New Years tramp 19/20 - Rees Dart Track

[sbilton]

Hello,

Over the New Years period, Boots’n’all traditionally does a multi-day trip and so it continues. We're keen to go to the SI and tramp the Rees-Dart track. This is a step up from its nearby cousin the Routeburn track and also the Greenstone Caples track.

This hike is not for the faint hearted and requires moderate- high fitness and technical skills. It is not a ‘Great Walk’ so walking is more technical and the track far less manicured than the ‘Great Walks.’ There is a big climb, scree sections and steep drop offs so not recommended for those with a fear of heights. There will likely be stream crossings and muddy/boggy sections. We will also be carrying five days worth of food....But we will be rewarded with spectacular mountain scenery (weather dependant), forest and alpine vegetation, glacier-fed rivers and the Dart Glacier (check out the photos on the ‘tramping.net.nz’ second link below!).

For the able tramper this is a highly rated SI tramp.

Accommodation note – beds at the huts cannot be booked so its first in first serve. The smallest hut will sleep 20 people, the largest 32. We've decided to limit the group size to a max of 10 guests at this stage and some people may need to carry tents as a backup.

The link below is the official DOC brochure, followed by a balanced review write up.

https://www.doc.govt.nz/globalassets/documents/parks-and-recreation/tracks-and-walks/otago/rees-dart-track-brochure.pdf

http://www.tramping.net.nz/routes/rees-dart-track-mt-aspiring-national-park

The prosed plan is:

Dec 27th (Friday) – Fly in and stay in Queenstown

Dec 28th (Saturday) – Shuttle to track start. Hike and stay at Shelter Rock Hut

Dec 29th (Sunday) – Hike and then stay at Dart Hut

Dec 30th (Monday) – Side trip to Dart Glacier/Cascade Saddle or relax at hut. Stay at Dart Hut again.

Dec 31st (Tuesday) – Hike and then stay at Daleys Flat Hut

Jan 1st (Wednesday) – Hike to end. Stay back in Queenstown

Jan 2nd (Thursday) – Depart back home or onwards with your holiday plans

Tentative costs are:

Queenstown Accom – from $35 per night x 2 nights = from $70

Track Transport - $120

Huts on track – $15 per night x 4 nights = $60

+ Food

+ Flights ($350-$500) currently

To register your interest please can you please fill out the expression of interest form if you are interested (this week) so we can gauge interest and then look at getting this booked if enough people are keen.

Please also fill out this form if you would like to provide any feedback (e.g. would have been interested in a hike around this time but these exact dates don’t suit/ too intense for me.)

Thanks!

BnA Coordinators
Steve, Anna, Reuben, Kylee