Big Ōtaki loop (AKA the main range circuit)

Classic main range loop. I'm mainly doing this so I can visit the steel ladder, but am also generally just keen to check out the Hector-Maungahuka traverse.

None of the days should be particularly long or arduous. We'll get lots of tops though, so this is very weather dependent. Dates are subject to change based on arbitrary metrics determined by me.

You need to be a competent tramper, etc.

Cost = petrol + very basic breakfast and dinner. Feel free to bring more interesting stuff to add!

Rough plan:

Walk into Kime in the afternoon of day 1.

Wake up early and pop up to the top of Hector for the sunrise, then back to Kime & spend the day crossing to Maungahuka.  Hopefully we'll have plenty of time left in the day, and can continue through to Aokaparangi.

Day 3 zoom past Anderson memorial (maybe a cheaky side mish to Jac's Biv?), and sleep at Waitewaiwai.

Day 4 easy walk out along the valley.