Tackling the Takis

View of the rest of the mountain range half way up.

The Takitimu Mountains are important to me. As a child I looked out to these almost every day while growing up. I see them almost as guardians who looked over me while I grew up in the township of Ohai. Perhaps this mountain range was what started my obsession with mountains and wanting to climb them and paint them.

It wasn't until my late 20's when I met my partner that I actually began hiking and climbing mountains. It dumbfounded me why I didn't take it up earlier as it is now one of my passions.

I guess its never too late to do anything.

In 2014 I decided the first range I wanted to walk up was my home mountain range. I had looked out to these mountains for many years and now decided it was time for me to look back the other way - and stand on top looking back to where I had grown up.

My partner and I left it to a cool yet calm winters day in June to begin climbing the Takitimu Mountains. We walked up a shadowed valley track that began to become covered in snow the higher we got. The track in some places was obscured by beach tree leaves and fallen branch debris.

Just on dark we reached the Upper Wairaki Hut. A basic orange two bunk hut typical in these areas.
We were both very cold and the surroundings of the Hut were covered in snow. We began to collect as much dry wood as possible to light a fire. We eventually got the fire going, warmed our hands and put dry clothing on. A backcountry freeze-dried packet meal was the feast of the day. Having eaten we both resided to our bunks for the night.

On daybreak we got up - ate some porridge to fuel our bodies for the climb that lay ahead.
Having no track to guide us any longer we had to make our own navigations up the mountain.
The snow began to get thicker and we had to try and tread lightly so we didn't keep sinking into the snow. We eventually reached a clear saddle, and looked at a way to get up the mountain.

Our ascent began, through scrub, shingle slides and gnarly drop-offs.
After a few hours we had reached the top and stopped for a well deserved cup of soup to warm the hands, and a bite to eat. We couldn't stop long as the mountain breezes began to set in and we had to make our way down before dark. I felt a sense of achievement and couldn't believe after all these years I could finally say I had climbed the Takis.

At the summit of the Takitimu Mountains.

Ko Takitimu te maunga. (my mountain in maori)

We then had to make it down by dark. We slid down the side of the mountain which felt a lot easier than the climb we had earlier in the day. Reaching the grass areas we then looked down the valley to navigate the best way to reach our vehicle. Following the path we thought best, we encountered dense bush and pushed our way through eventually discovering some old deer trails that made life a little easier. I then found a orange marker, indicating a doc trail. It was starting to get dark so was pleased to have found the trail, as this was a definite way out. Eventually we reached the vehicle. I had tackled the takis.

I have since visited 6 of the 11 huts within the Takitimu Mountains. I plan to visit all 11.

Click below to see some live footage of someone elses journey through the Takitimu Mountains.

Earnslaw Burn - Halfway to Middle Earth

Granduer of Earnslaw Glacier

My partner had always mentioned about us hiking to Mount Earnslaw Burn. Then one Saturday it happened. We entered the start of the track off Lovers Leap Road near Glenorchy.

The hallmark bright orange Doc markers met us on entry to a battalion of tree forest.  A gradual incline began. My legs told me "this is too early for climbing uphill". We meandered through mostly pine trees until we came to a clearing of lengthy grass. The incline continued, while we took in clear views of Mount Alfred. Leaving the grass area we then met the rugged New Zealand native bush. The track began to relent slightly as we weaved through sections that offered variations of incline, downhill and level.

The track seemed relatively groomed until we met some large trees that we had to navigate over, under or around. The sign at the start of the track did warn us to this, as there had been some big snowfall two months prior. The track continued to weave from side to side like a snake in motion following the contours of the river below us. The echoes of the water torrents drifted up to us- dousing the silence.

Fantails followed us where we had disturbed vegetation - hopeful we had stirred some bugs for them and help make them their next meal. We then came across our first small waterfall and decided to relieve our backs of our tramping bags for a few minutes, while we filled our water bottles from this natural water source. On our way we continued, getting glimpses of white capped mountains through the trees.

Finally we came to a huge opening in a valley, and there stood Earnslaw Burn majestic as she was in the distance. We walked through the valley and discovered a family ready to set camp for the night. We greeted them as we passed and then sourced our camp site - a flat area across from some waterfalls.

With camp set up I decided to retire to bed, being a bit jaded from the walk. Sandflys began their invasion, and soon I was armouring my skin with insect repellent to keep them at bay.

Campsite in front of Earnslaw Glacier.

Morning came we packed up our tent and left our backs by a bank while we walked up to the foot of the Earnslaw Burn glacier. This is about another 1.5hour walk from our campsite through tussock and scrub. The Glacier was amazing, it seemed like hundreds of small waterfalls come of the glacier in various directions. It now made sense why Peter Jackson chose it as a scene for Middle Earth, it was almost magic. We took a lot of photos as I tried various techniques on my new camera. Nothing quite compared to actually being there.

Now - time to walk back!

Take a look at the area from the air! Its got a real WOW factor.

I would highly recommend the Earnslaw Burn track to anyone who loves hiking or Middle Earth. This is not the most difficult of walks but does require a moderate level of fitness and determination to finish - to which in the end you will be rewarded with mind-blowing views of the Earnslaw Glacier. Take my word every step will be well worth it!

For more information and directions on how to get to the Earnslaw Burn track CLICK HERE