Lewis Pass/ Kaikoura Ranges Mid April

Hi Pimams, I'm sure you'll get feedback on this post but it would be helpful to provide a little more info on your profile; experience, preferences, interests etc. Cheers

Agree whats your experience My Favourite track in the Coastal Kaikoura range is to climb Patutu, only a day trip, unless you go off track then a loop can be made. http://www.wildernessmag.co.nz/trips/trip/mt-patutu/

As mentioned above, not sure of your experience so hard to give solid recommendations. The Lewis Pass Tops are easily accessible, but with the weather forecast for early next week being what it is, being above the bushline might also mean you're hitting snow, so be prepared for that. Day or overnight trip up through Cannibal Gorge to either of the 2 huts large huts there (Cannibal Gorge or Ada Pass) is a nice trip, on a good track but that may not be what you want. Foleys Track up to Travers Peak - good climb, goes above bushline. You're kinda spoiled for choice in the Lewis region to be honest. I don't have much experience in the Kaikouras so I'll leave that to someone else.

Thanks for your answers! Well, I have done quite a few tracks in New Zealand, some of them characterised as a ''route'' but most of the time the tracks were marked or at least there was a trail. As I said, I really enjoy tramping above the bushline; I prefer open tops and alpine terrain and do not have problems getting snow on the track. Cheers

Hodder River > Hodder Huts > Mt Tapuaunuki or Mt Alarm Do it!

in the lewis pass region routes above the bushline are seldom marked. Where there is a marked track its usually along a valley or a quick crossing of a ridge or saddle. away from the 'easy' st james walkway or the hope valley - kiwi saddle or lake daniels - any of the other tracks and huts in the area may suit your 'not that easy'. most of the ranges between are high tramping country and great if you have maps and the routefinding skills. http://www.topomap.co.nz/NZTopoMap?v=2&ll=-42.569661,172.253345&z=12 http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-stay/stay-in-a-hut/?region=Canterbury&actionId=166#findplaces and check the forecasts! http://www.nzweathercentre.com/snow-outlook.html

There's some good side-trips you can do from Ada Pass hut as well up Gloriana and Faerae Queene. Be careful of the loose rock though :o

Camera Gully is a good quick route to climb Gloriana and Faerie Queen. We went up direct to the tarn in snow and avoided the obvious avalanche trap routes to the west and east of this face.