Tuesday, October 19, 2021

Guidelines for using backcountry huts...

   ...10 rules to live by when using backcountry huts...


Here are a set of ten golden rules to follow when utilising any of the backcountry huts here in New Zealand...These are relevant to both Kiwi trampers and our international visitors..


Interior of West Sabine Hut, Nelson Lakes NP


1. Keep huts clean and tidy. A broom, brush and pan are provided—please use them, and leave muddy equipment outside. 

2. Conserve gas when using gas heaters and cookers. During cooking always open a window or door to allow dangerous carbon monoxide fumes to escape. Keep an eye on boiling water/food, and be sure to turn gas heaters off overnight and make sure it is properly off when you leave. 

3. Take care using wood burners, keep the fire contained and never leave it unattended. Only burn dead dry wood and be careful with hot ashes. Make sure the fire is extinguished before leaving. Use wood sparingly and replace any you use for the next visitors. 

4. Share huts with others by being considerate, make room for late comers and keep quiet if others are sleeping. Share boiled water with other trampers to help conserve gas. 

5. Carry it in, carry it out—recycle ALL your rubbish. Take two bags, one for recycling and the other for rubbish/food scraps to carry out with you and dispose of responsibly. Refer to the Environmental Care Code on the DOC website

6. No smoking in huts, take your cigarette butts out with the rest of your rubbish. 

7. Hunters must follow the New Zealand Arms Code; see also the DOC hunting pages

8. No dogs allowed inside huts. 

9. Before leaving, close doors and windows securely. 

10. Always pay hut fees.


Lower Apirama Hut, Takatimu Mountain Range

These recommendations should be followed along with the tenants of Leave No Trace (LNT) theory to protect and conserve these precious resources...

Friday, July 30, 2021

My tramping plans for Arthur's Pass NP over the 2021/2022 season...

 My tramping plans for the 2021/2022 season...

I have been working on my annual trip plan..I do this each year to give a focus to the tramping adventures I would like to undertake over the coming year.. I set out a plan of all the trips I would like to complete and then start organising around the plan. I have a number of trips planned for Arthurs Pass NP this season...


I spent a frosty night at Lakehead Hut earlier this month...


The effects of the ongoing Covid pandemic...

Despite all of our best efforts (...or worst efforts from all the anti vaxxers, anti maskers, deniers of history, conspiracy theorists, fascists and the Orange Buffon who shall not be named...) Covid continues to blight the world. This has started to have a real impact on New Zealand...financially but also socially, mentally and physically. We are a funny, cloistered little nation way down here in the South Pacific and we need that pressure valve of trips overseas and incoming tourists to ease our isolation...

We are isolated from the world...for good and bad!!!

  Although we can still move freely about the country I am finding that more and more services are unavailable as they relied on the tourist trade to stay in business. A good example is my recent planning for the Heaphy Track later this year... 

Brown River is the northern terminus of the Heaphy Track

Almost all of the transport, accommodation and service providers have cut services as there is not enough domestic demand to keep them afloat. This made it very, very difficult to plan the trip. I believe the longer the borders are closed the more services will be affected.

 

Karamea is becoming more difficult to access on public transport...

Unfortunately we have no other choice...countries which have opened their borders to business/tourism/repatriation are now suffering dearly and this is not what we want to happen here. We have to stay strong, hunker down and weather this storm as best we can...


My 2021/2022 tramping plan:

Anyway...here is the tramping plan I have developed for Arthurs Pass NP for the next year...


August 2021:
  • Campervan Trip 2: Upper West Coast visiting Karamea, Westport, Punakaiki, Hokitika late August, day trips (Scotts Beach/Nikau Walk/Cape Foulwind/Pancake Rocks/Extended Hokitika Gorge/Treetop Walk). We will look for a walk in Arthur's Pass on the way back to Christchurch...(Covid lockdown for most of August)
Karen and I are heading for the Upper West Coast soon....


                        
September 2021:
  • Arthur's Pass NP, Hawdon Hut, early September, overnight (Winter Series 2021) (We did the Campervan II trip instead...but no walks in Arthurs Pass NP)
       
I will be heading up the Hawdon Valley in September...
        
  
October 2021:

  • Arthur's Pass NP, East Hawdon Valley: late October, overnight (I haven't been to the East Hawdon since 2014 so it is time I returned. I will probably camp up the valley near the bivy)    
                   
Weather permitting I will re visit the East Hawdon this season...


                        
December 2021:

 One trip for December a hopeful trip over the Mingha Deception Route. I have planned it for several years but weather always gets in the way. I'm hoping for this season...
  • Arthur's Pass, Mingha-Deception Route: mid December, overnight (3 huts) or Crow Hut from Klondyke Corner, mid December, overnight (Cancelled due to bad weather)
                                       
The Mingha-Deception route starts/finishes at Greyney's Shelter


January 2022:

My workplace has mandated that we must take a week of annual holidays over the Christmas break...personally I would rather use the time elsewhere but there is not much I can do about it. Therefore....tramping/camping time up some remote valley for Jon!!!
  •  Lake Sumner Forest Park, Harper's Pass Track: five days from the Otira River to Windy Point (10 huts possible) or Arthur's Pass NP, Poulter River Ramble II: three days camping up the Poulter River, multi day (3 huts). The Taramakau Valley is a part of Arthurs Pass NP... (Cancelled as my daughter came to stay with us for that time)
  • Arthur's Pass NP, Sudden Valley: mid January, overnight/day trip (1 hut)    
A visit to Sudden Valley has long been on my to do list...



February 2022:

The Cass-Lagoon Saddle Circuit is just outside of Arthurs Pass NP but I will feature it here as the two parks meet close to Lagoon Saddle so technically it is partially in the National Park...
  • Craigieburn Forest Park, Cass-Lagoon Saddle Track: mid-late February, multi-day (3 huts) (Cancelled...I went to Nelson Lakes NP instead)
On the outskirts of Arthurs Pass NP...Cass-Lagoon Saddle Circuit

I have several trips planned for outside Arthurs Pass NP over February to March so will probably not spend a lot of time there. 

Any trips from March 2022 onwards are only aspirational as I cannot predict what may happen that far out. Who knows what the future holds for us...we might find ourselves locked down once again as the subsequent Covid strains become more and more virulent. Weather and sickness have also played havoc on my tramping plans for the last couple of seasons. 



March 2022:
  • Arthurs Pass Weekend: staying in Arthurs Pass and walking the Bealey Valley Track and Devils Punchbowl Track (Completed)

April 2022:
  • Otira Valley Track: early April (Completed)
  • Arthurs Pass NP, Waimakiriri Valley: Klondyke to Carrington Hut and either Barker Hut or Waimakiriri Falls, multi day trip, (2 huts)


A return to the Upper Waimakiriri Valley is on the cards...



June 2022:
  • some winter trips TBC.....mostly day walks but I will try for a couple of overnight trips as well. 

So I hope to have a couple of adventures in Arthurs Pass over the next year as always it is really going to depend on the weather conditions. 


Looking up the Poulter River Valley from near the old Casey Hut site...


Check back to see I manage to spend some time in my home National Park...


Wednesday, June 23, 2021

Possible additions to Arthurs Pass National Park

 Arthur's Pass NP may be expanding...

There is a possibility that Arthurs Pass National Park may be expanding sometime in the near future. The park has largely remained the same size for most of the last 20 odd years but there is a long history of new areas being included inside the park boundaries from time to time. 

The Poulter River was the last area added to Arthurs Pass NP


A proposal being championed by the FMC may see areas to the south west of the Taipo River being folded into the current park. 


What is the FMC?

The FMC or Federated Mountain Clubs of New Zealand is an umbrella organisation which advocates for outdoor users in New Zealand. They consist of almost every tramping club as well as the New Zealand Deerstalkers Association (NZDA) and various other fishing, MTB, 4 W/D, walking, kayaking, caving and canyoning groups. 


Logo of the Federated Mountain Clubs (FMC)

The FMC also have over 30 000 individual members (...including Jon...) so they really are the voice of the outdoor community here in Kiwiland. I thought it might be useful to look at one of the most exciting and interesting of the projects the FMC is currently working on. The project is centered around the huge areas of land controlled by DOC but which are undesignated at this time.


What to do with Stewardship Land?

When the Department of Conservation was set up in 1987 most of the land managed by the Crown was placed under their control. Much of the land had been previously designated as National Parks, Forest Parks, Scenic Reserves and Conservation Areas but there was also a lot of land with no legal standing. These areas with lesser/no control are known as Stewardship Land. 

The land surrounding Lake Kaniere is all Stewardship Land

This Stewardship Land was meant to be designated as something else within 10 years of the establishment of DOC but there has been little political will to do so. A lot of this land has resources like water, timber or minerals on it which various enterprises would like to exploit. Designating it would also cost the country as DOC would require additional resources to manage it. 


Around 33% of the DOC estate is Stewardship Land

The FMC have increased their focus on these 'Forgotten Lands' as demand to exploit them have increased over the years. There have already been several large mines built on Stewardship Land as well as over 15 proposals to build new hydro/irrigation dams, new roads and requests to exploit virgin forest for timber. The land is also vulnerable to 'land swaps' where large tracts of under researched land are swapped for smaller parcels with seeming higher value. This is often to the detriment of the environment...

 

An FMC Forgotten Lands poster.....


One of the assumed roles of the FMC is advocacy for stewardship land so they have a number of ongoing projects to have the land legally protected under the overall umbrella of the Forgotten Lands Campaign. This campaign is meant to bring public attention onto these areas and hopefully to kick start some sort of process for designating them. 


Wild Rivers Park:

There is a mass of DOC land between Paparoa NP and Fiordland NP which has no official designation at all. This Stewardship Land was supposed to have been designated a long time ago but successive governments since the 1980's have lacked the will, interest or motivation to do anything about it. It contains some of the finest un-blemished wild rivers and rugged backcountry areas in the country and is very vulnerable at this time.

There are large tracts of Stewardship Land on the West Coast


The main dangers are from unrestricted mining and the development of hydro electric dams in this area. The West Coast of the South Island is rich in timber and minerals including coal, iron sands, oil, gold and trace elements. All of these have potential markets overseas so there is great interest in exploiting them.

Stockton Open Cast Mine is on Stewardship Land on the West Coast

 The area is also rich in large river catchments which make ideal locations for hydro electric schemes. There are corporations and groups who want to exploit these resources regardless of the ecological and environmental value of the land. 

Arahura River, West Coast of the South Island


A group of interested parties including DOC, the local Regional Councils and the FMC are proposing a new park to protect these areas. Wild Rivers Park would encompass land from the Otira/Taramakau Rivers south to near Haast and would contain many of the iconic West Coast catchments including the Styx/Arahura/Hokitika/Toroha/Whitcombe/Waitaha/Wanganui/Copland/Karangahua/Landsborough and the Haast. 


Hokitika Gorge would be part of the Wild Rivers Park...

The Kokatahi River is also in the proposed Wild Rivers Park

It would also give greater protection to the inland lakes along the coast and some of the lowland swamp forests around the mountain fringes. Many of these are already scenic reserves which have less protected status than a Forest Park or National Park. It would achieve the long term goal of a contiguous protected land corridor all the way from Kahurangi in the north right down to Fiordland and Rakuira/Stewart Island.

 

Lake Kaniere would be in Wild Rivers Park

It is a bold and exciting project but there is serious opposition from many vested interest groups so while I ultimately think this proposal will go ahead I don't see it happening in the near future. What may happen is that parcels of land and river valleys will be added to existing National Parks, Forest Parks and Scenic Reserves.  

How to find Stewardship Land details online....

These areas really need protection as there are constant demands to utilise these river catchments and they need to be protected before they are degraded.
 

How this might impact Arthurs Pass National Park:

While there is a lot of support for a Wild Rivers Park any project of this size and type requires a lot of time to process and pass into law. The current government has a stated aim of designating stewardship land over the next 3-4 years which might make for a tight timeline for a totally new park. What may happen is that areas of Stewardship Land will instead be incorporated into existing parks. 

The proposed Wild Rivers Park is in yellow

The area to the south and west of the Taipo River is almost all Stewardship Land and takes in the area from the Taipo River right through to Lake Kaniere. There is talk doing the rounds that the whole area might be folded into a greatly expanded Arthurs Pass National Park. This would take in the Bold, Newton and Campbell Ranges as well as the Styx, Arahura and Big Wainihinahi Rivers. 


The area that may be added to Arthurs Pass NP

If it eventuates it would add many of the classic trans Southern Alp tracks and over a dozen huts to the existing park. It would push the park boundaries along SH73 and well into the West Coast. There is some precedent for this as much of this area was once earmarked for inclusion in Arthurs Pass NP but never added due to a variety of reasons.


The Taipo Valley is currently Stewardship Land...

I would love for this to come to fruition as it would preserve an area many people do not realise is not designated or protected in any way.  All of these valleys are classic West Coast backcountry terrain and deserve to be protected. 


The Arahura River might become part of Arthurs Pass NP

I will be very interested to see where this project leads...either to a new park or an expanded Arthurs Pass NP. 

Wednesday, June 16, 2021

Casey-Binser Saddle Circuit, 23-25th October 2020; Day 3

....completing the Andrews-Casey-Binser Saddle Route...

Sorry folks I just realised I never finished off the post about this trip....

I was up early on the last day of my Andrews-Binser Saddle Tramp and ready to head out the door...It was nearly 20 km's of walking first along the open river flats bordering the Poulter River and then the brutal climb up and over Binser Saddle. I was on the track for 8.5 hours on the day...four hours walking down the Poulter River, four hours up and over Binser Saddle and half an hour back along Mt White Road to the car. 

It was a long, long day.....real type three fun!!!

Casey Hut II, Arthurs Pass National Park


Start of the track to Binser Saddle near Casey Hut

Last view of Casey Hut from the Poulter River Track


After a quick breakfast and stow of my gear I set off for the road end...I was the second person out of the hut as is seems to be my custom. You walk down an access track to the Poulter River Track and then follow this all the way down valley to Pete's Stream where you join the Binser Saddle Track. Poulter River Track is a four wheel drive track right from the hut site to the ford over Pete's Stream. 

Map: Poulter Valley, Casey Hut to Mt Brown Creek


Poulter River Track, Arthurs Pass NP

Mt Brown from the Poulter River Track


The weather was shite...overcast, drizzle and cold medium strength winds and I had rain squalls following me down the valley all morning. This was interspaced with periods of sunny weather and at one point it got up to the low 20's before turning shite again. 

Typical Arthurs Pass weather for this time of the year....lovely stuff! 


Bad weather follows me down the Poulter River Valley


Your first obstacle is a river crossing about a kilometer away from the hut...normally this is a small stream but the heavy rain overnight had swollen the stream a bit. Still easy to cross but it did go up to my knees at one point and my knees are not especially low to the ground. 

The couple who had left before me were putting their boots back on...a waste of time on this track as there are more than 10 streams, rivers, creeks and swamps to cross over the day. You are going to get wet feet...


First ford on the Poulter River Track

Poulter River Track: climbing up towards the Poulter Stout Trappers Hut

I took the short side track where you climb up onto an old river terrace near Pt. 657 to visit the Poulter Stout Trappers Hut. This is a DOC staff hut for pest trapping, track work and native species research groups operating in the Poulter Valley. It is less than five minutes off the main track and is clearly visible from the river flats near Casey Hut II. 

Built in 2016 it has four bunks, water tank, a gas stove, wood burner and toilets. It is permanently locked but still on the Hut Bagger site so it was backcountry hut 234 for Jon.....

I might make it to 250 huts bagged by the end of this season....I only need 16 more. It is a possibility if I keep to my tramping plan for the 2020/2021 season as the Paparoa/Kepler/Harpers Pass tracks have 18 huts along them I have yet to visit. 



Poulter Stout Trappers Hut, Arthurs Pass NP

The Poulter River Track heads inland away from the river for a couple of kilometers past the hut...it goes up and along an old river terrace down to Rabbit Flat. The track through here is a combination of grassland and bush walking along the 4 W/D track that runs right down the valley. The diversion is necessary to bypass some big bluffs just down river from the Poulter Stout Trappers Hut. 


Poulter River Track: heading towards Pt. 657


On the flats just past Pt. 657, Poulter River Track

Poulter River Track: in the forest heading to Rabbit Flat

Crossing an unnamed stream on the Poulter River Track


I soon found myself down on Rabbit Flat about two kilometers from Casey Hut and the first major open grassland area for the day. The sun came out as I walked out onto the flats and lurked for the next 30-40 minutes before giving up on the day and heading back behind the clouds. 



On Rabbit Flat, Poulter River Track


There are a series of escarpments just past Rabbit Flat and on the true left of the Poulter River just before Cleland Stream. They are quite impressive and would be at least 100 meters tall in places...huge banks of exposed gravel which will eventually erode into the Poulter River. 



Escarpment on the true left of Poulter River, Poulter River Track

Closeup of the escarpment on the Poulter River near Pt. 1057

You cross a wide shingle fan just opposite Cleland Stream as you turn onto Aeroplane Flat...this is an old river bed but there is only a very small stream at the center of it now. Past the fan you are back onto the river flats with thick Matagouri growing right up to the edge of the four wheel drive track you are following.


Poulter River Track: crossing a shingle fan before Aeroplane Flat

In the Matagouri on Aeroplane Flat, Poulter River Track

There is a fairly deep ford to cross when you are opposite McArthur Gorge and the East Branch of the Poulter River. It was knee deep on the day and I imagine could cause problems in heavy rain as it is draining a large swampy area just before the ford. 


There are many stream crossings on the Poulter River Track

Poulter River Track: closing on Mt Brown Stream


I saw extensive evidence of wild pigs right along the track but particularly around the Mt Brown Creek. Pigs have been rooting around under the Matagouri looking for food and the ground has been quite extensively churned over. I was talking to someone in Casey Hut the previous evening and they had actually seen a couple of wild pigs running across the track so there is probably a herd of them in the valley. 



Pig rutting along the Poulter River Track


You slowly start closing in on Mt Brown Creek about halfway down the Poulter Valley or after about two hours of walking. Mt Brown Creek is the boundary of Mt White Station and Arthurs Pass NP and there is a stock fence and a number of signs to mark the border between the two. Mt Binser comes into view along here although you still cannot see the saddle for another hour or so...


Poulter River Track: first view of Mt Binser...

Peveril Peak on the left of Poulter River

Edge of the National Park at Mt Brown Creek

Start of Arthurs Pass NP in the Poulter Valley

Mt Brown Creek is one of two major rivers you need to cross in the Poulter Valley and marks the halfway point of your walk. The river can be problematic in heavy rain but there are a number of nice camp spots close to the river where you could wait out the weather if you had a tent. On the day it was easy to cross with the deepest point being just above ankle deep. 


Pt. 1596 & Mt Brown Creek, Poulter River Valley

Climbing up out of Mt Brown Creek...


From Mt Brown Creek it is five kilometers or roughly 1.5 hours to Pete's Stream at the base of Binser Saddle Track. You start out on more open grass flats but at the far end you need to climb over a spur which takes you 120 meters higher & away from the river. 

Map: Poulter Valley, Mt Brown Creek to Pete's Stream


Turnbull Stream and Peveril Peak from the Poulter River Track

The Poulter River Track goes over the spur to the front...


The spur comes down off a ridge between Pt.1596 and Pt.1300 and goes right down to the edge of the Poulter River making it impossible to skirt along the banks. The track climbs up the side of the spur in a series of switchbacks and gradually undulating track and then drops down onto a flat just before Pete's Stream. 



Start of the climb over the spur before Pete's Stream

On the spur near Pete's Stream, Poulter River Track


The storm chasing me down the Poulter River Valley


As you walk down off the spur you get a full view of Mt Binser and just a little further along the track you get your first view of Binser Saddle. Binser Saddle is at 1100 meters so you have at least 600 meters of ascent once you get to Pete's Stream to get up and over it. 


Mt Binser from Poulter River Track

First view of Binser Saddle from Poulter River Track

first view of Pete's Stream from Poulter River Track

Peveril Peak from near Pete's Stream, Poulter River Track


You know you are close to Pete's Stream when you see a line of Poplar Trees just off the track...these were planted around the Minchin Station (1857-1870) farmhouse. The farmhouse is long gone but many early farms would plant trees as shelter belts and for firewood and the remaining trees act as marker points to remember them.  


Full view of Binser Saddle from the Poulter River Track

Pete's Stream is the second major river you need to navigate on the Poulter River Track and sits right at the base of the Binser Saddle Track. There are some decent scratch campsites tucked into the bush along the true left of the stream.

It is so far from Casey Hut to the Andrews Shelter that it is perhaps better to camp here and then attempt the climb over Binser Saddle as a separate day. It is four hours from here to Andrews Shelter which is basically a days tramping so bear this in mind if planning a trip around the Andrews-Casey-Binser Circuit. 



Pete's Stream and Binser Saddle are directly ahead...

River terraces on the true right of Pete's Stream

Scratch campsite at the side of Pete's Stream


Again Pete's Stream could be problematic in heavy rain but it was fine on the day I walked the track. I took the opportunity to resupply with water from Pete's Stream before starting the climb up the track. There are a couple of small streams along the Binser Saddle Track but they are often dry so make sure you have water before proceeding any further. 

It must be filtered or treated as there are stock in the area...


Good flow of water in Pete's Stream, Poulter River Track


The first part of the Binser Saddle Track is the climb up the river terraces on the true right of Pete's Stream. The track is incredibly steep and ill formed...really loose gravel, root ladders, ground slippage it has it all. I am surprised that DOC haven't built a decent switch back track...I can easily see people falling off the track and they are normally so cautious. It is not a good introduction to the rest of the Binser Saddle Track. 

Map: Binser Saddle Track


Crossing Pete's Stream, Poulter River Track


Trampers climbing the terraces at Pete's Stream


Start of the Binser Saddle Track, Arthurs Pass NP

Pete's Stream from the terraces on the right of the river...


There are three terraces to climb up with the first being the worst after that there are trees to grab onto as you climb so while the track is shite at least you have a bit of stability. The second terrace in the photo below is the spot I camped at back in 2012 when I was last tramping the Andrews-Binser Circuit. There are some trees at the uphill end of the terrace where I pitched my tent out of the stormy weather.  


Binser Saddle Track: the second set of terraces...


On Binser Saddle Track heading for the saddle


The Binser Saddle Track is wide, easy to follow and well maintained and to start with the gradient is not that bad. You are surrounded by either Manuka/Kanuka forest or Beech Trees from here to the other end on Mt White Road. This was good on the day as it had started to rain and the trees stopped most of the rain landing on me. 


Binser Saddle Track starts out in Manuka 

...then changes to Pole Beech...

Looking down into the headwaters of Pete's Stream

The gradient starts to get steeper the higher you climb so that after about an hour up the track it is effecting your forward progress. You will have been walking for over five hours at this point so the legs are starting to ache a bit even if you are super fit. This track is almost all uphill on this side of Binser Saddle..the only sustained flat parts are up at the saddle itself.
 


Black Beech on the Binser Saddle Track

Binser Saddle Track is steep in places...

Flat section of the Binser Saddle Track

Red Beech along the Binser Saddle Track


Binser Saddle Track: half way to the top of the saddle


On the narrow ridge near Pt. 1203, Binser Saddle Track


The forest changes as you climb to the saddle...first Manuka, then various Beech species and finally stunted Pole Beech as you get to the top. You are within 200 meters of the top of the Binser Saddle Track when you strike a small side stream running along the track on your right hand side. 



Stream running down from Pt.1203, Binser Saddle Track

Start of Binser Saddle, Binser Saddle Track


Binser Saddle is sandwiched between Mt Binser (Pt. 1703 is an outlier of the main peak) and Pt.1203 and is a mixed area of flat bush track and open grass clearings. The saddle itself is not all that inspiring as you can see in the photo below but the open clearings on the Waimakariri side of the saddle have some excellent camping spots tucked into the beech forest. 

There is no water up here...you have to travel 10 minutes either side of the saddle to find seasonal watercourses. I stopped at the clearing on the saddle and ate my lunch with a hot brew before continuing down to the Mt White Road and my car. I wasn't the only one...several groups were doing the same thing as this is a natural spot to stop. 



This is actually Binser Saddle...

Start of the descent down to the Waimakariri, Binser Saddle Track

Good camping in the clearings near Binser Saddle


The track is flat for about a kilometer past the clearings near Binser Saddle with only slight undulations to follow the terrain. After that it begins to drop down towards the river flats along Mt White Road before quite a steep final kilometer of rough track down to the forest edge. 


Binser Saddle Track: heading down from the saddle

Binser Saddle Track undulates on this side of Mt Binser

Steep section along the Binser Saddle Track


You cross a stream near Pt. 830  which is another potential water source..again filter or treat the water before use. If you are heading up to Binser Saddle from this side then this is the closest and most reliable source of water near the saddle so refill if required. 


Binser Saddle Track: crossing a stream near Pt.830

About 400 meters past the stream you suddenly find the track dropping down to the track end on a steep gradient. Take care and walk cautiously through this section as it is slightly dangerous. The track is rough and ill formed and it is covered with very fine gravel which is prone to slide out under you. 

I actually think this was the worst part of the whole tramp. You are tired and leg sore from several days of hard tramping and the strain needed to stop yourself falling is awful. This was the only spot where I asked myself why I was doing this but by then you are committed so you just have to gut it out to the finish.


Binser Saddle Track: last flat section of the track....

Binser Saddle Track: start of the steep track down to Mt White Road


There are a couple of places where you will need to down climb hand over hand. It took me over an hour to cover the last kilometer of the track due to its poor state. There are some excellent views down onto the river flats along the Waimakariri River and you can see the Mt White Road waiting for you down at the bottom of the track. 


First view of the Waimakiriri River from the Binser Saddle Track


River flats along the Waimakiriri River....

Last kilometer of Binser Saddle Track is steep...

Open forest near Pt. 778 on the Binser Saddle Track

Looking down to Waimakariri River and Sugar Loaf


I finally made it to the bottom of Binser Saddle Track at the Waimakariri River side four hours after leaving Pete's Stream. I am not ashamed to say that I was totally knackered by the time I got there. Apart form my 30 minute break for lunch up on Binser Saddle and a couple of 10 minutes breaks en-route I had been constantly on the move for over 8 hours. 

I was glad to see the bottom of the track and flat ground at last......


Last 100 meters of the Binser Saddle Track

The end of the Binser Saddle Track


I sat down under a Matagouri bush and had a well deserved rest and it was necessary as my legs were like jelly after all that steep downhill travel. Suitably refreshed I started out on the 20-30 minute walk back along Mt White Road to Andrews Shelter where I had left my car. 



Walking off the Binser Saddle Track to Mt White Road

The end of the Binser Saddle Track from near Mt White Road

Mt White Road...on the way to Andrews Shelter

It is approximately three kilometers from the base of Mt Binser along the Mt White road to get back to the shelter at Andrews Stream. The walking is easy but at the end of a long and tiring day it takes some inner fortitude to put your head down and just get the distance covered. 

You have to ford Lower Farm Creek next to the junction of the track over the saddle and Mt White Road. It will be impassable after heavy rain as it is very prone to flooding but I had no problems on the day as the river was only ankle deep. 

Don't take water from this creek...it is heavily contaminated with cow manure and not safe to drink...



Ford over Lower Farm Creek, Mt White Road

There were several parties walking down the Mt White Road to get back to their cars..I had my headphones on and was listening to some music to make the walking easier. It was the Afro Indo Caribbean sound of Paul Simons Rhythm of the Saints album from the early 1990's.  

Olde Huey chucked one more barb at us...it started to rain as I walked down the road. Not heavy rain but enough to be a nuisance...cheers for that Huey...your a pal!!!



On Mt White Road heading for Andrews Shelter


View to Binser Saddle from the Mt White Road

Mt White Road: closing in on Andrews Shelter

I started walking from Casey Hut at 8.10am and got to my car just on 5 pm and boy was I glad to arrive and see it parked there waiting for me. I was tired.....really tired as I haven't done an 8+ hour day for several years. It really knocked the stuffing out of me...


The car park opposite Andrews Shelter, Mt White Road

I love the new Casey Hut it is awesome and so appreciated by all of us who enjoy tramping in Arthurs Pass. It is such an incredible gesture to replace a lost hut and one to be commended. To Sharon English and Robert Birk...thank you for your generosity. 

As to the Andrews-Casey-Binser Circuit...it is an excellent 2-3 day tramp for people with moderate outdoor skills. You do need to be quite fit for the trip as there is a lot of hill climbing and some long distances to cover on the river flats. I think the next time I come up here I will either go in and out via Andrews Valley or stop for the night at Pete's Stream and tackle Binser Saddle Track on a separate day.

 You can walk from Casey Hut to the Andrews Shelter in one day but it is not fun. 


Andrews Shelter is the start and finish of the Andrews-Casey-Binser route


I will be back soon as I still have the unfinished business of a trip to the Upper Poulter River to bag the huts there. I encourage you to visit the new hut and rediscover one of the better tracks in Arthurs Pass National Park. Bring a tent and be prepared to put in a couple of hard days tramping...




Access: From off SH 73 drive along Mt White Road to Andrews Valley entrance near Andrews Shelter, other exit is at base of Binser Saddle 4 km's along Mt White Station Road
Track Times: 6-7 hours to Casey Campsite additional 30 minutes to Casey Hut II, 4 hours to Pete's Stream, 4-5 hours to Andrews Shelter via Binser Saddle
Hut Details: Andrews Shelter, no bunks, no heating, toilet: Scratch campsites on Hallelujah Flats, no toilets, water from stream: DOC campsite on old Casey Hut location, toilet and wood shed, water from nearby stream: Casey Hut II: Serviced, 12 bunks, water-tank, wood burner, solar lighting, wood shed, toilets: Poulter Stout Trappers Hut: DOC Staff only, 4 bunks, wood burner, watertank, woodshed, solar lighting. Scratch campsites on the river terraces around Pete's Stream, no toilet, water from stream. Camping is possible at Binser Saddle but there are no toilets or close water source. 

Miscellaneous: All streams on this circuit are un-bridged and may be impossible to cross in heavy rain, long periods traversing flats which are prone to windy conditions.