remote back country huts, Westland NZ

[wayno]

http://remotehuts.onlinegroups.net/huts

[Nick S]

Hmm I remember a NZer called Wayne while we walked the Routeburn last November. He joined us for the first 2 nights in the huts but then walked all the way back to Glenorchy shelter from lake mackenzie on the worst day..
So any story behind the link?

[wayno]

I was on the routeburn before christmas and did just that. winds gusting 100k, 300mm of rain, couldnt stand upright on parts of it, almost blown off my feet, had to hang onto the side of the mountain to stay on my feet in places. the rain stung..., best fun i've had in ages... can't wait to do it again...

the link is just an informational inventory of the status of various back country huts for those thinking of going to the more remote locations in Westland.

[Nick S]

I'm interested now.. you say you did the Routeburn before christmas, my younger brother and I did it around the 20th dec.
Here's a link to my album from that trip. Let me know if you recognise any of the people.
www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150 ... f52&type=1

Yeah well it was very windy from what I remember, even walking out to the divide was bad enough. We had to use the alternative track under the waterfall but still got drenched with icy water!

Nick

[wayno]

I'm interested now.. you say you did the Routeburn before christmas, my younger brother and I did it around the 20th dec.
Here's a link to my album from that trip. Let me know if you recognise any of the people.
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set= ... f52&type=1

Yeah well it was very windy from what I remember, even walking out to the divide was bad enough. We had to use the alternative track under the waterfall but still got drenched with icy water!

Nick

yup that was me alright, I was told you had to wait an extra day for a slip to be cleared on the road before you could get out.... only three people went across the top that day. no one else wanted to go. the guided walkers were helicoptered over because the chief guide couldnt stand up when he went up to have a look at the weather....
i just went up to have a look myself to see if i could get through and managed it. bit nerve wracking. but not that dangerous...

[wayno]

I took a few rough videos on that trip on my way back on the last couple of days, the river was absolutely wild....

http://www.youtube.com/waynowski#p/u/7/utS1J0ubi90

[Nick S]

haha crazy.. Well the track is pretty wide really.. my bro and I ended up starting the Kepler the next day and had some atrocious weather while up on the ridges. still enjoyed it though.
Na we ended up getting to the road and catching a lift with the girls in their ute out to Te Anu. Although we drove out fine, they weren't letting people drive in toward the Milford.

[sef]

Nice enough country.

[wayno]

Nice enough country.

now that is back country, fantastic, where abouts in westland is it?

[sef]

Toaroha saddle, Gunn Pass at the head of the Perth, Taipo.