Backpacking Calendar

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Start Date		End Date	Nights		Grade	Leader
Start Date	SortStartDate	End Date	Nights	Name	Grade	Leader	Description
Tue 10 Oct		Thu 12 Oct 2023	2	Boyle Flat Hut – Anne Saddle	Easy/Moderate – Grade 3	Jill Halliburton jillhb@globe.net.nz	5 hour mostly flat tramp to Boyle Flat Hut. A side trip to Anne Saddle on the middle day (14 bunks; $25 per night). 318 kms return travel by vehicle.
Sat 14 Oct		Sun 15 Oct 2023	1	Woolshed Creek Hut, Mt Somers	Easy – Grade 2	Dean Stewart 273646877 Stewy989@gmail.com	3 – 4 hour tramp to a bookable hut ($25 per night) 228 kms travel by vehicle.
Sun 15 Oct		Mon 16 Oct 2023	1	Carroll Hut	Easy/Moderate – Grade 3	Maree Richards 210364648 mareegonebush@playful.com	This is a 3 hour tramp from Kelly Creek to Carroll Hut with a side trip to Kelly Hill once the hut has been reached. One blue DOC ticket ($10pp) for hut or Annual Hut Pass. 306 km travel by vehicle.
Fri 20 Oct		Sun 22 Oct 2023	2	Doubtful Valley	Moderate	Geoff Mahan 942 8664	A 4 hour tramp to Doubtless Hut (6 bunks, $10 per night) with some tops travel on the 2nd day if snow conditions allow it. If the weather is not suitable at the start of the week, the trip will be later in the week.
Wed 25 Oct		Sun 29 Oct 2023	4	Motutapu Track, Wanaka	Moderate – Grade 3	Tania Dalzell tmjddalzell@hotmail.com 021 0226 8849	Wednesday 25th drive down to Wanaka and stay the night; Thursday 26th shuttle to Glendu Bay and tramp to Highland Creek Hut (6 - 9 hrs); Friday 27th Roses Hut (6 - 8 hrs); Saturday 28th walk out (7 -10 hrs) and stay in Arrowtown; Sunday 29th shuttle back to Wanaka and drive home
Fri 10 Nov		Sun 12 Nov 2023	2	Elizabeth Hut and Trent Saddle, West Coast	Moderate – Grades 2-3	Peter Moody pmoody007@gmail.com 351 7448 / 021 257 2031 Geoff Mahan	We will travel to Gloriavale and leave the car there while we tramp up to Elizabeth hut. The next day to Trent Saddle and return to Elizabeth hut. Tramp out the Sunday. 456 km by vehicle.
Sat 11 Nov		Wed 15 Nov 2023	4	Old Ghost Road, Buller	Moderate – Grades 2-3	Martin Cropp 0210 736 240 mcropp@xtra.co.nz	A 5 day tramp on a track developed for mountain bikers. Each day the scenery is different! 800 kms travel by vehicle
Sat 18 Nov		Sun 19 Nov 2023	1	Kowhai Hut, Kaikoura	Easy/Moderate (due to river crossings)	Dean Stewart 273646877 Stewy989@gmail.com	3 hour tramp following the Kowhai River, involving river crossings(6 bunks, $10 per night). 366 km by vehicle.
Tue 21 Nov		Thu 23 Nov 2023	2	Nina Hut – Devilskin Saddle, Lewis Pass	Easy/Moderate – Grade 3	Jill Halliburton jillhb@globe.net.nz	3 hour mostly flat tramp in a valley with a lot of bird life. A 5 hour side trip to Devilskin Pass on the middle day. (10 bunks; $10 per night). 350 kms return travel by vehicle.
Sat 25 Nov		Sat 2 Dec 2023	8 – incl 6 tramping & 2 driving	Matukituki Valley – Cascade Saddle – Rees River Valley, Mt Aspiring NP	Grade 3 & 4	Maree Richards 210364648 mareegonebush@playful.com	2 days travel to/from Wanaka/Glenorchy. 6 days tramping. D1- Raspberry Flat CP to Liverpool Hut. D2- to Aspiring Hut. D3- to Cascade Saddle (camp). D4- to Dart Hut. D5- to Shelter Rock Hut. D6- walk out to Muddy Creek carpark and stay in Glenorchy. We may also look at staying at Kea Basin /Earnslaw Biv on the way out if conditions allow.
Wed 6 Dec		Fri 8 Dec 2023	2	Cameron Hut, Ashburton Lakes	Moderate – Grade 3	Kaye Young 2102568702 rbkmyoung@xtra.co.nz	2 nights at Cameron Hut (9 bunks, $10) with a side trip to view Cameron glacier on Tuesday.
Sat 9 Dec		Sun 10 Dec 2023	1	Dillon Hut, Arthurs Pass	Easy – Grade 2	Dean Stewart 273646877 Stewy989@gmail.com	A 2 – 3 hour flat tramp beside the Taipo River (10 bunks, $10 per night) 360 km by vehicle.
Mon 11 Dec		Fri 15 Dec 2023	3 in tents; 1 travel accommodation	Inland Track, Punakaiki, West Coast	Moderate/Hard – Grades 3-4	Tania Dalzell tmjddalzell@hotmail.com 021 0226 8849	Day 1: After lunch, drive over and stay at Punakaiki. Day 2: Walk and tent at Bullock Creek, side trip in afternoon to Cave Creek. Day 3: Return trip to summit Mt Bovis and back to stay at tent site. Day 4: Walk out to Punakaiki via Pororari River and drive home. With numerous river crossings, you will get your feet wet on this trip. Highlights include the Ball Room overhang; a day trip to summit Mt Bovis (incredible views of National Park, inland ranges and coast; a side trip to explore Cave Creek. A Grade 3-4 trip starting from Fox River and walking around to Punakaiki.
Wed 13 Dec		Sat 16 Dec 2023	3 plus a night in Greymouth afterwards	Paparoa Track, West Coast	Grade 2	Paul Knox knoxps@gmail.com 3392997 / 0272085070	This tramp is Full – but a waitlist is available.
Mon 15 Jan		Wed 17 Jan 2024	2	Ahuriri Valley	Moderate – Grade 3	Maree Richards 210364648 mareegonebush@playful.com	Day 1. After driving to the walk start we will cross the Ahuriri River and walk to Hideaway Hut 2hrs (6 bunks, free) (and possibly climb Stoney Peak). Day 2: Following ridgelines in open tussock country we will tramp to Snowy Gorge Hut 5hrs (5 bunks, free). Day 3 Follow Snowy Gorge river out and back to cars 5hrs and drive home.
Sat 20 Jan		Sun 21 Jan 2024	1	Anti Crow Hut, Arthurs Pass	Easy – Grade 2	Dean Stewart 273646877 Stewy989@gmail.com	2 – 3 hour walk from the Bealey Bridge to the but. (6 bunks, $10 per night). 248 km by vehicle.
Mon 29 Jan		Fri 2 Feb 2024	4	Lake Angelus Hut, Nelson Lakes	Moderate – Grade 3	Jill Halliburton jillhb@globe.net.nz	Explore this area of Nelson lakes National Park while based at this bookable 28 bunk hut ($30 per night).
Sat 17 Feb		Sun 18 Feb 2024	1	Double Hut, Hakatere	Easy – Grade 2	Dean Stewart 273646877 Stewy989@gmail.com	An old musterers hut 3 hour tramp from the Lake Heron carpark (6 bunks, free). 292 km by vehicle.
Sun 18 Feb		Tue 20 Feb 2024	2	Edwards Hut – Hawdon Hut circuit	Moderate – Grade 3	Ross Walker 0275 582 126 rwchch@gmail.com	A classic circuit via the Edwards River – Tarn Col – Walker Pass and the Hawdon River. Moderate grade because of river crossings and the ascent of Tarn Col. (Edwards Hut 16 bunks, Hawdon Hut 20 bunks. Both $30 per night). 248 km by vehicle.
Mon 19 Feb		Fri 23 Feb 2024	4 (2 in huts; 2 in travel accommodation)	Mateketake Hut, South Westland	Hard – Grade 4	Tania Dalzell tmjddalzell@hotmail.com 021 0226 8849	Mataketake Hut, set on the Mataketake tops of South Westland World Heritage conservation land, is more than a new hut in a stunning location. Officially opened in early February, Mataketake is also a memorial to the late Dr Andy Dennis (1944-2016), MNZM, conservationist, author and avid tramper. Day 1: Stay in Haast the first night Day 2: walk in via Blowfly hut to stay at Māori Hill Hut the second night Day 3: Mataketake Hut for the 3rd night (with plenty of time to explore) Day 4: out via Mica Mine Tops Route to stay the 4th night back in Haast. Day 5 drive home. Grade 4 – 5.
Sun 25 Feb		Sat 2 Mar 2024	6	5 Passes, Mt Aspiring	Moderate – Grade 4	Maree Richards 210364648 mareegonebush@playful.com	This trip includes some rugged terrain and tenting rather than huts each night. 5 days tramping plus 2 days travelling.
Mon 26 Feb		Thu 29 Feb 2024	3	Top Hope Hut from Sisters Swingbridge	Moderate – Grade 3	Ian Fussell 2102719869 fussei@xtra.co.nz	Day 1: 8 hour tramp to Hope Kiwi Lodge. (20 bunks; $25 per night). Day 2: 3 hour tramp to Top Hope Hut (6 bunks; free) with time to explore the upper Hope Valley and try the hot springs. Days 3 and 4 are the reverse of the first two. 216 kms return.
Sat 9 Mar		Sun 10 Mar 2024	1	Carlyle Hut, Lewis Pass	Easy – Grade 2	Dean Stewart 273646877 Stewy989@gmail.com	A 4 hour tramp from the Hope River bridge following Carlyle Stream. (8 bunks, free) 300 km by vehicle.
Sun 10 Mar		Thu 14 Mar 2024	1	Mt Arthur & Balloon Hut, Kahurangi NP	Moderate – Grade 3	Jill Halliburton jillhb@globe.net.nz	Day 1, drive to Quinneys Bush, Motupiko, stay overnight. Day 2, climb Mt Arthur, return to Mt Arthur Hut overnight, 6-7 hours tramping. Day 3 to Balloon Hut via Gordons Pyramid, 5-6 hours, stay 2 nights. Day 4 explore around Balloon Hut. Day 5 return to car park and home via Salisbury Hut and some fascinating shelters on the wayout, 6-7 hours. Huts $30 per night or use Annual Hut Pass.
Sun 17 Mar		Tue 19 Mar 2024	2	Carroll Hut – Taipo Valley, Arthurs Pass	Moderate	Kaye Young 2102568702 rbkmyoung@xtra.co.nz	Carroll Hut (10 bunks, $10 per night) on Sunday night, cross the Kelly Range and descend to Dillon Hut in the Taipo Valley for Monday night.
Thu 28 Mar		Sat 30 Mar 2024	2	Paparoa Track	Moderate – Grades 2-3	Jo Hutchings 0273148194 jo.hutchings@xtra.co.nz	First night at Moonlight Tops Hut and the second at Pororari Hut. Cost per person for huts is $125
Tue 2 Apr		Fri 5 Apr 2024	3	St James Walkway, Lewis Pass	Moderate – Grade 3	Alison Ford 210776932 alisoningarden@gmail.com	A 4 day tramp which passes through a variety of scenery. It starts at Lewis Pass and ends at Boyle Village. Huts are $25 per night. 318 km travel by vehicle.
Sun 7 Apr		Thu 11 Apr 2024	4	Base camp, Waiuta Lodge, West Coast	Easy/Moderate	Jill Halliburton jillhb@globe.net.nz	A chance to explore the tracks around this old mining village
Mon 29 Apr		Wed 1 May 2024	2	Kirwans – Montgomerie Huts circuit	Moderate – Grade 3	Edith Goesmann 3837924/021801718 edithgoesmann@gmail.com	Day 1: 6 hour tramp to Kirwans Hut (12 Bunks, $25 per night). day 2: 4 hours to Montgomerie hut (6 bunks, $10 per night). Day 3: 4hour tramp to the vehicles. 500 kms return travel by vehicle.
Sat 11 May		Tue 14 May 2024	3	Paparoa Track	Moderate – Grades 2-3	Bruce Rolls 027 418 0571 rolls.bscsjk@xtra.co.nz	The 55km Paparoa Track crosses the Paparoa Range. It takes you through alpine tops, limestone karst landscapes and thriving rainforests, and provides breath-taking views. Huts are $70 per night.
November 2024	01/11/2024		3	Wilkin Valley, Otago (dates to be confirmed)	Moderate/Hard	Mark Christensen mark@naturalresourceslaw.co.nz	Dates to be confirmed. Day 1: Jet boat into Kerin Forks and walking to Top Forks Hut 6- 8 hours walk. Top Forks Hut is 16 bunks. Day 2: Day trip to the North Branch Wilkin Valley – Lakes Lucidus and Castalia. Day 3: Day trip to the Waterfall Face towards Rabbit Pass (6- 8 hours return). Day 4: Walk out to Kerin Forks and jet boat out. 6 days in total as 2 travel days as well.
Fri 7 Mar		Sat 15 Mar 2025	7	Base Camp, Te Anau	Grades 2, 3 & 4	Marcel Robb Marcel.robb@gmail.com	This basecamp will be same format as 2023’s very successful basecamp.

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