Just caught up with this thread after a couple of months.
Chch Rangers I am loving these recounts of your climbing adventures, keep em coming!
My brother goes on very similar adventures and loves it. Often has similarly spectacular photos and stories to tell. For a second I even wondered if he was your "gooner" until the photos got close up hahahaha.
He actually mastered his craft in the Tararuas as we grew up in Upper Hutt, and dragged me on the odd ramble, I am sure you would love it there when you eventually go.
Having said that, my brother always said the southern alps was the place to be, and he often goes down there, so I think it will be a step down in difficulty for you coming up here, bar for a couple of spots.
Hey thats cool about your brother. Yes I have never been to the Tararua's but really want to get there one day for a look. I am interested in Alpine plants and flowers and apparently the North Island Edelweiss can be found in the Tararuas.
We have the South Island variety down here but the North Island flower looks way bigger, so one day I plan to seek them out in the Tara's for sure.
Don't under estimate the dangers that can be found in the Tararuas either: they have claimed a fair few lives over the years!
Have been hanging out to get into the southern alps for another trip for weeks now but the weather has been terrible in the weekends so have had to cancel my trips. Have another trip planned for the coming weekend but again the forecast looks dire.
Below pic is taken from a trip last year. thats me with the flag :D and another pic from arthurs pass
