John Saunders

Been tramping in the Tararuas now for thirty years. And what has changed? Well, whatever birdsong there was, has now totally disappeared. Possum and deer damage has caused massive upper canopy collapse in many areas. Only a fraction of the park is being touched with any effective 1080 possum control. Interior tracks have been abandoned in order to create this so-called wilderness experience. (That's DOC code for 'we have no money') And the very few trampers I meet in the interior seem to be crusty old buggers like myself.

More photographs

• John SaundersJohn Saunders added the photograph, Brocken Spectre 1 September 20201 September 2020.

  This is a 'Brocken Spectre' from near Tararua Peaks. A curious optical effect when sunlight from behind hits water droplets ...

• John SaundersJohn Saunders discussed 4-6 Day Tramp with Easy Access 19 January 201719 January 2017.

  I did the north-south traverse of Nelson Lakes within that time span. Fly Wgtn-Nelson, bus to St Arnaud, local cab ...

• John SaundersJohn Saunders discussed Arête forks hut 3 January 20173 January 2017.

  Good job! Arete Forks Hut really is a top spot. A couple of tips; Following Merv Rodgers, I've dropped off ...

• John SaundersJohn Saunders discussed Colenso Hut/Ruahines 11 October 201611 October 2016.

  In my opinion, the legal access that runs south along the Mokai Patea Range, over the farm country, is tedious ...

• John SaundersJohn Saunders discussed American tramper dies on Gillespie Pass 6 May 20156 May 2015.

  I did search for her name. Apologies

• John SaundersJohn Saunders discussed 18 January 201418 January 2014.

  I use multiple, heavy-grade plastic bags which you can burn after making the transfer to your pack. But the critical ...

• John SaundersJohn Saunders commented on apurdam'sapurdam's article, Nelson Lakes double figure eight with a reverse twist 13 October 201213 October 2012.

  Very impressive - beautiful tramping country. I got over the Waiau Pass, but couldn't see a bloody thing for two ...

• John SaundersJohn Saunders discussed Songs about tramping in the Tararuas 19 June 201219 June 2012.

  Obviously there's a million CD's worth of bushwacker's yarns, however my contribution can be found at... http://soundcloud.co­m/john-saunders/sout­hern-crossing

• John SaundersJohn Saunders commented on lewshaw'slewshaw's article, The NZ hut network;a threatened species 16 November 201116 November 2011.

  I wouldn't trust Kate Wilkinson. She has a $54m budget cut over four years; severe staff cuts and a DG ...

• John SaundersJohn Saunders commented on John Saunders'sJohn Saunders's photograph, Carkeek Hut, Tararuas 14 September 201114 September 2011.

  Ah, no, hunters who choppered in, actually. Don't get me started....

• John SaundersJohn Saunders discussed RE: Tramping during the Roar? 19 April 201119 April 2011.

  One Easter I was bivvying just inside the bushline underneath Baldy in the Tarauas, and just as I got got ...

• John SaundersJohn Saunders updated the photograph, Dundas Hut, Tararuas 20 February 201120 February 2011.
• John SaundersJohn Saunders commented on monkeysh1ne'smonkeysh1ne's photograph, Steel ladder Tararua Peaks Feb 2010 13 December 201013 December 2010.

  Must admit, I was still trembling a bit when I got to Maungahuka Hut and somebody handed me a mug ...

• John SaundersJohn Saunders commented on karlocai'skarlocai's photograph, Smith Creek Shelter 6 December 20106 December 2010.

  A most unwelcoming place, and from here it is still a solid tramp to get to Tutuwai. Good job the ...

• John SaundersJohn Saunders commented on bigpaul'sbigpaul's photograph, Waitewaewae Hut 14 July 201014 July 2010.

  It's strange how every time you tramp to this hut, it always seems like it's a bloody long way! Worth ...

• John SaundersJohn Saunders added the photograph, Ruahine plane crash 13 July 201013 July 2010.

  Does anyone know the exact location of this crash site? (coordinates?) Hope those injured guys pull through.