A chopper deposited us at the southern end of the island in Cook Arm. The plan was over the next nine days to tramp north over the Tin Range to Freds Camp Hut in Paterson Inlet. The first three and half days travel was untracked which was slow going thru the sometimes dense sub alpine scrub or dwarf sized podocarp forest of rimu and miro. Low cloud and squalls were our constant companion with the odd patch of better weather on the Tin Range providing spectacular 360 degree views of Rakiura. A flat, dry campsite was a rarity and 14 hours in our tents each day was the norm. The famous Rakiura mud wasn't encountered until we hit the Southern Circuit track near Rakeahua Hut. A fabulous area to travel thru if you like off-track navigation and the odd challenge....
Check out our article with Map and images.
