Thread: Cell coverage in the Kaimais

As said:
Excellent phone reception on the west because you have line of sight to call towers and can be patchy on the east because some valleys dont have line of sight.
Gps on phone doesn't require cell coverage.just satellites and reception is excellent unless you're deep in a ravine.
Several apps allow download of topo maps at home on wifi I use topo50 and you get all north island for about $10 I think.
If you've got cell reception you can use Google or apple maps with satellite layer to see the vegetation and find slips clearings huts but can be confusing to understand ridges and valleys etc.
Paper map with a compass is good. You can download them from doc or linz and print out the section of interest if you've got time.

That part of the kaimais is steep enough navigation is straightforward. Flat areas round wairere falls etc are diabolical but round motutapere you will be fine.

Thomson's track is a poxy mud hole and I think people go there by 4wd and trail bikes so depressing to traverse on foot from either west or east.
Look at the tuahu track and come to motutapere hut from the north. It's an interesting piece of ridge. Dont try to walk straight up over sentinel rock.

Read your doc permit for details of the "no hunting near tracks" rules. They are there to keep people safe on roads like thompsons track and popular tracks. To be honest a large part of the land in the kaimais is within 400m of some track. Review your rules 3,4 and 5 of firearm safety.and use common sense as well. Specially dont annoy endanger or frighten anyone; be a nice guy friendly polite to all you meet hunter tramper or biker.