Tramps in New Zealand: Waterfalls, Glaciers, Fjords, Caves and Mountain Tops

Join us for a 10-day adventure to one of the most exotic and beautiful places in the world. Our journey will include 3 days of backpacking, plus 5 days exploring some of the unique features and famous landmarks of New Zealand’s South Island, including Arthur’s Pass, the Pancake Rocks on the West Coast, Franz Joseph glacier, Mt. Cook, and the Kepler Track - one of New Zealand’s Great Walks. We will spend 10 nights in cabins, cottages, and group lodges and we will have a couple of days to explore Christchurch and the Fiordland town of Te Anau – which caters to hikers and backpackers.  Our scenic 1,000-mile journey will start and end in Christchurch and along the way we will see spectacular rainforest waterfalls, soaring mountains above alpine valleys, glacial lakes, and the isolated beaches of the wild Tasman Sea.

The maximum group size for this event is 11. Given the daily elevation gains achieved during this hike, along with the challenge of multiple back to back hikes, only intermediate and advanced hikers with significant D4 and D5 experience should register.  All registrants shall initially be placed on the wait list so that the Trip Leaders can evaluate the registrant’s fitness and experience level. 

ITINERARY DETAILS

6-Feb 2014

Arrive at Christchurch International Airport (CHC) for shuttle transportation to Spencer Park Campground.  

Please note that you will lose a day on your flight to NZ, as you will cross the International Date Line.  A morning arrival is best to give the good part of a day in Christchurch for recovery and grocery shopping.  There will be two times for the shuttle to collect people from Christchurch Airport, 12 noon and 4pm. You will be required meet at the Domestic Baggage Claim from where Aaron will collect you.

We will stay overnight in Christchurch (Spencer Park).  If you arrive before the 6^th of February will need to make your own way to Spencer Park. Address: Spencer Park, Heyders Road, Spencerville, Christchurch    

For those who are not too exhausted after a 23-30 hour flight, a variety of activities are available within walking distance of Spencer Park, including the beach, Adrenalin Forest, an aerial obstacle course; mountain biking at Bottle Lake Plantation; canoeing; hiking; and bird watching. We will go to the "MALL" the first day to get provisions. There will be a BBQ at Spencer Park with Aaron’s family - optional).  

7-Feb

Drive to Arthurs Pass (approximately 2 hours - leave 7:30 am). We will stay in Castle Hill Village. Arthur's Pass Park Brochure

Avalanche Peak   Difficulty: D4 Elevation Gain: 3600ft Distance:  4 miles PACE: Easy to Moderate

Tramping times: To bush line—1 hour 30 min, to summit—3–4 hours. This is an extremely steep and rocky journey to the top of a 6000ft peak. The climb is 3600ft vertical from the village (just over 1.5miles horizontal) with grand views of the surrounding peaks.

Devil’s Punchbowl Falls   Difficulty: D2 Elevation Gain:  340ft Distance:  1.5 miles PACE: Easy to Moderate

Tramping times: 30 minutes (0.6 miles). The top of this spectacular 430ft fall can be seen from the main road, but a walk up to the base of the waterfall is well worth doing.

Cave Stream (Great after Avalanche Peak – depends on Water Levels).   Difficulty: D2 Elevation Gain:  Negligible Distance:   0.3 miles PACE: Easy

The cave passage meanders and twists in pitch darkness for 1200ft between the two entrances. The cave ends in a deep pool with a 10 foot high waterfall. A ladder of iron rungs in the rock climbs up beside the waterfall and a chain and step will help us the crawl along the overhang ledge to the exit.                 

8-Feb

Scenic 5-hour drive along the West Coast. Drive to Punakaiki and take short walk (20 minutes) to the famous Pancake Rocks.  Continue onto Franz Josef and hike to Glacier.  Franz Josef Terminal Face Difficulty:  D2 Elevation Gain: Negligible Distance: 3.5 miles PACE: Easy   Stay at Franz Joseph Holiday Park                   

9-Feb

Scenic drive to Te Anau (6 hours - leave by 8:30 am).    Stay 1 night at the Birchwood Cottages and shop for tramping provisions in either Frankton or Te Anau.  Te Anau is a “hikers town” with shops catering to backpackers and other outdoor activities.  We can either eat in town or cook a group meal back at the Cottages.

10- to 12-Feb

Backpacking: The Kepler Track (3 days, 2 nights) Luxmore Hut and Iris Burn Hut  

Overall Difficulty: D5  Elevation Gain: Over 4000ft Distance:  28 miles  PACE: Easy to Moderate

The Kepler Track is a 28 mile, 3 day loop that offers panoramic mountain views as well as lakeside settings and more.  We will hike in a counter-clockwise direction around the track, staying one night in the Luxmore Hut and one night at the Iris Burn Hut.  Be aware that this itinerary is weather dependent.  If the weather is severe, the track may be shut down and we may have to take an alternate hike.  The Kepler Track Brochure gives an excellent detailed description of this hiking area.

10-Feb

Kepler Day 1: Te Anau to Luxmore Hut  Difficulty: D5 Elevation Gain: 3000ft Distance:  5.1 miles

We will start with a short boat ride on beautiful Lake Te Anau to Brod Bay.  From there, we will hike to the Luxmore Hut.  A challenging climb up Mt. Luxmore will take us through forests and past impressive limestone bluffs. Once we get above bush line, we will have panoramic views of the Kepler Mountains on one side, and lakes, rivers and hanging valleys on the other.  After we reach the Luxmore Hut, we will drop our backpacks and take a 10 minute hike to Luxmore Cave. 

The Kepler Track huts have basic cooking facilities supplied with gas cookers, tables, seating, cold running water, solar-powered lighting and heating in the main kitchen/dining hut. Bunkrooms have communal sleeping arrangements, with mattresses provided. You must carry your own sleeping bag.  Bathrooms have flush toilets and wash basins with cold water. There are no showers in the huts.

11-Feb                  

Kepler Day 2: Luxmore Hut to Iris Burn Hut   Difficulty: D5 Elevation Gain: 1270ft Elevation Loss: 3200ft Distance:  9.1 miles

On Day 2 we will leave Luxmore Hut for Iris Burn Hut. We will climb steadily up Mt Luxmore to just below the summit. (If the weather is good we will make an optional side trip to the summit; 10mins). We will cross Forest Burn saddle and then descend to Iris Burn hut.

12-Feb                 

Kepler Day 3: Iris Burn Hut to Rainbow Reach  Difficulty: D5 Elevation Loss:  750 feet Distance: 13.8 miles

Our longest day will see us steadily descend through Beech Forest and then over a low saddle, through a gorge and then along river flats to the shores of Lake Manapouri.  We will take a break at Moturau Hut and then take a moderate stroll to Rainbow Reach.  A shuttle will take us from the Rainbow Reach Car Park at the end of the Kepler Track back to Te Anau.  We will stay 1 more night in the Birchwood Cottages.

13-Feb          

Recovery Day: Drive to Mount Cook (4.5 hours – Leave by 11:00 am) Stay in Glentanner Park for 2 nights. Mount Cook Park Brochure

There will be an optional hike after we arrive at Glentanner depending on how the group feels. A decision will be made on the day we arrive at Mount Cook.

Aoraki/Mount Cook, New Zealand's great alpine park, has the highest mountains and the largest glaciers in NZ, and the largest buttercup anywhere!!  At 12,316 feet, Aoraki Mt Cook is New Zealand’s highest peak. The Tasman Glacier, New Zealand's largest and longest glacier, is 16 miles long, up to one mile wide and covers 39 sq. miles.  Although there is virtually no forest in this area, Mt. Cook Park is alive with over 300 species of alpine plants. Among the most spectacular of these are many varieties of mountain buttercup and daisy/tikumu. The famed Mount Cook lily, Ranunculus lyalli, is the largest buttercup in the world.  

14-Feb                 

Red Tarns Track at Mount Cook   Difficulty: D3 Elevation Gain:  1500ft Distance:   1.2 miles  PACE: Easy to Moderate

This track climbs steeply to the Red Tarns. A viewpoint offers a spectacular panorama of the valley and Aoraki/Mount Cook. The tarns were named from the red pond weed that grows in them.

Hooker Valley Track   Difficulty: D3 Elevation Gain:  900ft Distance:   6.5 miles PACE: Easy to Moderate

One of the most popular walks in the park, the Hooker Valley Track leads up the Hooker Valley towards Aoraki/Mount Cook. The track passes close to the Alpine Memorial, continues on to Hooker River and crosses twice on swinging footbridges before reaching Stocking Stream Shelter. The track follows the river to its source to reach the Hooker Glacier terminal lake. 

15-Feb

Kea Point Walk at Mount Cook Difficulty:  D2 Elevation Gain: 700ft  Distance: 2.5 miles PACE:  Easy to Moderate

This walk gently winds its way through sub-alpine grasslands and scrub to the Mueller Glacier moraine wall. The walk ends at a viewing deck that gives stunning views of Mt Sefton and Footstool, the Hooker Valley, Mueller Glacier Lake and Aoraki/Mount Cook.          

3.5 hour return drive to Christchurch: Stay at Spencer Park Campground.

16-Feb                  

Return to the Christchurch airport by 4:00 p.m.

IMAGES of WHAT WE HOPE TO SEE:  Aaron' s Picasa Album

Passport

To enter the country you must have a passport and it must be valid for at least three months past the date that you intend to leave New Zealand.

US Citizens do not need a visitor visa to enter New Zealand. However, they are still required to provide travel tickets or evidence of onward travel arrangements, and evidence of funds for maintenance.  You are responsible for knowing the immigration laws for your own particular citizenship status.

Visa-waiver countries

United States of America - http://gloss ary.immigration.govt.nz/visafreecountries.htm 

ARRIVAL – YOU MUST READ THIS WEBSITE –

http://www.customs.govt.nz/inprivate/onyourarrival/Pages/default.aspx

Travel Insurance:  Is strongly suggested.

Cell phone:  International rates are high and most US phones will not have coverage in NZ.  A cheap cellphone can be picked up from Dick Smith in NZ ranging from $39 upwards on either 2degrees or Telecom New Zealand. http://www.2degre esmobile.co.nz/prepay/pricing

Exchange Rate: approximately US$1 buys NZ$1.16 (Subject to change).

Banking: Please inform your bank/and or credit card company that you will be travelling to NZ so they do not block your card.

Meals and Food costs: Eating out is expensive, around $20 - $35 NZ for a main (entree) at a restaurant. Groceries are expensive.  You should plan to budget about $80 NZ per day for food to be on the safe side. We will have time for grocery shopping on the first day in Christchurch and again when we get to Te Anau  (Days 1, 4, 8).  Some of our overnight accommodations will have cooking facilities, which will allow our group to prepare shared meals.  On the days that we prepare group meals, we will split the cost of the grocery bill among the group.  

Weather conditions: The average temperatures in the South Island during the month of February range from a high of 74 degrees F down to a low of 54 degrees F (think of Atlanta in the Springtime).   Although it will be summer in New Zealand, the weather can change rapidly, so pack for a variety of conditions.   The amazing waterfalls and rain forests in the Fiordland area are due to the high amount of rainfall - an average of 276 inches per year, and over 200 rain-days per year.  On the Kepler Track, we will be hiking at almost 5,000 feet of elevation, where the average temperatures for February can range from a low of 32 to a high of 75. As with alpine areas anywhere in the world, strong, gusty winds and snow are possible so be aware of the risk of wind chill.  http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and- recreation/plan-and-prepare/weather/

Burn Time: New Zealand has a hole in the Ozone directly above it; therefore “Burn Time” or the time it takes for a serious sunburn to occur, can be as short as 10 minutes!  Sunscreen with an SPF of 50 or higher is a REQUIRED ITEM.  Bring twice as much as you think you may need, especially if you are fair skinned. 

Banned food products and other plant materials:   It is illegal to import most foodstuffs. This could be something as simple as a piece of fruit, a sandwich, preserved sausage or a cheese snack. Go to prohibited and restricted items for more information.

Clean boots: Please clean and remove all soil and traces of plant material off your boots before entering New Zealand. All boots/camping equipment should be declared to NZ customs for inspection.   For information on how to properly clean your boots, please read http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/files/pests/didymo/info-for- trampers.pdf

Our Route – G is our start and Finish point – G-B-C-D- E-F-G. (The Google alphabet starts with G, not A). 

Registration Requirements

Given the daily elevation gains achieved during this hike, along with the challenge of multiple back to back hikes, only intermediate and advanced hikers with significant D4 and D5 experience should register.  All registrants shall initially be placed on the wait list so that the TLs can evaluate the registrant’s fitness and experience level.

Any registrant who does not have a recent resume of D4 and D5 hikes in the AOC likely will not be placed on the event list unless the registrant can demonstrate to the TLs an appropriate fitness and experience level gained outside the Club.  The TLs also reserve the right to consider any registrant’s social history within the AOC and to make the final determination as to whether the registrant is an appropriate candidate for this event.  

1. Transportation in a rented 12 seat passenger van from Christchurch, New Zealand Airport (CHC) to Spencer Beach on Feb. 6, 2014 and to all designated points on the itinerary, with transportation to the CHC airport by 4:00 p.m. on Feb. 16, 2014.  

2. 10 nights accommodation in group lodging facilities, including 2 nights stay in huts on the Kepler Great Walk trek.  Some group lodging facilities may include communal showers and group cooking facilities.  Depending on the availability of beds in the lodging facilities, you may expect to share a queen bed with another member of our travel group.  If this is a problem, you may reconsider whether you are suited for this trip.

3. Boat ride on Lake TeAnau to the start of the Kepler Track and shuttle transport back to TeAnau at the end of the Track. 

Cost does not include: Airfare from Atlanta to Christchurch (approximately $2,300.00); food or meals for the duration of the trip; additional paid activities in Christchurch or TeAnau; personal expenses and incidentals, such as laundry or internet; cell phone service; any additional nights stay in New Zealand.  Our itinerary will include time to shop for provisions at the beginning and during the 10 days.  Plan to spend approximately $80 USD per day for food.

Price changes:  The price of this event is based upon the current fuel prices and currency exchange rate at the time of this write-up.  Further, the price is also based upon a minimum number of participants sharing transportation costs.  We will attempt to lock in costs as quickly as possible.  However, fuel prices and/or currency fluctuations in the interim, or a smaller group than expected, can create a slight increase in price.  Please do not register if you are unable to pay a small price increase, should it become necessary.  Your TLs will make every effort to avoid a price increase, and, if one is necessary, to keep it as small as possible.

Additional Payment Information:  Payment in full is due 21 days after you signup or May 31, 2013 - whichever comes first.   You will be moved to the waiting list if you fail to meet this deadline. 

Payment may be made via PayPal, PC Banking or Check. It is your responsibility to get the deposit payment and/or balance payment to the AOC by the due dates. Allow two days processing for PayPal and PC Banking and one week to mail a check.

If you cancel on or before May 31, 2013, you will receive a full refund less a $35 administrative fee.  There will be no refunds for cancellations after May 31, unless someone (approved by the trip leaders) replaces you from the wait list and pays in full. If you are replaced, you will receive a full refund less the nonrefundable fee of $108.00 for the Kepler Hut Fee and the $35.00 administrative fee. There are limited spaces available in the New Zealand hut system. Once all the spaces are filled on the Kepler Walk for February 10 & 11, 2014, we will be unable to add a replacement for any cancellations.  Once this happens, there will be no refund for any cancellations. There is no partial payment for partial attendance.