FITZGERALD PASS TO DOUGLAS ROCK HUT - CONDITIONS
Original post
I'm planning a (guided) climb up to the Fitzgerald Pass and then out down the Copland Valley. It's a tough day, starting at 4 a.m. in Tekapo, and I'm not confident of making it all the way to Douglas Hut in one go. Does anyone know what it would be like to bivvy down on the western side of the mountain and carry on to Douglas Rock Hut and Welcome Flat the next day? Also what are the underfoot conditions? Is it loose scree, avalanche boulders or what? Thanks for any help.
If you have to carry the gear to bivvy, you will increase the need to do so. I know if i were descending from the saddle i would keep going to whenever to get to the relative comfort of the hut.
Some of the route between the passes and the hut is in an avalanche path but i believe most of it is consolidated at present.
Underfoot it will be snow, scree, boulders & short scrub.
I wouldn't be keen to bivvy above the Douglas Rock hut at this time of year tho it wouldn't have bothered me when I was younger.
From about twenty minutes above Douglas Rock hut you are exposed to a series of avalanche pathways.
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| Forum | Tracks, routes, and huts |
|---|---|
| Started by | davidm |
| On | 28 June 2012 |
| Replies | 2 |
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