South Island Midwinter Tramping--Suggestions?

Maybe too easy for you but hard to go past the very scenic Hollyford Valley at that time of year.

I've said it before on here but the Green Lake area is fantastic with terrain for everyone. Base yourself at Green Lake hut and explore the tops, conditions permitting, or stay low and head inland to the Grebe valley and the northwest end of Lake Monowai. The tops around the Borland Saddle can be easily reached by walking to Island Lake then up to the road at the Borland Shelter. Was there at June last year with beautiful frozen tarns up there with long views. North facing slopes were snow free, south facing had a bit of snow on them requiring ice axes. Mt Burns was an easy climb. Might be different conditions in July, but still worth checking out IMO.

What about an off season trip on the Humpridge Track. I read a trip report about it somewhere and it sound like a lot of fun. Not too strenuous but difficult enough in winter to make it interesting. Its a three day trip so you would have time for another tramp somewhere else. I have it on my trip list as a possibility...

Given the couple of earthquakes of the last few days, I wouldn't recommend anywhere say south of Tekapo. In particular the Young valley!

@Skyler.Leigh Whats your experience level - snow ice and winter? What have you done before?

Thank you everybody! This feedback is fantastic, a whole bunch of incredible places we haven't considered yet! Hugh--I lived in western Montana for a few years before coming to New Zealand, and so am well-acquainted with wintertime in the mountains. However I am not the most experienced when it comes to extended winter alpine trips, using crampons and ice axes, etc. My friends are far more experienced than I am, afraid I'll be the weak link in the chain! Through the VUWTC I have taken a weekend AIC course, done several snowy trips in the Tararuas, and last midwinter we started at Grassy Flats and did the Toaroha/Zit Saddle/Styx River route. Looking for a similar difficulty level--snow made a liar out of the DOC difficulty level and travel times! haha! Up for a challenge and looking to push myself, but I'm very well aware that I have plenty of experience to gain. Cheers! -S http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/west-coast/places/kokatahi-river-whitcombe-river-area/things-to-do/tracks/toaroha-zit-saddle-kokatahi-lathrop-saddle-styx-river-route/

Skyler.Leigh If you want something a little more challenging than a winter Zit - Lathrop Circuit you could do a winter Frew Saddle - Toaroha Saddle trip with a crossing of the Diedrich Range from Cedar Flat & down Gerhardt Spur to get you back to your car on Whitcombe Valley Road. (This is a stunning trip in good wx. It suits your time frame too!)

Frank and I did the Hump Ridge circuit last June. Unfortunately the hut up by the tarns at 900m a.s.l. doesn't have any heating. How I wish we'd cooked our dinner in the dormitory instead of that vast, freezing kitchen. The Port Craig DoC hut has a lovely logburner though.

July is the middle of winter. Hut based makes it more pleasant at that time of year, and the central west coast has lots of huts. Connect any four in a loop. Check out DoC's map of huts, especially the free ones - every hut is a potential trip. Classics like the Waiau pass, three pass trip or the Whitcombe pass or the Cascade saddle or the Milford track or Doubtful sound etc etc make great trips in winter. Know how to camp? Paringa - Marks Flat - Landsborough will get you a wilderness fix. Conditions permitting. Cannot be emphasised enough. Where ever you choose to go your enjoyment (safety) will depend on your party being able to call the conditions on the day. Every where is fantastic when the weather is good and the snow stable and you avoid slipping off snow slopes. Snow made DoC a liar? I would gently suggest that snow and the conditions make an idiot out of anyone who thinks one description, from anyone, can adequately describe what you are going to find on the day? Where do your friends want to go? Crossings are great. West to east is often easier in Winter, more question marks at the start and usually easier country towards the end. Contact me if you need help with transport. Hugh ex HVTC "Real tramping starts when you leave the doc descriptions behind"