Thank you for taking the time to review my profile.
I'm a North Island kiwi, passionate about exploring New Zealand's backcountry and inspiring you to do the same.
In joining this community, it is my hope that I can assist you to develop confidence and self-reliance in the bush and experience the benefits that it brings.
This channel was created for you so your likes, subscriptions, and feedback will greatly assist me to improve this community.
Search using my HANDLE. youtube.com/@OutdoorsmanDave
Hey Dave, I'm with you on your pack. I carry a pack everyday with all the essentials and I'm not kidding. On my back walking or biking, in my vehicle when I have one running. That way I can grab and go. I never go without a tarp, never. Thanks for the hike. I have wonderful in laws myself!
@@OutdoorsmanDave LOL, I really don't like to get wet. We've made some good friends inviting fellow hikers to huddle under our tarp shelters. We are retired, we walk everyday.
@@totaratree99 nice, it’s such a beautiful place to visit. There are a couple of lovely, easy day walks near your stay, see the video links in the description of this video.
A fun & cheeky warm-up hike with my brother-in-laws on Great Barrier Island, before I complete the Aotea Track starting the next day. Please like, comment, and join this community.
Thanks Dave, that was fun. Most of the areas I go are at or above treeline so one doesn't follow trails on tundra. You just walk across the tundra, it's all open. I wish the US had huts like you fine folks. As always Thank You! Appreciate your effort.
@@bigsky2081 Yes, us kiwis are blessed, that one is actually free to stay at. Yes a fun video, I’m solo a lot more these days as it’s just filming wise logistically easier
@@OutdoorsmanDave Yes, it's not an inconvenience for ones hiking companions. I really enjoy going on a 3 week canoe trip with my son but it is less work alone. When one goes into the wilderness it is best to go as you would to see a woman. Alone, LOL!
@@OutdoorsmanDave I'd preface this with the fact that I only go barefoot on tracks with no metal/gravel and always wear boots on dangerous terrain or need to be somewhere fast. Otherwise Like you mentioned it conditions your soles, ankles and knees the longer you do it. You have less painful incidents over time too as you learn to walk again and your path finding instincts adapt. You can achieve a similar experience with zero drop shoes or toe shoes, just that extra sensory information changes everything that you'd otherwise miss in boots. Just my 2 cents.
@@OutdoorsmanDave they must've been a bit nervous if they were growing there at the time with police etc in the area. My father and his family grew up in waharoa, my father and grandfather went up there a few weeks after via Thompson's track and followed what the ridge down to the plane, he said they looked around the tail etc before it was covered by the army. I did a speech on this crash at school when I was about 12.
@gregarmstrong5043 glad you’re back on track as it were, I wish admin from the “ Kaimai Track and Hut users” fb group saw value in what I do, they have just blocked me after I posted photos (no links or maps) of this Kaimai gem. Join the fb group “Kaimai adventure club” for Kaimai intel or my instagram for everything else. 👋
Really good video, as always, thanks Dave! Might be stating the obvious here, but anyone planning to explore NZ bush with less experience, please make sure you take the necessary precautions - let someone know where you are going before-hand, take a PLB along, etc. Not to take away anything from your video, Dave! Just thought I'd mention it here. Cheers, Rudolph
Good question, essential requirement. I’m not happy with my app (but all my waypoints are now on it) but most appear happy with topo50 Nz. About $7 per island, a no brainer.
A fun & adventurous showcasing of a real gem day walk circuit in the Kaimais. Please repost this video to your own networks and together let's inspire our friends and family to get outdoorsy, to get in touch with their inner exploitative child, and get healthier both in body and mind. Please comment so I can connect with you and like and subscribe if you are new to the channel.
Legend. Knew about the SR - NS but not the second one. Great to have a heads up on them before doing them, Not sure if you noticed but you can see the cute little Motutapere Hut from Sentinel Rock nestled in the bush. Thanks Dave.
Thanks. Haha, caught ya out, now I know you didn’t watch the whole thing as I talk about the hut seen from Sentinel Rock, now go back and see, and repost to your network ☺️
@@OutdoorsmanDave Nah Dave, I did watch the whole thing mate. You pin dropped it but it's not discernible in the video but clear as a bell with the naked eye on a good day up there, and cute as a button. That Sentinel Rock is a fab spot.
Loved the adventure, loved the views and bush, loved that you ran into some subs (just makes it real that the girls are doing it too) ... and i'm sure it's all thanks to you, for sharing your enthusiasm, knowledge and experience. Glad you wear orange, there are hunters with rifles who do not ... is this a potential hazard?
Thanks for watching it Graeme, please share to your network as it’s quite a fun people video. Orange is my brand colour but it might have some advantages if there were hunters around which they generally aren’t in the Kaimai’s because I’m not aware that there is too many deer around. I don’t think I’ve ever seen one yet but I’m very interested to know what the pile of animal droppings were. 👋
@@lesballard9959 thanks Les and yes, because I’m not creating videos for the international market, I suspect a lot more local kiwis watch it for the intel I present. A form of phycological payment verses heavy view count.
Love your videos Dave. I have waited in anticipation of this one and if didn't disappoint. You give inspiration for me to get out there. However I will not be attempting this one bit off road for myself as a mainly solo adventurer. I also wonder if i will bump into any of the youtubers that i watch! Keep up the good work.
Hey, are you using electrolytes throughout the day in those big days in the sun on the tops? It's easy enough to make them (table salt, cream of tar tar and epsom salts) and carry it with you. That and a magnesium pill at the end of the day will really help with recovery for the next day. Also found keeping the sun off with something like the Hunters Element Eclipse hoodie (bamboo/synthetic) really helps. Have you had a look at getting a Garmin inreach for these trips? Well worth it from a comms perspective
Use electrolytes in bottled water, (is cheap from chemist warehouse ), manganese tablet after hike, carry PLB, the orange uv shirt is a hoodie for sun if need be but I wear caps. Just don’t have an inreach…yet. Thanks for thinking of me. Ps on my Maungatautari adventure I forced myself to get cramp, watch video and see why.
Bases covered. Just concerned you'd worn yourself out. That's a really tough route. The Kiwi Hut climb in itself is rough at that time of year in the sun!
I do not know where to start! ... loved all of it. Hate amateur weed growers leaving their trash behind, great views, bush seems a little sparse, Nikau seem to thrive, did not know Rata do that & have a flower similar to Pohutukawa & as ever our little friend Piwakawaka ... thanks
Seeing and hearing what is out there is what it's all about. That is one of the reasons I go alone so often. A complete kit for self care is so important. My kit has had the cooperation of my physician so I have everything covered. An interesting track you followed and I'm glad your friend managed to get out. Not an easy task with injury! Thanks Dave!
Thanks, you have just reminded me I need to go and put a pencil in my safety kit as so often I get to huts and there’s no pen to write hike intentions in the book, it’s something we do here in New Zealand.
@@OutdoorsmanDave We do it in our huts as well but the days of calling and getting into a hut are over. Nowadays it is pretty much a drawing to get into huts. That is why I pull a sled and have a tent with a wood stove. It used to be like NZ prices but now it's like a 5 star hotel. At least from my point of view but then what do I know.🤣
Over the years I have been a fresh ground " cowboy coffee" guy. Basically a french press without the press, just a dash of cold water to settle the grounds. But as my trips got longer the grounds became a problem and the regulations say pack it out. I now just take instant coffee and Tetleys. Great review of this quick boiling appliance and I agree with you on the French press, it should be silicone not stainless screen. Thank You Dave , enlightening, I can see why some folks can't say enough good things about the JetBoil.
Wow, seriously, rules are that tough about coffee grinds? The Kea Stash type bag sorts it all, poop even if need be. Grinding fresh is a hassle but it’s a bit for the video / viewership. I preference aeropress so may not bother to buy the Jetboil press with silicone plunger.
Are you looking to lighten your backpack, do you hike solo, or are you looking for a gas stove that is both effective and efficient, then check out my video on the Jetboil MicroMo and tell me what you think, or share if you use one yourself. BTW, how do you brew your backcountry coffee?
@@OutdoorsmanDave nz is beautiful lol it’s actually part of the last un touched wildlife pre colonial as part of the last push in king country part has lots of mushroom birds fossils an old historic Māori trail that goes through there the land was gifted way back in the day an had been gazette for Forrest an bird since. Have you ever thought of having a mycologist trip
Interested, are you knowledgeable in the ways of fungi, birds & plants to guide and help me make an educational story from a walk around? Your name is?
Funny. I had this one on my list for a while and nearly did it just before your vid came out. Did it on a blue sky day today but kind of in reverse- started at Hicks Road (parking is at the Marae rather than the road end where it used to be and where Willie was picked up), up to Maungatautiri and Pukeatua for cooked lunch via the Te Raki, and back down the Wairere quad bike track. Large frost patch at the summit of Pukeatua- doesn't look like it ever gets the sun at the moment, and a constant climb on the Wairere until the saddle and then constant descent down to the fence. For anyone who is interested, the section from Maungautiri summit to Pukeatua and then back down to the Wairere quad bike track is steep and rooted and will keep people on their toes and for me was around 5.5hrs walking time and 15.8km with 900m total ascent. A fun day out, thanks for posting. Btw, that was a Saddleback- the old rusty steel wheeled squeaky wheelbarrow wheel bird. Heaps of them up there.
Thanks for visiting my work Dave. Your bird ID could do with some work lol. The bird you thought was a kaka was a tieke (saddleback). The the birds you thought we Robin's were popokatea (white head). Perhaps some time I could take you to see the real maungatautari
Thanks Craig - So let’s use your knowledge to teach others! I’ll add the bird IDs into the video description. Craig or others, Please ID the bird at each of the following video points. 3:56 6:30 8:48 12:06 12:44 16:20
Very cool video all the excitement and all. Willie definitely not slow because he's under cooked ...I'm so proud of him walking out with a fractured ankle.❤
Thanks Anita, it’s a hard one, personally I would have appreciated knowing what level of pain he was in so we could consider all options if need be like taking the easier Wairere track or make up a splint to transfer the weight to it rather than onto his ankle etc. Suspect he didn’t want to seem a burden but yes, he was certainly a good sport and is one tough cookie, we didn’t know (to the point of him driving the car home) that it was actually a fracture. He was wearing his glasses at the off track creek crossing but I literally don’t have any facial shots after that to know when he actually lost them. I’m sure you make a good nurse, take good care of him, all my love, Dave 🙏
Thank u so much, loved this, shame Wiremu (not sure i got his name right?) he is shy tamariki o te whenua, & then out of the blue comes this young pakeha woman in a black singlet bursting with energy ... cannot b scripted ... this deserves tobe seen worldwide
Have you checked out the old derelict hut near Lake Rotohokahoka out in the Mamaku range. Not to sure if it's still there, as it's been probably a good, almost 10 years since I was there. I can't see anything about it on topo maps though
Also, with the markers, there's a lot of pest monitoring lines/tracks. I go with my Dad every now and then to put out or collect pest monitoring cards to check what's going on. The track we do is about a 5 hour trek, lots of bushbashing involved. And the birdlife is fantastic.
Yup saddleback and with the kokako the only two native wattle birds left in NZ. The 3rd wattlebird native to NZ was the huia which was hunted to extinction by Buller.
@OutdoorsmanDave .Na don't remmber any those I remmber go up to old trig at top steep steep steep when u 8 years old and remmber sneak into one guides tents ⛺️ and kiss 💋 one hicks girls 👧 on cub guide camp lol 😆
@OutdoorsmanDave lol how world 🌎 changed 🤣 the hicks parents be in their late 70s now I don't know if James son ever took on family farm. Nice spot up there I live 2 hours south Perth now
@OutdoorsmanDave we walked along the river from the one lane bridge to the train station and back. The ole girl has a hip injury she's getting over so a flat short in walk in the sun to see how she went. Tomorrow we going around Kainui Lake flat but a bit longer see how she goes.
Why is nobody posting about hiking this incredible “Over the Mountain” trail on Maungatautari? Seriously, the best full immersion of natural sounds & birdsong ever!!! It’s always an adventure with Outdoorsman Dave, see how we respond to a mission stopping ankle fracture and many outdoorsy tips to inspire & prepare you to take on nature and to thrive & survive in it ⛺️ 3️⃣0️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ WE are almost there, join and be a partner in this community 🥇
OutdoorsmanDave, the philosophia, who would have thought? ... loved Piwakawaka following you hopping u would disturb insects & the sound of Tui ... and yes, i am inspired ... thanks for the journey. Also glad you had contact with your wife & a ride home ... & of course yr pooch ... haha
Thanks Graeme, if you love bird sound in the bush then you were going to absolutely love my next video due in a week. The most prolific bird sounds ever on a hike and for good reason that secret will be revealed in the video. Lots of bush teaching tips and philosophy in this one too, I just hope that my members are personally growing as a result. I just see so little value in empty calorie entertaining.
The kaimais are such a underrated location. You have family friendly huts, old school huts and basic shelters. Tracks vary from very good, ok tracks, to ‘what track’. There’s something for everyone, and located close to Tauranga, Hamilton and Auckland. Only done a few tramps up there, but intend to do more.
Yes have summarised it well, you might be interested in some Kaimai Forgotten Five hut history then, a five video series starting with ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-kv4JOio0WB8.html see description for links to the others. Includes the secret Puketutu, enjoy.
My Great Uncle Willy had the nearest farm to where the crash took place and looked after all the search and rescue people for the duration of the search. His farm was at Gordon. I imagine all the bodies would have been on his farm before being removed. I'm of the view that the wreckage should have just been left there.
Work through the DC3 video list in description and you’ll find one where we took the ridgeline route up (same as SAR in 1963) from what most likely is the farm you speak of. There was only one body intact, the rest choppered out in bags in parts. The wreckage has spread over a few kilometres.
Here it is ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-ftT2nq6JX-Q.html is it the same farm, it’s directly below the crash site. Future videos show more of it.
@OutdoorsmanDave Hi Dave, if you look at Google maps, you will notice a distinct colour change in the bush north of Ngamarama track, this is where the bush was logged by Ngaroma Sawmills of Greerton 1962 to 1975, (may be others as well), there are extensive logging tracks north, west and south of te tuhi track road, I guess yr salvation hut was built by the logging contractors, they logged south down to the Ngamuwahine and probably across the other side as well, there is on google maps a logging track across a clearing at -37.7759183, 175.9419616, which I guess is very close to yr hut
Great vid Dave. That tent is the perfect colour for a stealth camp, blended in perfectly. I can also recommend the backcountry mashed spuds over the supermarket ones. I find that it better seasoned. The supermarket ones ive tried have been a bit bland. Sweet kitchen setup you had in this one!
