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Briar

I have grown up in a tramping family and gradually progressed to longer and harder trips as I got older. Most of my tramping has been done in Auckland's Waitakere ranges due to proximity, but my favourite trips have been in the South Island.

I dabble in a little mountaineering and have climbed the six highest peaks in the North Island as well as Mt Aspiring and a few others down south. Trail running and multi-sport have also been features of my outdoor activities.

My (sporadic) blog is mostly outdoor-related and can be found at http://waitakathlete.blogspot.co.nz

Gunsight Pass

Gunsight Pass

With a couple of spare days in South Canterbury the forecast gale nor'westerlies and heavy rain on the main divide did not bode well.  We settled on the Temple Valley as a good overnight tramping option, being east enough to ...   More ▶︎
Hawea Solitude

Hawea Solitude

Who would have thought you could have huts to yourself on a long weekend within an hour’s drive of one of New Zealand’s most outdoorsy towns!   More ▶︎
Pirongia Perambulation

Pirongia Perambulation

A weekend excursion around Tahuanui & Bell Tracks on Mt Pirongia.   More ▶︎
Lonely Lake - Fenella Hut

Lonely Lake - Fenella Hut

Track. Medium. One way.
11km route along the Douglas Range from Lonely Lake Hut to Fenella Hut   More ▶︎
Long Weekend in the Kaimanawas

Long Weekend in the Kaimanawas

Three day circuit in the Kaimanawa Ranges over Waitangi Weekend 2017. Te Iringa - Oamaru - Maungaorangi - Cascade - Hinemaiaia.   More ▶︎
Rees - Dart (a variation)

Rees - Dart (a variation)

Two weeks of climbing and tramping in the Wakatipu region.   More ▶︎
Climbing Egmont

Climbing Egmont

An account of my first trip up Mt Egmont back in 2009.   More ▶︎

Kaimai Traverse

Kaimai North-South track - 107km from Lower Kaimai through to Paeroa. Followed the new route up the Wharawhara valley instead of past Wahine Rock & Cashmore Clearing, plus a slight detour down Te Tuhi track on day 1 to walk ...   More ▶︎
High route to Blyth Hut

High route to Blyth Hut

High route to Blyth Hut from the Turoa Road. This is a short cut on the Round the Mountain Track which avoids walking several kilometres down the road.   More ▶︎

Pae o te Rangi Campground

Campsite. Basic Campsite (Private). 30 spaces.
Pae o te Rangi is a campsite in the Kauri Cascades area of Auckland's Waitakere Ranges. Managed by Auckland Council. Bookings required - $6pp A shelter will be built soon (as at June 2015).   More ▶︎
Omanawanui Track

Omanawanui Track

Track. Easy. One way.
Omanawanui is the best track in the whole of the Waitakere Ranges with fantastic views of the Manukau Harbour and Auckland City, Awhitu Peninsula, and Whatipu Beach. Almost never gets muddy underfoot.   More ▶︎
Mueller Hut

Mueller Hut

Hut. Serviced Alpine Hut (DOC). Capacity: 28.
Mueller hut is surrounded by Mt. Cook and other 3000m peaks, making it a scenic place to stay. In summer numerous icefalls can be seen and heard tumbling down to the Mueller glacier below. There are two bunk rooms plus ...   More ▶︎
  • BriarBriar updated the photograph, Kauritatahi Hut (August 2017) 23 April 202123 April 2021.
  • BriarBriar added the article, Gunsight Pass 19 April 202019 April 2020.
    With a couple of spare days in South Canterbury the forecast gale nor'westerlies and heavy rain on the main divide ...
  • BriarBriar updated the track, Temple Valleys Circuit 19 April 202019 April 2020.
    Added related info
  • BriarBriar updated the hut, Beebys hut 30 June 201930 June 2019.
    Updated facilities
  • BriarBriar added the photograph, Cameron Hut, Makarora 6 December 20186 December 2018.
    Cosy wee hut to escape the crowds. Firewood is scarce but the pot barely stove is very efficient and warms ...
  • BriarBriar updated the article, Hawea Solitude 28 June 201828 June 2018.
  • BriarBriar updated the photograph, Moonlight & Roses from saddle 28 June 201828 June 2018.
  • BriarBriar updated the photograph, Approach to Moonlight & Roses 28 June 201828 June 2018.
  • BriarBriar updated the photograph, Breast Hill 28 June 201828 June 2018.
  • BriarBriar updated the track, Cardrona - Cromwell Pack Track 19 January 201819 January 2018.
    Track closed to lowburn
  • BriarBriar added the photograph, Deep Creek Hut, Pisa Range 19 January 201819 January 2018.
    Restored musterers hut on the Pisa Range.
  • BriarBriar added the photograph, Meg Hut, Pisa Range 19 January 201819 January 2018.
    The historic Meg Hut is only a couple of hours' walk from Cardrona valley.
  • BriarBriar updated the hut, Meg Hut 19 January 201819 January 2018.
    Updated coverage details.
  • BriarBriar updated the hut, Mid Caples Hut 17 November 201717 November 2017.
    Cookers no longer provided.
  • BriarBriar added the photograph, Home Hill Hut 17 November 201717 November 2017.
    Historic hut on the bushline above the Caples Valley. Thought to have been built as a musterer's hut on the ...
  • BriarBriar updated the article, Excursion to Kauritatahi 15 August 201715 August 2017.
  • BriarBriar updated the photograph, Excursion to Kauritatahi 15 August 201715 August 2017.
  • BriarBriar updated the hut, Kauritatahi Hut 14 August 201714 August 2017.
    Fireplace was removed in June 2017
  • BriarBriar updated the hut, Starveall Hut 11 July 201711 July 2017.
    Updated mobile coverage
  • BriarBriar added the photograph, Starveall Hut (Richmond Ranges) 11 July 201711 July 2017.
    A tidy 6 bunk hut on the bushline in the Richmond Ranges. Read my trip report on my blog http://waitakathlete.blogspot.co.nz/2017/07/solo-to-starveall.html I couldn't ...
  • BriarBriar updated the article, Pirongia Perambulation 11 April 201711 April 2017.
  • BriarBriar updated the photograph, New Pahautea Hut 11 April 201711 April 2017.
  • BriarBriar added the photograph, Pirongia View 11 April 201711 April 2017.
    Looking southwest from the summit platform of Mt Pirongia (959m). The Cone (953m) is the sharp peak to the right, ...
  • BriarBriar updated the photograph, Bell Track Bog 11 April 201711 April 2017.
  • BriarBriar added the photograph, Barker Hut 16 February 201716 February 2017.
    The Canterbury Mountaineering Club hut high at the head of the White River.
  • BriarBriar updated the track, Lonely Lake - Fenella Hut 10 February 201710 February 2017.
    Added related photo
  • BriarBriar added the article, Long Weekend in the Kaimanawas 7 February 20177 February 2017.
    Three day circuit in the Kaimanawa Ranges over Waitangi Weekend 2017. Te Iringa - Oamaru - Maungaorangi - Cascade - ...
  • BriarBriar added the photograph, Oamaru - Boyd Junction 7 February 20177 February 2017.
    Signpost in the upper Oamaru Valley (Kaimanawa Ranges), where the track splits south to Boyd Hut and north to Cascade ...
  • BriarBriar updated the hut, Lonely Lake Hut 3 February 20173 February 2017.
    Updated description to reflect recent renovations.
  • BriarBriar added the photograph, Mt Lockett (Kahurangi NP) 3 February 20173 February 2017.
    View from Mt Benson on the Lockett Range, looking toward Mt Lockett. Ruby Lake in the foreground, Diamond lake at ...
Briar
Member since 23 February 200823 February 2008
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