The Voyaging Mind: Rabbit Pass, New Zealand

The Rabbit Pass trekking route is a rugged trial between the Upper Wilkin Valley and the East Matukituki Valley. It is located within Mt. Aspiring National Park in the South Island of New Zealand.

I joined a guided group organized by Aspiring Guides Wild Walks Team and the trek took place from Dec 13th to Dec 16th, 2010

After a week of fine weather which I used to break in a pair of new boots by walking up Ben Lomond in Queenstown, we hit a patch of rainy weather. The first day on the trail was forecast to be wet.

Ben Lomond, Queenstown

Day 1 - Wanaka to Top Forks Hut

As predicted, it rained pretty heavily at dawn and into mid afternoon. The initial plan was to fly into the Wilkin Valley from Makaroa but the weather was not suited for a fixed wing flight.

Lake Hawae

Wet Wet Wet

So we drove up to an area known as Kidd's Bush, near 'The Neck' on Lake Hawea and walked up the hill there.

After walking up a couple of hundred meters it became evident that there weren't going to be great views that day and we headed back down, had lunch and pondered our next move.

It was decided to ride a helicopter into the valley, close to Top Forks Hut.

Flying into the Upper Wilkin Valley

The rain was impressive - lashing onto the windshield and causing the camera's autofocus to target it instead of the ground below.

Helicopter drop off just next to the Wilkin

The pilot kept low and we seemed as if we were floating magically over the valley

Mt. Betsy Jane in the rain

Chilling out outside Top Forks Hut

The walk to Top Forks Hut was a short 10-15 minutes. The ground was soggy and wet from the heavy rain and it was nice not to have to cross the Wilkin in full flood

Brenda cooked up a sumptuous chicken dinner and we started a fire that kept us nice and warm. I helped set up the Short-Wave radio and we received good news about the weather for the next day. This must have contributed to a truly splendid sleep - surrounded sweet cool air and silence.

Day 2 - Top Forks Hut - Rabbit Pass - Pickelhaube Camp

The heavens cleared up overnight and we were greeted early in the morning by a splendid view of Mt. Pollux.

We started the steady climb through forest and into Snowbridge Gorge, catching glimpses of Mt. Pollux and the moraine wall of Lake Lucidius as we looked back.

Looking back at Mt. Pollux

Going down a section of Snowbridge Gorge

Snowbridge Gorge was awesome to look down into. The icy section is apparently permanent hence its name

More spectacular vistas at the gorge

After being enthralled by views of Snowbridge Gorge and winding our way round south while steadily climbing, we entered Waterfall Flats

Waterfall face beckoned from a distance upon our arrival.

..but to get there we had to cross the South Fork of the Wilkin several times... 10C water... brr... Here Brenda assists Poh across a knee deep section

As we got closer, Waterfall face loomed larger ...

And quite vertical... here is a steep section...and this photo exists because Todd did not fall on top of me...

And a traverse across a bluff with a rope

The view back down Waterfall flat made the short, steep, climb worthwhile...

We stopped for lunch at a spot looking towards Pearson Saddle

Which changed from rock and ice to a grassy area as we approached Rabbit Pass

Rabbit pass at 1400m overlooks the East Matukituki Valley

A few hundred meters on, we came to the edge of the pass and a steep drop of several hundred meters. Looking left towards Lois Peak, was a steep walk up to the descent point

The highest point of the trek is at 1600m and we look down a steep gut...into the East Matukituki Valley

A rope belay is set up to enable a safer descent - which was steep however you look at it

Finding footholds and handholds was challenging ...

Looking up at the steepest section. Thankfully, the next part of the descent was across low scrub to our campsite next to the stream

Day 3 - Ruth Flat - Bledisloe Gorge

We woke up to a glorious view of Mt. Pickelhaube (named after a type of pointy Prussian military headgear) and marveled at the steep walls surrounding the start of the East branch of the Matukituki Valley

One need only look out of the tent....

A short walk took us to the valley floor onto Ruth Flat

Ruth Flat

A long walk along the valley floor yielded views of the grand peaks on the right - Fastness Peak being one.

Fastness Peak from Ruth Flats

We stopped for lunch by the river

Approaching Bledisloe Gorge

A hard slog up and down slopes in the forest followed. I got pretty dehydrated wearing something black and not carrying enough water. Looking back, we really didn't seem to have covered much ground.