Tracks

route from Snowy Creek to Lochnagar via Snowy Saddle

Lochnagar/Shotover Saddle/Matukituki Valley
Lochnagar/Shotover Saddle/Matukituki Valley
Track 2 days. Medium/hard. One way.
An alpine crossing of a saddle between 2 major river valleys. Usually done as part of a circuit of saddle crossings.
Dart/Lochnagar
Dart/Lochnagar
Track 1 – 2 days. Hard. One way.
10 hour trip from Dart Hut to Lochnagar via Snowy Saddle

Track grades

Easy
Unusually smooth, well-marked track, easy gradients. Up to about 4 hours per day.
Easy-medium
Typical lowland track. Generally easy walking and well marked. Ascents of up to 1000m. Some easy river crossings, unmarked travel along rivers.
Medium
Typical tops track. Experienced trampers only. Rough, muddy and poorly marked or unmarked. Ascents of up to 2000m. River crossings, open tops, passes. Up to about 8 hours per day.
Medium-hard
Navigation and snow skills (use of ice axe and crampons) required. Glaciers, exposure to falls.
Hard
Rough or non-existent tracks. Following ridges, bush spurs, and rivers. Steep ascents, arduous travel, hazardous conditions, snow and navigation skills essential.