A DEEP SOUTH ADVENTURE... 
Part I

14^th April -  Noel, Eileen, Steve & Claire headed to the airport (with thanks to our driver, Carl) very early, ready to begin our journey.  Unfortunately fog at Auckland Airport had us grounded for two hours longer than expected take off (7 a.m.) but luckily our plane for the direct flight to Dunedin was sitting on the tarmac.  A lot of other flights were being cancelled that morning!!!   We arrived in Dunedin in good time to meet our fellow group members - Rodney (organizer and leader), Barbara, Michael, Dorothy, Anne, Chris (Tararua Tramping Club) and Barry & Rhonda (NSW, Australia).  It was then time for most of us to catch the Taieri Gorge Scenic Train to Matarae, whilst Noel & Rodney organised gas cookers (kindly hired from Otago Tramping & Mountaineering Club), meeting us at journey’s end.  Then onto Queenstown…

Next day the Warbirds over Wanaka Airshow was a fantastic show, enjoyed by all.  Steve especially enjoyed the Tornado’s awesome power!

Our first walk begins with Eileen & Barbara dropping us off at track start…

Taieri Gorge Scenic Train

Warbirds over Wanaka

Rees / Dart Valleys (67 km) - 17-20 April
Day 1:        Muddy Creek to Shelter Rock Hut
The walk started before Muddy Creek at a rather large ford.  Long day along the river flats which were quite swampy in parts, surrounded by snow tipped mountains.  Crossing 25 Mile Creek wasn’t a problem but noticed a plague in memory of two trampers who drowned there in 1995.  Several four-wheel drive vehicles were coming and going along the flats up to the beginning of the Beech forest - some trampers were getting a lift!  Finally, we were in Mt Aspiring National Park where we crossed several gullies before reaching Shelter Rock Hut.
Day 2:        Shelter Rock Hut to Dart Hut
We followed the river/stream before the steep climb up and over the Rees Saddle (1447m).   We took time to admire the great views from the top of the saddle.  Continuing onward past the tarns high above the snow-fed Snowy Creek, which is milky blue in colour.  The keas were calling high above on the wing.  In misty drizzly rain we crossed the swingbridge over Upper Snowy Creek, and sidled along broken slopes before descending sharply through beautiful vegetation (hebes and Spaniards) to the Dart Hut.
Day 3:        Our “rest” day dawned bright and sunny.  Some of us spent the day walking - for a change!! - following the Dart River all the way to Dart Glacier just below Cascade Saddle.  We witnessed several avalanches from the smaller Hesse Glacier along the way.  The scenery was just magic!

Rees Saddle

Snowy Creek

Day 4:         Dart Hut to Daleys Flat Hut
First part of day we walked in Beech Forest before emerging into the sun and across the grassy Cattle Flat (4 km).  Back into Beech forest we followed the Dart River which continues past Daleys Flat Hut.
Day 5:         Daleys Flat Hut to Carpark
Another sunny day along the Dart River - the hills around tipped with snow - we walked on and over the awesome Sandy Bluff.  Our peace was shattered by the sound of the local speed boat tours racing up and down the river.  Chinaman's Bluff was less significant and not long after we arrived at the end of track, happy in the thought that we'd taken the long route around Mt Earnslaw.  We were pleased to see Barbara & Eileen awaiting our return just on the other side of the first ford.
Hot Shower - Laundry - Repack - Tea & beer at Glenorchy Hotel (bliss!)

To be continued...  Part II - Routeburn Track
Written by:  Claire Marshall

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Dart Glacier