The Landsborough is unique among West Coast rivers, running parallel to the main divide for more than 60km.With a large number of side streams draining heavily glaciated peaks from both sides, it rapidly grows to become a big river, meaning that the river is always a formidable obstacle.

The surrounding peaks and places all share a common theme in that they were named by early  explorers Charlie Douglas and Julius Von Haast in 1887, and generally were named after the various people within Lands & Survey, covering almost the entire executive structure at the time as well as people from the Department of Mines and the Westland Land Board.

Image @ Vinn Elliot

From Kea Flat all the way just past Arbour Rift, the Landsborough follows an old fault line so is tightly confined to relatively narrow corridor before opening up into the expansive head basin.

Further up the Landsborough from the Zora confluence and wedged in on either side of the river by some rather imposing peaks, are the landing sites Shelter Hollow and Arbor Rift, being basically over the river from each other. Almost 2000 meters above you stands Mt McKerrow which was first climbed in 1914, on the opposite side stands Fettes Peak at 2451m. Both of these peaks are heavily glaciated and you’ll no doubt hear a few things falling off them at some point.

High above the Landsborough @ Vinn Elliot

Unlike to the West of the Hooker range silver beech dominates throughout the Landsborough, and the river can be followed on both banks apart from a few short sidles into the Beech to get around a few larger boulders.

These two landing sites are really close, so you will see your neighbours and if the river allows you could even hop over and borrow some tea bags when you run out. Both of these landing sites offer nice and sheltered tent sites in the beech forest, with creek water nearby.

Looking up the mighty Landsborough @ Vinn Elliot

You’ll find tahr at all levels from the lower bush and slips right up in the higher bluffs systems. The side creeks provide good access, but like most parts of the Landsborough things eventually get quite steep. Like all tahr hunting, climbing to be in the right place at the right time is the key, as well as having a fair bit of patience.

With so much cover there’s always a chance of a good bull popping out, take your time picking through these bulls as with the hammering the herd has had the last few years, it’s now more important than ever to be very selective and take only a truly old bull.

Originally produced for NZHunter Magazine - Grab a subscription here