Hi, having 10 days off in Feb. and was wondering if any of you can recommend a tramp into Subalpine/Alpine with easy access.
We are based in Wellington and could drive to destinations in the NI, or flying to ChCh then taking the West Coast Shuttle towards Arthurs Pass.
Always wanted to walk the Three Passes Arthurs Pass, but am a bit worried getting stuck at Lake Kaniere, having to hitchhike to Hokatika.
Any help appreciated! Thanks!
Have you done the Tararua traverses? Good mix of terrain and very close to you. A bit farther north you've the Kawekas, which is similar terrain and very well provisioned with huts and tracks (I know of two fairly scary bits of track so sing out if you don't like heights and wish to know more). Of course there is the Ruahines between those two but I've only lightly touched them and so can't give much of a recommendation.
I did the north-south traverse of Nelson Lakes within that time span. Fly Wgtn-Nelson, bus to St Arnaud, local cab to start of track, maybe Speargrass or Angelus Hut that first night. Then you have eight days to get to State Highway 7 at Cannibal Gorge, where you pick up that regular bus service through to Nelson.
