Tararua Southern Crossing | Tramping (Hiking) Video Series | New Zealand

[@user-uy6uc5ey5q]

The part which says the block XVI track off the Marchant Ridge and then at the bottom on the true right (or western side) of the Tauherenikau River is bad advice. You can come down the Block 16 track ok (it fairly steep thou) , but the track along the at the bottom along the river valley till the swing bridge has not been maintained since 2012 with lots of large slips across it, large swamps, poor to non existence track markers and severely over grown. Basically the valley track on this western side is a bush bash and hard to navigate. If people do decide to come down Block XVI, much faster and easier to cross the river immediately to the other side and find the much better marked and maintained track coming down from Tutuwai hut on the true left (eastern side) down towards the swing bridge. Obviously in flood the river isn't suitable to ford,.

[@bengmelea8646]

Thanks for the tip

[@carrotsandrunning]

good comment, tried to do block once and lost the way. Fortunately was on the smiths creek side so turned around and aborted, but would have sucked to be on the other side coming at it.

[@user-uy6uc5ey5q]

@@carrotsandrunning Worst part is the track is marked on a wall map at Alpha hut as the emergency escape off Marchant Ridge - obviously any storm which makes Marchant Ridge dangerous will have the Tauherenikau River in flood - talk about throwing people into the fire from the frying pan.

[@nigelhunt1354]

True. Its hard.

[@azzaKaiapoi]

Wow. This is an excellent resource for a tramper unfamiliar with the Tararua's. Very valuable, thanks! 👍

[@strphenz]

Just completed the crossing - this was excellent to watch before going.

[@nigelhunt1354]

Excellent video and info on the Southern Crossing. The lady is not joking about the bad weather either. This can also be done in two days, over night at Kime Hut, but I do not recommend it as you will be tramping for around 14 hours on day 2. I would try and avoid the path she mentions at the end though. Very steep and some section are very hard to get over.

[@TheblackraddishFPV]

Fantastic video. Thanks

[@Afed390]

Did this in a day. Nice walk

[@hikingzone]

Thank you for posting 👍

[@garthhume]

Awesome video

[@tararuaman]

Very happy to see the word 'tramping ' being used .well done. Get frustrated when I keep hearing 'hiking,' would also like to hear 'New Zealand' being used as well. Cheers a great video.

[@ginganutjob]

get over it you old racist

[@claudiapetrie9233]

New Zealand is used in this video though...

[@CelebrianUndomiel]

I'm so confused why people dislike hearing Aotearoa's indigenous language so much. You have access to a beautiful culture as part of your national identity, why would you want to ignore that in favour of bland Englishness.

[@stewatparkpark2933]

@@CelebrianUndomiel They don't want it shoved down their throats .

[@CelebrianUndomiel]

@@stewatparkpark2933Hearing a word said one (1) time in a 8min video is shoving it down your throat? 🙄🙄 Find a way to cope.

[@kiwischeisse]

Thanks for the video, great source of information! I just wonder how realistic the trip times are. My experience with the tracks in the Tararuas is that the official times are heavily underestimating, even in good conditions (and I totally endorse the line: leave as early as possible!). Does anyone has experience with this track and can comment on the trip times?

[@nigelhunt1354]

I did it in: 7hrs Otaki Forks to Kime Hut. Good weather to start then heavy rain. Overnight at Kime Hut. Kime Hut to Kaitoke 13hr heavy rain and high winds. I think the times in the vid are pretty much there or there abouts. Great hike but you NEED good weather for the reward of the views.