We tented below Avalanche Peak Mon/Tues this week. Around 1am we had a visit from 'Rustle' and possibly 2 of his mates. Completely unfazed by having a headlamp shone on him. Tiny though.
Saw another one in the carpark out the back of the cafe sitting in the middle of the gravel bold as brass.
There were a few dead rats around the Matakitaki river. Came across about half a dozen (with their heads missing) that appeared to have been placed on the track. Not sure if that's from traps or what. Had to watch where you put your feet. Only saw two mice (both live) in the whole six days I was there. The bird life was VERY scarce though. Quite a depressing silence in the air, especially in the lower valley.
This post has been edited by the author on 3 January 2015 at 15:13.