Frew / Toaroha Saddles Track, Westland

Looking back 23 kilometres to the Whitcombe after a huge day.

Bluff Hut. A great place to wait out some wild weather with a library and a dramatic perch above the valley.

Your classic house-sized Hokitika river boulder…

Sir Robert Creek headwaters

Leaving Homeward Ridge

Sir Robert Hut

The Mungo, just above the Brunswick Creek junction. Two shifty river crossings.

A quick side trip to Poet Hut.

Mungo Hut and valley.

Toaroha Saddle Bivvy.

The Toaroha, just downstream from Top Toaroha Hut.

Crystal Bivvy.

Dave on Yeats Ridge, thinking about Pipi Pizza and beer.

Meg Hut, Pisa Conservation Area

Turk, Crown Range

Crown Range ‘Turk’ (not a yurt, not a tank) is a prototype hut built by Erik Bradshaw, situated on Glencoe station out the back of Arrowtown. Built as a ski-touring base for his family, friends and backcountry travellers, it’s also perfectly situated for overnighting trampers. The solar panels power continuous ventilation, lighting and USB charge; this is a luxurious hut experience complete with hut slippers. Not to mention that the practicals (gas/cooker and utensils) and comforts (a heater and an armchair, carried up by Erik) are taken care of. If I were to add anything, it would be some art, but then you have the form of those surrounding hills and that light…! The longer way up (via Crown Peak) takes 3.5 hours, the short route direct from Bracken Gully up the spur, 2 hours. You could follow the range northward to reach Cardrona in another 4 hours, via Mt. Sale.

Crown Peak views of Wanaka (that bluey valley) and the Pisa range to the right.

Dave with Whittakers & whisky