Paringa River South Westland

SORRY JUST RE READ THE ABOVE TAR POT CK IS ON THE TRUE RIGHT OF THE WANGANUI RIVER Pete

Early question asked about the Hemphill river up the North Branch of the Mokihinui. You can come down this river into the Nth branch of the Mokihinui near Lady Lake but I advise the average person/s not to try going up it. George Lindsay tried to in rainy conditions and turned back. Its easier to slide down moss encrusted waterfalls and wade pools or fight thro yukkie scrub but to do the opposite... nahhh Also on some maps they showed a hut further up the South Branch above Goat Creek and The Log jam. This was just a unfinished A frame hut that was not rain proof..Not useable...HISTORY the deer in this region are not trophy material. Mostly rubbish stags. Only ever saw and photographed one goodish head Never shot it.

Access into the Poerua River Headwaters. There is another way into the head of the Poerua headwaters. On the south side of the Big Wanganui River is a place known as Hendes Ferry. The most obvious spur gives access to Mount Wilberg. Theres a trig station on the snow tussock. Follow on a high level route south and the Poerua headwaters come into view. Steep climb down into the basin Not really possible in mid winter for the average dude. Not a place to get caught in during adverse weather, DO NOT ADVISE try to follow out to the farmlands.(McKenzies old farm)

There is access into the head of the Lambert. From Hunters Hut in the Big Wanganui follow the blazed trail up to the Blue Lookout. This also is a route into the Lords Vlly. From the Blue Lookout keep high until a shingle slip/creek can be seen dropping down into the Lambert Basin. DO NOT GET CAUGHT IN THERE WITH ADVERSE WEATHER. At the base of the glacier Hans Shear got some truely fantastic chrystals. Note. From Hunters hut the track up into the head of the Adams is very steep in places. To get out of the Adams climb up the obvious Boulder Pool Creek to the snow tussock Then take a high level route till you see a prominent spur. Stick to this like glue and it ends up just upstream from Hot Pool Creek which is a tributary of the Wanganui. There is a good ford to the North side of the Wanganui River. Note The basin on the head of Hot Springs Ck used to be a favourite for big stags. Nice head shape.

As previously asked... The Tuke River up the Mikonui River does have a remote hut in the headwaters. Access from Dickie Spur or Healy creek is the kick off point But I advise that Dickie Spur is the best point to start from.. Keep to a high level and DONT be tempted to drop into the river/creek bed too soon. BE WARNED. Stay high until the last minute. Its a kero hut...and seldom visited (or at least it wasnt.) This hut gives access to some truely beaut mountain scenery. Alan Weir of Waimate shot an 18 pointer stag there with HEAVY antlers.

Was asked about Hughes Basin in the Perth River South Westland.. Years abo there was a well blazed track that lead from Nolans Flat about ten minutes or so up the flats from the hut. This would be very overgrown now. It took about 3 and a half hours (with packs) to reach the open tops. A few times I followed up Hughes Creek from the old cattle track. Its tough in places and detours into the bush were required.

Early Questions asked.. The Morse River in the Maitahi is/was untracked and access is frustrating. It is an uninteresting tributary and for some reason was never over abundant with deer or chamois. Access is best by sticking to the true left. The hut opposite the Edison has collapsed. The Edison is really only a creek. Holds no real interest. To reach the head of the Edison climb up the obvious ridge slightly upstream (Maitahi River/Edison confluence... The head of the Maitahi offeres a good pass into Zora Creek and access to the upper Landsborough.