KAIMANAWA GIANT
2021 was also different, in that there were four of us – not the usual Josh and I, or me solo. Josh (‘Ricky Baker’), Isaac (‘Big O’) and Liam (Twigs), Ridge (my trusty mutt), and I (‘Muffin Man’). The plan was to head into a new area for us - one where Isaac had shot a very promising, but very young stag, on one of our earlier trips.
The time arrived: 11:50pm. I left the farm and reached the Waikato at 7.30am, to meet up with Ricky and Twigs, then on to Taupo to collect ‘Big O’, to head for the beautiful Kaimanawas. With packs on we walked in and, just after dark, had to scramble down a wee bank to get down to the creek. Ricky, Muffin and Twigs all got down fine, and Ridge needed the quick help of a size 12 on the back end. When Big O’s turn came we warned, “If you fall, no one’s catching you!” At that same instant, for some reason, he let go. True to our word, like three rats up
