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Winter Tramp around Queenstown / Wanaka

p.flynt posted 24 July 201524 July 2015

Original post

Hi- I have done quite of few tramps around NZ, Gillespie, Mt Armstrong, round the mountain circuit, etc... I have done a bit of winter tramping, so know how to use an ice axe and crampons, but its been a few years. I have about 4 days holiday in the first week of August and would like to do a tramp that would get me back into the alpine snow line to brush up my snow skills, but dont want to die in the process... Was thinking of Kepler circuit or possibly even aspiring up to french ridge hut. Any recommendations would be much appreciated. P Flynt

Yarmoss commented 25 July 201525 July 2015

The Kepler would be good, Ive been up there in August before. From the bush line its a short walk across gentle terrain to Luxmoore Hut, it will give a good indication on what the snow is like and its not difficult to turn back to Te Anau if its too much. Mt Luxmore is a good further goal. French Ridge is a much more serious proposition with some fatal terrain to fall off if you take a slide.

zoneblue commented 26 July 201526 July 2015

Motutapu Track is interesting this time of year. Takes 4 days.

p.flynt commented 27 July 201527 July 2015

Hi Thanks, and just saw the posting of the missing trampers that were caught in an avalanche at Kepler. Not sure if it would of helped, but I always rent a locater beacon from DOC when solo tramping. I have been looking at Motutapu and it looks to be a lot of traversing. Lots of crampon action for sure. Is there a way to get to the start? Any way to get back to the car or any shuttle access this time of year?

Dr_On commented 28 July 201528 July 2015

Last summer I asked the I-site in Wanaka and they provided me with all contacts. There was some kind of "shuttle" transfer to Fern burn carpark and then it was a bus from Arrowtown back to Wanaka. And yes, I did the full road from Macetown to Arrowtown, not that interesting, comparing to the track itself, but still nice :)

p.flynt commented 30 July 201530 July 2015

Thanks for the info. With the weather forecast over the next week looking rainy, would that be a lot of snow on Motutapu track? Also the Kepler looks to be one day above the Alpine. Is that correct? Would Motutapu be more challenging in that aspect?

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Forum	Tracks, routes, and huts
Started by	p.flynt
On	24 July 2015
Replies	5
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