Tramping in Arthurs Pass brochure

The Department of Conservation have a very informative brochure about tramping in Arthur's Pass, it is titled Tramping in Arthur's Pass. The following information is taken straight from the DOC website but I have included it here as it is highly relevant to anyone planning a trip to Arthur's Pass National Park:

DOC brochure: Tramping in Arthur's Pass NP

Tramping in Arthur's Pass

Arthur’s Pass National Park is rugged and mountainous; its back country tracks and facilities are not as developed as most other national parks in New Zealand. There are limited options for people with little or no tramping experience as most trips require route-finding and river-crossing skills.

Tramping in Arthur's Pass brochure (PDF, 1,669K) (opens in new window) 

Trips for trampers with moderate experience

• 3–6 hours each day
• Suitable for people with low–moderate tramping experience
• Basic route-finding skills needed
• Some tramps require river-crossing

Route	Above bushline	River crossing	Route finding	Avalanche risk
Carrington Hut	No	Yes	Yes	No
Cass-Lagoon Saddle Track	No	Yes - side streams	No	Yes
Hawdon Hut	No	Yes	Yes	No
Casey Saddle - Binser Saddle Route	No	Yes	Yes	No
Edwards Hut	No	Yes	Yes	No
Carroll Hut	Yes	No	No	Yes

Trips for trampers with moderate-high experience

• 5–8 hours each day
• Suitable for well-equipped people with previous back country experience
• Map-reading and route-finding skills essential
• River crossing skills essential

Route	Above bushline	River crossing	Route finding	Avalanche risk
Avalanche Peak Route	Yes	No	Yes	Yes
Avalanche Peak to Crow Hut Route	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Harper Pass Route	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Mingha-Deception Route	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes

Trips for highly experienced trampers only

• 7–10 hours each day
• Suitable for well-equipped and experienced back country trampers only
• Often difficult country – may involve rock scrambling
• Many unmarked routes – map-reading and route-finding skills essential
• River-crossing skills essential

Route	Above the bush line	River crossing	Route finding	Avalanche risk
Three Passes Route	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Edwards-Hawdon Route	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Harman Pass Route	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Minchin Pass Route	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Edwards-Otehake Route	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes

Be aware of these factors

Weather in Arthur’s Pass National Park changes quickly

Sharp falls in temperature, heavy rain, and strong winds can occur any time of the year. Always be prepared to change your plans. In bad weather you risk exposure if above the bush line, and drowning if crossing flooded rivers.

Remember

• Get the latest weather forecast from the Arthur’s Pass Visitor Centre before setting out.
• Be prepared for the worst.
• Carry warm clothing and waterproofs.
• Do not go above the bush line in bad weather.
• Rivers rise very quickly during rain – even if it’s far away in the headwaters.

You must know where and how to cross rivers safely

Unlike the Great Walks and other easy tramps in New Zealand, many tracks and routes in Arthur’s Pass do not have bridges.

Rivers and major side streams rise rapidly after rain. Several trampers have drowned crossing swollen rivers.

Rivers and side streams tend to be higher in spring when snow is melting.

Remember

• Read the route guide and map carefully to see where the major crossings are. Before crossing assess the river’s speed, depth, colour, catchment area and run-out. Consider escape routes along your route.
• Know how to choose the best crossing places: don’t cross discoloured rivers, surging water, or major rapids; watch out for sounds of rolling stones in the riverbed, or trees and debris being carried along.
• Do not take risks. If a river is flooded, wait it out – better late than dead!

You need route-finding skills

Many of the routes in Arthur’s Pass require some route-finding skills. Tracks and routes are not always continuously marked – especially in wide riverbeds and above the bush line, where the landscape changes rapidly due to slips and floods. You will need to find the safest route.

Remember

• Always take a topographic map and compass with you.
• Do not rely on GPS – it will not work in the thick bush or confined spaces.
• If visibility is poor, do not go above the bush line unless you have good navigation skills.
• Write your tramping intentions in hut books as you pass through.
• If you are lost or injured: Stay where you are. Find or construct a shelter if possible. Leave signs of your presence and conserve energy.

Avalanches are a seasonal risk on many tracks

Some high-level tracks and routes in Arthur’s Pass are exposed to avalanches in winter and spring. Some passes have year-round snow and ice.

Know how to stay safe from avalanches