NZ - Richmond Range Part I

[jeremy089786]

If you are keen to head to the north part of NZ's south island or want to do the Te Araroa, I have published a report on the first part of the Richmond Range (too many photos for one post) below:

http://hiking26.blogspot.com.au/2012/04 ... hmond.html

Cheers,

Jeremy.

[wayno]

what an awesome trip
the willy wagtail like bird you refer to is a Fantail. raises and opens out the white tail as a fan to reflect light in front of it to highlight insects on the wing in the bush,
hangs around larger animals looking for insects..

you look like you have an interesting lineup of gear, be great to read how your gear performed for you as well

[jeremy089786]

Hi Wayno,

Cheers for that, I am in the process of writing up my post gear list now and will post it later today or tomorrow.

Also, thats a sweet little fact about the fantails! Funny, they always did seem to catch a moth when following me around. To think they were just using me like a tool to get food!

[wayno]

the moths were probably more of a coincidence than anything, since the sandflies, mozzies and flies are the insects that usually follow people.
animal magnetism...

[jeremy089786]

Hey Wayno,

I just put up a quick post trip list. Let me know if you have any questions about specific gear.

http://hiking26.blogspot.com.au/2012/04 ... -list.html

Cheers,

Jeremy.

[wayno]

cheers interesting read
so is that a cuben shell jacket? surprised it's already getting worn out , thought cuben was harder wearing than that.
tramping trips wil float down the pelorus sitting in truck tyre inner tubes, shin guards can come in handy as well....

[jeremy089786]

Hi Wayno,

Indeed that is the cuben jacket. Its wear is very different from most jackets. The cuben is completely unscathed and still has about 97% life left, its just the coating stuck to the cuben (which makes it white rather than clear) is almost dead on the shoulders. I don't know how this will affect the jacket. I will post some more info shortly.

Great to hear you guys use the Pelorus. What a river! I could imagine shin guards would come very much in handy in some sections. I reckon a packraft would be perfect, probably a bit lighter and safer than a tube too.

[wayno]

i hope the white coating isnt the waterproof membrane coming off......

i'm tending towards two rain jackets, a three layer for trips requiring definite extended use of a jacket and a two layer for trips requiring possible occasional use of a jacket, since most lightweights dont last that long.

[jeremy089786]

For Part II: http://hiking26.blogspot.com.au/2012/04/starting-from-day-5-see-part-i-for.html

Wayno: Indeed hopefully the waterproofing holds up. I contacted Joe and he said a couple of people had expressed the same concern but all so far so good. Besides the rubbing, it is still getting along.

Indeed, most lightweights can struggle over time though!

[wayno]

wow, what a trip you had,,

regarding getting rain in your eyes above the bushline in high winds, put a cap on with a solid peak, sticking your head down will help prevent the worst of the rain hitting your face. i've got an earth sea sky wndfleece cap with a peak, also have an outdoor research gore tex peak cap, outdoor research also do cheaper pertex ones now, i've seen either marmot or the north face do a waterproof cap as well..