1- 6 March 2015

Day 1: Muddy Creek car park → Shelter Rock Hut 19.6km 7+hours

We set off walking at 10am and strolled on through countless kilometres of tussock grass, navigating the swampy bogs with the sun shining despite the wet weather report. Peter Lye unsure if he had needed to splash out for his new raincoat. We stopped at 25mile creek for lunch before powering on and entering the elfin bush and traipsing uphill, clocking up 7 hours before we finally reached Shelter Rock Hut. It was muchly appreciated to be able to sit and relax and refuel – AND IT HAD FLUSHING TOILETS. Everyone enjoyed their back country dehydrated meals (as much as they can be enjoyed) before bed at 9pm.

Day 2: Shelter Rock Hut → Dart hut 11km 5+hours

After the DAUNTING night of rain and the wind whipping around the hut we were up at 7am to repack our packs and eat our delicious soggy porridge and fake coffees before entering the rain and trekking around the rocky paths alongside the river, slowly getting wetter and wetter. We replenished our sugars before the arduous climb like mountain goats up to the Rees saddle at the height of 1471m.

As we started to descend the wind got up and we were pelted by the rain and blown around as we traversed around the many ridges of the mountain side. Peter Lye grateful to have his raincoat now as we were soaked through. Peter Ayson falling in a mud hole gave everyone a laugh before our moods dropped as we kept turning the corners but never seeing the hut. Chris (with the GPS hanging off his pack) easily convinced us “only another 30 minutes”. An hour and a half later we came over the ridge and saw the beaming glory of the hut down in the valley (still a little walk away).

Crossing the swing bridge and getting to the rather large hut, we all stripped off our wet gear and Peter Ayson played arsonist, starting the fire which slowly heated up. After a warm, late lunch and a pot of tea brought to us by the hut warden, it was cards and reading on the afternoon’s agenda before dinner. As it continued to rain we were on river watch to determine tomorrows plan, watching as different boulders disappeared under the grey torrent.

Day 3: Dart Hut → Cascade saddle 20km 8+hrs, Dart Hut →Dart Glacier 5hrs

After the morning slop and bad coffee we decided to split up into fitness groups to achieve different goals. John, Jess and Chris heading up to Cascade saddle, the others going to the Glacier.

We walked past an amazing rock face, scattered with waterfalls running from the snow and ice covered hill. Then we came across the Dart Glacier that was formed 18,000 years ago, which we walked past to summit the saddle in 3hours 20minutes. It was an incredible sight to see, looking down into the Matukituki valley with Mt. Aspiring poking out from behind the clouds. We ate lunch, admiring the view before heading back down past the Glacier to the hut. We passed Lois and Helen who had decided to make it to the saddle as well. We headed down to the glacier where we tasted some 18,000 year old (?) ice. Then it was the long walk home to the hut along the side of the hill and over the river bed rocks. As we crossed the rivers, some Australians were sitting by the river removing their boots to cross the stream, they were surprised to see us crossing in our boots (must be a kiwi thing) however at the next river they crossed with their boots on not wanting to be shown up by the kiwis.

When we reached the hut after 8+ hour’s dinner was muchly needed as were dry socks. Both Peters had walked to the Glacier as they were both nursing injuries and didn’t quite make it to the saddle.

Day 4: Dart Hut → Shelter Rock Hut 11km 7 ½ hours

As we headed back to Shelter Rock Hut via the Rees saddle, this time in stunning weather it was wicked to see the scenery we had missed when we had come over in the rain. As we reached the saddle, hot and sweaty we dropped our packs and climbed the small hill behind to maximize the views. We could look down the three valleys surrounding us, taking our breaths away. As much as we wanted to stay up there forever admiring the views, we opted for taking a few photos before our hungry tummies called for the one square meals in our packs.

After lunch we headed down off the saddle down the steep hill then the rather tedious walk back to the hut over rocks and through scrub. We were all keen for a swim in the river near the hut before reality hit and our toes recoiled at the temperature.

That night after gathering around the mountain radio and hearing the dubious weather report we decided to vacate the next day and have an extra day in Queenstown. As the moon, almost full, rose over the hill in the distance, lighting up the clouds in a spectacular show, we hit the sack to be ready for the 20km walk the following day.

Day 5: Shelter Rock Hut → Muddy Creek car park 20km 7+ hours

With much lighter packs (but slightly sorer bodies) than when we entered we set off as a strong group before John and Peter Lye zoomed off in front to collect vehicles from Queenstown, the rest of us continued through the bush and swamps for hours in the sweltering sun before stopping at 25 mile creek for lunch with our friends the sand flies. We decided to do a small detour up to the hut which was pretty derelict.

As we walked on nonstop through the swamp with the backdrop a vision of snow capped peaks, bright blue bubbling stream and dry crunchy grass, we looked forward to see the road ahead but still over 2kms to get to the car park it was a bit of a tease. Then we saw a blue truck containing John and Peter come over the hill to collect the weak.

After a celebratory photo by the track sign we headed to Glenorchy to rehydrate and sort out accommodation for the night - we all managed to get into Pinewood hostel, where a shower and clean clothes had never felt so good.

All smelling fresh and looking half acceptable we headed into Town to Atlas on the Wharf to have some real food. As much as we ‘love’ dehy, fresh food tasted so good.

Day 6: Queenstown

In the morning it rained so we all decided to do our own things around Queenstown before John drove the girls up Skippers canyon in the afternoon. The views were mind blowing as we coiled around the hillsides up above the river before we came to a well-kept settlement, Skippers, which was a centre of gold mining in the 1800’s. DOC maintain the preserved school house and homestead beautifully. That night we all met up in a pub for a little celebration before we went our separate ways to get back to Hamilton.

Photos on our facebook page