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untitled-349 SEE ALSO: http://smu.gs/Yrxd4L for more on a part of the Wairarapa.
Bush alongside Atiwhakatu Stream, Tararua Forest Park May 2011
Abandoned Platinum mine, Tararua ranges.
Atiwhakatu Hut Long Drop May 2011
Bush alongside Atiwhakatu Stream, Tararua Forest Park May 2011

Something very new and very different for me, but inspired by my Flickr and walking budddy http://www.flickr.com/photos/squilk/

New in that I have resisted the usual temptation to brighten everything to the max - instead I have darkened it and made the picture quite dark - it does look better though (to me anyway) by clicking on the picture so it can be viewed on black
A Tararua Legend, Eric MacIntosh


Eric MacIntosh, on the Atiwhakatu Track, Tararua Forest Park.

Eric has climbed Mt Holdsworth (1470m) 838 times since 1980 and climbed Mitre (1571m), the highest peak in the Tararuas at least once every single year since 1988.

There won't be a single hiker in the Tararuas that won't have seen his name and comments in the Hut Books. I banged into Eric at Atiwhakatu Hut and had the privilege to walk with him back to the car park at Holdsworth Lodge. I told him it was nice to meet a Tararua legend, but of course he modestly scoffed at the suggestion, but if 838 summits of Mt Holdsworth isn't legend material, I'm not sure what is.
Wairarapa spot light, from Tararua Forest Park ranges
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See photo in original gallery.