlsX2RK3Usg_qI-0leR970qUb7YpA/s1600/DPMTarp1.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="674" data-original-width="1257" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiE2wZKqYDR4h6qJvkSCYFLVfsRvcTWAAt-voOUzqBZ3Wu0oEWb7TlBcfh_kYjBxWR3Av-q1KKTs3-8FMvXj_F0hZUUGfMxEEXHsQ8Wu3uxwmmcHPlsX2RK3Usg_qI-0leR970qUb7YpA/s640/DPMTarp1.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption">Classic New Zealand military DPM tarp set up.....</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Group tarp camps are also the bread and butter of tramping clubs from the 1950's right up to the present and many a great night would have been spent next to the fire under the tarp. Tarps are especially good in thick, tight forest as they can be shaped to fit a particular camp site. A 3x3 tarp will easily house 6-8 people under it...<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwAYSeN2_lUJb52ExrP8Gxr96z7qL1uRqocJq0TyceWO7M-KUND_9QV2u7tn7oV8GoJknupGA-_eaCOoAHrLVUsZrTbGPZ4selFNO5rIGMddknEj3cxO3R_aPpgE9DCGUaj3uvCVxwU6I/s1600/GroupTarp.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwAYSeN2_lUJb52ExrP8Gxr96z7qL1uRqocJq0TyceWO7M-KUND_9QV2u7tn7oV8GoJknupGA-_eaCOoAHrLVUsZrTbGPZ4selFNO5rIGMddknEj3cxO3R_aPpgE9DCGUaj3uvCVxwU6I/s640/GroupTarp.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption">A group tarp set up in the New Zealand bush...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />With the availability of new light weight trampers tents the tarp has taken the back burner in New Zealand to a certain extent.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">More is the pity...!!<br /><br /></div></div></div>Jon Moakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14620417636121034748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2664594284381405400.post-7224495440770729792020-09-16T00:16:00.001-07:002020-09-16T00:16:02.505-07:00Resupply Point: Havelock, Pelorous Sound, Nelson-Marlborough<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Havelock as a Te Araroa Trail resupply point...</h3>
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I recently passed through Havelock near Pelorous Sound on my way to a tramping trip in Kahurangi National Park. I stopped and took some photos of the town and its supermarket as I thought it might be useful to investigate the town as a potential resupply point.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The main street of Havelock in Marlborough Province...</td></tr>
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Havelock is half way between Anakiwa at the end of the Queen Charlotte Track and Pelorous Bridge the entrance to the Richmond Ranges. You would be arriving here on day 6-8 of a SOBO trek or day 8-10 of a NOBO trip from St Arnaud so you will be needing an urgent resupply.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLOx_Vf7Ks0M21dhKfy7bmbEqy-N7Y9HMGNv01-ubcHHovPcvuLpvdkZ8zqmvmfsh3vbyMcd9g-1b2rs0X9fHUpjMX5sa3IdgV0t2MEoI7MU9ne4F5VtA6-VLdLHaiq2wJI4CXClYk_3a5/s1600/MapHavelock.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="739" data-original-width="1224" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLOx_Vf7Ks0M21dhKfy7bmbEqy-N7Y9HMGNv01-ubcHHovPcvuLpvdkZ8zqmvmfsh3vbyMcd9g-1b2rs0X9fHUpjMX5sa3IdgV0t2MEoI7MU9ne4F5VtA6-VLdLHaiq2wJI4CXClYk_3a5/s640/MapHavelock.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Map: Havelock is half way between Anakiwa and Pelorous Bridge</td></tr>
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Havelock is the only place close to the trail you can resupply before starting the next two sections of the trail as both Anakiwa and Pelorous Bridge are small settlements. You used to be able to send drop boxes to Pelorous Bridge campground but this service is no longer available. Your only other option is to hitch to Blenheim about 40 odd kilometres away.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIythW6dpYZ3pwn3rQfel_6ZWU8hnJiM4w9BVYEclY8lm6HZ_v3Qab4YaBTBRESWPDMmOF7YBnW1lN3Mzj-RkuMcUsE5Vu_dWr5bAzoxtgAbnkhqWPmeRNLQpflcwvhdOBH13DbxJBksoX/s1600/IMG_4850.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIythW6dpYZ3pwn3rQfel_6ZWU8hnJiM4w9BVYEclY8lm6HZ_v3Qab4YaBTBRESWPDMmOF7YBnW1lN3Mzj-RkuMcUsE5Vu_dWr5bAzoxtgAbnkhqWPmeRNLQpflcwvhdOBH13DbxJBksoX/s640/IMG_4850.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pelorous Sound from the northern outskirts of Havelock</td></tr>
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Havelock is small...less than 300 permanent residents as it is simply a service center for the forestry, farming, factory fishing and holiday industries which exist nearby. There is one petrol station, a medium sized supermarket, some restaurants/cafes, retail shops and other infrastructure to support the local community.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKGGsN3LXWOAFMjq40zvVkXUkEP9dwHyNaXGoDQCFpqz71h5lxqKd_60O7BksxkkNONkfT82ROh41rS1YKTz2GJEWTbGMjP9jR2Isu0U1Q-NwIp7h0m3QNMWlLEN7i6CcKP_pKrnzalkF0/s1600/MapHavelockStreet.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="916" data-original-width="1186" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKGGsN3LXWOAFMjq40zvVkXUkEP9dwHyNaXGoDQCFpqz71h5lxqKd_60O7BksxkkNONkfT82ROh41rS1YKTz2GJEWTbGMjP9jR2Isu0U1Q-NwIp7h0m3QNMWlLEN7i6CcKP_pKrnzalkF0/s640/MapHavelockStreet.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Map: Street map of Havelock, Pelorous Sound</td></tr>
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One thing Havelock is famous for are the extensive mussel and salmon farms in nearby Pelorous and Kenepuru Sounds. If you are visiting or staying in Havelock make sure you have some mussels..there are several places selling them and they are really good. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3NDi5tEZAbvNCgAUQvrAN-Nb1X63F-00_GAUBtuXCLZAlYAOFJ6UaLA30qJdYD2TdRBvxJEr0y7g7AL8j0_Su06-SApnrHdNHirum-kShJMtVr2OzIfynjn-KQLmCCmVJgXvrcXj17O2b/s1600/MusselPot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3NDi5tEZAbvNCgAUQvrAN-Nb1X63F-00_GAUBtuXCLZAlYAOFJ6UaLA30qJdYD2TdRBvxJEr0y7g7AL8j0_Su06-SApnrHdNHirum-kShJMtVr2OzIfynjn-KQLmCCmVJgXvrcXj17O2b/s640/MusselPot.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A visit to the Mussel Pot Cafe is a Te Araroa institution...</td></tr>
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There is enough in Havelock for a reasonable rest/lay day but if you needed more than basic food resupply, accommodation or meals you need to hitch to Blenheim. Anyway...lets have a look at what Havelock has to offer the TA trekker...</div>
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<h4 style="text-align: left;">
Four Square Havelock:</h4>
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Havelock has only the one food store and that is the Four Square supermarket on the corner of SH6 and Neil Street. Four Square supermarkets are very common in smaller towns such as this...they are independently owned but buy goods as a co-operative so they are able to charge similar prices to the big chains. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXIBmuZN0vtXWX6UrbH1yA9AeLErb-FkzEOueku8Zf6d-3aLUOy3IKkY7CxGVs9Ep_aOkK-GWoOmpXUYZ3EPY-ZPWeupHORN2OcVyDAznxQ26vl4JThBveXo-gy78Oy8FzQeLEmPSvqagc/s1600/IMG_4849.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXIBmuZN0vtXWX6UrbH1yA9AeLErb-FkzEOueku8Zf6d-3aLUOy3IKkY7CxGVs9Ep_aOkK-GWoOmpXUYZ3EPY-ZPWeupHORN2OcVyDAznxQ26vl4JThBveXo-gy78Oy8FzQeLEmPSvqagc/s640/IMG_4849.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Four Square supermarket in Havelock, Marlborough</td></tr>
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The Havelock Four Square supermarket is well stocked and it has almost every item you will need to do a full resupply before you continue your journey. Taking a look at a selection of items the prices are almost the same as in any larger supermarket in a big town or city. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7oeOaIOnFVZpaH2bf7o_EuhXrBzCpB9_xSnxfG1DZOPRHD6D0x7Tlwu4LrpPDdMCvsV3eiYLyKPksDuV_3hlhKzmmwwth9gjO1Xm6o7i0yLJ2r2r1BDV0mO3vC0Usq5lY4dvurDk-hYHi/s1600/IMG_4834.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7oeOaIOnFVZpaH2bf7o_EuhXrBzCpB9_xSnxfG1DZOPRHD6D0x7Tlwu4LrpPDdMCvsV3eiYLyKPksDuV_3hlhKzmmwwth9gjO1Xm6o7i0yLJ2r2r1BDV0mO3vC0Usq5lY4dvurDk-hYHi/s640/IMG_4834.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Havelock Four Square:Chilled food section, fruit and vegetables</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfLaRz5bt_NmSVytrdG-r_qEpBiq1_LZqw83qlJ1QHFdlFNj82Z2N88fLWiYk9S_b1SvOHODYJ_Z-GJfP_jC6-DDXby13Bn6f22CAaYbJu23QLUbZGWs5fKf14Cm7cl_I0RM082oj3Nzmp/s1600/IMG_4848.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfLaRz5bt_NmSVytrdG-r_qEpBiq1_LZqw83qlJ1QHFdlFNj82Z2N88fLWiYk9S_b1SvOHODYJ_Z-GJfP_jC6-DDXby13Bn6f22CAaYbJu23QLUbZGWs5fKf14Cm7cl_I0RM082oj3Nzmp/s640/IMG_4848.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Havelock Four Square:a full spread of cured meats...</span></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
There are a couple of taverns in Havelock but no liquor outlets so the closest thing you have is the alcohol selection at the supermarket. They have a good range of beer, wine and cider for sale but as with all supermarkets in New Zealand no spirits. There is an off licence at the Havelock Hotel if spirits are your thing.....they have limited hours so check to see when they are open. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdoaPptbyKtH3YU4fLRnCh5q1sDH1NdCuRioDZy9rvT23opywftWQJlhEL-StUaFA0X5qgXqXGMhKJMuQUZUnIp2dgWG8sZZZ3lTsT_efhU335VJP-wNQMP3FX5Gnf6VGIkUCt1wg_3gsE/s1600/IMG_4835.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdoaPptbyKtH3YU4fLRnCh5q1sDH1NdCuRioDZy9rvT23opywftWQJlhEL-StUaFA0X5qgXqXGMhKJMuQUZUnIp2dgWG8sZZZ3lTsT_efhU335VJP-wNQMP3FX5Gnf6VGIkUCt1wg_3gsE/s640/IMG_4835.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Havelock Four Square:beer, sparkling wine and cider...</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj33Rb88aveDcAvGbi49P5SgVlJF9TvbFr4eXRg7byDOw5Dd7_rN7SyS74I8uZl5TeixiOVymev_FpXjzFmv9i3-84yDhK5ZyJMPUWKoeQdLXuVZHgYeSRjt-r8J_0q5xypsJD30SDju4or/s1600/IMG_4836.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj33Rb88aveDcAvGbi49P5SgVlJF9TvbFr4eXRg7byDOw5Dd7_rN7SyS74I8uZl5TeixiOVymev_FpXjzFmv9i3-84yDhK5ZyJMPUWKoeQdLXuVZHgYeSRjt-r8J_0q5xypsJD30SDju4or/s640/IMG_4836.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Havelock Four Square:various wines, snack nuts and potato chips...</span></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Probably the best way to describe to you what they have in stock is simply to show you. Here are a series of photos of all of the shelves in the Havelock Four Square so you can see for yourself...</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyqa8Q511SLB_-Skz7aykOHKvyGk4iGnOhNsG51nvBJewPhaqMtX43bUqd9kM5YeHFgMmnNicd3pao5wNadz1wy2N_o6IMtyGqb5jIe_ZGOcjEpbicYdfkAMI9P_IqKEQvkN-hLTNATb94/s1600/IMG_4837.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyqa8Q511SLB_-Skz7aykOHKvyGk4iGnOhNsG51nvBJewPhaqMtX43bUqd9kM5YeHFgMmnNicd3pao5wNadz1wy2N_o6IMtyGqb5jIe_ZGOcjEpbicYdfkAMI9P_IqKEQvkN-hLTNATb94/s640/IMG_4837.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Havelock Four Square:crackers, biscuits,cereal...</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizy6TTP6ujEMjOaqqWpsoigYSBY3mQQlMRh15K8V8MMpOSjaQwhilntTS3GuZI1Y3wkMD-g7s_zMCiCvL8Dx_L9_y2LPy7BCR59PXSENQa53mEOy_5Ts-QeWuqwCDwFm7QgMo0yZn1ac_n/s1600/IMG_4838.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizy6TTP6ujEMjOaqqWpsoigYSBY3mQQlMRh15K8V8MMpOSjaQwhilntTS3GuZI1Y3wkMD-g7s_zMCiCvL8Dx_L9_y2LPy7BCR59PXSENQa53mEOy_5Ts-QeWuqwCDwFm7QgMo0yZn1ac_n/s640/IMG_4838.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Havelock Four Square:they have a comprehensive Muesli bar selection...</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCXwkhaiG1XfhG9TDUH-5rWj4sTqmEff7NcKa8QaX2PK5E45WG1ABnye_FV6V65VvAPqUL8JkFBvyLMC8z9AiwkxKpY8FtpNZxlOuOovfIRAjO76q3qI_hwFQ9oYcWyKDS5Ao90KTvX0lx/s1600/IMG_4839.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCXwkhaiG1XfhG9TDUH-5rWj4sTqmEff7NcKa8QaX2PK5E45WG1ABnye_FV6V65VvAPqUL8JkFBvyLMC8z9AiwkxKpY8FtpNZxlOuOovfIRAjO76q3qI_hwFQ9oYcWyKDS5Ao90KTvX0lx/s640/IMG_4839.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Havelock Four Square:juice, powdered drinks, soda, iced tea...</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG8ILb5fmuFa1AjdiQv66VvoMfKQdAawtzQElN6lWYLp5ywSW8A7N3omUmhHvaE9Sr_RWhGsosEUlqFaOqj1MRcf5r03fc0bb6K0gtBE3ejDTRhwTR__fDtWK9plNpTXyvkAPSRKvtKeX-/s1600/IMG_4840.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG8ILb5fmuFa1AjdiQv66VvoMfKQdAawtzQElN6lWYLp5ywSW8A7N3omUmhHvaE9Sr_RWhGsosEUlqFaOqj1MRcf5r03fc0bb6K0gtBE3ejDTRhwTR__fDtWK9plNpTXyvkAPSRKvtKeX-/s640/IMG_4840.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Havelock Four Square: a good spread of fish in packets and cans, soup, beans etc.</span></td></tr>
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They had a good selection of bread, wraps, tortillas, pastries etc. so plenty of scope for lunches and no cook dinner meals....</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzJaD47ASka2S9JRh7dr167_cd3nM5td_tnJVCi5_ck6ppYCxpevTp3SDaY3QLkh9iuWQG3BnbpCr4HltZ9tdnSYz9oSNnFryUQTFbicSP1zsE4aIzXvoCqqLoM_e5xSIfLpv_r76riO-0/s1600/IMG_4841.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzJaD47ASka2S9JRh7dr167_cd3nM5td_tnJVCi5_ck6ppYCxpevTp3SDaY3QLkh9iuWQG3BnbpCr4HltZ9tdnSYz9oSNnFryUQTFbicSP1zsE4aIzXvoCqqLoM_e5xSIfLpv_r76riO-0/s640/IMG_4841.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Havelock Four Square:they had bread, wraps, </span>croissant<span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> and pastries</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyQc4JrK_sGcFR_10Jn5vy12LUlyI1XcXglnNOw9X1JtYpzJC_Vlyevq-_ZjFizCj72IjF-sjNxdjTv7KqTwpx6kzsl-rFatpw0ViC0fbN0AngOe63c_L_Js763xZEi9iyQoT14GZA4eWq/s1600/IMG_4844.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyQc4JrK_sGcFR_10Jn5vy12LUlyI1XcXglnNOw9X1JtYpzJC_Vlyevq-_ZjFizCj72IjF-sjNxdjTv7KqTwpx6kzsl-rFatpw0ViC0fbN0AngOe63c_L_Js763xZEi9iyQoT14GZA4eWq/s640/IMG_4844.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Havelock Four Square:teas, coffee, cocoa etc.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI3g_zVzclj-uYH247HPvI5GMzdGGhmcSPNKntc8eMC-zpHkayvHdvtWR43rdny7ArXxemzfUFxlsMc46uYtFYcULRlNGA0snTaOh67Cl3G7e5AmGDu4PjecJ996m6KKOOe2DK0yDC7Gu4/s1600/IMG_4845.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI3g_zVzclj-uYH247HPvI5GMzdGGhmcSPNKntc8eMC-zpHkayvHdvtWR43rdny7ArXxemzfUFxlsMc46uYtFYcULRlNGA0snTaOh67Cl3G7e5AmGDu4PjecJ996m6KKOOe2DK0yDC7Gu4/s640/IMG_4845.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Havelock Four Square:dried fruit, nuts and eggs...</span></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
They had a selection of the most popular Backcountry freeze dried meals including the fancy muesli and porridge meals. There was also a comprehensive selection of those Continental, Maggi and San Remo pasta side dishes. Plenty of noodles, rice, pasta, instant mash and Mexican meal items....</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji1PFJNLgI6X_8vo84NyhmUN9M9EZH7RcYt0rKn7M9U-IHiKvs2wqBgpJBCXUiUGAkp7HNfXjGTXxeTSB6_mgRJnP6UZiLY1VtydDmphbfHA7SAodeHnU4v0TG-pAmAyWCHALq_dH-1tWg/s1600/IMG_4833.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji1PFJNLgI6X_8vo84NyhmUN9M9EZH7RcYt0rKn7M9U-IHiKvs2wqBgpJBCXUiUGAkp7HNfXjGTXxeTSB6_mgRJnP6UZiLY1VtydDmphbfHA7SAodeHnU4v0TG-pAmAyWCHALq_dH-1tWg/s640/IMG_4833.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Havelock Four Square:pasta, rice, sidemeals, noodles and Backcountry meals</span></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Lots of chocolate including some of the fancy brands for those of you who carry when out on trail.....not me. I only very occasionally carry chocolate and if I am it will be Whittakers sante bars, Snickers or peanut M & M's.<br />
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I am more of a savoury guy...chips, olives, cheese, salted nuts, jerky are more my style.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjczRxLnZfJ1mE_fu84XDtCBTk7_5I7RNaI8idHSHrHVwelWdGd3DMVqk8V7ccvyydUD2vie-JG0c9YmtQ_JRxYuIrfll0EUKvB5KgKbPFHXluF3RqOAWFENmMXO3PaLDwxPg7g7SgPpEGj/s1600/IMG_4846.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjczRxLnZfJ1mE_fu84XDtCBTk7_5I7RNaI8idHSHrHVwelWdGd3DMVqk8V7ccvyydUD2vie-JG0c9YmtQ_JRxYuIrfll0EUKvB5KgKbPFHXluF3RqOAWFENmMXO3PaLDwxPg7g7SgPpEGj/s640/IMG_4846.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Havelock Four Square:lots of </span>chocolate<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">...</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinzsLAY6zyZPfsWr_hifJCKP6XoLWo03ltsxZyFWEDQAXnEo7Bwbl9cMT-ajsnLjkLcivPveakeBU0TrV_dKCClN4feWoxr_mAMZ7xSqZms8VBdnUSfM8JNiXSf7HNlPWXWrXM4xRQ_6Pm/s1600/IMG_4847.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinzsLAY6zyZPfsWr_hifJCKP6XoLWo03ltsxZyFWEDQAXnEo7Bwbl9cMT-ajsnLjkLcivPveakeBU0TrV_dKCClN4feWoxr_mAMZ7xSqZms8VBdnUSfM8JNiXSf7HNlPWXWrXM4xRQ_6Pm/s640/IMG_4847.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Havelock Four Square: </span>chocolate<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">, sweets, powdered milk etc.</span></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
The Four Square had a fairly comprehensive selection of hardware including Meths (for Trangia type cookers), candles, matches and storage bags. What they did not have were any gas canisters..I specifically looked for them but there were none in the store. </div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
This is problematic as there is no source of them before you enter the Richmond Ranges so you either need to carry them with you from Picton or go 'no cook' on this section of the trail. They may sell them at the service station in Havelock...I will have a look the next time I am passing through. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXM-fs6przazYXJwYcFBVg1IclFdkaDsW9CpuKl-0UQEQzUcGkjdvP0AsbzuUXlBCjVwpws0-I53fZNGrTunv-QDbDR0EX8CqD4XCg3c-3kOcYRJKmPngeVCxmHGThI6EQxYIN1jY0T3Ro/s1600/IMG_4842.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXM-fs6przazYXJwYcFBVg1IclFdkaDsW9CpuKl-0UQEQzUcGkjdvP0AsbzuUXlBCjVwpws0-I53fZNGrTunv-QDbDR0EX8CqD4XCg3c-3kOcYRJKmPngeVCxmHGThI6EQxYIN1jY0T3Ro/s640/IMG_4842.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Havelock Four Square:hardware, cleaners, meths etc.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbDcDLjYgFEdbZEPRTumX7NR-4AAl8fnB29DOPqsnO9xQXzD3cUUj7y1Dt8AWOljJW9pkJ2HO7L8hzH3dmIGHVztlx80vSI9gRCnH3bc_QANtna79JEkKF18Z4FDHAbnk8mM_VUiHUNI9e/s1600/IMG_4843.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbDcDLjYgFEdbZEPRTumX7NR-4AAl8fnB29DOPqsnO9xQXzD3cUUj7y1Dt8AWOljJW9pkJ2HO7L8hzH3dmIGHVztlx80vSI9gRCnH3bc_QANtna79JEkKF18Z4FDHAbnk8mM_VUiHUNI9e/s640/IMG_4843.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Havelock Four Square:storage bags/containers, stationary, tape....</span></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
The town may be small but the Four Square in Havelock would be more than capable of resupplying you for your next sections of the trail. They have enough variety to cater for a range of tastes and I am sure you will be able to find something in store to see you through to your next resupply point. </div>
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<h4 style="text-align: left;">
Bars & eateries in Havelock:</h4>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Havelock is on SH6 the main road between Blenheim and Nelson so it has a number of cafes, restaurants and bars to cater to the people passing through. Most of these are clustered around the main road but there are a couple of eateries down by the Marina as well.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8XwOLYK08q-OIoUSljc0S9Fr_gRtPI8flDEvqnwax3R0FXzl0E-foNUGyFj6npXFMrbJeLQNMTqcGUjk56Gwb6WGUAdBlSA48TWbCudXWJGq_0JWZa3SzlMe7iaJMnUrwhDk26jcg04Pt/s1600/HavelockMarina.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="672" data-original-width="1200" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8XwOLYK08q-OIoUSljc0S9Fr_gRtPI8flDEvqnwax3R0FXzl0E-foNUGyFj6npXFMrbJeLQNMTqcGUjk56Gwb6WGUAdBlSA48TWbCudXWJGq_0JWZa3SzlMe7iaJMnUrwhDk26jcg04Pt/s640/HavelockMarina.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Havelock Marina, Marlborough Sounds</td></tr>
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One of the things you should try if you are in Havelock are some green lipped Mussels...they are farmed in the local areas and are damn delicious. Probably the best place for these is the <a href="https://www.themusselpot.co.nz/">Mussel Pot</a> a well known TA tradition. They do a variety of lunch and dinner meals with an emphasis on seafood...go for the steamed mussels in white wine with crusty bread...yum!!!<br />
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They also do non-seafood meals so check out their <a href="https://www.themusselpot.co.nz/menus">online menu</a>...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheRmuOl-QdEV5CTNeclgiij4kVFpzVY_l_qlKqz9FGyuW6qrMRAV6RRM5zU0eXcgbMEbegds4vIYU7xWq6E-0m1bwYpmQBxZQ5asQnSIAGvXCjpc8GfzNUyTzgM-KHlunlKA7RdXJ-OoAT/s1600/steamed_mussels.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="662" data-original-width="900" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheRmuOl-QdEV5CTNeclgiij4kVFpzVY_l_qlKqz9FGyuW6qrMRAV6RRM5zU0eXcgbMEbegds4vIYU7xWq6E-0m1bwYpmQBxZQ5asQnSIAGvXCjpc8GfzNUyTzgM-KHlunlKA7RdXJ-OoAT/s640/steamed_mussels.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Mussel Pot steamed mussels.....marvelous!!!</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Another place I have eaten lunch is the Captains Daughter a brasserie style cafe, restaurant and bar close to the supermarket. The meal I had was very nice and the cafe has a nice ambiance to it...it was busy as it is the most obvious eatery in the town so you should probably book in for dinner. Prices were moderate and well within a modest budget. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHUC5y414FxqvSyIBya5s9sxi67ijBOs-__VWBnrMcUXAnqUNmF8jsggewwIrE2EJA78di7NYzQMhtZGUyzJa94LKKU8ncsoR0wMbxlg9GrP8rvcuwotIBlf-25W2p2upJDzkYTKxPYYZ6/s1600/CaptainsDaughter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHUC5y414FxqvSyIBya5s9sxi67ijBOs-__VWBnrMcUXAnqUNmF8jsggewwIrE2EJA78di7NYzQMhtZGUyzJa94LKKU8ncsoR0wMbxlg9GrP8rvcuwotIBlf-25W2p2upJDzkYTKxPYYZ6/s640/CaptainsDaughter.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Captains Daughter is a cafe/bar in Havelock...</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
I have also heard good things about the <a href="https://millsbaymussels.co.nz/tasting-room-eatery/">Mills Bay Mussel Tasting Compan</a>y they are a Mussel factory farming business but have a retail store and cafe located near the Marina. Dine in or take away options are available. I am going to visit the next time I am heading through Havelock.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWzWWED9geCIS3EuOzaUElZ8Qexku8D2iQP_y7DNZf3_mODgBcyCvp_ROdc4e6OVJ-Y1174D408xolcYE0MjHx7BnKzfWl2TqyJik8Ul6FMQwR9W9Bj869_U6wEyqHc6M3W4-mdyTxZZ1S/s1600/mills-bay-mussels.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWzWWED9geCIS3EuOzaUElZ8Qexku8D2iQP_y7DNZf3_mODgBcyCvp_ROdc4e6OVJ-Y1174D408xolcYE0MjHx7BnKzfWl2TqyJik8Ul6FMQwR9W9Bj869_U6wEyqHc6M3W4-mdyTxZZ1S/s640/mills-bay-mussels.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mills Bay Mussels Tasting Room and Eatery</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
There are a couple of other cafes and restaurants in the town but as I have not sampled their wares I cannot comment on the quality. </div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
If you are looking to wet your whistle there are three bars in Havelock...the first is the Captains Daughter, there is also the Havelock Hotel and the Slip Inn Brasserie and Bar. All three have websites so have a look to see when they are open. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeh_ws4eHcKqVy1fnlw0RVlu6yARmwyOLiAqIOXGUqJJ37cK8B_urzIlfAqcc_ea-H-SSfUQw3uE16pMN55j0HKA0uTkeUkFmRq-wprVYH907pDvv4KOeSJENzHzcDSE-vaNSyvg67TAsf/s1600/slip-inn-cafe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeh_ws4eHcKqVy1fnlw0RVlu6yARmwyOLiAqIOXGUqJJ37cK8B_urzIlfAqcc_ea-H-SSfUQw3uE16pMN55j0HKA0uTkeUkFmRq-wprVYH907pDvv4KOeSJENzHzcDSE-vaNSyvg67TAsf/s640/slip-inn-cafe.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Slip Inn Brasserie and Bar at the Havelock Marina</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Apart from the places I have mentioned it is Muggins choice...go have a look at the menus at different places and choose one that suits your taste and budget.</div>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
<br />Accommodation in Havelock</h4>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Havelock is a days walk from both Anakiwa and the start of the Richmond Range at Pelorous Bridge so it is a good spot for a rest/lay day.<br />
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You are going to need somewhere to stay. There are a range of accommodation options in the town ranging from campgrounds right up to top of the line lodges, hotels and holiday homes. The cheapest is the <a href="https://www.havelockholidaypark.kiwi/">Havelock Holiday Park</a> with tent sites, cabins and dorm style rooms. They have a dining/cooking hall and facilities like showers and laundry services.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLCZ2glmcr8F5F-d5Kc6NkntSDVAX7Tu_tldFwyqXr9-GbtBPyQ-P6xY7T7i5IQaenhWdv9qRK4qFZdgrOjOKCDv-wdFM4cBD0niyEJv8ksWlBU9xDfS2Hn9oG8j_PlECR5PYGP1egN4hD/s1600/HavelockHolidayPark.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLCZ2glmcr8F5F-d5Kc6NkntSDVAX7Tu_tldFwyqXr9-GbtBPyQ-P6xY7T7i5IQaenhWdv9qRK4qFZdgrOjOKCDv-wdFM4cBD0niyEJv8ksWlBU9xDfS2Hn9oG8j_PlECR5PYGP1egN4hD/s640/HavelockHolidayPark.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Havelock Holiday Park has tent sites and camp facilities...</td></tr>
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Moving up the price range there are a couple of Bed and Breakfast places in Havelock which provide accommodation and a morning meal. There are also several motels scattered at various places in the town and if you are a squillionaire there are a couple of high end Lodges.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1xRK-bLFdKuWTdAX_kf8uKbT8ogV-xe8XTSdXEkliHZKASFLY88v1z3UikxS85kubY9pcuTvopaWk7_EizRtWj8jF5Sa2Na2VW96_4ptJYDttONyWqOmMErfzotL2niFbf6MO0HpW7Ijx/s1600/HavelockGardenMotel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="1130" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1xRK-bLFdKuWTdAX_kf8uKbT8ogV-xe8XTSdXEkliHZKASFLY88v1z3UikxS85kubY9pcuTvopaWk7_EizRtWj8jF5Sa2Na2VW96_4ptJYDttONyWqOmMErfzotL2niFbf6MO0HpW7Ijx/s640/HavelockGardenMotel.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Havelock Garden Motel is right in the center of town...</td></tr>
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My best advice would be to look at the TA Trail notes for this section and check out the blogs of TA alumni to get their recommendations for good places to stay. </div>
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<h4 style="text-align: left;">
Miscellaneous information about Havelock and Marlborough:</h4>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
The closest city with a full range of retail, accommodation and administrative services is Blenheim approximately 40 odd kilometers south along SH 6. Blenheim has around 30 000 residents so it has everything you might need including several big supermarkets, outdoor retail outlets, a hospital, an airport, fast food outlets (KFC/Subway/MacDonalds) and an area DOC office.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpaXC30HGQPhBK0sGRD_T7jN2s1N4lEF7PUHjlPhIZNyk_whxA_0bLbqY8tDBZ9ec3TdKsXB67L9GLCRTfn1WA6UaAwI5SbACHmPvbkTLlfrUjKM83B3BJ_fo1KS9-YjeBClJZNYOoTAn_/s1600/Blenheim.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1024" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpaXC30HGQPhBK0sGRD_T7jN2s1N4lEF7PUHjlPhIZNyk_whxA_0bLbqY8tDBZ9ec3TdKsXB67L9GLCRTfn1WA6UaAwI5SbACHmPvbkTLlfrUjKM83B3BJ_fo1KS9-YjeBClJZNYOoTAn_/s640/Blenheim.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blenheim is the closest city to Havelock...</td></tr>
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You can hitch or take public transport (shuttles) to Blenheim or Nelson and some of them will drop you at the Pelorous Bridge camp ground if needed. This would save you one day of mostly road walking on a narrow and very busy highway. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The campground and camp shelter at Pelorous Bridge Reserve</td></tr>
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There is a pharmacy in Havelock which may be able to help you with basic medical requirements such as tape, bandages and over the counter medication. There is also a small museum and the area around the marina is worth visiting to see the various yachts and motor vessels tied up there.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There is a small museum in Havelock...</td></tr>
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Heading SOBO you will head to Canvastown before joining Daltons Road all the way to the camp ground at Pelorous Bridge on the edge of the Richmond Ranges. NOBO you have a mix of track and road walking to Anakiwa at the southern end of the Queen Charlotte Track. Both are one days walk or around 20 kilometres away. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anakiwa...the southern terminus of the Queen Charlotte Track</td></tr>
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So...hopefully some of that information will be useful to you as you do your planning for your trek of the Te Araroa Trail. </div>
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Jon Moakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14620417636121034748noreply@blogger.com0Havelock, New Zealand-41.2872673 173.7682071-41.3826778 173.6068456 -41.191856800000004 173.9295686tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2664594284381405400.post-21624015330395675462020-08-20T15:45:00.001-07:002020-08-20T15:45:28.931-07:00What knife do I need for New Zealand conditions?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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My history of outdoor knives....</h2>
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You do see some strange and curious sights when you are out tramping.<br />
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I was up in the Abel Tasman National Park a couple of weekends ago and was people watching while I was there. If you have been there you know that apart from the Inland Track it is the most gentle front country experience you could wish for...comfortable huts and campsites, wide accommodating track...filtered water and flushing toilets...certainly not a wilderness experience. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Typical track conditions on the Abel Tasman Coastal Track...</td></tr>
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While there I stopped to talk to a British couple I passed on the track to Whariwharangi Hut...they were very pleasant and seemed like they knew their stuff BUT the guy had a massive survival knife attached to his pack strap. I'm talking a ten inch full tang blade...serious steel if you like and it got me thinking.<br />
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How much knife do you need for New Zealand conditions?</div>
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Using the criteria of need to select gear</h4>
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I think the best way to decide what knife you need is by applying a criteria of need: What will I use it for? What conditions will it need to endure? Is weight a factor and if so how much is to much? Do I need one knife or several? What is your tramping style?<br />
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You alone can decide your criteria....<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Your tramping style...are you a 'Great Walker', Milford Track....</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhADGZSJ0H0HS3WAywqRjrsaijhnUVWpKPxAZZh83GGQPl8LLHgjpenIqvl-cPgb056wHVGvYcXS-p24zQPp1kt6gifHQ609Cps9SY9rWyeZleX1Mh-DrEy5FDyWCYw6nSu8ok6W6DLDwU/s1600/DSCN0223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhADGZSJ0H0HS3WAywqRjrsaijhnUVWpKPxAZZh83GGQPl8LLHgjpenIqvl-cPgb056wHVGvYcXS-p24zQPp1kt6gifHQ609Cps9SY9rWyeZleX1Mh-DrEy5FDyWCYw6nSu8ok6W6DLDwU/s640/DSCN0223.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">...an in betweener...Travers Valley track, Nelson Lakes NP...</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">...or a hard core bush pig...Lake Christabel (non)-Track, Victoria FP</td></tr>
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You really need to answer these questions before acquiring any equipment. The answers must reflect your own personal tramping style, your perceived needs and requirements. </div>
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<i>What will I use my knife for?</i><br />
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<span style="text-align: left;">You are going to need a heavier blade if your knife will be used for survival type jobs (cutting wood, splitting wood, skinning animals, shelter construction etc.). If it is going to be used for cutting tomato, cheese and salami you can go with a lighter blade. What other functions will it serve...screwdriver....can opener....wood saw? </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Some people split wood with their knife...</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: left;">Obviously choose a knife with the functions you require. What you don't need it for is fighting off wild animals like bears, wolves and crocodiles because we live in perhaps the most benign country in the world. Except for the weather....</span></div>
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<i>What conditions will it need to endure?</i></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">Cold, wet, hot or humid...which weather will you use it in....stainless steel is good in wet or humid conditions but forged steel is easier to sharpen. Plastic handles work better that rubber or wood in a lot of wet New Zealand bush. Keeping your knife clean and lightly oiled also protects against hard wear. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq9YFadIMOpkWxAuBks4aWOsWptc_W25BiYPPRWLKnOhf6NyRlwd1T2qwR9i3EA3RL9NIaz7VwweIZeoCl8s9ieR6Iz6x4r9zcOrpV3dKzjnRgs36A-9XM89FvtXr4oJDN5OVJ89nIa6U/s1600/Fire+in+rain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq9YFadIMOpkWxAuBks4aWOsWptc_W25BiYPPRWLKnOhf6NyRlwd1T2qwR9i3EA3RL9NIaz7VwweIZeoCl8s9ieR6Iz6x4r9zcOrpV3dKzjnRgs36A-9XM89FvtXr4oJDN5OVJ89nIa6U/s640/Fire+in+rain.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">...it is often a little damp in New Zealand....</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: left;">Choose a hard wearing knife regardless of the conditions for added longevity and one that can easily be sharpened.</span></div>
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<i>The weight calculation...</i><br />
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<span style="text-align: left;">Weight matters when you have to haul gear for umpteen miles...the lighter the better should be every trampers go to mantra. Why carry a heavy survival knife just because you might need it one day...NO...go for as light a blade as possible but one that does what you need it to do.</span></div>
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<i>One knife or multiple knives?</i><br />
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<span style="text-align: left;">Ideally the knife should work for all conditions you are going to find yourself in but this is asking a lot of any piece of equipment. Sometimes you might need a different knife for a particular trip you are undertaking so this must be taken into account. Going off track into tiger country...you might need a machete...hunting for Thar in the Southern Alps...you might need a knife optimised for skinning game. </span><br />
<span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span><span style="text-align: left;">Try to only carry one knife if humanly possible.</span></div>
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Jon's individual criteria of need</h4>
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So...what is my particular criteria of need?</div>
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I am primarily a tramper of the front country...moderate to easy tracks, Great Walks and civilized walkways with the odd trip into real wilderness. I am not a hard core bush pig living off the land and making natural shelters every night. I stay in huts for 90% of the time and camp 10% of the time.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Awapoto Hut...the kind of place I like to stay outdoors....</td></tr>
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I do equal numbers of short day trips and longer overnight trips. I am an occasional Te Araroa long trail trekker so I am weight conscious when it comes to gear. I have a moderate/high degree of bush skill which negates the need for excessive equipment and provides insight into the gear that best suits my tramping style. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Day tramping in the Bealey Valley, Arthur's Pass</td></tr>
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All of these factors influence the knife I carry...what I am looking for is a light weight, limited function, hard wearing, practical knife that is suitable for food preparation, easy cutting and easy repair work. This points me to a lite multi function, folding knife with a short blade and some tools added to it as my ideal candidate....</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">What my knife mostly does..lunch prep!!!</td></tr>
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Need more guidance settling on a knife...here is a great article about <a href="https://www.outdoorfederation.com/outdoor-knife-outdoorman-own/">choosing the perfect knife for your own trips</a>...</div>
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">
Jon's cornucopia of cutlery.....</h3>
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Here is a selection of the various knives I have used in both the past and present while outdoors...</div>
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Knives I have used in the past</h4>
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I have used a variety of different knives over the years for climbing, camping, tramping and when I served in the New Zealand Army.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT1fZ4_xLEUrdyGraaQv3UKvDx0L70PFPHjmOqf7fIT6x88wYpvTaPrqJ5aWFUv_akVdwCZK6KfwkCeDHLCj7UYRJsL_tZ0xX3BOx2JezOoUQilBwcLolbgIFohX3GQGu90wR_zGlkClY/s1600/DSCN3283.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT1fZ4_xLEUrdyGraaQv3UKvDx0L70PFPHjmOqf7fIT6x88wYpvTaPrqJ5aWFUv_akVdwCZK6KfwkCeDHLCj7UYRJsL_tZ0xX3BOx2JezOoUQilBwcLolbgIFohX3GQGu90wR_zGlkClY/s640/DSCN3283.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">I sometimes carry my knife on a lanyard around my shoulders...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Here is a selection of different knives I have utilised and the purposes to which I put them.</div>
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<i>Steyr AUG rifle bayonet</i><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
We used both SLR rifles and M16A1's rifles in the New Zealand Army but the weapon I used for most of my military service was the Steyr AUG assault rifle. With the rifle you got a rather nifty bayonet which as well as being used to stick people with had a number of general functions.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHNiqEl-LHT6cd6ebn3vmw-3JEvfPXDBgsLjobCPeyOyNElZjHaguDTftTuML-dWRD9UgxjAc6IPudkR3LiLpge9KyLxxAyZb4Ir-V81v58FqdVMNYudP2PNRFY_42f41XEKlE9-R5gAw/s1600/bajonett_steyr_aug77.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="996" data-original-width="1500" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHNiqEl-LHT6cd6ebn3vmw-3JEvfPXDBgsLjobCPeyOyNElZjHaguDTftTuML-dWRD9UgxjAc6IPudkR3LiLpge9KyLxxAyZb4Ir-V81v58FqdVMNYudP2PNRFY_42f41XEKlE9-R5gAw/s640/bajonett_steyr_aug77.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">A bayonet for the Steyr AUG assault rifle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Obviously it was supposed to be a fighting knife and the bayonet and scabbard could be used as a set of wire cutters. Additionally the knife was designed as a more general purpose outdoor knife so it was used as a cutting, sawing, scraping and trimming tool. I never used mine in combat but it sure chopped up a lot of wood and opened many a can of food. As a outdoor knife I give it a 2/5. </div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>The Gurka style Kukri knife</i></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
The mother of one of my Army colleagues had a business importing military surplus gear into New Zealand, as well as clothing and camping gear she also imported knives. Almost everyone I knew brought a cheap version of the Gurka Kukri knife from her business and carried them on our web gear. Obviously these are fighting knives but they are also excellent general purpose field knives.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlfRtG-Erd3rIoicwmHpRAt_8uNmMyWHvgPpUADi3B8gGslQJjDsZDrSxXhpEAht6B66wEixjfVGkbJG_tYUzWpVepTuY1W-gdAQW5qk7bBo5ffNcYgL1sKHr9SEnbSlIMNV_SVB0yZqo/s1600/Kukri.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="433" data-original-width="650" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlfRtG-Erd3rIoicwmHpRAt_8uNmMyWHvgPpUADi3B8gGslQJjDsZDrSxXhpEAht6B66wEixjfVGkbJG_tYUzWpVepTuY1W-gdAQW5qk7bBo5ffNcYgL1sKHr9SEnbSlIMNV_SVB0yZqo/s640/Kukri.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Nepalese Kukri knife similar to the one I carried in the Army</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
They were heavy...about 700 gms but if you are willing to carry the weight these make awesome survival knives. They can be used for cutting & they are also great for chopping wood and shaping it...many is the time I cut down a small tree with a half dozen swings of the blade.<br />
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Never used in anger but as an impromptu axe it excelled, sadly gone now as I gave it to one of my buddies when I left the Army. It scores 3/5.</div>
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<br />
<i>The Rambo knife</i><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
You know what I'm talking about...back in the 1980's Rambo was the king of machismo and we all remember the ridiculously big knifes he carried. It was big, it was bad and it was defending 'merica....excessive as only the 1980's could be!!!</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZlpL_druYZ1NlxXejwWVeBHYlFlMdc_7L_gBy9StkO1Wki5PRsBckNfoq4k8S8Kavj4VI7y5YvHU3J35LEYSxwTfRcfwKubHI_AE_QoDbNPwj8oZn9kIVmxz6wZwa_LYbzgTA_ga83Qw/s1600/kisspng-john-rambo-knife-action-film-rambo-5ab76c51d38106.3230319415219702578663.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="660" data-original-width="900" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZlpL_druYZ1NlxXejwWVeBHYlFlMdc_7L_gBy9StkO1Wki5PRsBckNfoq4k8S8Kavj4VI7y5YvHU3J35LEYSxwTfRcfwKubHI_AE_QoDbNPwj8oZn9kIVmxz6wZwa_LYbzgTA_ga83Qw/s640/kisspng-john-rambo-knife-action-film-rambo-5ab76c51d38106.3230319415219702578663.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">John Rambo wields his tiny paring knife...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
My version of the Rambo knife was a Gerber...awesomely good knives but really..who needs a foot long knife. I carried this when I went outdoors for a number of years because I thought I need it, but really its not like I was going to have to "get me some commies". It was too much blade, too much weight and too damn much testosterone...so it had to go!</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU6a4h5W1Dz8W5dm22iae06ZqCdPmbHQp_bfezETmAgVy-8yNYwTw_Aa2cLZckoFN102G7AqjDVP4wYcNuzXzRW-lMD5Vbgx4cYLQ4tJscA8hoj3AYRFDXML37ynUCZX2J8MJyFru6cYY/s1600/GerberPigSticker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU6a4h5W1Dz8W5dm22iae06ZqCdPmbHQp_bfezETmAgVy-8yNYwTw_Aa2cLZckoFN102G7AqjDVP4wYcNuzXzRW-lMD5Vbgx4cYLQ4tJscA8hoj3AYRFDXML37ynUCZX2J8MJyFru6cYY/s640/GerberPigSticker.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">A Gerber 'John Rambo' style pig sticker....</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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Best you don't try breaking into my house as I have this bastid in the draw next to my bed...and it is sharp...real sharp...3/5<br />
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BTW.......<br />
<i><br /></i><i>"<span style="font-size: 18px; text-align: start;">It's a long road</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: 18px; text-align: start;">When you're on your own</span><br style="font-size: 18px; text-align: start;" /><span style="font-size: 18px; text-align: start;">And it hurts when they tear your dreams apart</span><br style="font-size: 18px; text-align: start;" /><span style="font-size: 18px; text-align: start;">And every new town</span><br style="font-size: 18px; text-align: start;" /><span style="font-size: 18px; text-align: start;">Just seems to bring you down</span><br style="font-size: 18px; text-align: start;" /><span style="font-size: 18px; text-align: start;">Trying to find</span><br style="font-size: 18px; text-align: start;" /><span style="font-size: 18px; text-align: start;">Peace of mind</span><br style="font-size: 18px; text-align: start;" /><span style="font-size: 18px; text-align: start;">Can break your heart</span><br style="font-size: 18px; text-align: start;" /><span style="font-size: 18px; text-align: start;">It's a real war</span><br style="font-size: 18px; text-align: start;" /><span style="font-size: 18px; text-align: start;">Right outside your front door,</span><br style="font-size: 18px; text-align: start;" /><span style="font-size: 18px; text-align: start;">I tell ya...."</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: 18px; text-align: start;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 18px; text-align: start;"><br /></span></i>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgylb_TnHmGRg9mO2xOqQJ0F9x40p4M-6sWStWqvSzQv__i7ooht4W7XZydoUPYT8aAIy8RT0p-tdhxXiYDJzEtR6gx5vLpojHg0sBqAYXAl3RBGV87l41c21DmeDaoqgnHw-e4zw0YVFE/s1600/RamboHome.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="666" height="344" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgylb_TnHmGRg9mO2xOqQJ0F9x40p4M-6sWStWqvSzQv__i7ooht4W7XZydoUPYT8aAIy8RT0p-tdhxXiYDJzEtR6gx5vLpojHg0sBqAYXAl3RBGV87l41c21DmeDaoqgnHw-e4zw0YVFE/s640/RamboHome.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">John finally makes it home...the proper end to the saga of Rambo....'merica....</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Over time I found that I did not need to carry a large and heavy knife like the ones above as I was spending more time in huts and less time camping. It makes no sense to carry a 750gm full tang knife when all you use it for is cutting salami and cheese.<br />
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So I went for something less imposing and lighter.</div>
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<h4 style="text-align: center;">
The Victorinox Collection</h4>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
I have been using Victorinox knifes in the outdoors for much of the past 20 odd years...they are now my go to knife manufacturer. Switzerland based Victorinox make good general purpose knives....they use quality components, they are strong and they also look stylish and chic as only the Europeans know how. I currently own five Victorinox knives. </div>
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<i>Victorinox Alox Swiss Army 1</i><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
I can't remember where I got this blade...I think someone gave it to me as a gift at some stage for my birthday or Christmas. I carried this knife as my main outdoor knife for nearly 10 years and never had a problem with it.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk3d-P2u7NU5MRFaKto8pX27KXDgelENc_WPfIWSB9IkulU4pkhRXoLw5yaJvoNaJh2v9HA2g5V4u_NCUpDA-FxnUyP5WcUlK3AZyMX-OqqWbKUIppfHzBUf39nvcG9PpOpdBBbl-la-Q/s1600/VicyArmy1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="490" data-original-width="560" height="560" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk3d-P2u7NU5MRFaKto8pX27KXDgelENc_WPfIWSB9IkulU4pkhRXoLw5yaJvoNaJh2v9HA2g5V4u_NCUpDA-FxnUyP5WcUlK3AZyMX-OqqWbKUIppfHzBUf39nvcG9PpOpdBBbl-la-Q/s640/VicyArmy1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Victorinox Alox Swiss Army 1</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
I found that a basic knife like this fills all of the jobs I need it for....cutting cord, slicing salami and cheese, opening food packets. I can make a fire stick with this type of blade and it is good for filleting fish on the odd occasions I have one to cook. What else do you need a knife for? 4/5...</div>
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<i>Victorinox Bantam</i><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
The only problem with the Alox knife is that it only has a blade and no other tools. Sometimes you need a can opener, or a hole punch or a screwdriver. I was researching a replacement when I found this beauty in my junk drawer. I was given this <a href="https://www.victorinox.com/global/en/Products/Swiss-Army-Knives/Medium-Pocket-Knives/Bantam/p/0.2303">Bantam knife</a> as a freebie when i worked a function back in my hospitality days so I though...why not!!!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpmoG68kWZvVXS-5mmZp03x4h8RWW1tX2RSDEAfT5mqsrKbSwhumZex2ddXjSC8lrYIR51SSgza_cKfYmIe1a06X_3rzio8iVaF9GEk0LKQlQaAUbqgY8kQz8RzAxMeprYtlV1wGnAkB4/s1600/VicyBantam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="490" data-original-width="560" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpmoG68kWZvVXS-5mmZp03x4h8RWW1tX2RSDEAfT5mqsrKbSwhumZex2ddXjSC8lrYIR51SSgza_cKfYmIe1a06X_3rzio8iVaF9GEk0LKQlQaAUbqgY8kQz8RzAxMeprYtlV1wGnAkB4/s400/VicyBantam.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
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This knife has 7 functions: knife, flat screwdriver, can opener, bottle opener, tweezers toothpick, key ring and wire strippers. That is all I am ever going to need when I am tramping or camping...I carried this from 2015-2019......4/5</div>
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<h4 style="text-align: center;">
What knife am I currently using...Victorinox Swiss Army soldiers knife</h4>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
My current knife is the old reliable <a href="https://www.victorinox.com/global/en/Products/Swiss-Army-Knives/Large-Pocket-Knives/Swiss-Soldiers-Knife-08/p/0.8461.MWCH">Swiss Army soldiers knife</a> made by Victorinox. Swiss soldiers have been given an example of this fine knife on the first day of their military induction for the last 100 years. They have molded plastic handles now and more functions but they still have the blade, reamer and flat head screwdriver of the original. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOK3SkS_DVJKIw98ZKnDYPIwccxN4dwVisZ3gOiA1z1i1rvgV6g2R-VZz65VCJAkNIcNzJ045tBpYn6u3sSJ_KfzIAnfInCYWRMyW7lTT8nLzLnruCTA3eSZPbZ0kcbZUmkjoyXxxjhWk/s1600/VicySoldier2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1400" data-original-width="1600" height="560" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOK3SkS_DVJKIw98ZKnDYPIwccxN4dwVisZ3gOiA1z1i1rvgV6g2R-VZz65VCJAkNIcNzJ045tBpYn6u3sSJ_KfzIAnfInCYWRMyW7lTT8nLzLnruCTA3eSZPbZ0kcbZUmkjoyXxxjhWk/s640/VicySoldier2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Victorinox Soldier, 2018 model</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
The modern version has nine functions: knife, saw, can opener, reamer, Phillips screwdriver, bottle opener, wire stripper and two flat head screwdriver blades. The blade is serrated and has a one handed opening action using the finger grip on the blade. The blade is much larger than that on the Bantam as I was finding that one too small for some cutting and slicing jobs. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3beEs2QT4JH-nd2jSk71kkDIwP_I1LtZIlAciLpQecV4X7tC1w62mEz9PSRz1_WB-Rhn3E7x-OtaT3vP0vH5qhVdnXBLWIkVdrIwFQ6EoTZrlBIduXU8nkL8tupWnXr-gTuxw3hnvBG8/s1600/VicySoldier.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1400" data-original-width="1600" height="560" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3beEs2QT4JH-nd2jSk71kkDIwP_I1LtZIlAciLpQecV4X7tC1w62mEz9PSRz1_WB-Rhn3E7x-OtaT3vP0vH5qhVdnXBLWIkVdrIwFQ6EoTZrlBIduXU8nkL8tupWnXr-gTuxw3hnvBG8/s640/VicySoldier.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Victorinox Soldier, 2018 model...9 functions...larger blade...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
I have had this knife for a couple of months now and have taken it on a couple of trips so far. I hope to get many years of service out of it and I'm sure it will continue to preform as these knives last for ever. No score yet, too soon...</div>
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<br />
<i>Gerber Paraframe mini</i><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
I have a 60 mm long Gerber Paraframe mini knife in my individual survival kit..it is a blade into handle folder...super sharp!!!. Gerber knives are quality workmanship...nice easily sharpened blades and excellent as an emergency back up on day trips when I don't carry a larger knife in my kit. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4iz-cmsDl9K2ASrRM0yOLkbg-RVyjAyzFGR5N1_vZCP3RpIwjQwxSvzZ8RiQfdpkJc_Tyllwd-ZhcMHAT53ugVB-KH6f8UgLY9Z30crCL3ePIHYP9Zb9aR_l3vTRHDMFyeah2fOno0Pk/s1600/ParaframeI-Mini-22-4845N-std1_fulljpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="776" data-original-width="1600" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4iz-cmsDl9K2ASrRM0yOLkbg-RVyjAyzFGR5N1_vZCP3RpIwjQwxSvzZ8RiQfdpkJc_Tyllwd-ZhcMHAT53ugVB-KH6f8UgLY9Z30crCL3ePIHYP9Zb9aR_l3vTRHDMFyeah2fOno0Pk/s640/ParaframeI-Mini-22-4845N-std1_fulljpg.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">The Gerber Paraframe mini....</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
This beastie would only get used if I opened the emergency kit but it feels good knowing it is there. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span>
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<h4 style="text-align: left;">
Other suitable alternates....</h4>
<div style="text-align: center;">
There are many, many other knives out there but here are a couple of other Victorinox products that would work just as well. I would be happy to carry any of these as my go to knife.<br />
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<br />
<br />
This is the <a href="http://this%20is%20the%20victorinox%20ranger%20which%20is%20of%20a%20similar%20size%20and%20function%20as%20the%20soldiers%20knife/">Victorinox Adventurer</a> which is of a similar size and function as the soldiers knife....it has a straight blade without serration.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQzlF59LJTNK_r5l7dcNPk3K82Vl26rdlORdEC0p9UWPy1qb022I0bJ_CLk7hidNtMs84RPUyVJUOu8JxKaV3hKKc384NHW_Atw0uzAeWJHgqdexTcwwFMnvv5i97RtglHKlcbPW7m2qw/s1600/VicyAdventurer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1400" data-original-width="1600" height="560" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQzlF59LJTNK_r5l7dcNPk3K82Vl26rdlORdEC0p9UWPy1qb022I0bJ_CLk7hidNtMs84RPUyVJUOu8JxKaV3hKKc384NHW_Atw0uzAeWJHgqdexTcwwFMnvv5i97RtglHKlcbPW7m2qw/s640/VicyAdventurer.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Victorinox Adventurer...multi function knife</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
This is the <a href="https://www.victorinox.com/global/en/Products/Swiss-Army-Knives/Large-Pocket-Knives/Ranger-Grip-55-Autumn-Spirit-Special-Edition-2019-/p/0.9563.C91">Victorinox Ranger</a> which is also of a similar size and function as the soldiers knife...this one has a corkscrew and a para cord attached which can be unravelled and used as a lanyard to prevent loss. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2AVD06fXOT32aw3k4sZq2vp2PJ6ipmCERnF3qtPD398gx8l036tsfw6pXARiBnxZNBFGw_ENU2cfiCYHrUh9QxLiRovVVumqKUPbTC-6eJngUR4aykLbN3LZpT-iQJv76YcfTSxho41M/s1600/VicyRanger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1400" data-original-width="1600" height="560" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2AVD06fXOT32aw3k4sZq2vp2PJ6ipmCERnF3qtPD398gx8l036tsfw6pXARiBnxZNBFGw_ENU2cfiCYHrUh9QxLiRovVVumqKUPbTC-6eJngUR4aykLbN3LZpT-iQJv76YcfTSxho41M/s640/VicyRanger.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Victorinox Ranger, 2018 model</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Another option is the <a href="https://www.victorinox.com/global/en/Products/Swiss-Army-Knives/Large-Pocket-Knives/Trailmaster/p/0.8463.MW3">Trailmaster</a> with a different shaped handle but the same functions as the Soldier knife. This one has the one handed opening serrated blade, tweezers and toothpick... </div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge926JQvRZmZNvCSt1v0rLspjcuxc8mMehVZXwM1T2CCupVe3iLHmGnwARKvkn7uxv2HolCa3zpC9Lqn1VAFM2bBwQhPRscsi3JWm5NSi2hFleVNwP2kXBXKlEVGVPgHyCQbI36AYa_4U/s1600/VicyTrailmaster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="490" data-original-width="560" height="560" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge926JQvRZmZNvCSt1v0rLspjcuxc8mMehVZXwM1T2CCupVe3iLHmGnwARKvkn7uxv2HolCa3zpC9Lqn1VAFM2bBwQhPRscsi3JWm5NSi2hFleVNwP2kXBXKlEVGVPgHyCQbI36AYa_4U/s640/VicyTrailmaster.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Victoronix Trailmaster</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
If you like a wood finish how about the <a href="https://www.victorinox.com/global/en/Products/Swiss-Army-Knives/Large-Pocket-Knives/Forester-Wood/p/0.8361.63">Forester Wood</a>....same functions but with a non slip wooden handle.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUMaBFLXJLY9Hb2kKyBPPxCmTHO69T2CGy_X0n8WVxeqikhdW5aWbxlTe5LHpvqINVTff4i_aaW6a18PyZB0k4mrPG5b2KbAfs2eq2Iq75sa-bya5AU4IKdqDldXNr1aD9VAzffdIGM6c/s1600/VicyForestWood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="490" data-original-width="560" height="560" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUMaBFLXJLY9Hb2kKyBPPxCmTHO69T2CGy_X0n8WVxeqikhdW5aWbxlTe5LHpvqINVTff4i_aaW6a18PyZB0k4mrPG5b2KbAfs2eq2Iq75sa-bya5AU4IKdqDldXNr1aD9VAzffdIGM6c/s640/VicyForestWood.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Victoronix Forester Wood</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Here is the knife we should probably all be carrying...the <a href="https://www.victorinox.com/global/en/Products/Cutlery/Paring-Knives/Swiss-Classic-Tomato-and-Table-Knife/p/6.7831">Victorinox Table</a>. This is a simple paring knife...no fancy functions, one sharp as blade, plastic handle and no fuss. They cost about $25 at any good cutlery store and I have even seen them for sale at Hunting and Fishing, Macpac and Bivouac before.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtc3gAbtSa0dTYORbxg73bE_93nQrlw-gkOsY1IQfSfDcwriT1Zi7GVzlA1Mbeh8ATg8IGvwbF0jqbzzDjeTemG_EHjDMKTwF6vzGsBfi1TY-_7szOkm6GiW-MjmIicDkCmhBjTupZRj4/s1600/VicyTable.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1400" data-original-width="1600" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtc3gAbtSa0dTYORbxg73bE_93nQrlw-gkOsY1IQfSfDcwriT1Zi7GVzlA1Mbeh8ATg8IGvwbF0jqbzzDjeTemG_EHjDMKTwF6vzGsBfi1TY-_7szOkm6GiW-MjmIicDkCmhBjTupZRj4/s400/VicyTable.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Victorinox Table...cuts a good tomato slice!!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Whatever knife you decide to carry make sure it meets your criteria of need and be aware of carrying excessive weigh when it is not warranted. Above all be safe around those sharp blades....<br />
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Cheers!!!</div>
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Jon Moakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14620417636121034748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2664594284381405400.post-25819312452987658332020-07-30T14:34:00.001-07:002020-07-30T14:34:32.804-07:00A critique of the latest social media craze...rock stacking<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Help protect nature by not stacking rocks!</h2>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
I would like to take a moment to call out all those people out there who are blindly following the latest social media fad rock stacking. This is a world wide problem as rock stacks have started to appear on beaches, riverbeds and mountain areas right around the globe.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgosyyUAbkgscjT62XVTqupQaezqbJnyDIwDctagXO4GBL-1oA0sdo_zq__x2EBRN7X-V3AbcdN3e8untN5cC1zwzW9oCWFiun4FwrZCpWkEVzlt9zg2zWqtKw1yeSkVYgO_i8uN7gE5o8/s1600/Rockstack1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="357" data-original-width="537" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgosyyUAbkgscjT62XVTqupQaezqbJnyDIwDctagXO4GBL-1oA0sdo_zq__x2EBRN7X-V3AbcdN3e8untN5cC1zwzW9oCWFiun4FwrZCpWkEVzlt9zg2zWqtKw1yeSkVYgO_i8uN7gE5o8/s640/Rockstack1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Please stop the madness...no more rock stacks!!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Some people see this as a form of art...this is not art! It is simply an act of eco-vandalism of the most heinous type. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKfweavjqWwVHk4iFye_l5aWpAies8HaFNlk_dqtlXGlb_lRVecwNGeMfKUTpSxjieeh8U0j-DAiOJkbi5OBe99fEi1QlY4-obgopAjPVCtB_x6WQmZorU4OjDghM68lRRXeB97eu6hh4/s1600/Rockstack2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKfweavjqWwVHk4iFye_l5aWpAies8HaFNlk_dqtlXGlb_lRVecwNGeMfKUTpSxjieeh8U0j-DAiOJkbi5OBe99fEi1QlY4-obgopAjPVCtB_x6WQmZorU4OjDghM68lRRXeB97eu6hh4/s640/Rockstack2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Track marker cairns are o.k.......</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
In their natural location and in their natural state rocks provide a complex eco-system for a multitude of species. When you disturb them, move them around and try to reorder them to your will you destroy this fragile system. Rock stacks are also a very intrusive form of visual pollution..they look unnatural as you will rarely see perfect stacks of rocks in nature. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4QKURq6DwYO73kT0CgxCQ3KIgNmb9I4J_ASm_n-zs2o1hxthWxONtu_05MTUvEHd-ZR3S2DkcgUsdlWUrMZyvu0A9ac0scYRcaqrk8cY4r14pFIkrIoDmjcB94_RyVEIalOwZYe1AfK0/s1600/Rockstack3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1187" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4QKURq6DwYO73kT0CgxCQ3KIgNmb9I4J_ASm_n-zs2o1hxthWxONtu_05MTUvEHd-ZR3S2DkcgUsdlWUrMZyvu0A9ac0scYRcaqrk8cY4r14pFIkrIoDmjcB94_RyVEIalOwZYe1AfK0/s640/Rockstack3.jpg" width="474" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Eco-horror...one rock stack begets many rock stacks...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
I would like to ask everyone to stop building rock stacks and ask you to encourage other outdoor users in a polite way to cease this pointless activity. If you encounter a field of rock stacks I would ask you to dismantle them and place the materials back into their original location. Try to make it look natural...spread them out over a wide area.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh906YgE4PZv4B2CDygiVtnQ8PDCBn8-lwQHXly5bBkYFk8kfKy2BPlbyT84IzTKv2KIvCKz78Sh23_2cdczBEvN_rh2UxaKn8nqwnVqiYPO1JlE9X1WeLfEU_K2u5IKbJKsyrJUROeQm0/s1600/IMG_3767.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh906YgE4PZv4B2CDygiVtnQ8PDCBn8-lwQHXly5bBkYFk8kfKy2BPlbyT84IzTKv2KIvCKz78Sh23_2cdczBEvN_rh2UxaKn8nqwnVqiYPO1JlE9X1WeLfEU_K2u5IKbJKsyrJUROeQm0/s640/IMG_3767.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Pororairi River bed...no stacks of rocks in nature...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Leave No Trace means just that...leaving no trace of your presence. I think you will agree with me that leaving a huge stack of rocks does not follow the LNT precepts. Suppress your desire to leave your mark on nature and just enjoy it on its own terms. </div>
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Thank You<br />
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</div>
Jon Moakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14620417636121034748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2664594284381405400.post-75739062848112426602020-07-20T21:34:00.001-07:002020-08-20T16:32:06.044-07:00Track marking in the New Zealand bush<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
...follow that straight olde line...</h2>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I recently visited the <a href="http://nzbushadventures.blogspot.com/2020/07/manson-nicholls-hut-lake-daniell-3-4th.html">new hut at Lake Daniell</a> in Lewis Pass Scenic Reserve and it occurred to me that I should write a post about track markings here in New Zealand. Every country has its own way of marking backcountry tracks although you see a lot of similar approaches across different nations.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfYxMxliRNh5arPzjtAsis4lgZSonARAFL8vZpWStw2s2YkwuY-0rx-i7PveqIAZmBdPpuGthnP9Aho1kT1GcOTqPrL2F1mqaI7GKiq5gbQnbzcIBICGPPwW8oqYlDC1rqS5-9_7aIyoA/s1600/IMG_3899.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfYxMxliRNh5arPzjtAsis4lgZSonARAFL8vZpWStw2s2YkwuY-0rx-i7PveqIAZmBdPpuGthnP9Aho1kT1GcOTqPrL2F1mqaI7GKiq5gbQnbzcIBICGPPwW8oqYlDC1rqS5-9_7aIyoA/s640/IMG_3899.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">A DOC track sign at the start of the track to Lake Daniell, Lewis Pass Scenic Reserve</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
In New Zealand most of the backcountry is managed by the Department of Conservation (DOC) so you generally find most tracks using their approved marking system. There are also regional parks, private walkways and forestry areas which feature tracks. While most will use the official DOC markers some have developed their own system which I discuss in this post.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk2wBtPAfI4YYQM-whL7OzB8TuPDB-Tw-a2odj_QuC_k7lxPS12Q8acL391PFQMsr_3tXgiDdJ2zOyVD2BjzXCIqCUL9XK_e0uSpkPWDfwfNLTDVD3h46Pod5aMX_Vueor8l7qQ7BcXAU/s1600/IMG_2704.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk2wBtPAfI4YYQM-whL7OzB8TuPDB-Tw-a2odj_QuC_k7lxPS12Q8acL391PFQMsr_3tXgiDdJ2zOyVD2BjzXCIqCUL9XK_e0uSpkPWDfwfNLTDVD3h46Pod5aMX_Vueor8l7qQ7BcXAU/s640/IMG_2704.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Classic DOC orange triangle track marker in the Bealey Valley, Arthur's Pass NP</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Orange is the official DOC marking color and this is most commonly seen as orange triangles placed along the route of a track to show you the way to go. The triangles can be attached to anything really...trees, old downed logs, rocks, buildings, bridges..I have seen them on all of these.<br />
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In locations where there are no trees or other obvious bases to fix them to steel warratahs or fence supports are hammered into the ground and an orange sleeve is fixed over them. These are known as snow poles and can be seen in wide open valley flats, river beds and above the bushline across New Zealand. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWJ1HhpIw7ydqeMfNbLhYloGTWCd2hL0UPbGcPw2kG3RFSDaVzgqSuCvi4Wz7OfJVDRU7TjPBAaZrO4gQzd5XvHq9HZ570uUeyuohcFYszYfY8Fofvd1-6n-m67Rm94RbcnLvWiirvTyA/s1600/IMG_2753.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWJ1HhpIw7ydqeMfNbLhYloGTWCd2hL0UPbGcPw2kG3RFSDaVzgqSuCvi4Wz7OfJVDRU7TjPBAaZrO4gQzd5XvHq9HZ570uUeyuohcFYszYfY8Fofvd1-6n-m67Rm94RbcnLvWiirvTyA/s640/IMG_2753.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">A poled route marker on the track to Lake Emma Hut, Hakatere Conservation Area</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
There are many other variations on this marking scheme so lets have a look at how tracks are marked in New Zealand. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<h4 style="text-align: left;">
Why mark tracks?</h4>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Tracks are marked for a number of reasons and people have been doing so for thousands of years. Ancient societies in Rome, Greece and China all had elaborate ways of marking their transport links and primitive societies have long used blazes on trees to mark paths through forest or jungle. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtL0DgxxRhP-vvGv5kqU3iK297uHIYykt8z9LXt6v7K4vrWF6TNjE3gnO3sUFXmGAVrmQrCcNyUkx4g1gsnMqWsiKtoFwr_Dg0xWnpxpLECIKntbJqNnL2CeJMLZSJW6ddJEdNwAkbQNc/s1600/RomanMileStone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="428" data-original-width="570" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtL0DgxxRhP-vvGv5kqU3iK297uHIYykt8z9LXt6v7K4vrWF6TNjE3gnO3sUFXmGAVrmQrCcNyUkx4g1gsnMqWsiKtoFwr_Dg0xWnpxpLECIKntbJqNnL2CeJMLZSJW6ddJEdNwAkbQNc/s640/RomanMileStone.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">The Romans used milestones to mark their transport network</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
The bush in New Zealand can be thick and difficult to travel through so over the years people have cut tracks to ease their passage through it. A cut track will very quickly return to its natural state (1-3 years on average...) when not in heavy use. People started marking their bush routes so they could find them after the bush had started to obscure the more obvious ground path.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmITV-FUnkTmZlI_3ROLGaKm7OmdsZjEGPMo_uhD8TAoXbyzpKrKi3GkaQgUm_XgfUwCmbc6L6qlY4OPuKHLOKHZvlzGSYG8_HcunuFQEp7ZdxbCE2tndSQMlleV-TxEOIm8wByoMpF_M/s1600/20200130_084236.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmITV-FUnkTmZlI_3ROLGaKm7OmdsZjEGPMo_uhD8TAoXbyzpKrKi3GkaQgUm_XgfUwCmbc6L6qlY4OPuKHLOKHZvlzGSYG8_HcunuFQEp7ZdxbCE2tndSQMlleV-TxEOIm8wByoMpF_M/s640/20200130_084236.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Route finding in dense bush makes for slow, difficult travel...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuA88e0rGXoj36jmgiHO2k6bZRFzBDWSjSInMU42-YjPAuezUTBOnLaIVrz4MZf2LeeQvwuyRvkV_YyC9ZMlTCt2D6F8aaCPIrs83vy8_B2Ac5HtphHHm1peBVHGHB_GkFf9CPQlBj0MY/s1600/BushTown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="342" data-original-width="500" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuA88e0rGXoj36jmgiHO2k6bZRFzBDWSjSInMU42-YjPAuezUTBOnLaIVrz4MZf2LeeQvwuyRvkV_YyC9ZMlTCt2D6F8aaCPIrs83vy8_B2Ac5HtphHHm1peBVHGHB_GkFf9CPQlBj0MY/s640/BushTown.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Typical early forest settlement...<i>Mill at Whatipu</i>, Charles Blomfield <a href="https://teara.govt.nz/en/artwork/15895/mill-at-whatipu">Auckland Art Gallery</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
As New Zealand became a more civilised nation these ad-hoc marking methods were regulated and a number of standard marking options were used so people could easily follow tracks right across the country. </div>
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<br />
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
Track marking prior to the Department of Conservation (DOC):</h4>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Prior to 1987 there were a number of government departments and NGO's responsible for looking after backcountry areas in New Zealand. These included the Department of Internal Affairs, New Zealand Forest Service, Walkways Commission, Ministry of Defense and regional pest control boards.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxLqkamPICgO8OI8FweZqucCiQtEE_X94HUZAWUiuiH-nxQFQ-sLS9REOVFSS7lmL_iXj3O4c0NO03FVAs_gzTMWmrUD0RkWGcNmuWejY2wTMvT337j4azYqRgB6DVWBRwKc2M7Hy1GaQ/s1600/NZFSLogo.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="316" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxLqkamPICgO8OI8FweZqucCiQtEE_X94HUZAWUiuiH-nxQFQ-sLS9REOVFSS7lmL_iXj3O4c0NO03FVAs_gzTMWmrUD0RkWGcNmuWejY2wTMvT337j4azYqRgB6DVWBRwKc2M7Hy1GaQ/s400/NZFSLogo.gif" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Logo of the New Zealand Forest Service (NZFS) </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
All of these groups marked backcountry tracks so it is worth looking at older systems of track marking as many of these markers are still in place.</div>
<br />
<i>Rock cairns:</i><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
One of the easiest and most well known track markers are piles of rocks called cairns. These have been in use for thousands of years around the globe as they are a quick, simple way of route marking that requires no supplies or special equipment. At a suitable spot on the route you just pile up some rocks to show others the way...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqfscZ64760GiniJSUen4PrSD9UoYo3-CPnljnpCATb0mzwqxspji8rwV48y3aCWDYkQTvwTRHzGYhe3UOT0BVKG7FulRraKHTRXmConupoWADaCMF1mfajhpL8jT6v5PGURTwVy9UgLQ/s1600/DSCN0232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqfscZ64760GiniJSUen4PrSD9UoYo3-CPnljnpCATb0mzwqxspji8rwV48y3aCWDYkQTvwTRHzGYhe3UOT0BVKG7FulRraKHTRXmConupoWADaCMF1mfajhpL8jT6v5PGURTwVy9UgLQ/s640/DSCN0232.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Classic rock cairn on the Travers Valley Track, Nelson Lakes NP</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
One of the advantages of rock cairns is their longevity...rock does not deteriorate very quickly. There are remote places on the West Coast of the South Island where rock cairns built by early surveyors like Charlie Douglas and Julius Haast in the 1870's still exist. The downside is that they can be destroyed by floods, avalanches and rock slides while one rock pretty much looks the same as all the others. </div>
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeiqtUH1h2VPDNSIexQ0aAWBp0mgtk5AzCij5N1RiTDHcBzoezJbrhc5J_jEWKROKz3TlrgsfajvRq4gXLxFSEjGa1-MtBTabqO3PpCzNWX7CHTa6M5bS5zmfNlZi0vX84UPSzj3PfG48/s1600/charlie-douglas-cairn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="801" data-original-width="1200" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeiqtUH1h2VPDNSIexQ0aAWBp0mgtk5AzCij5N1RiTDHcBzoezJbrhc5J_jEWKROKz3TlrgsfajvRq4gXLxFSEjGa1-MtBTabqO3PpCzNWX7CHTa6M5bS5zmfNlZi0vX84UPSzj3PfG48/s640/charlie-douglas-cairn.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">A historic cairn built by explorer Charlie Douglas in the 1880's</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You are most likely to find rock cairns in high mountains and when crossing the bed of a river as supplies of stone for your cairn can be found in plenty. I often see cairns on the wide river flats of Canterbury and in places crossing mountain passes such as Fiordland and Nelson Lakes. Even the slight elevation offered by a pile of rock is visible for long distances in this type of terrain. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8I0Ea1IXZFTjEOIGb96e7Oe2qNBnkeF5sVWUPd0W1HUo7ufUmsKhwJhagThXCp9nnPWCgFRDHLsGEAOAIZ2Mp7r-VEpUbcmvwfCmETEHpT_cZvXo-MDAkHIHoccKUOm9N4N0GdHB-GtM/s1600/Cairn3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="910" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8I0Ea1IXZFTjEOIGb96e7Oe2qNBnkeF5sVWUPd0W1HUo7ufUmsKhwJhagThXCp9nnPWCgFRDHLsGEAOAIZ2Mp7r-VEpUbcmvwfCmETEHpT_cZvXo-MDAkHIHoccKUOm9N4N0GdHB-GtM/s640/Cairn3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">A cairn marking the track into the Upper Ahuriri River Valley</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF9LbuQfmS8jwB_-D7WKvda_IQJJ1o6Ec0x_ty3BHgjojB-5K5c4_nyTeSXvhO1wCDYHdtLJm7dxVvg2oy8Ej56PYkbwdydrJUJkcGq9iAY6hHffFSuDkDDe0MruDl7Eiu7-purPjq1Po/s1600/CairnRiver.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF9LbuQfmS8jwB_-D7WKvda_IQJJ1o6Ec0x_ty3BHgjojB-5K5c4_nyTeSXvhO1wCDYHdtLJm7dxVvg2oy8Ej56PYkbwdydrJUJkcGq9iAY6hHffFSuDkDDe0MruDl7Eiu7-purPjq1Po/s640/CairnRiver.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Riverside cairns often mark fords in the river, creek or stream...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
A disturbing new fad is the building of rock cairns in scenic spots like beaches and river beds. I hate this...I see it as nothing but visual pollution and it breaks every tenet of the Leave No Trace practices. I have nothing against directional/navigational cairns but if I come across a field of cairns like those in the photo below I push them over and scatter the rocks. </div>
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtjdWvcL0D5nHx48tjdxEb97M8HdR2WZeXX66COt0YaJi7Or_dY72wnG9vev7wDpyFrNtMilmCArvC7Udy1zPjDM81rt6GcPuAS0AXu9P3RFKwKCnsjclj-DzBsjGQnoyfHTNIHoFRsF8/s1600/rock-cairns-fantail-falls-otago-1024x768.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtjdWvcL0D5nHx48tjdxEb97M8HdR2WZeXX66COt0YaJi7Or_dY72wnG9vev7wDpyFrNtMilmCArvC7Udy1zPjDM81rt6GcPuAS0AXu9P3RFKwKCnsjclj-DzBsjGQnoyfHTNIHoFRsF8/s640/rock-cairns-fantail-falls-otago-1024x768.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Don't do this when you are tramping...visual pollution!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Natural places are natural because humans have not impacted them to any degree..remember this the next time you are tempted to build some edifice to your everlasting self. </div>
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<br />
<i>Tree blazes:</i><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Tree blazes (slashes or cuts on the trunks of trees) are a widely used means of trail marking around the world and are especially well used in the United States. Some nations still use this as their primary track marking scheme although it has fallen out of favor as it damages the trees and makes them susceptible to disease and insect damage. </div>
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPhI_A2lE2OXlU5nwLfiL6AU5ROWOM7U5PJd3ZzL9fKn1Ae6Cno0yTDJ30iClsZDEIgbff6UtEZ0o3ryTuAqA4-YJm344fPIwKKoTqq9PbsM7C85bU8GyyOEA2XJoZuOO_Xl1q3GSfvY8/s1600/TreeBlaze1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPhI_A2lE2OXlU5nwLfiL6AU5ROWOM7U5PJd3ZzL9fKn1Ae6Cno0yTDJ30iClsZDEIgbff6UtEZ0o3ryTuAqA4-YJm344fPIwKKoTqq9PbsM7C85bU8GyyOEA2XJoZuOO_Xl1q3GSfvY8/s640/TreeBlaze1.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Classic tree blaze in the United States</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
A variety of shapes and symbols can be transmitted using tree blazes and some locales have elaborate systems to pass the information to passing trampers. Here is a chart of common blaze symbols and their meaning as used by the US Forest Service in State and National Parks. </div>
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidpImXfKEbtYDxuKNetKQVmqMXPKjRTy1-fpIg_G3rLjQs7vZPS2IPxjinkVdnH5IOvKbq4hcEdl4jDL0nso9ShqDndmC-5HzxPr1dnMyXM0VSyK0gV1wGBqw2iprOfRSL5bnEye_wzp4/s1600/Trail_blaze-symbols.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1000" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidpImXfKEbtYDxuKNetKQVmqMXPKjRTy1-fpIg_G3rLjQs7vZPS2IPxjinkVdnH5IOvKbq4hcEdl4jDL0nso9ShqDndmC-5HzxPr1dnMyXM0VSyK0gV1wGBqw2iprOfRSL5bnEye_wzp4/s640/Trail_blaze-symbols.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Chart showing the meaning of various blaze symbols</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Blazes were never well used in New Zealand although you still occasionally find them along old long established tracks like the Milford and they are also used by some of the private tracks and forestry parks around the country. </div>
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<br />
<br />
<i>Wooden signs/posts:</i><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Many of the older tracks and walkways around the country will be marked with carved wooden trail markers. These are a hold over from the days when the New Zealand Forest Service controlled many of these areas as this was one of their preferred marking methods. These are good markers...long lasting, simple to install and visible for some distance. </div>
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuUFu4Iqwbcrujah4bC-kBUEMX-blNUL0clY1XztVePsd0vE3vBOXrzkaaYhCe9GdLiDfVlWKNDJn1NmoJIs3ABdkpHDxBgbU41w9VmLWARfQE-jI0xCu223hXh5ACsulFXF4BtSku9xA/s1600/WoodenSigns.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuUFu4Iqwbcrujah4bC-kBUEMX-blNUL0clY1XztVePsd0vE3vBOXrzkaaYhCe9GdLiDfVlWKNDJn1NmoJIs3ABdkpHDxBgbU41w9VmLWARfQE-jI0xCu223hXh5ACsulFXF4BtSku9xA/s640/WoodenSigns.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">A wooden track sign, Arthur Range, Kahurangi National Park</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I have seen these kind of markers in a number of places around the country...Kahurangi National Park, Richmond Forest Park, the Tararua Ranges and on the central North Island in places like the Kaimaniwa's. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0eJLbmNJumpPOVe9nIH0E9cS9qJmPhL97r3_S-pJrV493MPKbx8ymM6xmovf1NK_-Vln7lfEEuKuGZL3y8TnnVbY7ITvTA_BzbpcOQWCRFrzq-BSQMD12DeIXx-U1AFG6Y4DfhP3KtUM/s1600/holdsworth-tararua-fp-1200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="783" data-original-width="1200" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0eJLbmNJumpPOVe9nIH0E9cS9qJmPhL97r3_S-pJrV493MPKbx8ymM6xmovf1NK_-Vln7lfEEuKuGZL3y8TnnVbY7ITvTA_BzbpcOQWCRFrzq-BSQMD12DeIXx-U1AFG6Y4DfhP3KtUM/s640/holdsworth-tararua-fp-1200.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Wooden marker on the Holdsworth-Jumbo Track, Tararua Forest Park</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Originally most of these were painted white on brown but over the decades they have been repainted with the green/yellow scheme used by the Department of Conservation. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgI8CE_0qbDaAKpM7GFfRNmrZkilG1cJrP1ugNcQZLx3cxaFjuMaPrnPceF-sUcNwHdP27HDQz2ojpMzuFbSdJDdiE8C3YqCYfNR8oJUhNeVqnqwYfSSdQ11g1lby1Wa3FYQ5Cbu2A5-s/s1600/DSCN0020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgI8CE_0qbDaAKpM7GFfRNmrZkilG1cJrP1ugNcQZLx3cxaFjuMaPrnPceF-sUcNwHdP27HDQz2ojpMzuFbSdJDdiE8C3YqCYfNR8oJUhNeVqnqwYfSSdQ11g1lby1Wa3FYQ5Cbu2A5-s/s640/DSCN0020.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Wooden marker at Parkinson's Scenic Reserve, Kaituna Saddle, Banks Peninsula</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
These wooden markers are gradually disappearing to be replaced by the virtually indestructible plastic and metal DOC signs...eventually they will only be a memory in the mind of olde timer trampers...</div>
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<br />
<br />
<i>Metal track markers:</i><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
A variety of metal track markers have been used over the years and they tended to take the shape of discs in different colors and strip of permolat a reflective material used in venetian blind manufacturing. </div>
<i><br /></i><i>Discs:</i><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Both the NZ Forest Service and the Department of Internal Affairs used round stamped metal discs to mark their tracks. These came to be known as 'paint lid' markers as they resembled the lids used to seal tins of house paint. Incidentally metal paint tins were invented by a kiwi who licensed the patent and who's descendants are now fabulously wealthy as a result. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1UBB5-U-q2ZzLNdocjcaQxh4dfKMkmzYDCbrtx98iya6CIpqOlMQuTRWrWlUfcFBAoihn3sg64G8xw5yN8mlCtoSLjIX0m1vLfUeGL0q2mCO2Ou84hhAXrye0GrZAgnfOetYpnUILV2A/s1600/Metal+paint+tin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="933" data-original-width="1400" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1UBB5-U-q2ZzLNdocjcaQxh4dfKMkmzYDCbrtx98iya6CIpqOlMQuTRWrWlUfcFBAoihn3sg64G8xw5yN8mlCtoSLjIX0m1vLfUeGL0q2mCO2Ou84hhAXrye0GrZAgnfOetYpnUILV2A/s640/Metal+paint+tin.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Classic metal paint tin...</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Paint lid markers were useful as they were relatively light weight so many of them could be carried at once and cheap and easy to manufacture. They were nailed to the trunks of standing and fallen trees, bolted to rocks and fence posts and buildings in much the same way orange triangles are now used. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBxMZebSSAH652b6SmP8AG4Y12vzZpMq0z9U3QozUiE1c0lIsY630qVV2FuvOaO93nJQI7O88-k4PJeNROX7VbKdJ6tokk-m6Mw-QW9QnKvSB1-Z7Cw0MuJDCbN2LC-55aejXXlMKSCts/s1600/DSCN0091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBxMZebSSAH652b6SmP8AG4Y12vzZpMq0z9U3QozUiE1c0lIsY630qVV2FuvOaO93nJQI7O88-k4PJeNROX7VbKdJ6tokk-m6Mw-QW9QnKvSB1-Z7Cw0MuJDCbN2LC-55aejXXlMKSCts/s640/DSCN0091.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Old style 'paint tin' track marker, Waimakiriri Flood Track, Arthur's Pass NP</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj93c7b5ZBB_f_n2NkBXDpqUoJzJEAKM8NIWQS_vm141qs2znuDu8wlSCbOc6f6kp7HO32Ay-egx8g1WQqxISe66Qstb-zGPXCSECq-n5207M2NEknC4QrWb5wU99jFEoJ-9aKC0daiico/s1600/DSCN0090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj93c7b5ZBB_f_n2NkBXDpqUoJzJEAKM8NIWQS_vm141qs2znuDu8wlSCbOc6f6kp7HO32Ay-egx8g1WQqxISe66Qstb-zGPXCSECq-n5207M2NEknC4QrWb5wU99jFEoJ-9aKC0daiico/s640/DSCN0090.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">...Waimakariri Flood Track: DOC triangle with permolat attached....</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
These markers were replaced over time with a new material called permolat.</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
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<i><br /></i><i>Permolat:</i><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
In the late 1960's New Zealand developed an aluminium industry and one of the materials produced was a thin metal sheet used for Venetian blind making. Some bright spark decided it would make a good track marking material and so Permolat (the brand name) came to be the predominant marker material</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixtBzOSFLyDrtSvjfcN3V-uGCVIbL0P5PF0UgRwdGL85Ct9T3pN7AbVTZO1dFna3xBLGIhhxujZMlQVaPDxV71mPIxkSnO6Ax5Vq1leXXZlzpm5aghkq0foiLhdzyGvd51qKDIM5hEVzQ/s1600/Permolat1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="677" data-original-width="1024" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixtBzOSFLyDrtSvjfcN3V-uGCVIbL0P5PF0UgRwdGL85Ct9T3pN7AbVTZO1dFna3xBLGIhhxujZMlQVaPDxV71mPIxkSnO6Ax5Vq1leXXZlzpm5aghkq0foiLhdzyGvd51qKDIM5hEVzQ/s640/Permolat1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">White permolat track marker in the Sabine Valley, Nelson Lakes NP</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
The usual color for permolat was a grey/white color which shows up well in most bush conditions in New Zealand. It was slightly reflective so would show up in a torch beam at night. Track makers would cut sections of permolat and attach it to the usual suspects...trees, posts, logs, buildings etc. The advantage of permolat was its light weight and ease of use...it could be cut with scissors and could be written on if required</div>
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The standard marker was a strip about 5-10 cm long cut at one end to denote track direction. I have also seen different sizes, crosses, squares, triangles and mixed colors..red on white, orange and red, orange and white etc. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0YH8UqbDXWxHviquh4MdzhvC0N4bWzchbsFxF-drWcEsxfT8ZE_8DWpscPN4Psw0Pnt8I5ZnlZo4ypmCEyEOBgbp3wcgkBdmm9kgiO9NGQJrv3dOA3RmSHOM55dd60opfxWlAqF2ucVI/s1600/Permolat2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="400" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0YH8UqbDXWxHviquh4MdzhvC0N4bWzchbsFxF-drWcEsxfT8ZE_8DWpscPN4Psw0Pnt8I5ZnlZo4ypmCEyEOBgbp3wcgkBdmm9kgiO9NGQJrv3dOA3RmSHOM55dd60opfxWlAqF2ucVI/s640/Permolat2.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Orange/white trial permolat marker...</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Trials were also undertaking using red and orange permolat as it was found the off white color did not stand out very well in some types of forest. White naturally occurs in nature while brilliant red and deep orange are uncommon. You will still see all colors of permolat along older tracks...in fact I struck some on the Lake Daniell Track just two weekends ago. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYThEXvrZk_4D3vsdNY4hoa8vB79rJo4P0EpEh93jQEEs2rvymEMgx3zSgUgktdcCxU6vpcLdZUQZ0sumUkjWTfx6SVrE5ULSqrmWdlR388nzYFhiV0K2CoVG927jfKY5ykEpOAXsVlN0/s1600/IMG_3932.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYThEXvrZk_4D3vsdNY4hoa8vB79rJo4P0EpEh93jQEEs2rvymEMgx3zSgUgktdcCxU6vpcLdZUQZ0sumUkjWTfx6SVrE5ULSqrmWdlR388nzYFhiV0K2CoVG927jfKY5ykEpOAXsVlN0/s640/IMG_3932.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Orange permolat track marker, Lake Daniell Track, Lewis Pass Scenic Reserve</span></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Permolat was used from the late 1960's right up to the birth of the Department of Conservation but when that department was formed it was decided that an new and more standardised track marking system was required. </div>
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<h4 style="text-align: left;">
Track marking under DOC:</h4>
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The Department of Conservation was set up in 1987 with the idea of centralizing all of the various groups into one department with responsibility for all aspects of the outdoors. They absorbed many of the tasks, facilities and staff of other government departments especially the NZ Forest Service. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoYR4q4fQDYNTXA3ZHLEPOEcDWEfJqrWhFwP6Md5NXnB1wpLiLAcfwaaWQaHzotO2hXSAqltLXma9SkGrHji0uJdX3CJ8n9oqnVCp5FJaoXV80ljDTBHyKomH20JZ6sv-jxC_GAowolyM/s1600/DSCN3143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoYR4q4fQDYNTXA3ZHLEPOEcDWEfJqrWhFwP6Md5NXnB1wpLiLAcfwaaWQaHzotO2hXSAqltLXma9SkGrHji0uJdX3CJ8n9oqnVCp5FJaoXV80ljDTBHyKomH20JZ6sv-jxC_GAowolyM/s640/DSCN3143.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Standard Department of conservation track sign...St James Walkway</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwkcGhnuyAXca6S8roSrA0NucSZzNDqRPHv30w2DGtBll_sBfSv5JjqTnYq4s5LDbGyO-w1fT_RIvmXa2rJ-CSzBCTqzt4vwKv3MEsVEd2543JyjSUpN92p1DXTUGBIlueu9lZWZkVKUw/s1600/DSCN3155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwkcGhnuyAXca6S8roSrA0NucSZzNDqRPHv30w2DGtBll_sBfSv5JjqTnYq4s5LDbGyO-w1fT_RIvmXa2rJ-CSzBCTqzt4vwKv3MEsVEd2543JyjSUpN92p1DXTUGBIlueu9lZWZkVKUw/s640/DSCN3155.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">...you get the destination, walking time and distance...</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
The official DOC marking system is orange plastic tags in a number of shapes and sizes to mark public track networks. These are usually an orange triangle with pre-drilled holes to make them easy to fix to trees, logs etc with nails. The apex of the triangle is used to denote direction; horizontal means straight ahead, angle to the left means go left, to the right go right etc.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg22BHwMBF8N8E_8vSBDhAsH2FOPD1JOy6G0v7FPu4AFdNn_EZlKUKZXrh18TSt_wNo7iGIL50PQuBn4sHKqI3Riv0KcN2gHAYUHruEqDQjMm_YY7JirzpwsZ_rmNAF3nVatVFTuoHgjRg/s1600/IMG_3439.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg22BHwMBF8N8E_8vSBDhAsH2FOPD1JOy6G0v7FPu4AFdNn_EZlKUKZXrh18TSt_wNo7iGIL50PQuBn4sHKqI3Riv0KcN2gHAYUHruEqDQjMm_YY7JirzpwsZ_rmNAF3nVatVFTuoHgjRg/s640/IMG_3439.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">DOC Orange triangle...visible in most bush types!! </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioKZF7U593dIxR7KFup2rbX8FKRtoJpbUWcAnfeRfDu6_syZwCGdiYWL5z93NJJcVoQth8iFGEMtKN5FoqQ9jP5sQMQSNc9UJWz3u7YzDZ9DcFhbQdRnsgO3OC44bX1BktFOWA17iRwc8/s1600/DSCN0198.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioKZF7U593dIxR7KFup2rbX8FKRtoJpbUWcAnfeRfDu6_syZwCGdiYWL5z93NJJcVoQth8iFGEMtKN5FoqQ9jP5sQMQSNc9UJWz3u7YzDZ9DcFhbQdRnsgO3OC44bX1BktFOWA17iRwc8/s640/DSCN0198.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Orange track markers can be ground mounted is required...</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
DOC track markers are not always triangles...I have seen squares, circles, strips and panels before as some types of terrain favor these shapes...</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1zY6ErIm_pXZ99OglEyzBNX76QJmwG4r9FGdvYTPTAx-mxyPxVO0ZNoIT_INHT7emai2UzwCGeyMp1bO2_pAd4dZVI9ttdr4J4L3vhHwUyQbp5Gx2WAx8HDNZaW6HUKZ3Rh6AcZ2_H94/s1600/DSCN0164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1zY6ErIm_pXZ99OglEyzBNX76QJmwG4r9FGdvYTPTAx-mxyPxVO0ZNoIT_INHT7emai2UzwCGeyMp1bO2_pAd4dZVI9ttdr4J4L3vhHwUyQbp5Gx2WAx8HDNZaW6HUKZ3Rh6AcZ2_H94/s640/DSCN0164.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Not all DOC track markers are triangles...</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
In areas where there is no vegetation to attach track markers snow poles are used. A snow pole is a metal fence strainer approximately a meter long which is hammered into the ground at regular intervals and a orange sleeve is fitted on the top to mark them clearly visible. They are called snow poles as they are often in places where snow may cover tracks in winter and they will often protrude out of the snow if it is not too deep.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidDd1dZqliCuuQ2XutQzKryaS5WKYa_XTqGwFahQoDK_FYJ7sztlO0It5lwdM_r1fI7J9HdalXBtG1dPyaLOjzrnq_1SQw2gbd9ltdCqQ7YJU3BBKG2YTLkPtODlxFz_Zqlp6u_UD_ggQ/s1600/IMG_0301.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidDd1dZqliCuuQ2XutQzKryaS5WKYa_XTqGwFahQoDK_FYJ7sztlO0It5lwdM_r1fI7J9HdalXBtG1dPyaLOjzrnq_1SQw2gbd9ltdCqQ7YJU3BBKG2YTLkPtODlxFz_Zqlp6u_UD_ggQ/s640/IMG_0301.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">A snow pole on the Milford Track at McKinnon Pass</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Snow poles are most often found on flat grassy valley floors, riverbeds and mountain tops and are surprisingly effective as they are visible for a long distance. They will tend to be 20 meters apart but this is not a standard distance...I have seen them 3 meters apart in dense & tricky Matagouri country right out to 100 meters apart. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ6MLMjmLDeT30ADQUui2t1lOmYb3z6FvPZr6y4aBoHNJxXO6j24DxC7hYgrHaWJ-KmX3aHaOFhEk9Cv-NXPTVe1Hi3HFqcyhlCrDLkJ5HjFBMvaCxOhjRSKLOVMOleXkA1ViObibZa9A/s1600/DSCN6029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ6MLMjmLDeT30ADQUui2t1lOmYb3z6FvPZr6y4aBoHNJxXO6j24DxC7hYgrHaWJ-KmX3aHaOFhEk9Cv-NXPTVe1Hi3HFqcyhlCrDLkJ5HjFBMvaCxOhjRSKLOVMOleXkA1ViObibZa9A/s640/DSCN6029.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">...snow poles are often found along the tops of ranges...</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A snow pole with a standard orange triangle attached denotes the point where the track is re-entering the tree line so it is important to look out for these when heading down off the tops. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-kJlJG5Kpzq0m8jMeEMH2-YOKfsRahbCVHVcwcp0mCJ9d5urY96cZLPQ4gAGJZJaGWZVhU44NJWQSC_jKYcleZCwwOAm8I8FpJj_724PRPdGkx27crOIoSX9qr1X164aTgz5spJSjcZE/s1600/DSCN6025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-kJlJG5Kpzq0m8jMeEMH2-YOKfsRahbCVHVcwcp0mCJ9d5urY96cZLPQ4gAGJZJaGWZVhU44NJWQSC_jKYcleZCwwOAm8I8FpJj_724PRPdGkx27crOIoSX9qr1X164aTgz5spJSjcZE/s640/DSCN6025.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">An orange triangle marks the descent into the forest below the tree line...</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcVgQ5deMtxqau0RARfmKd0XMJOp6iz0Mx1sQbgeNiWfZtDZhdd_wGhugGVP0g0gNVlnG4UIXQ6b7Oo2CXk4ghSOylElAstwNNi2xjyr16wW0izT08cSGzMrDl_owoKv9yzpARuGnugHE/s1600/DSCN4833.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcVgQ5deMtxqau0RARfmKd0XMJOp6iz0Mx1sQbgeNiWfZtDZhdd_wGhugGVP0g0gNVlnG4UIXQ6b7Oo2CXk4ghSOylElAstwNNi2xjyr16wW0izT08cSGzMrDl_owoKv9yzpARuGnugHE/s640/DSCN4833.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Snow poles also work well in flat tussock valleys like these on the St James Walkway</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjflNFdGYd7fNNkQlzwXjAKO0ZGoH858hecQVkGQkgSzVdLRlPClcjHs6P0PvCXpHLsPq4MdabBV24adQrsj9mkJJJ4kZhkeUM7J6epp393E8T5ihIpDpS1cWPQOmm-PPP7rHn7eJElI8E/s1600/IMG_2869.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjflNFdGYd7fNNkQlzwXjAKO0ZGoH858hecQVkGQkgSzVdLRlPClcjHs6P0PvCXpHLsPq4MdabBV24adQrsj9mkJJJ4kZhkeUM7J6epp393E8T5ihIpDpS1cWPQOmm-PPP7rHn7eJElI8E/s640/IMG_2869.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">You should be able to see the next pole about 20 meters away...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
The standard orange DOC triangles and poles do not show up well in torch light at night as they tend to fade into the background. To aid travel in these situations they will often have strips of reflective material added to them so they are more visible. This works exceptionally well and I have seen it on markers right across the country. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5aYlIcJmrIN3I4acideBeT9lFxl3SQd2zJIWqU6Qmucz3fVxFx4CZkKYheSYYRvsULpy1qjX1dfLtFcN9oQZiBqniI8qVPYFVAyl8Y9X4GTRLudLHnenQsbOT4Djtbu_9ezEEnm-Iblc/s1600/IMG_4029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5aYlIcJmrIN3I4acideBeT9lFxl3SQd2zJIWqU6Qmucz3fVxFx4CZkKYheSYYRvsULpy1qjX1dfLtFcN9oQZiBqniI8qVPYFVAyl8Y9X4GTRLudLHnenQsbOT4Djtbu_9ezEEnm-Iblc/s640/IMG_4029.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Orange does not show well at night so....</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZF8iitQgNpdz7ggP1wPAanmkb8nEg1poMza1KW9G52yi36PTxHQUdD7TWouknj51YJGXS1yqa8nVpViHWEkfeHxJRLtEbLYhkMnbQhSDxUtCnlIT5TCWcm7gzs7Fhz0wnc1DMtTEd5jo/s1600/IMG_3357.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZF8iitQgNpdz7ggP1wPAanmkb8nEg1poMza1KW9G52yi36PTxHQUdD7TWouknj51YJGXS1yqa8nVpViHWEkfeHxJRLtEbLYhkMnbQhSDxUtCnlIT5TCWcm7gzs7Fhz0wnc1DMtTEd5jo/s640/IMG_3357.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">...reflective strip on a snow pole for night travel...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
You will sometimes see orange nylon flagging tape used to mark new or temporary tracks for example over active slips or where a track has been rerouted due to fallen trees etc. This is a temporary marking only and you should take care if following this type of marker so you do not get lost. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZOxQ-U39vaL5qEsWKTPeFMCue9N3QpF5V2Vnl1okawC-gc7cvRw2HmKge5XL4jOlEsBLl6AHXP7bRCVtDUlrQBgDzQdzjAFgVaqhBt_2PVYADupMk7ZveZRbUEkyiYpvPjpqUrdTEUR8/s1600/OrangeTapeMarker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="773" data-original-width="1030" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZOxQ-U39vaL5qEsWKTPeFMCue9N3QpF5V2Vnl1okawC-gc7cvRw2HmKge5XL4jOlEsBLl6AHXP7bRCVtDUlrQBgDzQdzjAFgVaqhBt_2PVYADupMk7ZveZRbUEkyiYpvPjpqUrdTEUR8/s640/OrangeTapeMarker.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Orange tape will sometimes be used to mark temporary or new tracks...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Department of Conservation markers are what you are going to encounter on a good 80% of the tracks you are walking so keep a close eye out for those orange triangles, circles, squares and snow poles. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<h4 style="text-align: left;">
Other agencies marking methods</h4>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The Department of Conservation is the main manager of backcountry areas but they are not the only agency which has this as a part of their work. There are many local, regional and private groups who also have wild tracks and need a marker scheme to show the route. Lets look a couple of these groups...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<br />
<i>The Walkways Commission:</i><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
There was a short lived government led advocacy group called the Walkways Commission set up to promote the greater use of the outdoors within New Zealand in the 1970's till 1980's. They had a ton of great ideas but unfortunately they never had a large enough budget or paid staff to achieve very much. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0w5KTVmJycBPbZWWBXxPNysV3DBvU1RllFF3P6bNmooHfhOEztG1c4TFZNFB25FtC1PhKxObpdgPiZ_C_Ey4AlYwBc_yt9uj8Q7t5Sw-dhc8m7cBJf4ioP6y1WUkSlkr8_Tf4orliUjw/s1600/WalkwaysTrackSign.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="1500" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0w5KTVmJycBPbZWWBXxPNysV3DBvU1RllFF3P6bNmooHfhOEztG1c4TFZNFB25FtC1PhKxObpdgPiZ_C_Ey4AlYwBc_yt9uj8Q7t5Sw-dhc8m7cBJf4ioP6y1WUkSlkr8_Tf4orliUjw/s640/WalkwaysTrackSign.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Classic Walkways Commission sign for Waikakano Track....</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCJT86r9psGQMEmVZGIy8wTEBUaTUM6V86Hj23hTRGL4G6o6bfqEJv4YKZ8P8nhFKMuMF4QRbOri-tTEMshD5TIFwAfJ5TpcPzo5mb0E7gfPXm48gRBrA4QpkfwY_sAb9D-b991MW8iu8/s1600/DSCN3980.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCJT86r9psGQMEmVZGIy8wTEBUaTUM6V86Hj23hTRGL4G6o6bfqEJv4YKZ8P8nhFKMuMF4QRbOri-tTEMshD5TIFwAfJ5TpcPzo5mb0E7gfPXm48gRBrA4QpkfwY_sAb9D-b991MW8iu8/s640/DSCN3980.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">The Summit Walkway was a CCC/Walkways Commission project...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Some of their notable accomplishments are the St James Walkway, Summit Walkway and what would eventually become Te Ara Pataka here in Canterbury. They tended to build new tracks in previously un-tapped backcountry areas...a lot of their tracks were in virgin Forest Parks and unassigned land rather than National Parks. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdBylsBajrE6jGK9MpSUJBt9sZkP-un01qtkAV2VZJq4ENUFqofCsf8xMxnbJ2u1eJEbJOPE_9fl1zEGOmKT7yQNaIRNb4mL6Ws_dEUttAbue6BxXT98G70RaKLhyphenhyphenX8KHTEAuKSYccGks/s1600/DSCN4846.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdBylsBajrE6jGK9MpSUJBt9sZkP-un01qtkAV2VZJq4ENUFqofCsf8xMxnbJ2u1eJEbJOPE_9fl1zEGOmKT7yQNaIRNb4mL6Ws_dEUttAbue6BxXT98G70RaKLhyphenhyphenX8KHTEAuKSYccGks/s640/DSCN4846.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">The St James Walkway was one of their most successful tracks...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiI-Qv1y4IUdSaIPfFemE7p6VAJ-V4AVbdkqL7cNpVPVgi_OCAZGTAR2tS6PIFGx3NAmbycX0REs5d_VzX1HRgC73AjpXAjXnmlAiYcycxEj3xz-0Uw0PZDRJ8wn698efcJhi-783hxrc/s1600/DSCN4835.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiI-Qv1y4IUdSaIPfFemE7p6VAJ-V4AVbdkqL7cNpVPVgi_OCAZGTAR2tS6PIFGx3NAmbycX0REs5d_VzX1HRgC73AjpXAjXnmlAiYcycxEj3xz-0Uw0PZDRJ8wn698efcJhi-783hxrc/s640/DSCN4835.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Christopher Hut was built by the Walkways Commission...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Any track you find yourself on which has 'Walkway' in the title would have been built or instigated under their tenure. Their work can be found from Northland all the way down to Bluff at the bottom of the South Island. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB5K8JdzUPtUFDtpE2ZXF2rfIt6D_d1NTrRnAcQV0PMz7fVtwUKuj1ArlKjtivlsTii8pctLSQxXjXfwAddZdXXnIys7HGRBsxW2jRq3fM6yDIBVZQI0yia8QXxrfCq1mK-UvX3KodyIk/s1600/DSCN4730.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB5K8JdzUPtUFDtpE2ZXF2rfIt6D_d1NTrRnAcQV0PMz7fVtwUKuj1ArlKjtivlsTii8pctLSQxXjXfwAddZdXXnIys7HGRBsxW2jRq3fM6yDIBVZQI0yia8QXxrfCq1mK-UvX3KodyIk/s640/DSCN4730.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Old walkways track marker on the Orton Bradley-Mt Herbert Track, Banks Peninsula</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirnQ7GUWywIMRMJDEYFz3OkNy5H6kzvgF00rext6ynQshqqhAcS7Uf4F1q2hN0xDCRM96wHWwu6KAqIYwhGGSjFZN0Q3cLi6g6r-5L2ART-iBwURHpFh9zq1kzAGIEEdcOxNJVfqID6qza/s1600/IMG_4194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirnQ7GUWywIMRMJDEYFz3OkNy5H6kzvgF00rext6ynQshqqhAcS7Uf4F1q2hN0xDCRM96wHWwu6KAqIYwhGGSjFZN0Q3cLi6g6r-5L2ART-iBwURHpFh9zq1kzAGIEEdcOxNJVfqID6qza/s640/IMG_4194.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Walkways Commission post on Te Ara Pataka/Summit Walkway on Banks Peninsula</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The Walkways Commission used wooden posts with a yellow band painted around the top...they had a carved W on the top of the post as well. They also used carved wooden signs at huts, bridges and places of interest. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQEFPwJ4EXOU0gzHjUaSHyjYE8kEv9dERTvx4XDGuIWCz_uBlSIJtNXL1ePlooOXLM2qViV6SV56o5aPxBWqEZ8TQWQcpWQNQ7YMMz9O1wvN3C80NCCrWmkQvIhXdgxArUBGd86Gs71jk/s1600/DSCN4769.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQEFPwJ4EXOU0gzHjUaSHyjYE8kEv9dERTvx4XDGuIWCz_uBlSIJtNXL1ePlooOXLM2qViV6SV56o5aPxBWqEZ8TQWQcpWQNQ7YMMz9O1wvN3C80NCCrWmkQvIhXdgxArUBGd86Gs71jk/s640/DSCN4769.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Another Walkways marker on the Orton Bradley-Mt Herbert Track, Banks Peninsula</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
They had a square plastic tag similar to the DOC triangles with a prominent W in the middle these came in black and white and later white on orange.</div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-zhDjjuQJy2_qic9BMTqNodeVAzjYxry8H2ij3N2wqcFw1helwHho4iNomVgTtnF12jXwJB_5iDYCg4TkOQh0gQEsSxPn5ycpeB7_FnxZlbHmpNLiijeJ2v_oUPs03jWOOEtAc-45LLE/s1600/IMG_3271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-zhDjjuQJy2_qic9BMTqNodeVAzjYxry8H2ij3N2wqcFw1helwHho4iNomVgTtnF12jXwJB_5iDYCg4TkOQh0gQEsSxPn5ycpeB7_FnxZlbHmpNLiijeJ2v_oUPs03jWOOEtAc-45LLE/s640/IMG_3271.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Clear view of the Walkways markers on Te Ara Pataka track, Banks Peninsula</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The track and hut building work of the Walkways Commission was absorbed by DOC when it was set up in 1987 while the advocacy work of the defunct Commission is largely undertaken by the<a href="https://www.walkingaccess.govt.nz/"> NZ Walking Access Commission</a>. </div>
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<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>City Councils and Regional councils:</i></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
New Zealand towns and cities are a lot greener than their counterparts in other parts of the world. Most councils or regional councils will have a multitude of parks, reserves and wild areas within their boundaries and some of these are wild enough to warrant track markers. These bodies will often work with DOC as much council owned land will border Department of Conservation land. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGPdKQi_TpDUQbn6nLrX3P6Y59WRYMZvDDJ49FtIQwfdUHdrNRv-PQQgeB7hLnEutty7fXwCLI-sLaRpF3T_aTjppMhN6K2RbLJTVWZy9YWmy7iEwK06Qn0BAVETsq70rrvAwWTIOYXmw/s1600/IMG_3556.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGPdKQi_TpDUQbn6nLrX3P6Y59WRYMZvDDJ49FtIQwfdUHdrNRv-PQQgeB7hLnEutty7fXwCLI-sLaRpF3T_aTjppMhN6K2RbLJTVWZy9YWmy7iEwK06Qn0BAVETsq70rrvAwWTIOYXmw/s640/IMG_3556.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Christchurch City Council track map at Travis Wetlands</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJORe8peyEeWQAAOC89GnuKa9mS7dC8d09XjRjT40F3-XsFI2yziELfNzTu4_HmwQPUUMjyrcBl8RibBXUW9CvmJoO0dTz8AE5lm0xzPp-C_yLxsrcpq0z_n0OK66Fbt-bi-k6FLZKSGQ/s1600/IMG_3569.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJORe8peyEeWQAAOC89GnuKa9mS7dC8d09XjRjT40F3-XsFI2yziELfNzTu4_HmwQPUUMjyrcBl8RibBXUW9CvmJoO0dTz8AE5lm0xzPp-C_yLxsrcpq0z_n0OK66Fbt-bi-k6FLZKSGQ/s640/IMG_3569.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Typical CCC track marker in Travis Wetlands</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Here in Canterbury we have the Christchurch City Council and the Canterbury Regional Council both of whom manage wild areas around the city and on the Port Hills. They have a set of standardised track markers which you can see in the surrounding photos. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhru8zvxzKifImnaLkxWGykolPHb-RO1wmUl0FHfy-SRIF6-H05g9Hvp9DSGIjf7l2-nxCmBfYdEd6sScOL28K0B1l_HSrSZaVsohcTBZNK11Ye3uCoSajPzyjgVQsrpf1r3UnxKUjkmhA/s1600/20170819_142853.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhru8zvxzKifImnaLkxWGykolPHb-RO1wmUl0FHfy-SRIF6-H05g9Hvp9DSGIjf7l2-nxCmBfYdEd6sScOL28K0B1l_HSrSZaVsohcTBZNK11Ye3uCoSajPzyjgVQsrpf1r3UnxKUjkmhA/s640/20170819_142853.jpg" width="384" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Council track marker in Bottle Lake Plantation</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCiOzKkLaoz82kEGpSR6Z7-rUE8bNuvE8JlsIzXYTrtLfzV3d8LPWJ7yDxPccBGX1scwnsw9cnjnS0r4MV6gSZdykWguKGbLE8oQqzm9ggKLQrX_UYFGaa_6mTB-qskYG1pKB-peGqdhM/s1600/DSCN0429.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCiOzKkLaoz82kEGpSR6Z7-rUE8bNuvE8JlsIzXYTrtLfzV3d8LPWJ7yDxPccBGX1scwnsw9cnjnS0r4MV6gSZdykWguKGbLE8oQqzm9ggKLQrX_UYFGaa_6mTB-qskYG1pKB-peGqdhM/s640/DSCN0429.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Pedestrian only marker on the Harry Ell Track, Port Hills</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwyX-EVrbgBmhviZWT9ylNsn0dFTRcmsNl9ldFkqPdq6UXAMQi9810yVe1tnA3a99RDYSnHmuh5lmlDBTgEA5z8BzfhPnFtFFmg9_x-gT8TRicPmUYq8iFYyLETaxucgeGqp0vipIjwlI/s1600/DSCN0451.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwyX-EVrbgBmhviZWT9ylNsn0dFTRcmsNl9ldFkqPdq6UXAMQi9810yVe1tnA3a99RDYSnHmuh5lmlDBTgEA5z8BzfhPnFtFFmg9_x-gT8TRicPmUYq8iFYyLETaxucgeGqp0vipIjwlI/s640/DSCN0451.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">...track name and destination but no distance or time...</td></tr>
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Here is a different take on a council track marking this is from the Kaikoura Clifftop Walkway in Kaikoura 10 km's to the north of Christchurch. This is a joint regional council/DOC/local Iwi initiative and as this locale has a rich Maori heritage the marker is denoted by the Koru design.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDHqFzUol19CCOjeIS1XPEOsfWp4Mlv76-RC2J2IRlT0uBEBEHxmVqrdHdrMMSocaeLTeawCJ0SB_Va6dAUhuwXPudvf2p-yNPrJ64o5FFEv4XJH4V6GX7MwGZglT7lAqdMehRLI205u4/s1600/IMG_4081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDHqFzUol19CCOjeIS1XPEOsfWp4Mlv76-RC2J2IRlT0uBEBEHxmVqrdHdrMMSocaeLTeawCJ0SB_Va6dAUhuwXPudvf2p-yNPrJ64o5FFEv4XJH4V6GX7MwGZglT7lAqdMehRLI205u4/s640/IMG_4081.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Basic track marker on the Kaikoura Clifftop Walkway</td></tr>
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<i><br /></i><i>Note on the Christchurch 360 Trail...</i><br />
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The <a href="http://christchurch360trail.org.nz/">Christchurch 360 Trail</a> is a 135 km long ring track that goes right around the outskirts of the city and takes in the beach, Bottle Lake Forest, the Waimakiriri River, the Port Hills and urban areas. It is made up of existing tracks which belong to a variety of landowners and can be completed as a run/walk/MTB ride or a combination of all three. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghLXmhPcUPabWszEgQg6Uc8Jt5AF9k0_f7mvNU7uNcW-DdoCSIPrr29FeJpOCPD5rHjw_AUXBudVjzxXdhEzwpQiatYqOlw79thHIr66FgofukmzG0w5-g_fc6NnIfhSu1z-shXpfeSPU/s1600/IMG_1005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghLXmhPcUPabWszEgQg6Uc8Jt5AF9k0_f7mvNU7uNcW-DdoCSIPrr29FeJpOCPD5rHjw_AUXBudVjzxXdhEzwpQiatYqOlw79thHIr66FgofukmzG0w5-g_fc6NnIfhSu1z-shXpfeSPU/s640/IMG_1005.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Map: Christchurch 360 Trail:Port Hills to Sumner section</td></tr>
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The Christchurch 360 Trail has its own trail marker...you are sure to have seen this marker if you enjoy the outdoors in Canterbury but perhaps you had no idea what it means. The colors and swirl are meant to encompass the idea that the trail is made up of different terrain types and encircles the city.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheugstvIYqcoh6qta04n0jlYn-jp0njRfmp_FmlwU4PHtRkL5Gjd02IJdhxI4wWaoqIDFPxz37Q8tf0hE8PtPakYCIJwKyubT3MCpN8h3cTUnb73oyOCWpYaNxaQgX3HxiUJpCG48qncI/s1600/DSCN6069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheugstvIYqcoh6qta04n0jlYn-jp0njRfmp_FmlwU4PHtRkL5Gjd02IJdhxI4wWaoqIDFPxz37Q8tf0hE8PtPakYCIJwKyubT3MCpN8h3cTUnb73oyOCWpYaNxaQgX3HxiUJpCG48qncI/s640/DSCN6069.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">The Christchurch 360 Trail marker...</td></tr>
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Here are a couple of photos of sections of this track I have used over the years;</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRXI18jKdKNPWqZKO9r9E-qVehfFVD8EPRQZkold90sMSa7NkH2ifiz4JLypbl742EiTlwswqbQo_5-n8-cCrPROEpOTgn8hs7BhJi6DtdfEFh62rj9XvhKK6RFgRy_3EmGrwLV8IDp5U/s1600/IMG_2496.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRXI18jKdKNPWqZKO9r9E-qVehfFVD8EPRQZkold90sMSa7NkH2ifiz4JLypbl742EiTlwswqbQo_5-n8-cCrPROEpOTgn8hs7BhJi6DtdfEFh62rj9XvhKK6RFgRy_3EmGrwLV8IDp5U/s640/IMG_2496.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Christchurch 360 Trail: Travis Wetlands</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPNAuyrThMNwobsQ0qZKNudoKdthQyRL3a29zWMcCdbcDkSh8YVNhk-cz4bveH4Z2-UlScJgILRLbcDdrKFSk0MCfcXZsqhV4bJouxfd2sCMjRmdXi1deglrTv2Jo8h4QaypKruPsOnVk/s1600/IMG_0606.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPNAuyrThMNwobsQ0qZKNudoKdthQyRL3a29zWMcCdbcDkSh8YVNhk-cz4bveH4Z2-UlScJgILRLbcDdrKFSk0MCfcXZsqhV4bJouxfd2sCMjRmdXi1deglrTv2Jo8h4QaypKruPsOnVk/s640/IMG_0606.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Christchurch 360 Trail: Godley Head, Port Hills</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNfwqCPRjUy3eRc1RmUUjFmvIfQXNcB6yGWr7PgGyC-OtQDSRbCbDqss1xyLUB1S8FTJb8qguwTjvli7sEykWoCm_Yi-IiX9NCeQwXJUBZMjF4LCCFknygz9oldNh_wdzQqQBHf98fd-M/s1600/20170819_142912.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNfwqCPRjUy3eRc1RmUUjFmvIfQXNcB6yGWr7PgGyC-OtQDSRbCbDqss1xyLUB1S8FTJb8qguwTjvli7sEykWoCm_Yi-IiX9NCeQwXJUBZMjF4LCCFknygz9oldNh_wdzQqQBHf98fd-M/s640/20170819_142912.jpg" width="384" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Christchurch 360 Trail: an urban section in Parklands</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYeqfURdXq78xGy2HGYBV02Fvl8hHBWnjyA6x3PrYGp_s1wDcDGJ6WIyJrJf3pFDfTe77HimHfBZY4Lyqpbiem4FpMFwL9bnYGptmnXTbV0ZuiDqaoVgjWny_KKp6V8EhuweVyvo_Mwh4/s1600/IMG_0972.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYeqfURdXq78xGy2HGYBV02Fvl8hHBWnjyA6x3PrYGp_s1wDcDGJ6WIyJrJf3pFDfTe77HimHfBZY4Lyqpbiem4FpMFwL9bnYGptmnXTbV0ZuiDqaoVgjWny_KKp6V8EhuweVyvo_Mwh4/s640/IMG_0972.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Christchurch 360 Trail: along the Christchurch Coastal Pathway in Redcliffs</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj11wFl_mXWSEX9qxnGiAevTo7R7PFnihsn7tGr6FeJfTQ4ajtG7DkSAnl1IlsdcD-J4OjK3G9iBpye0EPGfSWHJ6WznHUKk3f6PhZLDj1F6dgGh-2nteI56phcyAw0CZg9ivN-0ckiMA8/s1600/DSCN6101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj11wFl_mXWSEX9qxnGiAevTo7R7PFnihsn7tGr6FeJfTQ4ajtG7DkSAnl1IlsdcD-J4OjK3G9iBpye0EPGfSWHJ6WznHUKk3f6PhZLDj1F6dgGh-2nteI56phcyAw0CZg9ivN-0ckiMA8/s640/DSCN6101.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Christchurch 360 Trail: in Bottle Lake Forest Park</span></td></tr>
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I have only two sections of the Christchurch 360 Trail left to walk (Spencer Park to Brooklands & Godley Head to Taylors Mistake) and I will have completed the whole trail. </div>
<i><br /></i><i><br /></i><i><br /></i><i>Private tracks:</i><br />
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Another type of track marking are those used on private tracks around the country. There are a number of tracks of this sort scattered around the country...while some use the standard DOC marking scheme some have developed their own designs using wooden signs, marker poles and track markers.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC_kwZEfYQnMp31jyUxzRSQ-5M6sbhr2-WgpmmYDkpVvzWAGMIvR9MYRvLKokvgDHfdw212oaGyz8oEN52IKkTD49d_2d5ME6qOqkI6lrgs6BH2TMnMaO4Ho10S78bhyWuS_Ra_mKTx3U/s1600/KaikouraCoast.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1420" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC_kwZEfYQnMp31jyUxzRSQ-5M6sbhr2-WgpmmYDkpVvzWAGMIvR9MYRvLKokvgDHfdw212oaGyz8oEN52IKkTD49d_2d5ME6qOqkI6lrgs6BH2TMnMaO4Ho10S78bhyWuS_Ra_mKTx3U/s640/KaikouraCoast.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Track sign on the Kaikoura Coast Track</td></tr>
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A good example of this is the Rod Donald Track on Te Ara Pataka the DOC track from Hilltop Tavern to Gebbies Pass via Mt Herbert on Banks Peninsula. The Rod Donald Trust own and operate Rod Donald Hut and have built a side track from the main track to the hut. The Rod Donald Track is marked with their own version of the DOC green/yellow sign and has wooden track marker poles along its course.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBCxSQbxQJAlktUC2cFAQZga4Rl72qUoqm5QWuDvJYr000TVFUIX_xxXqRbIHFcZzdwkmQ9LjdjIO634Yo8aOx-IS-c52B1-ACiotL2sHZ84PhtQ3SvnXBLw49fy-E5ob4nfnuA7aQBBc/s1600/IMG_3365.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBCxSQbxQJAlktUC2cFAQZga4Rl72qUoqm5QWuDvJYr000TVFUIX_xxXqRbIHFcZzdwkmQ9LjdjIO634Yo8aOx-IS-c52B1-ACiotL2sHZ84PhtQ3SvnXBLw49fy-E5ob4nfnuA7aQBBc/s640/IMG_3365.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Private walkways often have wooden signs...Rod Donald Track</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzItssIy5DbLhR0gt_pDw4iiuJBa87_gZDxie3lXgikXfe7gMZSYG2ETg7Zi_GjMw2qCMNVQKGuQD7Oeaj8Ob2YGSbkY0NKNuGF7StS3WT4vcOSW_328WlReVXg1n_ekitiiwWhaATCfE/s1600/IMG_3368.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzItssIy5DbLhR0gt_pDw4iiuJBa87_gZDxie3lXgikXfe7gMZSYG2ETg7Zi_GjMw2qCMNVQKGuQD7Oeaj8Ob2YGSbkY0NKNuGF7StS3WT4vcOSW_328WlReVXg1n_ekitiiwWhaATCfE/s640/IMG_3368.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">More wooden trail marking on the Rod Donald Hut Track</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Another local example is Orton Bradley Estate on the southern side of Lytellton Harbor. The trust have developed a series of excellent tracks on this land and have their own markers in place to show the route. In this case they use wooden signs in brown and white and wooden track poles painted blue at the top. They also use snow poles with a yellow sleeve on top to show they are tracks but not DOC tracks.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2hfmKG4qIBdD4anUCMLdvJ2OCSkMGskQ3HYXoKCLXmgkXK0F5hc-mFObDXFeF7JTxospZZfM7N1dje2YxTuo75TiUDGkh0FFknoC_48TyAKDIJPM_rYC2WTucuqtqU9VJiZerFDCGWDU/s1600/DSCN3910.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2hfmKG4qIBdD4anUCMLdvJ2OCSkMGskQ3HYXoKCLXmgkXK0F5hc-mFObDXFeF7JTxospZZfM7N1dje2YxTuo75TiUDGkh0FFknoC_48TyAKDIJPM_rYC2WTucuqtqU9VJiZerFDCGWDU/s640/DSCN3910.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Wood track signs at the Orton Bradley Estate, Banks Peninsula</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO3kgd6a6_b35sfKATK7546ayo8I1pVDxFidPXs6CmOjRGFrEjs_70ukaUzyKXUTgIVSo6WdV_eqoEhmCMy6r1qKdc6ZNa0q95nD_DWBqfjv_tyW6DnFXSZbmHiyw8tytJyMFYK6bqvto/s1600/DSCN3922.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO3kgd6a6_b35sfKATK7546ayo8I1pVDxFidPXs6CmOjRGFrEjs_70ukaUzyKXUTgIVSo6WdV_eqoEhmCMy6r1qKdc6ZNa0q95nD_DWBqfjv_tyW6DnFXSZbmHiyw8tytJyMFYK6bqvto/s640/DSCN3922.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Yellow snow poles at Orton Bradley Estate, Banks Peninsula</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Note the blue post marker in the forefront of the photo below but also the yellow/blue track marking on the fence as it heads further up the hill. you will often see multiple marking systems used along a track as multiple organisations have responsibility for that track. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi645_T6MXny9LTswidIVgde30KITckXlUc8HZnbJ4YNfd1EYWFnCVZJAgrAufiJO_jQC8JDhmUPGCjYE7Fs92msrmS4vPYmxJvzzyculpaKytf0Ev7qK5fj4POr4wNc3udyQcZlhUeYhE/s1600/DSCN4712.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi645_T6MXny9LTswidIVgde30KITckXlUc8HZnbJ4YNfd1EYWFnCVZJAgrAufiJO_jQC8JDhmUPGCjYE7Fs92msrmS4vPYmxJvzzyculpaKytf0Ev7qK5fj4POr4wNc3udyQcZlhUeYhE/s640/DSCN4712.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Blue track marking along trail at Orton-Bradley Estate, Banks Peninsula</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Yet another example is the Queen Charlotte Track (QCT) in the Marlborough Sounds...they use a combination of standard DOC markers and white posts with blue QCT markers attached to the tops. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgIsLlfPfe4lC_19jWFKxDdpGlopq_sFjhbTmBrhddPceP2O8xJRVrNzIktgIcFjearohCIe7ZBgyvWH-MLwt_5VHabLdsCJgdXEGxkXCsJWC-QH7fYS-1xhq6_F2bzSyEG4VBkzLCDvk/s1600/DSCN6227.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgIsLlfPfe4lC_19jWFKxDdpGlopq_sFjhbTmBrhddPceP2O8xJRVrNzIktgIcFjearohCIe7ZBgyvWH-MLwt_5VHabLdsCJgdXEGxkXCsJWC-QH7fYS-1xhq6_F2bzSyEG4VBkzLCDvk/s640/DSCN6227.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">White posts with blue track signs on the Queen Charlotte Track, Marlborough</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibHzwYeUz3jLiV3viT3QmPHJZNjD8z325v_dywKEjU6nV3WqxDTGqwx3W5oTqMeDEm4UDjV955qjOsuG2lgdeu9w49kNY9GEbZiS8_NC7F4v5pnnqsyFsJLmnDNj27yuRst9rFSG_FdRk/s1600/DSCN6238.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibHzwYeUz3jLiV3viT3QmPHJZNjD8z325v_dywKEjU6nV3WqxDTGqwx3W5oTqMeDEm4UDjV955qjOsuG2lgdeu9w49kNY9GEbZiS8_NC7F4v5pnnqsyFsJLmnDNj27yuRst9rFSG_FdRk/s640/DSCN6238.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Queen Charlotte Track, Marlborough: the track has distance markers...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMoL9XGNhl25I4vZFxJZMOazvFkAKGuzO9bDzmNBWBaNrFN6JtcUUaJc_z1dHcEpd_HXYThjl4WocX_Qt6IUPSUkm4OHqXjnZL4Y5Zub6QvsupBFY9QRqDjgyx1hNYxKzeu7GGpyXq5AQ/s1600/DSCN6330.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMoL9XGNhl25I4vZFxJZMOazvFkAKGuzO9bDzmNBWBaNrFN6JtcUUaJc_z1dHcEpd_HXYThjl4WocX_Qt6IUPSUkm4OHqXjnZL4Y5Zub6QvsupBFY9QRqDjgyx1hNYxKzeu7GGpyXq5AQ/s640/DSCN6330.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Standard DOC track marking on the QCT...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
They also use markers to denote the distance left to the end of the track and the entrance to private tracks & lodges (which are a feature of this walkway) and who have their own style of track marking as well.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxC_pXqLkGsLL-KEBlkJnchOzkzx3bOMmvlD1JO77Hqh3Ju4QJoWj_eFnS1hwjkrIxna_8TGY8gcQye-2JroU6rpDbOU8vMgqKuAO8uR0mw_ed7KeFH4HqE7hBx7MJILKwo4USIcEQuBI/s1600/DSCN6319.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxC_pXqLkGsLL-KEBlkJnchOzkzx3bOMmvlD1JO77Hqh3Ju4QJoWj_eFnS1hwjkrIxna_8TGY8gcQye-2JroU6rpDbOU8vMgqKuAO8uR0mw_ed7KeFH4HqE7hBx7MJILKwo4USIcEQuBI/s640/DSCN6319.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">QCT location marker for Shamrock Ridge</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2KoHPZo2S-YQomYfmdx7ztBBi8RbFO15FgBBs2rc5nI7W_BolCFBL2YozS1I50rMWNCnfRnRXMsyLQ1c6iZFvx7T8-1zCl4VkJw5MwMmUIcPsR6Ai8L-Qr1mpEjGfi0FvpLh-UEaiUGw/s1600/DSCN6241.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2KoHPZo2S-YQomYfmdx7ztBBi8RbFO15FgBBs2rc5nI7W_BolCFBL2YozS1I50rMWNCnfRnRXMsyLQ1c6iZFvx7T8-1zCl4VkJw5MwMmUIcPsR6Ai8L-Qr1mpEjGfi0FvpLh-UEaiUGw/s640/DSCN6241.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Track marker to Madsens Camp, one of the private lodges on the QCT</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
The QCT is probably the most successful of the many private tracks scattered around New Zealand an it is well used especially over the summer period from late September right through to April by both MTB riders and walkers. It is highly likely it will eventually become a Great Walk as it has been considered for that category several times now. </div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Here is a series of other private tracks and samples of their track markers...</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDSpRxeLXyC6aCnqyJe25dx3l6BKsXfd67UkJ-iXAAeVxsSgzqx_UHw6_vSJsIqcYTBXTczEK9aea98zvFSz2g00csItAQakfC9NEFp8HmA0Y4j6aIEobVI-DWFdKFAX-NR6b3CdpiNVg/s1600/OldGhostRoadSign.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="825" data-original-width="1024" height="514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDSpRxeLXyC6aCnqyJe25dx3l6BKsXfd67UkJ-iXAAeVxsSgzqx_UHw6_vSJsIqcYTBXTczEK9aea98zvFSz2g00csItAQakfC9NEFp8HmA0Y4j6aIEobVI-DWFdKFAX-NR6b3CdpiNVg/s640/OldGhostRoadSign.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Old Ghost Road on the West Coast , South Island</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlrAB-LsBP1b7S849fgXZQ7XqvDwjFLzuWfCvD_DzwzMGfrUZ45g3AOr0MnFjWl7jlZqQtMoqXSKh6C4vw4gyhgWT5mBInGPfDEPfjHKbSegZqb7KEIOyI1i5aUYozjHoDAR_aG2bydkM/s1600/HumpRidgeSign.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlrAB-LsBP1b7S849fgXZQ7XqvDwjFLzuWfCvD_DzwzMGfrUZ45g3AOr0MnFjWl7jlZqQtMoqXSKh6C4vw4gyhgWT5mBInGPfDEPfjHKbSegZqb7KEIOyI1i5aUYozjHoDAR_aG2bydkM/s640/HumpRidgeSign.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">The Humpridge Track, Southland</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzZIVQj3RcV9EqrVwMxLd3R10jf-Blc4__wlmcTfcEuovrtAe3ga4Vp9Av4m2LcQVbwrLXY64AcS7ztuNJZnUfAIVZg6JKcLsa_pzF7MY-UT1wwm-6NnGsiO8-Gh6vDB_x_Wa9eSWfFE8/s1600/BanksTrack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="977" data-original-width="1463" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzZIVQj3RcV9EqrVwMxLd3R10jf-Blc4__wlmcTfcEuovrtAe3ga4Vp9Av4m2LcQVbwrLXY64AcS7ztuNJZnUfAIVZg6JKcLsa_pzF7MY-UT1wwm-6NnGsiO8-Gh6vDB_x_Wa9eSWfFE8/s640/BanksTrack.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Banks Track, Banks Peninsula, Canterbury</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFnQLc52MEVw3wejLN3HCQPIUGphrMR226ehiB9Bkbj_Xk7OWziJ8J7WCClMqzwDLA7MycSn8EzYf6cEkFm8EKtZPduu0zS2lNLJmh0ld3TjDrmvl34T_cbQrTPUt79dQbv6Y8HmlGnmI/s1600/Four-PeaksMarker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFnQLc52MEVw3wejLN3HCQPIUGphrMR226ehiB9Bkbj_Xk7OWziJ8J7WCClMqzwDLA7MycSn8EzYf6cEkFm8EKtZPduu0zS2lNLJmh0ld3TjDrmvl34T_cbQrTPUt79dQbv6Y8HmlGnmI/s640/Four-PeaksMarker.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">On Four Peaks Track, South Canterbury</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
As you can see similar methods are used to mark all of these varied tracks. </div>
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<i><br /></i><i>The Te Araroa Trail (TA):</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The <a href="https://www.teararoa.org.nz/">Te Araroa Trail </a>was set up in 2010 as a long distance trail from Cape Reinga in the north to Bluff in the South and is based on the long trails like the Appalachian Trail, PCT and Camino de Santiago. The TA has its own logo and its own style of track marker based on this logo. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL336XJbHf-nSijryt6uJywp4EePF7v1aam90ukx4P6RfhULzV9_sW9hFsyud1sUEE3DRaEnCp8thjFt-0QWlCVCx965FrCCwNhz0Rdl9xXizWBHhTVbRUdb3VtQKso59KweKYBjbwZpc/s1600/TA+finger+sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="412" data-original-width="466" height="564" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL336XJbHf-nSijryt6uJywp4EePF7v1aam90ukx4P6RfhULzV9_sW9hFsyud1sUEE3DRaEnCp8thjFt-0QWlCVCx965FrCCwNhz0Rdl9xXizWBHhTVbRUdb3VtQKso59KweKYBjbwZpc/s640/TA+finger+sign.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">The Te Araroa Trail logo....</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
The Trust has its own style of information panel as seen in the photo below...they look different to DOC signs and have different types of information on them. You will only see these on sections of track developed by the Te Araraoa Trail Trust.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQV5GNukVhGx0ZnDaJu_IiRA5gb2Sdszps9yP5SDs421B7idDNhw8bFbNJWWaXUF3L-V3wccbSYcisTZH-J_0IJSF5YpxlaIy_bqCXmogVKrZEDW504E9jJ4wFg0t0dbhdS7sAYTxnDnQ/s1600/TA+sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="612" data-original-width="816" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQV5GNukVhGx0ZnDaJu_IiRA5gb2Sdszps9yP5SDs421B7idDNhw8bFbNJWWaXUF3L-V3wccbSYcisTZH-J_0IJSF5YpxlaIy_bqCXmogVKrZEDW504E9jJ4wFg0t0dbhdS7sAYTxnDnQ/s640/TA+sign.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Te Araroa Trail information panel near Huntley, Waikato</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Most of the tracks incorporated in the TA are existent DOC tracks strung together but their are some TA specific sections built by and maintained by the Te Araroa Trust.What you will usually see is a TA marker added to existing DOC trail markers, signs and information panels. Here are a couple of examples I have struck while out tramping...</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgheGDERRNXCKlWKntVSDn5Dyz3Qem3EuRyaUUIxOvlCI6pYunxbTzsJx7othZ8rCKC37j1JpoEInu0krGno1mT9Z-D5qa3MRrxPLCiu-NepaX655H9G4ybqgeTRzaaLjz8qiWPqDJKEIg/s1600/TeAraroaSign2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgheGDERRNXCKlWKntVSDn5Dyz3Qem3EuRyaUUIxOvlCI6pYunxbTzsJx7othZ8rCKC37j1JpoEInu0krGno1mT9Z-D5qa3MRrxPLCiu-NepaX655H9G4ybqgeTRzaaLjz8qiWPqDJKEIg/s640/TeAraroaSign2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">The Te Araroa Trust also use DOC orange triangles...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjynWrE4SA0Of8chh2gMEpq-YUgUp2QY6kmvDImDA35P2bBSPSFwO2Kry2jdQ2PXXAy9nNAPiZxS7wI0m2sfIxpUCO-wn_fdjpCJ1QwUs8jry3WiyMbj6dOE76GXDRIx3neuZ3emgEY94/s1600/IMG_2220.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjynWrE4SA0Of8chh2gMEpq-YUgUp2QY6kmvDImDA35P2bBSPSFwO2Kry2jdQ2PXXAy9nNAPiZxS7wI0m2sfIxpUCO-wn_fdjpCJ1QwUs8jry3WiyMbj6dOE76GXDRIx3neuZ3emgEY94/s640/IMG_2220.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Te Araroa Trail logo added to standard DOC signs...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
There are also DOC signs which are specific to the Te Araroa Trail such as this example at Stirling Point which is the southern terminus of the whole Te Araroa Trail. This sign would not exist if not for the TA...</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYI-YGwQdmb_t1zq3wdU6F_o17fa0CRpZp4TwjLQvcENuc1use_x1FMdT3wERbwXZIsA-uD8tgqI7ukM6sS0BzaVj_J7naecKORhJWVgfWHfqOE6eyi84pvQ8aQRVqHMmnxLoqoz4YECw/s1600/20200127_174640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYI-YGwQdmb_t1zq3wdU6F_o17fa0CRpZp4TwjLQvcENuc1use_x1FMdT3wERbwXZIsA-uD8tgqI7ukM6sS0BzaVj_J7naecKORhJWVgfWHfqOE6eyi84pvQ8aQRVqHMmnxLoqoz4YECw/s640/20200127_174640.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Specific Te Araroa Trail sign on a DOC track at Stirling Point, Bluff</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Keep an eye out for signs of the Te Araroa Trail when you are tramping as they are more common than you might expect. </div>
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<i>Private forestry tracks:</i><br />
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Another place you will find track signs and markers are in forestry areas which allow public access...usually near holiday destinations. A good example is the privately owned Hanmer Forest Park in North Canterbury. This is a working forestry area with historic sections of forest criss-crossed with good walking trails from 20 minutes right up to 4 hours.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj48klr98qZsycZe2TaG9Sl8TF2LYZ-9xwv6oRrmq1tnv-3GcLCbEgwZbOISNgWW_N_9FOR_cWmLtvqLKAAqvrLrfwEGUqiUkIauY6JAuDahTVfgYlWuyfG3oSgLWMZD6IWOIPE0Mwx1rM/s1600/IMG_0732.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj48klr98qZsycZe2TaG9Sl8TF2LYZ-9xwv6oRrmq1tnv-3GcLCbEgwZbOISNgWW_N_9FOR_cWmLtvqLKAAqvrLrfwEGUqiUkIauY6JAuDahTVfgYlWuyfG3oSgLWMZD6IWOIPE0Mwx1rM/s640/IMG_0732.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Matariki forestry sign at Hanmer forest</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
The forest is owned by Matariki a subsidiary of the local Maori tribe Ngai Tahu. The Iwi own several parks of this type in Canterbury including Hanmer Forest Park, Bottle Lake Plantation and Balmoral Forest. All of these have tracks the public are allowed to use.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIxO9ZGmNQAbvMT-6dOdiJcyySXFufOjS0WxyshzoR6wv8XPYBNKhf7-ibfCJOYMT0HrhY1L6q6judy2Ra3ceNG4Lsvf_6PGZrBD-4fDWlarg28nHplhyJBwHsnLjZQEiX8hnkbnAJYA4/s1600/IMG_0734.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIxO9ZGmNQAbvMT-6dOdiJcyySXFufOjS0WxyshzoR6wv8XPYBNKhf7-ibfCJOYMT0HrhY1L6q6judy2Ra3ceNG4Lsvf_6PGZrBD-4fDWlarg28nHplhyJBwHsnLjZQEiX8hnkbnAJYA4/s640/IMG_0734.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">The Hanmer Forest signs have their own color palate...</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Forest parks often used the standard DOC track marking system but in the case of Hanmer Forest Matariki have trail signs and markers to their own design. This park uses tree blazes to mark some sections of track and orange and white wooden posts on others.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIjMO8qVseVItC_H6RTdgRPaMSMVY0t3QD_-zdAXrFRyOLTnTJC7IVChyUzZiiLKBHqqkJ24XPIvMPIUyOOLsmoKDBAszc87SV8v5C4wVb0Hlvc7frkEgL9PBq2SXCeOJ7P6AkY6EW5RE/s1600/IMG_0758.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIjMO8qVseVItC_H6RTdgRPaMSMVY0t3QD_-zdAXrFRyOLTnTJC7IVChyUzZiiLKBHqqkJ24XPIvMPIUyOOLsmoKDBAszc87SV8v5C4wVb0Hlvc7frkEgL9PBq2SXCeOJ7P6AkY6EW5RE/s640/IMG_0758.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Hanmer Forest Trails are also marked with red/white poles...</td></tr>
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Bottle Lake Forest Park is a working forest on the northern outskirts of Christchurch owned by Matariki Forestry and the Christchurch City Council. It has a warren of tracks for walking, running, MTB riding and horse trekking and is well known and beloved by the people of Canterbury. They use their own signage and track markers through the forest....</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_SW9joprGDe_NCOgMVb156qizcVs0uoP19PzK-a1hWiO8PYZtrUVlwXDrs6zNAJFS028D9nz0AftOju6Mfx8-iUCju0-4WSXtdexhGDMntJoX1HbhvVSFslzaGNMCHBi6s0UUx18xhZA/s1600/DSCN6117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_SW9joprGDe_NCOgMVb156qizcVs0uoP19PzK-a1hWiO8PYZtrUVlwXDrs6zNAJFS028D9nz0AftOju6Mfx8-iUCju0-4WSXtdexhGDMntJoX1HbhvVSFslzaGNMCHBi6s0UUx18xhZA/s640/DSCN6117.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Map showing track network in Bottle Lake Forest Park...</td></tr>
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They use white plastic trail markers in the forest park with the standard council track signs...a walking/running person, a MTB bike of a horse to denote track type. They also have wooden track signs and larger information panels showing the whole track network.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRPzTGK9sQbqCJ0KMIo8hwEZ3Pp0tDtLQPGpdRIYe44YPBc0wTBdI8qPhDkp0Il49MO7emwrE6bWTKn3WuCnXDcsxL0KgRDr8AexBUyeMGjy0CLjolJh5iG-OgNB4-UawJMTZucF644bU/s1600/DSCN6080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRPzTGK9sQbqCJ0KMIo8hwEZ3Pp0tDtLQPGpdRIYe44YPBc0wTBdI8qPhDkp0Il49MO7emwrE6bWTKn3WuCnXDcsxL0KgRDr8AexBUyeMGjy0CLjolJh5iG-OgNB4-UawJMTZucF644bU/s640/DSCN6080.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Bottle Lake Forest Park: track sign and white plastic markers...</td></tr>
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This is one of my favorite haunts and I am often out here either riding my bike or walking through the forest. One of my fitness walks is to use the Pegasus Walkway track to walk from Waimairi Beach to Spencer Park and back. </div>
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<i><br /></i><i><br /></i><i>Pest control tracks:</i><br />
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It is worth mentioning one other type of track marking you are going to see in the bush..that is pest control line markers. New Zealand is over run with a variety of introduced pest species; rabbits, mice, rats, cats, stouts and possums are just a few of the worst pest species. Because they are introduced they have no predators which means numbers quickly get out of hand. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnMyucPF4po6KevZcRNkzXgHmetPAFvVjwN_01PiD13lXBMZV8mML0dnQjv_s47E0wLXo2uxoV3JjEWWCqGZ-xI3g04paptwYjxHdvtwTFYOz7hkqLd5nb4xNwiyg452O0pt3T9I2XwLE/s1600/DSCN0039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnMyucPF4po6KevZcRNkzXgHmetPAFvVjwN_01PiD13lXBMZV8mML0dnQjv_s47E0wLXo2uxoV3JjEWWCqGZ-xI3g04paptwYjxHdvtwTFYOz7hkqLd5nb4xNwiyg452O0pt3T9I2XwLE/s640/DSCN0039.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Possums are a major pest species in New Zealand</td></tr>
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Every backcountry area in New Zealand will have an ongoing pest control plan which will include poison air drops, trap lines and in some cases contract shooters. These pest lines are usually marked by different colored triangles (red/blue/white/pink/yellow) and or colored nylon tape to show the route of the trap line. These type of tracks are used by DOC, NGO's and private groups.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgySWaolsg9HtWlHO2iyQd6kbRr2O7W7rZAyD_qk9GRQxS0H7Zj9OG7HC3Lzsm7MEOu_1tL3U-WeTbqqRKIrILjKCCLOSg8kOR-pdvk0dWQt7aXb7roKM4L0aeK3HT0eMEqWUx7PvAQ6TY/s1600/YellowMarker.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1226" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgySWaolsg9HtWlHO2iyQd6kbRr2O7W7rZAyD_qk9GRQxS0H7Zj9OG7HC3Lzsm7MEOu_1tL3U-WeTbqqRKIrILjKCCLOSg8kOR-pdvk0dWQt7aXb7roKM4L0aeK3HT0eMEqWUx7PvAQ6TY/s400/YellowMarker.jpeg" width="382" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">A yellow track marker for trap lines...</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: left;">You should never follow any of these markers when you are out in the bush as they usually head into the roughest, most dense bush you can imagine.</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBdBb1VqDiiTaHXRThZt0Q_pUvDVBY7B18EJSuexhVw1aMfIQ9HiDnp9QoHCFyErZKNCcJ521DNLX-gAXVgfZp7dYLCDuwioyHjtITibwAXxCldYxHweES9tPYpN9UQbo43AC3mmnI9aw/s1600/IMG_2112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBdBb1VqDiiTaHXRThZt0Q_pUvDVBY7B18EJSuexhVw1aMfIQ9HiDnp9QoHCFyErZKNCcJ521DNLX-gAXVgfZp7dYLCDuwioyHjtITibwAXxCldYxHweES9tPYpN9UQbo43AC3mmnI9aw/s640/IMG_2112.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Pink triangle indicates a trap line at Lake Rotoiti, Nelson Lakes NP</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdxqwmkBlXpIxeb46E3QJFo2y7EOiEPUPkkm5DH6g5lZ_KZRSrtug53XnRxkOSQQEa8FYe7RPl5Fqb7qc1noCwkn38yPr944DW6wwEN32Y-RHYwFCUbbtCHGgqnLDJk-tWwvvxMIZtn7c/s1600/Traplines1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdxqwmkBlXpIxeb46E3QJFo2y7EOiEPUPkkm5DH6g5lZ_KZRSrtug53XnRxkOSQQEa8FYe7RPl5Fqb7qc1noCwkn38yPr944DW6wwEN32Y-RHYwFCUbbtCHGgqnLDJk-tWwvvxMIZtn7c/s640/Traplines1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">The pink triangles lead to a bait station off the track...</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj5fbBxYtOYcU6fuK5i_mHzuuTNKwnfM1gFI_OKcVHynIwdCVmGsFOfTpyJdeEaC8Gj-w5hoF9mjNKA9xCIwMG-NPG3L4X2qy5W7BwojVzD4Zvvms23NmbjoQhfJGHMFZg7VPMI5tWbMxY/s1600/IMG_4487.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj5fbBxYtOYcU6fuK5i_mHzuuTNKwnfM1gFI_OKcVHynIwdCVmGsFOfTpyJdeEaC8Gj-w5hoF9mjNKA9xCIwMG-NPG3L4X2qy5W7BwojVzD4Zvvms23NmbjoQhfJGHMFZg7VPMI5tWbMxY/s640/IMG_4487.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Track side markers will often show the location of traps...</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCumaDaYGSNzAIq6NG-9I0bQ7Q4kRhvG3xwRfE8a2p7Ak2zPts6QkDdWZta1aGm0zkWkxdqYkIfODIASOyTUxatJ8H2HGTtubR_a6ckOmCFVfqeltE1ybdV0mk-2bgjWNBJgH4h16MsrgX/s1600/IMG_4488.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCumaDaYGSNzAIq6NG-9I0bQ7Q4kRhvG3xwRfE8a2p7Ak2zPts6QkDdWZta1aGm0zkWkxdqYkIfODIASOyTUxatJ8H2HGTtubR_a6ckOmCFVfqeltE1ybdV0mk-2bgjWNBJgH4h16MsrgX/s640/IMG_4488.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the new gas operated pest traps on the Abel Tasman Coast Track</td></tr>
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These different marker colors are also used for other tasks such as marking tracks to bio diversity sites, newly completed tracks or as a route to a DOC staff hut or other type of infrastructure.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuQ9oEfEOFWuWPzD8OeKPsOy8xHm-fb2iW5iNtXZnj6ZBbQ5cVLSICrnxhT__RVCWvC3xfkjozG8SGv8ezE6FTTHK3zFmQp-n-o9YVqGwUHDIlR7TCDOrAHXvsYeZUtHUTbZ7s5AtekjE/s1600/IMG_3169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuQ9oEfEOFWuWPzD8OeKPsOy8xHm-fb2iW5iNtXZnj6ZBbQ5cVLSICrnxhT__RVCWvC3xfkjozG8SGv8ezE6FTTHK3zFmQp-n-o9YVqGwUHDIlR7TCDOrAHXvsYeZUtHUTbZ7s5AtekjE/s640/IMG_3169.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Different color track markers sometimes denote biodiversity huts...</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
These tracks are made by people who spend a lot of time in the outdoors and who have good bush navigation skills. Trying to follow one of their poorly marked tracks is probably a damn fine way of getting yourself irretrievably lost!</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5uKZxbFi4WNN36wHxYYsKR1N6KuxqhS3F75jXOF5shCs-V3dJn_VkREi5o0qs5crWtwNo8vvx42Das02zezoFOYXhZ9-wwxyVrIoZ8PGzktObJuOvf8cXRcrEunX7YUKRjuW-aJmcwpA/s1600/DSCN0042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5uKZxbFi4WNN36wHxYYsKR1N6KuxqhS3F75jXOF5shCs-V3dJn_VkREi5o0qs5crWtwNo8vvx42Das02zezoFOYXhZ9-wwxyVrIoZ8PGzktObJuOvf8cXRcrEunX7YUKRjuW-aJmcwpA/s640/DSCN0042.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Georgia checking a DOC trap at Parkinson's Scenic Reserve, Kaituna Pass, Banks Peninsula</td></tr>
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So there is a short potted history of track marking in New Zealand...Im sure I have forgotten to mention something but I will add it to the post if it occurs to me. Have a look at the track marking along the next track you happen to be walking along and see how effective they are in keeping you on the right course. </div>
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Follow the orange markers folks.....</div>
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Jon Moakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14620417636121034748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2664594284381405400.post-22824881716162229732020-05-19T21:32:00.001-07:002020-07-08T13:30:41.981-07:00DOC Intentions Books: What they are and why you should fill them out...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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A source of information for the tramper, SAR and DOC</h2>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
One thing you will find in every back country hut in New Zealand is the ubiquitous green and gold intentions book. They are supplied by the Department of Conservation and are there to impart useful information to trampers and to record the passage of anyone who has stayed at or visited that hut. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo9ypGr93A1xdxLUDEuZe3lAMt4OiLNAxJa1Kn5VKsPQ-FRyn9Ku-2Daek8AyChZlKoaFPGQpCMlvdtGq97ih2rcE9rQH2ecBUHTpmKRN3DxT29ctU2Gonui1yXRKB3461nJUuaRwcSCU/s1600/HutBook1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo9ypGr93A1xdxLUDEuZe3lAMt4OiLNAxJa1Kn5VKsPQ-FRyn9Ku-2Daek8AyChZlKoaFPGQpCMlvdtGq97ih2rcE9rQH2ecBUHTpmKRN3DxT29ctU2Gonui1yXRKB3461nJUuaRwcSCU/s640/HutBook1.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Cover of the ubiquitous back-country hut intentions book</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
The front of the book has pages of excellent general tramping information covering a broad range of topics This is followed by a number of pre-formatted pages where you can add you name, date of arrival, hut payment method, home location and intended movements once you leave the hut.<br />
<br />
Every solo tramper or a designated member of any group should be filling in these details at each and every back country hut they are visiting. </div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7KqB63lczRuAWeZtB3TX0rK0pVQDgEZ3cLBkhdzYyDm7MzGlQFwr4vVP8VwdTL5uJ6aE3DA9cr-5fIbMGJi3CMoJVasjznr7dLRao2en6yXnRRKskaNaDy_ZQ4ovAKzTERZac4fvPwpc/s1600/DSCN0076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7KqB63lczRuAWeZtB3TX0rK0pVQDgEZ3cLBkhdzYyDm7MzGlQFwr4vVP8VwdTL5uJ6aE3DA9cr-5fIbMGJi3CMoJVasjznr7dLRao2en6yXnRRKskaNaDy_ZQ4ovAKzTERZac4fvPwpc/s640/DSCN0076.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Typical entries in a DOC Intentions Book, Kahikatea Shelter, Pelorous Bridge</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
You will often find the intentions book sitting on the dining table in the hut but they can also be found in specially built book holders on a convenient wall, bunk or flat surface. They usually have a pen attached or close to the book but you should always carry your own pen for writing messages in an emergency. </div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1iScMPaeTJj8jvDJhgIReFSadcNXA4zx7XSLdrmB9cMhFNzQWP8JtbpXlu-WD3zoAEvd1mdbrfYb5vsJQCQ0bK1rojKwwnSqDlYRXBYlzZ50y2vMu1M5WCuTD5FmyVhG-B6i7AlBuc88/s1600/DSCN0303.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1iScMPaeTJj8jvDJhgIReFSadcNXA4zx7XSLdrmB9cMhFNzQWP8JtbpXlu-WD3zoAEvd1mdbrfYb5vsJQCQ0bK1rojKwwnSqDlYRXBYlzZ50y2vMu1M5WCuTD5FmyVhG-B6i7AlBuc88/s640/DSCN0303.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">In Lakehead hut, Nelson Lakes National Park...note hut book holder...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQIXQD6hUWbxKdBzCrXJ9PjxYXRPz_MHcCeKSI71Wfv0M5L23B6U1TtCLg5jq8xvSeFm60ac5FEa28OT5UJ6VJzJ3jEUzUQbSug1-uvKzkwLCQuHaFawv_MCzwaJcsrHXhqdx9xHwbQSY/s1600/DSCN0254.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQIXQD6hUWbxKdBzCrXJ9PjxYXRPz_MHcCeKSI71Wfv0M5L23B6U1TtCLg5jq8xvSeFm60ac5FEa28OT5UJ6VJzJ3jEUzUQbSug1-uvKzkwLCQuHaFawv_MCzwaJcsrHXhqdx9xHwbQSY/s640/DSCN0254.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">..a more elaborate intentions book holder in Bark Bay Hut, Abel Tasman NP...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Reading the entries in the intentions book is one of the stand out pleasures I get when staying in a hut...you will read stories of raging rivers crossed, mountain peaks conquered, bush bashed, new routes discovered, epic meals consumed, adventures long dreamed of finally completed. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
If you are a keen tramper like me you will get to recognize some of the names...legendary names like Spearpoint, Barnett, Potton, Ledbrook and Salisbury but also others less well known. You will also see tramping clubs, walking clubs, people you work with or might have once met in some tramping hut. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
There is almost always something interesting and or relevant to be gleamed from the pages. </div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKbbMN4QR_9psqcfpfM3Q3XUFT1_pNK_u5Fm410XBGZDp89l4LR1u_7-Twav7vuJth7DwdOutVIlEF0D-7ru0q26I6qVir2g0LVERyrAcdBVZb50aujqE7jzAcXkgLUb27J5987Bw3G3s/s1600/DSCN0259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKbbMN4QR_9psqcfpfM3Q3XUFT1_pNK_u5Fm410XBGZDp89l4LR1u_7-Twav7vuJth7DwdOutVIlEF0D-7ru0q26I6qVir2g0LVERyrAcdBVZb50aujqE7jzAcXkgLUb27J5987Bw3G3s/s640/DSCN0259.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Hut book open in John Tait Hut ready for Jon to complete...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Lets have a look at this icon of the back country hut and see what information it can impart to us. </div>
<br />
<br />
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
What information will I find in an intentions book</h4>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The DOC intentions book is jammed full of valuable information for the novice and experienced tramper alike and it is well worth taking time to read the first ten pages of the book the next time you are at a hut.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVyfXBcd4ZcbcjNPqH2UB5XnQpZmGRQ52-aCIQg2K5LEjeWCJ16aqI7A1veX0k1b2B_6QASZ4qJTwyOSETqsU7dno_Jb1Ejddnw6ZezQZZEbEMon5iv8wA18Hwotr83TqtRFN7Qjvz8fU/s1600/IMG_1576.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVyfXBcd4ZcbcjNPqH2UB5XnQpZmGRQ52-aCIQg2K5LEjeWCJ16aqI7A1veX0k1b2B_6QASZ4qJTwyOSETqsU7dno_Jb1Ejddnw6ZezQZZEbEMon5iv8wA18Hwotr83TqtRFN7Qjvz8fU/s640/IMG_1576.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">The hut intentions book on a table in Rod Donald Hut, Banks Peninsula</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I thought it might be useful to break the information down and look at the contents in the front of the book on a page by page basis. Let us take a typical hut intentions book say from Mangetepopo Hut in Tongariro National Park and look at that information....</div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpNM7_D6BENRIca_XDf-t4cPfZJyB8S0ziqAuecAWCNPHFiXiOduoRu8h6mFzIwSAXrMy4D0yL-AxemyluQC9LHank0wjSoVWXW21DSY0BphddgSJgXTIk0DWl9Vptw8ffB6LhubS-QLE/s1600/HutBook3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpNM7_D6BENRIca_XDf-t4cPfZJyB8S0ziqAuecAWCNPHFiXiOduoRu8h6mFzIwSAXrMy4D0yL-AxemyluQC9LHank0wjSoVWXW21DSY0BphddgSJgXTIk0DWl9Vptw8ffB6LhubS-QLE/s640/HutBook3.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Hut intentions book: front page and hut details...Mangatepopo Hut</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h4 style="text-align: center;">
</h4>
<h4 style="text-align: center;">
Headings covered in the front of a DOC intentions book</h4>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Each of the pages has a different heading, the first heading is.....</div>
<br />
<i><br /></i><i>Hut Users Guide</i><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
These are general recommendations on proper behavior and good etiquette in and around back country huts. This includes making space for newcomers, not taking more space than required, not moving another trampers gear, conserving firewood, cleaning huts before you go etc. etc.<br />
<br />
Huts are a communal space & tramping is a communal activity but modern society is anything but communal. The modern world is programmed for self gratification so people can often be selfish and have little thought or sympathy for those around them.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1zBjuI6CbYRrjrxjnq2ulO9Uei838IW6xeAfdRwrZbYgyXxm0N_GCXaMhzu9t2IgSxKja2Al8P79YP0j7JnqHVsWFuwu032f2pmckAGqX4sgR_oTbE64gM1uMpEsuQXfW1EMvoGdT66U/s1600/IMG_2891.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1zBjuI6CbYRrjrxjnq2ulO9Uei838IW6xeAfdRwrZbYgyXxm0N_GCXaMhzu9t2IgSxKja2Al8P79YP0j7JnqHVsWFuwu032f2pmckAGqX4sgR_oTbE64gM1uMpEsuQXfW1EMvoGdT66U/s640/IMG_2891.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Tramping involves an awful lot of communal living....</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Most of this should not need explanation to any tramper but as I have seen recently people need to be educated. This stuff is second nature to people who have spent time in the military or emergency services if they come from a big family or have attended a boarding school or halls of residence.<br />
<br />
I personally feel the old trampers ethos of mutually supportive self sufficiency is eroding....trampers, hunters and climbers used to get along well in the confines of a hut. I see increasing tension and more selfish behavior... I think it is directly related to the growing numbers using the back-country hut system.<br />
<br />
More crowded conditions = more aggro = less enjoyable tramping!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1j_CuwqSQ4PBxH_0C_2rhFyDAXtkex2Gn4doYGztBQjmeOr3ZTTvi_cKQvo3rkTPMdGWtFn_-rNL2S7lJU3iCEipb_2K-_qKoiajIKKcVVkRiLN92XRPo9YcVHbu4vYbUoL04z2AiHDs/s1600/HutBook4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1j_CuwqSQ4PBxH_0C_2rhFyDAXtkex2Gn4doYGztBQjmeOr3ZTTvi_cKQvo3rkTPMdGWtFn_-rNL2S7lJU3iCEipb_2K-_qKoiajIKKcVVkRiLN92XRPo9YcVHbu4vYbUoL04z2AiHDs/s640/HutBook4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Hut intentions book: the hut users code....</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The basic tenet for happy hut life should always be...show kindness and consideration to those around you...</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<i>What to do in an emergency:</i><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
This page contains some basic information about immediate actions you should consider in the event of an emergency. There is a list of emergency service phone numbers, advice on activating a PLB and the information you need to provide to SAR/DOC/Police if you manage to contact them and can pas this information on.</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU2KS3Hq3_fTX3NvSIfiRc9I2GsqmranBbVsKKxggyUcphxjrhYOjwo2v7bt6nkr-1c0FZi77LApI2Pky3NaxJfnT6hw0PaU8uDng50rZz0_Tu2W92nJyfOTm0Kubp6GycgfDvn88wZHc/s1600/HutBook5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU2KS3Hq3_fTX3NvSIfiRc9I2GsqmranBbVsKKxggyUcphxjrhYOjwo2v7bt6nkr-1c0FZi77LApI2Pky3NaxJfnT6hw0PaU8uDng50rZz0_Tu2W92nJyfOTm0Kubp6GycgfDvn88wZHc/s640/HutBook5.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Hut intentions book: Emergency information</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This stuff is vital and is probably some of the most important information provided in the intentions book...</div>
<br />
<br />
<i>Don't get sick/Look after the environment(Leave no trace):</i><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
This is general health and hygiene information for outdoor enthusiasts...not everyone knows how to keep themselves healthy in a communal outdoor situation. We are having increasing problems with gastrointestinal viruses at huts...Norovirus and Salmonella are two of the worst. A few key points;</div>
<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>wash your hands regularly and thoroughly</li>
<li>keep human waste out of the water table</li>
<li>use outside sinks for washing/cleaning your teeth. </li>
<li>Indoor sinks for food preparation, dish washing only</li>
<li>treat drinking water if recommended or required</li>
<li>if you get sick take steps to minimise the spread of germs</li>
<li>inform the authorities if there is a widespread outbreak of sickness</li>
</ul>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Ar8cJRVNTOAmj4qm5ruH34DmXJuxGHo3KE4BoZ5jCMWp-ImUOGoFEdblipuV8BpbuDQaKxdtfazQ4OEB0n-Sp8SuzcBommjbc-5giFuVmLeB-aibDYfEvq-DaxLGdu5tojVHwQvrT1s/s1600/HutBook6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Ar8cJRVNTOAmj4qm5ruH34DmXJuxGHo3KE4BoZ5jCMWp-ImUOGoFEdblipuV8BpbuDQaKxdtfazQ4OEB0n-Sp8SuzcBommjbc-5giFuVmLeB-aibDYfEvq-DaxLGdu5tojVHwQvrT1s/s640/HutBook6.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Hut intentions book: LNT Leave No Trace information</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
When they talk about looking after the environment they are talking about <a href="https://nzbushadventures.blogspot.com/2018/06/tramping-theory-folowing-leave-no-trace.html">Leave No Trace</a> (LNT) principles. The seven LNT principles are intended to minimise your impact on the outdoor environment...they are;</div>
<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Plan ahead and prepare</li>
<li>Travel and camp on durable surfaces</li>
<li>Dispose of waste properly</li>
<li>Leave what you find</li>
<li>Minimise the effects of fire</li>
<li>Respect wildlife and farm animals</li>
<li>Be considerate of others</li>
</ul>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
You should always try to minimise your environmental impact...remember....take only photos, leave only footprints!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRlDqCKczW5GUXVlfAKJzMOyN3GH5gZKEtQzK2gdX9o50mGdh0biMkjrjO3PnXnQfAaCMIOCRbyGI8DDvwGMWfGzAuOTEZunjF9xC7rvgWFzFBCs2CX8WVBXNgrgNlxl59Exex3Uzq9pY/s1600/LNTLogo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="590" data-original-width="1000" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRlDqCKczW5GUXVlfAKJzMOyN3GH5gZKEtQzK2gdX9o50mGdh0biMkjrjO3PnXnQfAaCMIOCRbyGI8DDvwGMWfGzAuOTEZunjF9xC7rvgWFzFBCs2CX8WVBXNgrgNlxl59Exex3Uzq9pY/s320/LNTLogo.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<i>General Survival Information</i><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
There are a couple of pages of general survival information that can help to keep you safe when you are out exploring the outdoors. The first two are about hypothermia and navigation. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Hypothermia</b> is one of the most dangerous health concerns when tramping...it is an over cooling of the body's core temperature which can lead to lethargy, irrational thought patterns, physical collapse and ultimately death. It is not as prevalent as it used to be due to advances in tramping clothing BUT there are still several deaths a year from hypothermia.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDG9Q3Gq-MMcScN1gJws1xEA7ApYeWwhY16V7AOITiYRf3ALBtbsy-KoCjwR88u-pwUXF0zLTIrd1dhjiXXdvTZniyOTBBNXp3c6Mx880wFQC_0JYLoNl_xJkdMuTcIg_2VLEBfwZuc6E/s1600/hypothermia-new-zealand-mountain-safety-council.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="354" data-original-width="500" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDG9Q3Gq-MMcScN1gJws1xEA7ApYeWwhY16V7AOITiYRf3ALBtbsy-KoCjwR88u-pwUXF0zLTIrd1dhjiXXdvTZniyOTBBNXp3c6Mx880wFQC_0JYLoNl_xJkdMuTcIg_2VLEBfwZuc6E/s400/hypothermia-new-zealand-mountain-safety-council.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Hypothermia is a silent killer here in New Zealand...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
It can happen to anyone..I have personally had very mild hypothermia a couple of times over the years...you often don't realise you have hypothermia when it is happening to you. This is because one of the symptoms is dis-associative behavior i.e. you are acting out of character but do not realise you are.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimwenx6to8wI1_2TJDsybLZCAnbYXnhYqPhGTGT0cDixF6cA2oqxryTcFSdryML_46dJ4yiS9-pdwpLWMDcpzxdUy31ZVT-ASnmQ2Gngy8feTyWrymPxKqtGhSNUqf_vincgp3D1aV0fk/s1600/HYPOTHERMIA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimwenx6to8wI1_2TJDsybLZCAnbYXnhYqPhGTGT0cDixF6cA2oqxryTcFSdryML_46dJ4yiS9-pdwpLWMDcpzxdUy31ZVT-ASnmQ2Gngy8feTyWrymPxKqtGhSNUqf_vincgp3D1aV0fk/s640/HYPOTHERMIA.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Cold, wet and windy conditions contribute to hypothermia...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
On my recent tramp on the Routeburn track last December we had several people in the mid stages of hypothermia at Howdon Hut. It was perfect weather for it...cold, windy, heavy rain and people woefully ill prepared to be out in those conditions. Luckily some of us old timer trampers recognised the symptoms and took action to assist the people affected. I actually had my PLB out at one stage as one woman was looking really unwell but she recovered with warm clothes, some food and a couple of hours of rest.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0jzMckPUmexEqpfs3V3jFO4r9GL04UQLsZDmJJFT7lAx2oLGrgC61ZO7OeCpRTOqiz4uyKbvycsie5PKvqITTI3MTwvSXcAS0c5kQm40BZKbS5K4CI-AW8FrmEq7UKWPvFgq0LQOwRHs/s1600/IMG_2333.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0jzMckPUmexEqpfs3V3jFO4r9GL04UQLsZDmJJFT7lAx2oLGrgC61ZO7OeCpRTOqiz4uyKbvycsie5PKvqITTI3MTwvSXcAS0c5kQm40BZKbS5K4CI-AW8FrmEq7UKWPvFgq0LQOwRHs/s640/IMG_2333.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Awful weather on the Routeburn Track in December 2019...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You need to know the signs of hypothermia and how to deal with it effectively both for your sake and for those around you. The hut book is a good start but read some general tramping manuals, books on outdoor medicine, look for authoritative online information and keep yourself and your tramping buddies safe. </div>
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<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX0933yKvVVVGyMFwE0OmodwAiT1x5sajyZ6BrKy2iTqIjz73DggPjob5VTsq4EBfgngW4HR-p9hb6mDijdBU8piFthe8aqukOb9WTHYVHWMZsnmEr_JyMI-g_1_EKd47XO-Qt8GmfxXQ/s1600/HutBook7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX0933yKvVVVGyMFwE0OmodwAiT1x5sajyZ6BrKy2iTqIjz73DggPjob5VTsq4EBfgngW4HR-p9hb6mDijdBU8piFthe8aqukOb9WTHYVHWMZsnmEr_JyMI-g_1_EKd47XO-Qt8GmfxXQ/s640/HutBook7.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Hut intentions book: survival information</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The information about <b>navigation</b> is not so much how to as how to avoid making navigation errors. Basically it is important to always be in the here and now i.e keep your mind on the task at hand...stay together if in a group, regroup on a regular basis, think before you act, consider the results of your actions and do not let outside distractions lead you from the righteous path...hallelujah brothers and sisters!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBIhz-CzxycksfyUuYwx1b2IGzr7Vwt-AlVkb1VLOpQ4DKoCdYrfEZyu5LYBcvBIJzoJ0xhxfL6apb1AbKAuTRXd20WHZsm8lKyrdPGv1EQ-tMiKJGWQhvidIM3Nez84Cwn_lN_sMaULo/s1600/IMG_1131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBIhz-CzxycksfyUuYwx1b2IGzr7Vwt-AlVkb1VLOpQ4DKoCdYrfEZyu5LYBcvBIJzoJ0xhxfL6apb1AbKAuTRXd20WHZsm8lKyrdPGv1EQ-tMiKJGWQhvidIM3Nez84Cwn_lN_sMaULo/s640/IMG_1131.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Stay together when tramping in a group......</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The second two topics are about <b>weather</b> and <b>river crossings</b>....if you are new to this country be aware that we can have warm sunny conditions in the morning and be in the middle of a raging beast of a storm by 12 noon! We have a oceanic environment so our weather is unpredictable, fickle and changes in a heartbeat. Keep up to date with weather forecasts, know how to identify different weather conditions and be prepared for all eventualities with good clothing and appropriate outdoor skills.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjogvFnB4CbtoFC2VXpQ3sDJs6fUxCSS6Xfui8TgpVs-4YcUvaR71YywZvI9G7ao_hhoNupGiAhh8F_l1-353y1DhrcGq2uNBsl8xPvjsyFj3S2ZEiUHiU48ppqSpNVRJpC-kDYh4QV3XI/s1600/HutBook8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjogvFnB4CbtoFC2VXpQ3sDJs6fUxCSS6Xfui8TgpVs-4YcUvaR71YywZvI9G7ao_hhoNupGiAhh8F_l1-353y1DhrcGq2uNBsl8xPvjsyFj3S2ZEiUHiU48ppqSpNVRJpC-kDYh4QV3XI/s640/HutBook8.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Hut intentions book: outdoor safety information</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://nzbushadventures.blogspot.com/2017/03/tramping-skills-river-crossing.html">River crossing is a vital skill</a> in New Zealand as we are surrounded by potentially dangerous lakes, rivers and the oceans. So many people drowned in colonial times that it was known as the "New Zealand Death" !!! Even now with our modern gear and vastly better water skills people are constantly dying crossing waterways...point of illustration...six people have already drowned in tramping accidents since January 2020.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMk1FgxTXWNZhc6IP4qTirJT0jeS7w_dKudj7PpAmRxQWpmyK46K-1CAmyKusspJQOYuHB9JHiWRE0SujAcdSkghyTmm4vnteLrXrWw7l6W4WTKg31L5PEdQcGYmrl-5XviKUfOryt4Sk/s1600/IMG_1122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMk1FgxTXWNZhc6IP4qTirJT0jeS7w_dKudj7PpAmRxQWpmyK46K-1CAmyKusspJQOYuHB9JHiWRE0SujAcdSkghyTmm4vnteLrXrWw7l6W4WTKg31L5PEdQcGYmrl-5XviKUfOryt4Sk/s640/IMG_1122.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Stop, look, think...is this river safe to cross!!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The information in the intentions book is a very condensed version...the best thing you can do is to take an approved river crossing course with experienced instructors. You also gain experience as you tramp...I have been tramping for more than 20 years and I am still learning new river crossing skills all the time.<br />
Key points here are:<br />
<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li style="text-align: left;">Always scout possible river crossing points before entering the water</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Ensure that your exit from the opposite side of the river will be smooth and safe</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Never cross a river solo if you can cross as part of a group.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">If you must cross solo use a stout branch as a crossing aid</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Do not cross a river if it is flowing faster than walking pace, is discolored or you can hear debris rolling along the bottom </li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Do not cross a flooded river.</li>
</ul>
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrzP01QUeKih8lQkRFSt0wDJROJBwc0nShdTOxWVcrCuRuctyTsJM7jl3VoXJloPSJkyxmceHpQoGAQCyKAWkKV5nx3mFi2FeR1dt07nobz0DJvcOi7nnlIhJr6oERVTKB8EdXBaNmtCg/s1600/DSCN4324.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrzP01QUeKih8lQkRFSt0wDJROJBwc0nShdTOxWVcrCuRuctyTsJM7jl3VoXJloPSJkyxmceHpQoGAQCyKAWkKV5nx3mFi2FeR1dt07nobz0DJvcOi7nnlIhJr6oERVTKB8EdXBaNmtCg/s640/DSCN4324.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Never cross a fast flowing, discolored and swollen river...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
If there is any doubt around crossing a river DONT...find a better crossing place or wait for better conditions.<br />
<br />
Always ask...do I need to cross that river???</div>
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<br />
<i>What goes wrong/Prevent accidents occurring</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
A good way to enhance your safety outdoors is to cultivate an interest in the stories of those who have come to grief. You often find that outdoor accidents are repetitive...they happen in the same location or the injury has happened to many different people. If you learn about the way other trampers have injured themselves you can adjust your own behaviour to avoid the same result.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidtuBAfkAS3izVJ5IRknGoD-gd6m21kxwDMP9fPcVOvGHR3gXThiUK08ihbtzx-WgMDI0VBmhfbuoKULOEh1Y1nmOCNNQiBqc5G_OetCKy3zpt57xq5Ew0EG-J5wdJVbdVlcHFUkMFhWg/s1600/HutBook9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidtuBAfkAS3izVJ5IRknGoD-gd6m21kxwDMP9fPcVOvGHR3gXThiUK08ihbtzx-WgMDI0VBmhfbuoKULOEh1Y1nmOCNNQiBqc5G_OetCKy3zpt57xq5Ew0EG-J5wdJVbdVlcHFUkMFhWg/s640/HutBook9.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Hut intentions book: consider </span>outdoor<span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> accident information</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Good sources of information about outdoor accidents abound...the Mountain Safety Council or <a href="https://www.mountainsafety.org.nz/"> MSC</a> publish regular reports on the accidents that occur in the New Zealand outdoors. You can also find discussions about outdoor accidents in the FMC journal <i><a href="https://www.fmc.org.nz/backcountry/">Backcountry</a> </i>as they have a regular column on this topic called Backcountry Accidents.<br />
<br />
An excellent book about this subject is <i>High Misadventures: New Zealand mountaineering tragedies and survival stories</i> by Paul Hersey.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgIloQtDa97fHH1MltMOIgaEm8EsUO0ilYjEyi9b9M5FnoeFWTRNmMPzvTzYAzeCsaQHQRNMTpzl3g2NG-S-CjUeiJo0NlpNAqQdBCzdTmfysKvbdaxuLskgmDgp1lkhN_MoSrJJ8C60M/s1600/TeAraroa.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="686" data-original-width="517" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgIloQtDa97fHH1MltMOIgaEm8EsUO0ilYjEyi9b9M5FnoeFWTRNmMPzvTzYAzeCsaQHQRNMTpzl3g2NG-S-CjUeiJo0NlpNAqQdBCzdTmfysKvbdaxuLskgmDgp1lkhN_MoSrJJ8C60M/s640/TeAraroa.PNG" width="482" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><i>Backcountry</i> has a regular column about outdoor accidents...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I just did a quick search of our library catalogue and we have over 20 books on the subject...other libraries will have similar numbers. </div>
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<br />
<i>The outdoor safety code</i><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
The <a href="https://www.mountainsafety.org.nz/resources/outdoor-safety-code/">outdoor safety code</a> is a New Zealand specific list of steps you should take before undertaking any trip to the back-country. Following these steps can help to keep you safe, healthy and happy while tramping.<br />
<br />
The 5 key points are:</div>
<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Plan your trip</li>
<li>Tell someone your plans</li>
<li>Be aware of the weather</li>
<li>Know your limits</li>
<li>Take sufficient supplies</li>
</ul>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Follow these steps every time you go out tramping to help get you home safe....</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLiklRs7p6IYE4qkdIZDKqiFFq2UXGwXe98gwN2Izmn7RPoBY33KtTr5raqzAhlGA-va_PtZZmDH9l-ULyaRgfkqK4FzcOziSC8HyEODmUwyRWvsv3wPQX9DO0xHDiF8KdXJI97jDCHO8/s1600/HutBook10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLiklRs7p6IYE4qkdIZDKqiFFq2UXGwXe98gwN2Izmn7RPoBY33KtTr5raqzAhlGA-va_PtZZmDH9l-ULyaRgfkqK4FzcOziSC8HyEODmUwyRWvsv3wPQX9DO0xHDiF8KdXJI97jDCHO8/s640/HutBook10.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Hut intentions book: the </span>outdoor<span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> safety code</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH5SVbGblLIQmxM07li69FTWK3aTiGkkaRFhVLE3TT3xW0s-zSa3Ts2p8C0u9KgZBRwEWPZUPYzkip7iLy6gQzfibuSqDFoXQZ_uzs1wJjD89SlLkceJkWFhMYHVTYkIgcDc-Olism-1U/s1600/IMHutBook11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH5SVbGblLIQmxM07li69FTWK3aTiGkkaRFhVLE3TT3xW0s-zSa3Ts2p8C0u9KgZBRwEWPZUPYzkip7iLy6gQzfibuSqDFoXQZ_uzs1wJjD89SlLkceJkWFhMYHVTYkIgcDc-Olism-1U/s640/IMHutBook11.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Hut intentions book: how to make it home.....</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Lastly there is a list of important emergency numbers on the inside cover of every hut book...if you have cell reception use these numbers to contact DOC/SAR/Police. </div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFRSCUfG7JhdgQdxZpTDse-MlDJy9ak7z9eK-iMsJ9mp5YjURsLhLelzq1WZQMHzXSBUxCkfA52gqGZPLk-mcFwhJFnj-Qt7Bpy5KsAJ6R-5Qo39p2LGkwZplQpi6gIdxsKIxOP-uEvIc/s1600/HutBook12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFRSCUfG7JhdgQdxZpTDse-MlDJy9ak7z9eK-iMsJ9mp5YjURsLhLelzq1WZQMHzXSBUxCkfA52gqGZPLk-mcFwhJFnj-Qt7Bpy5KsAJ6R-5Qo39p2LGkwZplQpi6gIdxsKIxOP-uEvIc/s640/HutBook12.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Hut intentions book: useful phone numbers/email addresses</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Note: If you arrive at a hut and find the intentions book is full please let the closest DOC office know so they can replace them. I often stop at local DOC offices and ask if they need one taken to a hut on my intended route. They appreciate the help....</div>
<br />
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
Why it is important to fill in your personal details</h4>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The actual purpose of the intentions book is as a guide to SAR/DOC if you become lost and to gather generalized information about who is staying in that particular hut. It has never and will never be used to try to track down people who have not paid their hut fees. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain by filling out the intentions book...<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJVtH7BQHvpuzc-uqIOxGHvZBkTeyGQU4J2CTqsXW7VVNwD6qGSbfdREEkJgLhpnaoS03NTpEquwjUrzVRRLCaqX5ldkVk3Ni8nBm9O1gSJx6ufwbWCrtOU-XklWCHT8D7bIQG-N3mTtY/s1600/IMG_1576.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJVtH7BQHvpuzc-uqIOxGHvZBkTeyGQU4J2CTqsXW7VVNwD6qGSbfdREEkJgLhpnaoS03NTpEquwjUrzVRRLCaqX5ldkVk3Ni8nBm9O1gSJx6ufwbWCrtOU-XklWCHT8D7bIQG-N3mTtY/s640/IMG_1576.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: left;">Hut intentions book on table in Rod Donald Hut, Banks </span><span style="font-size: small;">Peninsula</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
DOC use the information in the hut book to parcel out funding for such things as track maintenance, hut maintenance and replacement of old facilities. More entries (i.e: more people visiting the hut...) means more dirty lucre for that location. If you do not sign the book DOC (as a government department is apt to do) just assume that nobody is using the hut. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
No usage statistics = no money....it is as simple as that!!!!</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXhxR9ELiHPn0A_8eUjx4IOYfdez3Q_POpZVgRG8iyuGY46usvVSx4_Gp95vkcrcCxgnem-_509GGiwH_wrxmuO8IIG-gcuw43fbFhxu9bCJ6wuq0re6PnF7BOr6uTWEpGu6Xck1H605Y/s1600/HutBook13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXhxR9ELiHPn0A_8eUjx4IOYfdez3Q_POpZVgRG8iyuGY46usvVSx4_Gp95vkcrcCxgnem-_509GGiwH_wrxmuO8IIG-gcuw43fbFhxu9bCJ6wuq0re6PnF7BOr6uTWEpGu6Xck1H605Y/s640/HutBook13.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Hut intentions book: in depth details of individuals/parties</span></td></tr>
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The other main use for the hut intentions book is as an aid to Search and Rescue operations for lost trampers. If you go missing in the hills or forests the very first place SAR will go to look for information about you is in the intentions books. If they know for instance that you were at Upper Travers Hut one night but did not turn up to West Sabine the next it immediately narrows the radius of any search efforts.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaAYAkXRssw4P9kK3KxMqUmce6P0I94Gbd-2r0GnqVMs5g7AhX_giEPND8m6zv3LqVKxKnKNEwbTYJKU6oTCv0MDIOAx7KP9KTdfihYyO4p8xPn-NTUBJlpkJcbUH3b4YWFVaQIcSANdc/s1600/ar6llifod7gr39jlew72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="518" data-original-width="690" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaAYAkXRssw4P9kK3KxMqUmce6P0I94Gbd-2r0GnqVMs5g7AhX_giEPND8m6zv3LqVKxKnKNEwbTYJKU6oTCv0MDIOAx7KP9KTdfihYyO4p8xPn-NTUBJlpkJcbUH3b4YWFVaQIcSANdc/s640/ar6llifod7gr39jlew72.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Hut intentions books are the first place DOC/Police/SAR look when you go missing...</td></tr>
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You should become religious in filling out the intentions book...after grabbing a bunk and putting on a brew it is the next considered action I take every time I arrive at a hut. Make sure you clearly note your intended route as well as any alternate routes you might be using. Try to encourage other hut users to also fill in their intentions but obviously don't pressure them to do so. </div>
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<h4 style="text-align: left;">
The hut book as an expression of being...</h4>
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I have seen a variety of different things in hut books but other than track information the main things you see are art works and non tramping related writing. People often get bored in huts once the meal has been consumed and the card game or book doesn't entice as once it might have.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqGuYmnwdwdjhiKlN_BN0bX8gRtYj1NrYo6HvoOY-vgHpmqtijQJgAZBFiFX6orVDgBNXbUJsfB64Btg6TsrwKJz2APdUnOrPUEsR9a8ayYUpl4X_GjOPKEvy9A5ca7el9oSnHcmSxT_k/s1600/DSCN0084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqGuYmnwdwdjhiKlN_BN0bX8gRtYj1NrYo6HvoOY-vgHpmqtijQJgAZBFiFX6orVDgBNXbUJsfB64Btg6TsrwKJz2APdUnOrPUEsR9a8ayYUpl4X_GjOPKEvy9A5ca7el9oSnHcmSxT_k/s640/DSCN0084.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Resting on my bunk in Magdalen Hut...bit of light reading...brew to hand...nice!!!</td></tr>
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Many people have artistic talents and when you are sitting bored in a hut on a zero day it always seems like you are looking for something to do...hey I know lets draw in the hut book. The quality ranges from poor to excellent..the example below is a very nicely drawn picture of a Weta from the hut book in Magdalen Hut. This is typical of the genre...rivers, mountain vistas, flora and fauna are all well represented.<br />
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Little stick men with huge appendages and stick women with massive chestal shelves also put in a regular appearance...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsPwrQ92POkxSoHB73UlaE96byO2oL6HKSmm6Do6kVkjf0Txo8UnQhaNcr3TfphMRILv6AKM7wAGhilf4sAo41tHu1LXoNgXoyOXmZjzHgq_cwDgJhK7eEm20jMOKyqomI2oaMAZhsTS4/s1600/DSCN0086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsPwrQ92POkxSoHB73UlaE96byO2oL6HKSmm6Do6kVkjf0Txo8UnQhaNcr3TfphMRILv6AKM7wAGhilf4sAo41tHu1LXoNgXoyOXmZjzHgq_cwDgJhK7eEm20jMOKyqomI2oaMAZhsTS4/s640/DSCN0086.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Hut intentions book: artwork on the front cover of a book</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg-dAAjNroIbuCr1IqN_eF_N5XQd7ctb9rOa0rgAIwt5F5dG3h2XfTIXNVCiMpfjB9f4hePxCoKL7a8tm-HGNXOoyUMXQdP1ws-HkaumQEB1ArPpjYgUwgUQ2bUA-mQNTNY2CdI_xBhvk/s1600/DSCN0085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg-dAAjNroIbuCr1IqN_eF_N5XQd7ctb9rOa0rgAIwt5F5dG3h2XfTIXNVCiMpfjB9f4hePxCoKL7a8tm-HGNXOoyUMXQdP1ws-HkaumQEB1ArPpjYgUwgUQ2bUA-mQNTNY2CdI_xBhvk/s640/DSCN0085.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Closer detail of artwork in a hut intentions book</td></tr>
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I have often seen poetry, ditty's, haiku's, philosophical ramblings and deep inner thoughts expressed in intentions books. Usually they are thoughtful and considered but sometimes they can get a bit ribald. So long as you don't go too far.....try to limit the swearing thanks. Don't rant about 1080 either!!!! Remember kids stay in huts and they can read your nasty, smutty comments just as well as an adult...</div>
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If you are walking along a section of the Te Araroa Trail you will often see communications between various trekkers telling each other where they intend to go, where to meet up, good or bad track conditions and if they are doing o.k. It makes for some interesting reading....especially the colorful nicknames.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz8VFfh37Yxgc9E8W05jnmIVR5cIfP0owGfizyC6GGJ_J9gJ8GlJinrmSLr_X1U7vxXxFk1lMUtC0Job136jq3H3AXDnV7u9livZ_erE5HbV2g5IS-sKXnk1MMhnrCpDFDFd8C8DlV3Co/s1600/IntentionsBookPage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz8VFfh37Yxgc9E8W05jnmIVR5cIfP0owGfizyC6GGJ_J9gJ8GlJinrmSLr_X1U7vxXxFk1lMUtC0Job136jq3H3AXDnV7u9livZ_erE5HbV2g5IS-sKXnk1MMhnrCpDFDFd8C8DlV3Co/s640/IntentionsBookPage.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Hut intentions book: an ongoing (slightly sleazy) conversation in a book..</span></td></tr>
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What about Jon...does he add his own personal contribution to hut books?<br />
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By gawd yes he does...this is my usual witty entry...</div>
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<i>I went to say goodnight to Pwarse the fish, </i></div>
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<i>I said '...Goodnight Pwarse..."</i></div>
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If you ever see this in a hut book then you know I have visited at some stage.....I cannot claim authorship of this ditty, one of my school mates made it up for our end of year journal back in 1985.....I just like it.<br />
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I have also been known to quote from the Anonymous riff on West Coast rain...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOMhhq5BmOx-R6Wio639xAMPnZWwIxKfqH92dsbo9KH6VPpFzyGgtAQtZw6KKWVe9sGZcEBggtThepNYPh7fbhakdEQrNqSUH20gt2geuBPVvxDM4E_ziPOmKqUnCIppkSsqMvZ68vUC0/s1600/WestCoastRain.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="802" data-original-width="580" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOMhhq5BmOx-R6Wio639xAMPnZWwIxKfqH92dsbo9KH6VPpFzyGgtAQtZw6KKWVe9sGZcEBggtThepNYPh7fbhakdEQrNqSUH20gt2geuBPVvxDM4E_ziPOmKqUnCIppkSsqMvZ68vUC0/s640/WestCoastRain.JPG" width="462" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Anonymous poem about New Zealand rain...</td></tr>
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I look forward to reading your intentions book entries in the future...</div>
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Jon Moakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14620417636121034748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2664594284381405400.post-64029820623048559752020-05-19T21:15:00.000-07:002020-07-08T13:30:08.155-07:00Tramping in the rain.....<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
How to tramp in the wet weather and still have fun...</h2>
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Despite the current Covid 19 situation we need to start thinking beyond the lock down period and start planning our outdoor adventures for when we are able to tramp once again. This is looking more likely the lower down the Covid levels we move.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXKngHBRW1f7rGOypfSIi5oK2ou0Uev2Mxg_W2rm4zsytCpgQsKi_Vis2QmkR7z14Mujs3sUgiP_bfaL0xKCmmP2a3qSJsNttdTKuPh9q_GKcvA5FRKa15PW2PIVwThu3d503w3OpBJB8/s1600/pororari-river-track.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="498" data-original-width="750" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXKngHBRW1f7rGOypfSIi5oK2ou0Uev2Mxg_W2rm4zsytCpgQsKi_Vis2QmkR7z14Mujs3sUgiP_bfaL0xKCmmP2a3qSJsNttdTKuPh9q_GKcvA5FRKa15PW2PIVwThu3d503w3OpBJB8/s640/pororari-river-track.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Pororari River Track at Punakaiki...possibly my first post lock down tramp!!!</span></td></tr>
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The seasons have continued to roll onward despite our enforced period of isolation....summer has now gone as has most of autumn and we will soon be into winter. With winter comes more wet, cold and stormy conditions.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqiqiY22U9Pp_eqEIlHH4D_JQcNSiAj1ipc2PKehn60tQmwOySYaIlAWZ8WTG5VAA-veiNlCrk2YoRujU9dZ3oJEl1Ec9hqp48DEPuP1sDJNr0E4kH7NJE15dPJ6RldFYR6nzYlaz315Y/s1600/DSCN4361.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqiqiY22U9Pp_eqEIlHH4D_JQcNSiAj1ipc2PKehn60tQmwOySYaIlAWZ8WTG5VAA-veiNlCrk2YoRujU9dZ3oJEl1Ec9hqp48DEPuP1sDJNr0E4kH7NJE15dPJ6RldFYR6nzYlaz315Y/s640/DSCN4361.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Heavy rain sets in at Lake Daniell, Lewis Pass Scenic Reserve</td></tr>
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With many more of us likely to be out tramping over winter (because we missed the summer season due to Covid 19...) we need to think about how we can tramp in the rain and still enjoy ourselves.<br />
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<h4 style="text-align: left;">
Your attitude to rain counts...</h4>
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Winter/Spring tramping means getting wet (...and also cold..) so we need to be mentally prepared for the weather we receive. There are many positives to walking in rain...it is cooler than on a hot day, drinking water is easier to find, there are less people/less bugs and I find a forest comes alive during rain in a way it will not when it is dry. Everything is sparkling, clean and fresh after rain.<br />
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I really enjoy the look, feel & smell of a wet forest and the squelch of wet ground underfoot. If you have ever tramped in rain you will know what I mean</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZfkXJosKIKdMFowr6Y5BvQamgQMY1BZKpkrDA6mDAPmEpXg2UJhkYpOwHS5swMAyj50Q8j0q6H61-12bjbQPsIajx2xZpUz5JRR1oPpQ3xFv_-FtHOJ01fE2wLAz7l1ytCHQdS35Mf1o/s1600/IMG_2350.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZfkXJosKIKdMFowr6Y5BvQamgQMY1BZKpkrDA6mDAPmEpXg2UJhkYpOwHS5swMAyj50Q8j0q6H61-12bjbQPsIajx2xZpUz5JRR1oPpQ3xFv_-FtHOJ01fE2wLAz7l1ytCHQdS35Mf1o/s640/IMG_2350.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Wet conditions on the Routeburn Track in December 2019...</td></tr>
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There is no getting around the fact that if you are walking in the rain you are going to get wet!! Rain may fall on you from both the sky and from any overhanging trees...if it is raining the track willhave puddles so your feet will also get wet. If you are wearing your wet weather gear perspiration is going to wet you from inside your rain layers.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPhm6m0SCe9flFlKGT7xN5Ej_v0Zq0DVU0ANQviUEh4YQHFqIoD_y5wdU2Pt8jWm8ufWYoM2CXaYOZYb8PXHuXkoQRkf5OoTwIZJDj174MlwUu7bWRuzocvZyu-bx9hyh5Va8acvyf65I/s1600/DSCN4345.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPhm6m0SCe9flFlKGT7xN5Ej_v0Zq0DVU0ANQviUEh4YQHFqIoD_y5wdU2Pt8jWm8ufWYoM2CXaYOZYb8PXHuXkoQRkf5OoTwIZJDj174MlwUu7bWRuzocvZyu-bx9hyh5Va8acvyf65I/s640/DSCN4345.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Wet track conditions on the way to Lake Daniells, Lewis Pass</span></td></tr>
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You have to see the positives in this and maintain a positive attitude to being wet if you want your tramp to be a success. As a person once said "...you can be cold, wet and miserable or you can just be cold and wet..." I would practice being out in the rain by doing some short walks in rain close to home...get to see what it feels like to be out in rain and that it can be a positive experience.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju0l_YJU4aDBft2lqa6CX7VeS0MEDY1NbbTDAfoYbNS12F6UQFtnmbeIWea2TRTSxDIqDBCBBslojcS1Q4QNrshKyeuSHtJtMCdRa2XnXm3MWrfCedraQ82noaNXO1PTy4550_N_qgthc/s1600/IMG_2353.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju0l_YJU4aDBft2lqa6CX7VeS0MEDY1NbbTDAfoYbNS12F6UQFtnmbeIWea2TRTSxDIqDBCBBslojcS1Q4QNrshKyeuSHtJtMCdRa2XnXm3MWrfCedraQ82noaNXO1PTy4550_N_qgthc/s640/IMG_2353.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">It may be wet but it is also beautiful...</td></tr>
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What you have to do is adapt to the wetness and try to minimise its impact on the enjoyment of your tramping trip.</div>
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<h4 style="text-align: left;">
Tramping clothing for wet conditions</h4>
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Tramping in the rain requires specific clothing....rain layers, gaiters and extra warm clothing...you will need all of these if you want to be comfortable while walking in cold and wet weather.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLADEDIPbLDroTvRd67FjbdhSEDSt2-rWkWIuHUVDOBOpSpu7hlztPeG6tLj4QfD5elrLXGkS5CoPIzcA9NK1ijMjFAzBHBbNI4V0dpGDB9jMT3nyJTpgkJ70x6pQEzZyoZ8a7Udedhg4/s1600/IMG_1068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLADEDIPbLDroTvRd67FjbdhSEDSt2-rWkWIuHUVDOBOpSpu7hlztPeG6tLj4QfD5elrLXGkS5CoPIzcA9NK1ijMjFAzBHBbNI4V0dpGDB9jMT3nyJTpgkJ70x6pQEzZyoZ8a7Udedhg4/s400/IMG_1068.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Walking in the rain on the Lakehead Track, Nelson Lakes NP</td></tr>
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There are some things you should never wear in rain...jeans, linen/cotton t-shirts and cotton socks. All of these take a long time to dry and can sap heat from your body as they dry. Wearing wet cotton clothing can potentially cause chaffing, chills, cold strain injuries and possibly hypothermia in extreme cases.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhv_PxnG9wLht6yZxzeXbO7BHNiHhpn9W6gnonOioe5w-hwZnnC-FYDCslSy7gxn6zLfKo90qgb-lu0ux-jrvln1q4d2bfWXRNfUrO_u-vGTvnZrMYqYN5jliuSZheBSobcWPlzjQJOgM/s1600/Hiker-In-Jeans-700x411.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="411" data-original-width="700" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhv_PxnG9wLht6yZxzeXbO7BHNiHhpn9W6gnonOioe5w-hwZnnC-FYDCslSy7gxn6zLfKo90qgb-lu0ux-jrvln1q4d2bfWXRNfUrO_u-vGTvnZrMYqYN5jliuSZheBSobcWPlzjQJOgM/s640/Hiker-In-Jeans-700x411.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Jeans are not recommended for tramping...</td></tr>
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I usually tramp in shorts with knee length gaiters so most of my body is covered...only my knees are exposed. This is a personal preference as I find pants too constricting when I am out in the backcountry. If you must wear pants make sure they are a quick drying, durable synthetic type preferably with zip off legs. These can often be cleaned and dried overnight ready for the next days travel.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjFTHBFkCFOcvWhQwW9PGt-6NxpCzJQusuIzUnnWoxHXe6tGa7vElBakSDBom80VxiZ-EGbIk9ypIUG4AcYVn7UO-78Cdu7oJnQjUTeId5Td5HOPXB2sCUAja1ki-wmhgu8w-xBJQAokw/s1600/Convertible-Pants-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="463" data-original-width="700" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjFTHBFkCFOcvWhQwW9PGt-6NxpCzJQusuIzUnnWoxHXe6tGa7vElBakSDBom80VxiZ-EGbIk9ypIUG4AcYVn7UO-78Cdu7oJnQjUTeId5Td5HOPXB2sCUAja1ki-wmhgu8w-xBJQAokw/s640/Convertible-Pants-4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">...wear shorts or synthetic hiking pants instead!!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgAAb2mGE3SwlA0dsfkF2shO8sTYCfx-ytnEZRwyKMzOhwWnomfSXMBI3JhEKffTHNug5uFHzDVppVRZEBMkTqIwxziGBVp323Cqg20uB3qMm0Quau8M8PlwW7DkDmW3AXkvqkSkBoq2w/s1600/20200131_091315.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgAAb2mGE3SwlA0dsfkF2shO8sTYCfx-ytnEZRwyKMzOhwWnomfSXMBI3JhEKffTHNug5uFHzDVppVRZEBMkTqIwxziGBVp323Cqg20uB3qMm0Quau8M8PlwW7DkDmW3AXkvqkSkBoq2w/s640/20200131_091315.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Jon tramps in shorts, a synthetic shirt and long gaiters...</td></tr>
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It is essential (especially in wet New Zealand conditions) that you have a sturdy, fit for purpose 2.5-3 layer rain jacket with an adjustable peaked hood and rain proof zips. The large hood is large enough to go over a hat or head covering. Rain proof zips stop water ingress in heavy rain and opening them allows you to regulate your body temperature. Try to find a jacket with a waterproof flap over any zips for added protection.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixPs7fOH7-jboxaNSHIVat7AbJb4wbyYT7B_OSs6D54Uq5EqR5e8sDQbbkq5QpRtMGr19mao9GAZEj24sNvAAkwSc4_PRUtAix4sF9sYtUWu_gA_KiFBp64JIAnDHKk5TBttyQeI094jM/s1600/154055-stoney-creek-stowit-jacket-gumleaf-choose-size-191606.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="756" data-original-width="450" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixPs7fOH7-jboxaNSHIVat7AbJb4wbyYT7B_OSs6D54Uq5EqR5e8sDQbbkq5QpRtMGr19mao9GAZEj24sNvAAkwSc4_PRUtAix4sF9sYtUWu_gA_KiFBp64JIAnDHKk5TBttyQeI094jM/s640/154055-stoney-creek-stowit-jacket-gumleaf-choose-size-191606.jpg" width="379" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Stony Creek jacket...waterproof zip and a rain flap...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-_Q4YiN7rEQLO_4X8UNu2bwjK4lzhNLVY5ThJSDqGg03d5xGFDA9NGxFGmfbN_GcmMyaMb1FwJQFRxt9X1unh1aSNbTA4mjqdIdzUEaSmQWNPMYS3mGw2EjlksmvKn_CJ_qsg08FCHWhB/s1600/IMG_4031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-_Q4YiN7rEQLO_4X8UNu2bwjK4lzhNLVY5ThJSDqGg03d5xGFDA9NGxFGmfbN_GcmMyaMb1FwJQFRxt9X1unh1aSNbTA4mjqdIdzUEaSmQWNPMYS3mGw2EjlksmvKn_CJ_qsg08FCHWhB/s400/IMG_4031.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Night tramping in the rain...fun plus!!!</td></tr>
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The jacket should be slightly loose to allow mid layers to be worn under it and to allow a degree of air flow. I prefer a classic Kiwi style down to the waist model to ensure any rain runs off the end of my lower garments. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDsT94IQkS40flyX4u4KLFJs7tCctk14S22k7FfF8YQZj679xqpuhC8kgplorZmxImPHkWYO_DkGnIxNHC-EZrnhB934bRUcEYqzB-8nxaiSkpD9rXDli632DAu9pHrQCo4SeP6J81Xzo/s1600/DSCN0090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDsT94IQkS40flyX4u4KLFJs7tCctk14S22k7FfF8YQZj679xqpuhC8kgplorZmxImPHkWYO_DkGnIxNHC-EZrnhB934bRUcEYqzB-8nxaiSkpD9rXDli632DAu9pHrQCo4SeP6J81Xzo/s640/DSCN0090.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">My wet weather gear: long jacket, wet weather pants and Goretex mittens</td></tr>
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I normally tramp in shorts but wind+rain is your enemy when dressed like this. A stiff breeze will quickly cool you to a dangerous level if you do not cover your legs in wet windy weather which is common on ridges and at higher elevations. If you are tramping along ridge-lines or on the tops it is essential that you carry a pair of wet weather trousers. They help to limit wind caused heat loss through your legs.<br />
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Rain pants are also useful if you are in a wide open valley (think South Island tussock covered-i.e the St James/Waimakiriri/Godley/Ahuriri/Greenstone etc.) with little vegetation as they form natural conduits for strong wind. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL9w3UYWzrAaQdyE6fTZbIyp_S8kHq45TeTdOg8sdqGWPhmK2pIQ7ONK_uattDvIkwwkzKEERu3s8FuneuOEJFThLP65xd64PKRBtNl44L8wrxQrJ8Rg1Lyt-3mQWbisIrOh6mqdErGS0/s1600/WetTops.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="600" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL9w3UYWzrAaQdyE6fTZbIyp_S8kHq45TeTdOg8sdqGWPhmK2pIQ7ONK_uattDvIkwwkzKEERu3s8FuneuOEJFThLP65xd64PKRBtNl44L8wrxQrJ8Rg1Lyt-3mQWbisIrOh6mqdErGS0/s640/WetTops.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Wet and windy conditions in the Tararua Ranges....</td></tr>
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Make sure they are durable..I have literally had a pair of cheap over-trousers blown to shreds by strong winds when out tramping on the tops...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoAVHvhUyj7YhNrllju9PR7Dyj-Z1Hf8sNAVFpha1SljOC4z1MG1IPYqd7xuxBqM6Vre_T1EreKp3fZx1GlOGcdhDaRj_FYdDO7QZlKZu1I9U7hE4FpI2BLWocvLnLCRRm3i18lAIPfLw/s1600/DSCN0098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoAVHvhUyj7YhNrllju9PR7Dyj-Z1Hf8sNAVFpha1SljOC4z1MG1IPYqd7xuxBqM6Vre_T1EreKp3fZx1GlOGcdhDaRj_FYdDO7QZlKZu1I9U7hE4FpI2BLWocvLnLCRRm3i18lAIPfLw/s640/DSCN0098.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">The remains of my wet weather pants after stormy tops travel...munted!!!</td></tr>
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If you are spending most of your time in the bush or on forested valley floors you can normally go without rain trousers...wind is not such a factor here. I would still use a commercial rain kilt or modified rubbish bag kilt to keep the shorts dry</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsaN5eWt0Rv1Zg3Z0ZvLtz-qx1EGREh12PYR-KhoFKW0CBaBd2DeSgEWvG8NK_wx5bOxf0EpikSHQY0pvKnPjfimnDLo7EkAMY097VL3Tq3ms9-vmj_Uaz5f0tM_QfVuAfVb7dhnemITI/s1600/Caryl-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsaN5eWt0Rv1Zg3Z0ZvLtz-qx1EGREh12PYR-KhoFKW0CBaBd2DeSgEWvG8NK_wx5bOxf0EpikSHQY0pvKnPjfimnDLo7EkAMY097VL3Tq3ms9-vmj_Uaz5f0tM_QfVuAfVb7dhnemITI/s640/Caryl-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Mixed group of trampers wearing various rain gear....</td></tr>
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Your feet will get wet from rain running down your legs and from the wet track. Boots are better than shoes in rain and a pair of gaiters can assist with keeping your feet dry. Make sure you have clean, dry socks to put on once you reach your destination and reserve them for this purpose only. Be prepared to have wet feet and plan accordingly.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGBN5k-Ou4_d3ekIlSOR4Ew19KU1O7EOsHgot6izD_sVOb4X6oO131U4fo4RPaiN_cz8pnBpUmHrdsXQZI943A1Za36cM2q-F22lyaS6Kbffp6dmnbsvaoNzGYAsx5Ks0X-Ii2HBeII4s/s1600/Gaiters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGBN5k-Ou4_d3ekIlSOR4Ew19KU1O7EOsHgot6izD_sVOb4X6oO131U4fo4RPaiN_cz8pnBpUmHrdsXQZI943A1Za36cM2q-F22lyaS6Kbffp6dmnbsvaoNzGYAsx5Ks0X-Ii2HBeII4s/s640/Gaiters.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Boots & gaiters are excellent in wet, muddy conditions...</td></tr>
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Make sure you always carry your wet weather gear whenever you go tramping because our weather can dramatically change in just a few hours. It may increase the weight of your pack but it can easily be the difference between life and death. </div>
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<h4>
Other gear you will need to tramp in the rain</h4>
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There is some other gear you need for tramping in the rain...some is used to keep you dry and some is to keep your gear dry. Here is a list of rain equipment I carry;</div>
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Good wet weather gear...both jacket and over trousers</div>
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Knee length gaiters to stop water running into your footwear</div>
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Polypropylene gloves to keep my hands warm</div>
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Gortex over-mittens to keep my gloved hands dry</div>
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A water proof map cover...I use a ziplock bag</div>
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A water proof pack cover and a plastic pack liner</div>
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A separate waterproof cover for your sleeping bag</div>
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A standard truckers/baller cap<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtCMkkTe8GFB8K0oZXRFJrfPqU3v-4KGqNBOp9i1AlZ5aYVIuG9VLw-ZKSPaNSG4O70EG05s50m2NlCtazZqP2bFXxHLS2JGznvT3Yk5ELorxOKD6u_gWTyl_bEAhs-TCFoD5M8zO18Cc/s1600/DSCN0102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtCMkkTe8GFB8K0oZXRFJrfPqU3v-4KGqNBOp9i1AlZ5aYVIuG9VLw-ZKSPaNSG4O70EG05s50m2NlCtazZqP2bFXxHLS2JGznvT3Yk5ELorxOKD6u_gWTyl_bEAhs-TCFoD5M8zO18Cc/s640/DSCN0102.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">A ball cap keeps rain off you face and provides sun protection....</span></td></tr>
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It is important to keep the contents of your pack dry so put a plastic liner bag inside your pack and use a pack cover to minimise water getting inside. Your pack contents are your lifeline...keep them dry at all times. It is especially important to protect your sleeping bag...wrap it in its own plastic bag or keep it in a waterproof cover. Make sure you have a change of clothes if you are on an overnight trip. It is warmer and more comfortable to have something dry to wear at the end of a wet day.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2kvwf3YI_1GmDqQVT60xcmMvSEluR4OmimkLhKqW9JZyGgr4X0K_UCzde_JbxGHNhyWUgTVEs3fpkWpNDZxh4Jwh9L4kOc96yNoaAcrhuiDsSXtbHDgS1uyV1sfGpQVTzygyF-7E7LWI/s1600/IMG_2339.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2kvwf3YI_1GmDqQVT60xcmMvSEluR4OmimkLhKqW9JZyGgr4X0K_UCzde_JbxGHNhyWUgTVEs3fpkWpNDZxh4Jwh9L4kOc96yNoaAcrhuiDsSXtbHDgS1uyV1sfGpQVTzygyF-7E7LWI/s640/IMG_2339.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">A plastic pack liner will keep your gear dry...</td></tr>
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You will need to read your map so place it in some form of waterproof cover so it can still be used in the rain. It can also be useful to carry a waterproof pack cover...commercial version or a plastic rubbish bag can suffice if it is well secured. While they will not keep your pack completely dry they do decrease the amount of rain water your pack will absorb.<br />
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Why carry an extra kilo of rain soaked pack if you do not need to?</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3sLP6j2BG0ztoV7_VDEPVQePEq0KHJyMAB5CCZ8CxlCcKAeY6ERDdFf-bm0YHB0TX4xzUA6eOPes6NUwXkjta_3pCD41XpQoeoM9q44-DNw6A0sfxqiVsRXaloqzRl-qQxB1UWYyebjE/s1600/IMG_2218.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3sLP6j2BG0ztoV7_VDEPVQePEq0KHJyMAB5CCZ8CxlCcKAeY6ERDdFf-bm0YHB0TX4xzUA6eOPes6NUwXkjta_3pCD41XpQoeoM9q44-DNw6A0sfxqiVsRXaloqzRl-qQxB1UWYyebjE/s640/IMG_2218.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">...and a pack cover will help keep your pack drier....</td></tr>
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A baseball cap is really useful in rain...it keeps the rain out of your eyes with its wide brim and keeps the wide hood of your jacket from falling over your eyes. If it is raining but warm a wide brim hat is better as you will probably want your hood down for better ventilation. </div>
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<h4 style="text-align: left;">
Check the weather before you go</h4>
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This really needs little explanation...always check the weather conditions before you go out on any walk/tramp/MTB ride. There are many sites and places to find up to date weather information for your intended tramping route...my go to is <a href="https://www.metservice.com/">Met Service</a> for both general and the <a href="https://www.ventusky.com/?p=-44.47;170.05;7&l=cape&t=20181205/21">Ventusky </a>website more specific information on wind , rain and snow.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFg1uKYgGwbqy-lTzmBegqShDcl0-UiH6JJ-rkgM8kFtQ3HfQUMI4ZfP0jj2n0dhN8SpFO3wAR32wY_6qIerpZKZWoeXCBjREQABacIV0qEkdTmCr5lUb3ZSEqSEDDVaNPh15gXdwKw7M/s1600/MetService.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="614" data-original-width="1162" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFg1uKYgGwbqy-lTzmBegqShDcl0-UiH6JJ-rkgM8kFtQ3HfQUMI4ZfP0jj2n0dhN8SpFO3wAR32wY_6qIerpZKZWoeXCBjREQABacIV0qEkdTmCr5lUb3ZSEqSEDDVaNPh15gXdwKw7M/s640/MetService.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">The Met Service web-page is your best place for weather information...</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4oeTt1gLDkI4b2cv7uwRIUH8G_FGNhU9FN9Npo4uX8YKOJnGKkDkpKBJpXhqMwlf1WL7YoYtcJvNbS2eMpEFcbdS01rMq0qgAcfA9t1soix0F6kXteeW97IJTrMI1KiSu7UUw7zxsiqA/s1600/Ventusky.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="754" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4oeTt1gLDkI4b2cv7uwRIUH8G_FGNhU9FN9Npo4uX8YKOJnGKkDkpKBJpXhqMwlf1WL7YoYtcJvNbS2eMpEFcbdS01rMq0qgAcfA9t1soix0F6kXteeW97IJTrMI1KiSu7UUw7zxsiqA/s640/Ventusky.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Ventusky is awesome for in depth weather predictions...</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
During late Autumn to early Spring it is fine to head outdoors in fine and moderate weather conditions but you need to know if any severe weather is expected in your intended location. Because of our temperate oceanic weather patterns we can have extreme cold/wet/windy conditions right through the year.<br />
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Even with the best skills and gear no-one should be attempting a tramp in extreme weather...it is just too dangerous. The margin between success and failure is knife thin when bad weather threatens. Save yourself, your family and SAR a lot of grief by only tramping to your skill limits over the winter months. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo9hHCHHY_bgcaDFE4bPn6dnCuUmxg-KCAM7haZPwG9ReyIZQcURo8yrR3iFQnsZ1V4S9kFOKTO6ZPHa-snxBbwlb1o1M88czFBa4AEsnEN-pMqdJrlRpvygzEslLXe-XxQvo7qru1zMo/s1600/Tekapo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo9hHCHHY_bgcaDFE4bPn6dnCuUmxg-KCAM7haZPwG9ReyIZQcURo8yrR3iFQnsZ1V4S9kFOKTO6ZPHa-snxBbwlb1o1M88czFBa4AEsnEN-pMqdJrlRpvygzEslLXe-XxQvo7qru1zMo/s640/Tekapo.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Early summer snow fall in the central South Island</td></tr>
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Ensure that you know the expected weather conditions before you leave home!!!</div>
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<h4 style="text-align: left;">
Regulate your body temperature</h4>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Just because it is raining does not mean that you must stay indoors...you simply need to wear the right clothing layers...especially a good breathable rain shell. These are always one of the most expensive items a tramper requires and usually come in one of a variety of technical synthetic materials.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV9U8Ooyv2imaShOMcD1LiC5mFKaHJiHd4BmN_mlbyIZWOiR36OdeliT3bg0yENLlYyIZeXHgkqxZTXM_UImDBK7RAF57Riox6Ft9jWeiLWYEZBlBD0oh-EGf7Jnj9D-xgDZaDlFx8nZc/s1600/Goretex.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV9U8Ooyv2imaShOMcD1LiC5mFKaHJiHd4BmN_mlbyIZWOiR36OdeliT3bg0yENLlYyIZeXHgkqxZTXM_UImDBK7RAF57Riox6Ft9jWeiLWYEZBlBD0oh-EGf7Jnj9D-xgDZaDlFx8nZc/s400/Goretex.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Goretex is one of many three layer materials...</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm0uXZsxc3lpftk6Ix_3TUMuckq2KwjsO2rhrfMAEDjisV_dWO3DtNN9oC0jKHysurRUW8Dpgok_eMY1DgEOlthFO_obudmsFO9G0ktcXYIOZrS2ujqZGoIU3XbfsGxRDAveYmaZJ7WLQ/s1600/transpiration-process_2048x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="432" data-original-width="672" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm0uXZsxc3lpftk6Ix_3TUMuckq2KwjsO2rhrfMAEDjisV_dWO3DtNN9oC0jKHysurRUW8Dpgok_eMY1DgEOlthFO_obudmsFO9G0ktcXYIOZrS2ujqZGoIU3XbfsGxRDAveYmaZJ7WLQ/s640/transpiration-process_2048x.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">The various layers in a breathable material....this is Gortex</td></tr>
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Remember that no material made to stop you getting wet is completely breathable...condensation will build up making you wet from the inside. Even with fantastic breathable fabrics like Goretex, Omni Dry and E-Vent you are still going to get hot if you are exerting yourself...walking up hills, walking long distances or if you are carrying a heavy load...</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirL-WaXh4XQq5uVzUKe4oQQ8do8tYsJKlyKrx6BdTxiM5b8zFGCRzWW4OTiOX7ZqTjCQ5RvNVmr2A3t2pVf3Ix8YzMQG64huwMNcNCZwxENMVjZKkoxgRmZBX_xTIJbdJUrWbcBCK1qmo/s1600/DSCN0077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirL-WaXh4XQq5uVzUKe4oQQ8do8tYsJKlyKrx6BdTxiM5b8zFGCRzWW4OTiOX7ZqTjCQ5RvNVmr2A3t2pVf3Ix8YzMQG64huwMNcNCZwxENMVjZKkoxgRmZBX_xTIJbdJUrWbcBCK1qmo/s640/DSCN0077.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Full wet weather gear on a rainy tramp on Te Ara Pataka, Banks Peninsula</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
To minimise overheating while wearing a rain jacket you need to pay close attention to your layering..thinner moisture absorbing base layers with a thin insulating layer only if it is very cold. This is topped by your wet weather or shell layer. Take layers on and off as required to regulate body temperature, too cold- add a layer...too hot- take a layer off.. Open zips at the collar, front, sleeves and arm pits if you have them to vent heat...or completely remove the rain layer if possible.<br />
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Give that body heat a means of escape....</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjILAxxegMNY-HgAXudFwxnLxIQUyefSJlYz3gLElN7Aaq8YP5Awh9WMudCrnigGlbMPecx3WiKj85cjL17OvUxLJU1XmaEELUSiSMTK7PV0UbqxsHSkHfkqXXNHDz-V6P8j2ubrk-zvkQ/s1600/IMG_0278.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjILAxxegMNY-HgAXudFwxnLxIQUyefSJlYz3gLElN7Aaq8YP5Awh9WMudCrnigGlbMPecx3WiKj85cjL17OvUxLJU1XmaEELUSiSMTK7PV0UbqxsHSkHfkqXXNHDz-V6P8j2ubrk-zvkQ/s400/IMG_0278.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Open zips and hood down for best ventilation...</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Hydrate well and make sure you are eating food to both maintain energy and keep your body producing heat. It is especially important to keep drinking when you are walking in the rain as the natural inclination is to drink less. I have a drink every time I stop...this soon becomes a unconscious habit.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh-zFwUGnZNspS62M_fbQuFw1fosazYXugpV7s4aV4uHsENE08aKhRLS__SZHZ1gOVTedddAsPGPbiGEdi0V-BzZYabq4wBh4bgaq5iVv5zEXiGmQJTHeybt5CB0P8T2wch7bmNIJX0S4/s1600/20200130_115546.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh-zFwUGnZNspS62M_fbQuFw1fosazYXugpV7s4aV4uHsENE08aKhRLS__SZHZ1gOVTedddAsPGPbiGEdi0V-BzZYabq4wBh4bgaq5iVv5zEXiGmQJTHeybt5CB0P8T2wch7bmNIJX0S4/s640/20200130_115546.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Rest stop on the Rakuira Track with intermittent drizzle...</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Make sure you still have short regular breaks to rest your body but limit the amount of time at a halt to minimise getting too cold. Take shelter under trees, caves or a man made structure while resting if you can. </div>
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<h4 style="text-align: left;">
Hypothermia: the silent killer!!!</h4>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Hypothermia is one of the most dangerous health concerns when tramping...it is an over cooling of the body's core temperature which can lead to lethargy, irrational thought patterns, physical collapse and ultimately death. It is not as prevalent as it used to be due to advances in tramping clothing BUT there are still several deaths a year from hypothermia.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDG9Q3Gq-MMcScN1gJws1xEA7ApYeWwhY16V7AOITiYRf3ALBtbsy-KoCjwR88u-pwUXF0zLTIrd1dhjiXXdvTZniyOTBBNXp3c6Mx880wFQC_0JYLoNl_xJkdMuTcIg_2VLEBfwZuc6E/s1600/hypothermia-new-zealand-mountain-safety-council.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="354" data-original-width="500" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDG9Q3Gq-MMcScN1gJws1xEA7ApYeWwhY16V7AOITiYRf3ALBtbsy-KoCjwR88u-pwUXF0zLTIrd1dhjiXXdvTZniyOTBBNXp3c6Mx880wFQC_0JYLoNl_xJkdMuTcIg_2VLEBfwZuc6E/s400/hypothermia-new-zealand-mountain-safety-council.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Hypothermia is a silent killer here in New Zealand...</td></tr>
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It can happen to anyone..I have personally had very mild hypothermia a couple of times over the years...you often don't realise you have hypothermia when it is happening to you. This is because one of the symptoms is dis-associative behavior i.e. you are acting out of character but do not understand that you are.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimwenx6to8wI1_2TJDsybLZCAnbYXnhYqPhGTGT0cDixF6cA2oqxryTcFSdryML_46dJ4yiS9-pdwpLWMDcpzxdUy31ZVT-ASnmQ2Gngy8feTyWrymPxKqtGhSNUqf_vincgp3D1aV0fk/s1600/HYPOTHERMIA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimwenx6to8wI1_2TJDsybLZCAnbYXnhYqPhGTGT0cDixF6cA2oqxryTcFSdryML_46dJ4yiS9-pdwpLWMDcpzxdUy31ZVT-ASnmQ2Gngy8feTyWrymPxKqtGhSNUqf_vincgp3D1aV0fk/s640/HYPOTHERMIA.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Cold, wet and windy conditions contribute to hypothermia...</td></tr>
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On my recent tramp on the Routeburn Track last December we had several people in the mid stages of hypothermia at Howdon Hut. It was perfect weather for it...cold, windy, heavy rain and people woefully ill prepared to be out in those conditions.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0jzMckPUmexEqpfs3V3jFO4r9GL04UQLsZDmJJFT7lAx2oLGrgC61ZO7OeCpRTOqiz4uyKbvycsie5PKvqITTI3MTwvSXcAS0c5kQm40BZKbS5K4CI-AW8FrmEq7UKWPvFgq0LQOwRHs/s1600/IMG_2333.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0jzMckPUmexEqpfs3V3jFO4r9GL04UQLsZDmJJFT7lAx2oLGrgC61ZO7OeCpRTOqiz4uyKbvycsie5PKvqITTI3MTwvSXcAS0c5kQm40BZKbS5K4CI-AW8FrmEq7UKWPvFgq0LQOwRHs/s640/IMG_2333.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Awful weather on the Routeburn Track in December 2019...</td></tr>
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Luckily some of us old timer trampers recognized the symptoms and took action to assist the people affected. I had my PLB out at one stage as one woman was looking really unwell but she recovered with warm clothes, some food and a couple of hours of rest.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTMUlk73yoir0rM-6nInTZN7uVXb5Jubj6ypkDXkdj4FeQKX1UTUvd8tokiTwJND-5FT5DuF3hJnvgf8_y1HWrFOCcfB4rEsSOpem17icGEbfkCysXePontYFcHOA4yms76ydOeq0SU3Q/s1600/Greenstone1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTMUlk73yoir0rM-6nInTZN7uVXb5Jubj6ypkDXkdj4FeQKX1UTUvd8tokiTwJND-5FT5DuF3hJnvgf8_y1HWrFOCcfB4rEsSOpem17icGEbfkCysXePontYFcHOA4yms76ydOeq0SU3Q/s640/Greenstone1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Wet conditions I encountered in the Greenstone Valley in December 2019</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
You need to know the signs of hypothermia and how to deal with it effectively both for your sake and for those around you. There is some information about hypothermia in every Hut Intentions book...this is a good start but read some general tramping manuals or books on outdoor medicine, look for authoritative online information and keep yourself and your tramping buddies safe. </div>
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<h4 style="text-align: left;">
Terrain dangers in the rain</h4>
<div style="text-align: center;">
There are some specific terrain features to watch in wet conditions these are camping locations, river crossings, slip hazards and avalanches.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Camp selection:</i> Do not ever camp in a slot canyon, arroyo, wadi or steep narrow ravine. All of these are susceptible to flash flooding which can be extremely dangerous. It may not be raining where you are but 10 kilometers away it is teeming down and a flood can swiftly and easily over whelm you. I would also never camp close to a river unless I was on a raised bank or well above the water. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA6UThxxNUVpAsTu5MKpNgR6kpxadI9vjW8zcKQY2vTINnh2FJD3JJiedia6lwDKZABvC_OB_aMqkw8b-hEsYPwIl3ZqoSCCr7N9BVNotzrulsvgl4rajI3JiDfbwgLhoEOjhuER3zMGI/s1600/Ravine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="898" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA6UThxxNUVpAsTu5MKpNgR6kpxadI9vjW8zcKQY2vTINnh2FJD3JJiedia6lwDKZABvC_OB_aMqkw8b-hEsYPwIl3ZqoSCCr7N9BVNotzrulsvgl4rajI3JiDfbwgLhoEOjhuER3zMGI/s640/Ravine.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Narrow canyons are dangerous places in rain....flash floods can occur!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>River crossings:</i> Crossing a river is dangerous at the best of times but especially dangerous in wet condition's. It doesn't take much for a river to flood especially here in New Zealand. Do not attempt to cross a flooded river...if it is running faster than walking pace, cloudy, has bow waves in front of rocks, you cannot see the bottom or is carrying debris DO NOT ENTER IT!!! Find shelter and wait for it to subside. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjW5sw6-JIzLppLOxIzo84cZXcoR3YPGjy_Eeo8-AWCMluPoJiQ0-OYje0hWFxo_3ayQCpnQ1-42JnZr1JFHJHckeJA9-Gw-a-hHegvzTjnO4EiF2RFwyLOYKkpmnMnHV2EWaLSX9LIoo/s1600/DSCN4324.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjW5sw6-JIzLppLOxIzo84cZXcoR3YPGjy_Eeo8-AWCMluPoJiQ0-OYje0hWFxo_3ayQCpnQ1-42JnZr1JFHJHckeJA9-Gw-a-hHegvzTjnO4EiF2RFwyLOYKkpmnMnHV2EWaLSX9LIoo/s640/DSCN4324.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">A flooded and dangerous Alfred River, Lewis Pass Scenic Reserve</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Slip hazards:</i> Hillsides are prone to slippage in heavy rain...water permeates the top soil and loosens the bond between it and the sub strata. Slips can be small or large but all of them are dangerous. A good example are the recent slips in Fiordland as a result of heavy rain in February 2020. Several tracks were destroyed by slips/floods and Howdon Hut was damaged by a large slip. The government have recently allocated $13 million to fix the damage in the area...<br />
<br />
There is not much you can do about new slips but stay well clear of any established slip zone in heavy rain as the water can dislodge loose material. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX7nl5zQq2Kqo7LEtDyjyTjmGPmeOq9hDO6tQVP-WmxhE4H1px4wd9wFerAjRLruBGH2D-f5mzIaBTgjr_HBop5-y4tpa2kMg-UKVRcLmHwGbImU4XZHEZRtBLtBN1iUjbEiIT7jx-IQg/s1600/howden-hut-secured.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="783" data-original-width="1200" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX7nl5zQq2Kqo7LEtDyjyTjmGPmeOq9hDO6tQVP-WmxhE4H1px4wd9wFerAjRLruBGH2D-f5mzIaBTgjr_HBop5-y4tpa2kMg-UKVRcLmHwGbImU4XZHEZRtBLtBN1iUjbEiIT7jx-IQg/s640/howden-hut-secured.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Howdon Hut, Fiordland...hit by a massive slip in February 2020</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Avalanches:</i> Avalanches are more likely to occur in heavy rain as the water softens the snow pack and lubricates its forward motion. Stay clear of known avalanche zones during and after heavy rain and be especially careful if crossing avalanche chutes when it is raining. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEmHXNb7nYCiaEuDN906vsT3UzqP8B9kSHZwGX1gRGFEFIH5VFmU51QNqwr8Nn9VekwuoIomqXkHUNI6rAaYfLwbkghb6kDaawTeplkKRqcBN-0-R_1337VY0ZrfoxPTmxur9De2Rwl4Y/s1600/DSCN0106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEmHXNb7nYCiaEuDN906vsT3UzqP8B9kSHZwGX1gRGFEFIH5VFmU51QNqwr8Nn9VekwuoIomqXkHUNI6rAaYfLwbkghb6kDaawTeplkKRqcBN-0-R_1337VY0ZrfoxPTmxur9De2Rwl4Y/s640/DSCN0106.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Take care around avalanche zones after rain and then snow....</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Do not enter any area known for avalanches if heavy rain has been followed by heavy snow as the avalanche risk will be much higher.</div>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
<br />Hut/Tent life in the wet</h4>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Under the Current Covid 19 Level 2 rules all of the DOC huts are restricted to 10 people or less regardless of their size. This means you are going to be doing a lot of tenting trips for the foreseeable future. Rain can making tenting challenging but it is still totally possible...you simply need to practice your camping skills so that if you have to spend time in a tent you will still be comfortable. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBXysoehR9Iuwm5zDQ5XtCsxpwDo1bqmvyRaRfPJKcIdZce7Z2Goi-ev8ot4rf5g3YNXpCifyxyohaFuY4Gsd4DYtoaqXnRwZwiXDJ6jx-irhhGWA7e_QOrc7cv25wIWFnoVA00UG9V10/s1600/DSCN6271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBXysoehR9Iuwm5zDQ5XtCsxpwDo1bqmvyRaRfPJKcIdZce7Z2Goi-ev8ot4rf5g3YNXpCifyxyohaFuY4Gsd4DYtoaqXnRwZwiXDJ6jx-irhhGWA7e_QOrc7cv25wIWFnoVA00UG9V10/s640/DSCN6271.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Inside my tent on the Queen Charlotte Track in 2016</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Practice so you can quickly erect your tent under all weather condition's...I set mine up every so often to make sure I am familiar with the process. Look for a good tent site on either a slight mound or gently sloping ground for best drainage. Do not set a tent in a natural bowl or depression as this will often fill with water in heavy rain.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx0nPLZ0tLd9SzXUGLkVvprfo4dHAT08TcsQcazGRdJTZImKciEqdsJR3OTyTn0m63bOxCMk3sz5DJuWKTWUwbhKVHxXAoi1owkMMRQjhJNNpQFk5DC_dAYyYpKRcC3ykC__NgfZ9dAgs/s1600/Tentsetup1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="767" data-original-width="1024" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx0nPLZ0tLd9SzXUGLkVvprfo4dHAT08TcsQcazGRdJTZImKciEqdsJR3OTyTn0m63bOxCMk3sz5DJuWKTWUwbhKVHxXAoi1owkMMRQjhJNNpQFk5DC_dAYyYpKRcC3ykC__NgfZ9dAgs/s640/Tentsetup1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">A decent tent site....slightly sloping, protected from wind and an absence of overhead dangers...</td></tr>
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Always check for over head dangers...so called "widow makers" ...loose branches that may fall on your tent in windy conditions. These may dislodge in the night and injure you. Try to pick a location with protection from the wind perhaps behind a handy boulder, earth berm or group of bushes. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ9DKTtXoSeTkeJrNbxfb7gsmr1Vw7NbC56sv40ZVjT7tgEhzXQEzBpAiZRZJ_gUbpc3VHpKJ6NH9BqY243TnTIMXotdz27amQ5vUtnbKQVGPuGssdMm3D5ytSeMYqx35yq4el37NIFYk/s1600/DSCN6270.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ9DKTtXoSeTkeJrNbxfb7gsmr1Vw7NbC56sv40ZVjT7tgEhzXQEzBpAiZRZJ_gUbpc3VHpKJ6NH9BqY243TnTIMXotdz27amQ5vUtnbKQVGPuGssdMm3D5ytSeMYqx35yq4el37NIFYk/s640/DSCN6270.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Another good tent site, Bay of Many Coves, Queen Charlotte Track</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
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If you are lucky you will have a cooking shelter at your campsite...these are great as they stop you from getting cold and wet while preparing meals. You will often find this type of shelter on DOC Great Walks, private trails and at commercial campgrounds.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJL6CBtPyslv3khJy1wbrk7yAX7g-FEe3yPYsI3QrwDeZQ0q5Z7hVCeW4wLOriCnrvyEf1-DdLYnGTEj9ihy1YFS_tExoz0ZvxTHxv9B1PdN04zyVfwQXm8o6lLYrR7rHgz9qFHE3XiCQ/s1600/20200129_105603.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJL6CBtPyslv3khJy1wbrk7yAX7g-FEe3yPYsI3QrwDeZQ0q5Z7hVCeW4wLOriCnrvyEf1-DdLYnGTEj9ihy1YFS_tExoz0ZvxTHxv9B1PdN04zyVfwQXm8o6lLYrR7rHgz9qFHE3XiCQ/s640/20200129_105603.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Camp shelters make meal preparation more pleasant...Moari Bay campsite, Rakuira</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
If you are buying a new tent look for one that can be pitched outer first...the tent fly is pitched and then you attach the inner. These types will minimise how wet your inner tent gets during erection but always pack a sponge or bandanna to wipe up any wet patches after you have pitched your tent. Try to buy a tent with a large vestibule so you can leave all your wet gear outside...this will minimise condensation inside.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKQIjcRel1Di3jZVaFeQsRmjQ1NRok8Zf6Isn1_C0__cHqyjEpO2cl9Zh01SPM-c4JGuYAXDO1K1zfRR9G_mahC8NztQ7w5pBYN-uc_pqfrAGtxhnI7t-4pZXXSlW_6KvBmS92ZdtX_Qk/s1600/Tent+vestibule.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="540" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKQIjcRel1Di3jZVaFeQsRmjQ1NRok8Zf6Isn1_C0__cHqyjEpO2cl9Zh01SPM-c4JGuYAXDO1K1zfRR9G_mahC8NztQ7w5pBYN-uc_pqfrAGtxhnI7t-4pZXXSlW_6KvBmS92ZdtX_Qk/s640/Tent+vestibule.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Store wet gear in the tent vestibule.....</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Huts are much nicer in rain as you are indoors and often have a fire to dry your gear and warm yourself. Good etiquette is to leave all wet gear outside- boots, gaiters, pack covers and rain wear. Do not leave it outside in Kea country as they love to shred all of these things. Make space for extra people in the hut if it is raining, use firewood sparingly and if possible replace all the firewood you use so the next people have dry wood when they arrive. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijN0xj03NQ4lF6Vs_I9aSUt4bDhMyjALZj5T3KhGqdqO2otpMMF1h4yu3wSDsXbVANievxlPXwc2OS0Go4r-ty0seG6O8C2X-HVQEkgFgE-k6gJINLMyYpSe-BwATUDCzCRkqARAsoQn4/s1600/IMG_1088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijN0xj03NQ4lF6Vs_I9aSUt4bDhMyjALZj5T3KhGqdqO2otpMMF1h4yu3wSDsXbVANievxlPXwc2OS0Go4r-ty0seG6O8C2X-HVQEkgFgE-k6gJINLMyYpSe-BwATUDCzCRkqARAsoQn4/s400/IMG_1088.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">My wet gear in the veranda of Lakehead Hut, Nelson Lakes NP</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibJzOVxzDm3YkdTNIlXvqmyMOLKUb8hrQjfY50hpmboHCvHsCw4DF2gw2fk9_Lv5nXJyk31n5OKABv6cnURYeTG6lVPCx9pHqgwQhOQ9WDtBOpb_uspGwwlAkwgz4FAeI7wYM3vS1tNYY/s1600/DSCN0084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibJzOVxzDm3YkdTNIlXvqmyMOLKUb8hrQjfY50hpmboHCvHsCw4DF2gw2fk9_Lv5nXJyk31n5OKABv6cnURYeTG6lVPCx9pHqgwQhOQ9WDtBOpb_uspGwwlAkwgz4FAeI7wYM3vS1tNYY/s640/DSCN0084.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Nothing like a dry, warm hut.....a good book, fire ablaze and brew to hand!!!</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Finally I would just like to reiterate that having a positive attitude can make all the difference to your experience. Hey...it might not be primo conditions for tramping BUT you could always be at work.<br />
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Remember ANY day tramping is better than sitting at your desk for 8 hours.....<br />
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Jon Moakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14620417636121034748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2664594284381405400.post-71362567449584081642020-05-03T16:58:00.002-07:002020-07-08T13:41:09.738-07:00When should I trek the Te Araroa Trail<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
How weather/terrain affects your Te Araroa experience</h3>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzq1V_DkfeJe2dqXFu1fcrF0daTVWWacG4MteeADeGT8whUxPMQT8RqfpER9rCvxZUp8ZHiMU4D8PFyaf0yPw5ekNO2NkcPAx4wFjKee3sAUmn-9MxKGS9IRUqQ-CM4jhi8TnkjjET6bRA/s1600/IMG_2135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzq1V_DkfeJe2dqXFu1fcrF0daTVWWacG4MteeADeGT8whUxPMQT8RqfpER9rCvxZUp8ZHiMU4D8PFyaf0yPw5ekNO2NkcPAx4wFjKee3sAUmn-9MxKGS9IRUqQ-CM4jhi8TnkjjET6bRA/s640/IMG_2135.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heading up the Travers Valley along Lake Rotoiti, Nelson Lakes National Park</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
There
is a trekking or 'campaign' season in New Zealand for those attempting
the Te Araroa Trail. The time you start/finish is mostly going to be set
by the weather, alpine snow conditions and how it affects both the North Island and
the South Island. It will also dictate wither you travel SOBO or NOBO.</div>
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<h4 style="text-align: left;">
A quick look at New Zealand Topography </h4>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
New Zealand is made of of a series of small and larger islands resting in the temperate zone between the Pacific Ocean and the Southern or Antarctic Sea. We are completely surrounded by ocean so obviously this is going to play the most important role in setting our weather patterns. Most of our weather is generated in the Southern Ocean or Tasman Sea which lie to the south and west of us. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZk44H_zd6plRHf44dnLYSoryBj21Dp9hocffyBrsoXehDoofRnkwZgtWDchQM6FvE7jFbg54mXn3Vj2A-OfO4KerlngTo4dvwxTQhO9Nje-sFpgqADsuTqRvClsN9Tt1UgdB2W10T82L9/s1600/new-zealand-map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="556" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZk44H_zd6plRHf44dnLYSoryBj21Dp9hocffyBrsoXehDoofRnkwZgtWDchQM6FvE7jFbg54mXn3Vj2A-OfO4KerlngTo4dvwxTQhO9Nje-sFpgqADsuTqRvClsN9Tt1UgdB2W10T82L9/s400/new-zealand-map.jpg" width="322" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Map of New Zealand showing terrain....</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
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</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
The two main islands you cover while on the TA are the imaginably named North Island/ Te Ika a Maui and the South Island/Te Wai Pounanu. BTW...I much prefer the Maori names....The North Island is approximately 1500 km's long and from 100-700 km's wide. It is mostly flat with some significant mountains in the central plateau, along the Eastern Coast and south near Wellington our capital. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_htKsnu6sXQsVAqQiVs08JHHJn93nod98lwPO4hbLra9CKKKL1g8VouWwMpP2QraRW5eJ4XcsMiNQ6dvWBiWWKYoaYBah800Y7s0NkAnnEewYiVtMMtqgfMmIeVe5bW73fUKsDRfi0OTQ/s1600/ngauruhoe_-central_plateau-1-800x600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_htKsnu6sXQsVAqQiVs08JHHJn93nod98lwPO4hbLra9CKKKL1g8VouWwMpP2QraRW5eJ4XcsMiNQ6dvWBiWWKYoaYBah800Y7s0NkAnnEewYiVtMMtqgfMmIeVe5bW73fUKsDRfi0OTQ/s640/ngauruhoe_-central_plateau-1-800x600.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A snow capped central North Island volcanic plateau...</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
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</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
The South Island is approximately 1700 long but is a more uniform width, from 200-300 kilometers. The center of the South Island is bisected by a significant mountain range the Southern Alps which range up to 3400 meters asl. These form a barrier to weather from the west meaning the West Coast is wind, cold & wet for most of the year while the east coast has drier and more moderate weather. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd_So-G-xAflazj5kuqt5mZaj-dmKXKVBSUw4tB42oDZjGM401XmhjE0yh0ZLTgjLO88wghg7u5oLsxrO6109lxNTS_ggV9ljXXRW0656Eu9D55MOal-cAhsoARh3mvaU6RlIMO4qNalbW/s1600/DSCN4047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd_So-G-xAflazj5kuqt5mZaj-dmKXKVBSUw4tB42oDZjGM401XmhjE0yh0ZLTgjLO88wghg7u5oLsxrO6109lxNTS_ggV9ljXXRW0656Eu9D55MOal-cAhsoARh3mvaU6RlIMO4qNalbW/s640/DSCN4047.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The rugged mountains of the central South Island...Arthur's Pass NP</td></tr>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
Weather in New Zealand is mild for most of the year but we can also receive significant snow, rain and wind from time to time which makes our weather unpredictable and therefore dangerous. Rain events can flood rivers making them impassable and cold conditions combined with wind can make hypothermia a significant threat. </div>
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<h4 style="text-align: left;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgau_zFkfonv32xcG3JpJw6IvF9uMj_7ELF9YgWYddxcO_seds6F9Twjeu-ApjHFVOlIMq2I9FKWhfVs_U276NzbKGAaPFmWp3mkRdTBEI4aXd9ZN3ulCDsz49_mz47iUYevr9WFQWKlRna/s1600/FloodedWaimakiriri.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="808" data-original-width="1077" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgau_zFkfonv32xcG3JpJw6IvF9uMj_7ELF9YgWYddxcO_seds6F9Twjeu-ApjHFVOlIMq2I9FKWhfVs_U276NzbKGAaPFmWp3mkRdTBEI4aXd9ZN3ulCDsz49_mz47iUYevr9WFQWKlRna/s640/FloodedWaimakiriri.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A flooded Otira River at the Taramakau confluence...no crossing today!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</h4>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You need to be prepared for ANY weather conditions at all times...</div>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
</h4>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
What is the ideal time to walk the TA</h4>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
What
is the best time to walk Te Araroa....well, it really depends on your
skill level, equipment and schedule. A lot of the Trail can be walked
right through the year and in fact people have walked the TA in winter
but they are exceptions.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjohqSj-o1OyL_Qx_QlxNIE-i632gjghKWDRQnTZDcT-_LPbW02KySWKgPrRFxiigqZMpkBlIJZaoLdzEu7efWFsi5izraa8GBA8dgOAY_sVZ9CFcbGTZJyXVi_Tg18h7o0rbXXbs-8hzKg/s1600/IMG_2219.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjohqSj-o1OyL_Qx_QlxNIE-i632gjghKWDRQnTZDcT-_LPbW02KySWKgPrRFxiigqZMpkBlIJZaoLdzEu7efWFsi5izraa8GBA8dgOAY_sVZ9CFcbGTZJyXVi_Tg18h7o0rbXXbs-8hzKg/s640/IMG_2219.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the TA in Nelson Lakes National Park in October 2019...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Probably 95% of TA
walkers do so between October and April which is during our
spring/summer/autumn period. This is when the weather and snow
conditions allow passage through the mountainous South Island. Outside
of these times you will need a completely different skill set to walk
the TA and your safety <i>cannot be guaranteed</i>.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyGDbj1QyJLbAEnENHKW30eeUPW_C95l0zY060PV3OjCNCu3ViayTavhz-mE6PgL0nQKS1OMMW8N4c4kB3bBcQGziNHh0l4b-ak3yOLn37Cqlfj9Nr4YyY_IXHrMPV23noBTz9rmVLgW-B/s1600/DSCN4847.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyGDbj1QyJLbAEnENHKW30eeUPW_C95l0zY060PV3OjCNCu3ViayTavhz-mE6PgL0nQKS1OMMW8N4c4kB3bBcQGziNHh0l4b-ak3yOLn37Cqlfj9Nr4YyY_IXHrMPV23noBTz9rmVLgW-B/s640/DSCN4847.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">...blue skies and sunny weather through the St James Conservation area in February...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
During
October-December the weather in New Zealand is generally wet but mild
in the North Island. In the Southern Alps you can still expect cold, wet
and snowy weather and most of the high altitude passes will be closed
by deep snow and the threat of avalanches.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDeP86-o7kURgU9fqYDx8X0D9HHB5tfgoIYITyg8enpuRR9xejpZaNk52d9f5vXweVmkrrU5QMgn6xUEW_3B5ZtycgWPq7RF1epVHOh4-FGHEu6TfqbIiB-6xYX8Lzdgh4rdMkWgFx8f_S/s1600/Tekapo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDeP86-o7kURgU9fqYDx8X0D9HHB5tfgoIYITyg8enpuRR9xejpZaNk52d9f5vXweVmkrrU5QMgn6xUEW_3B5ZtycgWPq7RF1epVHOh4-FGHEu6TfqbIiB-6xYX8Lzdgh4rdMkWgFx8f_S/s640/Tekapo.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A late snow dump near the Rangitata River in October 2018.....</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
December to
early April is summer so the weather will gradually get warmer and
clearer, the best and most stable weather will be from February to late
March. </div>
<br />
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
Going southwards or SOBO</h4>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
SOBO
means travelling in a south bound direction and is a term borrowed from
the North American long trail community. On the Te Araroa trekkers
travel from the top of the North Island to the bottom of the South
Island. If you travel SOBO you start in the north and head south, if you
go NOBO you start in the south and travel north.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7liHWlN2UasAmmR9kM4fHRJXYurcCLyw5VETTyrxkDnvimZSLUZnKd6dHzzkaxH-_ri0JrbrXRHZdfdhj04dbCBnf5Z11b5wwdje4Wmf04bHeV2VlfM9TWcidNOtL2TlxqgHrzNZ9BHMJ/s1600/eight_col_forest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="388" data-original-width="620" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7liHWlN2UasAmmR9kM4fHRJXYurcCLyw5VETTyrxkDnvimZSLUZnKd6dHzzkaxH-_ri0JrbrXRHZdfdhj04dbCBnf5Z11b5wwdje4Wmf04bHeV2VlfM9TWcidNOtL2TlxqgHrzNZ9BHMJ/s640/eight_col_forest.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tramping in one of the Northland Kauri Forests.....</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
TA trekkers going SOBO can start their trek in early October as they can traverse the North Island during spring and the start of summer. Spring in the North Island is more mild than down south but it can still be cold and very wet especially in the top half of the north island.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1cC4pz4ZXwO_NqJZUiIQIaxZPf-N3ucypTFXVSXf1pA55BrnLP7yxn6jPISJZ4AJ0ChcKmTMuHXtAtkN9xA0o-tIz-6xlLGDbhjpAZ1UoeQDFZ9epipwR_-_vBpBaSMQLLk9woRUC2lTn/s1600/cape-reinga-path-to-lighthouse-hero.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="1067" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1cC4pz4ZXwO_NqJZUiIQIaxZPf-N3ucypTFXVSXf1pA55BrnLP7yxn6jPISJZ4AJ0ChcKmTMuHXtAtkN9xA0o-tIz-6xlLGDbhjpAZ1UoeQDFZ9epipwR_-_vBpBaSMQLLk9woRUC2lTn/s640/cape-reinga-path-to-lighthouse-hero.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cape Reinga Lighthouse...northern terminus of the Te Araroa Trail</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It normally takes around three months to walk each island so by the time they reach the top of the South Island in January the weather is better allowing progress over the high alpine passes.By the time a SOBO reaches Bluff summer (December-February) will be coming to an end and the weather will start to change. </div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7LJK1iyc88QiwXuhRXKm0D3dJMOFSwyTujY912qrN3NozdCZVoGualGG3C-1fk64poo3o1YsmDlKXMi-jX-swBaNyudUTGFEMgV3GWMT2ChEMUWKPP2C7ALEL1YKh58Wxvd3b6nzK98nL/s1600/20200127_175437.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7LJK1iyc88QiwXuhRXKm0D3dJMOFSwyTujY912qrN3NozdCZVoGualGG3C-1fk64poo3o1YsmDlKXMi-jX-swBaNyudUTGFEMgV3GWMT2ChEMUWKPP2C7ALEL1YKh58Wxvd3b6nzK98nL/s640/20200127_175437.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stirling Point...southern terminus of the Te Araroa Trail...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
While good weather often continues into autumn (March-May) it cannot be guaranteed so a SOBO traveler will want to be finished their trek by late April-early May.</div>
<br />
<br />
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
Going northwards or NOBO</h4>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
NOBO trekkers will typically start their walk in January or February during the start of summer. If they start any earlier than this they can face significant problems with ice and snow in the higher passes. The main ones to contend with are in the Richmond Ranges, Travers and Waiau Pass in Nelson Lakes NP and several higher areas between Lake Coleridge and Queenstown.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijrgKTMhhjOcFCCf1DyaAlbjqaDNo5UUfcPUevyPEi8iOVx41_0ZLoRq9_XJ-cLgYPSyJR2HVeFa-EmqKnnV1PrQt1bKeYYOR5ccjntEm_-DAs2KDA8TmlJflivNWsXj3QCK-8iyYGIGAO/s1600/WaiauPass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="360" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijrgKTMhhjOcFCCf1DyaAlbjqaDNo5UUfcPUevyPEi8iOVx41_0ZLoRq9_XJ-cLgYPSyJR2HVeFa-EmqKnnV1PrQt1bKeYYOR5ccjntEm_-DAs2KDA8TmlJflivNWsXj3QCK-8iyYGIGAO/s640/WaiauPass.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eastern side of Waiau Pass...best tackled in dry, warm conditions....</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
In the North Island there are high alpine areas around the Tararua Range and the Central Plateau i.e. the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. Most other areas of the North Island are far less rugged and at lower elevation so snow, ice and bad weather are less of a concern. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjii4nJsj_VD1Ol8Ax6UcCuVF1dNHcE_pVqFCZ1rgjj2lmoav8klgT0X6kCJ0Zp9OWvs0tZuS_GJvPUd3Q9mdxTNoD6hhZXFE3slHz2EBZfM388B9XYIOSDJYdtE9VAhOR_ue-lJR1v4vJE/s1600/Nichols+Hut.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="432" data-original-width="576" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjii4nJsj_VD1Ol8Ax6UcCuVF1dNHcE_pVqFCZ1rgjj2lmoav8klgT0X6kCJ0Zp9OWvs0tZuS_GJvPUd3Q9mdxTNoD6hhZXFE3slHz2EBZfM388B9XYIOSDJYdtE9VAhOR_ue-lJR1v4vJE/s400/Nichols+Hut.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nichols Hut in the rugged Tararua Range, North Island New Zealand</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
By starting in January or February TA Trekkers will have finished the South Island and should be walking through the Tararua Range in late March-early April. This is still fine as the weather is generally good but any later than this can expose you to dangerous conditions in this area.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Depending on weather the Tongariro Crossing is still passable up to the end of May...past this point alpine skills and equipment are sometimes necessary. Do not try to trek the Tongariro Alpine Crossing in bad weather..it is very dangerous and there have been fatalities on this track. Give it the respect it is due...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfb6l3DAqdfsSuxnCahMXbD1wk07zNsN12FWxnTPD8ylXmjSCFy-CdCzWDsVPT2xXhHfbuzBp6WQG72pVKxF1jaJMopyPVDxc_ke2jaRXSRu6zf1pXElMHDt-lb_agmbqZseQ7Q5asJEtx/s1600/Tongariro+Winter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="300" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfb6l3DAqdfsSuxnCahMXbD1wk07zNsN12FWxnTPD8ylXmjSCFy-CdCzWDsVPT2xXhHfbuzBp6WQG72pVKxF1jaJMopyPVDxc_ke2jaRXSRu6zf1pXElMHDt-lb_agmbqZseQ7Q5asJEtx/s400/Tongariro+Winter.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A winter crossing of Mt Tongariro is no trifle.....it can be dangerous!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
North of the Central Plateau you are travelling through lowland forest so the weather is not as important a factor. It will be colder but manageable...</div>
<br />
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
So...when should I walk the Te Araroa Trail...</h4>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
It is easy really...if going SOBO you can start from the beginning of October...if going NOBO you can start from December onward. Of course you can walk the trail outside of these times but you will need a lot more skill, gear and alpine experience to safely cross the higher mountain areas. </div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFoNgsg9WFNEycmzP4xjdmFyQaa__CSQ3CCcUY-__I5-NgwXRqe1AXp4ThXnQRHhJ-f76WF1LehjxLtgYCU2PgNG-zMSxAE1qY6urKkrekDQA3AEVCIYi7tH-QjOKFwYjWm7-MwiBsL0CU/s1600/20200130_115546.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFoNgsg9WFNEycmzP4xjdmFyQaa__CSQ3CCcUY-__I5-NgwXRqe1AXp4ThXnQRHhJ-f76WF1LehjxLtgYCU2PgNG-zMSxAE1qY6urKkrekDQA3AEVCIYi7tH-QjOKFwYjWm7-MwiBsL0CU/s640/20200130_115546.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the Rakuira Track in January 2020....</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
If you intend to add the Rakuira Track to your TA trek then the best time to visit is from December through April when the weather is most settled. That said the track is in coastal lowland forest the whole way so it can be walked at anytime of the year. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
Booking Great Walk huts/campsites</h4>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A number of the TA sections are on Great Walk tracks...these are the premium tourist orientated tracks of which we have 11 in New Zealand. As they are Great Walks the huts and campsites must be booked before hand. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ4MrqfbmP_Y2KNGIbmAD27uFOa6LEEqj2QWZJJehM-ONLjT5l8Bqh7S3mM6uEwGCUPTyp367a1GUcPTVgDRVnPvDTGr7GwCZTAU-8KSX2zlGaWpSbyxBusxJln2v0oP-5vV_q8g6LTxBy/s1600/20200129_105603.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ4MrqfbmP_Y2KNGIbmAD27uFOa6LEEqj2QWZJJehM-ONLjT5l8Bqh7S3mM6uEwGCUPTyp367a1GUcPTVgDRVnPvDTGr7GwCZTAU-8KSX2zlGaWpSbyxBusxJln2v0oP-5vV_q8g6LTxBy/s640/20200129_105603.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bookings are required at Maori Beach Campsite, Rakuira Track, Rakuira</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We are talking specifically of the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, Whanganui River Journey and the Rakuira Track. Please note some of the other huts are slowly going on the DOC hut booking system especially in the North Island....check to see if a booking is required! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihvgqtB7BZSYpQrQtQOBjQajAJOUP4QxXkYISy3nL41L16wev5UwAFX2iwuXFMdayooehu5Q7NGKNqKUloaUPJgtWo0ZgrWLweg8KGMoJKHGjcyGwH8Lc3G2J0Lsyw1z7esThinBRkDupq/s1600/JohnCoull.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="865" data-original-width="1280" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihvgqtB7BZSYpQrQtQOBjQajAJOUP4QxXkYISy3nL41L16wev5UwAFX2iwuXFMdayooehu5Q7NGKNqKUloaUPJgtWo0ZgrWLweg8KGMoJKHGjcyGwH8Lc3G2J0Lsyw1z7esThinBRkDupq/s640/JohnCoull.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">John Coull Hut on the Whanganui River is a Great Walk hut...booking required!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Bookings for these huts and campsites usually open in early June although given Covid 19 it is uncertain if this will stand for the next couple of years. Check the <a href="https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/online-bookings/">Department of Conservation (DOC) website</a> for details or have a look at my blog post about <a href="http://nzbushadventures.blogspot.com/2019/06/trip-planning-organising-tramp-on-great.html">booking a Great Walk hut</a>. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFcGAfAuoI1JNeen0YciudQAVGUDhzefGjcHB20EKF-K6UkfLjloyD01R9Xg6jaak7r59tG6z6xMv0JFvgfEaBFr4g6S0EeaYbCxUrVO7eOByPkAQltdu6CAF-1HO73ijPsYjCRix-_7MI/s1600/DSCN0073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFcGAfAuoI1JNeen0YciudQAVGUDhzefGjcHB20EKF-K6UkfLjloyD01R9Xg6jaak7r59tG6z6xMv0JFvgfEaBFr4g6S0EeaYbCxUrVO7eOByPkAQltdu6CAF-1HO73ijPsYjCRix-_7MI/s640/DSCN0073.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The campsite at Kahikatea Flats, Pelorous Bridge also requires prior booking...</td></tr>
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Any bookable hut will have a DOC Ranger who can refuse entry to you if you have no booking OR make you pay a 100% penalty fee...</div>
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Jon Moakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14620417636121034748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2664594284381405400.post-62874605720886373502020-05-03T14:22:00.000-07:002020-05-03T14:22:11.099-07:00Using the MSC Covid 19 outdoor activity checker<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Responsibly enjoy the outdoors under Covid 19...</h2>
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The Mountain Safety Council (MSC) in co-operation with a variety of other governmental and non governmental groups have developed a <a href="https://www.covid19outdoors.nz/?fbclid=IwAR2BE4MQ-cHs2nphZkgj49MtFtI2js7HBFjLAMrz7nih59VupTJH2ZACcV4">Covid 19 outdoor activity checker</a>. This page allows you to check what activities are allowed in your region under the current Covid 19 level.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAhv-ex4pJiiSrN0hftz7XAmyfiXSUlL12lLVShnvN3wmLT0kESkyKcu5ZJwVYqq4zx9GJ9BCnK21oeLkq27CVYeCjznJyxSpVZ2RRIwOH8jtRfVfB6yRASdIpREpVm8Xz-LtyWiihvMs/s1600/MSC1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="620" data-original-width="1343" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAhv-ex4pJiiSrN0hftz7XAmyfiXSUlL12lLVShnvN3wmLT0kESkyKcu5ZJwVYqq4zx9GJ9BCnK21oeLkq27CVYeCjznJyxSpVZ2RRIwOH8jtRfVfB6yRASdIpREpVm8Xz-LtyWiihvMs/s640/MSC1.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">MSC Covid 19 outdoor activity checker</td></tr>
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You simply feed in your location or intended location and the type of activity you are interested in pursuing and it will tell you if you are able to legally undertake that activity.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtSAyXX3ATt2h-DDuqOJJOviO9YQJ1lURga6NbDWJbQ75I2dn-JkUbvuSGVE7XEhMq75h0AOUol8I49AdDGvzyLtsyefGbwbkmNCrFsneGKARO-mWMBQOiM-80UuHBpg6KSmy6KCK1xEw/s1600/MSC2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="581" data-original-width="1282" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtSAyXX3ATt2h-DDuqOJJOviO9YQJ1lURga6NbDWJbQ75I2dn-JkUbvuSGVE7XEhMq75h0AOUol8I49AdDGvzyLtsyefGbwbkmNCrFsneGKARO-mWMBQOiM-80UuHBpg6KSmy6KCK1xEw/s640/MSC2.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">...choose your intended area and activity....</td></tr>
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This is going to be a real help to those of us aching to get back into the outdoors as the information we are getting from the media is confusing to say the least. It will also stop people interpreting the rules under the different levels so that they can justify doing an outdoor activity when really they should be at home on the couch.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg65kSaeD2EhQVceg8GSKGCVWLh_o-2ppt4ghniKlsKAeRqR_hKmz1BS1ckw_Ycz7vjAhrubf8dHkeDX0OSiKD3-OSz6mXRdR7agtGA0Y27-JzSh6hSq5MEAjffvJIPtyCe528pwCyjMAw/s1600/MSC3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="364" data-original-width="834" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg65kSaeD2EhQVceg8GSKGCVWLh_o-2ppt4ghniKlsKAeRqR_hKmz1BS1ckw_Ycz7vjAhrubf8dHkeDX0OSiKD3-OSz6mXRdR7agtGA0Y27-JzSh6hSq5MEAjffvJIPtyCe528pwCyjMAw/s640/MSC3.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Maintain your outdoor activity in a responsible manner...</td></tr>
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Have a look at the page and start planning your outdoor fun while staying within the letter of the law...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBtv6mIWM5v4HaSWeh84GHBCziJwt-ak6mWs7lTmieFp0x8xhJKFCO9YMXuJGSVzYVHV75npOg0jaoPFRTIomgbEL7tuD8-9exWUfLTkLyOOUkg1P55zSbC7agP5JbO5IbKGaJIJRVlgk/s1600/20200129_090559.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBtv6mIWM5v4HaSWeh84GHBCziJwt-ak6mWs7lTmieFp0x8xhJKFCO9YMXuJGSVzYVHV75npOg0jaoPFRTIomgbEL7tuD8-9exWUfLTkLyOOUkg1P55zSbC7agP5JbO5IbKGaJIJRVlgk/s640/20200129_090559.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Looking forward to getting back into the outdoors again...</td></tr>
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Stay safe everyone and I hope to see you out there very soon...</div>
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Jon Moakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14620417636121034748noreply@blogger.com0