Landsborough - Karangarua Tramping partner wanted

Can't offer you a parter for the trip - though it's certainly a lovely route. Can give some route decriptions though: Route options from Landsboro to Karangarua are Karangarua Saddle or Douglas Pass. Douglas Pass covered in Moirs Guide North. Karangarua Saddle route shown as a red line in http://tramper.co.nz/?3674 and described in http://tramper.co.nz/?3671. Douglas Pass sounds the harder of the two - ascent of steep, crumbling post glacial valleyside and crossing of snout of retreating Douglas glacier. Also bear in mind that Cashel Flat swingbridge is gone (unless it's been replaces int he last couple of months). But Karangarua Saddle involves a sidle on a 10m wide shelf with nothing but air for 300m below - and exposure to ice/snow fall from above if there's any ice/snow left when you're there. That said, you can appraise the entire route from the Landsboro valley floor, so can make your choice when you see what conditions are like. Fraser Hut to the roadend in the Landsboro took me 8 hours - which would equate to about 16 DOC hours. Upriver took 1.5 days to the pass - but the river was too high to cross or boulder hop, so involved some tough sidles and bushbashing. Would be faster in low flow conditions. Hope that helps, and hope you make the trip. Some amazing country.

What an awesome sounding adventure in an area not visited often. I went over Elcho Pass last February into the Landsborough and since doing this trip I'm hoping to do further exploration next opportunity. Unfortunately I'm won't be in the area that time (and excuse my jumping in here) but I'd be super keen if I was. I am curious as to the route you're proposing for future reference. I have the 260 series maps in front of me. Michael

Madpom - many thanks for your information. I had previously read the saga of your self rescue in this area - a great story.

Hi Michael, Proposed route is up the true left of Landsborough until can cross in headwaters and if conditions ok via Karangarua Saddle to Coast. Basically using Moir's guide except for Karangarua Saddle route described by Madpom.

Thanks for pointing this thread out to me. I'm definitely interested but am currently booked on a climbing course from Jan 27 to Feb 01. I presume your dates are fixed by the flights? I might be able to move my course back if so. I also need to have a look at what is involved in more detail. Cheers, Ian

Hi Ian, Yes my dates are fixed by the flights although I am now scheduled to depart from Wanaka on Monday 30 Jan and back to Wanaka on Feb 8. I will put together some more information and email it to your address in your profile. cheers moirsmate

Hi Moirsmate, The only dates I can change my course to are Feb 7-12, which probably isn't going to work ? Cheers, Ian